2007年VOA标准英语-US Secretary of State Defends Plan for US Missi

By Leta Hong Fincher
Washington
20 March 2007
 
watch Rice EU report

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. plan to build a missile defense¹ system in Europe will be a "stabilizing² factor" by helping³ to protect against potential threats from Iran. The plan has angered Russia and caused concern in Europe. VOA's Leta Hong Fincher has this report.

 
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. plan to deploy⁴ a new missile defense system in Europe will help protect against future threats, such as possible rockets launched from Iran. "We live in a world in which we face small nuclear threats, small potential missile threats from, for instance, Iran. And in that world, a limited missile defense that can deal with small threats is very much a stabilizing factor, not a destabilizing factor."

Rice discussed the missile system after a meeting [Monday] in Washington with European Union foreign ministers. She said the United States has had repeated discussions with Russia on the planned defense system. It would place missile interceptors in Poland and a radar⁵ base in the Czech Republic. "We're continuing to consult with the Russians. But the notion that somehow this is aimed at Russia is simply not borne out by the facts."

Russia opposes the missile plan. President Vladimir Putin says it would be a threat to Russian security.

The U.S. plan has also sparked unease in Europe. France has raised doubts about the system's effectiveness. And Germany has raised concerns that it could spark a new arms race.

 
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said following his meeting with Rice that the United States should broaden its talks with Europe. "We, as the president of the European Union, do have an understandable interest in seeing the European positions be harmonized."

Steinmeier downplayed any German differences with the United States over the missile issue. He said America's need to protect itself against possible threats should be respected.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 stabilizing   

n.稳定化处理[退火]v.（使）稳定， （使）稳固( stabilize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The disulfide bridges might then be viewed primarily as stabilizing components. 二硫桥可以被看作是初级的稳定因素。 来自辞典例句
• These stabilizing design changes are usually not desirable for steady-state operation. 这些增加稳定性的设计改变通常不太符合稳态工作的要求。 来自辞典例句

3 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。

4 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

5 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。