Crises Overshadow EU Finance Ministers Meeting

     A European Union finance ministers meeting is being overshadowed by the euro zone's ongoing¹ economic problems and sexual assault charges against International Monetary² Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who had been expected to attend the two days of talks in Brussels.

    The financial troubles of Greece, Portugal and other weaker euro-zone economies are expected to dominate the Brussels talks that end Tuesday.  Finance ministers from the 27 European Union states are expected formally approve a $112 billion rescue plan for Portugal and discuss the possibility of more aid to Greece, which received its own bailout last year.

    The chief economist³ for the Brussels-based European Policy Center, Fabian Zuleeg, says the 17-nation euro zone is facing a tough period.

    "Portugal is needing help, there are some uncertainties(不确定因素) around there," Zuleeg said. "There are questions about the long-term future for Greece and now, of course, we are having developments with the IMF and Strauss-Kahn in particular."At issue is Saturday's arrest of International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on sexual assault charges.  The incident is certain to cast a cloud over the talks.

    But EU spokesman Amadeu Altafaj Tardio told reporters it would not impact their outcome.  He also praised the IMF's new interim⁴ head, former American banker John Lipsky.

    "He has a very large experience," noted⁵ Tardio, "he is globally recognized as a strong economist, he has a very good knowledge of Europe.  So we have no doubt about the continuity also in that respect."But experts like Zuleeg note Strauss-Khan's absence will be felt on a larger scale.  The former French finance minister worked closely with European countries in planning the recent rescue packages.

    "He has been personally involved and I think his involvement has also made it more possible, more acceptable for European leaders to bring the IMF in[to] the process," Zuleeg said.

    Last week, the IMF warned the debt crisis could spread to other euro-zone members as well as some non-members in eastern Europe.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

3 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

4 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。