113 叙利亚声称以色列可能发动中东战争

Syrian FM Warns of Mideast War
Laurie Kassman
London
5 Jul 2001 17:40 UTC

Syria's foreign minister was in London to open a two-day business 1)conference aimed at promoting British investment in Syria. But he warned that Israel is leading the Middle East to the 2)brink of war.
Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara'a said the Arab states are not interested in a 3)conflict with Israel. But he accuses Israel of leading the region to war. "What Israel is doing, what it has already done, is a step forward to reach the brink of war, which nobody likes," he said. "But if we are to face that, we will defend ourselves with all the means that we have. And, we hope the Israelis will be wiser than to bring the region to the brink of war."
Syria had made the same 4)accusation last Sunday, after two Syrian soldiers were wounded during an Israeli strike on a Syrian military position in southern Lebanon. Israel had said it was responding to attacks by Syrian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas in a 5)disputed area there.
Mr. Shara'a says he discussed the recent developments with Britain's new foreign secretary, Jack Straw. He told a London news conference the situation in the Middle East is "explosive". He said 6)regional peace is still a long way off. "It's a long way to go. But we are patient," he said. "We are determined not to give up, not to 7)capitulate, no matter how Israel is strong. And time is on our side."
Mr. Shara'a complained about the lack of 8)unity within the European Union concerning the peace process. And he criticizes the U.S. administration for not taking a tougher attitude toward Israel. "As far as the United States is concerned, it's the strongest on earth, but yet it is not using its strength, except to stand by Israel," he said. "This is unfortunate."
Mr. Shara'a says he also talked with Foreign Secretary Straw about the international sanctions policy against Iraq. He repeated Arab concerns the sanctions are not working and should not be continued. Mr. Shara'a 9)dismissed reports that Syria is smuggling Iraqi oil in 10)violation of the current sanctions policy.

(1) conference[5kRnfErEns]n.会议, 讨论会, 协商会
(2) brink[brINk]n.(峭岸、崖的)边缘
(3) conflict[5kRnflIkt]n.斗争, 冲突vi.抵触, 冲突
(4) accusation[Akju:zeIF(E)n]n.谴责, [律]指控
(5) disputed v.争议
(6) regional[5ri:dVEn(E)l]adj.整个地区的
(7) capitulate[kE5pItjJleIt]vi.有条件投降, 认输, 屈服
(8) unity[5ju:nItI]n.团结, 联合, 统一
(9) dismiss[dIs5mIs]vt.解散, 下课, 开除vi.解散
(10) violation[ 9vaIE`leIFEn ]n.违反, 违背, 妨碍