VOA标准英语 British Troops End Mission in Basra, Hand Over to US

British forces turned over command of military operations in the southern Iraqi city of Basra to US troops on Sunday. A truck bomb that exploded Tuesday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, however, indicates that the military situation in many places is still tenuous¹.
　
British soldier kisses the flag of Great Britain during a hand over ceremony in Basra, Iraq, 31 Mar² 2009

A final bugle³ call marked the handover by British troops in the southern Iraqi province of Basra to U.S. forces, in a ceremony attended by U.S. commander, General Ray Odierno.

The British contingent⁴ in Iraq is gradually reducing its presence before an expected withdrawal⁵ of all 4,000 British troops by the end of May.

Iraqi TV also showed Iraqi troops raising their own flag over positions in the oil-rich, mostly-Shi'ite southern port city of Basra.

On Sunday, during a thank you ceremony for the departing British troops, Major General Andy Salmon⁶ said he and his men were sorry to be "leaving behind the many friends they'd made in Iraq," and that looking back in hindsight, there would be things he'd do differently.

"[We] worked really hard with Iraqi security forces to help bring security and stability to Basra. In terms of what we wanted to do differently, I think we've been through some difficult times, the campaign's enjoyed peaks and it's enjoyed troughs just like most campaigns do and I think it's for people now to reflect on the successes and learn the lessons and I know that process will happen when we get back," he said.

British commanders handed over control of Basra's civilian⁷ airport to Iraqi troops last January, during the first phase of their withdrawal.

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, noted⁸ that US troops would "stand shoulder-to-shoulder" with the Iraqi people and the Iraqi Army, as they "continue to stand on their own."

Analyst⁹ Majid Saree told Al Iraqia TV that Iraqi troops are now "well-equipped" and capable of controlling the situation in Basra.

Elsewhere, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, where security is more tenuous, a suicide truck bomber¹⁰ rammed¹¹ through a wall of sandbags Tuesday, before crashing into a police station. At least eight people were killed and a dozen wounded in the explosion.

Despite a recent rash of violence, U.S. forces are scheduled to withdraw to positions outside major Iraqi cities within the next three months.

All U.S. troops are to due to leave Iraq by the end of 2011 under a military agreement between Iraq and the United States, approved by the Iraqi parliament last November.

1 tenuous   

adj.细薄的，稀薄的，空洞的

参考例句：

• He has a rather tenuous grasp of reality.他对现实认识很肤浅。
• The air ten miles above the earth is very tenuous.距离地面十公里的空气十分稀薄。

2 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

3 bugle   

n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集

参考例句：

• When he heard the bugle call, he caught up his gun and dashed out.他一听到军号声就抓起枪冲了出去。
• As the bugle sounded we ran to the sports ground and fell in.军号一响，我们就跑到运动场集合站队。

4 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

5 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

6 salmon   

n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的

参考例句：

• We saw a salmon jumping in the waterfall there.我们看见一条大马哈鱼在那边瀑布中跳跃。
• Do you have any fresh salmon in at the moment?现在有新鲜大马哈鱼卖吗？

7 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

8 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。

9 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

10 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

11 rammed   

v.夯实（土等）( ram的过去式和过去分词 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输

参考例句：

• Two passengers were injured when their taxi was rammed from behind by a bus. 公共汽车从后面撞来，出租车上的两位乘客受了伤。
• I rammed down the earth around the newly-planted tree. 我将新栽的树周围的土捣硬。 来自《简明英汉词典》