Syria Cease-fire Deal Draws Skepticism as Russian Airstrikes Continue
时间：2019-01-14 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2016年(二月)
Syria Cease-fire Deal Draws Skepticism as Russian Airstrikes Continue
LONDON—
World powers meeting in Munich have agreed on a cessation of hostilities 1 in Syria, to begin in one week. But many observers are skeptical 2, and warn that Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, could exploit the deal.
After five years of war and close to half-a-million people killed, a faint sign of hope the slaughter 3 may stop. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced the cease-fire deal in Munich Friday.
Cessation of fighting
"We’ve agreed to implement 4 a nationwide cessation of hostilities to begin in a target of one week's time. That’s ambitious, but everybody is determined 5 to move as rapidly as possible to try to achieve this,“ he said.
Kerry’s Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, emphasized there were still differences with Washington.
He said the key in Syria is to have direct contacts for cooperation between the army, the U.S.-led coalition 6 and the Russian army – which, he added, is in Syria at the invitation of the legitimate 7 government.
Under the deal, operations against terrorist groups like Islamic State militants 8 will continue.
In reality, Syrian government and Russian airstrikes have targeted all opposition 9 groups, said Karen von Hippel, director of Britain’s Royal United Services Institute and the former Chief of Staff to U.S. General John Allen, who led the fight against Islamic State until stepping down last year.
“The Russian pattern is, they have not been sincere about any of these peace overtures 10. They have been using every single opportunity to gain territory and to really just almost carpet-bomb Syrians,” said Von Hippel.
Russia said it only targets extremist groups. But the bombardment has been stepped up against the rebel stronghold of Aleppo, which is now almost encircled by Syrian regime forces.
Geopolitical stakes
While Russia and Iran are providing military support to the Syrian government, Sunni states like Saudi Arabia – along with Western powers including the U.S. and Britain – are supporting opposition forces. The geopolitical stakes are rising, said Von Hippel.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a Russian helicopter gunship gets shot down in the coming weeks or if several of them get shot down," she added. "Not necessarily by opposition forces on their own, but with the support of countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or even Turkey.”
Analysts 11 say a cessation of fighting would provide relief for Syrian’s desperate civilians 12 – and also a pause for breath in a spiraling proxy 13 war. The agreement on paper is yet to be implemented 14 on the ground.
- Mexico called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. 墨西哥要求立即停止敌对行动。
- All the old hostilities resurfaced when they met again. 他们再次碰面时，过去的种种敌意又都冒了出来。
- Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
- Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。
- I couldn't stand to watch them slaughter the cattle.我不忍看他们宰牛。
- Wholesale slaughter was carried out in the name of progress.大规模的屠杀在维护进步的名义下进行。
- Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
- The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。
- 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。
- The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
- Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。
- Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
- That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。
- 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。
- The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
- The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
- Their government is making overtures for peace. 他们的政府正在提出和平建议。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He had lately begun to make clumsy yet endearing overtures of friendship. 最近他开始主动表示友好，样子笨拙却又招人喜爱。 来自辞典例句
- City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
- I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。
- the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
- At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。
- You may appoint a proxy to vote for you.你可以委托他人代你投票。
- We enclose a form of proxy for use at the Annual General Meeting.我们附上委任年度大会代表的表格。
- This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句