§ 5. Развитие навыков перевода с листа с английского языка. Лексическая тема: the peace process

I. Read and translate the articles with the help of the Topical Vocabulary list.

1. Six powers reach historic nuclear deal with Iran

Iran has agreed to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for an easing of tough international sanctions, in a historic deal that follows a decade of on-off negotiations aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons.

Foreign ministers representing six world powers – the US, Russia, China, Germany, France and the UK – clinched the agreement in the early hours of Sunday morning after four days of tough talks in Geneva. The White House said the interim agreement would give Tehran sanctions relief worth $7bn over the next six months, in exchange for a halt to Iran’s production of higher-grade enriched uranium and vigorous international inspections of its nuclear facilities, setting the stage for the six powers to negotiate a comprehensive settlement.

In a major concession, the six powers agreed that Iran could continue to enrich uranium up to the level of 5 per cent required for generating power from a nuclear reactor. Previous UN Security Council resolutions had required Iran to freeze its enrichment activities.

A senior US official insisted that the sanctions relief being offered to Iran was “limited, temporary, targeted and reversible” and would automatically expire after six months if there were no final agreement.

2. Ukraine crisis: Geneva talks produce agreement on defusing conflict

US, Russia, Ukraine and EU agree measures including end of violence, disarming of illegal groups and amnesty for protesters

The US, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union have reached agreement on a series of immediate steps aimed at pulling eastern Ukraine back from the brink of war.

The deal, clinched after a dramatic extended meeting in Geneva, calls for the disarming of all illegal groups. In the next few days they would have to vacate all the government buildings and public spaces they have occupied over the course of the crisis.

In return, the protesters in eastern Ukraine would be offered amnesty for all but capital crimes and the government in Kiev would immediately start a process of public consultation aimed at devolving constitutional powers to the provinces.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will be given the job not only of making sure the agreement will be put into practice but also of helping to implement it. The US, Russia and European countries would provide monitors to beef up the OSCE's manpower, which would be given access across Ukraine.

3. Israel pulls troops out of Gaza

Israel has withdrawn its troops from the Gaza Strip to "defensive positions" outside the Palestinian territory.

Israel says it has withdrawn its troops from Gaza as it has completed its main goal in this operation, the destruction of 32 cross-border tunnels.

However, it is possible that some tunnels may have gone undetected and it is likely that the Israeli army's search along the border will go on. The threat of Gaza militants entering Israel from under the ground has caused great concern in Israel.

There is some suggestion that an Israeli delegation may be preparing to go to Cairo for talks on a more long-term truce. There has been intense international pressure on Israel to try to negotiate an end to the fighting, particularly given the incidents at UN schools in Gaza and the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties.

There have been several truces called during the conflict but few have lasted, with each side accusing the other of violations.

The new agreement proposes that delegations from all sides should attend further talks in Cairo. The main Palestinian demands remain on the table, notably a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, the end of the blockade of the territory and the opening of border crossings.