voa标准英语2008-Russian Naval Ships Arrive in Cuba

Three Russian warships¹ have entered Cuban waters as part of a voyage aimed at boosting Russian ties with several Latin American nations.
　

Russia's ship, Admiral Chabanenko, arrives at Havana bay, 19 Dec 2008

Cuban soldiers fired ceremonial shots to welcome the three ships as they steamed into Havana Bay on Friday. The naval² group is led by the Admiral Chabanenko, an advanced destroyer built for anti-submarine combat. Cuban state media said the Russian crews will spend nearly five days in Cuba for meetings and cultural exchanges.

It is the first time Russian warships have visited Cuba since the fall of the Soviet³ Union, which was one of Havana's main supporters for decades.

A Show of Force?

Frank Mora of the National War College in Washington said he was surprised that Cuba's government agreed to the military visit.

"The Cubans are more than willing to engage the Russians on a whole range of economic and technological⁴ cooperation agreements. But they are much more reluctant to engage on military-to-military or security cooperation," he said.

Mora said relations between Havana and Moscow have suffered since the fall of the Soviet Union. Cuba has been seeking other international partners in recent years, and there are indications it is more eager to repair ties with the United States than to provoke new conflicts.

Russia on the other hand has sought to challenge Washington, for example on its policies regarding the Georgia conflict four months ago and missile defense⁵ programs in Europe. Mora said the voyage of the Russian naval ships to Cuba and other Latin American countries is clearly intended as a show of force, intended for Washington.

US: No Cause for Concern

U.S. officials at the State Department and the Pentagon said the Russian warships are not a cause for concern.

Frank Mora said Cuba's government may have reluctantly agreed to the Russian visit to build goodwill⁶ for future Russian investments in Cuba's oil and nickel industries.

"There are other kinds of things the Cubans are happy to receive. But the depth and breadth of those investments is questionable⁷, as the Russians just devalued their currency twice in one week," said Mora.
　

Russian warships at Venezuela's La Guaira harbor, 25 Nov 2008

The drop in world oil prices has hit Russia and other oil-producing nations especially hard. Mora said the downturn may force Moscow to scale back promises to support infrastructure⁸ projects in Nicaragua and cooperation deals with Venezuela.

The Russian warships also visited Venezuela last month for joint⁹ training exercises with Venezuela's navy.

1 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

2 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

3 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

4 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 goodwill   

n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉

参考例句：

• His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。
• We paid ￡10,000 for the shop,and ￡2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店，两千英镑买下了它的信誉。

7 questionable   

adj.可疑的，有问题的

参考例句：

• There are still a few questionable points in the case.这个案件还有几个疑点。
• Your argument is based on a set of questionable assumptions.你的论证建立在一套有问题的假设上。

8 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

9 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。