2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Praises Iraqi Unity Government

By Paula Wolfson
White House
21 May 2006

George W. Bush, May 21, 2006  
  
President Bush says the formation in Iraq of a unity¹ government marks a new day for the Iraqi people, and a devastating² defeat for the terrorists and al-Qaida.

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The president made a rare, Sunday morning public appearance in the White House to praise the latest developments in Iraq.

"The formation of a unity government in Iraq is a new day for the millions of Iraqis who want to live in freedom," he said. "And, the formation of the unity government in Iraq begins a new chapter in our relationship with Iraq."

Mr. Bush said he passed on his congratulations personally in telephone calls to Iraq's top leaders. He said he told them that the United States stands with them.

"I assured them that the United States will continue to assist the Iraqis in the formation of a free country, because I fully³ understand that a free Iraq will be an important ally in the war on terror, will serve as a devastating defeat for the terrorists and al-Qaida and will serve as an example for others in the region who desire to be free," he said.

Iraq's first constitutional government since the fall of Saddam Hussein was sworn into office on Saturday, even though a few key posts remain unfilled. 

Condoleezza Rice (file photo)
  
Speaking on the Fox News Sunday television program, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cited progress, but acknowledged the difficulty of bringing Sunnis, Shi'ites and Kurds together.

"Yes, there is a lot of politics going on here," she said. "People are dramatizing the fact that they did not get certain posts that they hoped to get. But we really need to give this government a chance, and we need to recognize, with the very difficult things that they are trying to do, they are making extraordinary progress politically."

Rice said U.S. diplomats⁴ in Iraq have told her that 90 percent of the Iraqi parliament supports the new government. She indicated that may be due in large part to the focus and resolve shown by the new prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki.
 

Nouri al-Maliki  
  
"This is a strong leader," she said. "I have met him. I looked into his eyes. This is somebody who is determined⁵ to do what is right for the Iraqi people."

The secretary of state said sectarian violence is a major problem facing the new Iraqi government. She stressed the prime minister has vowed⁶ to make security his top priority, and has sworn to defeat terrorism and tyranny.

1 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。

2 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

3 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

4 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。