2007年VOA标准英语-Rice Begins Mideast Peace Mission

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
19 September 2007

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has begun a two-day peace mission to the Middle East. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, the talks will focus on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Secretary Rice meets with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem, Wednesday, before heading to the West Bank, Thursday, for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The parties are hammering out a document on Palestinian statehood to be presented at an international peace conference in the United States, probably in November.

Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says Israel wants to strengthen the Abbas government in the West Bank, after the Islamic militant¹ group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in a Palestinian civil war, three months ago.

"Obviously we deal with the legitimate² Palestinian government and the current Palestinian government is headed by people who are moderate, people who are pragmatic and people who are committed to peace. And we want to work with them," he said.

But Israel and the Palestinians have drastically different visions for the document on Palestinian statehood. Israel wants a vague declaration of principles. The Palestinians want commitments on final status issues, such as Jerusalem, refugees and borders. President Abbas says that would be a breakthrough.

"If we conclude it, I believe that when we present it to the international conference it will be a good sign to reach to the peace treaty with the Israelis," he said.

However, the Palestinians are threatening not to attend the peace conference if Israel does not go beyond vague declarations.

During her brief visit here, Secretary of State Rice will try to bridge the gaps.

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 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。