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UK sells gear for military cash
英国防部出售特工物品

Former Ministry of Defence Gazelle helicopters lined up in a warehouse waiting for potential buyers. [Agencies]

Some of the expensive timepieces agents have been given but never been used are being sold off by the Ministry of Defense to help plug a 36-billion-pound "black hole" in its finances, the Daily Telegraph reports.

据英国《每日电讯报》报道，英国国防部将曾配发给特工们，但未曾使用过的奢侈手表出售，以弥补该部门360亿英磅（3746亿人民币）的财政黑洞。

They are among thousands of items – including an armored Jaguar, a fiberglass Harrier, and dozens of helicopters and Land Rovers – put on the market to raise funds for cash-strapped military.

为了给缺钱的部队筹集资金，此次出售的物品达上千种，其中包括一辆装甲捷豹车、一辆玻璃纤维的英国“鹞”式战斗机、几十架直升机和路虎越野车。

A source said: "These watches were bought for SAS and defense intelligence operatives who work at our embassies abroad, so they look the part when they go to events and parties attended by diplomats and local dignitaries. It's all part of creating the right image."

(China.org.cn August 16, 2011)

一位内部人士透露：“这些手表是买给在驻外使馆工作的英国空军特种部队和国防部的情报特工的，他们带上这些手表参加由各国外交官和当地名流出席的重大活动和聚会，看上去会更体面，用这些东西完全就是为了创造一个符合该场合的高贵形象。”