VOA常速英语2014--叙利亚化武问题

 

Syrian Chemical Weapons Concerns 叙利亚化武问题

The second interim¹ report by the Fact Finding Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition² of Chemical Weapons, or OPCW, concludes that chlorine was almost certainly used as a weapon in attacks on three villages in northern Syria earlier this year. The report cites witness accounts indicating helicopters were used in systematic³ and repeated attacks, a capability⁴ the opposition⁵ lacks. "This strongly points to Syrian regime culpability," said U.S.Secretary of State John Kerry in a recent statement.

OPCW，即禁止化学武器组织公布的第二份临时报告认为今年早些时候在对叙利亚北部三个村庄的袭击中几乎肯定使用了氯气。报告援引目击者描述称反对派的软肋直升机被投入使用并且进行反复打击。美国国务卿约翰·克里在最近的一份声明中表示“这份报告强有力的证明叙利亚政权的罪责。”

Chlorine is a toxic⁶ industrial gas; its use as a weapon of war is prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention, even though chlorine is not specifically listed in the treaty as a chemical weapon. As Secretary Kerry said during recent Congressional testimony⁷, "We believe there is evidence of Assad's use of chlorine, which when you use it-despite it not being on the list-is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention."

氯气是一种有毒的工业气体, 尽管作为化学武器氯气并非专门在条约之内注明，但其作为化学武器是被《禁止化学武器公约》禁止。部长克里在最近的国会听证会上说道:“我们相信有证据表明阿萨德曾使用氯气, 尽管不在名单之上，但你一旦使用,就触犯了《禁止化学武器公约》。”

The OPCW report raises serious questions about the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's compliance⁸ with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2118, both requiring him to give up his chemical weapons program.

禁化武组织的这份报告提出了关于叙利亚总统巴沙尔·阿萨德政权遵守《禁止化学武器公约》和联合国安理会2118号决议要求他放弃化学武器项目的严肃问题。

The OPCW also noted⁹ a spate¹⁰ of reports about additional attacks in late August, "with accounts of the incidents bearing a strong resemblance to those that are now confirmed as having been chlorine attacks." This observation, along with questions regarding the accuracy and completeness of Syria's disclosure of its chemical weapons program to the OPCW, raises troubling concerns regarding Syria's willingness to continue using chemical weapons to kill or injure the people of Syria.

禁化武组织还指出关于8月下旬额外的多次袭击事件,“如此多的袭击事件现在强有力的证明氯气曾被投入使用。“随着禁化武组织披露叙利亚的化学武器项目事件准确和全面性日渐浮出水面,不禁令人担心叙利亚是否将会继续使用化学武器杀害或伤及叙利亚人民。

The United States, said Secretary Kerry, is gravely concerned about the findings in this report. The Assad regime must know that it will be held to account by the international community for the use of chemical weapons against its own people.

部长克里表示美国深切担心这份报告的调查结果。阿萨德政权必须明白使用化学武器攻击自己的人民必须承担国际社会的责任。

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 prohibition   

n.禁止；禁令，禁律

参考例句：

• The prohibition against drunken driving will save many lives.禁止酒后开车将会减少许多死亡事故。
• They voted in favour of the prohibition of smoking in public areas.他们投票赞成禁止在公共场所吸烟。

3 systematic   

adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的

参考例句：

• The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
• The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。

4 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。

5 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。

6 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

7 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

8 compliance   

n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从

参考例句：

• I was surprised by his compliance with these terms.我对他竟然依从了这些条件而感到吃惊。
• She gave up the idea in compliance with his desire.她顺从他的愿望而放弃自己的主意。

9 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。

10 spate   

n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵

参考例句：

• Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。
• Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。