2007年VOA标准英语-US Says Afghan Violence Hasn't Stopped Reconstr

By Cindy Saine
Washington
22 August 2007

U.S. officials say a recent surge of violence in Afghanistan has not hurt reconstruction¹ efforts in the eastern part of the country.  U.S. officials based in Jalalabad briefed reporters Wednesday via satellite about projects to build roads, dams and irrigation channels in one eastern province.  VOA's Cindy Saine reports from Washington.

A soldier from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stands guard as construction takes place at a bridge in Farah, Afghanistan (2006 file photo)

Four months ago, the United States deployed² a special reconstruction team to the eastern province of Nangahar.  The team is staffed by active duty soldiers and airmen, reservists who are farmers and ranchers in civilian³ life, and specialists from the Departments of State and Agriculture.

Lieutenant⁴ Colonel Gordon Phillips describes the mission.

"During our missions we assess community needs and in cooperation with the government we build schools, government centers, roads, medical capability⁵ and other basic infrastructure⁶ projects, using Afghan contractors⁷ and labor," he said.  "We also provide economic development opportunities, many designed to aid women and disabled Afghans." 

Phillips said the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 50 to 60 percent of the produce that grows in Nangahar's lush river valley is left rotting in the fields.  The reconstruction team is working to build cold storage facilities and local roads so that the produce can get to market. 

Asked about how security concerns are affecting projects, Colonel Phillips said there have been no delays for security reasons in Nangahar.

"We have been able to move throughout the entire province and make reconstruction efforts happen," he added.

The Department of State representative, Shawn Waddoups, said the projects are increasingly winning over war-weary Afghans who have been waiting to make up their minds about which side to support.

"What we are seeing is that these individuals are more and more getting off the fence and not submitting to the intimidation⁸ that the Taleban is trying to use to keep them on that fence," he explained.  "They are more often coming to us with reports of where IED's have been located, where fighters are moving.  They are helping⁹ us and they are displaying confidence, not only in the coalition¹⁰ forces, but in the Afghan national security forces and in the Afghan government."

Neither Waddoups nor Colonel Phillips would provide any figures on the number of tips they have received from Afghans about planned attacks or improvised¹¹ explosive devices.  But Phillips said Nangahar has seen less violence than other Afghan provinces.

1 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

2 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

3 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。

4 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。

5 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

6 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

7 contractors   

n.（建筑、监造中的）承包人( contractor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We got estimates from three different contractors before accepting the lowest. 我们得到3个承包商的报价后，接受了最低的报价。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Contractors winning construction jobs had to kick back 2 per cent of the contract price to the mafia. 赢得建筑工作的承包商得抽出合同价格的百分之二的回扣给黑手党。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

9 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

10 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。

11 improvised   

a.即席而作的,即兴的

参考例句：

• He improvised a song about the football team's victory. 他即席创作了一首足球队胜利之歌。
• We improvised a tent out of two blankets and some long poles. 我们用两条毛毯和几根长竿搭成一个临时帐蓬。