VOA标准英语2013--Kerry Heads to Doha for Syria Talks

 

Kerry Heads to Doha for Syria Talks

As rebel and government forces continue to fight north of the Syrian city of Aleppo, diplomats¹ are pressing for the negotiated solution of a transitional authority for Syria.

"There is a unanimity² about the importance of trying to find a way to peace, and not a way to war," Kerry said. "The Assad regime is making that very difficult."

Kerry and U.K. Foreign Minister William Hague want direct talks in Geneva between Syria's government and its opponents. It is a plan backed by the European Union and many Arab states, including Egypt. 

"Egypt has always demanded a negotiated political solution to the crisis, and we are working to gather all of the opposition³ forces so that they are represented in Geneva and so that those talks express the will of all the Syrian factions⁴ including the internal opposition," said Kamel Amr, Egyptian foreign minister.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said there is no military solution to the conflict.

"First of all to agree absolutely with the minister that we are supporting what has become known as Geneva 2, the process of helping⁵ to find a political solution, which is in the end the solution that is going to be necessary if we are going to end the bloodshed, stop the fighting and bring peace," she said.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said there is much work ahead at Saturday's meeting in Doha.

"We will try to establish the situation on the ground," he stated. "And see how we can help the opposition coalition⁶ and bring about a political outcome.  One must not forget that every day dozens and dozens of people are killed in Syria."

French leaders have discussed the possibility of Assad ally Iran joining Geneva talks.  Fabius said all those with a "useful position" are welcome, but that means accepting the executive powers of a transitional authority.

"Iran did not accept the aim of the conference, to take part in it.  If the new Iranian president made explicit⁷ statements to move in this direction, we will see what the position is," noted⁸ Fabius.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is pushing for Iran's inclusion and said those who would arm rebels based on what he calls "unconfirmed accusations⁹" of Damascus using chemical weapons will only further destabilize Syria. 

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 unanimity   

n.全体一致，一致同意

参考例句：

• These discussions have led to a remarkable unanimity.这些讨论导致引人注目的一致意见。
• There is no unanimity of opinion as to the best one.没有一个公认的最好意见。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 factions   

组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The gens also lives on in the "factions." 氏族此外还继续存在于“factions〔“帮”〕中。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
• rival factions within the administration 政府中的对立派别

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

7 explicit   

adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的

参考例句：

• She was quite explicit about why she left.她对自己离去的原因直言不讳。
• He avoids the explicit answer to us.他避免给我们明确的回答。

8 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。

9 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。