委内瑞拉政府立邀请梵蒂冈与反对派举行会谈

 　　CARACAS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government on Wednesday invited the Vatican State Secretary Cardinal¹ Pietro Parolin to participate in the National Peace Conference led by President Nicolas Maduro, as well as in the talks with the country 's opposition².

　　According to a statement by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry³, Chancellor⁴ Elias Jaua sent a letter to the high ranking Vatican official stressing the importance of the conference in promoting a constructive⁵ dialogue, understanding and peace among different sectors⁶ in the country.

　　In the letter, Jaua sent an invitation on behalf of the Venezuelan head of State to Pope Francis, for him to participate in the talks between government and opposition forces.

　　"It would be feasible for the Catholic Church to designate a good will witness to accompany the talks between political forces in Venezuela, also backed by the foreign ministers of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)," said the invitation letter.

　　On Tuesday, representatives from both the Venezuelan government and the opposition had an exploratory meeting to begin talks aiming at putting an end to violent protests that have caused 39 dead and over 600 injured.

　　Both parties agreed to have a "good will witness" in the talks to facilitate and if necessary mediate⁷ between both sides.

　　Foreign ministers of Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil, representing UNASUR, and a high ranking official from the Vatican will participate in the political dialogue.

　　The talks are expected to begin Thursday with relevant political, economic and social topics key to the Venezuelan society on the table.

1 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

5 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

6 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 mediate   

vi.调解，斡旋；vt.经调解解决；经斡旋促成

参考例句：

• The state must mediate the struggle for water resources.政府必须通过调解来解决对水资源的争夺。
• They may be able to mediate between parties with different interests.他们也许能在不同利益政党之间进行斡旋。