VOA标准英语2013--Iran Talks Leave Issues Unresolved

 

Iran Talks Leave Issues Unresolved

The delegates gathered in Kazakhstan amid hopes they would build on the upbeat atmosphere of the last round of talks there in February. Some believed there was a chance of agreement on first steps toward ending the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.

But as EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton noted¹, it didn’t turn out that way. She said, “It became clear the positions of the E3 + 3 and Iran remain far apart on the substance.”

Other participants agreed, but did their best to put a positive spin on the situation. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, “From the point of view of our work, of this process, of the atmosphere of the talks, we have progressed far ahead.”

Iran's chief negotiatior Saeed Jalili said, “Representatives tabled the points of view of their respective countries and announced that they will need to make further assessments².”

The five permanent Security Council members and Germany want an end to Iranian uranium enrichment to near weapons grade - and full U.N. inspections³ to prove it. The Iranians want recognition of their right to enrich uranium, even to weapons grade, and an end to international sanctions.

To some extent, both sides are playing for time until after the Iranian election in June.

But U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said there is a limit, “This is not an interminable process. So we hope that out of Almaty will come a narrowing of some of the differences. Diplomacy⁴ is a painful task and a task for the patient.”

There is concern that if there is no significant progress in the talks, and soon, the United States or Israel could take military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities. And even with two rounds of talks already this year, there is no guarantee of significant progress - according to the nuclear expert at London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies, Mark Firtzpatrick.

“I don’t think 2013 will produce a solution to the Iran nuclear program," said Firtzpatrick. "If it can produce at least a partial agreement, that would be a favorable and welcome development. 2013 could also be a very negative year if Iran does not accept any limits to its program, if it keeps expanding.”

The next indication of which way 2013 will go should come within a few weeks -- when officials consult at long-distance about whether and when to meet again. Until then, Iranian enrichment goes on, the crippling economic sanctions continue,and the two sides remain far apart.

1 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。

2 assessments   

n.评估( assessment的名词复数 )；评价；（应偿付金额的）估定；（为征税对财产所作的）估价

参考例句：

• He was shrewd in his personal assessments. 他总能对人作出精明的评价。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Surveys show about two-thirds use such assessments, while half employ personality tests. 调查表明，约有三分之二的公司采用了这种测评；而一半的公司则采用工作人员个人品质测试。 来自百科语句

3 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 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。