2006年VOA标准英语-Discussion of Future of Kosovo off Limits

By Barry Wood
Belgrade
07 March 2006
 
watch Kosovo's Future
 
  
  
Despite having lost control of its southern province of Kosovo to NATO and the United Nations in 1999, Serbia even now has not had serious public discussion about the likelihood that the territory -- and its 90 percent ethnic¹ Albanian population -- will become independent.

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In Serbian churches and schools the subject of an independent Kosovo is off limits. A vibrant² independent media similarly refuses to debate the issue.

 
James Lyon
  
James Lyon, the Belgrade representative of the International Crisis Group, says when it comes to Kosovo, Serbia is in denial. "I think Kosovo is lost to Serbia. It's been lost for some time.  It's been lost since 1999."

Martti Ahtisaari, the former Finnish president, is the UN chief negotiator on the future status of Kosovo. He says that talks between Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian government are underway.

James Lyon says with the two sides holding opposite positions, the only hope is for Mr. Ahtisaari to focus on technical, relatively³ non-contentious issues.

"His job, most of all, I think, is to regulate what Kosovo is to look like."

Martti Ahtisaari  
  
During a visit to Belgrade, Ahtisaari said he is pursuing bottom up negotiations⁴, in which the tough issues (like independence) are saved for later.

"In other words, starting with what I may call practical status neutral issues."

Inside Kosovo, Serbs are coming to terms with the reality that Kosovo is likely to become independent.  The anxiety level is rising.  Ratko, a farmer near Gracanica, says he will leave.

But Father Nektarije, at the 700-year-old Serbian monastery⁵ near Pristina, believes many will stay. "Maybe some will be frightened, but certainly those who have their property here in Kosovo will stay. I'm sure about that."

But here in Belgrade, it's a different world and almost no one is talking about Kosovo.

The Kosovo negotiations are likely to go on for several months.

1 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

2 vibrant   

adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的

参考例句：

• He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. 他在画中总是使用鲜明的色彩。
• She gave a vibrant performance in the leading role in the school play.她在学校表演中生气盎然地扮演了主角。

3 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

4 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。

5 monastery   

n.修道院，僧院，寺院

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• She was appointed the superior of the monastery two years ago.两年前她被任命为这个修道院的院长。