2006年VOA标准英语-Israeli and Palestinian Leaders Plan Summit

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
28 September 2006

Israeli and Palestinian leaders are planning a rare summit meeting.  They are facing major obstacles to putting the peace process back on track.

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Ehud Olmert 
  
  
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he will hold his first summit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the coming days to discuss reviving peace talks. The peace process broke down after the Islamic militant¹ group Hamas won Palestinian elections in January.

But in the wake of the war in Lebanon Israel wants to mend fences with the Arab world, and it hopes to start with its closest neighbor - the Palestinians.

Israel will not talk to Hamas because it seeks the destruction of the Jewish state. But Mr. Abbas is from the more moderate Fatah party, and Israel believes he can be a peace partner.

But Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says progress depends on whether Mr. Abbas can fulfill² his commitment under the internationally-backed "road map" peace plan and restrain militant groups like Hamas.

"We want to see movement; stagnation³ is not good for us. We'd like to be able to more forward in accordance with the road map for peace," he said.  "And the minute the Palestinians can pick up the ball and say they are partners in peace, we're willing to go with them."

Mahmoud Abbas     
  
Mr. Abbas says he is ready to negotiate a final peace deal with Israel. But Hamas believes the only way to achieve Palestinian statehood is through jihad or holy war. Hamas spokesman Ahmed Yousef says negotiations⁴ with Israel have been a waste of time.

"See, I don't think it's a big step from Mr. Olmert toward the Palestinian issue just to come back to talk about [the] roadmap," he said.

Mr. Abbas is trying to form a more moderate national unity⁵ government with Hamas in a bid to end crippling international sanctions on the Palestinian Authority. The proposed platform of the new government would support the peace process, but talks broke down over the refusal of Hamas to recognize Israel.

So while there may be a summit, expectations are low on both sides for a breakthrough.

1 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

2 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

3 stagnation   

n. 停滞

参考例句：

• Poor economic policies led to a long period of stagnation and decline. 糟糕的经济政策道致了长时间的经济萧条和下滑。
• Motion is absolute while stagnation is relative. 运动是绝对的，而静止是相对的。

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 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。