VOA标准英语2009年-France Considers Selling Warship to Russia

By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
01 October 2009

France is considering the sale of a helicopter carrier ship to Russia that could provide Moscow with added offensive capabilities¹ at sea.

Speaking in Moscow, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defense² Minister Herve Morin confirmed speculation³ that France is considering the sale of a helicopter carrier to Russia. Both sides, however, noted⁴ no deal has been signed. Kouchner said there are a number of French administrative⁵ and political principles governing arms sales, particularly a ship as expensive as a helicopter carrier.

 
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) shakes hands with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (C) center, and French Defense Minister Herve Morin (R) outside Moscow, 1 Oct 2009
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov indicated the two countries are now just consulting about the matter.

The defense chief says Russia has a whole set of questions it has put to the French, and is waiting for answers before it makes specific decisions. Serdyukov adds that Russia is not interested in one ship, but several.

The carrier under consideration belongs to the so-called Mistral Class of amphibious assault, command and projection⁶ ships. The 199-meter vessel⁷ can carry 16 helicopters and 450 troops for up to six months or about 700 for shorter periods.

Russian news media recently quoted naval⁸ commander Vladimir Vysotsky as saying the French warship⁹ would greatly increase the speed of Russian operations. He said a Mistral Class carrier would have accomplished¹⁰ certain tasks in 40 minutes that took Russia's Black Sea Fleet 26 hours during last year's conflict with Georgia.

Independent Russian military analyst¹¹ Pavel Felgenhauer told VOA that France will likely need to consult with allies to go ahead with the sale.

Felgenhauer says that almost every country that produces modern weapons uses some patents or know-how¹² from the United States. He says France will, therefore, consult with NATO and above all with Washington whether to sell or not to Russia and to what extent.

Moscow has indicated it may purchase one helicopter carrier and acquire licenses¹³ to build several more in Russian shipyards. Each ship costs an estimated $1 billion.

1 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

2 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。

3 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

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 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。

6 projection   

n.发射，计划，突出部分

参考例句：

• Projection takes place with a minimum of awareness or conscious control.投射在最少的知觉或意识控制下发生。
• The projection of increases in number of house-holds is correct.对户数增加的推算是正确的。

7 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

8 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

9 warship   

n.军舰，战舰

参考例句：

• He is serving on a warship in the Pacific.他在太平洋海域的一艘军舰上服役。
• The warship was making towards the pier.军舰正驶向码头。

10 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

11 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

12 know-how   

n.知识；技术；诀窍

参考例句：

• He hasn't got the know-how to run a farm.他没有经营农场的专业知识。
• I don't have much know-how about engines.发动机方面的技术知识我知之甚少。

13 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句