VOA标准英语2010年-France Dismisses Iranian Nuclear Count

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner rejected Iran's latest move on its uranium-enrichment efforts as a diplomatic "pirouette."

In an interview on French radio, Kouchner said it was out of the question the international community would accept an Iranian ultimatum¹ on its nuclear program.  He said discussions with the Iranians could continue, but not about Iran's nuclear development.

Iran has rejected the December 31 deadline set by the international community to accept a deal to enrich its uranium overseas.  Iran says the uranium would be used for a medical-research reactor².  Instead, Tehran on Saturday set a one-month deadline for the West to accept a counterproposal.

Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.  But Western nations disagree and are now considering tougher sanctions against Tehran.

Meanwhile, the Iranian regime has been cracking down on anti-government protests that erupted after June's disputed presidential election and flared³ anew last month. Kouchner said the Iranian government was itself divided.

Foreign Minister Kouchner said high-level Shi'ites within the government disagreed with the regime. He condemned⁴ the government crackdown against unarmed protesters and said he did not know how the power struggle would pan out.

1 ultimatum   

n.最后通牒

参考例句：

• This time the proposal was couched as an ultimatum.这一次该提议是以最后通牒的形式提出来的。
• The cabinet met today to discuss how to respond to the ultimatum.内阁今天开会商量如何应对这道最后通牒。

2 reactor   

n.反应器；反应堆

参考例句：

• The atomic reactor generates enormous amounts of thermal energy.原子反应堆发出大量的热能。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules.在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

3 Flared   

adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The match flared and went out. 火柴闪亮了一下就熄了。
• The fire flared up when we thought it was out. 我们以为火已经熄灭，但它突然又燃烧起来。

4 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。