VOA标准英语2013--Family Responds to Allegations American Missing in Iran Was a Spy

 

Family Responds to Allegations American Missing in Iran Was a Spy

WASHINGTON — The family of an American citizen missing in Iran for more than six years is speaking out after media reports say he had gone to Iran to spy for the CIA,  and that his disappearance¹ became part of a U.S. government agency cover-up.

The last time anyone saw Robert Levinson was March 2007, when he flew to Iran's Kish Island - a hotbed for tourists and organized crime.

For years, the United States has insisted Levinson - a retired³ FBI agent - had gone on his own. But reports from The Associated Press and The Washington Post now say  Levinson was part of a botched U.S. spy operation and that his family was paid $2.5 million to keep quiet.

Levinson's family responded, posting a statement Friday to the website helpboblevinson.com.

It calls Levinson a "courageous⁴ man" who risked his own life "in service to the U.S. government" and calls on the U.S. to "step up and take care of one of its own."  But it never directly addresses the alleged⁵ relationship with the CIA.

The White House also reacted Friday.

Spokesman Jay Carney said, "What I can tell you is he was not a U.S. government employee when he made that trip. But I'm not going to get into any more detail."His family's Iranian lawyer said if Levinson was working for the CIA, he was never told. Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, now living in the U.S., also told VOA's Persian  service via Skype, that in his dealings with Iran's government, Iranian officials never accused Levinson of being a spy.

But Associated Press Washington Investigative Editor Ted² Bridis said U.S. officials were convinced Iran knew. “If he was held by the [Iranian] government, they’ve  been accused of some fairly oppressive interrogation techniques. Could he have held out for seven days? Seven hours? Surely. Seven years? Probably not.”

Just months after Levinson disappeared, his wife, Christine, went to Tehran, pleading with officials. "They have assured me that they will help me find my husband if  possible," she said.

But other than photos and videos showing him in failing health, there has been nothing.

For now, U.S. officials are slamming the news media for publishing the new allegations, saying it "does nothing to further the cause" of bringing Levinson home.

Former CIA Agent Robert Baer, via Skype, agrees. “It’s bad. It’s going to really hurt and it’s very unfortunate.”

He tells VOA's Persian service that if Levinson was part of a CIA operation, it was as sloppy⁶ as it gets, and that the implications are huge.

“What I’m afraid of is that this is going to become an issue on the Hill [Capitol Hill] and that any effort to reconcile with Iran, any détente, is going to founder⁷  on Levinson," said Baer.

As for Robert Levinson's current whereabouts, if anyone knows for sure they still aren't saying. 

1 disappearance   

n.消失，消散，失踪

参考例句：

• He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
• Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。

2 ted   

vt.翻晒，撒，撒开

参考例句：

• The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。
• She often teds the corn when it's sunny.天好的时候她就翻晒玉米。

3 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

4 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

5 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

6 sloppy   

adj.邋遢的，不整洁的

参考例句：

• If you do such sloppy work again,I promise I'll fail you.要是下次作业你再马马虎虎，我话说在头里，可要给你打不及格了。
• Mother constantly picked at him for being sloppy.母亲不断地批评他懒散。

7 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。