Иванов О.П. Беловинцева Е.Г. Читаем газету и обсуждаем международную политику
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Беловинцева Екатерина Гурьевна, Иванов Олег Петрович
Читаем газету, обсуждаем международную политику
A way to reading newspapers and discussing international politics
Данное учебное пособие рассчитано на широкий круг
людей, изучающих английский язык: студентов
языковых и неязыковых вузов, школьников старших
классов спецшкол, а также широкий круг лиц,
овладевших лексико-грамматической базой
английского языка в объеме программы от
начального уровня (elementary, pre-intermediate) и
выше. Материал в пособии подобран таким образом,
что им могут пользоваться как учащиеся, которые
только начинают читать газету в оригинале, так и те,
кто уже имеет некоторый опыт чтения оригинальной
прессы и хочет совершенствовать свои навыки.
Цель пособия — активизировать языковые и речевые
навыки обучаемых, расширить словарный запас и
подготовить их к чтению оригинальной англоязычной
прессы, а также любых других материалов
общественно-политической тематики; научить
обсуждать политические проблемы на английском
языке и участвовать в дискуссиях.
План-проспект учебного пособия по
общественно-политической тематике
Данное учебное пособие рассчитано на широкий круг людей, изучающих английский
язык: студентов языковых и неязыковых вузов, школьников старших классов
спецшкол, а также широкий крут лиц, овладевших лексико-грамматической базой
английского языка в объеме программы от начального уровня (elementary, pre-
intermediate) и выше. Материал в пособии подобран таким образом, что им могут
пользоваться как учащиеся, которые только начинают читать газету в оригинале,
так и те, кто уже имеет некоторый опыт чтения оригинальной прессы и хочет
совершенствовать свои навыки.
Цель пособия — активизировать языковые и речевые навыки обучаемых, расширить
словарный запас и подготовить их к чтению оригинальной англоязычной прессы, а
также любых других материалов общественно-политической тематики; научить
обсуждать политические проблемы на английском языке и участвовать в
дискуссиях.
Пособие построено по тематическому принципу. Выбор тематики обусловлен как
актуальностью проблем, так и их непреходящей значимостью. Тематический
принцип подачи материала дает возможность читателям легче ориентироваться в
англоязычной прессе, а также позволяет учитывать профессиональные интересы
учащихся (они могут изучать темы выборочно).
Предлагаемые тексты представляют собой сокращенные и обработанные для
учебных целей оригинальные материалы, имеющие познавательный/
образовательный характер в области современных международных отношений. Они
знакомят учащихся с оригинальными концепциями и взглядами на актуальные
проблемы, а также категориями и терминами, используемыми в этой области.
Данные тексты обеспечивают не только ориентированную языковую подготовку
учащихся, но и вводят их в проблематику современной политики и международных
отношений.
Все материалы данного учебного пособия предварительно использовались авторами
на занятиях со слушателями Дипломатической академии МИД РФ и, таким образом,
прошли тщательный отбор.
Структура пособия
Каждый урок пособия состоит из трех разделов — А, В и С.
В первом разделе каждого урока даются образцы информационных статей по теме
урока (3—6 небольших статей). Выделена активная лексика (10—20 единиц),
разработаны упражнения по активизации лексики (заполнение пропусков,
воспроизведение активной лексики в контексте, составление собственных ситуаций
с активным словарем, обратный перевод с русского языка). Выделенные для
закрепления лексические единицы могут повторяться в текстах нескольких уроков
учебного пособия в качестве активной лексики, что обусловлено тематическим
принципом построения пособия и тем, что учащиеся могут изучать темы выборочно.
К каждому тексту даны вопросы, которые помогут учащимся обсуждать содержание
статьи.
Во втором разделе урока предлагаются информационно-аналитические статьи (2—3)
по каждой теме. К каждой статье разработана система упражнений, включающая
лексические и речевые упражнения (вопросы, комментирование отдельных частей,
true-false statements), направленные на закрепление лексико-грамматических
структур, а также выработку навыка беседы и комментирования. Во втором разделе
каждого урока предлагается дополнительная, «упаковочная» лексика для ведения
беседы и составления summary и пересказа (возражение, согласие, уточнение и т.
п.), а также содержатся дискуссионные проблемные вопросы. В третьем разделе
каждого урока даются тексты повышенной сложности, которые рассчитаны на
учащихся, имеющих достаточно высокий уровень языковой подготовки. Цель этого
раздела — развивать у учащихся навыки чтения и понимания довольно сложных
политологических и других англоязычных материалов, ведения дискуссий и
подготовки выступлений по международной тематике. Этот раздел включает 1-2
аналитические статьи, а также задания, стимулирующие учащихся к высказыванию
по теме либо анализу содержания статьи (так называемые problem-solving tasks).
