VOA标准英语2008年-McCain Criticizes Obama's Cuba Policy

By Cindy Saine
Washington
20 May 2008

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has attacked Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama on his Cuba policy.  Speaking to a friendly Cuban-American audience in Miami, Senator McCain vowed¹ to maintain a strict U.S. economic embargo² on Cuba until the communist government grants basic liberties to its people, releases political prisoners and holds internationally monitored elections.  VOA Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from Washington.

Senator McCain timed his speech to coincide with Cuban Independence Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the Caribbean island's transfer of power from Spain in 1902.  He also used the chance to again attack his anticipated Democratic opponent for the White House, Senator Obama, suggesting he is weak on foreign policy.

When Barack Obama ran for the U.S. Senate in 2003, he had suggested that he would support lifting the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba.  McCain said Obama has now changed his position, but that it is still wrong in his eyes.  

"Now Senator Obama has shifted positions and says he only favors easing the embargo, not lifting it," he said.  "He also wants to sit down unconditionally⁴ for a presidential meeting with Raul Castro… an unconditional³ meeting with Raul Castro.  These steps would send the worst possible signal to Cuba's dictators: there is no need to undertake fundamental reforms, they can simply wait for a unilateral change in U.S. policy."

McCain's remarks provoked an emotional reaction from his Cuban American audience.   Many in Miami's Cuban American community are victims of the communist government and strongly oppose any dialogue with President Raul Castro, who took over from his brother Fidel Castro in February. 

Cuban-American voters represent an important voting bloc⁵ in Florida, which has also often been a key battleground state in U.S. presidential elections.

Obama has said he favors talking to the Cuban government and allowing Cuban Americans to travel freely to the island, in hopes of encouraging democratic reforms.

During a debate with his Democratic rival, Senator Hillary Clinton, Obama said he would be willing to hold talks, without preconditions, with leaders of countries hostile to the United States, including Iran, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela and Cuba.  McCain has been hammering Obama on this pledge, calling him  naïve, inexperienced and reckless.

Democratic Senator Bob Casey, a strong supporter of Senator Obama, stepped up to defend him.

"The Republicans now nationally, Senator McCain's campaign, the president, all of the Republican leaders around the country are trying to gang up now on Barack Obama," he said.  "That is understandable, because they see a candidate who can beat them in November.  So I understand why they are doing that."

Obama is arriving in Florida on Wednesday for a three-day visit, and will have a chance to speak to the Cuban American National Foundation in person on Friday, and outline his Cuban policy.   Clinton has also announced a visit to Florida this week.

1 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

2 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

3 unconditional   

adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的

参考例句：

• The victorious army demanded unconditional surrender.胜方要求敌人无条件投降。
• My love for all my children is unconditional.我对自己所有孩子的爱都是无条件的。

4 unconditionally   

adv.无条件地

参考例句：

• All foreign troops must be withdrawn immediately and unconditionally. 所有外国军队必须立即无条件地撤出。
• It makes things very awkward to have your girls going back unconditionally just now! 你们现在是无条件上工，真糟糕！ 来自子夜部分

5 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。