VOA标准英语 Obama Addresses Turkish Parliament, Reaches Out to M

U.S. President Barack Obama said he wants better relations with the Muslim world in general, and Turkey in particular. Mr. Obama used a speech to the Turkish parliament to try and repair ties strained by the Iraq War.

Barack Obama said he came to Turkey at the end of his first overseas trip as president for a reason.

"Some people have asked me if I chose to continue my travels to Ankara and Istanbul to send a message to the world. My answer is simple: "evet "…yes," he said.
　
President Obama addresses the Turkish parliament in Ankara, 06 Apr 2009

Standing¹ before Turkish parliamentarians, he said he wants to restore trust not just between the United States and Turkey, but America and the Muslim world.

"Let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not and will never be at war with Islam," he said.

The president said America seeks a partnership² based on mutual³ interests and mutual respect. Mr. Obama promised to listen and seek common ground, even in areas of deep disagreement.

"We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. And we will convey our deep appreciation⁴ for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over so many centuries to shape the world - including my own country", he said. "The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their families, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country - I know, because I am one of them," he added.

White House officials said this was not the president's long-awaited speech to the Muslim world, although it is being seen as part of his outreach to members of the Islamic faith.

Most of his remarks dealt specifically with U.S. Turkish relations.

The president spoke⁵ of Turkey as a critical ally and an important part of Europe. He stressed its role as a bridge between cultures, and its unique position as a large secular⁶ democracy with a 99 percent majority Muslim population.
　
Pres. Obama, Turkish PM Erdrogan walk after the president's address to Turkish parliament's General Assembly, 06 Apr 2009 in Ankara

"Turkey's greatness lies in your ability to be at the center of things. This is not where East and West divide. This is where they come together," he said.

Mr. Obama said he supports Turkey's bid to join the European Union, which faces opposition⁷ from Germany and France. He said the E.U. has nothing to fear and much to gain by adding Turkey to its ranks.

"Europe gains by diversity of ethnicity, tradition and faith - it is not diminished by it. And Turkish membership would broaden and strengthen Europe's foundation once more," he said.

The president talked not just about Turkey's future but its past, alluding⁸ to perhaps the most controversial moment in its history - the widespread killings⁹ of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915.

Historians call the killings the first genocide of the 20th century. But Turkey says the Armenians were victims of a civil war, and lives were lost on both sides.

As a candidate for president, Barack Obama said he would sign an Armenian genocide resolution pending¹⁰ in the U.S. congress. But in Ankara he said he will set his personal views aside, and let the Turks and Armenians settle the matter themselves.

"We are going to be a partner in working through these issues in such a way that the most important parties - the Turks and the Armenians - are finally coming to terms in a constructive¹¹ way."

The president never used the word "genocide" during his stay in the Turkish capital. He noted¹² discussions are underway between the parties involved and he wants them to bear fruit.

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 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。

4 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

5 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

6 secular   

n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的

参考例句：

• We live in an increasingly secular society.我们生活在一个日益非宗教的社会。
• Britain is a plural society in which the secular predominates.英国是个世俗主导的多元社会。

7 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

8 alluding   

提及，暗指( allude的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He didn't mention your name but I was sure he was alluding to you. 他没提你的名字，但是我确信他是暗指你的。
• But in fact I was alluding to my physical deficiencies. 可我实在是为自己的容貌寒心。

9 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

10 pending   

prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的

参考例句：

• The lawsuit is still pending in the state court.这案子仍在州法庭等待定夺。
• He knew my examination was pending.他知道我就要考试了。

11 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

12 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。