2007年VOA标准英语-Moqtada al-Sadr Reemerges in Public, Mahdi Army

By Barry Newhouse
Irbil
25 May 2007

Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has made his first public appearance since the Baghdad security crackdown began in February, again demanding the withdrawal¹ of U.S. forces from Iraq. The leader of the powerful Mahdi Army called for the militia² to stop fighting Iraqi security forces, and he asked Sunni Arabs to join him in an alliance against the American military presence. VOA's Barry Newhouse reports from Irbil that his speech came on the same day that the Mahdi Army commander in Basra was reported killed.

The British military said Abu Qader, commander of the powerful Mahdi Army militia in the Shi'ite city Basra was killed by Iraqi forces after resisting arrest.

A British military spokesman told the Reuters new agency the operation was authorized³ by the Iraqi government.

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Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks to supporters at Friday prayers at his local mosque in Kufa, central Iraq, 25 May 2007

In Kufa, near the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, Moqtada al-Sadr told worshippers that ongoing⁵ sectarian fighting in Iraq is prolonging the U.S. occupation of the country.

He says he knows who is behind this, it is the occupation. He says the occupation is behind the violence so they can stay longer in Iraq. He tells worshippers not to contribute to the reason the occupation forces are staying.

Al-Sadr has been a longtime opponent of U.S. forces in Iraq, and lawmakers in Iraq's parliament who are loyal to him have consistently lobbied the government to set a timetable for a U.S. withdrawal. His Shi'ite militia also has fought battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces in the past. On Friday the cleric said he is forbidding such fighting between militia members and Iraqi security forces.

Al-Sadr also said sectarian divisions between Sunnis and Shi'ites have weakened the country. He said the two sides must reconcile so Iraq can become independent and free.

He says he is ready to cooperate with Sunnis. His hand is open to them.

The U.S. military says Moqtada al-Sadr left for Iran after the U.S.-led Baghdad crackdown began in February. His followers⁶ say he never left Iraq. But the cleric has not been seen since his Mahdi Army militia went underground ahead of the Baghdad security operation.

Al-Sadr's militia is routinely accused of sectarian killings⁷ and torture, but his forces have at times brought some stability and security to predominantly Shi'ite areas of Baghdad and cities in the south of the country.

The cleric on Friday called on all Iraqis to demonstrate, demanding a U.S. withdrawal.

Speaking to reporters today from Baghdad, U.S. Army Colonel Ricky Gibbs, in Baghdad for the security operation, said he expects demonstrations⁸ against the American troop presence. But he rejected an immediate⁹ withdrawal.

Gibbs says when he walks the streets of Baghdad's religiously mixed al-Rashid neighborhood, residents say U.S. forces are still needed.

"When I ask them the question, do you want the Americans to stay here in Iraq, they say yes, you cannot leave us now," said Gibbs. "Without you as the honest broker¹⁰, then we are in trouble."

Also Friday, the U.S. military announced the deaths of six more American soldiers, bringing the total number killed in May to 90. This month is on track to be one of the deadliest for U.S. forces in years. Since the 2003 invasion, almost 3,500 U.S. troops have died in Iraq.

1 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。

2 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

3 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。

4 mosque   

n.清真寺

参考例句：

• The mosque is a activity site and culture center of Muslim religion.清真寺为穆斯林宗教活动场所和文化中心。
• Some years ago the clock in the tower of the mosque got out of order.几年前，清真寺钟楼里的大钟失灵了。

5 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

6 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

7 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

8 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。

9 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

10 broker   

n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排

参考例句：

• He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions.他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。
• I'm a real estate broker.我是不动产经纪人。