VOA标准英语2013--Iran, World Powers to Meet Again on Nuclear Stalemate

 

Iran, World Powers to Meet Again on Nuclear Stalemate

As the West and Israel say Iran is creeping closer to being able to produce a nuclear weapon, Western officials hope Tehran will react positively¹ to their latest offer.

The question -- as negotiators prepare to face off again this week -- just how much is Iran willing to give?

"I remain always cautiously optimistic. But I am also very clear that it is very important that we do get a response [from Iran],'' said European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

During the first round of talks in Almaty, in February, the so-called P5+1 offered the possibility of easing some international sanctions. In return, Iran would have to suspend enrichment of high-grade uranium which could be used in an atomic bomb.

"They have an ability to rejoin the community of nations, to get out from under this isolation," said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry:

“Let’s hope that they put something on the table that is more realistic than the plan that they submitted last summer when they asked for everything and offered very, very little,” said analyst² Mark Fitzpatrick, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who notes that the Iranians have balked³ before.

Western officials have been quick to make clear Tehran has only so much room to maneuver⁴ -- an idea reaffirmed by U.S. President Barack Obama.

"All options are on the table. We will do what is necessary to prevent Iran from getting the world's worst weapons," Obama said.

At last month's meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh signaled Tehran may only be willing to go so far.

"We are committed to continue our dialogue with the IAEA and this commitment has been unwavering, but at the same time we cannot give a blank check for our national security. No country would give a blank check," Soltanieh said.

Also potentially affecting the upcoming talks -- and Iran's strategy -- is the renewed saber-rattling from North Korea, threatening to "settle accounts" with the U.S.

“Just because it’s a reminder⁵ that the Iranians may be disagreeable in various aspects of their regime, they may be very difficult negotiators but in comparison with the North Koreans this is a very rational and manageable process,” said Greg Thielmann, who is with the Arms Control Association.

Many analysts⁶ say the most that can be hoped for with Iran is yet more talks, though that will likely have to wait until after Iran's June elections. 

1 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

2 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

3 balked   

v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的过去式和过去分词 )；（指马）不肯跑

参考例句：

• He balked in his speech. 他忽然中断讲演。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• They balked the robber's plan. 他们使强盗的计划受到挫败。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 maneuver   

n.策略[pl.]演习；v.(巧妙)控制；用策略

参考例句：

• All the fighters landed safely on the airport after the military maneuver.在军事演习后，所有战斗机都安全降落在机场上。
• I did get her attention with this maneuver.我用这个策略确实引起了她的注意。

5 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

6 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。