VOA标准英语2011--Iraqi PM: US Businesses to Lead Way in Iraq After Troop Withdrawal

Iraqi PM: US Businesses to Lead Way in Iraq After Troop Withdrawal¹

The U.S. role in Iraq is changing. American combat troops are pulling out and, says Iraq's prime minister, it's time for U.S. businesses to take a prominent role in his country.

The U.S. ends its military presence in Iraq this month, but Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told business leaders at the U.S. Chamber² of Commerce Tuesday that the economic relationship between the U.S. and Iraq is far from over.

"The mutual³ sacrifices and hard work between the two countries, and by the two countries in fighting terrorism, this will be the bridge that will make it possible for more American corporations to come to Iraq and do their constructive⁴ work," said Maliki.

About 40 Iraqi business leaders accompanied Mr. Maliki to Washington this week, eager to build strong partnerships⁵ with U.S. companies.

Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Nides welcomed them.

"This is a time for America to start thinking of Iraq as a country, not as a war - one defined not just by who is leaving, but who is staying," said Nides.

Iraq's security situation leaves some companies hesitant to do business there. Deadly attacks are frequent, but violence is down significantly since peaking in 2006 and 2007.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Byson told the Chamber Iraq is worth the risk.

"More U.S. companies see Iraq as a promising⁶ and important emerging market, one that's said to grow faster, even now, faster in these years immediately ahead, than China," said Byson.

After Mr. Maliki's comments, Deputy Secretary Nides told VOA American businesses should jump at the chance to serve tens of millions of Iraqi consumers.

"At the end of the day, it's about making money, it's about opportunities, and there are plenty of opportunities to be had in Iraq," he said.

Iraqi leaders say they are committed to increasing the number of American companies in their nation. As their prime minister said, it will not be generals, but business leaders at the front lines of the new Iraq.

1 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。

2 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

3 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

4 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

5 partnerships   

n.伙伴关系( partnership的名词复数 )；合伙人身份；合作关系

参考例句：

• Partnerships suffer another major disadvantage: decision-making is shared. 合伙企业的另一主要缺点是决定要由大家来作。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• It involved selling off limited partnerships. 它涉及到售出有限的合伙权。 来自辞典例句

6 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。