VOA常速英语2014--Washington Week: US Renewing Focus on Syria 聚焦华盛顿:美国重新关注叙利亚（在线收听）

Washington Week: US Renewing Focus on Syria 聚焦华盛顿:美国重新关注叙利亚

U.S. President Barack Obama is sharpening Washington’s focus on Syria after the breakdown of U.N.-mediated talks aimed at ending the country’s bloody civil war.

美国总统奥巴马正在把华盛顿注意力更加集中在叙利亚问题上，此前由联合国调停的旨在结束叙利亚血腥内战的会谈已经中断。

Diplomatic roadblocks are forcing the United States to reassess its approach to Syria. Obama honed in on some of the burning issues.

 外交途径上的障碍迫使美国重新评估其处理叙利亚问题的方法。

“There are going to be some immediate steps we have to take to help the humanitarian situation there. There will be some immediate steps we can take to apply more pressure to the Assad regime, and we are going to be taking a look with all the parties concerned to try to move forward on a diplomatic solution,” said Obama.

 奥巴马总统说：“将会有一些我们必须采取的直接步骤，帮助那里的人道主义状况。会有一些我们可以采取的直接步骤，对阿萨德政权施加更多压力。我们将与所有的有关各方协商，努力推进一项外交解决方案。 “

The U.S. president spoke after U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said days of negotiations between the Syrian government and a rebel coalition deadlocked over a transitional authority to rule Syria in a post-Assad era.

美国总统奥巴马发表上述讲话之前，联合国调停人卜拉希米说，叙利亚政府和反政府联盟之间的多日谈判，在关于治理后阿萨德时代的叙利亚的过渡权力机构问题上陷入了僵局。

“I think it is better that every side goes back and reflects and takes responsibility.  Do they want this [peace] process to take place or not?” - asked Brahimi.

卜拉希米说：“我认为，最好各方都回去，反思一下，并且承担责任……他们是要这个（和平）进程存在呢，还是不要？”

Government and rebel representatives traded accusations over the impasse.  Meanwhile, bloodletting in Syria continues.

政府和反政府代表就这个僵局互相指责。同时，流血冲突继续在叙利亚发生。

U.S. lawmakers are taking note of the carnage. Senator John McCain is demanding a stronger U.S. response.

美国国会议员正在关注这场屠杀。约翰·麦凯恩参议员要求美国作出一个更强有力反应。

“Where is the President Obama who has said he refuses to accept that brutal tyrants can slaughter their people with impunity, while the most powerful nation in the history of the world looks on and stands by?  Where is our outrage, where is our shame?” – asked McCain.

 美国国会共和党参议员约翰·麦凯恩说：“奥巴马总统在哪里呢？他曾说过，他拒绝接受残酷的暴君能够屠杀他们的人民而不受惩罚的情况，而现在有史以来世界上最强大的国家正在袖手旁观。 ”

The Republican senator has long advocated establishing a no-fly zone over Syria and arming rebel groups not linked to al-Qaida.

 麦凯恩长期以来一直主张在叙利亚上空建立一个禁飞区，并且给跟基地组织没有关联的叙利亚反政府组织提供武器。

“It is true that our options to help end the conflict in Syria were never good, and they are certainly worse and fewer now.  But no one should believe we are without options even now,” said McCain.

约翰·麦凯恩参议员说：“确实，我们帮助结束叙利亚冲突的选项从来都不好，现在的选项肯定更差而且更少了。但是，即使现在，没有人应该认为我们没有选项了。 ”

White House spokesman Jay Carney responded to the senator's comments.

白宫发言人杰伊.卡尼对这位参议员的评论作出了回应。

“I am not sure what exactly he is advocating; if he is advocating a U.S. invasion of Syria? I do not know. Is he advocating a bombing campaign?” – asked Carney.

卡尼说： “我不知道他究竟在主张什么，他是不是在主张美国入侵叙利亚？我不知道。”

The administration has ruled out deployment of U.S. troops on the ground in Syria.

 奥巴马政府已经排除向叙利亚派地面部队。

Carney said diplomacy remains the best hope for peace in Syria, stressing that the Obama administration will hold the Assad government responsible for what he termed “the brutality it has inflicted on the Syrian people.”

卡尼说，外交努力仍然是叙利亚和平的最佳希望，但奥巴马政府将对他所说的“攻击伤害叙利亚人民的暴行”向阿萨德政府追究责任。