2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Says Iraq Policy Not Hurt by British Trans

By Paula Wolfson
White House
10 May 2007

President Bush is losing his strongest ally on Iraq. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair, is stepping down at a time of slipping approval in Britain for the Iraq war.

Prime Minister Blair has stood with the United States throughout the Iraq conflict, and has worked closely with President Bush.

President Bush, 10 May 2007

"I'll miss Tony Blair," said President Bush. "He is a political figure who is capable of thinking over the horizon. He's a long-term thinker. I have found him to be a man who's kept his word, which sometimes is rare in the political circles I run in."

Mr. Blair's decision to step down comes at a time when some public opinion surveys in Britain put support for the war at under 30 percent. But President Bush - speaking to reporters after a briefing at the Pentagon - indicated he is optimistic there will be no change in British policy on Iraq.

"I believe that the relationship between Great Britain and America is a vital relationship," he said. "It is a relationship that has stood the test of time, and when America and Great Britain work together, we can accomplish important objectives."

The president predicted he will be able to work well with the new prime minister. All indications are the ruling Labor¹ Party will choose treasury² chief Gordon Brown. Mr. Bush said Brown well understands all that is at stake in Iraq.

"I believe he understand the consequences of failure," admitted Mr. Bush.

President Bush was also asked about the change of power in France, and prospects³ for improved ties under President-elect Nicholas Sarkozy.

"We will have our differences, and we will have our agreements," he said. "And I am looking forward to working with him."

Next month, Mr. Sarkozy will represent France for the first time at the Group of Eight summit in Germany. It will also be the last such gathering⁴ for Tony Blair, who leaves office officially on June 27.

1 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

2 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

3 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

4 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。