VOA标准英语2009年-Arab States Press for UN Action on Gaza Conflic

Arab foreign ministers met at the United Nations on Monday to discuss a draft resolution for the Security Council that calls for an immediate¹ end to Israeli attacks in Gaza.

Arab leaders met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as with representatives of the Security Council on Monday to discuss the text for a draft resolution that they hope to present to the 15-member council on Tuesday.
　

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki (l) speaks to reporters at the United Nations, 05 Jan 2009

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said the proposed resolution calls for a permanent cease-fire, international border monitors and observers, and humanitarian² aid. He said he hopes there will be no U.S. objection to the latest Arab draft.

Malki said he was disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama's refusal to comment on the Israeli offensive.

"We expected him really to be open and responsive to the situation in Gaza and still, you know, we expect him to make a strong statement regarding this as soon as possible," said Riyad al-Malki.

The Bush administration says it wants a cease-fire as soon as possible, but that it must be "durable³". The White House says any cease-fire should deal with Hamas rocket attacks on Israel, arms smuggling⁴ and the reopening of Gaza border crossing points for relief supplies and commerce.
　

A wounded Palestinian boy is treated at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, after an Israeli missile strike, 05 Jan 2009

Arab League chief Amr Moussa, speaking at the United Nations, said Arab states are insisting on a balanced resolution, but that Israel has certain responsibilities as well.

"It cannot be to address one party, the Arab party, without seriously and decisively addressing Israel as the occupying power with a lot of obligations, legal obligations, and also what happened to the civilians⁵ in Gaza," he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the situation in Gaza has "worsened dramatically" during the past 48 hours, and that he is worried about what further escalation⁶ of the conflict could mean for stability in the region.

"We must insist that Israel end this military assault, which is clearly excessive," he said. "We must insist that Hamas end immediately its rocket attacks, which are so terribly counterproductive, in addition to being completely unacceptable."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to attend the Security Council meeting on Tuesday. An earlier draft resolution circulated last week by the Arab states was rejected by Western Security Council members who said it was "not balanced".

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 durable   

adj.持久的，耐久的

参考例句：

• This raincoat is made of very durable material.这件雨衣是用非常耐用的料子做的。
• They frequently require more major durable purchases.他们经常需要购买耐用消费品。

4 smuggling   

n.走私

参考例句：

• Some claimed that the docker's union fronted for the smuggling ring.某些人声称码头工人工会是走私集团的掩护所。
• The evidence pointed to the existence of an international smuggling network.证据表明很可能有一个国际走私网络存在。

5 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

6 escalation   

n.扩大，增加

参考例句：

• The threat of nuclear escalation remains. 核升级的威胁仍旧存在。 来自辞典例句
• Escalation is thus an aspect of deterrence and of crisis management. 因此逐步升级是威慑和危机处理的一个方面。 来自辞典例句