VOA标准英语2013--聚焦华盛顿:关注菲律宾的援助,伊朗核武器问题

 

Washington Week: Focus on Philippines Aid, Iran Nukes 聚焦华盛顿:关注菲律宾的援助,伊朗核武器问题

This week, America marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination¹ of President John F. Kennedy.  But Washington is also focused on pressing global concerns, from  typhoon devastation² in the Philippines to an intensified³ diplomatic push on Iran’s nuclear program.

U.S. Navy teams have delivered more than 100 tons of aid to typhoon victims in the Philippines.  More food, drinking water, and other supplies are on the way.

Among those delivering aid directly is Navy diver Toby Pickens.

“The people are really desperate.  I have not seen anyone this hungry before,” said he.

Pickens added the work is highly rewarding.

“We never want these situations to happen, but when they do happen it is nice that we are tasked to go and help them, bring the food in, and be there handing them the  food and seeing the look on their faces,” said Pickens.

President Barack Obama said assistance to the Philippines will continue.

“One of our core principles is, when friends are in trouble, America helps,” said the president.

Obama is also speaking out on the possibility of a negotiated accord governing Iran’s hotly-contested nuclear program, and urging U.S. lawmakers to hold off, for now,  on a new round of economic sanctions against Tehran.

“Let us test how willing [Iranian officials] are to actually resolve this diplomatically and peacefully,” said Obama.

Secretary of State John Kerry pressed senators on that point last week, saying a tighter sanctions regime would be counter-productive.

“It could destroy the ability to get agreement, and it could actually wind up setting us back in dialogue that has taken 30 years to be able to achieve,” said Kerry.

So-called P5+1 negotiations⁴ with Iran are to resume this week in Geneva.  Tehran is demanding an end to international sanctions while asserting a right to continue  enriching nuclear material.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blasted any deal that eases sanctions before Tehran verifiably eliminates its nuclear military capability⁵.  Secretary  Kerry will attempt to assuage⁶ Israeli concerns when he meets with Netanyahu later this week.

1 assassination   

n.暗杀；暗杀事件

参考例句：

• The assassination of the president brought matters to a head.总统遭暗杀使事态到了严重关头。
• Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the whole nation.1865年，林肯遇刺事件震惊全美国。

2 devastation   

n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤

参考例句：

• The bomb caused widespread devastation. 炸弹造成大面积破坏。
• There was devastation on every side. 到处都是破坏的创伤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 intensified   

v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Violence intensified during the night. 在夜间暴力活动加剧了。
• The drought has intensified. 旱情加剧了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 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。

5 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

6 assuage   

v.缓和，减轻，镇定

参考例句：

• The medicine is used to assuage pain.这种药用来止痛。
• Your messages of cheer should assuage her suffering.你带来的这些振奋人心的消息一定能减轻她的痛苦。