VOA标准英语2009年-World Powers Discuss Iran Policy

Representatives from the United States, Russia, China and three European Union nations have been meeting in Germany to discuss steps to take in dealing¹ with Iran and its nuclear program. Analysts³ say there is a shift in tone toward Iran that may translate into tangible⁴ advances with a new administration in Washington.
　
A photo at an undisclosed location of an Iranian satellite launching rocket carrying the satellite 'Omid' into space, 03 Feb 2009

The meeting outside Frankfurt, Germany, of the six powers - the United States, Russia, China, Germany, France and Britain - began two days after Iran announced it had launched its first satellite, notching⁵ up tensions. Iran and world powers have been at odds⁶ over Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran says is meant for peaceful purposes of generating energy, but others fear is aimed at building nuclear weapons.

But there is also a change in tone with the Barack Obama administration signaling a new emphasis on diplomacy⁷.

Shada Islam, a senior analyst² at the European Policy Center in Brussels, says the new tone in Washington will make a difference.

"I think it does make a difference because the general environment under which these talks are taking place is very different from under the Bush administration," Islam said. "We have had President Obama going on television and saying he is ready to talk to Iran as long as Iran comes with an unclenched fist."

"Also, they are ready for direct diplomacy, negotiations⁸, discussions. I think this conveys a completely different ambiance and context for discussions. Having said that, I do not expect quick fixes and miracles. This is going to take time," he added.

Some nations have signaled they are willing to adopt a tougher approach. In a joint⁹ statement published in French and German newspapers, German Chancellor¹⁰ Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said they would support new U.N. sanctions if Iran did not abandon its nuclear program. One option may be commercial sanctions, but Islam believes Europeans may not be enthusiastic about this since a number of European countries depend on Iranian oil and gas.

Shada Islam also believes Iran may not offer a clear response to the Obama administration - at least not right now.

"They have got elections coming up, there is a great deal of rivalry¹¹ within Iran, within the government between the reformists and the conservatives and you have seen they have just launched their first satellite as well," he said. "So I think Iran is always going to be a tough nut to crack, but I think it is worth a try."

In published remarks, a representative of Iran's Supreme¹² Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said strained ties with the United States would not change under President Obama.

1 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

2 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

3 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

4 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

5 notching   

adj.多级的（指继电器）n.做凹口，开槽v.在（某物）上刻V形痕( notch的现在分词 )；赢得；赢取；获得高分

参考例句：

• Results are very linear and free from phase notching. 结果非常线性，没有相位凹口。 来自互联网
• This means that the system only improves, always notching forward, never backsliding. 这意味着系统只能够被改进，总是向前的，从不会倒退。 来自互联网

6 odds   

n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别

参考例句：

• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？

7 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

8 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。

9 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

10 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

11 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。

12 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。