VOA常速英语2015--参议员面对伊朗核协议逐渐拿定主意（在线收听）

On Iran Nuclear Pact, Undecided Senators Dwindling 参议员面对伊朗核协议逐渐拿定主意

WASHINGTON—

As U.S. lawmakers prepare to return to Washington from a month-long recess, a flurry of senators have announced their positions on the international nuclear accord with Iran. The pact has more than enough support to survive, but still lacks the backing required to prevent Congress from passing an initial resolution of disapproval.

“Frankly, this is not the agreement I hoped for. I have serious concerns based on Iran’s past behavior of cheating on nuclear agreements," said Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware.

“坦率地讲,这不是我所期望的协议。基于伊朗过去在核协议上的欺骗行为我也表示深切担心。”像许多人一样,特拉华民主党参议员克里斯·孔恩斯对伊朗核协议的表现并非非常兴奋。

He is not wildly enthusiastic about the Iran nuclear deal. But, like most Democrats, he supports it anyway.

但是,也像大多数民主党人一样,他也是站在支持的角度。

“We cannot trust Iran, but this deal, based on distrust, verification, deterrence, and strong, principled multilateral diplomacy, offers us the best opportunity to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon," he said.

“我们不能信任伊朗,但这次的协议是建立在不信任,核实，威慑及强势,多边外交原则基础上,为我们提供最好的机会阻止伊朗发展核武器。”

In recent days, five other Democratic senators issued similar statements of support despite misgivings. New Jersey's Cory Booker said “It is better to support a deeply flawed deal, for the alternative is far worse.” Mark Warner of Virginia said, “While I choose to support the deal, I am not satisfied with it.”

最近几天, 尽管存在种种疑虑，但其他5位民主党参议员也发表了类似的支持声明。科里·布克说:“支持一项漏洞百出的协议更好,相比之下另一种选择则是更为糟糕。”弗吉尼亚的马克·沃纳说:“当我选择支持这项协议的时候,我其实并不满意。”

Until Friday, only one Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, had announced opposition to the deal. Since then, he has been joined by Senators Ben Cardin of Maryland and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

直到周五,只有一位民主党人，纽约的查克·舒默宣布反对这项协议。从那时起,马里兰州参议员本·卡丁和罗伯特·梅内德斯也加入到了反对的阵营。

“We  know that, despite the fact that Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, that they have violated the international will as expressed by various U.N. Security Council resolutions, and by deceit, deception and delay advanced their program to the point of being a threshold nuclear state," said Menendez.

“我们知道,尽管伊朗声称其核项目是用作和平目的,但他们违反了联合国安理会通过的国际各种决议,而且一而再再而三的欺骗,拖延他们的项目让自己踏入核大国的行列。”

Given unified Republican opposition to the accord, all eyes are on the remaining handful of Democratic senators yet to announce. Already, there is ample backing to sustain President Barack Obama’s promised veto of a resolution of disapproval from Congress. The undecided senators will determine whether Senate action can be blocked altogether.

假如共和党人统一反对这项协议,还未对此表态余下的一些民主党参议员将会成为人们关注的焦点。已经有足够的支持来维系美国总统巴拉克·奥巴马否决国会批准的承诺。犹豫不决的议员们将决定参议院行动是否会被完全封锁。

“If that happens, the resolution of disapproval won’t reach the president’s desk, and there will be no need to exercise the veto. That’s a tough goal but a possible one," said former U.S. Ambassador Norman Eisen of the Brookings Institution.

“如果有这种情况,不赞成决议不会摆在总统的办公桌上,而且没有必要行使否决权。这是个困难的目标,但有可能实现。”

An initial vote in the House of Representatives could come by week’s end. 

本周末可能会迎来众议院的最初投票。