VOA常速英语2014--Sanctions Threaten London’s Secretive Russian Oligarchs 制裁影响伦敦俄裔神秘寡头政治家（在线收听）

Sanctions Threaten London’s Secretive Russian Oligarchs 制裁影响伦敦俄裔神秘寡头政治家

LONDON — During the past decade London has proved a magnet for rich Russians. But the billions of rubles that pour into the City of London could be under threat, as Britain weighs economic sanctions against Russia following Moscow’s annexation of Crimea.

在过去十年中，伦敦大受俄罗斯富商青睐。但大量涌入伦敦市场的卢布可能受到影响，因为英国当局正考虑就俄罗斯并吞克里米亚一事对俄进行经济制裁。

In London’s wealthy districts of Kensington and Chelsea, street names like Moscow Road and St. Petersburgh Place point to the historic appeal for wealthy Russians.

在伦敦肯辛顿和切尔西的富人区，一些如莫斯科路和圣彼得堡宫殿的街道名显示出俄罗斯富商自古以来就对这座城市情有独钟。

Parts of the city are affectionately known as ‘Londongrad’ by Russian residents. Much of the allure stems from the security London affords, says Nicholas Redman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

这座城市一些地方也被俄罗斯居民亲切地称为“伦敦格勒”。国际战略研究所尼古拉斯·芮德门指出，伦敦的魅力在于它的资金保障。

“We have a court system here, and property rights system in Britain, which you just do not have the equivalent of in Russia. And so people that have made money in Russia like to have a base here in order to feel more secure in the future,” said Redman.

“在英国，有着和俄国无法比拟的司法制度和产权制度。所以，很多在俄国赚钱的人都愿意以伦敦为基地，以便在未来得到更多的保证。”芮德门表示。

Global trade hub

全球贸易中心

That security is under question as Britain draws up stronger economic sanctions against Russia in case of further incursions into Ukraine.

当英国就反对俄罗斯未来入侵乌克兰一事对俄进行更严厉的经济制裁时，英国资金安全正受到考验。

The City of London is a hub for Russian businesses pursuing global trade. Nearly 70 Russian companies are listed on London stock markets, including energy giants Rosneft and Gazprom.

伦敦是俄罗斯产业推行全球化的贸易中心。近70个俄罗斯公司在伦敦股票市场注册，其中包括能源巨头Rosneft与Gazprom公司。

The threat of sanctions has caused the postponement of at least two stock offerings, though, as the appetite for Russian securities has fallen, according to Moscow-born Sergei Ostrovsky from the Russia division of global law firm, Ashurst.

据阿什赫斯特国际法律事务所俄罗斯分部的瑟杰·奥斯妥夫斯基表示，这场制裁威胁已经让至少两期股票延迟发售，而俄资金保障信心也在下降。

“There will a period of caution while people put on hold projects, which can be put on hold, adopt the wait and see position," said Ostrovsky. "And where they will be cautious to take on new projects. In the long term it is difficult to see for an easy replacement for the city of London where Russian business is concerned.”

“会有一段时期人们持股票保持观望态度，静待局势变化。”奥斯妥夫斯基提出，“人们也会非常谨慎地开展新项目。长期来看，俄罗斯将忧虑没有合适替换掉伦敦的金融中心。”

Prime London property is another favored investment. Real estate agents highlight the $39-million sale in 2012 of a 12-bedroom house in Kensington, complete with movie theater and swimming pool - the ideal investment for a Russian oligarch.

高质量的伦敦房地产也是另一项大受欢迎的投资。实际上，不动产行业强调在肯辛顿一套12床位套间在2012年可以卖到三千九百万，内设影院和游泳池。这对俄裔寡头政治家来说，无疑是最理想的投资。

Broker Ed Mead, Executive Director of real estate agent Douglas and Gordon, said, “The secrecy laws here allow you to buy a property in an offshore or a company name. You pay an enhanced stamp duty [tax]. And I think they quite like the anonymity that provides them.”

经纪人艾德·米德，道格拉斯和戈登不动产执行长官，表示“保密法能让你在国外以公司名义置购房地产。你只需要付一笔额外的印花税。我认为，他们在购买时更情愿匿名。”

Analysts debate issue Russia’s President Vladimir Putin relies on the support of influential oligarchs with lots of money parked in London, said Redman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

据国际战略研究所芮德门分析，俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京依赖于在伦敦大量置产并颇有影响力的寡头政治家们支持。

“If large members of the Russian elite are being seriously inconvenienced, if their wealth is being wiped out, if they are no longer welcome in the kind of places that they are used to going in, then it is reasonable to assume that their loyalty would at least be tested,” he said.

“倘若多数俄罗斯精英觉得严重不便，倘若他们的财富被剥夺，倘若他们在过去经常出没的地方被拒之门外，那我们有理由相信，至少他们的忠诚度会得到测试。”他认为。

Sanctions would not have an immediate effect on Russia’s wider economy, said Elizabeth Stephens of insurance brokers Jardine Lloyd Thompson. “We have seen with Iran, we saw with Iraq under [Saddam] Hussein, it takes many years for that to come to fruition. And in the interim, the European Union would hurt their own economies as well.”

制裁不会对俄罗斯广泛的经济造成迅速影响，怡和保险伊丽莎白·史蒂芬预测，“我们知道伊朗，萨达姆·侯赛因控制下的伊拉克，多年以后才见效。而在此期间，欧盟也会伤害到自己的利益。”

Analysts say that trade-off is being debated in capitals across Europe - none more so than in London.

分析家们认为，不仅仅是伦敦，欧洲其他首都也要对如何取舍问题应该展开讨论。