VOA标准英语2008年-Iranian FM: 'New Atmosphere' in Nuke Talks

Iran's foreign minister says there is a new atmosphere in talks centered on his country's controversial nuclear program. In remarks to reporters at the United Nations, Manouchehr Mottaki said there have been "positive and constructive¹" developments in talks with the six major powers, raising hopes a diplomatic solution could be on the horizon. From U.N. headquarters in New York, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.
　
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manouchehr Mottaki, 19 Jun 2008

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says his government is reviewing the latest package of trade and economic incentives² presented last week by EU policy chief Javier Solana and representatives of five of the six major powers involved in the negotiations³.

He is heard through a translator.

"These examinations are happening now, and very soon I will respond to the letter given to me by the six foreign ministers and I hope we will be able to enter a new process with a multi-faceted approach in mind," he said.

Mottaki said the approach adopted by Solana and the delegation⁴, as well as the substance of their talks has paved the way for what he called a "new atmosphere."

The six powers - Britain, France, the United States, Russia, China and Germany - have demanded that Iran suspend uranium enrichment that could be used to fuel a nuclear weapon. Mottaki would not say directly when asked whether Iran has changed its position and would comply.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad expressed some skepticism as to whether there is a real shift in Iranian policy.
　
Zalmay Khalilzad, the US ambassador to the UN, at UN headquarters, 28 Feb 2008

"We will have to wait and see if there is an actual change or is there an effort to sugarcoat a hardline policy, a defiant⁵ policy, that has characterized Iran's policy with regard to the demands the world has made, the Security Council has made, repeatedly from Iran, that it should it suspend enrichment and reprocessing activities," he said.

Earlier, President Bush repeated his stance that all options remain on the table regarding Iran, but that he has made it clear to all parties his administration's first preference is to solve this issue diplomatically. But he warned Iran if it does not stop enriching uranium, it will be isolated⁶ and suffer economic hardship.

Tehran has rejected accusations⁷ that it is working to develop a weapon and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

　

 

1 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。

2 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

3 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。

4 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

5 defiant   

adj.无礼的，挑战的

参考例句：

• With a last defiant gesture,they sang a revolutionary song as they were led away to prison.他们被带走投入监狱时，仍以最后的反抗姿态唱起了一支革命歌曲。
• He assumed a defiant attitude toward his employer.他对雇主采取挑衅的态度。

6 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

7 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。