VOA常速英语:Palestinian Flag Raised over UNESCO HQ

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said he would continue to push for full United Nations membership after savoring one symbolic victory for his statehood bid, watching his flag fly over the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In a moment fraught with symbolism, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stood under a pelting rain watching as his red, black, green and white flag slowly rose for the first time over the headquarters of a United Nations agency.

Abbas was greeted by thunderous applause by foreign dignitaries and journalists, gathered at the Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to celebrate the agency's latest member. In a push for Mr. Abbas' larger statehood bid, UNESCO's general assembly voted in October to admit Palestine as its 195th member, over strong objections by Israel and the United States.

Israel temporarily froze the transfer of funds to the Palestinian territories. Washington has suspended its funding to the UN agency, arguing only a peace treaty can establish an internationally recognized Palestinian state.

But UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova said she hoped the Palestinian membership would pave the way for peace in the Middle East.

"This new membership must be a chance for all to join together around shared values and renewed ambitions for peace. In this spirit, Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome Palestine to UNESCO," said Bokova.

Abbas offered similarly upbeat remarks.  Abbas described the day as an important marker in Palestinian history, one he hoped would usher in chances for greater freedom, justice and peace.

At a news conference later, the Palestinian leader said negotiations were continuing for full United Nations membership and to join more than a dozen other international organizations, but offered no time tables. Abbas applied for full UN recognition in September.

Washington contributes nearly a quarter of UNESCO's annual budget, and its funding freeze has left the agency strapped for cash. Among other areas, UNESCO oversees world cultural heritage sites and educational and scientific exchanges.

Abbas also held talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is pushing for an upgrade of Palestine's UN status to just short of full statehood.

词汇讲解：

1. savor vt. 品尝;欣赏;【喻】品味
例句：He savored his success.
他回味自己的成就。

2. bid n. 企图，试图；尝试；努力；争取
例句：He made a bid for freedom by climbing over the wall.
他企图翻越这面高墙以获得自由。

3. pelt vi. (雨等)急降,猛落
例句：The rain pelted down.
天下着大雨。

4. applause n. 热烈鼓掌, 喝彩
例句：His every sentence was followed by a burst of applause.
他的每一句话都赢得一阵掌声。

5. objection n.反对, 异议; 厌恶；反对的理由
例句：Please present your objection to the plan.
请提出反对这个计划的理由。

6. suspend vt. 使中止
例句：Trade with that country was suspended for ten years.
和那个国家的贸易中断了十年。

7. recognize vt. 正式承认;认可,认定
例句：Many countries recognized the new government.
许多国家承认了新政府。

8. upbeat adj. 令人乐观的;欢快的
例句：We got some upbeat news yesterday.
我们昨天得到一些令人鼓舞的消息。

9. usher vt. 引,领;招待;陪同; 迎接; 预报...的来到;开辟,创始
例句：The Viennese ushered in the New Year with a concert of music by Strauss.
维也纳人举行施特劳斯音乐会迎来了新年。

10. heritage n. 继承物;遗留物;传统
例句：We must take care to preserve our national heritage.
我们必须注意保护自己的民族遗产。

短语讲解：

1. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said he would continue to push for full United Nations membership after savoring one symbolic victory for his statehood bid, watching his flag fly over the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

push for急切、强烈地要求, 为…奋力争取
例句：We were pushed for time and had to quit some place to visit.
由于时间紧迫, 我们只好放弃一些地方不去参观了。

2. In a moment fraught with symbolism, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stood under a pelting rain watching as his red, black, green and white flag slowly rose for the first time over the headquarters of a United Nations agency.

fraught with充满
例句：The journey was fraught with difficulties.
旅途充满艰辛。

3. But UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova said she hoped the Palestinian membership would pave the way for peace in the Middle East.

pave the way for为...铺路
例句：Such opinions pave the way for social change.
这种主张为社会变革铺路。

4. Abbas described the day as an important marker in Palestinian history, one he hoped would usher in chances for greater freedom, justice and peace.

describe as描述为
例句：His employer had described him as lacking in initiative and drive.
雇主说他缺乏进取心和干劲。

5. Abbas applied for full UN recognition in September.

apply for申请
例句：He applied for a passport.
他申请护照。

6. Washington contributes nearly a quarter of UNESCO's annual budget, and its funding freeze has left the agency strapped for cash.

strap for cash 缺钱；手头紧
例句：I can’t come to the cinema tonight—I’m a bit strapped for cash.
今晚我不能去看电影了——我手头有点紧。

7. Abbas also held talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is pushing for an upgrade of Palestine's UN status to just short of full statehood.

short of缺少; 不远, 差一点; 除了…之外
例句：We stopped a mile short of the top.
我们在离山顶一英里的地方停了下来。