VOA标准英语2009年-World Summit in Italy Puts Spotlight on Ea

Leaders of the world's most powerful nations meet in central Italy this week (July 8-10) for the annual G8 summit. The agenda is expected to cover a wide variety of issues, from the ongoing¹ global economic crisis to Afghanistan, Iran and aid to Africa and other poverty stricken regions. But the meeting has a very special significance for summit host, Italy.

It is a chance for world leaders to meet face to face to discuss global issues. If not held in major world capitals, G8 meetings have tended to take place in secure, but luxurious² locations. The tranquil³ countryside of central Italy's Abruzzo region seems to fit the bill.

But, this year is different. This G8 is being held in a spartan⁴ military academy barracks. And, it is in the middle of a region still reeling from a devastating⁵ earthquake just three months ago.
　
Damaged buildings in the town of Onna

The epicenter of the April 6 quake lay near the town of L'Aquila, but the devastation⁶ spread far and wide. Nearly 300 people were killed and more than 65,000 made homeless.

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi decided⁷ to host this year's G8 summit near L'Aquila to highlight the plight⁸ of the people in the area.

The head of Italy's Civil Protection Agency, Guido Bertolaso, says that can make a difference.

"Can you imagine what does it mean to have here the President of the United States of America, of the Russian Federation⁹, of the Peoples' Republic of China. The worldwide attention will be focused for a week on L'Aquila," he said. "This is the best guarantee for the homeless people that they will not be forgotten."
　
Tent city in the town of L'Aquila

Bertolasso thinks it will encourage people to come back to the region and will bring tourists and badly needed income.

But local reactions are mixed. Amid those who lost their homes in the earthquake and have sought shelter in tent camps, some believe having the G-8 here is important.

But others like Carla D'Ascenzo doubt it will bring change.

"I have to laugh - nothing will change," she said. "OK, there is a summit ... why do not they come here, look at the camp, look at the tents, look at the way we are living."

It will be nearly impossible for world leaders to not take note of the devastation caused by the quake and the ongoing difficulties people here face.

But, no doubt, other agenda items will figure prominently - from the ongoing global economic recession and how to avoid a repeat, to climate change, regional security, the war in Afghanistan, the situation in Iran and aid to the world's poorest nations.

And summits inevitably¹⁰ mean tightened¹¹ security measures and worries about protests that often turn violent.

Italian authorities say they have put preventive measures in place. And, Bertolaso says he's confident protests will not be an issue here.

"Do you see someone who will want to come here to make some protests among the tents, among the homeless, among those who have suffered from the earthquake?" he asked. "If they are, I think the people of L'Aquila will stop them, not the police."

There is a general sense here that people are eager for the spotlight¹², even if briefly¹³ - to feel they have not been forgotten. In the end they hope though that by coming here, the G8 leaders may bring some long-term benefits to get this region back on its feet.

1 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 luxurious   

adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的

参考例句：

• This is a luxurious car complete with air conditioning and telephone.这是一辆附有空调设备和电话的豪华轿车。
• The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。

3 tranquil   

adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的

参考例句：

• The boy disturbed the tranquil surface of the pond with a stick. 那男孩用棍子打破了平静的池面。
• The tranquil beauty of the village scenery is unique. 这乡村景色的宁静是绝无仅有的。

4 spartan   

adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人

参考例句：

• Their spartan lifestyle prohibits a fridge or a phone.他们不使用冰箱和电话，过着简朴的生活。
• The rooms were spartan and undecorated.房间没有装饰，极为简陋。

5 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

6 devastation   

n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤

参考例句：

• The bomb caused widespread devastation. 炸弹造成大面积破坏。
• There was devastation on every side. 到处都是破坏的创伤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

9 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

10 inevitably   

adv.不可避免地；必然发生地

参考例句：

• In the way you go on,you are inevitably coming apart.照你们这样下去，毫无疑问是会散伙的。
• Technological changes will inevitably lead to unemployment.技术变革必然会导致失业。

11 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。

12 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

13 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。