2007年VOA标准英语-Britain Hails Release of 15 British Sailors and

By Sonja Pace
London
04 April 2007

British Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed Wednesday the release of 15 detainees by Iran, saying London wanted to peacefully resolve disputes with Tehran. The British navy crew was seized by Iranian forces nearly two weeks ago in what Tehran says were Iranian territorial¹ waters in the Gulf². VOA's Sonja Pace reports from London.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greets soon to be released British sailor, Wednesday 04 Apr 2007

"A gift to the British people," was how President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described the decision to free the 15 sailors and marines.

Mr. Ahmadinejad said the naval³ crew was pardoned. He also said he was "saddened" by what he called Britain's violation⁴ of Iranian waters.

After his news conference, Mr. Ahmadinejad went directly to a meeting with the sailors and marines, who are expected to leave Tehran on Thursday.

In London, Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the decision.

"I'm glad that our 15 service personnel have been released," he said. "Throughout, we have taken a measured approach, firm but calm, not negotiating, but not confronting either."

Britain has all along insisted the sailors were in Iraqi, not Iranian, waters when they were captured. In his brief statement to reporters, Mr. Blair did not apologize nor did he directly thank the Iranian president or government for the decision, but he did address himself to the Iranian people.

"We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilization, as a nation with a proud and dignified⁵ history and the disagreements we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue," said Mr. Blair. "I hope, as I have always hoped, that in the future, we are able to do so."

Even though intensive discussions were known to be taking place between London and Tehran, President Ahmadinejad's sudden announcement came as a surprise.

He revealed the decision at a lengthy⁶ news conference in Tehran, during which he made numerous references to Islamic religious verses and also chastised⁷ the West, particularly Britain and the United States for its actions and policies.

At one point, he praised the Revolutionary Guard crew responsible for the capture of the British sailors nearly two weeks ago. He also gave a medal to the Guard commander.

In Washington, a U.S. State Department spokesman also welcomed the Iranian decision to release the 15 sailors and marines.

1 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。

2 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

3 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

4 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

5 dignified   

a.可敬的，高贵的

参考例句：

• Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
• He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。

6 lengthy   

adj.漫长的，冗长的

参考例句：

• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
• The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。

7 chastised   

v.严惩（某人）（尤指责打）( chastise的过去式 )

参考例句：

• He chastised the team for their lack of commitment. 他指责队伍未竭尽全力。
• The Securities Commission chastised the firm but imposed no fine. 证券委员会严厉批评了那家公司，不过没有处以罚款。 来自辞典例句