VOA标准英语2013--Iran's Rowhani Promises New Era

 Iran's Rowhani Promises New Era

President-elect Hassan Rowhani took to the podium to make clear his victory represents a new era, hinting at a new start with world powers, including the United States.

"The issue of relations between Iran and America is a difficult and complex one. It is not a simple problem. There exists an old wound [between the two countries] and it is necessary for it to close in order for it to heal," said Rowhani.

The U.S. and its allies have accused Tehran of using its nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons - which Iran denies - and have imposed several rounds of sanctions that have battered¹ Iran's economy.

While Rowhani indicated he favors improving ties with the international community, major policy decisions in Iran rest with the supreme² leader.

Still, Rowhani, a former nuclear negotiator, suggests there is room from compromise.

"Our nuclear program is completely transparent³ but we are willing to show more transparency and to make clear to the entire world that the Islamic Republic's measures are within international guidelines," he said.

The most recent round of talks between Iran and world powers, before the election, did not produce results.  But during a stop in Baghdad, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton expressed hope.

"I will continue in my work to urge Iran to work closely with me and with the E3 +3  to build confidence in the nature of their nuclear program," said Ashton.

Rowhani's win in the first round of Iran's presidential election touched off celebrations in the streets of Iran, giving some in the international community hope that the harsh rhetoric⁴ of current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the hardline stance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will give way to progress.

1 battered   

adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损

参考例句：

• He drove up in a battered old car.他开着一辆又老又破的旧车。
• The world was brutally battered but it survived.这个世界遭受了惨重的创伤,但它还是生存下来了。

2 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

3 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

4 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。