VOA常速英语2008年-Bush Says US Will Help Modernize Polish Militar

By Paula Wolfson
White House
10 March 2008

President Bush says the United States will help modernize¹ the Polish military as part of a deal to put components² of a missile defense³ system in Poland. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports the announcement came as the president completed talks at the White House with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk⁴.

President Bush says he understands Poland's concerns, and agrees the Polish military must be upgraded if plans are to go forward for a missile defense system.

"It is important for our allies when they are worried about the modernization⁵ of their forces that friends respond and we are responding," said President Bush.

He told Poland's prime minister the first step will be to conduct a complete inventory⁶ of needs to make sure the modernization is done right.

"Mr. Prime Minister, before my watch is over we will have assessed those needs and come up with a modernization plan that is concrete and tangible," he said.

Poland has made military modernization a condition for participation⁷ in the missile shield program, which would put 10 missile interceptors on Polish soil. The missiles would guard against possible attacks by rogue⁸ nations.

Prime Minister Tusk said the United States can depend on Poland, and Poland can depend on the United States.

He said the most important things to come out of the White House meeting were a display of solidarity⁹, and a joint¹⁰ realization¹¹ that missile defense and military modernization must be part of one package. He stressed there should be no speculation¹² about their intentions - a reference to Russian concerns about the missile defense system.

Russia has made no secret of the fact it opposes plans by the United States to build a missile defense system so close to its borders - with interceptors in Poland, and a radar¹³ facility in the Czech Republic. Once again - as he did following talks last week with the Czech prime minister - President Bush emphasized that Russia has nothing to fear.

"This system is not aimed at Russia, and I will continue to work with President Putin to give him those assurances, as well," said Mr. Bush. "This system is designed for the threats of the 21st century."

Poland says a modernization of its armed forces is urgently needed because of the possibility Russia may target it with nuclear weapons if the missile interceptors are installed.

Polish negotiators have asked for short-to-medium range air defenses and have identified 17 areas within the military the United States can help upgrade.

Negotiations¹⁴ are under way. And, while President Bush announced a formal assessment¹⁵ is being undertaken, he did not mention specific needs that will be addressed.

1 modernize   

vt.使现代化，使适应现代的需要

参考例句：

• It was their manifest failure to modernize the country's industries.他们使国家进行工业现代化，明显失败了。
• There is a pressing need to modernise our electoral system.我们的选举制度迫切需要现代化。

2 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

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 tusk   

n.獠牙，长牙，象牙

参考例句：

• The wild boar had its tusk sunk deeply into a tree and howled desperately.野猪的獠牙陷在了树里，绝望地嗥叫着。
• A huge tusk decorated the wall of his study.他书房的墙上装饰着一支巨大的象牙。

5 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

6 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。

7 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

8 rogue   

n.流氓；v.游手好闲

参考例句：

• The little rogue had his grandpa's glasses on.这淘气鬼带上了他祖父的眼镜。
• They defined him as a rogue.他们确定他为骗子。

9 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

10 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。

11 realization   

n.实现；认识到，深刻了解

参考例句：

• We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。
• He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

12 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

13 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。

14 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。

15 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？