VOA标准英语2013--伊总理寻求美国帮助打击恐怖主义

 

Iraqi PM Seeks US Help to Fight Terrorism 伊总理寻求美国帮助打击恐怖主义

WASHINGTON — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is scheduled to meet Friday at the White House with U.S. President Barack Obama, where he's expected to seek help in fighting insurgents¹ in his violence-plagued country. In an address Thursday, Maliki said terrorist groups are taking advantage of power vacuums created by revolutions in the Arab world.

Iraqis are experiencing the worst violence in five years. Bombings, mostly against Shi'ite but also some Sunni targets, are stoking sectarian tensions.

A big reason is the civil war next door in Syria; al-Qaida linked fighters are crossing into Iraq from Syria and civilians² are being killed nearly every day.

The uprisings in the Arab world are allowing terrorist groups to make a comeback, says Maliki.

“So a vacuum was created and al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations were able to exploit it and to gain ground. They benefited from the fall of the state structure. So now we are seeing the new reality in the region that allowed terrorism to be back,” he said.

Maliki is in Washington seeking new military aid, like helicopters and assets to gather intelligence, to combat insurgents. He says the war in Syria threatens the entire region.

“We are warning, and we are fearing, and we are worrying of the potential success of the terrorist organizations in Syria. If, God forbid, they win, we and the whole world should do everything to prevent this,” he said.

For months, Iraqi Sunnis have staged anti-government demonstrations³, alleging⁴ abuse and discrimination by the Shi’ite-led government.

The U.S. has pressed Maliki, a Shi'ite, to share power - and oil revenues - with the country's minority Sunnis and Kurds. Critics say it hasn't happened.

Clifford May, president of the Foundation for Defense⁵ of Democracies in Washington, said candid⁶ discussions between Maliki and U.S. officials are necessary.

“If that could lead to the U.S. providing more support for Maliki so he can be more independent of Iran and fight al-Qaida better - that is in his interest and that is in our interest,” said May.

Due to an increase in oil production, Iraq's economy is growing quickly.

Baghdad recently made a $650-million down payment for F-16 fighters as it continues to rebuild its military. 

1 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

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 alleging   

断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• His reputation was blemished by a newspaper article alleging he'd evaded his taxes. 由于报上一篇文章声称他曾逃税，他的名誉受到损害。
• This our Peeress declined as unnecessary, alleging that her cousin Thornhill's recommendation would be sufficient. 那位贵人不肯，还说不必，只要有她老表唐希尔保荐就够了。

5 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。

6 candid   

adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的

参考例句：

• I cannot but hope the candid reader will give some allowance for it.我只有希望公正的读者多少包涵一些。
• He is quite candid with his friends.他对朋友相当坦诚。