VOA标准英语2014--US, Pakistan Work to Improve Counter-Terror Cooperation 美国与巴基斯坦加强反恐合作

 

US, Pakistan Work to Improve Counter-Terror Cooperation 美国与巴基斯坦加强反恐合作

STATE DEPARTMENT — U.S. and Pakistani officials say they are working to improve cooperation on counter-terrorism and economic development.  Bilateral meetings this week in Washington follow October's White House talks between President Barack Obama and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Ending attacks by the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan tops the strategic dialogue between Washington and Islamabad.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says it's central to U.S. security.

"We also have a common cause and a common obligation to be partners for one and another's prosperity in the fight against those who want to limit opportunity and take Pakistan backwards," he said.

Pakistan's government says it is working to negotiate with Taliban fighters, but the Taliban is looking to capitalize on the withdrawal¹ by the end of this year of most foreign troops in Afghanistan, says Pakistani National Security and Foreign Affairs Advisor² Sartaj Aziz who is leading his country's delegation³ to Washington.   

"Although the war in Afghanistan may be winding⁴ down, just as in the past Pakistan will have to face the brunt of any instability that may engulf⁵ Afghanistan after 2014," Aziz said.

Former Pakistani High Commissioner⁶ Akbar Ahmed says there's been little progress between Pakistan's Taliban and the government in Islamabad.

"The Pakistani Taliban and the government of Pakistan are so wide apart that I am finding it very difficult to conceive how they will be joined," he said.

Kerry says Washington and Islamabad are working to boost cooperation on cross-border counter-terrorism.

"We recognize that Pakistan is a vital partner in supporting a secure Afghanistan," he said. "And we know how closely Pakistan's own security is linked to Afghanistan's success."

Pakistani security is also linked to a successful U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

"The Pakistan army would want very much a strategic role in Afghanistan for its own reasons," Ahmed said. "It does not want to be surrounded by India.  It does not want to see India influencing Afghanistan on Pakistan's western borders."

Sartaj Aziz says many Pakistanis feel Washington unduly⁷ favors India, Pakistan's rival.

"There's a strong perception in Pakistan that a lot of pressure is exerted on Pakistan on issues of concern to India," he said. "Our legitimate⁸ concerns are not conveyed to India with the same intensity⁹."

 

Kerry says Washington and Islamabad have a vital shared interest at the center of a dynamic South-Asian market, and these talks include meetings with officials at the Pentagon, Treasury¹⁰, and Energy Department.

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 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

3 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

4 winding   

n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈

参考例句：

• A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
• The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。

5 engulf   

vt.吞没，吞食

参考例句：

• Floodwaters engulf a housing project in the Bajo Yuna community in central Dominican Republic.洪水吞没了多米尼加中部巴杰优那社区的一处在建的住房工程项目。
• If we are not strong enough to cover all the minds up,then they will engulf us,and we are in danger.如果我们不够坚强来抵挡大众的意念，就会有被他们吞没的危险。

6 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

7 unduly   

adv.过度地，不适当地

参考例句：

• He did not sound unduly worried at the prospect.他的口气听上去对前景并不十分担忧。
• He argued that the law was unduly restrictive.他辩称法律的约束性有些过分了。

8 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

9 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

10 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。