VOA标准英语2008年-Bush Impressed by Lebanese Reconciliation Talks

U.S. President George Bush says he is impressed by efforts by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman to reconcile the country's rival factions¹. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the two men met in the Oval Office Thursday.
　
President George Bush (r) and President Michel Suleiman meeting at the White House, 25 Sep 2008

President Bush welcomed the Lebanese president, saying he has watched carefully the new leader's efforts to resolve many of Lebanon's divisions.

"We are most impressed by the national dialogue that you are holding in an attempt to seek reconciliation," said President Bush. "The United States is proud to stand by your side. Our mission is your mission: a country that is strong and capable and a country where people can live in peace."

President Suleiman took office as part of a compromise after the militant² group Hezbollah blocked the election of a politician with a tougher stance against Syrian influence in Lebanon.

President Suleiman is working to resolve the political divide between Lebanon's ruling coalition³ government and Hezbollah. The United States considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Washington backs the head of the ruling coalition, Saad Hariri.

Speaking to reporters before their talks, President Suleiman said the government in Beirut is proud of the million Lebanese Americans who work sincerely for both the United States and their original homeland.

President Suleiman thanked President Bush for America's support for the Lebanese government and military. He said Lebanon shares the values of democracy, liberty, and human rights and is working against bigotry⁴ and terrorism.

President Suleiman said Lebanese value the diversity of their country but believe the future of Palestinian refugees is in their own homeland, not in Lebanon. He said that is in the interest of both the Palestinian and Lebanese people.

President Suleiman and President Bush were expected to discuss peace talks between Syria and Israel as well as efforts to expand the Lebanese army.

 

1 factions   

组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The gens also lives on in the "factions." 氏族此外还继续存在于“factions〔“帮”〕中。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
• rival factions within the administration 政府中的对立派别

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 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。

4 bigotry   

n.偏见，偏执，持偏见的行为[态度]等

参考例句：

• She tried to dissociate herself from the bigotry in her past.她力图使自己摆脱她以前的偏见。
• At least we can proceed in this matter without bigotry.目前这件事咱们至少可以毫无偏见地进行下去。