VOA常速英语2008年-EU Split over Development Commissioner's Propos

By Nina Maria Potts
Brussels, Belgium
17 April 2008
 

In June, European Union member states are expected to consider whether to normalize relations with Cuba. This follows a call by the EU's  Commissioner¹ of Development to permanently² lift diplomatic sanctions. In 2003, a Cuban government crack down on dissidents prompted Brussels to freeze relations with Havana.  All high level visits were halted and Cuba told the EU it did not need its aid. The EU temporarily suspended its actions 2005, but now Europeans will debate a permanent thaw³. Nina-Maria Potts reports for VOA.

The EU's top development official came away from a visit to Cuba last month, saying diplomatic sanctions against Havana should be dropped.   Commissioner Louis Michel's meetings with the new Castro government evoked⁴ objections from human rights organizations.

But spokesman John Clancy says the European Commission simply wants to explore a new political dialogue and now is the time. "This is important to create the atmosphere for dialogue and that atmosphere for dialogue, over time it's a work in progress," Clancy says.  "[It] can also lead to important changes, in the society with whom we are dealing⁵.  It can help open up Cuba to the rest of the world, and that's important."

In a 2003 political crackdown, Cuba jailed 75 dissidents; 55 are still in jail, and several European human rights organizations have stated that the EU would send the wrong message by lifting sanctions now.

Commenting on the visit, a U.S. State Department spokesman said Washington is not promoting engagement and wants the release of political prisoners, along with free and fair elections in Cuba.

Within the EU, the Czech Republic leads a group of former communist states that oppose engagement with Cuba. "It is as if the people who are fighting the Cuban regime are their brothers in a political sense, the people who are fighting for the same causes that the Czechs or Polish or the Hungarians were fighting for 20 or 30 years ago," explained Piotr Kaczynski with the Centre for European Policy Studies.

After taking over from his brother in February, Raul Castro has instituted several reforms.  They include ending a ban on the use of cellular⁶ phones, allowing Cuban citizens to stay in hotels reserved for foreigners, and announcing the launch of a 24 hour television channel which will include foreign-produced content.

Cuba's former colonial ruler, Spain, and a handful of other EU countries are pushing Brussels for engagement with Cuba, but the British Conservative and member of the European Parliament Edward Mcmillan-Scott says Cuba has done nothing to merit any change in relations. "I think that the European Commission is quite wrong to pretend that it's business as usual with Cuba; that somehow the departure of one Castro, and his replacement⁷ by another, has made some sort of difference.  It hasn't.  The regime is still as corrupt," Mcmillan-Scott said.

At a meeting in June, EU member states will review their common position on Cuba.  Analysts⁸ say a divided EU is unlikely to change the status quo.

1 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

2 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

3 thaw   

v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和

参考例句：

• The snow is beginning to thaw.雪已开始融化。
• The spring thaw caused heavy flooding.春天解冻引起了洪水泛滥。

4 evoked   

[医]诱发的

参考例句：

• The music evoked memories of her youth. 这乐曲勾起了她对青年时代的回忆。
• Her face, though sad, still evoked a feeling of serenity. 她的脸色虽然悲伤，但仍使人感觉安详。

5 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

6 cellular   

adj.移动的；细胞的，由细胞组成的

参考例句：

• She has a cellular telephone in her car.她的汽车里有一部无线通讯电话机。
• Many people use cellular materials as sensitive elements in hygrometers.很多人用蜂窝状的材料作为测量温度的传感元件。

7 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

8 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。