您现在的位置: Language Tips> Audio & Video> Normal Speed News  
   
 





 
Gates: Afghan war 'not slipping through' Obama's fingers
[ 2009-09-04 11:19 ]

 

Top U.S. defense officials are acknowledging that American public opinion appears to be turning against the war in Afghanistan, but they point out the Obama administration's strategy for defeating al-Qaida and the Taliban is just beginning.

Gates: Afghan war 'not slipping through' Obama's fingers

Facing eroding public support for the war in Afghanistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters at the Pentagon President Barack Obama's new strategy for the conflict has not been given a chance to work.

A recent public opinion survey conducted by the Washington Post newspaper found that a majority of Americans say the Afghan war is not worth fighting.

Gates says he realizes there is a limited time to show the new policy is effective and he denied that U.S. and NATO forces are in danger of losing the conflict.

"I do not believe the war is slipping through the administration's fingers. The nation has been at war for eight years. The fact that Americans would be tired of having their sons and daughters at risk and in battle is not surprising," said Gates. "I think what is important, is for us to be able to show over the months to come that the president's strategy is succeeding," he said.

Gates points out President Obama's strategy was announced in March and a new U.S. and NATO commander, General Stanley McChrystal, arrived in Afghanistan in June.

Earlier this week McChrystal delivered a classified report assessing the war and many analysts expect he will soon ask for more troops and money to fight the battle.

Mr. Obama has ordered 21,000 additional soldiers to Afghanistan and Gates says the extra troops are still arriving.

"So we are only now beginning to be in a position to have the assets in place and the strategy or the military approach in place to begin to implement the strategy and this is going to take some time," he said.

Gates was joined by Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mullen, who says security in Afghanistan is "serious and deteriorating," conceded the military must turn the situation around soon.

"You know how much I remain concerned about the situation there. There is a sense of urgency. Time is not on our side. I believe we understand that and I believe we are going to regain the initiative," he said.

The United States has 62,000 troops in Afghanistan, nearly double the number from last year. Other countries have contributed about 39,000 soldiers, although many are not allowed to engage in combat or serve in violent areas of the country.

2009 is the deadliest year for foreign forces in Afghanistan since the current conflict began shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

slip throught one's fingers:从指缝中溜走

initiative: the right or power to initiate something 主动权

Related stories:

Administration concerned about US public support for Afghan war

US seriously concerned about Dostum's return to Afghanistan

Gates might agree to more troops for Afghanistan

Pentagon says operations to clear Taliban will expand

(Source: VOA 英语点津编辑)

英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883631联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。
相关文章 Related Story
 
 
 
本频道最新推荐
 
Set the record straight
China Daily Video News September 4, 2009
商务休闲装 third wardrobe
美国宇航局公布火星表面高清照片
老外听不懂的“中式英语”如何翻译?
翻吧推荐
 
论坛热贴
 
经典英语口语,不得不看(推荐)
I chocolate you!怎么翻译?
请教obama演讲里的一句话
 
晒晒小D机器人暴强的翻译
美国校园最in俗语大全