2007年VOA标准英语-German Chancellor Merkel Meets Israeli, Palesti

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
01 April 2007

German Chancellor¹ Angela Merkel met Israeli and Palestinian leaders Sunday in the latest international bid to revive the Middle East peace process. Germany and Israel enjoy warm ties, but as Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, Ms. Merkel kept the Palestinian Authority at arms length.

Chancellor Merkel is trying to build on fresh diplomatic momentum² that has raised hopes of getting the peace process back on track. Last week, Arab leaders revived a peace initiative, offering Israel full diplomatic ties with all Arab states in exchange for an Israeli return to the 1967 borders.

Ms. Merkel holds the rotating presidency³ of the European Union, which is a key player in the Middle East peace process.

Her first meeting was with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem. He said that while Israel faces grave threats from its enemies, there is also a new opportunity for peace with its Arab neighbors.

Mr. Olmert said the strong friendship between Israel and Germany will enable the two countries to work together toward peace.

Ms. Merkel said that Germany and the European Union are committed to Israel's security.

She said Europe would make every effort to help Israel and the Palestinians get back to the negotiating table.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their press conference in Ramallah, 01 Apr 2007

Ms. Merkel also traveled to the West Bank town of Ramallah for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr. Abbas urged Israel to accept the Arab peace initiative and take constructive⁵ steps to move it forward.

But underscoring the complexities⁶, Chancellor Merkel refused to meet with Palestinian Cabinet ministers from the Islamic militant⁷ group Hamas. Even though Hamas formed a unity⁴ government with moderates including Mr. Abbas last month, the group continues to reject international demands to renounce⁸ violence and recognize Israel.

Ms. Merkel said that until Hamas meets those conditions it cannot be a partner in the peace process.

1 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

2 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

3 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

4 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。

5 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。

6 complexities   

复杂性(complexity的名词复数)； 复杂的事物

参考例句：

• The complexities of life bothered him. 生活的复杂使他困惑。
• The complexities of life bothered me. 生活的杂乱事儿使我心烦。

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 renounce   

v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系

参考例句：

• She decided to renounce the world and enter a convent.她决定弃绝尘世去当修女。
• It was painful for him to renounce his son.宣布与儿子脱离关系对他来说是很痛苦的。