2006年VOA标准英语-France, US Agree on a UN Ceasefire Resolution i

By Barbara Schoetzau
New York
06 August 2006

France and the United States have presented the U.N. Security Council with a draft resolution aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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Lebanese soldiers stand next to a smoldering¹ armored vehicle that was hit in a missile strike during an Israeli army raid in the port city of Tyre   
  
Diplomats² from the two nations were huddled³ together for days trying to iron out differences to come up with a resolution both could support, working up until just hours before the Security Council meeting Saturday.

They agree on political aspects of the resolution, but were divided over whether to deploy⁴ international troops before or after a ceasefire. The United States sought to delay calls for a ceasefire until after troops were on the ground in a buffer⁵ zone in southern Lebanon. But France wanted a ceasefire first.

French ambassador Jean Marc de la Sabliere told reporters the draft resolution they have negotiated calls for an cessation of hostilities⁶ leading to a permanent ceasefire. "First the text calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and immediate⁷ cessation of Israel a by all offensive military operations. This is very important for the people in Lebanon. They have been suffering and also for the people in the northern part of Israel," he said.

Once the fighting stops, the draft calls for an immediate opening of Lebanon's airports and harbors and international assistance to help more than 700,000 displaced Lebanese return to their homes.

De la Sabliere says the resolution calls on Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and agree on a long-term solution based on the territorial⁸ integrity of both nations, respect for the borders of Lebanon and the disarmament of all armed groups. "We cannot go back to status quo," he said. "Who could imagine that such a drama could happen again? It would be irresponsible. So we have to take the opportunity to help the parties find a lasting⁹ solution so the text addresses a permanent ceasefire."

De la Sabiere called the initial reaction of members to the new text encouraging. But some Arab diplomats raised objections because the resolution does not deal with Israeli forces now in Lebanon or territorial disputes clearly enough. An experts meeting to clarify such issues followed the Security Council discussion and another is scheduled for Sunday.

1 smoldering   

v.用文火焖烧，熏烧，慢燃( smolder的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The mat was smoldering where the burning log had fallen. 燃烧的木棒落下的地方垫子慢慢燃烧起来。 来自辞典例句
• The wood was smoldering in the fireplace. 木柴在壁炉中闷烧。 来自辞典例句

2 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》

3 huddled   

挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
• We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。

4 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

5 buffer   

n.起缓冲作用的人(或物)，缓冲器；vt.缓冲

参考例句：

• A little money can be a useful buffer in time of need.在急需时，很少一点钱就能解燃眉之急。
• Romantic love will buffer you against life's hardships.浪漫的爱会减轻生活的艰辛。

6 hostilities   

n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事

参考例句：

• Mexico called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. 墨西哥要求立即停止敌对行动。
• All the old hostilities resurfaced when they met again. 他们再次碰面时，过去的种种敌意又都冒了出来。

7 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。

8 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

9 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。