VOA标准英语 Iranian President Welcomes 'Honest' Talks With US

Iran's hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad said his country would welcome talks with the United States if President Barack Obama proves to be "honest" in extending a hand towards Iran.
　
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greets supporters in Isfahan, south of Tehran, 08 Apr 2009

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, speaking to several hundred-thousand people in the city of Isfahan, responded to recent U.S. overtures¹ for dialogue by indicating his country would welcome such a dialogue if it was "honest."

Sounding a conciliatory note in his speech, Mr. Ahmedinejad said the "Iranian nation welcomes a hand extended to it, should it be really and truly based on honesty, justice and respect."

President Barack Obama said in January that his administration is prepared to reach out to erstwhile U.S. foes² if they are "willing to unclench their fists."

But the Iranian president offered some veiled criticism to Mr. Obama, taking a stab at his campaign theme of "change".

"If you say you are after change, then change your policies, change your rhetoric³, change your ways'" he said.

In March, Iran's Supreme⁴ Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a chilly⁵ response to President Obama's video message to the Iranian people for the Persian New Year, underlining that Tehran is waiting for concrete changes in U.S. policies.

Other top Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani have also continued to stress Tehran will move forward with its controversial nuclear program, despite U.S. overtures.

Analysts⁶ are also expecting President Ahmedinejad to make a provocative⁷ declaration, Thursday, marking Iran's self-proclaimed "nuclear day," noting the country's nuclear accomplishments⁸ during the past year. The United States has accused Iran of using its nuclear program as part of an effort to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.

1 overtures   

n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲

参考例句：

• Their government is making overtures for peace. 他们的政府正在提出和平建议。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He had lately begun to make clumsy yet endearing overtures of friendship. 最近他开始主动表示友好，样子笨拙却又招人喜爱。 来自辞典例句

2 foes   

敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They steadily pushed their foes before them. 他们不停地追击敌人。
• She had fought many battles, vanquished many foes. 她身经百战，挫败过很多对手。

3 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。

4 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

5 chilly   

adj.凉快的，寒冷的

参考例句：

• I feel chilly without a coat.我由于没有穿大衣而感到凉飕飕的。
• I grew chilly when the fire went out.炉火熄灭后，寒气逼人。

6 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。

7 provocative   

adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的

参考例句：

• She wore a very provocative dress.她穿了一件非常性感的裙子。
• His provocative words only fueled the argument further.他的挑衅性讲话只能使争论进一步激化。

8 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》