VOA常速英语2015--阿富汗要求美军做出撤军调整（在线收听）

Afghanistan Asking for US Troop Withdrawal Adjustment 阿富汗要求美军做出撤军调整

CAPITOL HILL—

The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan says President Ashraf Ghani has requested greater flexibility in the final drawdown of America’s military presence in the country, expected to be completed by 2017. General John Campbell appeared to confirm recent media reports that the Obama administration is looking at options to adjust the pace of withdrawal this year - while remaining firm that the military mission in Afghanistan will end on time.

The longest war in U.S. history continues to wind down, but this year’s target of reducing U.S. troop levels to less than 6,000 could be in flux, according to General John Campbell, who appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

据在参议院军事委员会前现身的将军约翰·坎贝尔称，美国历史上持续时间最长的战争继续趋于平静,但今年的目标是将美军减少至低于可能处于不断变动的6000人。

“President Ghani is a credible and effective partner. He has asked for NATO and the United States to provide some flexibility in our planning to account for the fact that his government remains in transition.  I have provided options on adjusting our force posture through my chain of command," said Campbell.

“总统甘尼是值得信赖及非常实际的伙伴。他已要求北约和美国的计划中提供一些灵活性的东西,因为实际上他的这届政府仍处于过渡阶段。通过我的指挥链我提供了调整我方军力态势的选择。”

Slowing the U.S. drawdown in Afghanistan would find backing in the Republican-led Congress, where some lawmakers believe America’s withdrawal from Iraq set the stage for the rise of the Islamic State.  Committee chairman John McCain warned against a repeat in Afghanistan.

美国从阿富汗延缓撤军得到共和党所主导国会的支持,一些议员认为美国从伊拉克的撤军为伊斯兰国的崛起创造了条件。委员会主席约翰·麦凯恩警告切勿重蹈阿富汗的覆辙。

“The lack of presence creates a vacuum, and we have seen what fills that vacuum in Syria and Iraq.  The ungoverned spaces will allow terrorists to foment the same disaster in Afghanistan as we have seen in Iraq," said  McCain.

“权力缺失创造了一种真空,我们已经亲眼目睹过叙利亚和伊拉克在这段真空中所出现的。不加以管制的温床使得恐怖分子可以在阿富汗煽动我们已经在伊拉克所见一样的灾难。”

A similar concern was expressed a day earlier by former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker.

而之前一天美国驻阿富汗大使前莱恩·克罗克也有着同样的担忧。

“We have to understand that wars don’t end when we withdraw our troops.  That is what our adversaries are waiting for.  And I hope we maintain the requisite force levels to ensure that we are supporting the Afghan military and police," said Crocker.

“我们必须意识到当我们撤回军队时战争并不会就此结束。这正是我们的敌人正期待的。我希望我们维持必要的武力水平,确保我们能够支持阿富汗军队和警察。”

The Obama administration is stressing day-to-day flexibility in pursuit of a fixed, long-term goal.  White House spokesman Josh Earnest:

奥巴马政府强调日常的灵活性以追求稳定及长期的目标。白宫发言人约什·厄尼斯特说道:

“The president has authorized and ordered a staged withdrawal, a responsible withdrawal of American military personnel from Afghanistan.  And the president throughout that time has preserved for himself the flexibility to respond to the security situation on ground," said Earnest.

“总统已经授权并且下令撤退, 美国军事人员从阿富汗负责任的进行撤离。而总统在那个时候已经为自己留足余地以应对地面的安全形势。”

General Campbell said cooperation between the international forces and Afghanistan has improved since President Ghani assumed office and a bilateral agreement was signed allowing a continued U.S. military presence in the country.  He said U.S. and NATO-trained Afghan security forces have been tested in battle, and “held their own against a determined enemy.”

坎贝尔将军表示自甘尼总统就任以来国际部队和阿富汗间的合作已经加强,而且签署了双边协议允许美军继续驻扎。他表示美国和接受北约训练的阿富汗安全部队一直接受着战场的检验,并且“坚定的同敌人作战。”