2006年VOA标准英语-US Says UN is 'Right Forum' for Iran Nucle

By Stephanie Ho
Washington
14 May 2006

The United States is repeating its position that the best way to resolve the stand-off with Iran over its nuclear program is through the United Nations. A top U.S. official made his comments in response to questions about whether Washington would negotiate with Tehran directly.

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Steven Hadley
  

White House National Security Adviser¹ Stephen Hadley says the United States has been supportive of European efforts to negotiate with Iran. He told CNN's Late Edition, Washington's position has not changed.

"The Europeans made a proposal to Iran, a year and a half ago, and we indicated clearly we were going to facilitate that proposal," said Stephen Hadley. "So, the forum² has now shifted to a discussion in the U.N. Security Council, where the international community, as a whole, of which the United States is a part, can make clear to Iran what it needs to do."

He called for Iran to drop its uranium-enrichment program and give assurances to the international community that it is not pursuing a nuclear weapon.

The Europeans and the United States suspect Tehran is using its nuclear program as a cover for developing an atomic bomb. Iran insists its nuclear intentions are peaceful.

The American official's comments follow calls, by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and others, for Washington and Tehran to hold direct talks.

Critics of the Bush administration's policy on Iran include former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski. He describes the lack of direct negotiations³ as, in his words, "an absurd situation." He compares Iran to North Korea, pointing out U.S. officials have met with North Korean officials, both multi-laterally and bi-laterally.

Zbigniew Brzezinski  
  
"The argument that the [Bush] administration makes is we cannot negotiate with Iran because it will legitimate⁴ them," said Zbigniew Brzezinski. "Well, we are legitimating⁵ North Korea, so what is the big deal? The fact is, there are serious differences between the United States and Iran, conflicts over security issues, over financial problems, claims and counter-claims."

British, French, and German negotiators are expected to offer Tehran incentives⁷ in exchange for a guarantee that Iran will suspend uranium enrichment. In Tehran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country will reject any European offer that requires an end to Iran's nuclear activities.

Meanwhile, the tensions are causing others in the region to speak out, including Jordan's Foreign Minister, Abdelelah al-Khatib. He pointed⁸ out that the Middle East, in his words, "does not need another crisis."

"Iran is a part of the region, an important part of the region, and as I say, we prefer to see a diplomatic solution negotiated between the parties," said Abdelelah al-Khatib.

Diplomats⁹ meet in Europe this week to discuss the latest incentive⁶ package, which will also outline penalties in case of Iran's non-compliance.

If Tehran rejects the latest offer, the United States and the Europeans say they will press for a U.N. Security Council resolution that threatens possible sanctions. Permanent Security Council members Russia and China have threatened to veto any sanctions resolution.

1 adviser   

n.劝告者，顾问

参考例句：

• They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
• Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。

2 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

3 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。

4 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

5 legitimating   

v.合情合理的( legitimate的现在分词 )；合法的；法律认可的；法定的

参考例句：

• The role of Parliament became one of legitimating the measures put before it. 国会的一项职能是使提交的法案正式成为法律。 来自互联网

6 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。

7 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

8 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

9 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》