英闻天下——363 UN Chief: Opportunity for Syria Talks May Close

 　　UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon now warns that a "very small window of opportunity" for talks between the Syrian government and the opposition¹ "may soon close."

 

　　Ban was referring to an offer of dialogue by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem days ago.

 

　　"I know that the Syrian government, particularly Foreign Minister (Walid) Muallem, has expressed its willingness to meet with the opposition representatives. This is a very small window of opportunity which we strongly support and encourage them to use that. The opportunity may soon close."

 

　　Muallem has said the Syrian government is ready to meet with all parties, including armed groups, who want to engage in dialogue to help end the conflict.

 

　　The opposition Syrian National Coalition² said it is willing to negotiate³ a peace deal, but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down.

 

　　The UN estimates that some 60,000 people have been killed since the Syria conflict began two years ago.

 

　　Ban Ki-moon called for support for Joint⁴ UN and Arab League Envoy⁵ Lakhdar Brahami who's trying to end the fighting and bring the two sides together.

 

　　The UN chief said he would be meeting Brahimi in the French city of Montpellier on Saturday to discuss Syria.

1 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。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 negotiate   

v.洽谈，协商，谈判，顺利通过，成功越过

参考例句：

• I'll negotiate with their coach on the date of the match.我将与他们的教练磋商比赛的日期问题。
• I managed to negotiate successfully with the authorities.我设法同当局进行了成功的协商。

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 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。