VOA标准英语2013--聚焦华盛顿: 聚焦伊朗核问题和美国退伍军人周

 

Washington Week: Focus on Iran Nukes, US Veterans 聚焦华盛顿: 聚焦伊朗核问题和美国退伍军人周

WASHINGTON — The coming days likely will bring extensive commentary from Capitol Hill on the latest round of international negotiations¹ over Iran’s nuclear program.   U.S. lawmakers are expected to weigh in on the need for continued sanctions against Iran, and the conditions Tehran would have to meet for those sanctions to be  weakened or lifted.

The failure of talks in Geneva to yield an accord is not likely to be a focal point of discussion on Capitol Hill.  Rather, it is the fact that, until the very end,  those talks seemed to be generating some glimmers² of hope for an eventual³ negotiated settlement over Iran’s long-disputed nuclear program. U.S. lawmakers of both  political parties have voted repeatedly to tighten⁴ sanctions against Tehran, and show little appetite to reverse course.

Just a few weeks ago, Republican Senator Marco Rubio had this to say about Iran’s negotiating posture⁵.

“This plan they have is clear as day," he said. "They are trying to figure out if they can get these sanctions suspended or lifted without giving up too much.  And  then at some point in the future, when the world has moved on, when we are focused on other things, they can make their move to build their bomb.  Sanctions on Iran  should not be lifted or suspended until they agree to completely abandon any capability⁶ for enrichment or reprocessing (of nuclear material).”

Democratic Senator Chris Coons made similar comments earlier this year.

“While diplomacy⁷ is the preferred outcome, I am distressed⁸ by what seem to be endless cycles of negotiations," Coons said. "And so, in my view, we need to be  unrelenting in imposing⁹ tougher and tougher sanctions, and in being willing to use force in order to prevent the acquisition of a nuclear weapons capability by Iran.”

Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said “no deal is better than a bad deal” with Tehran.  Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said international  sanctions will fail and Iran has the right to enrich uranium.

On domestic matters, U.S. lawmakers will continue work on a bipartisan budget deal.  Without an agreement, the United States risks another partial government shutdown  in January.

Also this week, the United States honors its military veterans.  President Obama will mark the Veteran's Day holiday Monday with a visit to Arlington National  Cemetery. 

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 glimmers   

n.微光，闪光( glimmer的名词复数 )v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A faint lamp glimmers at the end of the passage. 一盏昏暗的灯在走廊尽头发出微弱的光线。 来自互联网
• The first glimmers of an export-led revival are apparent. 拉动出库复苏的第一缕曙光正出现。 来自互联网

3 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。

4 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

5 posture   

n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势

参考例句：

• The government adopted an uncompromising posture on the issue of independence.政府在独立这一问题上采取了毫不妥协的态度。
• He tore off his coat and assumed a fighting posture.他脱掉上衣，摆出一副打架的架势。

6 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

7 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。

8 distressed   

痛苦的

参考例句：

• He was too distressed and confused to answer their questions. 他非常苦恼而困惑，无法回答他们的问题。
• The news of his death distressed us greatly. 他逝世的消息使我们极为悲痛。

9 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。