奧巴馬與俄總統私聊遭曝光 麥克風未關引風波

President Barack Obama told Russia's leader Monday that he would have more flexibility after the November election to deal with the contentious issue of missile defense, a candid assessment of political reality that was picked up by a microphone without either leader apparently knowing.
美國總統奧巴馬26日在與俄總統梅德韋傑夫的一次私聊中承諾，一旦他再次在11月的總統大選中獲勝連任，將在反導系統等有爭議的問題上採取更加靈活的政策。奧巴馬這番罕見直率的話因麥克風未關而被曝光。

Obama's Republican opponents pounced on the comment, saying the president has a hidden agenda that could include concessions to the Russians if he is re-elected this fall.
美國共和黨人對奧巴馬的話進行了猛烈的抨擊，譴責奧巴馬言論背後的動機，直指其表明奧巴馬一旦再次獲選將在導彈防禦系統的問題上屈服於俄羅斯。

"This is my last election," Obama is heard telling outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. "After my election, I have more flexibility."
奧巴馬在這次私聊中對即將卸任的俄總統梅德韋傑夫說：“這是我最後一次選舉，當選後，（在這些問題上）我將有更大的靈活性。”

Medvedev replied in English, according to ABC News: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir," an apparent reference to incoming President Vladmir Putin.
根據ABC電視臺的報道，梅德韋傑夫用英語回答奧巴馬說：“我明白你的意思，我將會在這個訊息帶給普京。” 這裏顯然指的是俄羅斯新當選的下任總統普京。

Obama and Medvedev did not intend for their comments, made during a meeting in Seoul, South Korea, to be made public.
奧巴馬與梅德韋傑夫正在首爾出席核峯會，他們並沒有打算讓這樣的私聊公佈於衆，但顯然麥克風不會說謊。

Once they were, the White House said Obama's words reflected the reality that domestic political concerns in both the U.S. and Russia this year would make it difficult to fully address their long-standing differences over the contentious issue of missile defense. Obama, should he win re-election, would not have to face voters again.
對這場麥克風風波，白宮當天迴應稱奧巴馬的話反映了美國和俄羅斯國內的政治現實。俄美兩國今年正值總統選舉，很難解決反導系統等長期存在爭議的問題。奧巴馬如果在此次的選舉中獲勝，將不會再面臨下一次大選。"Since 2012 is an election year in both countries, with an election and leadership transition in Russia and an election in the United States, it is clearly not a year in which we are going to achieve a breakthrough," White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said.
美國總統副國家安全顧問羅茲說：“因爲2012年是俄美兩國的選舉年，俄羅斯舉行選舉和領導人換屆，美國也將舉行選舉。顯而易見，這不是我們能夠達成一致觀點的年份。”

Obama made light of the flap at his next public meeting with Medvedev. Opening the nuclear security summit that brought both leaders to South Korea, Obama jokingly moved to cover his microphone as he and Medvedev took their seats. "Wait, wait!" Obama said, grinning.
兩位領導人目前都在韓國參加核峯會。麥克風風波後，奧巴馬再次與梅德韋傑夫公開會面，也並沒有對此前的事件有太多顧慮。在與梅德韋傑夫就坐前，奧巴馬甚至還開玩笑得用手遮住了麥克風。“等等！等等！” 奧巴馬邊微笑邊說道。

Obama's candid remarks Monday illustrated the political constraints that hem in any president who is running for re-election and dealing with a congressional chamber — in this case, the House — controlled by the rival party. Republicans have fought Obama fiercely on health care, taxes and other issues. They are eager to deny him any political victories in a season in which they feel the White House is within reach, although Obama's remarks suggested he feels good about his re-election prospects.
奧巴馬在週一直率的言論也表明了每位參加連任競選的總統受到的政治制約，尤其是在目前美國的國會衆議院由敵對黨派把持的情況下。共和黨人就醫療政策、稅收和其他棘手問題猛烈地抨擊奧巴馬，他們急切地想否定奧巴馬的所以政治成就，共和黨人自信總統大選已經唾手可得。不過奧巴馬的私聊也表示他對自己連任競選的前景很是看好。

Even if Obama was confiding a political reality in a supposedly private moment, the comments gave the GOP new openings to question his sincerity and long-range plans. Mitt Romney, the leading Republican contender to face Obama this fall, told a San Diego audience the unguarded comments were "an alarming and troubling development."
即使奧巴馬是在這樣的私聊中袒露國內政治現實，美國共和黨還是質疑他的真誠和遠期計劃。共和黨目前領先的總統參選人羅姆尼將在這個秋天和奧巴馬正面交鋒，他對聖地亞哥的觀衆稱奧巴馬的大意言論“令人震驚”、“令人不安”。