VOA慢速英语2014 联合国机构称伊朗转换浓缩铀形式
时间：2018-12-08 作者：英语课 分类：2014年VOA慢速英语(七)月
AS IT IS 2014-07-30 UN Agency: Iran Converts Enriched Uranium 联合国机构称伊朗转换浓缩铀形式
The UN Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has converted, or changed, its enriched uranium into a less-dangerous form that is more difficult to use for nuclear weapons. The action is part of a deal reached with Western powers on Iran’s nuclear program last year. In exchange, economic restrictions 1, or sanctions, on Iran were reduced, although they were not cancelled.
Enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons. Iran has said that it is not trying to make nuclear bombs. It has said its nuclear program is for civilian 2 use.
The IAEA report comes after Iran and Western powers agreed to wait until as late as November to reach a long-term agreement on the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
Mark Fitzpatrick is the director of the non-proliferation and disarmament program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He says it will be difficult to reach an agreement by then.
“They were able to agree to cap the sanctions, to cap the enrichment program, but Iran would not agree to roll it back, to make any reductions. And that was the sticking point.”
Catherine Ashton is the European Union foreign minister. She says there is much to be negotiated before an agreement can be reached.
“While we’ve made tangible 3 progress on some of the issues and have worked together on a text for a Joint 4 Comprehensive Plan of Action, there are still significant gaps on some core issues which will require more time and effort.”
Ms. Ashton will leave her position before the end of the year. This could hurt future negotiations 5. Mr. Fitzpatrick is not sure that an agreement can be reached in the next four months.
“But in the meantime, Iran’s program is capped. They’re not going to get any closer to being able to develop a weapon. And of course they say that’s not their purpose anyway. So diplomacy 6 has been working, the program has been capped. We don’t have a solution; we’re not likely to have a solution. In four months, maybe we have to reassess and cap and extend it again.”
The United States will remove controls on $2.8 billion of Iranian property because of Iran’s decision to convert its enriched uranium. But sanctions against Iran will remain.
Western powers and Iran have not yet decided 7 when or where the next talks will take place. However, they say the talks will happen in the next few weeks.
- I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
- a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制
- There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
- He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。