VOA标准英语2013--Karzai Makes His Case For Post-2014 US Assistance

 

Karzai Makes His Case For Post-2014 US Assistance

The Pentagon was an important stop for President Hamid Karzai to discuss a security arrangement for after U.S. combat troops leave Afghanistan.

Standing¹ with U.S. Defense² Secretary Leon Panetta, Karzai thanked Americans and their allies for their sacrifices.

“I can assure you, Mr. Secretary, that Afghanistan will, with the help that you’ll provide, be able to provide security to its people and protect its borders so Afghanistan will not ever again be threatened by terrorists from across our borders,” Karzai said. 

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan to go after al Qaida terrorists responsible for the September 2001 attacks.

But the war has dragged on more than 11 years, at its peak drawing 100,000 American troops. Polls show a majority of Americans want the war over quickly.

U.S. leaders say they have made progress in preventing insurgents³ from regaining⁴ territory and in training Afghan forces.

But violence persists, insurgents still hold some territory, and there are questions about whether Afghan forces are prepared to secure the country on their own. 

And there are questions about Afghanistan’s political future. Elections to replace Karzai are scheduled for 2014, before international troops transfer combat operations to Afghan forces.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan James Dobbins thinks the political transition will be dangerous. “I don’t think the Afghan army is going to run away in 2014 but it’s possible the Afghan government will collapse⁵ in 2014 as the result of a failed transition,” Dobbins said.

There are 66,000 U.S. troops still in the country. U.S. commanders want up to 20,000 staying to support Afghan forces after 2014.

Thursday, Secretary Panetta would not discuss Karzai's expectations for troop numbers.

“I don’t want to prejudge what ultimately President Karzai and President Obama will state with regard to the discussions but, I will tell you this, I was very satisfied. He indicated a willingness to do what we believe is necessary,” Panetta said.

But Panetta is retiring soon. Chuck Hagel, the man picked to replace him, has criticized the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and may push for a faster withdrawal⁶.

The White House has made clear that President Obama’s aim is not to maintain a certain number of troops in Afghanistan, but to deny safe haven⁷ to al Qaida, and to train and equip Afghan forces. Officials have indicated one option is to not leave any troops at all beyond 2014. 

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

4 regaining   

复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地

参考例句：

• She was regaining consciousness now, but the fear was coming with her. 现在她正在恢发她的知觉，但是恐怖也就伴随着来了。
• She said briefly, regaining her will with a click. 她干脆地答道，又马上重新振作起精神来。

5 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

6 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。

7 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。