VOA标准英语2008年-Georgia says Russia Acting 'Imperialist'

Georgians are reacting with a mixture of concern and fury at the Russia's decision to recognize the independence of two separatist territories within Georgia. VOA's Peter Heinlein in Tbilisi reports senior Georgian officials are urging the West to view the Kremlin's action as proof that Russian imperialism¹ is again on the rise.
　
Georgian Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobashvili speaks at a press briefing in Tbilisi (File)

Georgia's State Minister for Reintegration Temur Yakobashvili says Russia's recognition of independence for the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia means the war that broke out this month between the two countries is continuing.

Speaking to VOA, Yakobashvili urged the West to react strongly.

"Now we know what Russians really wanted, now it is clear that it is not about Abkhazia and South Ossetia, it is about Georgia and Russia. Know we know it is about Russian imperialism. Now we know that it is about Russia's ambitions, so I think that it is high time for the West to understand that this is not about only Georgia's job, but it is largely should be the concern of the West, because it is a war of values," he said.

Fighting broke out in South Ossetia's capital, Tskhinvali the first week of August. Russia responded by sending troops deep into Georgian territory. They captured the city of Gori, just 55 kilometers from the capital, Tbilisi, and held it for several days before retreating in the face of strong international pressure.

News agencies reported celebratory gunfire and people streaming into the streets in both the Ossetian and Abkhazian capitals when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced he was officially recognizing the independence of the regions.

But in Tbilisi, the reaction was almost unanimously one of anger, and pleas for the West to come to the aid of Georgia, a former Soviet² republic of 4.5 million people on the southern flank of its much larger neighbor, Russia.

Maka Piranishvili, 22, arrived in Tbilisi only a day earlier after enduring the Russian siege of her hometown, Gori. She insisted the breakaway territories are Georgian, but said Georgia is helpless in the face of Russia's military and diplomatic offensive.

"Georgia cannot defend from Russia," she said. "We need help from the whole world. President Medvedev must not decide about independence of Ossetia and Abkhazia."

The United States and Europe are making a strong show of diplomatic and moral support for Georgia, but have shown no interest in a military confrontation³ with Russia over Georgia.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called an emergency European Union summit for next week to consider strategies for persuading Russia to withdraw troops still controlling Georgian territory.

Washington has sent a steady stream of high-level visitors to the region to underline its backing, and has delivered more than $21 million in aid to Georgians displaced by the Russian military incursion.
　
Cindy McCain, right, the wife of US presidential candidate John McCain, is seen at a refugee center in Tbilisi, Georgia, 26 Aug 2008

Among the latest prominent Americans visiting Tbilisi is Cindy McCain, the wife of U.S. Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain. She toured camps for the internally displaced in the company of Georgia's first lady, Sandra Saakashvili.

Mrs. McCain told reporters her job was to make sure the international community does not forget what is going on in Georgia, and to shine a light on the hardship of people left homeless by the destruction caused when Russian troops roared through their towns and villages this month.

"The only place these people want to be is home, and they cannot go home because of what has happened to them, and because the situation that the Russians have caused. Our goal as humanitarians⁴ is to do the best we can to give them a solid life with food, clothing and self esteem⁵ until we can get them back into their homes," she said.

The recent stream of American visitors has included Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Democratic vice⁶ presidential candidate, Senator Joe Biden, and a host of Congressional delegations⁷.

Others currently in the Georgian capital include Undersecretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Reuben Jeffrey, and the President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Robert Mosbacher. They are here for a signing ceremony on an agreement pledging U.S. financing for a feasibility study on development of Georgia's substantial coal methane⁸ reserves.

 

1 imperialism   

n.帝国主义，帝国主义政策

参考例句：

• They held the imperialism in contempt.他们鄙视帝国主义。
• Imperialism has not been able to subjugate China.帝国主义不能征服中国。

2 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

3 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。

4 humanitarians   

n.慈善家( humanitarian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Finally, humanitarians saw it as a means of helping to feed the hungry of the world. 人道主义者把这一计划看成是为世界上那些忍饥挨饿的人提供粮食的一项措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• All humanitarians fought against slavery. 所有人道主义者都为反对奴隶制而斗争过。 来自互联网

5 esteem   

n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• The veteran worker ranks high in public love and esteem.那位老工人深受大伙的爱戴。

6 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

7 delegations   

n.代表团( delegation的名词复数 )；委托，委派

参考例句：

• In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来，中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

8 methane   

n.甲烷，沼气

参考例句：

• The blast was caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited.爆炸是由数袋甲烷气体着火引起的。
• Methane may have extraterrestrial significance.甲烷具有星际意义。