美国英语听力80篇1 Lesson14

[00:05.51]The Clinton administration has declared the disease AIDS a threat to the national security of the United States.

[00:14.92]White House officials say they hope the action will help build support for programs to fight the disease around the world.

[00:24.76]Administration officials say the worldwide spread of AIDS is an especially serious security threat in developing countries.

[00:35.24]They say the AIDS crisis could affect democratic and economic development and lead to tensions that could result in wars.

[00:46.37]They say these problems could increase the chances of American intervention 1.

[00:51.98]A disease has never before been listed as a national security threat.

[00:59.27]But administration officials say AIDS is just one of several serious threats to American interests in the new century.

[01:09.15]The others include the illegal drug trade, organized crime and terrorism.

[01:16.38]The United Nations AIDS program says about 34,000,000 people are believed to be infected with H-I-V, the virus that causes AIDS.

[01:30.78]Most of them are in poor countries.

[01:33.13]In twentyone countries, more than 10% of adults are infected with the AIDS virus.

[01:40.86]A recent American intelligence report says up to 25% of the population in southern African nations is at risk of dying from AIDS.

[01:53.27]More than 20,000,000 people are believed to be infected with H-I-V in southern Africa.

[02:00.97]H-I-V infection levels also are increasing in India and other South Asian nations,

[02:09.04]as well as countries of the former Soviet 2 Union and eastern Europe.

[02:13.98]More than 13, 000, 000 people have died from the disease during the past twenty years.

[02:21.32]The report says the large number of people dying from AIDS

[02:27.62]could weaken poor countries because there would be fewer people able to work.

[02:33.81]Many children are growing up without parents.

[02:38.22]And armies could be affected 3 by the high infection rates among soldiers.

[02:44.34]The report says these conditions could cause tensions among ethnic 4 groups and lead to the failure of some governments.

[02:54.39]The Clinton administration says AIDS is no longer just a worldwide medical problem.

[03:03.12]It is a problem that also involves economics and security'.

[03:11.06]The administration is requesting more than 250,000,000 dollars from Congress this year

[03:18.16]to try to slow the spread of the disease around the world.

[03:22.53]The administration wants more money for research to develop a vaccine 5 to prevent AIDS.

[03:30.13]And Mister Clinton has ordered an easing of restrictions 6 to make AIDS drugs less costly 7 and easier to get in African nations.

[03:40.89]Federal health officials praised Mister Clinton's decision to declare AIDS a threat to national security.

[03:49.49]Some health officials suggest more countries should do the same.

[03:54.68]However, they say much more money is needed in the" fight against AIDS.

[04:00.72]White House officials say President Clinton will appeal for joint action against AIDS