VOA标准英语2008年-Major Powers Agree on New UN Resolution on Iran

Major world powers agreed Friday on a new U.N. Security Council resolution on Iran's nuclear program despite tensions between the United States and Russia over Georgia. The draft measure, expected to win swift approval in the full council, reaffirms the two-track strategy of offering Iran benefits if it halts uranium enrichment, while stepping up sanctions if it refuses. VOA's David Gollust reports from our U.N. bureau.

The future of the dual-track strategy on Iran had been thrown into doubt earlier this week when Moscow, irritated by U.S. criticism of its Georgia intervention¹ last month, backed out of a planned big-power meeting on a new sanctions resolution.
　
U.N. Security Council

But after conferring behind closed doors at the United Nations Friday morning, the five permanent U.N. Security Council member countries and Germany said they had agreed on a new resolution that - while including no new sanctions - reaffirms existing penalties and their intention to take additional steps against Iran as needed.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, speaking for the six-power grouping, said the resolution makes clear that Iran can either reap the benefits of engagement with the world community on the nuclear issue or expect punitive³ action beyond the three existing U.N. sanctions measures.
　
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, (2 May 2008 file photo)

"You will have seen that the IAEA inspectors⁴ have failed to get the cooperation that's necessary from the government of Iran. And so we will be taking the consequent next steps in our discussions, bilaterally⁵ and multilaterally on the diplomatic track. As I said, the resolution will be going into consultation⁶ today, to affirm our unity², to rally international support, and to show our determination to insure that the international rules are upheld in this very important area," he said.

Miliband said the six powers are working closely together at the political director's level on the next step in the process.

The United States and European allies believe Iran's nominally-peaceful nuclear program has a secret weapons component⁷. Iran in June rejected an enhanced incentive⁸ package of economic and diplomatic benefits to halt enrichment and return to negotiations⁹ over its nuclear program.

Tehran contends it has a right to master the uranium fuel cycle for nuclear power plants and that preconditions for talks are unacceptable.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Wednesday had their first face-to-face meeting since the Russian invasion of Georgia, which the United States vigorously condemned¹⁰.

Both said that despite their differences, the two powers can work together on matters of common concern including efforts to curb¹¹ the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs and to get a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

1 intervention   

n.介入，干涉，干预

参考例句：

• The government's intervention in this dispute will not help.政府对这场争论的干预不会起作用。
• Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention.许多人觉得他会反对外来干预。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 punitive   

adj.惩罚的，刑罚的

参考例句：

• They took punitive measures against the whole gang.他们对整帮人采取惩罚性措施。
• The punitive tariff was imposed to discourage tire imports from China.该惩罚性关税的征收是用以限制中国轮胎进口的措施。

4 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 bilaterally   

[医]adv.两侧，双向地

参考例句：

• The data in the Performance Test shall be Bilaterally recorded and confirmed. 在生产线考核期间的数据应由双方共同记录并确认。
• Anatomic constraints may preclude the insertion a transarticular screw unilaterally or bilaterally. 解剖制约可能妨碍单边或双边插入关节螺钉。

6 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

7 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

8 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。

9 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

10 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

11 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。