VOA标准英语2011--NATO Asks Other Members to Do More in Li

NATO Asks Other Members to Do More in Libya

NATO foreign ministers wrapped up two days of talks in Berlin still divided on ways of intensifying¹ the air campaign on Libya.
NATO foreign ministers offered a show of unity² in calling for the departure of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, but they ended their meeting in Berlin still apparently³ at odds⁴ over ways to add to their Libyan air operation.
The leaders of the U.S., France and Britain published a joint⁵ opinion piece in several newspapers Friday saying a future with Mr. Gadhafi in power was unthinkable. They said NATO operations must continue so long as the Libyan leader remained in power to protect civilians⁶ and keep up the pressure against the Libyan regime.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen reacted to the letter at a final press conference Friday afternoon.
"On the letter from President Obama, President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Cameron, I think the letter reflects the unity of purpose and determination of NATO allies - exactly the unity we expressed yesterday in our Libya statement," said Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
But only half of the 28 NATO members are actively⁷ participating in the airstrikes. France and Britain, which have taken leading roles in the operation, are calling on other NATO members to do more.
Following talks with Secretary State Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the two saw "eye to eye" on what was required in the Libya campaign.
"..on the whole strategy going forward on which other nations we would like to step up their efforts and we are working together very closely on that," said William Hague.
For his part, French Defense⁸ Minister Gerard Longuet suggested a stronger United Nations resolution might be needed to stem the violence in Libya - although he appeared skeptical⁹ about the chances of getting one.
In remarks to French television channel LCI, Longuet also said the statement by the three world leaders was a signal to Libyans there was no future with Gadhafi.
But Russia, meanwhile, warned the alliance on Friday against excessive force and said NATO is going beyond the United Nations mandate¹⁰ to only protect citizens.
NATO ministers also discussed Afghanistan, and held meetings with counterparts from Georgia, Russia and Ukraine.

1 intensifying   

v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的现在分词 )；增辉

参考例句：

• The allies are intensifying their air campaign. 联军部队正加大他们的空战强度。 来自辞典例句
• The rest of the European powers were in a state of intensifying congestion. 其余的欧洲强国则处于越来越拥挤的状态。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

4 odds   

n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别

参考例句：

• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？

5 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。

6 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。

7 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

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 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

10 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。