VOA标准英语2009年-Russia to Resume Gas Deliveries to Europe

The delivery of Russian natural gas is expected to resume Tuesday morning after Ukraine, Russia and the European Union signed a protocol¹ allowing observers to monitor pipelines³ that transport the fuel across Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv came to an agreement following the collapse⁴ of an earlier deal over the weekend.
　

Gazprom Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev speaks in Moscow (file photo)

The Deputy Chairman of Russia's Gazprom state gas monopoly, Alexander Medvedev, says delivery of gas to Europe will resume under the condition that no obstacles are created to prevent the reopening of pipeline² valves.

Medvedev says the company assumes such obstacles will not be created, and the transit⁵ of gas from Russia to Ukraine can begin at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, Central European time, or 10:00 a.m. Moscow time. He adds that everyone hopes this will indeed happen.

Russia agreed to resume deliveries after the European Union added its signature to a gas monitoring protocol between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow insisted that observers monitor the flow of gas through Ukrainian territory to make certain Kyiv is not siphoning the fuel destined⁶ for Europe, an allegation Russia has made and Ukraine has denied.

An earlier protocol, which Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko signed on Saturday, fell apart over Russian objections to remarks she added to the agreement. Ukrainian officials say those remarks were not legally binding⁷, but Moscow objected, saying they changed the substance of the agreement.

Ms. Tymoshenko's signing statement said Ukraine did not steal Russian gas, and demanded that Russia provide fuel to maintain the pressure needed to pump it to Europe. The amount Ukraine says is needed for technical gas is the same amount Russia claims Kyiv had been stealing since January 1 - 21 million cubic meters per day. Russia refuses to provide gas for technical purposes, saying it pays Ukraine a transit fee for such fuel.

But Oleksiy Hudyma, energy advisor⁸ to Prime Minister Tymoshenko, told VOA Russia and Ukraine have no gas transport contract, which exposes his country to possible financial liabilities. He says that prior to 2006, Russia provided Ukraine with technical gas, which Kyiv sold to cover its transport costs. Since then, Hudyma claims Moscow, has insisted on paying cash instead of providing payment in kind.

The advisor agrees that Ukraine received cash for the transport of Russian gas, and bought technical gas from Russia with that money. But Hudyma notes that as of January 1, 2009, there are no contracts or agreements between Russia and Ukraine. He says, therefore, the two countries have no legal obligations, which is why they need to sit down and sign contracts.

Contract negotiations⁹ between Ukraine and Russia broke off December 31 and have yet to resume. Delivery of Russian gas to Europe was completely cut off on January 7, with Kyiv and Moscow blaming one another for shutting the valves. Tuesday's resumption of delivery to Europe is not contingent¹⁰ upon any gas contracts between Russia and Ukraine.

Experts say it will take about three days to re-pressurize the pipelines before Russian gas can finally reach Europe.

1 protocol   

n.议定书，草约，会谈记录，外交礼节

参考例句：

• We must observe the correct protocol.我们必须遵守应有的礼仪。
• The statesmen signed a protocol.那些政治家签了议定书。

2 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

3 pipelines   

管道( pipeline的名词复数 )； 输油管道； 在考虑（或规划、准备） 中； 在酿中

参考例句：

• The oil is carried to the oil refinery by pipelines. 石油通过输油管输送到炼油厂。
• The oil carried in pipelines. 石油用管道输送。

4 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

5 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

6 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。

7 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

8 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

9 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。

10 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。