2007年VOA标准英语-Syria's Assad Urges Israel to Make Next Move Fo

By Leslie Boctor
Cairo
17 July 2007

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been sworn in for a second seven-year term, following a presidential referendum that critics called a scam. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Assad called on Israel to publicly announce its peaceful intentions toward Syria. Leslie Boctor has more from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo.

Syria's President Bashar Assad is sworn in for a second term in office, in Damascus, 17 July 2007

The Syrian leader's reciting of the oath of office was met by thunderous applause by legislators in the People's Assembly. In his acceptance speech, President Assad mostly focused on domestic issues, pledging to improve living conditions and speeding up economic reforms.

Mr. Assad also called on Israel to be clear on its stance for peace, saying that Syrians "basically didn't trust their intent."

Mr. Assad said Syrians want Israeli officials to make a formal announcement regarding their desire for peace. He said Syria cannot enter into negotiations¹ with Israel over something that is unclear. Sending messages through secretive channels, he said, is not acceptable.

Mr. Assad's comments were Syria's first official response to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offer to begin direct peace negotiations between the two countries without the mediation² of the United States a week ago.

Mr. Assad has repeatedly expressed interest in resuming talks with Israel through a third party. Peace talks between the two countries collapsed³ in 2000 because of disagreement over the fate of the Golan Heights. The strategically plateau was occupied by Israel during the 1967 war.

Mr. Assad became president in 2000, following the death of his father President Hafez Assad. Since coming to power, the younger Assad has been keen to modernize⁴ and reform Syria's economy, introducing laws to encourage foreign investment and privatization. While hundreds of political prisoners have been freed, Syria has also clamped down on pro-democracy activists⁵.

1 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。

2 mediation   

n.调解

参考例句：

• The dispute was settled by mediation of the third country. 这场争端通过第三国的斡旋而得以解决。
• The dispute was settled by mediation. 经调解使争端得以解决。

3 collapsed   

adj.倒塌的

参考例句：

• Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
• The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。

4 modernize   

vt.使现代化，使适应现代的需要

参考例句：

• It was their manifest failure to modernize the country's industries.他们使国家进行工业现代化，明显失败了。
• There is a pressing need to modernise our electoral system.我们的选举制度迫切需要现代化。

5 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》