VOA标准英语2009年-Analysts: US Economy Key to Latin American Rela

The best way to improve U.S. relations with Latin America is by fixing the U.S. economy, according to analysts¹ who testified before a Congressional committee in Washington on Wednesday. They told U.S. lawmakers that President Barack Obama should address the issue at next month's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad.
　
South America

Analysts say when President Obama introduces himself to Latin American leaders at the Summit of the Americas, the attention will be on his plans to fix the U.S. economy.

This is Peter Hakim, President of the Inter-American Dialogue policy group, speaking to the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.

"It is very, very vital that as we work on our economic problems, we recognize that the way we go about solving them will have an enormous impact on Latin America and the rest of the world," said Peter Hakim.

He said to help Latin American economies, the United States should avoid protectionist measures, such as restricting imports from Latin America or investment in the region.

Hakim also urged the Obama administration to advance two pending², but controversial trade agreements with Colombia and Panama.

"We have two trade agreements that we've negotiated in good faith with two close allies of the United States," he said. "I think to show our credibility, our dependability, we really have to find a way to move forward with those agreements."

The trade agreements were negotiated under former President George W. Bush, but have not been voted on by Congress.

Meanwhile, Otto Reich, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs during the Bush administration, said the United States should also do what it can to promote democracy and cooperation in the region. But he warned that some of the participants at the summit will not be friendly.

"Not all the countries of this hemisphere are good neighbors," he said. "Some undermine democracy at home and abroad. The U.S. should actively³ help the good neighbors, reject the destructive, and persuade the ambivalent⁴ to rejoin the communities of democracies."

Reich noted⁵ that three leftist leaders, who he called "anti-American," will be at the summit - Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Boliva and Rafael Correa of Ecuador.

Democrats⁶ and Republicans on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs agreed on the need for the United States to stay engaged in Latin America - to counter the influence of other powers.

This is Democratic Representative Eliot Engel of New York.

"If we remain disengaged and others move in to fill the void, we have no one to blame but ourselves," said Eliot Engel. "And by others, I mean the Chavezes of the world [Venezuela], China, Russia and Iran. We need to be engaged."

Another item expected to be on the summit's agenda will be the explosion of violence near Mexico's border with the United States.

Thomas McLarty, was chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton and served as special envoy⁷ to the Americas.

"I want to be clear," said Thomas McLarty. "I do not believe Mexico is a failed or failing state. But the alarming level of violence needs to be gotten under control for the Mexican people, for the stability and safety of the border region, and to preserve the rule of law."

But a recent document from the U.S. Defense⁸ Department warns that the chaos⁹ and drug fueled violence in Mexico is pushing the country to the brink¹⁰ of becoming a failed state. More than 1,000 people have been killed this year in Mexico, despite a government crackdown on warring drug gang.

1 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。

2 pending   

prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的

参考例句：

• The lawsuit is still pending in the state court.这案子仍在州法庭等待定夺。
• He knew my examination was pending.他知道我就要考试了。

3 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

4 ambivalent   

adj.含糊不定的；(态度等)矛盾的

参考例句：

• She remained ambivalent about her marriage.她对于自己的婚事仍然拿不定主意。
• Although she professed fear of the Russians,she seemed to have ambivalent feelings toward Philby himself.虽然她承认害怕俄国人，然而她似乎对菲尔比本人有一种矛盾的感情。

5 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。

6 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

8 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。

9 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

10 brink   

n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿

参考例句：

• The tree grew on the brink of the cliff.那棵树生长在峭壁的边缘。
• The two countries were poised on the brink of war.这两个国家处于交战的边缘。