VOA标准英语2013--Clinton to Testify on Benghazi Attack

 

Clinton to Testify on Benghazi Attack

Four months after the Benghazi attack that exposed startling flaws in U.S. diplomatic security, lawmakers will have their first chance to question Clinton about the incident, in what likely will be her final round of congressional testimony² as America’s top diplomat¹.

In October, she said she bears ultimate responsibility for the security lapse³.

“I take responsibility," Clinton said. "I am in charge of the State Department’s 60,000-plus people all over the world.”

She was to testify last month, but illness and an accident forced a postponement⁴.

Despite multiple investigations⁵ into the Benghazi debacle and the resignation of high-ranking State Department officials, lawmakers say questions remain about the September 11 attack. Among them: Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

“Why was the State Department unprepared for an assault there," she asked. "Especially on the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in United States history?”

But Clinton’s testimony before House and Senate panels is likely to be mostly forward looking, said National security expert Rudy deLeon.

“What we are expecting to hear, in the secretary’s own voice, is the plan she has to reinvigorate and enhance diplomatic security services," he said. "What we are reminded of is how delicate the security situation is, and how attentively⁶ we need to stay focused.”

Will the Benghazi attack be a permanent and defining stain on Clinton’s tenure⁷ at the State Department? Former U.S. NATO Ambassador Robert Hunter does not think so.

“I do not think her image was at all tarnished⁸ by this. Secretary Clinton has set an incredible standard in the last four years in terms of America’s standing⁹ abroad, human rights, women’s rights,” Hunter said.

Republican Congressman¹⁰ Dana Rohrabacher agrees.

“She has given this country 20 years of decent, good service. And I am not about to sling¹¹ mud at her. She maybe made a bad call. She has made 20 years of good calls.”

Hillary Clinton’s testimony on Capitol Hill precedes a Senate confirmation¹² hearing for President Barack Obama’s pick to be America’s next secretary of state, Senator John Kerry. 

1 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

2 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

3 lapse   

n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效

参考例句：

• The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.这一事故被看作是一次严重的安全疏忽。
• I had a lapse of memory.我记错了。

4 postponement   

n.推迟

参考例句：

• He compounded with his creditors for a postponement of payment. 他与债权人达成协议延期付款。
• Rain caused the postponement of several race-meetings. 几次赛马大会因雨延期。

5 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

6 attentively   

adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神

参考例句：

• She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时，她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着，把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 tenure   

n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期

参考例句：

• He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
• Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。

8 tarnished   

（通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏

参考例句：

• The mirrors had tarnished with age. 这些镜子因年深日久而照影不清楚。
• His bad behaviour has tarnished the good name of the school. 他行为不轨，败坏了学校的声誉。

9 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

10 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

11 sling   

vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓

参考例句：

• The boy discharged a stone from a sling.这个男孩用弹弓射石头。
• By using a hoist the movers were able to sling the piano to the third floor.搬运工人用吊车才把钢琴吊到3楼。

12 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。