VOA标准英语 Obama to Seek Unity at G-20 Summit, Agrees with Medv

U.S. President Barack Obama says he seeks unity¹ at the G-20 economic summit in London, and a new arms deal with Russia. It was a busy day of diplomacy² for Mr. Obama as he launched his first overseas trip as president.
　
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands following a news conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth³ Office in London, 01 Apr 2009

From a press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to a round of meetings with world leaders to an audience with Queen Elizabeth, Barack Obama made his presence known on the world stage. "I came here to put forward our ideas. But I also came here to listen and not to lecture," he said.

He began his day at 10 Downing Street, the British prime minister's official residence, amid last minute preparations for the G-20 economic summit.

There have been signs of tension leading up to the meeting, amid differences over the best way to heal the ailing⁴ world economy.

But President Obama said he believes there will be a meeting of the minds. "I am absolutely confident that this meeting will reflect enormous consensus⁵ about the need to work in concert to deal with these problems," he said.

Prime Minister Brown said it is time for the world's leaders to make difficult decisions. "The truth is that today's global problems require global solutions. And at this week's summit, where leaders representing 85 percent of the world's economy are gathering⁶ together, this summit cannot simply agree to the lowest common denominator. We must stand united in our determination to do whatever is necessary," he said.

But talks on the sidelines of the summit are about more than economics.
　
US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev during their meeting ahead of G20 summit in London, 1 Apr 2009

As he sat down for his first face-to-face meeting with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, President Obama turned the focus to arms control.

The two men announced the beginning of a new round of negotiations⁷ on reducing long-range nuclear weapons.

White House aides called it a major breakthrough. Mr. Obama spoke⁸ of a new direction in U.S.-Russia relations. "And what I believe we've begun today is a very constructive⁹ dialogue that will allow us to work on issues of mutual¹⁰ interest, like the reduction of nuclear weapons and the strengthening of our non-proliferation treaties," he said.

President Obama also accepted an invitation to go to Russia in July.

A few hours later, during talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, he agreed to visit China later in the year.

Speaking through a translator, the Chinese leader expressed his hopes for an enhanced dialogue with the United States. "The Chinese side is willing to work together with the U.S. side to secure even greater progress in the development of the China-U.S. relationship. And I'm willing to establish a good working relationship and personal friendship with President Obama," he said.
　
Britain's Queen Elizabeth (center) with President and Mrs. Obama in London, 1 Apr 2009

At the end of the day, the delegates to the G-20 went to Buckingham Palace for a reception with Queen Elizabeth, a working affair that was short on ceremony.

Meanwhile, in the narrow streets of London's main financial district, there were massive demonstrations¹¹, some of them violent. Organizers called the April 1 display of dissent¹² a "Financial Fools Day" protest.

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

3 commonwealth   

n.共和国，联邦，共同体

参考例句：

• He is the chairman of the commonwealth of artists.他是艺术家协会的主席。
• Most of the members of the Commonwealth are nonwhite.英联邦的许多成员国不是白人国家。

4 ailing   

v.生病

参考例句：

• They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry. 他们讨论了困扰钢铁工业的问题。
• She looked after her ailing father. 她照顾有病的父亲。

5 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

6 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

7 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。

8 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

9 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。

10 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

11 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

12 dissent   

n./v.不同意，持异议

参考例句：

• It is too late now to make any dissent.现在提出异议太晚了。
• He felt her shoulders gave a wriggle of dissent.他感到她的肩膀因为不同意而动了一下。