Practical English part 2 - Controlled anger

Europe and American spooks (szpiedzy AmE)

THEY huffed (obrażać się) and they puffed (dyszeć, sapać) , but did not dare blow down the house

European leaders expressed outrage and dismay at news that America may have been eavesdropping on the mobile telephone conversations of Angela Merkel,

dismay- niepokój, konsternacja, przerażenie

 In the end, though, leaders issued an anodyne (miałki, płytki) statement saying they would keep talking to the Americans about the affair in private, with a view to settling matters by the end of the year.

an otherwise hum-drum summit ?

As the meeting got under way, the Guardian reported that the numbers of at least 35 other leaders were being monitored

be under way = rozpocząć się

 

a 15-minute tête-à-tête  rozmowa w cztery oczy

 

 covert (tajny, potajemny, ukradkowy) war for commercial advantage (korzyści handlowe)

 

haltingly = niepewnie, z wahaniem 

 

No one is a dupe.  - nikt nie jest naiwny

 

A lack of trust could prejudice the necessary cooperation in the field of intelligence gathering. gromadzenie danych wywiadowczych

 

yardstick - kryterium, miara, standard

 In the end, think some, the price that America willl have to pay to settle the scandal may be to provide Germany with more of the intelligence shared among the Five Eyes: America, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The British will be among those hoping that playing for time (gra na czas) will allow the NSA affair to blow over and soothe wounded spirits.

David Cameron, the British prime minister, will spend the second day of the summit promoting his campaign to cut the red tape (ograniczyć biurokrację) of EU regulations.

Tellingly (przekonująco, znacząco), Mrs Merkel will be among those making the time to hear his case

But time may work the other way too, as the drip-drip of Mr Snowden's revelations corrodes the bonds between the Western allies.


Source: http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2013/10/europe-and-american-spooks