2006年VOA标准英语-VOA Interview: Former US President Calls for In

By Sean Maroney
Washington
01 December 2006
 
watch Carter Interview on Iraq

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says convening¹ an international conference on the world's commitment to help Iraq overcome the effects of war would reassure² the Iraqi people. VOA's Kane Farabaugh interviewed the former president, and Correspondent Sean Maroney has this report.

Jimmy Carter

Mr. Carter is calling for an international conference of the United States, European nations, the countries surrounding Iraq and others to discuss the current situation.

He says the world should make a commitment to Iraq.

"[We need] to collectively tell the Iraqi people, 'look the world is interested in your future. We would like to see the damage done to you by the war be alleviated⁴. We would like to see you have fresh water to drink and electricity in your homes. We would like to see your schools reopened. We will help you with that,'" said Mr. Carter.

Mr. Carter says the conference should also reassure the Iraqi people that the international community wants to see Iraq handle its own security and make its own political and economic decisions, including how to sell the country's oil.

"I think this reassurance⁵ from the rest of the world, including the United States, of course, will be the best long-term avenue toward a good life for the Iraqi people," he added.

Mr. Carter sat down with VOA Thursday to discuss how to best alleviate³ the damage done by the war in Iraq.  Iraqi officials say more than 1,800 civilians⁶ were killed last month.  That is a 40 percent increase from October.  The United Nations also issued a report that says sectarian violence was the main cause of the deaths.

Mr. Carter also says he believes Iran and Syria should be brought into the discussion about Iraq's future.

"That ought to be the premise⁷ on which it's done," he noted⁸.  "Not for the United States or Iran to recapitulate⁹ old grievances¹⁰ or demand prerequisites¹¹ for participation¹²."

A bipartisan U.S. panel, which will present its findings on Wednesday, is expected, according to U.S. media reports, to recommend a gradual withdrawal¹³ of U.S. troops and shifting U.S. forces from combat to support operations.

Mr. Carter says he hopes the panel's recommendations on policy toward Iraq will be followed. 

National Security Advisor¹⁴ Stephen Hadley told reporters Thursday, President Bush is likely to begin making changes in Iraq policy in "weeks rather than months."

1 convening   

召开( convene的现在分词 )； 召集； （为正式会议而）聚集； 集合

参考例句：

• When convening the assembly, however, you shall blow without sounding an alarm. 民10:7但招聚会众的时候、们要吹号、不要吹出大声。
• We warmly welcome the convening of Asia-Europe meeting in London. 热烈欢迎亚欧会议在伦敦召开。

2 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

3 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。

4 alleviated   

减轻，缓解，缓和( alleviate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• It is always completely alleviated by total gastrectomy. 全胃切除永远完全缓解症状。
• Toxicity problem in manufacturing and storage might be alleviated by coating beryllium with aluminum. 但如果用铝包覆铍，则可避免加工过程中及储存期间的中毒问题。

5 reassurance   

n.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• He drew reassurance from the enthusiastic applause.热烈的掌声使他获得了信心。
• Reassurance is especially critical when it comes to military activities.消除疑虑在军事活动方面尤为关键。

6 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。

7 premise   

n.前提；v.提论，预述

参考例句：

• Let me premise my argument with a bit of history.让我引述一些史实作为我立论的前提。
• We can deduce a conclusion from the premise.我们可以从这个前提推出结论。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 recapitulate   

v.节述要旨，择要说明

参考例句：

• Let's recapitulate the main ideas.让我们来概括一下要点。
• It will be helpful to recapitulate them.在这里将其简要重述一下也是有帮助的。

10 grievances   

n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚

参考例句：

• The trade union leader spoke about the grievances of the workers. 工会领袖述说工人们的苦情。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He gave air to his grievances. 他申诉了他的冤情。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 prerequisites   

先决条件，前提( prerequisite的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Good muscles are one of the prerequisites of physical fitness. 肌肉发达是身体健康的一个必备条件。
• One of the outstanding prerequisites of any city is a local transportation system. 本地运输系统是任何城市的突出前提条件之一。

12 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

13 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

14 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。