voa标准英语2008-Russian Naval Ships Arrive in Cuba
时间：2019-01-13 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2008年(十二月)
Russia's ship, Admiral Chabanenko, arrives at Havana bay, 19 Dec 2008
Cuban soldiers fired ceremonial shots to welcome the three ships as they steamed into Havana Bay on Friday. The naval 2 group is led by the Admiral Chabanenko, an advanced destroyer built for anti-submarine combat. Cuban state media said the Russian crews will spend nearly five days in Cuba for meetings and cultural exchanges.
It is the first time Russian warships have visited Cuba since the fall of the Soviet 3 Union, which was one of Havana's main supporters for decades.
A Show of Force?
Frank Mora of the National War College in Washington said he was surprised that Cuba's government agreed to the military visit.
"The Cubans are more than willing to engage the Russians on a whole range of economic and technological 4 cooperation agreements. But they are much more reluctant to engage on military-to-military or security cooperation," he said.
Mora said relations between Havana and Moscow have suffered since the fall of the Soviet Union. Cuba has been seeking other international partners in recent years, and there are indications it is more eager to repair ties with the United States than to provoke new conflicts.
Russia on the other hand has sought to challenge Washington, for example on its policies regarding the Georgia conflict four months ago and missile defense 5 programs in Europe. Mora said the voyage of the Russian naval ships to Cuba and other Latin American countries is clearly intended as a show of force, intended for Washington.
US: No Cause for Concern
U.S. officials at the State Department and the Pentagon said the Russian warships are not a cause for concern.
Frank Mora said Cuba's government may have reluctantly agreed to the Russian visit to build goodwill 6 for future Russian investments in Cuba's oil and nickel industries.
"There are other kinds of things the Cubans are happy to receive. But the depth and breadth of those investments is questionable 7, as the Russians just devalued their currency twice in one week," said Mora.
Russian warships at Venezuela's La Guaira harbor, 25 Nov 2008
The drop in world oil prices has hit Russia and other oil-producing nations especially hard. Mora said the downturn may force Moscow to scale back promises to support infrastructure 8 projects in Nicaragua and cooperation deals with Venezuela.
The Russian warships also visited Venezuela last month for joint 9 training exercises with Venezuela's navy.
- The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
- The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。
- He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
- The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。
- Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
- Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。
- A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
- Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。
- The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
- The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。
- His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。
- We paid ￡10,000 for the shop,and ￡2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店，两千英镑买下了它的信誉。
- There are still a few questionable points in the case.这个案件还有几个疑点。
- Your argument is based on a set of questionable assumptions.你的论证建立在一套有问题的假设上。
- We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
- We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。