VOA慢速英语2015 紧张局势在福克兰群岛再次上升

AS IT IS 2015-04-01 Tensions Rise Again over Falkland Islands 紧张局势在福克兰群岛再次上升

Argentina has officially protested Britain’s recent announcement of increased military spending for the Falklands, a group of islands in the southern Atlantic Ocean. The two countries have disputed ownership of the territory, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas, for many years.  

Last week, British defense¹ minister Michael Fallon called Argentina a “very live threat” to the islands. He announced a 10-year, $268 million budget to increase security in the Falklands. He said military and civilian² personnel levels on the islands would remain the same.

Argentina immediately denounced the move as provocative³ and political. An Argentine foreign ministry⁴ official told reporters that the British government took the action to gain support in upcoming elections.

Now, Argentina’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hector Timerman has sent protest letters to several international organizations including the United Nations' Decolonization Committee and the Organization of American States.

Mr. Timerman described the increase in British military spending as “unjustified.” He wrote that the move shows Britain is depending on “guns and aggression” to find a solution to the territorial⁵ dispute. The letter also said that Argentina would only settle such problems by negotiations⁶ and international law.

The island group is less than 500 kilometers from Argentina and almost 13,000 kilometers from Britain. But, Britain has ruled the territory for almost two hundred years. Most of the 3,000 people who live on the islands are of British descent. In 2013, almost 100 percent of Falklanders voted to remain a British territory.

In 1982, Argentina seized control of the islands. Britain deployed⁷ military forces to recapture the territory. It was successful. But, more than 900 people were killed in the 74 days of fighting.

The war helped then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher⁸ win re-election. However, last week, Argentine Foreign Ministry official for the Malvinas, Daniel Filmus, said that the situation would not be repeated. He said his country would not be drawn⁹ into war again.

Words in This Story

personnel – n. the people who work for a particular company or organization

provocative – adj. causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.

justify¹⁰ – v. to provide or be a good reason for (something): to prove or show (something) to be just, right, or reasonable

descent – n. the people in your family who lived before you were born: your ancestors

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

3 provocative   

adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的

参考例句：

• She wore a very provocative dress.她穿了一件非常性感的裙子。
• His provocative words only fueled the argument further.他的挑衅性讲话只能使争论进一步激化。

4 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。

5 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

6 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。

7 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

8 thatcher   

n.茅屋匠

参考例句：

• Tom Sawyer was in the skiff that bore Judge Thatcher. 汤姆 - 索亚和撒切尔法官同乘一条小艇。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
• Mrs. Thatcher was almost crazed; and Aunt Polly, also. 撒切尔夫人几乎神经失常，还有波莉姨妈也是。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

9 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

10 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？