VOA常速英语2008年-Bush in Kyiv to Encourage NATO Membership for U

By Paula Wolfson
Kyiv
31 March 2008

U.S. President George Bush has arrived in Ukraine - the first stop on a European tour that will also take him to Croatia, Russia and the NATO summit in Romania. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from Kyiv this is his first visit to the Ukrainian capital.

There were indications President Bush wanted to visit Ukraine several years ago. But there was political turmoil¹ in Kyiv - the result of a feud² between the nation's president and prime minister - and the idea was put on hold.

Over time, the crisis eased and a power-sharing arrangement emerged. And President Bush is finally making his trip as the country makes its first steps toward a bid for membership in NATO.

The quest is not without controversy³. Moscow is strongly opposed, saying membership for Ukraine and Georgia - which is also seeking a membership plan - would be a threat to European security.

President Bush says that is not the case. He says this is a way that NATO can help these emerging democracies solidify⁴ hard-fought gains.

White House National Security Advisor⁵ Stephen Hadley says these countries are not asking to immediately become part of NATO, but rather to initiate⁶ a process that will prepare them for membership. He says that process could take years.

"What we have learned in our experience in Central and Eastern Europe is that [the membership plan] can provide a useful framework to encourage countries to make the right decisions they need to make to advance their own reform and democracy," he said.

But several other NATO members have voiced concerns about Ukraine and Georgia, saying they may not be ready to begin the membership process.

And while the goal to become part of the alliance is strongly supported by the Ukrainian government, the general public is far less united on the subject.

While President Bush was traveling to Kyiv, there were demonstrations⁷ against NATO. In one city block, protesters gathered in a square surrounded by banners covered with obscenities denouncing both the alliance and the visiting head of state.

Mr. Bush is likely to get a much warmer reception on Tuesday when he confers with Ukraine's leaders. He will also visit the historic St. Sophia's Cathedral, as well as a public school where he will view a student presentation on preventing AIDS.

1 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

2 feud   

n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇

参考例句：

• How did he start his feud with his neighbor?他是怎样和邻居开始争吵起来的？
• The two tribes were long at feud with each other.这两个部族长期不和。

3 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

4 solidify   

v.(使)凝固，(使)固化，(使)团结

参考例句：

• Opinion on this question began to solidify.对这个问题的意见开始具体化了。
• Water will solidify into ice if you freeze it.水冷冻会结冰。

5 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

6 initiate   

vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入

参考例句：

• A language teacher should initiate pupils into the elements of grammar.语言老师应该把基本语法教给学生。
• They wanted to initiate a discussion on economics.他们想启动一次经济学讨论。

7 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。