VOA标准英语2008年-Pakistani FM says US Gave No Warning of Suspect

Pakistan's foreign minister says officials were not warned about a suspected U.S. missile strike that occurred hours after the top U.S. commander said the United States would respect Pakistan's sovereignty. VOA's Barry Newhouse reports from Islamabad.
　
Pakistani FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaks during an interview (File photo)

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad that Admiral Mike Mullen had given a clear commitment to Pakistan's sovereignty in meeting with Pakistan officials.

Hours after the meetings, locals in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal¹ region reported missiles fired from a suspected U.S. drone aircraft killed at least five people. Local media reports said the target was a suspected militant² camp and some of the dead were foreigners.

Qureshi said the government had not been informed about a missile strike beforehand.

"Now if there was an attack later in the night, that means there is some sort of an institutional disconnect on their side and if so, they will have to sort it out," he said.

Pakistani officials have protested what they say have been violations³ of the secretive terms of engagement for U.S. strikes on Pakistani territory. In particular, officials have denounced a raid by U.S. commandoes earlier this month. The military said it would protect Pakistan's sovereignty at all costs.

But in recent days political leaders have toned down their criticisms and Foreign Minister Qureshi said the government is committed to remaining engaged with the United States in fighting terrorism.

"There are people who genuinely fear that these organizations - al Qaida and elements of Taliban - are threatening them in mainland U.S. and other European places," Qureshi noted⁴. "Now we as friends and allies have to understand their concern and address their concern. At the same time they have to understand that our strategy is not just purely⁵ military."

Qureshi said Pakistan's President Asif Zardari and other top officials are expected to visit the United States next week for meetings with U.S. officials, including President George W. Bush.

 

1 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。

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 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 purely   

adv.纯粹地，完全地

参考例句：

• I helped him purely and simply out of friendship.我帮他纯粹是出于友情。
• This disproves the theory that children are purely imitative.这证明认为儿童只会单纯地模仿的理论是站不住脚的。