voa标准英语2008年-Global Leaders Prepare for Washington Summit

The Group-of-20 leaders, representing the world's major industrialized nations and large developing countries, will meet in Washington this weekend to discuss measures to restore global financial stability. Europe has taken the lead in pushing for the summit and coming up with solutions to the global economic crisis. VOA's Mandy Clark in London takes a look at the two leaders who have been spearheading the effort to save the global economy.
　

The National Building Museum, site of the upcoming G-20 meeting in Washington, DC., 1 Nov 2008

When the economic crisis struck Europe, two political powerhouses stood out in their attempt to soften¹ the blows: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

France is currently the European Union president and Mr. Sarkozy was quick to call for a transatlantic solution to the crisis.

He said Europe wishes to work hand in hand with the United States, like two allies, two friends, two partners, who have the same convictions, the same values and which must meet the challenge.
　

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown addresses his monthly press conference inside 10 Downing Street in London, Tuesday, 11 Nov. 2008

Mr. Brown has experience when it comes to the economy, he was Britain's Finance Minister for 10 years in Tony Blair's government, building a reputation for competence² and prudence³. This October, he won praise at home and abroad for his nearly $700-billion rescue package of loans and guarantees to prop⁴ up Britain's banks.

The financial lifeline became an international template for dealing⁵ with the credit crisis.

The Brown-Sarkozy combo has become an impressive double act, said British lawmaker, Denis MacShane.

"Cometh the hour, cometh these two guys, Brown and Sarkozy, opposite sides of the political fence, but neither will gain if either Britain or France, Europe or America do not pull out of this crisis as swiftly and intelligently as they can make it happen," MacShane said.

Sarkozy pushes for euro-zone meeting
　

French President Nicolas Sarkozy after attending a cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace, Paris, 12 Nov 2008

It was Mr. Sarkozy who insisted on a euro-zone meeting bringing together the leaders of the 15 nations that use the euro currency, as well as Britain, to come up with solutions to the crisis. They agreed to follow Mr. Brown's bank bailout plan.

It was the French leader again who urged U.S. President George Bush to convene⁶ the November 15 summit of world powers in Washington.

The next challenge for Mr. Brown and Mr. Sarkozy will be getting the United States to lead the way in repairing the global economy.

Questions remain about Paulson bailout plan

Economist⁷ Albrecht Ritschl, at the London School of Economics, said Washington must do more than simply rely on U.S. Treasury⁸ Secretary Henry Paulson's bailout plan.

"The U.S. has provided - I do not want to say lack of leadership - but the signals that came from the U.S. clearly have been a little bit mixed," he said. " It was not quite clear what the Paulson plan really meant and my impression is that few people in Washington and New York really have a very clear idea about what the Paulson plan is actually. So, quite clearly there is a need to fill these plans and ideas with content."

The upcoming G-20 meeting will focus on measures, such as financial regulation, aimed at restoring global economic stability. But analysts⁹ said Europe is already looking ahead to the change of administration. They hope President-elect Barack Obama can restore the health of the American economy, which in turn will help put the European economy back on track.

1 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。

2 competence   

n.能力，胜任，称职

参考例句：

• This mess is a poor reflection on his competence.这种混乱情况说明他难当此任。
• These are matters within the competence of the court.这些是法院权限以内的事。

3 prudence   

n.谨慎，精明，节俭

参考例句：

• A lack of prudence may lead to financial problems.不够谨慎可能会导致财政上出现问题。
• The happy impute all their success to prudence or merit.幸运者都把他们的成功归因于谨慎或功德。

4 prop   

vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山

参考例句：

• A worker put a prop against the wall of the tunnel to keep it from falling.一名工人用东西支撑住隧道壁好使它不会倒塌。
• The government does not intend to prop up declining industries.政府无意扶持不景气的企业。

5 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

6 convene   

v.集合，召集，召唤，聚集，集合

参考例句：

• The Diet will convene at 3p.m. tomorrow.国会将于明天下午三点钟开会。
• Senior officials convened in October 1991 in London.1991年10月，高级官员在伦敦会齐。

7 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

8 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

9 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。