VOA标准英语2009-Clinton Announces US Aid for Pakistan

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States will send $110 million in emergency aid to Pakistan. Clinton detailed¹ the U.S. effort to help an estimated 2 million displaced Pakistanis.
　
Secretary of State Clinton announces humanitarian² aid to Pakistan during news conference in Brady Press Briefing Room in the White House, 19 May 2009

Secretary Clinton says the U.S. is sending the money to international aid efforts for people who have fled intense fighting in Swat Valley, between Pakistani government troops and Taliban militants³.

The top U.S. diplomat⁴ says Pakistanis can overcome the situation, with help from the world community.

"And I am confident that Pakistan's institutions and citizens will succeed in confronting this humanitarian challenge if the international community steps up and provides the support that is needed," she said.

The secretary of state says the U.S. aid package includes family relief kits⁵, tents, radios, generators⁶ and food, much of it purchased from local sources in Pakistan.

Clinton says Pakistani government troops are fighting a tough battle against the militants.

"Providing this assistance is not only the right thing to do, but we believe it is essential to global security and the security of the United States, and we are prepared to do more as the situation demands," she added.

Secretary Clinton says defeating the Taliban and al-Qaida is not only in Pakistan's vital interest, but that of the United States as well.

"I do not think anyone doubts their continuing efforts to plot against us," said Clinton. "They have not given up on their desire to inflict⁷ damage, harm and murder on the United States of America."

The largest expenditure⁸ in the package is $26 million to buy wheat, other food and related items from local sources.

One hundred million dollars of the aid comes from the State Department. The other $10 million comes from the Pentagon, where a spokesman says two C-17 cargo⁹ planes will fly to Pakistan Wednesday, carrying Halal meals, water trucks and tents.

1 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

4 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

5 kits   

衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件

参考例句：

• Keep your kits closed and locked when not in use. 不用的话把你的装备都锁好放好。
• Gifts Articles, Toy and Games, Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Craft Kits. 采购产品礼品，玩具和游戏，木制的玩具，智力玩具，手艺装备。

6 generators   

n.发电机，发生器( generator的名词复数 )；电力公司

参考例句：

• The factory's emergency generators were used during the power cut. 工厂应急发电机在停电期间用上了。
• Power can be fed from wind generators into the electricity grid system. 电力可以从风力发电机流入输电网。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 inflict   

vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担

参考例句：

• Don't inflict your ideas on me.不要把你的想法强加于我。
• Don't inflict damage on any person.不要伤害任何人。

8 expenditure   

n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗

参考例句：

• The entry of all expenditure is necessary.有必要把一切开支入账。
• The monthly expenditure of our family is four hundred dollars altogether.我们一家的开销每月共计四百元。

9 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。