2006年VOA标准英语-Experts Say G8 Summit Could Revive Stalled Trad

By Barry Wood
Washington, DC
13 July 2006
 
watch G8 Economy report

Russia this weekend (July 15-17) for the first time is hosting the annual summit of eight major powers, the Group of Eight. VOA's economics correspondent Barry Wood reports that with the world economy holding up well under the strain of higher oil prices, the major economic issues likely to be discussed in St. Petersburg are energy and the stalled global talks to expand trade.

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There was a time when these annual summits mostly concerned economic issues. That's no longer the case. Aside from an emphasis on poverty alleviation¹ in Africa, recent summits -- like last year in Scotland -- have focused on security, terrorism, AIDS, and global conflict. 

Anders Aslund   
  
Anders Aslund, a Swedish scholar, is a researcher at the Institute of International Economics in Washington. He expects the problem of Iran's nuclear program will be a major topic for the leaders of Western Europe, Japan, Russia, Canada and the United States. 

"Indeed Iran is obviously up there as a big issue. What will not be on the agenda are the traditional G8 topics, which are macro-economic imbalances, exchange rate issues and trade issues," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants energy security to be a major theme of the St. Petersburg meeting. But that issue itself is controversial since Russia earlier this year briefly² halted its shipments through a gas pipeline³ to Western Europe because of a pricing dispute with Ukraine. The cutoff alarmed Russia's summit partners, calling into question Russia's reputation as a reliable supplier.

Cliff Gaddy  
  
Many analysts⁴ believe the St. Petersburg summit is an opportunity for President Putin to present Russia as a responsible and rising economic power. Cliff Gaddy, a Russia specialist at Washington's Brookings Institution, says the summit could surprise skeptics by insisting that there be decisive action to complete the stalled World Trade Organization negotiations⁵ to expand trade. Vladimir Putin and the other leaders, he says, would be delighted if that happens.

"I would imagine it would not be the least bit difficult for him (Putin) to sign on to a statement calling for the success of the Doha round and the continued vibrancy⁶ of the WTO," said Mr. Gaddy.

Trade ministers have been working on the Doha round for years, without much success. The talks are stalled over agricultural subsidies⁷ in rich countries and market access in developing countries. Since the leaders of India, Brazil, China, South Africa and Mexico are coming to St. Petersburg, trade experts say a breakthrough is possible. 

Scott Miller⁸   
  
Scott Miller, an American business executive active in promoting the Doha round, says the G8 could save the negotiations.  "I think a statement coming out of the summit would be very helpful. Certainly the round has gone for four and a half years.” Mr. Miller added, “We're disappointed in the progress thus far. And a jolt⁹ to the system would be quite useful."

Without some push on trade, action on Iran, or meaningful agreements on energy, say experts, the St. Petersburg summit could be just another meeting where little of substance is accomplished¹⁰.

1 alleviation   

n. 减轻，缓和，解痛物

参考例句：

• These were the circumstances and the hopes which gradually brought alleviation to Sir Thomas's pain. 这些情况及其希望逐渐缓解了托马斯爵士的痛苦。
• The cost reduction achieved in this way will benefit patients and the society in burden alleviation. 集中招标采购降低的采购成本要让利于患者，减轻社会负担。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 口语

2 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

3 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

4 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

5 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。

6 vibrancy   

n.活跃；震动

参考例句：

• I like the vibrancy of her character.我喜欢她的活泼性格。
• Tom felt himself being drawn towards her vibrant personality. 汤姆感觉自己被她充满朝气的个性所吸引。

7 subsidies   

n.补贴，津贴，补助金( subsidy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• European agriculture ministers failed to break the deadlock over farm subsidies. 欧洲各国农业部长在农业补贴问题上未能打破僵局。
• Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU's income. 农业补贴占去了欧盟收入的大约一半。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

9 jolt   

v.（使）摇动，（使）震动，（使）颠簸

参考例句：

• We were worried that one tiny jolt could worsen her injuries.我们担心稍微颠簸一下就可能会使她的伤势恶化。
• They were working frantically in the fear that an aftershock would jolt the house again.他们拼命地干着，担心余震可能会使房子再次受到震动。

10 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。