VOA标准英语2008年-Iranian Foreign Minister Optimistic About Key T

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says he expects this weekend's talks in Geneva that will include the participation¹ of a U.S. diplomat² will bring significant progress in negotiations⁴ over Iran's nuclear program. His comment was made during a visit to the Turkish capital Ankara. For VOA, Dorian Jones reports for VOA from Istanbul.
　
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki speaks to the media after talks with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan in Ankara, Turkey, 18 Jul 2008

Iran's nuclear program topped the agenda of talks between the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan.

Mottaki's visit comes ahead of Saturday's meeting in Geneva with the international community over growing concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

Both the United States and Israel suspect Iran of carrying out a secret program to build atomic weapons - a charge denied by Tehran.

But Mottaki, addressing a press conference, expressed optimism about the talks.

The new negotiation³ process, with the participation of a U.S. diplomat, looks positive from the outset, but we hope that is reflected in the talks, he said.

The United States until now had ruled out participating in negotiations with Iran unless it stopped uranium enrichment. But the decision to send senior U.S. diplomat William Burns was described as a positive move by the Iranian foreign minister.
　
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan (File)

Foreign Minister Babacan stressed the importance of talks rather than conflict to resolve the current Iranian tensions.

Dialog and consultations⁵ are necessary to build confidence. We stress the importance of dialog in all of our meetings. We wish for the process to continue successfully, he said.

Mottaki also welcomed reports that Washington may open a diplomatic presence in Tehran for the first time since the Islamic revolution in 1979.

He said, I think there might be an agreement both on the issue of opening a U.S. interest protection bureau in Iran and on the issue of direct flights to Iran.

The U.S. State Department Thursday declined to confirm or deny a report in Britain's Guardian⁶ newspaper that the Bush administration has decided⁷ to set up a diplomatic "interests section" in Tehran. The newspaper said the announcement would be made within the next month.

 

1 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

2 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

3 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。

4 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。

5 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

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。