VOA标准英语2013--Kerry Returns to Mideast to Press for Talks

 

Kerry Returns to Mideast to Press for Talks

Kerry returns to the region after talks late last month produced what he called real progress. "With a little more work" he believes the start of final status negotiations¹ on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "could be within reach."

That work is being done with the help of the so-called Middle East Quartet - the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the effort is based on an Arab League peace initiative, including land swaps² so Israel can keep some Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Two-state solution

Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said, "I see the role of the international community in the context of the Middle Eastern process as a very high one, and I surely hope that the direct negotiations between the sides will resume, but the international atmosphere and background are also very important for us."

Achieving a two-state solution has been a priority for President Barack Obama.

"A second-term president is always bold because the president is then thinking of his legacy³. He is now joined by Secretary Kerry, who is a thoughtful man, a man of gravitas, a man who understands the significance of pulling off a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians," said American University professor Akbar Ahmed.

Ahmed said he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu understands what is at stake. "The Israelis have to always look at the bigger picture, they have to look at the long term. In the long term it is in their interest, in their national interest to have peace and security in that neighborhood," he said.

Getting talks underway

This latest push for peace comes as the Obama administration works to manage expectations from the so-called Arab Spring, says former U.S. ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer.

"This is a chronic⁴ conflict that has so far defied anyone's ability to resolve it, but it has very much affected⁵ U.S. interests. We are part of the problem at least as seen through the lens of the Arab street," said Kurtzer.

If Kerry can get talks started, Kurtzer said that will help broader U.S. foreign policy goals.

"I think it will dissipate some of the anger on the Arab street. And it will give us some breathing room to really do what we need to do on other pressing issues like Egypt and Syria," he said.

Kerry meets Wednesday with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and with Arab League officials for an update on Mideast peace efforts and for talks on the war in Syria. 

1 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。

2 swaps   

交换( swap的名词复数 )； 交换物，被掉换者

参考例句：

• He swaps his old car for a new motorcycle. 他用旧车换了一辆新摩托车。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 口语
• Swaps the anchor and end points of the current selection. 交换当前所选内容的定位点和结束点。

3 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

4 chronic   

adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的

参考例句：

• Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
• Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。