VOA标准英语2009年-US Senator Wins Release of American Prison

U.S. Senator Jim Webb, who won the release of an American prisoner in Burma, says the United States must develop new ways to bring about political and economic change in the isolated¹ state. Senator Webb called on China to end its silence on Burma and use its influence there with the repressive government.
　
US Senator Jim Webb’s meeting with Burma's Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior Gen. Than Shwe, in Naypyidaw, 15 Aug 2009

In talks with Burma's leader, General Than Shwe, Senator Webb secured the release of U.S. citizen John Yettaw, whose visit in May to the lakeside home of Burmese opposition² leader Aung San Suu Kyi led to her extended house arrest for another 18 months. The ailing³ Yettaw, who had been sentenced to seven years in prison and hard labor⁴, was officially deported⁵ Sunday and flew with Webb to Bangkok, where is he is undergoing a medical check-up.

Speaking in Bangkok, Webb said he asked for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, and for her participation⁶ in planned elections next year during his talks in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

"It's something that we hope the government of Myanmar will consider as the process moves forward," Webb said.
　
US Senator Jim Webb’s meeting with Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon, 15 Aug 2009

Senator Webb was also allowed to talk with Aung San Suu Kyi for 40 minutes in Rangoon Saturday.

"I hope that this, among other things, is something that we can take advantage of and begin laying a foundation of goodwill⁷ and confidence building, so that we might be able to have a better situation in the future," Webb said.

Webb, who favors the eventual⁸ lifting of U.S. sanctions on Burma, says the United States must find new ways to end the isolation⁹ of the people of Burma and to bring about political and economic change in the country.

He expressed concern about China's growing influence, and about Beijing's passive policy toward the political deadlock¹⁰ between the repressive military and pro-democracy groups. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won elections in 1990, but was never allowed to govern.

"To be respected in the world community, China has an obligation to end its silence and to use its influence in order to assist in resolving this situation," Webb said. "The sanctions of the past several years has increased Myanmar's isolation from Western governments and cultures. These are major impediments in allowing the Burmsese people the kind of access to the outside world that is essential to their economic and political growth. Yet, at the same time, these sanctions have allowed China to dramatically increase its economic and political influence in Myanmar, creating an imbalance that affects the long term national goals of many other countries. This is not healthy for the region."

China has significant commercial interests there, particularly in oil and gas.

Webb, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is on a five-nation tour of Southeast Asia. The White House and the State Department have said Webb was not carrying any specific message from President Barack Obama on his trip to Burma.

1 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

2 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。

3 ailing   

v.生病

参考例句：

• They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry. 他们讨论了困扰钢铁工业的问题。
• She looked after her ailing father. 她照顾有病的父亲。

4 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

5 deported   

v.将…驱逐出境( deport的过去式和过去分词 )；举止

参考例句：

• They stripped me of my citizenship and deported me. 他们剥夺我的公民资格，将我驱逐出境。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The convicts were deported to a deserted island. 罪犯们被流放到一个荒岛。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

7 goodwill   

n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉

参考例句：

• His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。
• We paid ￡10,000 for the shop,and ￡2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店，两千英镑买下了它的信誉。

8 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。

9 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

10 deadlock   

n.僵局，僵持

参考例句：

• The negotiations reached a deadlock after two hours.两小时后，谈判陷入了僵局。
• The employers and strikers are at a deadlock over the wage.雇主和罢工者在工资问题上相持不下。