VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Outlines Vision of Common Goals Betw

U.S. President Barack Obama is urging Russians to work with the United States to tackle the big security and economic problems of our time. In a speech to graduates of an economics school, Mr. Obama made the case for better relations.

The president began his day in Moscow by wrapping up talks with Russian leaders.

He met for the first time with Russian Prime Minister - and former President - Vladimir Putin who many analysts¹ consider the most powerful man in the country.

Their words were cordial. Their tone was polite.

"We may not end up agreeing on everything, but I think that we can have a tone of mutual² respect and consultation³ that will serve both the American people and the Russian people well," said Mr. Obama.
　
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the New Economic School graduation ceremony in Moscow, 07 July 2009

A few hours later, the president shifted focus and took his case for better relations directly to the Russian people.

The venue⁴ was a graduation ceremony for the New Economic School, which was established in Moscow, after the fall of the Soviet⁵ Union, by Americans and Russians eager to provide training in free market theory.

Mr. Obama told the graduates that much has changed in the last 20 years. And, he talked about at length about just how the United States sees the future of relations with its former Cold War adversary⁶.

"To begin with, let me be clear: America wants a strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia," he said. "This belief is rooted in our respect for the Russian people and a shared history between our nations that goes beyond competition."

He said the old Cold War assumption that America and Russia can only exist as antagonists⁷ who compete for spheres of influence is wrong.

"That is why I have called for a "reset⁸" in relations between the United States and Russia. This must be more than a fresh start between the Kremlin and the White House - (al)though that is important and I have had excellent discussions with both your president and prime minister," said President Obama. "It must be a sustained effort among the American and Russian people to identify mutual interests and to expand dialogue and cooperation that can pave the way to progress."

But the president made clear that, in his search for common ground, he is not going to set aside principles that he thinks are important.

He talked about human rights and matters of national sovereignty - issues that have created friction⁹ with Moscow in the past.

"Just as all states should have the right to choose their leaders, states must have the right to borders that are secure and to their own foreign policies. That is true for Russia, just as it is true for the United States," he said. "Any system that cedes¹⁰ those rights will lead to anarchy¹¹. That is why this principle must apply to all nations - including Georgia and Ukraine."

Russia is vehemently¹² opposed to the notion of NATO membership for the two former Soviet bloc¹³ countries. President Obama says he does not seek to impose a security arrangement on any nation. He noted¹⁴ Ukraine and Georgia must still clear many hurdles¹⁵ to be eligible¹⁶ for alliance membership. And, he stressed once again that NATO seeks collaboration¹⁷ with Russia, not confrontation¹⁸.

1 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。

2 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。

3 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

4 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

5 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

6 adversary   

adj.敌手，对手

参考例句：

• He saw her as his main adversary within the company.他将她视为公司中主要的对手。
• They will do anything to undermine their adversary's reputation.他们会不择手段地去损害对手的名誉。

7 antagonists   

对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药

参考例句：

• The cavalier defeated all the antagonists. 那位骑士打败了所有的敌手。
• The result was the entire reconstruction of the navies of both the antagonists. 双方的海军就从这场斗争里获得了根本的改造。

8 reset   

v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物

参考例句：

• As soon as you arrive at your destination,step out of the aircraft and reset your wristwatch.你一到达目的地，就走出飞机并重新设置手表时间。
• He is recovering from an operation to reset his arm.他做了一个手臂复位手术，正在恢复。

9 friction   

n.摩擦，摩擦力

参考例句：

• When Joan returned to work,the friction between them increased.琼回来工作后，他们之间的摩擦加剧了。
• Friction acts on moving bodies and brings them to a stop.摩擦力作用于运动着的物体，并使其停止。

10 cedes   

v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• MILWAUKEE, Feb. 29, 2008? Rockwell Automation will acquire the Safety and Automation business of CEDES AG. 密尔沃基2月29日消息——罗克韦尔自动化将收购CEDES公司的安全和自动化业务。 来自互联网
• Any system that cedes those rights will lead to anarchy. 任何割让那些权利的体制都将导致政治混乱。 来自互联网

11 anarchy   

n.无政府状态；社会秩序混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• There would be anarchy if we had no police.要是没有警察，社会就会无法无天。
• The country was thrown into a state of anarchy.这国家那时一下子陷入无政府状态。

12 vehemently   

adv. 热烈地

参考例句：

• He argued with his wife so vehemently that he talked himself hoarse. 他和妻子争论得很激烈，以致讲话的声音都嘶哑了。
• Both women vehemently deny the charges against them. 两名妇女都激烈地否认了对她们的指控。

13 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

14 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。

15 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

16 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

17 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

18 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。