2007年VOA标准英语-India to Host South Asia Summit

By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
30 March 2007

Leaders from South Asian countries will gather in India in the coming days for a regional summit expected to focus on trade and terrorism. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, Afghanistan will join the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation for the first time as its eighth member.

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Flags of participating SAARC countries are seen outside the Vigyan Bhavan, the venue of the 14th SAARC Summit, in New Delhi

At their summit in New Delhi, South Asian leaders will look at ways to improve economic integration² in a region where economies are growing rapidly, but where trade among member countries is still meager³.

A major theme at the summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, will be opening new road and rail links between countries to boost trade. The two-day gathering⁴ opens Tuesday.

Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon says the summit will be an opportunity for the "subcontinent to reconnect with itself and the rest of the world."

"There is no question that the more we can open up the linkages⁵ between our economies, the more we can use our complementarities and synergies, and the fact that our economies have developed in different directions and can now complement⁶ each other," he said.

The countries also will discuss efforts to combat terrorism in a region that has suffered some of the world's worst terror attacks and where dozens of militant⁷ outfits⁸ are based.

For the first time since the group was formed in 1985, the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union will attend the summit as observers.

Indian officials say this is a sign of growing international interest in the region.

Political analysts¹⁰ say there is hope the summit in Delhi will present new opportunities for the group.

Since it was formed in 1985, SAARC members have signed several agreements - ranging from free trade to environmental protection. But many have not been implemented¹¹ due to regional rivalries¹² - particularly the hostility¹³ between India and Pakistan. However, a peace process between these two countries has improved the climate.

S.D. Muni, a political analyst⁹ in New Delhi, says there are indications that SAARC might be moving beyond rhetoric¹⁴.

"There are signs of change on two [or] three counts - all the South Asian economies are feeling far more confident and they are registering better growth," he said. "Earlier emphasis on bilateralism has now been given a shift toward greater multilateralism, and thirdly India-Pakistan equation is still not straightened, but there are very strong benign¹⁵ influences on both of them, and with observers coming and new members … coming, the region can look forward to faster progress."

This year Afghanistan becomes the eighth SAARC member, joining India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Nepal.

Indian officials say Afghanistan's entry represents an opportunity for South Asia to connect with Central Asia.

SAARC leaders will discuss the establishment of a South Asian University based in India, and setting up a regional food bank to help in times of natural disasters.

1 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

2 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

3 meager   

adj.缺乏的，不足的，瘦的

参考例句：

• He could not support his family on his meager salary.他靠微薄的工资无法养家。
• The two men and the woman grouped about the fire and began their meager meal.两个男人同一个女人围着火，开始吃起少得可怜的午饭。

4 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

5 linkages   

n.连接( linkage的名词复数 )；结合；联系；联动装置

参考例句：

• Only the thermosetting resins provide a strong cohesive forces; this is due to molecular cross linkages. 只有热固性树脂具有巨大的凝聚力，这是由于分子交错链所造成的。 来自辞典例句
• The linkages between the stable units must be as near as possible of equal stability. 稳定链节之间的键必须有尽可能接近的稳定性。 来自辞典例句

6 complement   

n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足

参考例句：

• The two suggestions complement each other.这两条建议相互补充。
• They oppose each other also complement each other.它们相辅相成。

7 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。

8 outfits   

n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He jobbed out the contract to a number of small outfits. 他把承包工程分包给许多小单位。 来自辞典例句
• Some cyclists carry repair outfits because they may have a puncture. 有些骑自行车的人带修理工具，因为他们车胎可能小孔。 来自辞典例句

9 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。

10 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。

11 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

12 rivalries   

n.敌对，竞争，对抗( rivalry的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new government was torn by rivalries. 新政府由于各派对立而四分五裂。 来自辞典例句
• Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred or give rise to fighting. 竞争会带来痛苦、仇恨，或者引起争斗。 来自互联网

13 hostility   

n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争

参考例句：

• There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
• His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。

14 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。

15 benign   

adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的

参考例句：

• The benign weather brought North America a bumper crop.温和的气候给北美带来大丰收。
• Martha is a benign old lady.玛莎是个仁慈的老妇人。