VOA标准英语2008年-EU Approves New Sanctions on Iran

European Union members have approved new sanctions against Iran in response to Tehran's refusal to freeze its nuclear program. Lisa Bryant has more from Paris.

New EU sanctions on Iran include an asset freeze on the country's biggest bank, Bank Melli. They also include visa bans that will reportedly target senior members affiliated¹ with Iran's nuclear program.

Iran says its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes of generating power, but western nations fear Tehran is trying to build a nuclear weapon.

The United States and the 27-member European Union agreed earlier this month they were ready to take new steps, adding to existing sanctions.

But the Reuters news agency reports the European Union is still offering economic incentives² to Iran in return for an end to its uranium-enrichment program.
　
Javier Solana, in Tehran, 14 Jun 2008

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented the incentives during unsuccessful talks with Iranian officials earlier this month in Tehran.

Last week, Solana told reporters the incentives are an updated version of a package offered in 2006, which Iran rejected.

"I hope to have a response from Tehran soon on the issues we have spoken [about], which have been very important," Solana said. "Our presence here signifies that we care about good relations with Iran, but for that, the question of nuclear [activities] has to be clearly resolved."

Iran has said it is encouraged by the latest EU incentives offer, but has dismissed any call for it to suspend its nuclear program.

The United States also favors a diplomatic approach to ending the standoff with Tehran. Meanwhile, Iran's acting³ economy minister said during the weekend that the existing sanctions were not having a major impact on his country's economy.

　

 

1 affiliated   

adj. 附属的, 有关连的

参考例句：

• The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。
• All affiliated members can vote. 所有隶属成员都有投票权。

2 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

3 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。