2006年VOA标准英语-US Ambassador to UN Defends Record

By Deborah Tate
Capitol Hill
27 July 2006
 
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton defended his record before a Senate panel Thursday, with just months left before his recess¹ appointment to the world body expires.   President Bush wants Bolton to remain at the U.N., and has called on the Senate to confirm him to the post. 

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John Bolton testifies before Senate Foreign Relations Committee, July 27, 2006 
  
President Bush last year was forced to bypass the Senate and appoint John Bolton to the United Nations during a congressional recess after Democrats² and one key Republican blocked the nomination³ amid concerns that he was too confrontational⁴ and reports he sought to pressure intelligence analysts⁵.

Bolton's appointment expires in January.   The Bush administration would like to see him continue at the U.N. at a time when there are multiple foreign policy concerns on its agenda - Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and North Korea, to name a few.

Senator John Warner, a Virginia Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, echoed those sentiments during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the nomination.

"I do believe without any reservation whatsoever⁶ that the Senate will and should give that advice and consent to this nominee⁷ because he becomes an integral part of the president's national security team at a time when our nation is faced with these many complex issues," he said.

But Democrats remain united in their opposition⁸ to Bolton, arguing that he mismanaged U.N. reform efforts and negotiations⁹ on a new U.N. human rights council, and alienated¹⁰ ambassadors from countries that are crucial to solving problems in the Middle East and Asia.

"My objection is not that he is a bully¹¹, but that he has been an ineffective bully," said Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut.

Despite the Democrats' opposition, it appears the committee will approve Bolton's nomination and send it to the full Senate for a vote after the August recess.  What makes this possible is a change of heart from the one Republican who opposed the nominee last year.

Senator George Voinovich of Ohio says he has been impressed with Bolton's work at the U.N.

"I think you have been very, very active in working on consensus¹² to get things done in the United Nations," he said.

For his part, Ambassador Bolton sought to make the case for his confirmation¹³.  He denied recent news reports quoting U.N. diplomats¹⁴ saying he has furthered U.S. isolation¹⁵ at the world body and undercut U.S.-backed efforts to reform U.N. bureaucracy.

"In my daily relationship with ambassadors, I treat them with respect and they treat me with respect and I think we get the job done," Bolton said.

The hearing was interrupted several times, including when the ceiling sprung a leak and water began pouring down in front of the nominee.

Earlier, protesters twice disrupted proceedings¹⁶ until they were escorted out by police. "He should not go to the U.N.!  He is not representing our best interests," they said.

Ambassador Bolton addressed a number of concerns before the U.N. Security Council, including Lebanon.

"We are working closely with other members to ensure that appropriate action is taken by the Council.  Any action we take must recognize the current conflict is a direct result of the terrorist acts of Hezbollah and Hamas, and their state sponsors in Iran and Syria," Bolton said.

Bolton called the deaths of civilians¹⁷ tragic¹⁸, and urged Israel to exercise what he called the greatest possible care in its use of force.

He expressed optimism that the Security Council would agree to a resolution requiring Iran to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons, although he made his comments shortly before the Council announced it would delay consideration of the measure.

Bolton also said the United States is committed to establishing a U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur, Sudan by the end of the year.

1 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。

2 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》

3 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

4 confrontational   

adj.挑衅的；对抗的

参考例句：

• Fans love rappers partly because they strike such a confrontational pose. 乐迷热爱这些饶舌艺人一定程度上是因为他们所采取的那种战斗姿态。 来自互联网
• You prefer a non confrontational approach when it comes to resolving disputes. 面对争端，你不喜欢采用对抗性的手段来解决。 来自互联网

5 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。

6 whatsoever   

adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么

参考例句：

• There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
• All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样，你就怎样对人。

7 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

8 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。

9 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。

10 alienated   

adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等）

参考例句：

• His comments have alienated a lot of young voters. 他的言论使许多年轻选民离他而去。
• The Prime Minister's policy alienated many of her followers. 首相的政策使很多拥护她的人疏远了她。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

12 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

13 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

14 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》

15 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

16 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

17 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

18 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。