2007年VOA标准英语-Venezuelan President Chavez in Russia for Possi

By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
28 June 2007

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a possible arms deal and expanded economic ties between the two countries.  VOA Correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports from the Russian capital.

Hugo Chavez speaks at opening of Venezuela's cultural center in Moscow, 28 June 2007

President Chavez is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart Thursday evening in the Kremlin.  Speaking during the day at the opening of a Latin American cultural center in Moscow, the Venezuelan leader said he does not rule out the development of nuclear energy in his country.  In a swipe at the United States, Mr. Chavez also said American troops should leave Iraq, and that Iran has a right to nuclear technology. 

Mr. Chavez says that Iran has the right to a peaceful atomic energy industry, because it is a sovereign state.

His Moscow agenda includes the possible purchase of Russian diesel-electric submarines, armed with missiles.  Mr. Chavez is also interested in buying the Russian TOR-1 missile defense¹ system.

Last year, Mr. Chavez signed a deal with the Kremlin to purchase $3 billion worth of weapons, including helicopters, fighter planes and small arms. 

But Mr. Chavez said weapons are not the aim of his visit.

He says his priorities are culture, ideas and cooperation in energy as well as the military.

The two countries, both major exporters of energy, are discussing expanded commerce.  Russian state television says bilateral² trade, last year, amounted to only $90 million.

On Saturday, the Venezuelan leader will be President Putin's guest at a horse race in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.  However, despite signs of closer relations, Russian lawmakers voted against allowing Mr. Chavez to address them in a full session of the country's lower house of Parliament. The move is interpreted here as a way to avoid further aggravating³ the already chilly⁴ Russian relationship with the United States.  The U.S. administration considers the Venezuelan leader a destabilizing voice in Latin America. Washington is also concerned about his international arms purchases. 

Mr. Chavez has plans for more weapons deals with neighboring Belarus, where he flies after his visit to Russia.  He then continues to Iran.

The Venezuelan's visit to Russia comes on the eve of President Putin's visit this weekend with President Bush at the Bush family home in Kennebunkport, Maine.  The two leaders are expected to discuss ways of overcoming the recent chill in relations.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 aggravating   

adj.恼人的，讨厌的

参考例句：

• How aggravating to be interrupted! 被打扰，多令人生气呀！
• Diesel exhaust is particularly aggravating to many susceptible individuals. 许多体质敏感的人尤其反感柴油废气。

4 chilly   

adj.凉快的，寒冷的

参考例句：

• I feel chilly without a coat.我由于没有穿大衣而感到凉飕飕的。
• I grew chilly when the fire went out.炉火熄灭后，寒气逼人。