VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton: US Stands Shoulder-to-Shoulder Wi

In Mexico City Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised the Obama administration will stand side-by-side with Mexico in its fight against drug cartels, and acknowledged that the United States shares blame for the deadly unrest. Clinton laid groundwork for next month's Mexico visit by President Obama.
　
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives at Mexico City's international airport for an official two-day visit, 25 Mar¹ 2009

Secretary Clinton's first Latin American trip is partly aimed at soothing² Mexican feelings over recent suggestions by some U.S. analysts³ that the government of President Felipe Calderon is losing the war with drug cartels, or that Mexico might be on its way to becoming a failed state.

In talks with President Calderon and other senior officials, and in a series of press events and interviews with Mexican media, Clinton stressed U.S. faith in, and tangible⁴ support, for the Mexican government.
　
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Mexico City, 25 Mar 2009

At a news conference with Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa, Clinton hailed what she termed the great courage and dedication⁵ of Mr. Calderon, and said the U.S.-Mexican relationship is stronger than any problem they confront including the drug violence.

"We are confident that with the courageous⁶ efforts undertaken by President Calderon, the government of Mexico, the military and police of Mexico, and the people of Mexico, that the efforts undertaken to strengthen this country's response: to stamp out corruption⁷, top build strong institutions will succeed," said Hillary Clinton. "And we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you as you undertake all of these actions."

Clinton, advancing an administration plan announced Tuesday to curb⁸ cross-border drug, money and weapons traffic, said the United States will given Mexico more than $80 million to buy U.S.-made Blackhawk helicopters to bolster⁹ its arsenal¹⁰ against traffickers.

She also said the United States' insatiable appetite for illegal drugs makes it co-responsible for the drug violence - mainly in Mexican towns near the U.S. border - that has claimed seven thousand lives since the beginning of last year.

"We have accepted that this is a co-responsibility," she said. "We know very well that the drug traffickers are motivated by the demand for illegal drugs in the United States, that they are armed by the transport of weapons from the United States to Mexico, and therefore we see this as a responsibility to assist the Mexican government and people in defeating an enemy that is committing violence and disruption that is very harmful."

Foreign Secretary Espinosa, for her part, said she would welcome repeated visits by U.S. officials to cities all over Mexico to dispel¹¹ the notion that the Calderon government is losing control of parts of the country to the drug cartels.

"I have rejected also the idea that Mexico is a failed state," said Patricia Espinosa. "And I have stated that it is very clear for anybody who comes to this country, for any person who lives here, that this is a democratic country, with strong institutions, with very strong leadership, where the citizens can really have a normal life, every day."

Clinton ends her brief Mexico visit Thursday with a stop in the northern industrial city of Monterrey.

Monterrey has been the scene of some violence but Clinton said she is going there to highlight the city's high-tech¹² industries including work on alternate energy sources.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder¹³ are due in Mexico early next month for further talks on anti-drug cooperation.

President Obama visits in mid-April before attending the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.

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 soothing   

adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的

参考例句：

• Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
• His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。

3 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

4 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

5 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

6 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

7 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

8 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

9 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。

10 arsenal   

n.兵工厂，军械库

参考例句：

• Even the workers at the arsenal have got a secret organization.兵工厂工人暗中也有组织。
• We must be the great arsenal of democracy.我们必须成为民主的大军火库。

11 dispel   

vt.驱走，驱散，消除

参考例句：

• I tried in vain to dispel her misgivings.我试图消除她的疑虑，但没有成功。
• We hope the programme will dispel certain misconceptions about the disease.我们希望这个节目能消除对这种疾病的一些误解。

12 high-tech   

adj.高科技的

参考例句：

• The economy is in the upswing which makes high-tech services in more demand too.经济在蓬勃发展，这就使对高科技服务的需求量也在加大。
• The quest of a cure for disease with high-tech has never ceased. 人们希望运用高科技治疗疾病的追求从未停止过。

13 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。