2007年VOA标准英语-US Envoy, Japanese Opposition Leader Spar Over

By Liz Noh
Tokyo
08 August 2007

With opposition¹ control of Japan's Upper House heralding² possible change in the traditionally strong alliance between Japan and the United States, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer has met with the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, Ichiro Ozawa. The two men sparred over whether Japan's contribution to U.S.-led military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan would continue. Liz Noh reports from Tokyo.

US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, left, is greeted by Japan's main opposition Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa prior to their meeting at Ozawa's office in Tokyo, 8 Aug 2007

In a room packed with Japanese media at the Democratic Party of Japan headquarters, U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer and the leader of Japan's main opposition party, Ichiro Ozawa, met on Wednesday for the first time since the Upper House elections.

Ozawa has said he plans to oppose the extension of Japan's anti-terrorism law, which allows the Japanese navy in the Indian Ocean to provide fuel and supplies to U.S.-led coalition³ forces in Afghanistan. He also wants to withdraw the 200 air force personnel stationed in Kuwait, airlifting supplies to U.S. troops in Iraq.

Ambassador Schieffer stressed Japan's vital contributions to the coalition taskforce in fighting terrorism.

"When we think of this issue, we think of it as really an issue that we hope would be above partisan⁴ politics in Japan," Schieffer said. "And we think that this is an international task force that has been put together to oppose terrorism."

Ozawa patiently listened to Schieffer's 15-minute presentation. But his final response was firm.

Ozawa says the U.S.-led operations, in which Japan currently participates, do not have United Nations Security Council authorization⁵.

He said that he shared U.S. views on terrorism, but thinks each country should choose its own method to fight it.  He supports Japan's contributions in the world, but says they must fall within the framework of a multinational⁶ effort, endorsed⁷ by the United Nations.

The meeting ended as each party presented their case.

Japan's anti-terrorism law expires November 1. It has been extended three times since the law was enacted⁸ under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Japan's current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to extend it again. Opposition control of the Upper House could at least stall that extension.

1 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。

2 heralding   

v.预示( herald的现在分词 )；宣布（好或重要）

参考例句：

• It is the heralding of a new age of responsibilities. 那预示着一个充满责任的新时期的开始。 来自互联网
• Streaks of faint light were rising, heralding a new day. 几道淡淡的晨曦正在升起，预示新的一天的来临。 来自互联网

3 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

4 partisan   

adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒

参考例句：

• In their anger they forget all the partisan quarrels.愤怒之中，他们忘掉一切党派之争。
• The numerous newly created partisan detachments began working slowly towards that region.许多新建的游击队都开始慢慢地向那里移动。

5 authorization   

n.授权，委任状

参考例句：

• Anglers are required to obtain prior authorization from the park keeper.垂钓者必须事先得到公园管理者的许可。
• You cannot take a day off without authorization.未经批准你不得休假。

6 multinational   

adj.多国的，多种国籍的；n.多国籍公司，跨国公司

参考例句：

• The firm was taken over by a multinational consulting firm.这家公司被一个跨国咨询公司收购。
• He analyzed the relationship between multinational corporations and under-developed countries.他分析了跨国公司和不发达国家之间的关系。

7 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 enacted   

制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• legislation enacted by parliament 由议会通过的法律
• Outside in the little lobby another scene was begin enacted. 外面的小休息室里又是另一番景象。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