VOA标准英语2009年-British PM Warns of Tougher Sanctions for Iran

In a major speech, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Iran that by continuing to enrich uranium, it faces tougher international sanctions.
　
British PM Gordon Brown addresses diplomats¹ and scientists on nuclear energy and proliferation, during International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference in London, 17 March 2009

Speaking at a major international nuclear energy conference in London, the British prime minister underlined that Iran has the same right to a peaceful civil nuclear program as any other country and he said under the right conditions, Britain and other states would be willing to help Iran in that endeavor.

But Britain and some others in the West continue to have reservations about Iran's nuclear activities. Mr. Brown said Tehran now faces a choice.

"Iran's current nuclear program is unacceptable. Iran has concealed² its nuclear activities, refused to cooperate with the IAEA, flouted³ U.N. Security Council resolutions and its refusal to play by the rules leaves us to view its nuclear program as a critical proliferation threat," he said. "Iran therefore faces a clear choice. To continue in this way and face further and tougher sanctions or change to a U.N. overseen⁴ civil nuclear energy program that will bring the greatest benefits to its citizens."

Gordon Brown said the possibility of a new dialogue has now emerged and that represents an offer Tehran must take up.

"I hope that Iran will make the right choice and take advantage of the international community's willingness to negotiate, including President Obama's offer of engagement rather than face further sanctions and regional instability," he said. "So I urge Iran once again to work with us, rather than against us upon this. The opportunity to do so remains⁵ on the table and the choice is Iran's to make."

Mr. Brown said nuclear power had a part to play as the world tries to wean itself off fossil fuels under the growing threat of climate change. And the prime minister stressed that in the coming years, ways must be found to help non-nuclear states obtain civilian⁶ nuclear power to meet energy needs.

Iran maintains its enrichment program has been part of a peaceful civilian energy program.

Overtures⁷ of diplomatic engagement from the Obama administration have so far been met with a mixed response from Iran. And past sanctions have failed to deter⁸ the state from proceeding⁹ with its nuclear research activities.

1 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

3 flouted   

v.藐视，轻视( flout的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• North Vietnam flouted the accords from the day they were signed. 北越从签字那天起就无视协定的存在。 来自辞典例句
• They flouted all our offers of help and friendship. 他们对我们愿意提供的所有帮助和友谊表示藐视。 来自辞典例句

4 overseen   

v.监督，监视( oversee的过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was overseen stealing the letters. 他被人撞见在偷信件。 来自辞典例句
• It will be overseen by ThomasLi, director of IBM China Research Laboratory. 该实验室由IBM中国研究院院长李实恭(ThomasLi)引导。 来自互联网

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 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。

7 overtures   

n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲

参考例句：

• Their government is making overtures for peace. 他们的政府正在提出和平建议。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He had lately begun to make clumsy yet endearing overtures of friendship. 最近他开始主动表示友好，样子笨拙却又招人喜爱。 来自辞典例句

8 deter   

vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住

参考例句：

• Failure did not deter us from trying it again.失败并没有能阻挡我们再次进行试验。
• Dogs can deter unwelcome intruders.狗能够阻拦不受欢迎的闯入者。

9 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。