VOA标准英语2010年-Iranian Scientist Said to Request Repa

An Internet video supposedly showing missing Iranian nuclear physicist¹ Shahram Amiri
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A man who Iran claims is a missing nuclear scientist has turned up at the Iranian interests section of the Pakistani embassy in Washington. Pakistani foreign ministry² spokesman Abdul Basit said Iranian officials were arranging Shahram Amiri's repatriation³ to Iran. It is not clear how the story will develop.

His whereabouts at first were a mystery.  Iranian nuclear physicist Shahram Amiri disappeared in June of last year. Then the mystery got murkier⁴, a series of Internet videos offering disjointed clues.

"I was kidnapped in the Holy City of Medina," said a man claiming to be Amiri.

Did U.S. agents take him in Saudi Arabia, as someone claiming to be Amiri said?

"I managed to run away," he said in a video.

Had he escaped from American intelligence as another posting hinted?

"I am in America and intend to continue my education in this country," he said in another video.

Or was Amiri actually free and safe, pursuing studies in the U.S. as yet another revealed.

Iran says he was kidnapped by the U.S.  The U.S. says he defected to America.

And, in still another new twist, Amiri has turned up here - at the Iranian interests section of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, where he is reportedly requesting repatriation. Pakistan has managed Iran's interests in the U.S. since Washington severed⁵ diplomatic ties after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Amiri was scheduled to return to Iran on Monday, but was unable to make travel arrangements.

"Mr. Amiri has been in the United States of his own free will," said  Hillary Clinton. "And he is free to go."

Amiri had been working for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, which the U.S. and other countries suspect is trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies. He reportedly had valuable information on nuclear development.

 

Alex Vatanka from the Middle East Institute doubts that.

"In terms of access to Iranians, particularly that generation of Iranians in their 30s, is very hard to get to, and this is, in many ways, a win for the U.S.," said Alex Vatanka. "But if he didn't have the kind of information they needed, what's the point in keeping him?"

U.S. State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley says Amiri met with authorities while in this country, but wouldn't say if the Iranian gave up any secrets.

"I can't answer that question," said P.J. Crowley.

"But why can't you answer that question," asked a reporter.

"I happen not to know the answer," said P.J. Crowley.

Some analysts⁶ think Amiri's return could mean an exchange for Americans held in Iran.

"It will be interesting to see, perhaps in years and months to come, if what's happening right now with Amiri has anything to do for instance, with the three [American] hikers who have been held in Iran for about a year now," said Vatanka.

Vatanka says the truth behind the mystery lies in what happens to Amiri in the future. How will Iran treat him if he is a defector who changed his mind and returned home?
 

1 physicist   

n.物理学家，研究物理学的人

参考例句：

• He is a physicist of the first rank.他是一流的物理学家。
• The successful physicist never puts on airs.这位卓有成就的物理学家从不摆架子。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 repatriation   

n.遣送回国，归国

参考例句：

• The Volrep programme is the preferred means of repatriation. 政府认为自愿遣返计划的遣返方法较为可取。 来自互联网
• Arrange the cargo claiming and maritime affairs,crews repatriation,medical treatment,traveling so on. （六）洽办货物理赔，船舶海事处理，办理船员遣返，就医，旅游等。 来自互联网

4 murkier   

adj.阴暗的( murky的比较级 )；昏暗的；（指水）脏的；混浊的

参考例句：

• If not, the outcome may be a lot murkier. 而如不然，结果可能就会更加含糊不清。 来自互联网
• This leads us into the murkier areas of human behaviour. 这让我们看到了人类行为较阴暗的领域。 来自互联网

5 severed   

v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂

参考例句：

• The doctor said I'd severed a vessel in my leg. 医生说我割断了腿上的一根血管。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We have severed diplomatic relations with that country. 我们与那个国家断绝了外交关系。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 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。