Summary
18 June 2010
A senior American congressman has dismissed the evidence of BP chief executive Tony Hayward as 'unacceptable' and has promised to continue demanding answers in connection with a huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Reporter:
David Willis
Tony Howard addressing US House committee on energy and commerce
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Report
Central to Tony Hayward's testimony were two themes: that it would be premature to pre-judge the outcome of investigations into the cause of the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig; and that as CEO he wasn't directly involved in decisions relating to construction of the ill-fated oil well, or its safety. But his reticence to be drawn into events leading up to the disaster two months ago led to growing frustration on the part of committee members, one of whom accused him of 'stonewalling'.
After the hearing Democratic Congressman Ed Markey told reporters that 'I don't know' was the answer of someone who'd decided to listen to his lawyers rather than account for what went wrong. The Congressman said he would press BP every single day for answers that the American people deserved.
The oil spill which stemmed from the explosion has now affected more than 80 kilometres of shoreline in the Gulf of Mexico.
David Willis, 大象传媒 News, Washington
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Vocabulary
- Central to Tony Hayward's testimony were
The essential points of Tony Hayward's evidence, which he swore was true, were
- premature to pre-judge the outcome of investigations
too soon to assume what the result of the enquiries will be
- ill-fated oil well
hole made in the ground or seabed for the removal of oil which experienced a very bad failure
- his reticence to be drawn into
his unwillingness to become involved in a difficult or unpleasant conversation
- growing frustration
increasing feelings of annoyance
- stonewalling
refusing to answer questions either by not talking or by giving very limited answers
- decided to listen to his lawyers
chose to take his lawyers' advice (to say nothing or very little in order not to be blamed for what went wrong)
- account for
explain
- press
put pressure on
- stemmed from
was the result of