Они содержат возможные темы и вопросы пресс-конференций, «круглых столов» и
деловых игр, а также необходимый лексический материал для их проведения.
Предполагается, что в результате работы с пособием учащиеся приобретут
следующие умения и навыки:
1. Читать и понимать статьи информационного и информационно-
аналитического характера по общественно-политической тематике и
международным отношениям.
2. Находить в тексте ответы на поставленные/интересующие их вопросы.
3. Находить в оригинальных источниках интересующую их информацию.
4. Сопоставлять и обобщать информацию двух и более прочитанных текстов.
5. Воспроизводить полученную при прочтении информацию.
6. Вести беседу и дискуссию на базе прочитанных текстов.
7. Готовить самостоятельные сообщения/доклады в рамках публичного
выступления по пройденной теме.
UNIT 1. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS,
DIPLOMACY
SECTION A
I
1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words in the
dictionary.
Tokyo and Seoul explore free-trade pact
Japan and South Korea will take a significant step this week towards signing a
bilateral free-trade agreement (FTA), an important concession for two Asian neighbors
that have seen their relations worsened as the result of disagreements over their
wartime history.
A spokesman for the Japan's prime minister said yesterday that the decision to try to
forge an FTA would be announced during the prime minister's visit to South Korea this
week, during which he will meet the country's President.
«The prime minister will point out that relations between the two have overcome some
difficulties and will seek to transform the bilateral relationship so that it is more forward-
looking», a spokesman said.
The decision forms part of Japan's policy of seeking individual FTAs with its trading
partners and follows a similar agreement signed last year with Singapore.Negotiations
are also under way for an FTA with Mexico.
During his visit the prime minister is also expected to discuss relations with North Korea
and other issues of mutual interest.
2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.
To point out; a bilateral agreement; a concession; to be under way; to forge (an
agreement/a policy); problems of mutual interest; negotiations; the prime minister is
expected to discuss; to take a significant step towards/to.
3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the
sentences from the article with them.
Ожидается, что премьер министр обсудит; уступка; проходить (о переговорах);
двустороннее соглашение; добиваться соглашения; подчеркивать; вопросы,
представляющие взаимный интерес; значительно продвинуться вперед, переговоры.
4. Read the article again and answer the questions.
1. What significant event is expected in bilateral relations of Japan and South
Korea?
2. What decision is to be announced during the prime minister's visit to South
Korea?
3. What will the prime minister point out during his visit?
4. What is Japan's foreign policy line in this respect?
5. What other issues is the prime minister going to discuss?
II
1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words in the
dictionary.
Montenegro and Serbia agree to remain together
The European Union's foreign policy chief yesterday pulled off a significant
diplomatic success after persuading the two Yugoslav republics of Serbia and
Montenegro to stay together in a new union rather than opt for independence.
The agreement, forged after 12 hours of intense negotiations between Montenegrin and
Serbian leaders in Belgrade, strengthens the EU's role in «preventive» diplomacy as
it takes on greater responsibility and security in the Balkans.
The deal, effectively keeping Montenegro within the federation, but with equal powers
with Serbia, prevents further fragmentation of the Western Balkans. The region is slowly
returning to stability after three brutal wars that claimed hundreds of thousands of
lives during the
Under the arrangements, after a constitution comes into force Serbia and Montenegro
will be organized under one parliament, president, council of ministers and court.
The council will be responsible for foreign affairs, defense, international economic
relations, internal economic relations and protection of human and minority rights. The
economic systems of both republics will be eventually harmonized with EU rules.
2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.
To opt for independence; to take on responsibility; to come into force; to protect
minority rights; to pull off a success; to claim hundreds of thousands of lives; under the
arrangements; to strengthen.
3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the
sentences from the article with them.
Осуществлять/добиваться успеха; выбирать независимость; вступить в силу;
защищать права меньшинств; брать на себя ответственность; унести сотни тысяч
жизней; в соответствии с договоренностями; укреплять.
4. Read the article again and answer the questions.
1. What significant success was reached by the EU's foreign policy chief?
2. What EU role does this agreement strengthen?
3. What does this agreement prevent?
4. In what way will the two countries be organized?
5. What will happen to the economic systems of both countries?
5. Questions for discussion.
1. Why do you think the success of persuading the two countries to stay together
was called significant?
2. Do you agree that both republics would benefit from it?
3. What is «preventive diplomacy»? Can you think of other examples of preventive
diplomacy?
4. Why do you think this agreement is so important? What does it prevent?
6. Render the article in English.
III
1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words and
phrases in the dictionary.
