VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton: US Still Seeks Iran Dialogue Desp

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the Obama administration still seeks dialogue with Iran despite what she called the Tehran government's deplorable and unacceptable use of violence to quell¹ election protests. In a foreign policy speech, Clinton also left open the prospect² of talks with moderate elements of Afghanistan's Taliban movement.
　
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, 15 Jul 2009

Clinton said the crackdown on those protesting the announced results of last months presidential election puts a new complexion³ on the Iranian government in the way it is perceived internationally.

But, she nonetheless said the United States should engage directly with Tehran authorities on issues like Iran's nuclear program and support for terrorism to determine if it wants to become a responsible member of the world community or continue on a path to further isolation⁴.

The Secretary addressed the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington in a policy speech marking the upcoming six-month anniversary of the new administration, and on the eve of a key overseas trip by Clinton to India and Thailand.

Her speech and ensuing question and answer session stressed the Obama administration's exercise of so-called smart power that puts the use of diplomacy⁵ and developmental aid on a par⁶ with the military might.

She said that on Iran, the Bush administration made a mistake by refusing nuclear talks with Iran and outsourcing the policy process to others.

"Direct talks provide the best vehicle for presenting and explaining that choice," said Clinton. "That is why we offered Iran's leaders an unmistakable opportunity. Iran does not have a right to nuclear military capacity. We're determined⁷ to prevent that."

"But it does have a right to civil nuclear power if it reestablishes the confidence of the international community that it will use its program exclusively for peaceful purposes. Iran can become a constructive⁸ actor in the region if it stops threatening its neighbors and supporting terrorism," she added.

Clinton, who leaves Washington late Thursday on her first mission to India as secretary, told her audience she also plans a visit to Pakistan in the fall, where in both countries the struggle against Islamic extremism in the region will be a key issue.

She said U.S. national security as well as the future of Afghanistan depends on a stable, democratic and economically-viable Pakistan and that Washington applauds Pakistan's new determination to deal with militants⁹ who threaten that country.

She said the United States is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan because it protects al-Qaeda, but made clear it is open to dealing¹⁰ with Taliban supporters willing to break with terrorists.

"We understand that not all those who fight with the Taliban support al-Qaeda or believe in the extremist policies the Taliban pursued while in power," she said. "And today we and our Afghan allies stand ready to welcome anyone supporting the Taliban who renounces¹¹ al-Qaeda, lays down their arms and is willing to participate in the free and open society that is enshrined in the Afghan constitution."

The Secretary also stressed the Obama administration's renewed effort led by special envoy¹² and former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

She repeated U.S. calls on Israel to stop settlement activity and the Palestinians to end incitement¹³ and bolster¹⁴ security. But she said the broader Arab world also needs to act now and emulate¹⁵ steps by the late leaders of Egypt and Jordan for outreach to Israel to create a climate for peace.

"Anwar Sadat and King Hussein crossed important thresholds, and their boldness and vision mobilized peace constituencies in Israel and paved the way for lasting¹⁶ agreements," said the secretary of state. "By providing support to the Palestinians, and offering an opening however modest the Israelis, the Arab states could have the same impact."

The Secretary, due to join ASEAN and other regional foreign ministers in security talks in Thailand on her trip, said the administration is helping¹⁷ organize a tougher joint¹⁸ effort to get North Korea back to negotiations¹⁹ for a de-nuclearized Korean peninsula.

1 quell   

v.压制，平息，减轻

参考例句：

• Soldiers were sent in to quell the riots.士兵们被派去平息骚乱。
• The armed force had to be called out to quell violence.不得不出动军队来镇压暴力行动。

2 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

3 complexion   

n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格

参考例句：

• Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
• Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。

4 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

5 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。

6 par   

n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的

参考例句：

• Sales of nylon have been below par in recent years.近年来尼龙织品的销售额一直不及以往。
• I don't think his ability is on a par with yours.我认为他的能力不能与你的能力相媲美。

7 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

8 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。

9 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

10 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。

11 renounces   

v.声明放弃( renounce的第三人称单数 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃

参考例句：

• Japan renounces all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores. 日本放弃对福尔摩沙（台湾）及澎湖的一切权利，主张（名称）及所有权。 来自互联网
• He renounces Christianity, temporarily straining his relationship with his parents. 他放弃了基督教信仰，从而与父母的关系暂时变得紧张。 来自互联网

12 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

13 incitement   

激励； 刺激； 煽动； 激励物

参考例句：

• incitement to racial hatred 种族仇恨的挑起
• Interest is an incitement to study. 兴趣刺激学习。

14 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

15 emulate   

v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿

参考例句：

• You must work hard to emulate your sister.你必须努力工作，赶上你姐姐。
• You must look at the film and try to emulate his behavior.你们必须观看这部电影，并尽力模仿他的动作。

16 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

17 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

18 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。

19 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。