VOA标准英语2008年-Australian Leader Urges Action by World Leaders

By Phil Mercer
Sydney
08 June 2008

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has urged the international community to put pressure on major oil producing countries to curb¹ high fuel prices. Mr. Rudd said OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum² Exporting Countries, has to increase supply. The Australian leader made the comments as he prepared to travel on an official visit to Japan. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.
　

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (c) and his wife Therese Rein3 (r) arrive at Hiroshima Airport, Japan, 08 Jun 2008

Kevin Rudd has insisted that a "blowtorch" should be applied⁴ to OPEC to put pressure on the oil cartel to increase production to help alleviate⁵ high fuel prices. The Australian Prime Minister said countries around the world were struggling with rising fuel prices, which he believes could be eased an increase in the supply of oil.

He will take his message to Japan, where leaders of the G8 grouping of major industrialised nations meet next month.

Mr. Rudd says OPEC needs to act decisively.

"Every head of government across the world is dealing⁶ with this challenge now and it goes to global oil supply in large part - the role of OPEC," he said. "OPEC need to open the production lines to a greater extent, increase global oil supply. They've done it a bit in response to representations from President Bush. The G8 provides an opportunity to apply the blowtorch to the OPEC organisation⁷ and it's time that happened."

Last week, Kuwait's Oil Minister Mohammad al-Olaim said while OPEC was willing to produce more oil if the market required it, the organization was not responsible for high prices. OPEC produces 40 percent of the world's oil. Its current output stands at about 32 million barrels per day.

Australia's fuel prices are relatively⁸ low by international standards, but petrol is more expensive than ever at about US$1.63 a litre.

The country's reliance on private cars and rising inflation make fuel prices a potent⁹ political issue.

The Rudd government came to power in a general election last November, promising¹⁰ voters that it would tackle the rising cost of fuel.

Analysts¹¹ say the Prime Minister's failure to do so is threatening to damage his popularity.

Mr. Rudd's visit to Japan will be dominated by talks on trade and is also likely to feature the sensitive issue of whaling.

Australia has made no secret of its distaste and opposition¹² to Japan's annual whale hunt in the Southern Ocean. Earlier this year Canberra sent a Customs ship to monitor the whaling fleet to gather evidence for possible international court action.

Mr. Rudd's four-day trip will be the longest visit to Japan by an Australian Prime Minister.

1 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

2 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

3 rein   

n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治

参考例句：

• The horse answered to the slightest pull on the rein.只要缰绳轻轻一拉,马就作出反应。
• He never drew rein for a moment till he reached the river.他一刻不停地一直跑到河边。

4 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

5 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。

6 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

7 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

8 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

9 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

10 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

11 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

12 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。