US ready to resume arms sales to India
The US yesterday signaled it was ready to resume arms sales to India as the US
chairman of the joint chiefs of staff
1
announced that detailed negotiations were under
wavfor the sale of weapon-seeking radars to New Delhi.
Closing a two-day visit to New Delhi the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff said the
two countries were ready to finalize terms for the radar deal. US officials in India said
the deal represented the start of a new era of defense exports to India.
The US embassy said it marked a symbolic shift in the US attitude towards defense
exports to India and that a renewed arms export relationship was part of the wider
warming of relations between the two countries.
Later this week, a group of US defense officials will arrive in New Delhi for further talks
with the Minister of Defense on the terms of the sale.
2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.
A shift in attitude; the negotiations are under way; to resume arms sales; the terms of
the sale; to finalize smth.
3. Give English equivalents to the following words and phrases.
Условия сделки; переговоры проходят; окончательно утверждать/оформлять
условия/сроки; перемена отношения; возобновлять продажу вооружения.
4. Complete the following statements using the active vocabulary.
1. The US signaled it was ready ...
2. The US official announced that detailed negotiations...
3. The US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff said that the two countries were
ready...
4. This deal marks an important shift...
5. A group of US defense officials ...
5. Render the article in English using the active vocabulary.
IV
1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words and
phrases in the dictionary.
Koreans set to resume family reunions
North and South Korea were last night ready to resume reunions of families separated
by the peninsula's sealed border and launch a new round of talks about economic co-
operation, reviving Seoul's «sunshine» policy of reconciliation.
The two countries were expected to confirm the breakthrough today after three days of
discussion in Pyongyang, ending a five-month freeze in contact.
Yesterday's agreement was welcomed in Seoul as a further sign that Pyongyang wanted
to improve its thorny international relations. «The talks have put inter-Korean
dialogue back on track». said an official in Seoul. The talks between the two sides were
said to have been frank and
The last round of family reunions brought together scores of people who had not seen
each other since the border was sealed at the end of the 1950-53 Korean war. More than
1 million elderly people in South Korea are split from immediate family in the North.
2. Give English equivalents to the following words and phrases and reproduce
the sentences from the article with them.
Ожидается, что стороны подтвердят...; закрытая граница; воссоединение семей;
начать новый раунд переговоров; вернуть диалог в прежнее русло; расколоться;
прорыв; примирение; сердечный; возобновлять.
3. Read the article again and answer the questions.
1. What process started in inter-Korean relations?
2. What are the two countries expected to confirm?
3. Why was this agreement welcomed so much?
4. What did the last round of family reunions bring?
5. Why do you think this process is so important for both countries? What do you
know about the Korean war and the separation of one country into two?
V
Translate the following texts into English using Translation Notes.
1. «Ближневосточный конфликт унес сотни тысяч жизней, — заявил вчера
представитель Белого дома. — Мировое сообщество должно сделать все возможное,
чтобы вернуть конфликтующие стороны к переговорному процессу».
2. Предстоящий государственный визит президента России в Китай станет
важнейшим событием года в отношениях двух стран и будет иметь огромное
значение для дальнейшего развития отношений стратегического партнерства.
Между партнерами продолжает расти политическое доверие, углубляются торгово-
экономические отношения
2
.
3. Президент США приветствует усилия японских дипломатов по установлению
диалога с Северной Кореей. Ранее представитель госдепартамента
3
США сообщил,
что предложение американского президента о возобновлении «всеобъемлющего
диалога» с Северной Кореей остается в силе
4
.
4. После установления двусторонних дипломатических контактов Япония обещает
оказать КНДР экономическую помощь. Стороны подтвердили, что согласно
международному праву не намерены предпринимать действия, которые угрожали бы
безопасности друг друга.
5. Министр обороны США убежден в том, что Соединенным Штатам в случае
принятия решения начать военную операцию против страны не придется проводить
ее в одиночку. «Несколько стран уже добровольно предложили свою помощь»,
заявил глава Пентагона.
6. США готовы
5
самостоятельно разоружить правящий там режим, но надеются, что
иракская проблема будет урегулирована ООН.
SECTION B
I
1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words and
phrases in the dictionary.
Managing the US-China-Russia triangle
Three powers stand out as the leading political and military players in the international
system during the initial decades of the 21st century: the United States, Russia, and
China. A revitalized Japan, a rising India and the European Union might also join those
ranks, but that result is far from certain. For the moment, relations between
Washington, Moscow and Beijing are of critical importance. How that «strategic triangle»
is managed will determine whether the world avoids major war. At the present time,
there is reason for cautious optimism, but there are also a few warning signals of
potential trouble.
