2006年VOA标准英语-Pakistan, India Open Nuclear Talks in Isla

By Benjamin Sand
Islamabad
25 April 2006

Pakistan's Foreign Office official Tariq Usman Haider, right, holds talks with his Indian counterpart, K.C. Singh, left wears turban, in Islamabad, April 25, 2006   
  
Pakistan and India have begun the latest round in long running nuclear talks in Islamabad. The discussions are part of the broader peace dialogue begun in 2004 to normalize relations and resolve outstanding disputes.

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India and Pakistan say they will exchange fresh proposals on how to reduce the risk of an accidental nuclear or conventional conflict during the two-day discussions.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry¹ spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam is optimistic the talks will produce results.

"We approach the talks in a very constructive² manner, with a positive frame of mind and we intend to bring some more proposals and take it from there," she said.

During the previous round, held in August in New Delhi, the two sides agreed to notify one another before any ballistic missiles testing.

But since then, analysts⁴ warn, the political landscape has changed and similar progress may be more difficult to achieve.

This week's talks are the first between the two countries since the United States proposed a landmark⁵ nuclear-cooperation deal with India. That agreement would allow India to purchase civilian⁶ nuclear technology, despite its refusal to sign the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

But the accord has been widely criticized in Pakistan, which was not offered a similar deal by Washington because of illegal transfers of nuclear technology by Pakistani scientists to Iran, Libya, and North Korea.

But Pakistan insists its nuclear technology is now properly safeguarded and it deserves a similar agreement with the United States. Otherwise, Islamabad claims, South Asia's nuclear balance will be upset.

"The deal legitimizes India as a nuclear power and Pakistan of course is getting nothing of the sort," said Ayaz Amir, a leading Pakistani political analyst³. "It has left Pakistan feeling exposed."

That exposure, Amir says, could push Pakistan to invest more in its own military nuclear programs and resist greater compromise during this week's talks with India.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars in the past years and tensions remain high along the disputed border in the Kashmir region.

1 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。

2 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。

3 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

4 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

5 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

6 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。