VOA常速英语2008年-Bush, Putin Remain Divided on Missile Defense S

By Paula Wolfson
Sochi, Russia
06 April 2008

U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin have ended their farewell summit without agreement on missile defense¹, but with a blueprint² for their successors.   VOA's Paula Wolfson reports they conferred at Mr. Putin's presidential retreat in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The two presidents ended their talks with a focus on the positive.

They say they will continue to work on the missile defense issue.  And they speak with pride of the transformation³ in U.S.- Russian relations during the more than seven years they have worked together.

The two leaders are leaving behind a framework agreement for their successors spelling out their accomplishments⁴ and looking ahead to the future. 

President Bush says it shows the breadth and depth of the relationship.

"We worked very hard over the past years to find areas where we can work together and find ways to be agreeable when we disagree," Mr. Bush said.

One area where there is strong disagreement is missile defense. The United States wants to build a system in central Europe. Russia says that could start a new arms race.

At their final news conference, they said even though they were unable to reach a breakthrough in Sochi, some sort of meeting of the minds is still possible.

Speaking through a translator, President Putin said he believes the United States understands his concerns about the plan to put a radar⁵ system in the Czech Republic and missile interceptors in Poland.  He said Washington has offered some confidence-building measures that remain under consideration.

"I do have certain cautious optimism with regard to mutual⁶ agreements.  I believe that this is possible.  But the devil is in the details," Mr. Putin said.

President Bush says the two sides have pledged to find a solution, and notes that in the strategic framework signed at the Sochi summit both back the notion of an expanded missile defense network.

"The vision of having a global system is something I strongly support.  We are working cooperatively together," Mr. Bush said.

The two were asked by a reporter if they had decided⁷ during their summit to just leave the matter for their successors to resolve. President Bush rejected the notion.

"Now you can cynically⁸ say it is kicking the can down the road," Mr. Bush said.  "I don't appreciate that because this is an important part of my belief that it is necessary to protect ourselves."

But hanging over their discussions is the fact Mr. Putin steps down as president next month, and Mr. Bush leaves office in January.

On May 7, Dmitri Medvedev will be inaugurated as Russia's new president. While in Sochi, Mr. Bush held his first substantive⁹ talks with Vladimir Putin's successor, and declared himself impressed with the president-elect.

Mr. Putin is expected to serve as prime minister in the new Russian government but he told reporters President Medvedev will be in charge of foreign policy.

"Now as far as your humble¹⁰ servant, myself, if I become prime minister, the prime minister will have many other issues and problems on his agenda," Mr. Putin said.

Dmitri Medvedv will make his big international debut¹¹ in July when he represents Russia at the annual summit of the world's leading industrialized nations.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 blueprint   

n.蓝图，设计图，计划；vt.制成蓝图，计划

参考例句：

• All the machine parts on a blueprint must answer each other.设计图上所有的机器部件都应互相配合。
• The documents contain a blueprint for a nuclear device.文件内附有一张核装置的设计蓝图。

3 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

4 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。

6 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 cynically   

adv.爱嘲笑地，冷笑地

参考例句：

• "Holding down the receiver,'said Daisy cynically. “挂上话筒在讲。”黛西冷嘲热讽地说。 来自英汉文学 - 盖茨比
• The Democrats sensibly (if cynically) set about closing the God gap. 民主党在明智（有些讽刺）的减少宗教引起的问题。 来自互联网

9 substantive   

adj.表示实在的；本质的、实质性的；独立的；n.实词，实名词；独立存在的实体

参考例句：

• They plan to meet again in Rome very soon to begin substantive negotiations.他们计划不久在罗马再次会晤以开始实质性的谈判。
• A president needs substantive advice,but he also requires emotional succor. 一个总统需要实质性的建议，但也需要感情上的支持。

10 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

11 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。