2006年VOA标准英语-Situation in Iraq Deemed Grave and Deterioratin

By Peter Fedynsky
Washington, D.C.
06 December 2006
 
watch Bipartisan report

The bipartisan Iraq Study Group has issued its long-awaited series of strategic recommendations on ways to stabilize¹ the situation in Iraq.  As VOA's Peter Fedynsky reports, the panel's assessment² is blunt, but not without hope.

 
Co-chairmen of the Iraq Study Group James Baker³ (l) and Lee Hamilton 
"The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating," said Lee Hamilton, Iraq Study Group co-chair.

Added James Baker, the other co-chair: "Ladies and gentlemen, there is no magic formula that will solve the problems of Iraq."

These are the blunt assessments⁴ of former congressman⁵ Lee Hamilton, a Democrat⁶, and former Secretary of State James Baker, a Republican.

The report released by the 10-member panel includes 79 recommendations to stabilize Iraq.  The first -- an urgent new diplomatic initiative that includes talks with Syria and Iran.  The last -- increased support for Iraqi intelligence to combat terrorism.  In between, the panel recommends steps toward Iraqi national reconciliation⁷, training and equipping Iraqi security forces, developing Iraq's oil fields, and overcoming "profound" problems in the criminal justice system to deal with crime and corruption⁸.  .

"If the Iraqi government does not make substantial progress toward the achievement of milestones⁹, the United States then should reduce its political, military or economic support to the Iraqi government," said Mr. Hamilton.

The panel is recommending the U.S. military change its primary mission from combat to support of Iraqi forces.  All combat troops not needed for force protection would be out by the first quarter of 2008.

At the same time, Secretary Baker cautioned that precipitous withdrawal¹⁰ could invite a wider regional war. "And because Iraq's major cities are peopled by a mixture of warring groups, a disorderly devolution would likely result in a humanitarian¹¹ disaster or a broad-based civil war."

 
President Bush, center, speaks to members of the media following his meeting with the Iraq Study Group in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, 6 Dec 06
The Iraq Study Group presented the report to President Bush in an early morning meeting at the White House.  Mr. Bush said he takes every proposal seriously and will act in a timely fashion on them. He also said, "While they won't agree with every proposal, and we probably won't agree with every proposal, it nevertheless is an opportunity to come together and to work together on this important issue."

The White House says the report is not a repudiation¹² of Mr. Bush's Iraq policy, though the incoming Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, said it is.  And just as the President called for bi-partisanship on the issue, so too did Speaker-elect Pelosi.

"I hope the initiative today will move the president if not to accept the specifics, and it remains¹³ to be seen if they all should be accepted, but to move to bipartisanship and how we go forward in relationship to Iraq."

Secretary Baker said panel members were pleased when President Bush indicated the report presents to the American people a common opportunity to deal with the problems in Iraq. Baker said if that kind of attitude prevails, there can be a bipartisan solution to the Iraq problem.

1 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。

2 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？

3 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

4 assessments   

n.评估( assessment的名词复数 )；评价；（应偿付金额的）估定；（为征税对财产所作的）估价

参考例句：

• He was shrewd in his personal assessments. 他总能对人作出精明的评价。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Surveys show about two-thirds use such assessments, while half employ personality tests. 调查表明，约有三分之二的公司采用了这种测评；而一半的公司则采用工作人员个人品质测试。 来自百科语句

5 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。

6 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

7 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

8 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

9 milestones   

n.重要事件( milestone的名词复数 )；重要阶段；转折点；里程碑

参考例句：

• Several important milestones in foreign policy have been passed by this Congress and they can be chalked up as major accomplishments. 这次代表大会通过了对外政策中几起划时代的事件，并且它们可作为主要成就记录下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Dale: I really envy your milestones over the last few years, Don. 我真的很羡慕你在过去几年中所建立的丰功伟绩。 来自互联网

10 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。

11 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

12 repudiation   

n.拒绝；否认；断绝关系；抛弃

参考例句：

• Datas non-repudiation is very important in the secure communication. 在安全数据的通讯中，数据发送和接收的非否认十分重要。 来自互联网
• There are some goals of Certified E-mail Protocol: confidentiality non-repudiation and fairness. 挂号电子邮件协议需要具备保密性、不可否认性及公平性。 来自互联网

13 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。