2006年VOA标准英语-US Defense Chief Preparing Iraq Report for Bush
时间：2019-01-08 作者：英语课 分类：2006年VOA标准英语（十二月）
By Margaret Besheer
Baghdad
22 December 2006
New U.S. Defense 1 Secretary Robert Gates says he is preparing to give President Bush an assessment 2 of the situation in Iraq based on his meetings with U.S. military and Iraqi leaders in Baghdad. Gates wrapped up a three-day trip to Iraq on Friday, but did not say whether he would recommend a short-term increase in U.S. troop levels to help stem growing sectarian violence. From the Iraqi capital, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.
Robert Gates, left, and Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qadir during their meeting in Baghdad, 21 Dec 2006
Secretary Gates told reporters he hopes to give President Bush a report in the next few days on what he learned during his meetings with Iraqi officials and U.S. military commanders here.
But he declined to reveal whether he will recommend a temporary increase in U.S. troop levels to the president.
"We've talked with the Iraqis about the best path forward in terms of improving the security situation here in Baghdad," he said. "I think we have a broad strategic agreement between the Iraqi military and Iraqi government and our military. Clearly there are more discussions that need to take place in Washington and more specific recommendations."
There are currently 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and the president is considering whether to send as many as 30,000 more to help quell 3 sectarian fighting in Baghdad and the western al-Anbar province. Mr. Bush has said he is waiting for recommendations from Secretary Gates and other advisors 4 before making that decision. No announcement is expected before early January.
Secretary Gates acknowledged that the road ahead is not an easy one, but said things are moving in a positive direction.
"Will the way forward probably be difficult? Probably," he said. "This is a very difficult situation. But I think, I believe, based on what I've heard and seen both from the American commanders and from the Iraqis that things are moving in a positive direction. But it's still, it's going to be a long haul."
American patience with the war in Iraq has been waning 5, particularly as U.S. casualties mount. The U.S. military said Friday that three more Marines and one U.S. sailor were killed Thursday in the volatile 6 al-Anbar province, bringing to 76 the number of American troops killed this month. More than 2,900 U.S. military personnel have been killed since the war began in 2003.
- 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。
- This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
- What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？
- Soldiers were sent in to quell the riots.士兵们被派去平息骚乱。
- The armed force had to be called out to quell violence.不得不出动军队来镇压暴力行动。
- The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网
- Her enthusiasm for the whole idea was waning rapidly. 她对整个想法的热情迅速冷淡了下来。
- The day is waning and the road is ending. 日暮途穷。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》