2007年VOA标准英语-Blair Says New Dialogue Possible With Iran Foll

By Jim Fry
Washington
06 April 2007
 

Tony Blair during his statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, on the announcement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, of the release of British sailors and marines, 04 Apr 2007

British Prime Minister Tony Blair sees the possibility of forging a different relationship with Iran, now that his country's sailors and marines have been released unharmed.  And even before the British naval¹ crew landed in London the European Union announced that the EU and Iran have begun discussing a possible reopening of discussions about Iran's controversial nuclear program. 

Experts in Washington are cautious, however; some see little hope for an easy resolution of the larger dispute.  VOA's Jim Fry reports:

Back in their British military uniforms, the naval crew held in Iran for the past two weeks is back on home turf, safe and sound.  The 15 sailors and marines were freed after what British Prime Minister Tony Blair describes as "a bilateral² dialogue."

 "It is correct that over the past couple of weeks there have been new and interesting lines of communications opened up with the Iranian regime, and it's sensible for us to continue to pursue those," he said.

Blair says the dialogue -- while not a negotiation³ -- created the possibility for a different relationship with Iran ...even as the world's attention turns, once again, to Iran's nuclear enrichment program.

In Washington, an expert on the Iranian government -- Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace -- holds out little hope for a similar resolution of the nuclear dispute.

 "Despite this grand drama, the bottom lines of each country regarding the nuclear issue have not really changed," he said.

Sadjadpour says Iran continues to assert its sovereign right to maintain nuclear facilities, though he believes Iran has not yet made the decision to develop nuclear weapons.

The U.S., the British and other European allies, fearing an Iranian bomb, insist Iran must suspend uranium enrichment before there are any negotiations⁴.

Some experts believe President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad weakened his government's regional and international standing⁵ by holding the British prisoners.

"I think that they have placed in some jeopardy⁶ their relationship with Russia,"  adds John Calabrese of the Middle East Institute.

 Others say the Iranian government strengthened its position in "the Islamic streets" of the Middle East... and that releasing the Britons without significant consequences will buttress⁷ the Iranian position.

 "It will convince them that they can continue to pursue nuclear weapons very aggressively and not face a strong response from Britain or the larger western world," says former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton.

Before the detainees' return was announced, President Bush said the course Iran was following would increase its isolation⁸ from the rest of the world. 

President Ahmadinejad lectured the West at length before announcing (the following day / on Wednesday April 4) that he would release the Britons. 

The depth of mistrust and ill will between the two leaders could be too deep to expect nuclear reconciliation⁹. 

 "I think we should set the bar a bit lower and ... that we should try to avoid confrontation¹⁰ during these next two years.  And then, once both of these presidents are out office, we can really work on doing a deal,"  says Sadjadpour.

Mr. Blair sees "new possibilities" for relations with Iran, but he also holds to the hard- line "The international community has got to remain absolutely steadfast¹¹ in enforcing its will  -- whether it is in respect of nuclear [proliferation] or in respect of support of any part of the Iranian regime for terrorism."

In the end, Mr. Blair says, the choice for reconciliation over other matters is one that Iran will have to make.

1 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。

4 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。

5 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

6 jeopardy   

n.危险；危难

参考例句：

• His foolish behaviour may put his whole future in jeopardy.他愚蠢的行为可能毁了他一生的前程。
• It is precisely at this juncture that the boss finds himself in double jeopardy.恰恰在这个关键时刻，上司发现自己处于进退两难的境地。

7 buttress   

n.支撑物；v.支持

参考例句：

• I don't think they have any buttress behind them.我认为他们背后没有什么支持力量。
• It was decided to buttress the crumbling walls.人们决定建造扶壁以支撑崩塌中的墙。

8 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。

9 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

10 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

11 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。