2006年VOA标准英语-US Vetoes UN Resolution Condemning Israeli Gaza
时间：2019-02-06 作者：英语课 分类：2006年VOA标准英语（十一月)
By Peter Heinlein
United Nations
11 November 2006
The United States has used its Security Council veto to block a U.N. draft resolution condemning 1 a deadly Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip. Sponsors of the resolution are planning to take the matter to the General Assembly.
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A Palestinian woman stands atop a bed in a destroyed home Tuesday, November 7, 2006 in the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun
The Arab-backed measure received 10 votes in favor during a special Saturday session of the Security Council. Four countries, Japan, Slovakia, Denmark and Britain abstained 2, and the United States cast the lone 3 "no" vote.
It was the second time this year the United States has used its veto to block passage of a resolution condemning Israeli military operations in the occupied territories.
The Arab-backed measure would have condemned 4 the Israeli attack in Gaza last Wednesday that killed 19 Palestinian civilians 5. It also urged a prompt withdrawal 6 of Israeli forces from the area.
At the same time, the draft called on the Palestinian Authority to halt the firing of rockets into Israel, which Israeli authorities say prompted its military operations.
In casting his veto, America's U.N. Ambassador John Bolton said he was disturbed that the draft resolution was "biased 7 and politically motivated".
US Ambassador to UN John Bolton
"This resolution does not display an even-handed characterization of the recent events in Gaza, nor does it advance the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace," said Mr. Bolton.
Bolton joined other Security Council ambassadors in expressing regret at the death and suffering caused by the Israeli attack. But he said it was impossible for the United States to vote in favor of the resolution because it lacked balance.
"Among many such examples are the following: The pre-ambular text equates 8 Israeli military operations, which are legal, with the firing of rockets into Israel, aimed at civilians, which are acts of terrorism," he added. "Moreover, its characterization of Israeli military actions as excessive and disproportionate constitutes a legal judgment 9 that the Security Council would be ill-advised to make."
The head of the Palestinian observer mission to the U.N., Riyad Mansour, expressed disappointment with the veto. He said the Security Council's failure to act had sent wrong signals to the region.
"You have conveyed today two wrong messages," he said. "For Israel you have conveyed that they can continue to behave above international law. For the Palestinian people, you have conveyed that justice is not being dealt with in proper way with regard to their issue by the Security Council."
Palestinian and other Arab diplomats 10 indicated after Saturday's vote that they would bring the matter to the 192-member General Assembly, where no country has veto power. One Security Council ambassador said a special General Assembly session could be called as early as next week.
- The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。
- I concur with the speaker in condemning what has been done. 我同意发言者对所做的事加以谴责。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- Ten people voted in favour, five against and two abstained. 十人投票赞成，五人反对，两人弃权。
- They collectively abstained (from voting) in the elections for local councilors. 他们在地方议会议员选举中集体弃权。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- A lone sea gull flew across the sky.一只孤独的海鸥在空中飞过。
- She could see a lone figure on the deserted beach.她在空旷的海滩上能看到一个孤独的身影。
- 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。
- The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
- They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。
- a school biased towards music and art 一所偏重音乐和艺术的学校
- The Methods: They employed were heavily biased in the gentry's favour. 他们采用的方法严重偏袒中上阶级。
- He equates success with material wealth. 他认为成功等同于物质财富。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- This equates to increased and vigor, better sleep and sharper mental acuity. 也就是说可以起到增强活力，改善睡眠，提高心智的作用。 来自互联网
- The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
- He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。