2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Highlights Concerns Over Iran in Stat

By Michael Bowman
White House
01 February 2006

President Bush used his State of the Union address to reaffirm American opposition¹ to Iran's nuclear ambitions. The president also had a message for the Iranian people.

In speeches, news conferences, and interviews, President Bush has repeatedly stated his concern over Iran's decision to restart its program to enrich nuclear materials. Late Tuesday, he spoke² to Congress and the nation, delivering a message that is sure to reach Tehran, as well.

President Bush gives his fifth State of the Union speech Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, on Capitol Hill in Washington  
  
"The Iranian government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons," said Mr. Bush. "America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats."

Iran has long-insisted its only nuclear aim is to provide for the energy needs of its growing population and that is program is entirely³ peaceful. Iran's leaders have also contested the right of the world's nuclear powers to dictate⁴ what the rest of the world may do in the nuclear sphere.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush sought to bypass Iran's government and engage the nation's people.

"Tonight, let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran: America respects you and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom," he said. "And our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran."

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - have agreed to support taking the Iranian nuclear case to the world body. But they have opted⁵ to defer⁶ possible U.N. action, which could include sanctions, until March. Iranian officials have threatened to cut off cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if the Security Council takes up the case.

Concern over Iran's nuclear activities is one area where Democrats⁷ in Congress are in agreement with President Bush. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California addressed the topic ahead of his speech.

"As far as Iran is concerned, I think it is very important that we use every diplomatic tool at our disposal to say to Iran, 'it is not just the U.S. and it is not just the members of the [U.N.] Security Council," said Mrs. Pelosi. "The whole world objects to your becoming a nuclear power and the threat that you are to the stability of your region and, indeed, to the world.'"

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have said that the United States must retain a military option for dealing⁸ with Iran's nuclear program, but stressed that all diplomatic avenues must be vigorously pursued and exhausted⁹ before military action is contemplated¹⁰.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

4 dictate   

v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令

参考例句：

• It took him a long time to dictate this letter.口述这封信花了他很长时间。
• What right have you to dictate to others?你有什么资格向别人发号施令？

5 opted   

v.选择，挑选( opt的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She was co-opted onto the board. 她获增选为董事会成员。
• After graduating she opted for a career in music. 毕业后她选择了从事音乐工作。

6 defer   

vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从

参考例句：

• We wish to defer our decision until next week.我们希望推迟到下星期再作出决定。
• We will defer to whatever the committee decides.我们遵从委员会作出的任何决定。

7 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

9 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。

10 contemplated   

adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式

参考例句：

• The doctor contemplated the difficult operation he had to perform. 医生仔细地考虑他所要做的棘手的手术。
• The government has contemplated reforming the entire tax system. 政府打算改革整个税收体制。