2006年VOA标准英语-Annan: Most Middle East Leaders See Iraq as 'Di

By Peter Heinlein
United Nations
13 September 2006
 
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says most leaders he visited on his recent trip to the Middle East told him the U.S. campaign in Iraq has been a disaster for them. In a wide-ranging news conference, Mr. Annan also said he sees a slight shift in Iran's position on suspending uranium enrichment.

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		Kofi Annan at UN press conference, Sept. 13, 2006

The secretary-general says that in conversations with regional leaders in the Middle East, he found two schools of thought on Iraq.

"There were many leaders who felt the Americans should stay until the situation improves, and that having created the problem, they cannot walk away," he said. "Then you have another school of thought, particularly in Iran, that believe the presence of the U.S. is a problem and that the U.S. should leave."

But he said regardless of which outcome the leaders favored, most agreed the enterprise has been harmful to them.

"Honestly, most of the leaders felt the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath has been a real disaster for them, they believe it has destabilized the region," he said.

In an hour-long question and answer session with reporters, Mr. Annan declined to give his own thoughts on whether it is time for a U.S. withdrawal¹ from Iraq. He said the issue poses a dilemma² for American policymakers.

"In a way the U.S. has found itself in a position where it cannot stay and cannot leave, and if it [the U.S.] has to leave, the timing³ has to be optimum, and arranged in such a way that it doesn't lead to even greater disruption or violence in the region," he said.

Mr. Annan also faced a barrage⁴ of questions about the status of talks on Iran's suspect nuclear program. He spoke⁵ hopefully about the outcome of talks between European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani, and said he believes he has detected a slight change in Iran's rejection⁶ of calls to suspend uranium enrichment.

"I do note that there is a slight shift, I wouldn't say it's a major shift, a slight shift in the sense that they are now saying that, let's negotiate, suspension will be on agenda and maybe possible during negotiations⁷, not that it's outright⁸ rejections," he said.

Mr. Annan said he is urging Iranian leaders to be more forthcoming about their nuclear program, while asking the Security Council to be more patient.

"So I think it's a question of a bit more confidence and each focusing on issue at hand and what it takes to settle without artificial deadlines.  That leads to complications," he said.

Mr. Annan said the futures⁹ of Iran and Iraq will be among the main topics he will discuss with leaders visiting U.N. headquarters next week for the opening of the annual General Assembly debate.

President Bush will address the Assembly Tuesday, along with a host of other leaders, including French President Jacques Chirac and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  Leaders from other hotspots in the Middle East, such as Lebanon and Iraq, will speak later in the week. 

1 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

2 dilemma   

n.困境，进退两难的局面

参考例句：

• I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.这件事使我进退两难。
• He was thrown into a dilemma.他陷入困境。

3 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

4 barrage   

n.火力网，弹幕

参考例句：

• The attack jumped off under cover of a barrage.进攻在炮火的掩护下开始了。
• The fierce artillery barrage destroyed the most part of the city in a few minutes.猛烈的炮火几分钟内便毁灭了这座城市的大部分地区。

5 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。

6 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。

7 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。

8 outright   

adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的

参考例句：

• If you have a complaint you should tell me outright.如果你有不满意的事，你应该直率地对我说。
• You should persuade her to marry you outright.你应该彻底劝服她嫁给你。

9 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。