2007年VOA标准英语-PM Maliki Says Iraq Has Made Progress But Needs

By Jim Randle
Baghdad
10 September 2007

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says his country has made progress toward improving security, but Iraqi forces are not yet ready to take over full responsibility from the U.S. military. VOA's Jim Randle reports from Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki addresses a daylong conference in Baghdad between officials from Iraq's neighbors and other Middle East countries Sunday, 09 Sept. 2007

In an address to Iraq's Parliament, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said there were "clear-cut improvements" in the security situation, but said Iraq needs more time and effort before the country's armed forces can take over security in all of Iraq's provinces. He said the multi-national forces had helped Iraq in a "great way."

Mr. Maliki said violence declined about 75 percent in Baghdad and al-Anbar Province after Washington sent an extra 30,000 troops to Iraq in a "surge" that began in February.

The prime minister told lawmakers that his government has achieved success in preventing Iraq from slipping into a civil war.

Gen. David Petraeus (l) and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker testify before the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Iraq situation, 10 Sep 2007

The prime minister addressed Parliament shortly before the U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker were to deliver an assessment¹ of the Iraq situation to the U.S. Congress.

Many residents of Baghdad are following the debate in Washington over what course the United States should take in Iraq.

Baghdad resident, Adel Ali, says the Petraeus report might help Iraq.

"I hope it will get a new success and I hope for peace in my country by the effort of Iraqi people," said Ali. "And I hope all of Iraq will be good and the U.S. troops will get back and we have good relationship with the United States and not just the United States, but with all people in the world."

But another Baghdad resident is skeptical² about the U.S.-led effort.

Mohammed Ahmed told journalists he doubts the Petraeus report will help the Iraqi people, and says U.S. forces should leave Iraq as soon as possible.

The Maliki government has gotten considerable criticism for failing to ease sectarian conflicts in the country and make the kinds of political compromises needed to pass laws seen by Washington as vital to political reconciliation³. Those laws include controversial measures covering the distribution of oil revenue and easing restrictions⁴ that kept former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party out of public office.

But the British Ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Prentice, is optimistic that things will turn around.

"I see grounds for optimism that this good progress that has been made can be built on, but that will depend on the energetic engagement, with good will, by all sides," said Prentice.

Sunday, Mr. Maliki asked neighboring nations for the good will needed to stop what he called "evil forces" from destabilizing the region. He made the appeal at a Baghdad conference attended by neighboring countries, representatives of the United Nations and other international organizations.

1 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

2 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

3 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

4 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制