VOA标准英语2011--Palestinian Flag Raised over UNESCO HQ

Palestinian Flag Raised over UNESCO HQ

 

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said he would continue to push for full United Nations membership after savoring¹ one symbolic² victory for his statehood bid, watching his flag fly over the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In a moment fraught³ with symbolism, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stood under a pelting⁴ rain watching as his red, black, green and white flag slowly rose for the first time over the headquarters of a United Nations agency.

Abbas was greeted by thunderous applause by foreign dignitaries and journalists, gathered at the Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to celebrate the agency's latest member. In a push for Mr. Abbas' larger statehood bid, UNESCO's general assembly voted in October to admit Palestine as its 195th member, over strong objections by Israel and the United States.

Israel temporarily froze the transfer of funds to the Palestinian territories. Washington has suspended its funding to the UN agency, arguing only a peace treaty can establish an internationally recognized Palestinian state.

But UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova said she hoped the Palestinian membership would pave the way for peace in the Middle East.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, stands on a podium with UNESCO director general Irina Bokova, fourth from left, and other UNESCO and Palestine government officials in Paris, December 13, 2011.

"This new membership must be a chance for all to join together around shared values and renewed ambitions for peace. In this spirit, Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome Palestine to UNESCO," said Bokova.

Abbas offered similarly upbeat remarks. Abbas described the day as an important marker in Palestinian history, one he hoped would usher⁵ in chances for greater freedom, justice and peace.

At a news conference later, the Palestinian leader said negotiations⁶ were continuing for full United Nations membership and to join more than a dozen other international organizations, but offered no time tables. Abbas applied⁷ for full UN recognition in September.

Washington contributes nearly a quarter of UNESCO's annual budget, and its funding freeze has left the agency strapped⁸ for cash. Among other areas, UNESCO oversees⁹ world cultural heritage sites and educational and scientific exchanges.

Abbas also held talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is pushing for an upgrade of Palestine's UN status to just short of full statehood.

1 savoring   

v.意味，带有…的性质( savor的现在分词 )；给…加调味品；使有风味；品尝

参考例句：

• Cooking was fine but it was the savoring that he enjoyed most. 烹饪当然很好，但他最享受的是闻到的各种味道。 来自互联网
• She sat there for a moment, savoring the smell of the food. 她在那儿坐了一会儿，品尝这些食物的香味。 来自互联网

2 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

3 fraught   

adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的

参考例句：

• The coming months will be fraught with fateful decisions.未来数月将充满重大的决定。
• There's no need to look so fraught!用不着那么愁眉苦脸的！

4 pelting   

微不足道的，无价值的，盛怒的

参考例句：

• The rain came pelting down. 倾盆大雨劈头盖脸地浇了下来。
• Hailstones of abuse were pelting him. 阵阵辱骂冰雹般地向他袭来。

5 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。

6 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

7 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

8 strapped   

adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带

参考例句：

• Make sure that the child is strapped tightly into the buggy. 一定要把孩子牢牢地拴在婴儿车上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The soldiers' great coats were strapped on their packs. 战士们的厚大衣扎捆在背包上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 oversees   

v.监督，监视( oversee的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• She oversees both the research and the manufacturing departments. 她既监督研究部门又监督生产部门。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Department of Education oversees the federal programs dealing with education. 教育部监管处理教育的联邦程序。 来自互联网