VOA标准英语2010年-US Officials Call on Iraq to Form Gove

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint¹ Chiefs of Staff, and Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew address the media at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad, Iraq, 27 Jul 2010

Two senior U.S. officials called on Iraqi leaders Tuesday to form a new government as quickly as possible, partly to provide a counterpart for negotiations² on the future of U.S.-Iraq defense³ relations, after the scheduled U.S. military withdrawal⁴ at the end of next year.

 

The top U.S. military officer and a deputy secretary of state were in Baghdad at the same time conveying the same message to Iraqi leaders - it is past time to form a new government based on the results of the parliamentary elections four months ago.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, told reporters on his aircraft flying to Baghdad that from his point of view, a new government is needed - particularly to discuss the future of the U.S.-Iraq military relationship.

"We are in a position now where we have to wait for a new government to stand up," he said.  "All indications are, on both sides, that there is a desire, strong desire, to have a long-term relationship.  And the details of that and the vehicles for that strategic framework agreement or whatever are still out there to be determined⁵."

U.S. officials have hinted that some U.S. troops might remain in Iraq after the scheduled withdrawal at the end of next year, if the Iraqi government wants them.  The troops would be mainly for training.  The head of U.S. training for the Iraqi Air Force said Tuesday the Iraqis will also need help with air defenses after 2011.

But Admiral Mullen said the interim⁶ deadline - five weeks from now - will be met. "We are on track to reduce the number of American forces here in Iraq to 50,000 or less by the first of September.  I see absolutely nothing to negatively impact that," he said.

The admiral said the Iraqi security forces are ready to take full security responsibility, as U.S. forces transition to what is called an "advise and assist" mission.

Mullen appeared at a news conference with a Deputy Secretary of State, Jacob Lew, who said there is also a transition in the works on the civilian⁷ side of the U.S.-Iraq relationship.

"It will become more like a normal civilian-civilian relationship, but a little more so," said Lew. "We'll be in more places in order to continue the important work that we're doing and to take on some new tasks that have been defined as we've planned the transition working with our partners in the Iraqi government."

Lew said diplomats⁸ and other American civilians⁹ will face a security challenge as the U.S. military draws down its presence.  But he said efforts are underway to find ways to provide the protection needed for the development work and other civilian programs to continue.

 

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 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

3 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。

4 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

7 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

8 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。