A delicate US-China relationship
The relationship between the United States and China has been turbulent in recent
years. The US bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war in
May 1999 brought relations to a crisis point, as did the collision between a US spy plane
and a Chinese fighter plane in April 2001. The increasingly important trade and
investment relationship between the two countries eased the tensions however.
The initial characterization of China as a «strategic competitor» by officials in the
American administration also produced a wariness on both sides. The administration
dropped that characterization after the April spy-plane incident, however, and relations
seemed to improve steadily thereafter. Ties were strengthened further after the
September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when China diplomatically supported the US war
against terrorism and the United States came to regard China as an ally in that effort.
The Chinese government actually worked with the United States to gain cooperation
from Beijing's longtime ally, Pakistan, in the war against Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda
terrorist network and the Taliban government in Afghanistan — despite the possibility
of a long-term US military presence in Pakistan. And when the United States announced
its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in late 2001, Beijing's protests
were muted, even though a US missile defense system would erode the credibility of
China's small nuclear deterrent.
It is difficult to speculate about the motives for policy initiatives in a secretive,
authoritarian political system like that of China. Nevertheless, several factors appeared
to account for Beijing's unusual restraint.
First, the Chinese Communist Party elite wanted to avoid any international controversy.
Second, China's leaders desperately needed to preserve and expand the economic
relationship with the United States. The global economic slowdown, and especially the
deepening recession in East Asia, has made the US market more crucial than ever. China
felt that it could not let quarrels over other matters jeopardize access to that market.
Finally, Chinese leaders were increasingly alarmed at the signs of a
growing rapprochement between the United States and China's traditional rival. India.
Beijing worries (with good reason) about the possible emergence of a US-Indian
«strategic partnership» directed against China. The Chinese response to the warming
relations between Washington and New Delhi has been to try to improve China's own
relations with both capitals.
The turbulent US relationship with Russia
The relationship between Russia and the United States under the Bush administration
had a very difficult start. Just weeks after Bush took office, the United
Statesexpelled more than 50 Russian diplomats on charges of espionage. Moscow
responded by expelling an equal number of US diplomats. Such issues as the
further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and US withdrawal
from the ABM Treaty also fueled tensions.
Gradually, though, the relationship seemed to improve. Moscow's reaction to the
September 2001 terrorist attacks appeared to create an opportunity for improvement.
Not only did the Russian president denounce the attacks, but he gave the United States
substantive assistance in a variety of ways. Most crucially, Russia made it clear to the
governments of the Central Asian republics that it did not object to a temporary US
military presence in the region to wage the war in Afghanistan. Without Russia's
approval, the United States would have found it far more difficult to gain the cooperation
of those governments.
Russia helped the United States in other ways. For example, Moscow resisted the
demand of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut its oil output
to prevent a fall of global oil prices. As the world's second-largest oil producer, Russia
had a crucial role to play. Instead of responding favorably to OPEC's requests, Moscow
maintained production at high levels — a position favored by the United States.
How did the US administration reward Russia for its cooperation? One of the
administration's first initiatives was to announce America's withdrawal from the ABM
Treaty, which Moscow had long regarded as the centerpiece of its relationship with the
United States on arms-control issues.
As if the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty weren't enough, US officials let it be known
that the United States intended to maintain a long-term military presence in the Central
Asian republics. This was a classic deceit, and Russian officials made it clear that they
were not happy about Washington's action. Russia clearly prefers a close, cooperative
relationship with the United States and is not willing to close the door on that possibility.
But if Washington continues to take unfair advantage, Russia can and probably will
pursue other options. Serious long-term damage will occur if the Russian people begin to
see the United States as a hostile power that always attempts to take advantage of their
country.
The third side of the strategic triangle
Cooperation between Russia and China has been building for several years. The bitter
rivalry between Moscow and Beijing eased rapidly with the end of the Cold War, and by
the China had become Russia's largest arms customer. By 1996, the leaders of the two
countries were describing their relationship as a «strategic partnership». and it became
routine for Russia and the People's Republic of China (PRC) to issue joint statements
criticizing US policy on such issues as NATO expansion, the US-led military intervention
in the Balkans, and the development of ballistic-missile defenses.
That cooperation has deepened on several levels. Politically, it is symbolized by the
creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO, whose membership
consists of Russia, China, and four Central Asian countries, has as its primary
focus combating Islamic extremism. But an important secondary motive — as various
SCO statements and communiquйs make clear — is to contain America's increasingly
dominant position in Asia.
