VOA标准英语2009年-US Envoy Mitchell Launches Mideast Peace M

Senior officials from the United States are converging¹ on Israel for talks on the Middle East conflict and Iran.
　
U.S. Mideast envoy² George Mitchell, left, shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar Assad, upon his arrival at the Syrian presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, 26 July 2009

U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell will hold three days of separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in an effort to advance the peace process. But in a sign the United States is not focusing solely³ on the Palestinian issue, Mitchell began his mission in Damascus.

"President Obama is determined⁴ to facilitate a truly comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace," Mitchell said. "That means peace between Palestinians and Israelis, between Syria and Israel, and between Lebanon and Israel."

Mitchell will press Israel to halt Jewish settlement expansion in the West Bank and disputed East Jerusalem. Israel has rejected U.S. demands for a total freeze on settlement construction, souring relations with Washington.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played down the dispute at the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

Mr. Netanyahu said that while allies sometimes have disagreements, the U.S. and Israel are trying to come to an understanding. He said both countries "have a common goal of peace, security and prosperity for the entire Middle East."

On Monday, Iran will top the agenda when U.S. Defense⁵ Secretary Robert Gates meets with Israeli leaders. He is expected to press Israel not to carry out its threat to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.

But Israeli spokesman Zalman Shoval says with Iran's president still threatening to wipe the Jewish state "off the map", Israel is making no promises.

"All options are still on the table, which includes, of course, a military option," Shoval said.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the United States and Israel believe the Islamic Republic is trying to acquire the atom bomb.

 

1 converging   

adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集

参考例句：

• Plants had gradually evolved along diverging and converging pathways. 植物是沿着趋异和趋同两种途径逐渐演化的。 来自辞典例句
• This very slowly converging series was known to Leibniz in 1674. 这个收敛很慢的级数是莱布尼茨在1674年得到的。 来自辞典例句

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 solely   

adv.仅仅，唯一地

参考例句：

• Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
• The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。

4 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。