2006年VOA标准英语-Solana: Dialogue With Iran Must Continue

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
05 October 2006

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana says dialogue with Iran must continue even if nuclear talks fail. He also said the European Union regretted North Korea's announcement that it will conduct a nuclear test.

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Javier Solana, left, and Italian FM Massimo D'Alema attend press conference in Rome, Oct. 5, 2006  
  
Javier Solana says negotiations¹ with Iran have made some progress, but failed to reach an agreement on its nuclear program.

Speaking after a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Massimo d'Alema, Solana said the time for negotiations with Iran is not infinite.

"I think that even if we fail now, we should maintain the doors open to continue dialogue with Iran," he said.

Solana said talks with Iran on its nuclear program have been under way since June, but the crucial issue of Iran suspending its nuclear program has not been resolved. He added that no effort would be spared to move forward with diplomacy².

Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad again rejected Western demands concerning its nuclear program. Tehran insists its nuclear program is meant only to produce fuel for energy. Several nations, including the United States, believe Iran's nuclear program may be used to make weapons.

France has called for sanctions against Iran if uranium enrichment is not suspended. But Russia, and others, are opposed to sanctions. The Iranian president has warned the West that sanctions would not stop his government from enriching uranium.

Sergei Lavrov   
  
Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, says the six major powers would discuss the stalemated nuclear talks with Iran at a London meeting on Friday. The talks, headed by Solana, are considered a final attempt to avoid a full-blown confrontation³ between Iran and the U.N. Security Council.

Speaking about the North Korean nuclear issue, Solana expressed regret at the Pyongyang's announcement that it plans to conduct a nuclear weapons test.

"If it happens, there will no doubt be some decisions that will be taken at the Security Council level," he added. "And be sure that the European Union will support them."

North Korea said Tuesday it would conduct the nuclear test to defend itself against what it called increasing U.S. aggression⁴. The United States says it has no intention of invading North Korea.

1 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

2 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

3 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

4 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。