VOA标准英语10月-Israel's Livni: Seek Peace with Palestinians, Con

The new leader of Israel's ruling party is vowing¹ to move forward with peace talks with the Palestinians, while confronting Iran. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.
　

Tzipi Livni talks during a meeting with France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in the Foreign Ministry2 in Jerusalem, 5 Oct. 2008

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who has been nominated to form Israel's next government, has vowed³ to push for peace with the Palestinians.

In her first policy speech, Livni said she is committed to negotiations⁴ on the creation of a Palestinian state, though she cast doubt on Washington's goal of a peace agreement by the end of the year. She said dates should not stand in the way of making progress.

Livni took a much tougher line on Iran, saying Israel and the international community need to confront Tehran and not appease⁵ it.

She said "all options are on the table," hinting at a possible Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. With Iran's president threatening to wipe the Jewish state "off the map," Israeli officials have warned time and again that they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

Iran will top the agenda when Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visits Moscow this week. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet meeting, Mr. Olmert said he would urge Russia not to sell sophisticated weapons to Iran and Syria.

"We will remind Russia of matters that trouble us greatly," he said, including "the supply of arms to irresponsible elements."

Israel is especially concerned that Russia could sell anti-aircraft missiles to Iran that could provide a formidable defense⁶ against an Israeli attack.

1 vowing   

起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild its collapsed bridge. 布什总统承诺将帮助明尼阿波利斯重建坍塌的大桥。
• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild this collapse bridge. 布什总统发誓要帮助明尼阿波利斯重建起这座坍塌的桥梁。

2 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。

3 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

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 appease   

v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足

参考例句：

• He tried to appease the crying child by giving him candy.他试图给那个啼哭的孩子糖果使他不哭。
• The government tried to appease discontented workers.政府试图安抚不满的工人们。

6 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。