VOA标准英语2012--Ahmadinejad Has Little to Show After Latin American Trip

（单词翻译）

Ahmadinejad Has Little to Show After Latin American Trip

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad's last stop was Ecuador.
At a news conference with President Rafael Correa, the Iranian leader denied widespread international suspicions that his country is developing nuclear weapons.
"The nuclear question is a political excuse," said Ahmedinejad. "They all know that Iran is not trying to make an atomic bomb. Iran isn't so imprudent as they are to spend its money and not be able to use these bombs."
The visit comes after the Obama administration imposed tough new sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
In Caracas on Monday, President Hugo Chavez lashed¹ out against the U.S. and other countries.
"They accuse Iran of developing nuclear energy for military and war, but have no proof," said Chavez.
On Tuesday, Ahmedinejad attended the inauguration² of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. And on Thursday, he met Cuban leader Raul Castro and his brother Fidel.
Latin America expert Stephen Johnson says countries Ahmedinejad did not visit are taking heed³ of the nuclear question.
"This is something that’s, I think, troubling to countries like Brazil and Argentina, and many other countries in Latin America, which happen to be signatories of the Treaty of Tlatelolco and are nuclear non-proliferation countries," said Johnson.
And while Ahmadinejad's government has signed trade and business agreements with the Iran-friendly bloc⁴, many projects are plagued by delays and face criticism as being unnecessary.