VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Arrives in Moscow for Talks With Med

U.S. President Barack Obama has arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian leaders, expected to focus largely on arms control.
　
President Barack Obama (R), his daughters Malia (2R), and Sasha and his wife Michelle Obama are seen on their arrival at Moscow's Vnukovo airport, Russia, 06 July 2009

This is a visit that falls neatly¹ into two parts.

First, President Obama will consult individually with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Then he will focus on improving ties with the Russian people.

In an interview with the Associated Press prior to his departure, Mr. Obama said he has a lot to discuss with President Medvedev. Among them: efforts to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty - or START - that runs out at the end of this year.

"I think that we are going to be able to get some important business done, setting up a framework for a post START treaty that will bring down the level of nuclear warheads on both the Russian and U.S. sides," said Mr. Obama.

But President Obama also noted² the importance of Prime Minister Putin. He said Putin - the former Russian president - still has a great deal of power.

"I think that it's important even as we move forward with President Medvedev that Putin understands that the old Cold War approaches to U.S. Russian relations are outdated," he said.

But despite the focus on the START agreement, White House officials stress the U.S. Russia relationship in the 21st century must be about far more than arms negotiations³. And they note the second half of the president's visit to Moscow will include a speech, and a series of discussions with representatives of civil society and the political opposition⁴.

Sarah Mendelson is a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. She has been working on a project to bring Russians and Americans together in fields ranging from human rights, to affordable⁵ housing.

Mendelson says she believes Russians have a lot to learn about Barack Obama and his policies and beliefs.

"I don't think Russians know very much about him, to be honest," said Mendelson. "And I think even just talking about his personal journey is going to be important because it challenges a lot of the stereotypes⁶ that Russians have about who we are and our history."

Proof of the challenge facing President Obama in Russia can be found in a new survey of Russians conducted by the international polling arm of the University of Maryland. It finds that just 23 percent of Russians have confidence in President Obama to do the right thing in international affairs.

1 neatly   

adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地

参考例句：

• Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
• The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 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。

4 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。

5 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

6 stereotypes   

n.老套，模式化的见解，有老一套固定想法的人( stereotype的名词复数 )v.把…模式化，使成陈规( stereotype的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Such jokes tend to reinforce racial stereotypes. 这样的笑话容易渲染种族偏见。
• It makes me sick to read over such stereotypes devoid of content. 这种空洞无物的八股调，我看了就讨厌。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》