VOA标准英语2008年-Rice Heads to Middle East to Push for Peace Dea

America's top diplomat¹ is heading back to the Middle East for a new peace mission, but there are few expectations for a major breakthrough, as we hear from Robert Berger at the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.
　
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (File)

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is still pushing for a peace agreement by the end of the year. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to resign next month over a corruption² scandal, but under Israel's complicated system of government, Mr. Olmert could remain in office for many months as caretaker prime minister, even after his Kadima party chooses a new leader in September.

Mr. Olmert's spokesman, Mark Regev, says Israel will do all it can to reach a peace deal before U.S. President George Bush leaves office in January.

"We're focused on what needs to be done, and we're very committed to trying to reach a historic agreement by the end of this year, and we're working to see that that can happen," he said.

As a goodwill³ gesture to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel plans to free 199 Palestinian prisoners on Monday to coincide with Rice's arrival. In a change of policy, this will include the release of two prisoners involved in deadly attacks on Israelis.

While Palestinian officials have welcomed the prisoner release as an important step, they are pessimistic about the chances of a broader peace deal.

"Palestinians are extremely skeptical⁴. I think, deep down, the Palestinians feel that this isn't anything that is substantive⁵ or serious," said Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislator.

Gaps remain wide on the core issues of the conflict, including Jewish settlements, Palestinian refugees, final borders and the status of Jerusalem.

1 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

2 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

3 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。

4 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

5 substantive   

adj.表示实在的；本质的、实质性的；独立的；n.实词，实名词；独立存在的实体

参考例句：

• They plan to meet again in Rome very soon to begin substantive negotiations.他们计划不久在罗马再次会晤以开始实质性的谈判。
• A president needs substantive advice,but he also requires emotional succor. 一个总统需要实质性的建议，但也需要感情上的支持。