VOA标准英语2008年-No Asian Support for Russian Recognition of Sou

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has failed to give Russia full support for its actions in South Ossetia. VOA Moscow correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports.
　
Presidents of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states pose for a photo during the summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 28 Aug 2008

The summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which groups China, Russia, and four other former Soviet¹ republics, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, concluded with a declaration expressing deep concern of its members over recent tensions in South Ossetia. It urged all sides to peacefully resolve existing problems through dialogue.

While the statement voiced support for what is described as Russia's active role in resolving the conflict in Georgia, presidents of the SCO member states reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of respect for historic and cultural traditions of every country and efforts aimed at the unity² of the state and its territorial³ integrity.

Russia's recognition Tuesday of South Ossetia and Abkhazia violated that principle, relying instead on the competing notion of self-determination of peoples. Russian recognition has been met with harsh criticism from the West.

China, a multi-ethnic state, which has its own concerns about secessionist movements, issued a statement through its Foreign Ministry⁴ on Wednesday recognizing the complicated history and realities in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Beijing has also called for all sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.

No country has followed Russia's lead to recognize Abkhaz and South Ossetian independence.
　
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) speaks at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation⁵ (SCO) in Dushanbe, 28 Aug 2008

SCO support for territorial integrity follows a personal appeal by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to his fellow heads of state.

Mr. Medvedev says the conflict in Georgia is probably the most dramatic episode of recent times. He said it was natural that he would again explain to his SCO partners what really happened, because the picture presented by Western media was, according to the Russian leader, substantially different in terms of identifying the aggressor, and who should bear political, moral, and legal responsibility for what happened. He adds that SCO leaders were grateful to hear his remarks.

Russian television had announced a news conference by summit participants would be broadcast live, but viewers were told the event was delayed and would begin shortly. Subsequently, the president of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon was shown, live, announcing the news conference was over. Russian television did not offer any explanation for the dropped coverage⁶.

The United States and other Western nations are calling for Russia to withdraw all of its troops from a controversial buffer⁷ zone around South Ossetia, which gives Moscow a military presence in undisputed Georgian territory.

France, which now holds the European Union's rotating presidency⁸, has called a special EU summit meeting for Monday to discuss the Georgian crisis. Speaking to reporters in the Tajik capital, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused his French counterpart, Bernard Kouchner, of having a sick and confused imagination for suggesting that Russia could threaten Moldova, Ukraine and its Crimean peninsula.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001. It holds annual summits to discuss trade and economic issues and also mutual⁹ problems such as drug trafficking.

 

1 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。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 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。

4 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

5 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

6 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

7 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。

8 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

9 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。