VOA标准英语2009-Quartet Calls on Israel to Freeze Settlement

The so-called Quartet of Middle East negotiators has called on Israel to freeze all settlement activity and lift its blockage¹ on the Gaza strip. Meeting in Italy Friday representatives of the Quartet also called on the Palestinian Authority to continue to make all efforts to fight violent extremism.
　
Quartet members (from L): Russian FM Lavrov; UNSG Ban Ki-moon; EU's foreign policy chief Solana, US ME envoy² Mitchell, Trieste, Italy, 26 Jun 2009

The Quartet, which includes the United States, Russia, the United Nations and European Union, underscored that the only viable³ solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is two independent states.

In a statement issued at the end of talks held on the sidelines of the G8 foreign ministers meeting in Trieste, Quartet representatives said the two-state solution can only be based on an enduring commitment to mutual⁴ recognition, and freedom from violence and terror.

Attending the meeting for the United States, was the special envoy for Middle East peace, former senator George Mitchell.

"Our objective is to gain full compliance⁵ by all participants, not to single out one side. We think it's most important to look to the future as we try to construct a context within which meaningful negotiation⁶ and hopefully in the near future constructive⁷ resolution of the conflict will be reached," he said.

European Commissioner⁸ for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the meeting was very positive. It was the first Quartet meeting under the Obama administration. She expressed optimism for the Middle East as long as there is new engagement by the parties.

"We want to have an engagement to go to direct peace negotiations⁹ on the one hand and on the other we want to see a difference on the ground," she said.

The Quartet agreed that the current situation in Gaza is unsustainable and expressed serious concern at the humanitarian¹⁰ and human rights situation of the civilian¹¹ population.

Quartet representative and former British prime minister Tony Blair said it is of utmost importance not to put Gaza to one side.

"We also need in Gaza a strategy and a policy that gets help to people, that rebuilds the infrastructure¹² of Gaza and does so in a way that helps the ordinary Gazan people," said Blair. Blair added that Gaza must be part of the solution and to prevent extremists from gaining ground the people there must be helped. The West Bank and Gaza, he stressed, will be one Palestinian state, not two.

1 blockage   

n.障碍物；封锁

参考例句：

• The logical treatment is to remove this blockage.合理的治疗方法就是清除堵塞物。
• If the blockage worked,they could retreat with dignity.如果封锁发生作用，他们可以体面地撤退。

2 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

3 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

4 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

5 compliance   

n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从

参考例句：

• I was surprised by his compliance with these terms.我对他竟然依从了这些条件而感到吃惊。
• She gave up the idea in compliance with his desire.她顺从他的愿望而放弃自己的主意。

6 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。

7 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。

8 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

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 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。

11 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

12 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。