VOA标准英语2008年-Pakistani Leaders Reaffirm Support for Dialogue

Top Pakistani political leaders representing the ruling coalition¹ government are reaffirming their support for dialogue, not military force, to deal with Taliban militants³. VOA's Barry Newhouse reports the leaders met before the Pakistan prime minister's visit to Washington next week.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani convened⁴ the meeting of top party leaders in the coalition government to discuss security issues, mainly the Pakistani Taliban presence in western Pakistan that is blamed for strengthening the insurgency⁵ across the border in Afghanistan.

Military officials briefed the meeting about the situation with Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal⁶ regions. The military has launched operations against a few militant² groups in recent weeks, but lawmakers said that overall they still support striking peace agreements.

U.S. officials have expressed concern that such agreements could strengthen Taliban strongholds in Pakistan.

Lawmaker Maulana Fazlur Raham, the leader of one of the country's conservative religious parties and a former supporter of the deposed⁷ Afghan Taliban government, told reporters after the meeting that despite U.S. concerns the peace talks are the best method for restoring law and order.

He says although international powers care about their interests, Pakistan must look after its interests and peace talks must be continued.

Pakistani politicians and news media have expressed concern in recent weeks that U.S. and NATO forces are planning unilateral military strikes on Taliban targets in Pakistan's tribal areas. NATO officials have denied there are troop buildups along the border.

But Pakistan's strategy for dealing⁸ with the militants is expected to be a top issue during Prime Minister Gilani's trip to Washington next week. He is scheduled to meet with President George Bush on Monday.

 

 

1 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

4 convened   

召开( convene的过去式 )； 召集； （为正式会议而）聚集； 集合

参考例句：

• The chairman convened the committee to put the issue to a vote. 主席召集委员们开会对这个问题进行表决。
• The governor convened his troops to put down the revolt. 总督召集他的部队去镇压叛乱。

5 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

6 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

7 deposed   

v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证

参考例句：

• The president was deposed in a military coup. 总统在军事政变中被废黜。
• The head of state was deposed by the army. 国家元首被军队罢免了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。