VOA常速英语2008年-US Navy Calls for Increased Maritime Cooperatio

By Phil Mercer
Sydney
01 February 2008

The United States Navy has proposed a "global maritime¹ partnership²" of like-minded countries working together to combat common threats at sea. The idea was floated at a maritime conference in Sydney on security and cooperation. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney.

Among those addressing the 2008 Sea Power Conference was Admiral Robert F. Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific fleet.

Willard outlined a new U.S. maritime strategy that involves closer cooperation between the U.S. Navy, Marine³ Corps⁴ and Coast Guard.

He also told the meeting that U.S. forces will pursue a greater role in the Asia-Pacific region. This will include such non-combat activities as the use of hospital and amphibious ships to conduct disaster relief operations and health checks in poorer countries.

 

A major theme at the conference was cooperation in maintaining regional security and identifying strategic challenges.

Captain Peter Leavy of the Australian Navy says the Americans want to see closer naval⁵ cooperation in these areas.

"The United States have proposed what they've called a 'global maritime partnership,' which is essentially⁶ like-minded countries working together for combating common threats at sea, and essentially that cop-on-the-beat-type role that navies have done for centuries - being out there, being visible, being present and contributing to security," he said.

The Sea Power conference brought together senior naval officers from 33 countries including the United States, Britain, India, Pakistan and Singapore.

In recent years, countries including the United States and Australia have expressed concern over growing piracy⁷, and the threat of sea-going terrorism.

The Australian navy is relatively⁸ small by international standards, with a fleet of only nine major warships⁹, but is considered by experts to be extremely capable and effective.

It plays an important role with United States in helping¹⁰ to stabilize¹¹ the Asia-Pacific region, as well as protecting Australia's maritime borders from drug traffickers and people smugglers.

1 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

4 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

5 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

6 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

7 piracy   

n.海盗行为，剽窃，著作权侵害

参考例句：

• The government has already adopted effective measures against piracy.政府已采取有效措施惩治盗版行为。
• They made the place a notorious centre of piracy.他们把这地方变成了臭名昭著的海盗中心。

8 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

9 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

10 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

11 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。