VOA标准英语2009年-Obama: US to 'Do More' on Mexico Border If

U.S. President Barack Obama says his administration is sending hundreds of additional federal agents to the United States' border with Mexico, to help fight drug cartels and prevent violence from spilling over into this country. At a news conference, Tuesday, Mr. Obama said if these new steps are not enough, he is prepared to do more.
　
President Obama speaks at White House news conference 24 Mar¹ 2009

Drug-related violence has killed more than 1,000 people in Mexico, this year. President Obama was asked if he considers the escalating² violence in Mexico a national security threat. He answered by explaining his administration's new border security initiative.

"We are sending millions of dollars in additional equipment to provide more effective surveillance. We are providing hundreds of additional personnel that can help control the border, deal with custom issues," he said.

The president says his administration is coordinating³ effectively with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who he said has taken on the challenge of standing⁴ up to the powerful drug cartels. Earlier Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said officials are still considering whether to deploy⁵ the National Guard to the Arizona and Texas borders, which their governors have requested. President Obama says this interdepartmental plan is designed to help stem the violence.

"The steps that we've taken are designed to make sure that the border communities in the United States are protected and you are not seeing a spillover of violence, and that we are helping⁶ the Mexican government deal with a very challenging situation," he said.

President Obama also says the United States is prepared to do more, if it should become necessary.

"We are going to continue to monitor the situation and, if the steps we have taken do not get the job done, then we will do more," he said.

The new border security initiative was announced as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepares to travel to Mexico, Wednesday. President Obama is also planning a trip to Mexico, in the coming weeks.

1 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 escalating   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的现在分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The cost of living is escalating. 生活费用在迅速上涨。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The cost of living is escalating in the country. 这个国家的生活费用在上涨。 来自辞典例句

3 coordinating   

v.使协调，使调和( coordinate的现在分词 )；协调；协同；成为同等

参考例句：

• He abolished the Operations Coordinating Board and the Planning Board. 他废除了行动协调委员会和计划委员会。 来自辞典例句
• He's coordinating the wedding, and then we're not going to invite him? 他是来协调婚礼的，难道我们不去请他？ 来自电影对白

4 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

5 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

6 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。