2006年VOA标准英语-Iraqi President Rules Out Withdrawal Timetable

By Peter Heinlein
United Nations
22 September 2006

Iraq's president has ruled out setting a timetable for the withdrawal¹ of U.S.-led coalition² forces, until Iraqi forces can handle security duties on their own. President Jalal Talabani made the comment in an address to the U.N. General Assembly.

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President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, addresses the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly

In his U.N. speech, the Iraqi president said terrorists operating in his country are trying to create security chaos³ as part of a campaign to derail the rebuilding efforts. Speaking through an interpreter, he said talk of withdrawing the U.S.-led coalition force is premature⁴, until Iraqi troops can control the violence.

"These forces are present in Iraq pursuant to an international resolution and they are essential for us in the present circumstances, while accomplishing the mission of building our armed forces that are capable of ending terrorism and maintaining stability and security," he said.  "Only then, will it be possible to talk of a timetable for the withdrawal of the multinational⁵ forces from Iraq."

Mr. Talabani thanked President Bush for his leadership in what he called "the campaign to liberate⁶ Iraq from tyranny."

But he warned that the patience of Iraqis with the continuing violence is wearing thin, and urged neighboring countries to prevent foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq.

"We express the hope from the Arab and regional parties, and neighboring countries, in particular, will interact with us to put a halt to any activity or support or encouragement by any means of the forces of terrorism," he added.

U. S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad was in the General Assembly hall for Mr. Talabani's speech.  Afterward⁷, he urged the world body and other interested parties to do more to help Iraq re-establish security.

"I want to call on the United Nations, which is playing a positive role with regard to the Iraq international compact to increase its activities in Iraq," he said.  "The same applies to other international organizations and the international community as a whole."

Ambassador Khalilzad reinforced the Iraqi leader's concern about the interference of foreign fighters, saying, only when security conditions improve, will it be possible to reduce the presence of coalition forces. 

The coalition force operates under a U.N. Security Council mandate⁸ authorizing⁹ a strength of up to 180,000 troops.  That mandate is due to expire December 31.

1 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。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

4 premature   

adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的

参考例句：

• It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
• The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。

5 multinational   

adj.多国的，多种国籍的；n.多国籍公司，跨国公司

参考例句：

• The firm was taken over by a multinational consulting firm.这家公司被一个跨国咨询公司收购。
• He analyzed the relationship between multinational corporations and under-developed countries.他分析了跨国公司和不发达国家之间的关系。

6 liberate   

v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由

参考例句：

• They did their best to liberate slaves.他们尽最大能力去解放奴隶。
• This will liberate him from economic worry.这将消除他经济上的忧虑。

7 afterward   

adv.后来；以后

参考例句：

• Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏，然后吃饭。
• Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来，这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。

8 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

9 authorizing   

授权，批准，委托( authorize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Letters of Marque: Take letters from a warning friendly power authorizing privateering. 私掠许可证：从某一个国家获得合法抢劫的证书。
• Formal phavee completion does not include authorizing the subsequent phavee. 阶段的正式完成不包括核准随后的阶段。