2006年VOA标准英语-Iran Resumes Nuclear Research

By Challiss McDonough
Cairo
10 January 2006

Iran says it has removed the seals on one of its nuclear facilities and resumed research on its nuclear program after a two-year hiatus. The move sparked immediate¹ condemnation² from the United States and Europe, and heightens the risk of Tehran being hauled before the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

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Mohammed Saeedi  
  

The head of Iran's nuclear agency, Mohammed Saeedi, said nuclear research has resumed, two years after it was suspended.

The Iranian official says Tehran has worked closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency in establishing conditions for the resumption of nuclear work. He says, "Research plants and facilities that were sealed have been unsealed under the supervision³ of the agency's inspectors⁴ and now we have no problem in continuing research activities."

Saeedi said work at the plant will be limited to research for now, and not the actual production of nuclear fuel, which remains⁵ suspended.

But the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed ElBaradei contradicted that statement, telling the agency's board of governors that Iran does intend to begin "small-scale uranium enrichment."

The IAEA in Vienna confirmed that its inspectors were present for the removal of the seals at the Natanz research plant in central Iran.

Iran's move sparked an immediate outcry from the United States and the European Union, both of which believe Iran is attempting to produce nuclear weapons, which Iran denies.

The U.S. ambassador to the IAEA said Tehran "has shown disdain⁶ for international concern" over its nuclear program and is choosing "confrontation⁷ over cooperation."

French President Jacques Chirac said Iran must keep its international commitments over its nuclear program. 
 

French president Jacques Chirac addresses foreign diplomats⁸, at the Elysee Palace in Paris  
  
"Everyone recognizes that Iran and North Korea have a right to use nuclear energy peacefully," Mr. Chirac said. "But the international community must ensure that agreements are respected for the security of all of us. These countries would be committing a grave error, if they do not grasp the hand that we are extending to them." 

British Foreign Secretary Jack⁹ Straw says there is no reason why Iran should take such a step if its intentions are truly peaceful.

Even Iran's ally, Russia, expressed concern over the move, and said dialogue is the only way forward.

The White House said if Iran resumes uranium enrichment, there will be no option but to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council, where it could face sanctions.

That was exactly the prospect¹⁰ that prompted Tehran to suspend its nuclear program in October of 2003. Five months ago, Iranian authorities removed the seals at another nuclear plant, in Isfahan, and resumed the procedure known as uranium reprocessing, which is the step before enrichment in making nuclear fuel.

That move prompted a temporary shutdown in negotiations¹¹ between Iran and the European Union over the nuclear issue. Those talks finally re-started last month, and another round is scheduled for later this month.

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 condemnation   

n.谴责; 定罪

参考例句：

• There was widespread condemnation of the invasion. 那次侵略遭到了人们普遍的谴责。
• The jury's condemnation was a shock to the suspect. 陪审团宣告有罪使嫌疑犯大为震惊。

3 supervision   

n.监督，管理

参考例句：

• The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
• The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。

4 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 disdain   

n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑

参考例句：

• Some people disdain labour.有些人轻视劳动。
• A great man should disdain flatterers.伟大的人物应鄙视献媚者。

7 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。

8 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

10 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

11 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。