VOA标准英语2010-Cyprus Elections Leave Turkey's EU Bid in

Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias, right, and Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou speak to the media during a press conference after their meeting at the Presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, 12 Apr 2010

This weekend Turkish Cypriots will go to the polls to elect a new leader. The election comes at a critical time, with ongoing¹ UN-sponsored efforts to reunite the island.  But the current Turkish Cypriot leader - who is facing a strong challenger - has warned if he is defeated those talks could fall apart.  That is potentially bad news for Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

 

As voters in the northern half of the island, known as the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, go to the polls, its leader Mehmet Ali Talat has warned if he is defeated the current United Nations sponsored reunification talks will grind to a halt.

And, so far, polls show that hardline right-winger Dervis Eroglu is set to sweep to victory. A believer in independence from the rest of Cyprus, Eroglu has staked his claim to the presidency² by accusing the incumbent³, Mr. Talat of failing in talks with Greek Cypriots aimed at resolving their territorial⁴ dispute.

Richard Howitt, the spokesman for the European parliament committee on Turkey, says the reunification talks are not only important for Cyprus but also Turkey's European Union membership aspirations⁵.

"The aspirations for reconciliation⁶ on the island of Cyprus are there, currently in the party leaders on both sides of the divide," said Howitt.  "The closeness the continuing progress on the Cypriot talks, would suggest that the European Union is not going to pull the plug on Turkey, because that simply would stop hopes of peace and reconciliation on Cyprus, too.

This tiny enclave of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus is not recognized by the United Nations and reluctantly recognized by Turkey. It is the result of a bloody⁷ division of Cyprus in 1974, when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island, in response to a military coup⁸ that was backed by the Greek government.

Today, the Greek side, which controls two-thirds of the island, wants reunification. But Eroglu supports a two-state confederation, which could negatively impact Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

Turkey started EU entry talks in 2005, but Cyprus has repeatedly used its position in the EU to block the opening of chapters, or areas to negotiate to ensure policies meet EU standards, as a pressure tactic⁹ on Ankara.

Another sticking point is pressure by the EU for Turkey to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot traffic, which it has so far failed to do.

The negotiating process, according to political columnist¹⁰ Murat Yetkin, has come to a virtual halt.

"In bureaucratic¹¹ terms it's going well," said Yetkin. "The committees are working as along as the chapters are opened technocrats¹² on both sides work very well, but in political terms, its idle, it is not going anywhere."

One bright spot, observers say, is Greece's election victory by Prime Minister George Papandreou last year.

In 1999, as Greece's foreign minister, Mr. Papandreou met with his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, to start rapprochement talks.

Since he was elected, efforts have been under way to re-energize that rapprochement process. Earlier this month, the two countries committed themselves to new confidence building measures.

Suat Kiniklioglu, spokesman for the Turkish Parliament foreign affairs committee, expressed hope with the new leadership in Greece.

"We want a resolution to the Cyprus problem, this needs to get out of our way," said Kiniklioglu.  "We want to integrate further with the European Union and Cyprus is a problem. But the difference now, is you have a government in Greece that understands this very well; understands that a Turkey inside the European Union, is in Greek interests, rather than Turkey outside the Union."

Observers say with the current reunification talks not only being seen as the best hope for reunification in decades as well as carrying the hopes of Turkey's EU bid,  whoever wins this weekend's election in Turkish Cyprus will be aware there are powerful forces behind the continuation of those talks.

 

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 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

3 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

4 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

5 aspirations   

强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音

参考例句：

• I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。
• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。

6 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

7 bloody   

adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染

参考例句：

• He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
• He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。

8 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

9 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

10 columnist   

n.专栏作家

参考例句：

• The host was interviewing a local columnist.节目主持人正在同一位当地的专栏作家交谈。
• She's a columnist for USA Today.她是《今日美国报》的专栏作家。

11 bureaucratic   

adj.官僚的，繁文缛节的

参考例句：

• The sweat of labour washed away his bureaucratic airs.劳动的汗水冲掉了他身上的官气。
• In this company you have to go through complex bureaucratic procedures just to get a new pencil.在这个公司里即使是领一支新铅笔，也必须通过繁琐的手续。

12 technocrats   

n.技术专家，专家政治论者( technocrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Few business barons remained. They were replaced by "technocrats," who became the heads of corporations. 企业巨头所剩无几，大多已被“技术专家”所代替，这些人成了公司的领导。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• However, bankers called the technocrats' bluff and proceeded to lend with gusto. 但是，银行家们称技术专家官员不过在虚张声势，并且还会乐观的继续借贷业务。 来自互联网