VOA标准英语2009年-NATO Defense Ministers to Broach Dialogue with

U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates says he expects NATO defense ministers to discuss how to resume their formal dialogue with Russia when he meets with them Thursday and Friday in Krakow, Poland. The NATO-Russia dialogue was suspended after Russia invaded Georgia last year. Gates spoke² on his way to Krakow.
　
Defense Secretary Robert Gates (File)

Secretary Gates says relations with Russia will not be a main focus of the meetings, but he expects ministers to discuss the issue in-between official sessions because in spite of the disagreements it is important to move forward in dealing³ with the Russians on a variety of topics.

"There are Russian behaviors that are a concern to us. We also need the Russians in other areas. So we need to work this relationship through, I think, in a constructive⁴ way that allows us to move forward. But at the same time mindful of some of their actions that still give us a problem," he said.

Secretary Gates says one of those actions is the Russian attempt to convince Kyrgyzstan to end American use of its base at Manas to supply the U.S. and NATO war effort in Afghanistan. He says Russia is trying to have it both ways by offering to help and at the same time pressuring the Kyrgyz government.

Regarding U.S. relations with Russia, Gates says there will have to be a top-level review involving the White House, the State Department, the Pentagon and other agencies, in order to balance the desire to move forward with concerns about some Russian policies.

Some analysts⁵ have speculated that the Obama Administration might offer to cancel the planned missile defense installations in Poland and the Czech Republic in order to improve relations with Russia, which has strongly opposed the plan. U.S. officials have not said they want to do that, but Secretary Gates repeated the new administration's position, which includes two conditions that did not exist during the Bush Administration.

"We are concerned about the Iranian missile threat, and as long as that threat exists we will continue to pursue missile defense, as long as we can make sure it works and that it's cost-effective and we want to pursue it in partnership⁶ not only with our NATO allies, but also with the Russians," he said.

Secretary Gates will have the chance to discuss the new administration's different view of missile defense directly with his Polish and Czech counterparts during this week's meetings.

The secretary tried to arrange cooperation with Russia on European missile defense during the Bush Administration, but Russian officials were not interested, saying the U.S. installations would be a threat to their security. Now, Gates hopes there can be a fresh start.

"I am hopeful that with a new start that maybe there are some opportunities with the Russians that we can pursue," he said.

Secretary Gates' says his formal talks with his NATO counterparts on Thursday and Friday will focus on Afghanistan and preparations for the alliance's summit conference in April. But some of the hallway conversation about Russia may be equally important.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 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。

4 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

5 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

6 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。