2007年VOA标准英语-US, Brazil Sign Alternative Fuels Deal

By Paula Wolfson
Sao Paulo, Brazil
09 March 2007

The United States and Brazil have entered a new partnership² to promote the production of ethanol around the world. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the two countries signed a biofuel agreement.

 
US President George W. Bush, left, with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva before a working lunch in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 9 March 2007 
The presidents of the United States and Brazil say they have a vision - a vision of a world where the production and consumption of biofuels is commonplace.

President Bush says it is a goal worth meeting.

"I hope the people of the United States and the people of Brazil are as optimistic about the future as these two presidents are," he said. "And one reason we are optimistic is because we see the bright and real potential for our citizens to be able to use alternative sources of energy that will promote the common good."

Mr. Bush spoke³ after touring an ethanol distribution facility in Sao Paulo with the president of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Earlier, foreign ministers from the two countries signed an agreement designed to promote research and development of biofuels and to set the standards for ethanol to become a recognized commodity on world markets.

Together, the United States and Brazil produce about 75 percent of the world's ethanol. But Brazil is the largest exporter, and the undisputed leader in biofuel technology.

President Bush said he wants to work with the Brazilians to expand production and make ethanol more affordable⁴. He said in time, other developing countries will be able to join in and use raw agricultural materials - such as sugar cane⁵ and grasses - to develop their own fuels.

"I appreciate so very much the idea of Brazil and America sharing research and development opportunities. You have got great scientists. We have got great scientists. It makes sense for us to collaborate⁶ for the good of mankind."

 
US President Bush (l) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (r) wave as they tour Petros Transporte S.A. Facility in Sao Paulo, 9 Mar¹ 2007
The development of alternative fuels has become a key element of the Bush administration's energy policy. And President da Silva said he deserves some of the credit, noting he brought up the subject during their last meeting in Brazil about a year-and-a-half ago.

"I was truly obsessed⁷ with biofuel," he said. "And he almost couldn't have lunch because I wouldn't stop talking about biofuel. But I think that was important because the world is not always ready and prepared for major changes."

Both men talked about the ability of biofuel production to create jobs in the developing world, and cut dependence⁸ on oil imports. Among the countries which could lose out in the future if biofuels catch on is Venezuela, one of the world's largest oil exporters.

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez has been using oil revenues in an effort to build a following throughout the hemisphere. He is taking part in an anti-American rally later Friday in Argentina.

 
Demonstrators hold banners against visit of US  President  Bush in Sao Paulo, 8 Mar 2007 

Anti-Bush protests have taken place here in Sao Paulo, where discontent with the Iraq war has made the U.S. president highly unpopular. There was some violence Thursday, but most demonstrators have been peaceful. They include farmers worried that they might be exploited by companies eager to expand ethanol production, and environmentalists concerned that the Amazon jungle might be destroyed in the rush to plant sugar cane.

But the biggest security concerns for the traveling White House may be in Bogota, Colombia, which Mr. Bush will visit on Sunday. Police officials there say there are signs Colombian rebels are planning attacks, but add security precautions are already in place.

In addition to Brazil and Colombia, President Bush will also travel to Uruguay, Guatemala and Mexico before returning home next Wednesday.

1 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 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。

4 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

5 cane   

n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的

参考例句：

• This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
• English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。

6 collaborate   

vi.协作，合作；协调

参考例句：

• The work gets done more quickly when we collaborate.我们一旦合作，工作做起来就更快了。
• I would ask you to collaborate with us in this work.我们愿意请你们在这项工作中和我们合作。

7 obsessed   

adj.心神不宁的,鬼迷心窍的,沉迷的

参考例句：

• He's obsessed by computers. 他迷上了电脑。
• The fear of death obsessed him throughout his old life. 他晚年一直受着死亡恐惧的困扰。

8 dependence   

n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属

参考例句：

• Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug.医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
• He was freed from financial dependence on his parents.他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。