VOA标准英语2008年-Prime Minister Rudd Calls on Australia to Respo

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has warned that Australia must be prepared to respond to an emerging arms race across the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Rudd says the Australian Defense¹ Force will be built up to meet the challenge. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.
　
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

The Australian leader says the modernization² of military forces across Asia means that his country needs to bolster³ its defenses, over time.

In his speech late Tuesday to retired⁴ soldiers, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd did not spell out which countries could pose a threat in the future.

Military planners in Canberra, though, are wary⁵ of China's rapid arms build-up and the expanding might of Indian forces. Neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia are also beefing up their defenses.

Mr. Rudd did say, however, that existing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region cause concern, including China's claims on Taiwan and "unresolved flash points" arising from border disputes between other countries.

The prime minister says his government must be aware of the changes taking place in the neighborhood and that Australia has to make sure its forces could "answer the call" if needed.

"As nations grow and become more affluent⁶, they also update their military forces. We see this in our own region," said Rudd. "We see a substantial arms build-up over time. We need to be aware of the changes taking place, and we must make sure that we have the right mix of capabilities⁷ to deal with any contingencies⁸ that might arise in the future."

Australia has a relatively⁹ small military, which has been stretched in recent times by deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

A 10-year plan to modernize¹⁰ its capabilities is under way, including the purchase of fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and helicopters, as well efforts to build a larger army.

Kevin Rudd has said that Australia, which is a close ally of the United States, wants to maintain its status as a global "middle power," capable of exerting diplomatic influence on its more powerful neighbors and allies.

 

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 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

3 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

4 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

5 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

6 affluent   

adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的

参考例句：

• He hails from an affluent background.他出身于一个富有的家庭。
• His parents were very affluent.他的父母很富裕。

7 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

8 contingencies   

n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一

参考例句：

• We must consider all possible contingencies. 我们必须考虑一切可能发生的事。
• We must be prepared for all contingencies. 我们要作好各种准备，以防意外。 来自辞典例句

9 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

10 modernize   

vt.使现代化，使适应现代的需要

参考例句：

• It was their manifest failure to modernize the country's industries.他们使国家进行工业现代化，明显失败了。
• There is a pressing need to modernise our electoral system.我们的选举制度迫切需要现代化。