2006年VOA标准英语-Iraqi Shi'ite Leader Wants Help, But Not More T

By Stephanie Ho
Washington
05 December 2006

An influential¹ Iraqi Shi'ite leader is calling for more international help in fighting terrorism in his country, although he has rejected the idea of an international conference on resolving problems in Iraq. VOA's Stephanie Ho reports from Washington.

 
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim 
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim heads the Iraqi Shi'ite faction² known as the Supreme³ Council of Islamic Revolution, which holds a large block of seats in the Iraqi parliament.

Speaking at the U.S. Institute of Peace Monday, Hakim listed nine developments he believes are necessary to bring peace and stability to Iraq. Among them was working with neighboring countries to fight terrorism and disarming⁴ militias⁵.

"It makes no difference whether they were in the regions or the provinces or all over Iraq, the country should be clear of any militias, the weapons and arms should be only in the hands of the state, the government," said Abdul Aziz al-Hakim. "And the armed forces are the ones who are responsible for securing the country and providing security."

Iraqi militias include the Badr Brigade, the military wing of Hakim's faction, which he used to head. Hakim said the Badr Brigade was converted into the civilian⁶ Badr Organization in 2003, and he denied accusations⁷ the group was responsible for abductions, murder and torture.

He said Iraq needs greater international support, but not more foreign troops.

"I didn't mean to bring in more of the multi-national forces or forces from the U.N., but it could be provided through different means and ways - political levels, information or intelligence information, training, more training for the Iraqi forces," he said.

When asked whether he thought a withdrawal⁸ of U.S. troops from Iraq was necessary for the country's peace and stability, Hakim gave no direct answer. But he added that he believes the Iraqi people do not welcome the presence of foreign troops on Iraqi soil, unless, in his words, "they are forced to."

 
George W Bush (r) with Abdul Aziz al-Hakim at the White House
Earlier in the day, following an hour-long meeting with President Bush at the White House, Hakim rejected the idea of an international peace conference, saying the problems in Iraq should be resolved by Iraqis.

President Bush reaffirmed his support for the Iraqi government, but indicated he is not happy with progress in Iraq.

"I told his eminence⁹ that I was proud of the courage of the Iraqi people," said President Bush. "I told him we are not satisfied with the pace of progress in Iraq."

Mr. Bush urged Hakim to continue to work for national unity¹⁰.

1 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

2 faction   

n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争

参考例句：

• Faction and self-interest appear to be the norm.派系之争和自私自利看来非常普遍。
• I now understood clearly that I was caught between the king and the Bunam's faction.我现在完全明白自己已陷入困境，在国王与布纳姆集团之间左右为难。

3 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

4 disarming   

adj.消除敌意的，使人消气的v.裁军( disarm的现在分词 )；使息怒

参考例句：

• He flashed her a disarming smile. 他朝她笑了一下，让她消消气。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We will agree to disarming troops and leaving their weapons at military positions. 我们将同意解除军队的武装并把武器留在军事阵地。 来自辞典例句

5 militias   

n.民兵组织，民兵( militia的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The troops will not attempt to disarm the warring militias. 部队并不打算解除战斗中的民兵武装。 来自辞典例句
• The neighborhood was a battleground for Shiite and Sunni militias. 那里曾是什叶派和逊尼派武装分子的战场。 来自互联网

6 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

7 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

8 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。

9 eminence   

n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家

参考例句：

• He is a statesman of great eminence.他是个声名显赫的政治家。
• Many of the pilots were to achieve eminence in the aeronautical world.这些飞行员中很多人将会在航空界声名显赫。

10 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。