Hello and welcome back. Im Jim Tedder in Washington, with a program designed to help you learn and improve your American English. At the same time, you can stay up to date on some important issues that are taking place around the world. Today we look at the uneasy situation in Ukraine, and find out what a major world power has to say.
Then we hear about some influential American lawmakers who are trying to connect the politics and economics of Venezuela with the situation in Cuba.
Good or bad, its our world, and well bring it to you ...As It Is.
First we turn to Ukraine. The situation there seems to change from day to day. This week, China repeated its call for calm in the area. This came after a disputed referendum in which a large majority of Crimean voters are said to have marked ballots in support of leaving Ukraine and joining Russia.
The issues of separatism and self-rule are very sensitive ones in China. Experts have been closely watching to see how China reacts to the referendum. s Christopher Cruise has been watching the situation closely, and he joins us with some important information.
On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry said the international community should help ease tensions in the area. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China always respects each countrys territorial claims.
Chinas official answer to the crisis in Ukraine has been very interesting for China watchers. They say Russia has failed to honor two of Chinas most important diplomatic values: non-interference in other countries affairs, and protection of territorial rights. Observers note that Russia sent military forces to the area after Ukrainian lawmakers ousted the countrys president. Later, the Russian government called for a referendum on Crimeas future.
China is an ally of Russia at the United Nations. It could have voted against a Security Council resolution that called the referendum in Crimea illegal. But China decided not to vote at all. The measure was not approved because Russia blocked it. But some experts say the decision not to vote showed a Chinese lack of support for the Russian government.
But observers in China dismiss such talk. Feng Shaolei is the director of the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University.
Feng Shaolei says the two countries agree on the causes of the crisis. And, he says, they have learned more about each others position. Mr. Feng says China has been careful in its reaction to the crisis because it understands the complexities in the Crimea.
The idea of a popular vote to decide a countrys territory is a very sensitive one in China. Separatism is an extremist ideology among Chinese officials. Such ideas could be considered a threat to the Chinese governments rule in areas like Xinjiang or Tibet. China does not permit any political movements that support separatism within its borders. Im Christopher Cruise.
New Problems for Venezuela and Cuba?
Half way around the world, we also find unrest in the South American country of Venezuela. For the past month, thousands of people have protested what they say is a worsening quality of life. The Venezuelan government has reacted with violence.
Cuban American politicians in the United States, are among the loudest critics of the Venezuelan government. The politicians have denounced Venezuelas violent repressions of anti-government demonstrations. Cuban American members of Congress have led efforts to punish the Venezuelan leadership. And these lawmakers may also want to cause problems in Cuba.
The three are Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida, and two Senators: Marco Rubio, also of Florida, and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.
The proposed sanctions include banning visas and barring Venezuelan leaders from using any money or property held in the United States. The lawmakers say these measures will send a message condemning the use of force against anti-government protesters.
William LeoGrande is a specialist in Latin American politics at the American University in Washington, DC. He says the goal of the sanctions is to break up Venezuelas alliance with Cuba. One way is to end the flow of low-priced Venezuelan oil to Cuba.
If the current government of Venezuela were to be overthrown, a conservative government would probably cut that assistance to Cuba and thereby destabilize the situation in Cuba. That, I think, is what conservative Cuban-Americans are after.
There is public anger in Venezuela about food shortages, high inflation and the high crime rate. This anger has fueled sometimes violent demonstrations in the country. Venezuelas leaders blame the United States for inciting and supporting such protests. But U.S. officials have denied any such involvement.
In a video on the Youtube website, Senator Rubio blamed Cuba for helping to organize Venezuelas use of force against protesters.
Hes protesting against the government of Venezuela, which are puppets of Havana, completely infiltrated by Cubans and agents from Havana. Not agents, openly, foreign military affairs officials.
Carl Meacham is the director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He says this claim fails to truthfully describe the long alliance between Cuba and Venezuela. The countries grew closer during the presidency of Hugo Chavez, who died last year.
So I think that even though that relationship is clear and that partnership is beneficial to both countries, I think the Venezuelans are in the drivers seat of the developments we are seeing.
Some members of the United States Congress want to take steps against Venezuela because of its ties to Cuba. But observers say wider support for sanctions is the result of a desire to find a peaceful end to the conflict in Venezuela and to avoid possible unrest in the area.
Before we move on, here is just a bit of American history. On this day in 1848, Wyatt Earp was born. He became one of this countrys most famous lawmen. He was also a very large part of the old west, and will be known forever for his quickness with a pistol at the gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
Today in San Juan Capistrano, California, folks will be squinting their eyes and craning their necks to look for the swallows, small beautiful birds, to return. They come back every year, and some stories say they have done so, since 1776.
And way down yonder in New Orleans, Louisiana, a book festival is underway to honor American writer Tennessee Williams. If you want to read a real classic, try to find A Streetcar Named Desire by Mr. Williams at your local library or book store.
Thats all for now, but more Learning English programs are on the way. And there is world news at the beginning of the hour on . Im Jim Tedder in Washington. See you tomorrow!
习近平为中东发展开中国处方
高二年级英语学科寒假作业(2015—2016)
2015—2016高中二年级英语寒假作业试题
最新小学一年级寒假作业英语
新高三英语学科寒假作业精编
高一年级寒假英语试卷(2015—2016)
2015—2016高一英语上册寒假试题
高一英语寒假作业检测题精选
朝鲜发明了可以“防止宿醉”的人参酒
2016一年级上册英语寒假作业
小学一年级上册英语寒假作业
小学一年级上册英语寒假作业人教版
2016年英语高三寒假作业参考答案
高一年级英语寒假作业题
高二英语寒假作业语法题
美科学家称发现太阳系第九行星
2016年高一英语寒假作业设计
2016年高二英语精选寒假作业题
英国国家电视奖揭晓 《唐顿庄园》获最佳剧情
互动图表看出你的寿命及潜在死因
“拍脑袋决定”当选澳大利亚2015年度热词
会不会时常“被杂物淹没”?
经常走神?说明你太聪明了
高三英语寒假作业答案参考
2016高二上学期英语寒假作业
过年亲戚问有对象吗?就这么答
2016年高三英语寒假作业本答案
关于埃及的神秘文化你不知道的10件事
高一年级英语寒假作业精选
大寒节气,如何用英文说寒潮
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |