VOA标准英语2009年-AFRICOM Begins Training in Gabon

By Scott Stearns
Dakar
28 September 2009

 
Members of the U.S. Africa Command are in Gabon for the start of a military communications exercise involving more than two dozen African armies.

AFRICOM'S Africa Endeavor program seeks to improve communications between African armies by establishing a network linking their command and control structures to better prepare for joint¹ operations.

The exercise in Gabon runs through October 8 and involves nearly 30 African militaries along with delegations² from the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

It is the third annual training exercise and field test of communications systems following earlier Africa Endeavor programs in South Africa and Nigeria.

Admiral Herve Namboundouani leads the organizing committee for this year's exercise.

Admiral Namboundouani says each nation has different equipment, so it is important to be able to work together and communicate with other forces in peacekeeping missions.

The Africa Endeavor program is meant to act as a catalyst³ for a coordinated⁴ response to African security challenges as the African Union develops standard practices and procedures for its Standby Force.

U.S. officials say information sharing is critical to improving cooperation in joint peacekeeping interventions⁵ and humanitarian⁶ assistance missions both inside and outside Africa.

The creation of AFRICOM during the Bush Administration was viewed with suspicion by some African governments wary⁷ of U.S. military bases in Africa in the thick of the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The U.S. Africa Command took charge of an existing base in Djibouti as well as Defense⁸ Department personnel at embassies and diplomatic missions. But it has not opened any new bases and has kept its headquarters in Germany.

AFRICOM is responsible for U.S. military relations with all African nations except Egypt. The U.S. Central Command maintains its long-standing relationship with Egypt, but AFRICOM coordinates⁹ with the government in Cairo on issues of African security. 

1 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

2 delegations   

n.代表团( delegation的名词复数 )；委托，委派

参考例句：

• In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来，中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

3 catalyst   

n.催化剂，造成变化的人或事

参考例句：

• A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。
• The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。

4 coordinated   

adj.协调的

参考例句：

• The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

5 interventions   

n.介入，干涉，干预( intervention的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Economic analysis of government interventions deserves detailed discussion. 政府对经济的干预应该给予充分的论述。 来自辞典例句
• The judge's frequent interventions made a mockery of justice. 法官的屡屡干预是对正义的践踏。 来自互联网

6 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

7 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

8 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

9 coordinates   

n.相配之衣物；坐标( coordinate的名词复数 )；（颜色协调的）配套服装；[复数]女套服；同等重要的人（或物）v.使协调，使调和( coordinate的第三人称单数 )；协调；协同；成为同等

参考例句：

• The town coordinates on this map are 695037. 该镇在这幅地图上的坐标是695037。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》