澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-06-20（在线收听） |
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has confirmed his country is having preliminary talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan. He says they’ve been going on for some weeks, but are still in the very early stages. Now it’s the first time the US has acknowledged contact with the Taliban and Mr Gates says he doesn’t expect any results before the end of the year. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has postponed a party to mark the first anniversary of his ousting from the top job. His wife Therese Rein made the announcement on Twitter, blaming media interest for the postponement. There’s been growing tension in the Labor Party as Friday’s anniversary approaches.
Another protest has begun in Athens as Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou appeals to his parliament to push through tough economic reforms. Mr Papandreou has warned a debt default could be catastrophic for Europe. He’s told the parliament that Greece is at a critical crossroads and must embrace international help.
NATO has now acknowledged responsibility for an air strike that killed several civilians in Tripoli. It says it had been targeting a military missile site. It also says one of its rockets went astray possibly because of a weapon system failure and admits there may have been civilian casualties.
And the Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig has flown to Indonesia for talks on the live cattle trade. The minister will meet his Indonesian counterpart today. Senator Ludwig says the Government is committed to reaching an agreement that would allow the trade to resume. |
| 原文地址：http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/azabcxw/2011/154210.html |