2007年VOA标准英语-Peace Conference Continues in Afghanistan

By Benjamin Sand
Kabul
10 August 2007

Hundreds of Pakistani and Afghan politicians and tribal¹ leaders are meeting in Kabul to discuss improving border security and strengthening bilateral² relations. VOA correspondent Benjamin Sand reports from the Afghan capital, where the second day of the four-day peace conference is in session.

Pakistani and Afghan tribal leaders attend a conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, 09 Aug 2007

Delegates attending the conference, or "jirga," say Friday's talks will tackle specific issues dividing the South Asian neighbors.

Each blames the other for a recent surge in violence by Islamic militants³ along their shared border.

But some participants in the talks say little progress can be made here unless the outlawed⁴ Taleban is invited to take part.

Ali Muhammad Jan Aurkzai, one of the more prominent jirga participants, is governor of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province. The province is a front-line in the battle with pro-Taleban militants, and Aurkzai says the Taleban has to be brought into the discussions.

"There has to be some negotiations⁵. Unless that happens, no matter what else we do, I don't think the problem will be resolved," he said.

The jirga, which is backed by the United States, is due to end Sunday.

1 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

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 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

4 outlawed   

宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Most states have outlawed the use of marijuana. 大多数州都宣布使用大麻为非法行为。
• I hope the sale of tobacco will be outlawed someday. 我希望有朝一日烟草制品会禁止销售。

5 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。