VOA标准英语2014--联合国的介入可能影响美国中东斡旋

 

UN Focus on Palestinian Resolution Could Impact US Mediation¹ Efforts 联合国的介入可能影响美国中东斡旋

STATE DEPARTMENT—

In the wake of stalled U.S.-mediated peace talks, Palestinians have presented a draft resolution to the United Nations that would set a deadline for Israeli withdrawal² from Palestinian territories. An increased focus on U.N. action could affect U.S. diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said there were ‘pent-up” frustrations⁴ on both sides and they ran deep.

“Many of us share a deep sense of urgency about this, given the constant threat of escalation⁵ and the dangers of a downward spiral of violence,” he said.

In comments from London, he cited several recent incidents that have raised tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, including the death of Zaid Abu Ein. The Palestinian minister died after a confrontation⁶ with an Israeli police officer.

Kerry also cited an acid attack carried out by a Palestinian hitchhiker that injured members of an Israeli family.

Kerry has held talks this week with officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, in a bid to diffuse⁷ tensions and encourage both sides to return to the negotiating table.

But Palestinians, frustrated⁸ by the slow pace of progress in talks, are looking to the U.N. Security Council -- with hopes of getting support in the form of a resolution.

“We do not have any problem with them filing some resolution, providing it is done in the spirit of working with people to see how we can proceed forward in a thoughtful way that solves the problem and does not make it worse,” Kerry said.

But it was a U.S. loss of clout⁹ in the peace talks that has played a role in the pivot¹⁰ towards a U.N. resolution, said Middle East analyst¹¹ Khaled Elgindy.

“The fact that this process has dragged on for more than two decades is the main reason that Palestinians are looking to alternative forms to try and achieve their political goals. And, they are not alone,” said Elgindy.

He said delays increased the likelihood of U.N. action.

“I think there is a lot of international frustration³ with the lack of progress that the United States has made,” Elgindy said.

Despite delays, the U.S. role remained as important as ever, said Middle East expert Michele Dunne.

“The United States is the only party with a close enough relationship -- and this enormous defense¹² relationship -- with Israel that can actually both press Israel a bit and make the Israelis feel safe in any kind of negotiating process,” she said.

Kerry said the United States was focused on reducing the violence and what he called the “sense of confrontation.” He said the most constructive¹³ efforts for the peace process would come through consultations¹⁴.

1 mediation   

n.调解

参考例句：

• The dispute was settled by mediation of the third country. 这场争端通过第三国的斡旋而得以解决。
• The dispute was settled by mediation. 经调解使争端得以解决。

2 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

3 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

4 frustrations   

挫折( frustration的名词复数 )； 失败； 挫败； 失意

参考例句：

• The temptation would grow to take out our frustrations on Saigon. 由于我们遭到挫折而要同西贡算帐的引诱力会增加。
• Aspirations will be raised, but so will frustrations. 人们会产生种种憧憬，但是种种挫折也会随之而来。

5 escalation   

n.扩大，增加

参考例句：

• The threat of nuclear escalation remains. 核升级的威胁仍旧存在。 来自辞典例句
• Escalation is thus an aspect of deterrence and of crisis management. 因此逐步升级是威慑和危机处理的一个方面。 来自辞典例句

6 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

7 diffuse   

v.扩散；传播；adj.冗长的；四散的，弥漫的

参考例句：

• Direct light is better for reading than diffuse light.直射光比漫射光更有利于阅读。
• His talk was so diffuse that I missed his point.他的谈话漫无边际，我抓不住他的要点。

8 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 clout   

n.用手猛击；权力，影响力

参考例句：

• The queen may have privilege but she has no real political clout.女王有特权，但无真正的政治影响力。
• He gave the little boy a clout on the head.他在那小男孩的头部打了一下。

10 pivot   

v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的

参考例句：

• She is the central pivot of creation and represents the feminine aspect in all things.她是创造的中心枢轴，表现出万物的女性面貌。
• If a spring is present,the hand wheel will pivot on the spring.如果有弹簧，手轮的枢轴会装在弹簧上。

11 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

12 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。

13 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

14 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》