VOA标准英语2013--Talks With Russia in Spotlight as Kerry Visits Berlin

 

Talks With Russia in Spotlight¹ as Kerry Visits Berlin

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry's visit to Berlin is short but significant. With some recent tensions simmering between the U.S. and Russia, his talks with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are being closely watched.

Last week's death of a Russian child, in the house of his adoptive American mother, has added to the strain on bilateral² relations. But Susan Stewart of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs believes the two sides will get beyond this uncomfortable issue.

"There is this anti-Americanism present on domestic level, but on the level of the U.S.-Russian relationship, I think on the Russian side, there's an attempt to keep that anti-Americanism from having too much of an impact on the actual foreign policy side of the relationship. That's why they go for the adoptions⁴ issue. It grabs people, it makes an impact, but it's not something that has a major effect on the major issues of the relationship, like missile defense⁵ or cooperation regarding Afghanistan or the Iran or Syria issues," said Stewart.

Olaf Boehnke of the European Council on Foreign Relations agrees. He said the Kerry and Lavrov meeting likely will lead to a "post-reset phase" of the bilateral relationship - after dealing⁶ with the adoption³ issue, which is still a big story in the Russian media.

"I think the story that we've seen over the recent weeks is for domestic consumption. It still works, this anti-American attitude, which has been revived since [Vladimir] Putin is back in office. It's a winning topic for the Russian press," said Boehnke.

As for Syria, observers don't see any change in either country's policy anytime soon.

"I don't think there's going to be a breakthrough, but I think they'll be a discussion of it," said Stewart. "It's an ongoing⁷ issue, and one in which Russia has been involved, because it does have certain interests in Syria. And because some of the attempts at dealing with the situation have gone through the U.N. It will be discussed, but it's unlikely that anything will change in the Russian position.""

From Berlin, Kerry heads on to Paris to discuss Washington's cooperation with France and other countries in an effort to stabilize⁸ Mali, the African country plagued by an Islamist insurgency⁹. 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 adoption   

n.采用，采纳，通过；收养

参考例句：

• An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
• The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

4 adoptions   

n.采用，收养( adoption的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Adoption agencies are always so open to alternative family adoptions. 领养中介机构永远都对领养家庭敞开。 来自电影对白
• The number of adoptions has grown in the past year. 去年，收养子女的数字增加了。 来自互联网

5 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。

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 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。

8 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。

9 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网