2007年VOA标准英语-Israeli, Palestinian Leaders Discuss Core Issue

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
28 August 2007

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem, 28 Aug 2007

Israeli and Palestinian leaders held a summit meeting in Jerusalem aimed at giving a boost to the peace process.  As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, both sides are reporting progress.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed core issues of the Middle East conflict, including the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, and final borders.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said the goal is the creation of a Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel.

"Both leaders, Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas, are committed to a vision of two states.  Important ground was covered today on the political issues, the economic issues and other issues and we are moving forward," Regev said.

The two leaders hope to present a framework for a peace agreement at an international conference in the United States this autumn.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says it is time to make hard decisions that will lead to the end of the Israeli occupation.

"The only way to revive hope in the minds of Palestinians and Israelis is through a meaningful peace process," Erekat said.

Ties between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas have improved since the violent takeover of the Gaza Strip by the Islamic militant¹ group Hamas two months ago.  Hamas routed the forces of the rival Fatah faction² led by Mr. Abbas, who now heads a moderate government in the West Bank.

Both Israel and the U.S. want to strengthen the Abbas government, while isolating³ the Hamas regime in Gaza.

But Hamas, which seeks Israel's destruction, appears determined⁴ to play the spoiler.  Hamas officials said any negotiations⁵ that do not include the group are doomed⁶ to failure. 

1 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

2 faction   

n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争

参考例句：

• Faction and self-interest appear to be the norm.派系之争和自私自利看来非常普遍。
• I now understood clearly that I was caught between the king and the Bunam's faction.我现在完全明白自己已陷入困境，在国王与布纳姆集团之间左右为难。

3 isolating   

adj.孤立的，绝缘的v.使隔离( isolate的现在分词 )；将…剔出（以便看清和单独处理）；使（某物质、细胞等）分离；使离析

参考例句：

• Colour filters are not very effective in isolating narrow spectral bands. 一些滤色片不能很有效地分离狭窄的光谱带。 来自辞典例句
• This became known as the streak method for isolating bacteria. 这个方法以后就称为分离细菌的划线法。 来自辞典例句

4 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

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。

6 doomed   

命定的

参考例句：

• The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
• A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。