Russia and China clearly wish to avoid a confrontational relationship with the United
States, if that is possible. Russia has been supporting most aspects of the US war
against terrorism, responding mildly to US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, and even
indicating that a second round of NATO expansion will not prove fatal to US-Russian
relations. China, too, has sought to minimize frictions. Both Russia and China regard
their economic links to the US-led West as vital.
The triangular relationship involving Russia, China and the United States is critically
important. If the strategic triangle is managed properly, the danger of a great-power war
in the coming decades will be virtually eliminated. If managed improperly, the 21st
century could proceed down the same violent path as the 20th century. Much will
depend on the wisdom of US policy.
2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.
To wage a war; to eliminate; controversy; to be of critical (great) importance; to stand
out; to deepen cooperation; NATO expansion; to denounce smth; to ease tensions; on
charges of espionage; restraint; bring relations to the crisis point; withdrawal from; to
preserve and expand economic relations; to expel; to contain; an ally; deterrent; rival;
rapprochement; to take office; to play a crucial role; a long-term military presence;
vital; to fuel tension; to combat extremism; decade.
3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the
sentences from the article with them.
Долгосрочное военное присутствие; быть исключительно важным; прийти к власти;
вести войну; по обвинению в шпионаже; союзник; ослабить напряженность;
выделяться; поставить отношения на грань кризиса; обман; выход из договора;
углубить сотрудничество; расширение НАТО; десятилетие; сближение; играть
ключевую роль; выдворять из страны; сохранить и расширить экономические связи;
осудить что-либо; сдерживать; средство устрашения; жизненно важный;
уничтожить; разногласие; сдержанность; усилить напряженность; ослабить
напряженность.
4. Read the article again and complete the following statement using the active
vocabulary.
1. Three states ... as leading political powers...
2. Relations between Washington, Moscow and Beijing ...
3. The US bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war...
4. The increasingly important trade and investment relationship ...
5. Ties were strengthened further after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
and the United States came to regard China ...
6. China's leaders desperately needed ...
7. … also fueled tensions.
8. Russia made it clear to the governments of the Central Asian republics ...
9. By 1996, the leaders of Russia and China ...
10. Russia and China clearly wish to avoid...
5. Answer the questions on the article.
1. What role do Russia, the USA and China play in the international relations?
2. Why does the author call the relations between China and the US turbulent?
What brought them to the point of crisis?
3. What has recently eased the tensions?
4. What made the US consider China as its ally?
5. Why are Chinese leaders interested in preserving and expanding economic
relation with the US?
6. How did the relationship between the US and Russia develop after Bush took
office?
7. What issues fuel tensions between Moscow and Washington?
8. What created an opportunity for improving the US-Russian relations?
9. How did the American administration «reward» Russia for its cooperation?
10. What kind of relations does Russia need?
11. In what way have the Russian-Chinese relations been developing after the Cold
War?
6. Questions for discussion.
1. Why do you think the relations between Moscow, Washington and Beijing are of
crucial importance for the moment?
2. Do you think the states will continue to play this important role in international
relations in the future? In what way could their roles change?
3. What are the prospects for Russian-US relations? How do you see the future
relations of these two states?
4. Do you think Russia and China will be able to avoid conflicts in the future and
preserve friendly relations?
II
1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words and
phrases in the dictionary.
A second-generation alliance system
WASHINGTON — During the Cold War and in the decade after its end, the United States
based its global strategy on an alliance system whose primary elements were NATO and
Japan. That system is in degradation, in part for reasons having little to do with the
United States, but increasingly for reasons directly related to the policies and attitudes
under the present administration.
This trend, if neglected, points towards a situation in which the United States could
ultimately stand alone in a hostile world. It is necessary to develop a second-generation
alliance system that will serve the long-term security requirements of its participants.
Unlike America's European allies, Japan has a military that is being carefully developed
into an impressive regional force. Nevertheless, there is a growing sense that Japan
faces rising challenges to its physical security, principally from China. Over time,
Japanese experts see reduced American ability to maintain regional stability, and they
fear that at the end of the road there may well be a Chinese-American war,
probably triggered by a clash over Taiwan. Japanese experts are deeply concerned that
the United States'determination to build a ballistic missile defense system will stimulate
the Chinese to exceed American expectations by increasing the size of their nuclear
forces, rather than by merely deploying more modern systems. They worry that India
might be compelled to increase its forces to offset China, thereby further stimulating a
nuclear race with Pakistan. They have good reason for concern about North Korea's
nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The present administration aims to fundamentally change foreign policy. What is to be
abandoned is the goal of a world system based on multilateral institutions, underwritten
by security alliances anchored in the United States. In place of these things, what is
intended is a world order serving US interests, based on US military and