VOA标准英语2009年-Iran says Western Pressure Will Not Affect

By Elizabeth Arrott
Cairo
12 October 2009

The Iranian government is rejecting Western pressure to move quickly on disclosing information about its nuclear program. At the same time, it is facing renewed opposition¹ from candidates in the June presidential election to discuss allegations of fraud.

 Iran Foreign Ministry² spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said Tehran will not be affected³ by deadlines or threats about its nuclear activities.

Speaking at his weekly news conference, Qashqavi said Iran is ready to discuss getting enriched uranium from other countries. But he stressed this did not mean Tehran would be dependent on foreign powers, adding, "we will definitely secure our needs" for fuel.

His comments come one day after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the world will not wait forever for Iran to meet its international obligations on nuclear issues.

Iranian officials are to meet with Western powers later this month to discuss enriching uranium abroad. The deal would ease fears that Iran is trying to boost the material to the level needed for nuclear weapons.

Even as the Iranian government is trying to deflect⁴ international pressure, it is still dealing⁵ with the fall-out of its disputed presidential election in June.

The pro-reform Sarmayeh newspaper is reporting two defeated candidates, Mir Houssein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, are demanding time to speak on state television about their allegations of electoral fraud.

Amal Hamada, a political science professor at Cairo University, says even if the government were to allow them the opportunity, it would likely not amount to much.

"The talk issue is not going to be anything serious, other than buying time for both the Iranian regime and the Iranian opposition, because as far as the Iranian regime is concerned, no steps are being taken in the direction of bridging the gaps with the opposition anymore," Hamada said.

The foreign ministry spokesman also addressed British repercussions⁶ from the election. Asked about the British Museum's reversal on loaning Iran an artifact because of the political situation following the vote, Qashqavi said the decision is "irrational⁷, illogical and illegal."

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 deflect   

v.(使)偏斜，(使)偏离，(使)转向

参考例句：

• Never let a little problem deflect you.决不要因一点小问题就半途而废。
• They decided to deflect from the original plan.他们决定改变原计划。

5 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

6 repercussions   

n.后果，反响( repercussion的名词复数 )；余波

参考例句：

• The collapse of the company will have repercussions for the whole industry. 这家公司的垮台将会给整个行业造成间接的负面影响。
• Human acts have repercussions far beyond the frontiers of the human world. 人类行为所产生的影响远远超出人类世界的范围。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 irrational   

adj.无理性的，失去理性的

参考例句：

• After taking the drug she became completely irrational.她在吸毒后变得完全失去了理性。
• There are also signs of irrational exuberance among some investors.在某些投资者中是存在非理性繁荣的征象的。