2007年VOA标准英语-Bush, Putin Meet in Maine to Shore-Up US-Russia

By Paula Wolfson
Washington
01 July 2007

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the United States for talks with President George W. Bush aimed at easing tensions between their two countries. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports the meetings are taking place at an unusual venue¹ - the Bush family summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

President George W. Bush greets Russian President Vladimir Putin at Walker's Point, the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine

They are meeting in virtual seclusion² on the rocky coast of Maine. All the talks are being held in the sprawling³ house overlooking the sea owned by former President George H.W. Bush.

The house has been in the Bush family for about a century. And while former President Bush hosted a few world leaders there during his term in office, President Putin is the first to be invited by the current president.

The visit will last less than twenty-four hours. During a session with reporters, White House Spokesman Tony Snow was asked about the significance of holding the talks in Maine. "I just think it is an acknowledgment of the importance of the relationship, and also I think the importance of having an atmosphere that is going to be conducive⁴ to be relaxed but candid⁵ discussions of important issues," he said.

Snow emphasized there is no formal agenda for the talks, and he downplayed the notion that any breakthroughs might be imminent⁶. "I would caution against expecting grand, new announcements. This is, in fact, an opportunity for two leaders to talk honestly and candidly⁷ with one another, and they get to - they're the ones who are going to control the agenda," he said.

The last time they met was in early June at the Group of Eight Summit in Germany. President Bush's plans for a missile shield in Europe dominated those discussions.

Missile defense⁸ is likely to be a key topic again in Kennebunkport, along with Russian opposition⁹ to independence for Serbia's Kosovo region.

President Bush is also expected to bring up Iran. The United States is urging the United Nations Security Council to impose tougher sanctions on Tehran - a move Moscow has resisted in the past.

Prior to Mr. Putin's arrival, hundreds of protesters gathered in Kennebunkport, and marched along a seaside road that leads to the Bush compound.

Most of the demonstrators were protesting U.S. policy in Iraq. But some shouted slogans condemning¹⁰ Russian actions in Chechnya.

1 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

2 seclusion   

n.隐遁，隔离

参考例句：

• She liked to sunbathe in the seclusion of her own garden.她喜欢在自己僻静的花园里晒日光浴。
• I live very much in seclusion these days.这些天我过着几乎与世隔绝的生活。

3 sprawling   

adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着）

参考例句：

• He was sprawling in an armchair in front of the TV. 他伸开手脚坐在电视机前的一张扶手椅上。
• a modern sprawling town 一座杂乱无序拓展的现代城镇

4 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

5 candid   

adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的

参考例句：

• I cannot but hope the candid reader will give some allowance for it.我只有希望公正的读者多少包涵一些。
• He is quite candid with his friends.他对朋友相当坦诚。

6 imminent   

adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的

参考例句：

• The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
• The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。

7 candidly   

adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地

参考例句：

• He has stopped taking heroin now,but admits candidly that he will always be a drug addict.他眼下已经不再吸食海洛因了,不过他坦言自己永远都是个瘾君子。
• Candidly,David,I think you're being unreasonable.大卫，说实话我认为你不讲道理。

8 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

9 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。

10 condemning   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。
• I concur with the speaker in condemning what has been done. 我同意发言者对所做的事加以谴责。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》