2006年VOA标准英语-Iraqi Prime Minister Meets with Bush, Calls for

By Paula Wolfson
White House
25 July 2006

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is personally urging President Bush to back an immediate¹ cease-fire between Israeli forces and Lebanese-based Hezbollah militants².  But Mr. Bush continues to stand firm in his belief that only a long-term solution that addresses the root causes of the violence will work.

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President Bush and the Iraqi Prime Minister say they spoke³ frankly⁴ about the Lebanese crisis during their talks Tuesday at the White House.

 
President Bush holds a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, left
  
When they went before reporters a short time later, their differing views were on display.   Mr. Maliki said he urged the president to support an immediate ceasefire.

He spoke through a translator.

''And I also emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire and called on the international community to support the Lebanese government and support the Lebanese people to overcome the damage and destruction that happened," he said.

The prime minister spoke about the toll⁵ the conflict is taking on the people of Lebanon.  President Bush said he understands those concerns and said the United States will do all it can to see humanitarian⁶ aid gets to those in need.

"I assure the prime minister that I care deeply about the suffering that takes place, that we understand the anguish⁷ of leaders in the region who see innocent people losing their lives," said Mr. Bush.

But Mr. Bush emphasized once again that the only solution is one that goes to the root causes of the problem and removes the threat posed by armed Hezbollah militants on Lebanese soil.

"I told him I support a sustainable cease-fire that will bring about an end to violence and I talked about the importance of strengthening the Lebanese government and supporting the Lebanese people," added Mr. Bush.

The president said he sent Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region to show America's determination to support the democratically elected government in Lebanon, help the Lebanese people caught in the conflict, and find a way to bring the fighting to an end that will ensure a long-term peace.

Mr. Bush was then asked about U.S. arms sales to Israel, in particular, the recent delivery of armaments that could be used to attack Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.

The president said he saw no contradiction between delivering the weapons, and providing humanitarian aid to Lebanese who have been hurt by the fighting.  He noted⁸ the weapons deal with Israel was approved before the latest violence began.

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

5 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

6 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。

7 anguish   

n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼

参考例句：

• She cried out for anguish at parting.分手时，她由于痛苦而失声大哭。
• The unspeakable anguish wrung his heart.难言的痛苦折磨着他的心。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。