Representatives from the United States, Russia, China and three European Union nations have been meeting in Germany to discuss steps to take in dealing with Iran and its nuclear program. Analysts say there is a shift in tone toward Iran that may translate into tangible advances with a new administration in Washington.
美国、俄罗斯、中国和三个欧盟国家的代表在德国会晤，讨论应当采取什么措施应对伊朗和伊朗的核项目。分析人士指出，美国在伊朗问题上的调子有所变化，可能预示随着美国新政府上任，新调子将给伊朗问题带来变化。
The meeting outside Frankfurt, Germany, of the six powers - the United States, Russia, China, Germany, France and Britain - began two days after Iran announced it had launched its first satellite, notching up tensions. Iran and world powers have been at odds over Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran says is meant for peaceful purposes of generating energy, but others fear is aimed at building nuclear weapons.
世界六大国--美国、俄罗斯、中国、德国、法国和英国的代表正在德国法兰克福郊外会晤。会议开始两天前，伊朗宣布发射了第一颗卫星，使紧张气氛升温。伊朗和世界各大国一直就伊朗的核项目争执不休，德黑兰坚持说核项目是用于和平目的--发电，但其他国家担心伊朗发展核项目是为了制造核武器。
But there is also a change in tone with the Barack Obama administration signaling a new emphasis on diplomacy.
不过，美国奥巴马政府的调子有所改变，预示着会重新强调外交手段。
Shada Islam, a senior analyst at the European Policy Center in Brussels, says the new tone in Washington will make a difference.
设在布鲁塞尔的欧洲政策中心的高级分析员沙达.伊斯兰认为，华盛顿的新调子将带来变化。
"I think it does make a difference because the general environment under which these talks are taking place is very different from under the Bush administration," Islam said. "We have had President Obama going on television and saying he is ready to talk to Iran as long as Iran comes with an unclenched fist."
他说：“我想这会有所不同，因为目前会谈的总的气氛和布什政府时期非常不一样。奥巴马总统在电视上表示，只要伊朗松开拳头，他随时准备和伊朗谈。”
"Also, they are ready for direct diplomacy, negotiations, discussions. I think this conveys a completely different ambiance and context for discussions. Having said that, I do not expect quick fixes and miracles. This is going to take time," he added.
“另外，他们还准备展开直接的外交活动，进行谈判和讨论。我认为这传达了一种完全不同的讨论氛围。尽管如此，我并不指望会立即解决问题，出现奇迹。这还需要时间。”
Some nations have signaled they are willing to adopt a tougher approach. In a joint statement published in French and German newspapers, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said they would support new U.N. sanctions if Iran did not abandon its nuclear program. One option may be commercial sanctions, but Islam believes Europeans may not be enthusiastic about this since a number of European countries depend on Iranian oil and gas.
一些国家表示他们愿意采取更强硬的态度。德国总理默克尔和法国总统萨科齐在法国和德国报纸上发表一项联合声明表示，如果伊朗不放弃核项目，他们支持联合国对伊朗采取新的制裁措施。一个选择可能是商业制裁。但是分析人士伊斯兰认为，鉴于一些欧洲国家依赖伊朗的石油和天然气，欧洲人对制裁伊朗未必有热情。
Shada Islam also believes Iran may not offer a clear response to the Obama administration - at least not right now.
伊斯兰还认为，伊朗可能不会明确回应奥巴马政府，至少目前不会。
"They have got elections coming up, there is a great deal of rivalry within Iran, within the government between the reformists and the conservatives and you have seen they have just launched their first satellite as well," he said. "So I think Iran is always going to be a tough nut to crack, but I think it is worth a try."
他说：“他们即将举行选举，而且在伊朗内部、在伊朗政府内部，改革派和保守派斗得很厉害。另外，他们刚刚发射了第一颗卫星。因此我认为，伊朗和以前一样，还是一颗硬钉子，不过值得去努力。”
In published remarks, a representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said strained ties with the United States would not change under President Obama.
伊朗最高领袖哈梅内伊的一名代表在公开发表的讲话中说，与美国的紧张关系不会因为奥巴马总统上任而改变。 |