VOA慢速英语2014 联合国机构称伊朗转换浓缩铀形式

 

AS IT IS 2014-07-30 UN Agency: Iran Converts Enriched Uranium 联合国机构称伊朗转换浓缩铀形式

The UN Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has converted, or changed, its enriched uranium into a less-dangerous form that is more difficult to use for nuclear weapons. The action is part of a deal reached with Western powers on Iran’s nuclear program last year. In exchange, economic restrictions¹, or sanctions, on Iran were reduced, although they were not cancelled.

Enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons. Iran has said that it is not trying to make nuclear bombs. It has said its nuclear program is for civilian² use.

The IAEA report comes after Iran and Western powers agreed to wait until as late as November to reach a long-term agreement on the future of Iran’s nuclear program.

Mark Fitzpatrick is the director of the non-proliferation and disarmament program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He says it will be difficult to reach an agreement by then.

“They were able to agree to cap the sanctions, to cap the enrichment program, but Iran would not agree to roll it back, to make any reductions. And that was the sticking point.”

Catherine Ashton is the European Union foreign minister. She says there is much to be negotiated before an agreement can be reached.

“While we’ve made tangible³ progress on some of the issues and have worked together on a text for a Joint⁴ Comprehensive Plan of Action, there are still significant gaps on some core issues which will require more time and effort.”

Ms. Ashton will leave her position before the end of the year. This could hurt future negotiations⁵. Mr. Fitzpatrick is not sure that an agreement can be reached in the next four months.

“But in the meantime, Iran’s program is capped. They’re not going to get any closer to being able to develop a weapon. And of course they say that’s not their purpose anyway. So diplomacy⁶ has been working, the program has been capped. We don’t have a solution; we’re not likely to have a solution. In four months, maybe we have to reassess and cap and extend it again.” 

The United States will remove controls on $2.8 billion of Iranian property because of Iran’s decision to convert its enriched uranium. But sanctions against Iran will remain.

Western powers and Iran have not yet decided⁷ when or where the next talks will take place. However, they say the talks will happen in the next few weeks.

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

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 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

4 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

5 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。

6 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。