2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Hopeful for Peaceful Resolution of Iran Di

By Paula Wolfson
White House
20 September 2007

President Bush says he still believes diplomacy¹ is the best way to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions.  VOA's Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush also makes clear he supports plans to prevent Iran's president from visiting the site of New York's World Trade Center, where thousands were killed by terrorists on September 11, 2001.

President Bush says he remains² hopeful the Iran nuclear dispute can be resolved peacefully.

"And to this end we are working with allies and friends to send a consistent message to the Iranians that there is a better way forward for them than isolation³ - financial isolation and/or economic sanctions," Mr. Bush said.

The United States and its allies say they fear Iran wants nuclear technology to develop weapons.   Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, and its desire is to provide electricity for its people.

The focus has been on diplomacy to resolve the dispute, although the Bush administration has said that the military option is never taken off the table.

Earlier this week, the debate over how best to deal with Iran was rekindled⁴ when new French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was quoted as saying the world should prepare for the possibility of war if negotiations⁵ fail.  He later downplayed the remarks, saying diplomacy is paramount⁶.

At a wide-ranging White House news conference, President Bush was asked about Kouchner's comments.  He made no mention of military action in his answer and spoke⁷ only of diplomatic resolve.

"I believe it is imperative⁸ that we continue to work in a multi-lateral fashion to send that message and one place to do so is at the United Nations," Mr. Bush said.

Iran responded angrily to even the mention of military action.  Iranian officials said their country would use any means to defend itself.  They also said Tehran is drawing up a retaliation⁹ plan should it come under Israeli attack. 

Mr. Bush noted¹⁰ that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has spoken in the past of strikes against Israel, and said his threats should be taken seriously.

"This is a person that constantly talks about the use of force on Israel, for example, and Israel is our very staunch and firm ally," Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Bush made clear he is in firm agreement with a decision by the New York City Police Department to deny a request by the Iranian president to place a wreath at the site of the World Trade Center in memory of the victims of the September 11th, 2001 attacks.

A spokesman for the police force says they denied the request because of ongoing¹¹ construction and security concerns.  But President Bush indicated there may be emotional reasons as well in a city that suffered so much at the hands of terrorists.

"I would understand why they would not want somebody running a country that is a state sponsor of terror there at the site," Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Ahmadinejad is coming to New York next week to address the U.N. General Assembly. 

1 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

4 rekindled   

v.使再燃( rekindle的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• As soon as they met again his dormant love for her was rekindled. 他们一见面，他对她的旧情如乾柴烈火般又重新燃起。 来自辞典例句
• Ive found rekindled my interest in re-reading the books. 我发觉这提起了我再次阅读这些书的兴趣。 来自互联网

5 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。

6 paramount   

a.最重要的，最高权力的

参考例句：

• My paramount object is to save the Union and destroy slavery.我的最高目标是拯救美国，摧毁奴隶制度。
• Nitrogen is of paramount importance to life on earth.氮对地球上的生命至关重要。

7 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 imperative   

n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的

参考例句：

• He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
• The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。

9 retaliation   

n.报复，反击

参考例句：

• retaliation against UN workers 对联合国工作人员的报复
• He never said a single word in retaliation. 他从未说过一句反击的话。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 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。

11 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。