2007年VOA标准英语-US Defense Chief Urges Iraqis Not to Respond to

By Al Pessin
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
13 June 2007

U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates says he is concerned about the bombing of the Shi'ite shrine² in Samarra, Iraq on Wednesday. But he says he hopes Iraqis will not respond with more sectarian violence, which he says is the aim of the bombers³. VOA's Al Pessin is traveling with Secretary Gates and filed this report from Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Robert Gates speaking to reporters in Brussels, 13 Jun 2007

Secretary Gates says the bombing that destroyed two of the mosque⁴'s minarets⁵ worries him because a bombing last year that destroyed the mosque's golden dome⁶ sparked a surge of violence that is continuing.

"I think we have to be concerned, given what happened 15 months ago after the mosque was bombed the first time," said Robert Gates.

Secretary Gates blamed the latest bombing on al-Qaida. He said he hopes Iraqis do not respond with more violence, because, he says, that is exactly what al-Qaida wants.

"This clearly is, or would appear to be, yet another effort by al-Qaida to try and prevent political reconciliation⁷ in Baghdad, in Iraq, to try and stoke sectarian violence," he said. "And my hope is that their intentions are so clear that people will refrain from violence because they understand it would just be carrying out what al-Qaida wants."

Secretary Gates also commented on a statement by one of his top generals, who said Iraq may need to add 20,000 troops to its security forces this year, and more next year. Lieutenant⁸ General Martin Dempsey, who just finished a tour of duty as the head of the training effort for Iraq's new army, said the country needs more security officers due to losses through deaths and desertions, particularly among the police.

Secretary Gates said the general's view is "realistic," but the 20,000 figure is "not written in stone."

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。

3 bombers   

n.轰炸机( bomber的名词复数 )；投弹手；安非他明胶囊；大麻叶香烟

参考例句：

• Enemy bombers carried out a blitz on the city. 敌军轰炸机对这座城市进行了突袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Royal Airforce sill remained dangerously short of bombers. 英国皇家空军仍未脱离极为缺乏轰炸机的危境。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 mosque   

n.清真寺

参考例句：

• The mosque is a activity site and culture center of Muslim religion.清真寺为穆斯林宗教活动场所和文化中心。
• Some years ago the clock in the tower of the mosque got out of order.几年前，清真寺钟楼里的大钟失灵了。

5 minarets   

n.（清真寺旁由报告祈祷时刻的人使用的）光塔( minaret的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Remind you of a mosque, red baked bricks, the minarets. 红砖和尖塔都会使你联想到伊斯兰教的礼拜寺。 来自互联网
• These purchases usually went along with embellishments such as minarets. 这些购置通常也伴随着注入尖塔等的装饰。 来自互联网

6 dome   

n.圆屋顶，拱顶

参考例句：

• The dome was supported by white marble columns.圆顶由白色大理石柱支撑着。
• They formed the dome with the tree's branches.他们用树枝搭成圆屋顶。

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 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。