2006年VOA标准英语-US Commander Says 2008 Iraq Withdrawal Might Be

By Al Pessin
Pentagon
08 December 2006

The second ranking U.S. military commander in Iraq says it might be possible to implement¹ the Iraq Study Group's call for the withdrawal² of most U.S. combat forces from Iraq by early 2008. But in a news conference via satellite from Baghdad with reporters at the Pentagon, Lieutenant³ General Peter Chiarelli said Iraqi politicians have a lot of work to do first. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

Lieutenant-General Peter Chiarelli (file photo)

General Chiarelli says it might be possible to implement the Iraq Study Group's recommendation, but only if there are important political developments.

He said, "I think that's possible if in fact we have interim⁴ steps that are agreed upon and with timelines that basically move us toward reconciliation⁵."

General Chiarelli, who will end his second year-long tour of duty in Iraq next month, indicated it has been a frustrating⁶ year in the country.

"I happen to believe that we have done everything militarily that we possibly can," he said. "But I really believe the key to this conflict is to understand that it's going to take more than military action to solve the problems that face Iraq and to pull people together."

General Chiarelli was more positive about another of the Iraq Study Group's recommendations, a sharp increase in the number of U.S. troops living and working with Iraqi units.

"Having these larger embedded⁷ training teams, if that's the course of action that General Casey chooses, will be a real benefit to what we see, and a real benefit to the Iraqi army, but in addition to that to the Iraqi Police, and particularly the National Police," he said.

The second-ranking U.S. general in Iraq says it has been demonstrated that Iraqi units perform better when American trainers are with them.

General Chiarelli also cautioned against doing anything that could jeopardize⁸ the goal of establishing a stable, self-sufficient Iraq.

He said, "This mission is the most critical and significant that we've undertaken in perhaps 50 years."

"And failure, in my opinion, is not an option. I still believe the mission can succeed if the proper resources are brought to bear at the issues at hand," he continued.

General Chiarelli says those resources include civilian⁹ agencies of the U.S. government, which he says must be part of efforts to restore public services and convince Iraqis to support their government rather than insurgents¹⁰ or sectarian militias¹¹.

But critics have said it is difficult to send in foreign civilians¹² until the security situation is under control.

General Chiarelli says next year will be crucial in determining whether both Iraq and the United States and its allies can take the right steps to salvage¹³ what he calls the "uncertain and tumultuous" state Iraq is in as he prepares to end his tour.

1 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

2 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。

3 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

4 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

5 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。

6 frustrating   

adj.产生挫折的，使人沮丧的，令人泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的现在分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's frustrating to have to wait so long. 要等这么长时间，真令人懊恼。
• It was a demeaning and ultimately frustrating experience. 那是一次有失颜面并且令人沮丧至极的经历。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 embedded   

a.扎牢的

参考例句：

• an operation to remove glass that was embedded in his leg 取出扎入他腿部玻璃的手术
• He has embedded his name in the minds of millions of people. 他的名字铭刻在数百万人民心中。

8 jeopardize   

vt.危及，损害

参考例句：

• Overworking can jeopardize your health.工作过量可能会危及你的健康。
• If you are rude to the boss it may jeopardize your chances of success.如果你对上司无礼，那就可能断送你成功的机会。

9 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。

10 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

11 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

12 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

13 salvage   

v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救

参考例句：

• All attempts to salvage the wrecked ship failed.抢救失事船只的一切努力都失败了。
• The salvage was piled upon the pier.抢救出的财产被堆放在码头上。