voa标准英语2008年-US May Accept Some Iraqi Changes to Forces Agre

U.S. officials are denying reports that they are abandoning efforts to negotiate an agreement on the future of U.S. forces in Iraq, saying they will soon respond to Iraqi proposals for changes in the draft, and that some changes may be possible. VOA's Al Pessin reports from Washington.
　

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Zimmerman patrols with the Iraqi Army in Mosul, Iraq 3 Nov. 2008

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said U.S. negotiators in Baghdad could be in touch with Iraqi officials this week with a response to their proposed changes, and she said some of the Iraqi requests might be accepted. "There might be some that we can support. There might be some that we would not be able to support. I will just let the negotiators work that out with them privately¹."

U.S. officials have not confirmed what the Iraqis are asking for, but news reports said a firm date for a full U.S. troop withdrawal² is among the requests.

Defense³ Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said U.S. officials are eager to hand over full responsibility for security to the Iraqis, but he said that can not be done on a firm timetable.

He said, "We share a common interest in turning over security functions and activities to the Iraqis as soon as they are ready to take those activities over. And our position with respect to timelines is well known, that we should have goals that are out there, that we work towards, but at the end of the day we have to be cognizant of the conditions on the ground, too."
　

Injured men are transported to Ibn al-Nafees hospital after a bomb explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, 3 Nov. 2008

At the White House, Dana Perino said it is in the interest of both countries to reach an agreement, and recent events demonstrate the need to be cautious about removing U.S. troops.

She said, "Just this past week even though they have made great strides, they have had some terrible violence up in the Mosul area. And we are trying to help their security forces beef up enough so that they are competent and confident enough to repel⁵ terrorists or insurgents⁶ who are trying to disrupt the political system there."

Another issue in dispute is reportedly the degree of immunity⁷ U.S. troops would have from prosecution⁸ in Iraqi courts. Perino said the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and his team will likely respond to the Iraqi proposals this week.

Both officials who spoke⁴ Monday denied news reports the United States is abandoning the negotiations⁹ with Iraq and turning its attention to getting a renewal¹⁰ of the U.N. authorization¹¹ for U.S. troops to be in the country, which expires at the end of the year. The Pentagon has said U.S. troops would have to cease operations at midnight December 31st if there is no agreement or U.N. extension, but Perino said no one in Washington is contemplating¹² such a thing.

U.S. and Iraqi negotiators reached the draft agreement last month after seven months of negotiations. Top U.S. officials have said some changes might be possible, but not major changes.

1 privately   

adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地

参考例句：

• Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
• The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。

2 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。

3 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。

4 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。

5 repel   

v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥

参考例句：

• A country must have the will to repel any invader.一个国家得有决心击退任何入侵者。
• Particles with similar electric charges repel each other.电荷同性的分子互相排斥。

6 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

7 immunity   

n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权

参考例句：

• The law gives public schools immunity from taxation.法律免除公立学校的纳税义务。
• He claims diplomatic immunity to avoid being arrested.他要求外交豁免以便避免被捕。

8 prosecution   

n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营

参考例句：

• The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
• He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。

9 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

10 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

11 authorization   

n.授权，委任状

参考例句：

• Anglers are required to obtain prior authorization from the park keeper.垂钓者必须事先得到公园管理者的许可。
• You cannot take a day off without authorization.未经批准你不得休假。

12 contemplating   

深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想

参考例句：

• You're too young to be contemplating retirement. 你考虑退休还太年轻。
• She stood contemplating the painting. 她站在那儿凝视那幅图画。