VOA慢速英语2012 IN THE NEWS - United States, European Union say Iran May be Ready to Return to Nuclear Talks

IN THE NEWS - United States, European Union say Iran May be Ready to Return to Nuclear Talks

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.
American and European officials say Iran may be serious about returning to talks about its nuclear program.
Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington Friday. Later, Ms. Ashton talked to reporters about Iran's answer this week to a letter that she sent in October. Her letter asked Iran to return to the nuclear talks.
CATHERINE ASHTON: "There is a potential possibility that Iran may be ready to start talks. We will continue to discuss and make sure that what we are looking at is substantive¹. I am cautious and I am optimistic at the same time for this."
The United States and its allies believe Iran's goal is to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful, civilian² purposes.
In the letter, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said his government is ready to restart talks at the earliest chance. But in return, he said, the international community must respect Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, right, holds a meeting with visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the prime minister's house in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Secretary Clinton said the United States and other major powers are still considering Iran's letter. But she said it shows that Iran recognizes some of their concerns.
HILLARY CLINTON: "Any conversation with Iran has to begin with a discussion of its nuclear program. And Iran's response to Cathy's letter does appear to acknowledge and accept that."
The United States and the EU have been increasing sanctions against Iran. On Friday the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication³ said it is prepared to discontinue services to Iranian banks targeted by EU sanctions.
SWIFT is a member-owned cooperative used by banks and other organizations to exchange financial information. It said it is ready to act as soon as it gets a clear understanding of EU legislation currently being written. The United States has been urging the EU to block Iranian banks from access to the cooperative.
Also on Friday, the presidents of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan met in Islamabad. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari held talks with Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai. The three presidents promised to strengthen cooperation against extremism, terrorism and militancy⁴.
Speaking through an aide, Mr. Ahmadinejad blamed "some countries" for the problems facing the area, but did not name any countries.
MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: "Today, clearly all these powers are interfering⁵ in our internal affairs, in the affairs of our region with a military presence. We believe that the problems of the region must be solved regionally. We should deny others the opportunity to interfere⁶ in our affairs."
The presidents also discussed efforts to end hostilities⁷ between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The government has long said that Taliban chief Mullah Omar and other leaders are hiding in Pakistan. It says they are supervising Afghan militants⁸ with the help of Pakistan's main intelligence agency, the ISI. Pakistan denies the accusation⁹. I'm Steve Ember.
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Contributing: Ayaz Gul, Dorian Jones and Scott Stearns

1 substantive   

adj.表示实在的；本质的、实质性的；独立的；n.实词，实名词；独立存在的实体

参考例句：

• They plan to meet again in Rome very soon to begin substantive negotiations.他们计划不久在罗马再次会晤以开始实质性的谈判。
• A president needs substantive advice,but he also requires emotional succor. 一个总统需要实质性的建议，但也需要感情上的支持。

2 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

3 telecommunication   

n.电信，远距离通信

参考例句：

• Telecommunication is an industry of service.电信业是一个服务型的行业。
• I only care about the telecommunication quality and the charge.我只关心通信质量和资费两个方面。

4 militancy   

n.warlike behavior or tendency

参考例句：

• Full of militancy and revolutionary ardour, the people of all nationalities in the country are working hard for the realization of the four modernizations. 全国各族人民意气风发， 斗志昂扬，为实现四个现代化而奋战。
• The seniority system is another factor that leads to union militancy. 排资论辈制度也是导致工会好斗争的另一因素。

5 interfering   

adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词

参考例句：

• He's an interfering old busybody! 他老爱管闲事！
• I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. 我希望我母亲不再干预，让我自己拿主意。

6 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

7 hostilities   

n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事

参考例句：

• Mexico called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. 墨西哥要求立即停止敌对行动。
• All the old hostilities resurfaced when they met again. 他们再次碰面时，过去的种种敌意又都冒了出来。

8 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

9 accusation   

n.控告，指责，谴责

参考例句：

• I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
• She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。