VOA标准英语2013--Peres: Kerry Making Progress on Resuming Mideast Talks

 

Peres: Kerry Making Progress on Resuming Mideast Talks

As Palestinian leaders met in the West Bank to discuss Kerry's push to restart talks on a two-state solution,  Israeli President Shimon Peres, speaking in Jerusalem, said U.S. efforts are moving things forward.

"And this day, tomorrow, another day, are very crucial. It's touch and go, and I believe that the supreme¹ efforts that [the] secretary made bear some fruits on both sides," he said. 

Kerry's plan is based on a 2002 Arab League peace initiative that includes land swaps² so Israel can keep some Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

It's a plan Kerry says Israel should carefully consider.

"Israel needs to look hard at this initiative, which promises Israel peace with 22 Arab nations and 35 Muslim nations - a total of 57 nations that are standing³ and waiting for the possibility of making peace with Israel," he said. 

Though U.S. officials say there are no current plans to announce a return to talks, Kerry said he and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh are making progress. 

"When this process started, several months ago, there were very wide gaps, very significant gaps between the two sides," he said. "And I think Nasser would agree with me that through hard and deliberate, patient work, most importantly through quiet work, we have been able to narrow those gaps very significantly. And so we continue to get closer, and I continue to remain hopeful that the sides will soon be able to come to sit at the same table." 

Political unrest in Egypt and war in Syria make this the moment to push for Mideast peace, says former U.S. ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer.

"The anger on the Arab street for the failure of the United states and the parties themselves to resolve the conflict has played into the backdrop of the Arab uprisings," he said. 

Kurtzer says Washington is focusing on a conflict where it has a better chance of making a difference.

"The influence of the United States right now in the so-called Arab Spring or the changes underway in the Arab world is relatively⁴ limited whereas in the Arab-Israeli conflict we still have the ability to play the role of third party," he said. 

Arab League support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gives him the backing to get back to talks - an opportunity Israel should not pass up, says American University professor Akbar Ahmed.

"Abbas is a tried and tested figure, a figure that the Israelis can do business with. And therefore, again, they need to do business fairly quickly within this time frame," he said. 

Secretary Kerry continues to work with Jordan's foreign minister to make the most of what they believe is an opportunity for Israeli-Palestinian peace

1 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。

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 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。