President Bush Urges Iran to Reconsider Nuclear Offer
布什晤萨尔科奇磋商伊朗问题
U.S. President George Bush is calling on Iran's leaders to drop their objections to a modified package of incentives put forward by the five UN permanent Security Council members plus Germany. The dispute over Iran's nuclear program and other Mideast issues dominated the agenda when Mr. Bush met with French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
The president is touring Europe in an effort to win even more support for U.S. policies on the Middle East.
布什这次欧洲之行是为了给美国的中东政策赢得更多支持。
He is urging unity on Iran, where a government spokesman has rejected the set of incentives delivered to Tehran by the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana. The spokesman says Iran will not suspend uranium enrichment.
President Bush says he is disappointed. "It's an indication to the Iranian people that their leadership is willing to isolate them further," said Mr. Bush, "and our view is we want the Iranian people to flourish."
Iran was one of many international issues that dominated Mr. Bush's talks with French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
伊朗和其它一些国际议题成为布什同法国总统萨尔科奇讨论的焦点。
At a joint press conference in Paris, both leaders expressed their strong support for Lebanese sovereignty. Mr. Bush also called on Syria to not only stop its interference in Lebanon's affairs, but to rethink ties between Damascus and Tehran. "My message would be stop fooling around with the Iranians and stop harboring terrorists," he said.
Mr. Bush was also asked about the prospect for a U.S. security agreement with Iraq, which would provide a legal basis for American troops to remain after the current U.N. mandate expires. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says negotiations are deadlocked.
The president said he remains hopeful. "If I was a betting man, [I would say] we will reach an agreement with the Iraqis," he added.
但是布什说,他依然对谈判抱有希望。他说:“如果让我赌,我会说,我们会和伊拉克达成协议。”
The Iraq war created tensions between the United States and France which have eased since Nicholas Sarkozy became French president last year. He says both the American and French governments are known for their strong opinions, but they have realized they can listen and learn from each other.