VOA标准英语10月-Bush Signs India Nuclear Trade Bill

President Bush has signed legislation that paves the way for civilian¹ nuclear trade between the United States and India. From the White House, VOA's Michael Bowman reports.
　

President Bush signs the US-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act at the White House, 08 Oct 2008

The legislation ends a 34-year ban on nuclear trade between the two countries. It allows the United States to share civilian nuclear technology and materials with India. For its part, New Delhi is promising² to open some of its nuclear facilities to U.N. inspection³.

President Bush signed the measure in the White House East Room, Wednesday.

"This legislation will enhance our cooperation in using nuclear energy to power our economies, will help us to work together more closely to reduce the danger of nuclear proliferation across the world," President Bush said.

The agreement itself is to be signed Friday by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee.

President Bush noted⁴ that relations between Washington and New Delhi have, at times, been cool.

"In recent years we have worked to transform our relationship into a strong strategic partnership," said Mr. Bush. "One area where we saw tremendous potential for cooperation is energy. As our economies have grown, our demands for energy have grown, as well. It has become increasingly clear that we need to generate in ways that are safe and clean and secure. One energy source that can generate large amounts of electricity with zero emissions⁵ of air pollution or greenhouse gases is nuclear power."

In 1998, India made headlines with a series of nuclear weapons tests. New Delhi has signed neither the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty nor the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Some U.S. legislators who oppose the new pact⁶ say there are insufficient⁷ safeguards to prevent India from diverting nuclear fuel from its intended civilian use to its weapons program.

Indian officials have said they are committed to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

1 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

2 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

3 inspection   

n.检查，审查，检阅

参考例句：

• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

6 pact   

n.合同，条约，公约，协定

参考例句：

• The two opposition parties made an electoral pact.那两个反对党订了一个有关选举的协定。
• The trade pact between those two countries came to an end.那两国的通商协定宣告结束。

7 insufficient   

adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的

参考例句：

• There was insufficient evidence to convict him.没有足够证据给他定罪。
• In their day scientific knowledge was insufficient to settle the matter.在他们的时代，科学知识还不能足以解决这些问题。