美国国家公共电台 NPR--Examining Russia's influence on the most recent coup in Burkina Faso

Examining Russia's influence on the most recent coup¹ in Burkina Faso

Transcript²

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Rinaldo Depagne of the International Crisis Group about Russia's influence on the military coups³ in West Africa.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Burkina Faso has gone through two coups in a year. The latest military ruler is an army captain who's just 34 and took power the other day. He took charge of a landlocked country in West Africa with a population of around 20 million. And after this month's coup, something else happened there - people waved Russian flags. U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel later issued a warning.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

VEDANT PATEL: We have spoken clearly about the destabilizing impact of both rampant⁴ disinformation but also the Wagner Group's activities globally. Countries where the group has been deployed⁵ find themselves weaker and less secure, and we've seen that in a number of cases in Africa alone.

INSKEEP: Russia? Disinformation? Wagner Group? What's going on in West Africa? Rinaldo Depagne is the deputy Africa director at the International Crisis Group and will help us figure it out. Good morning.

RINALDO DEPAGNE: Good morning.

INSKEEP: Did Russia have something to do with this change of power in West Africa?

DEPAGNE: This is very difficult to say and to prove. But Russia is certainly closer to now cut a deal with Burkina than ever and certainly that Russia was with president - former President Damiba, and this for several reasons. First one is President Traore's statement. And President Traore, eight days ago, said that it could solicit⁶ diversified⁷ military assistance without naming Russia, but everyone was thinking about Russia. Second reason, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner PMC Enterprise, offered to work with Traore. Third reason, we have now a legal act, and according to this act, the president negotiates and ratifies⁸ international treaty himself. So it opened the door for him to decide whether he will work with Russia or not.

INSKEEP: You mentioned Ibrahim Traore, who's the army captain, the 34-year-old now claiming to be in charge of Burkina Faso. And you mentioned the Wagner Group, which is this Russian paramilitary organization, kind of a mercenary organization. So I can see why he might want them on his side. But why does Russia care about Burkina Faso? What would their interest be?

DEPAGNE: Because it's close to Mali and because if they catch Burkina, then they will have two neighboring countries in their asset or pocket. They offered a very attractive package, meaning fighting rebellion, protect the president with - providing him with a personal guard and deliver quickly weapons and military gear. And some countries on the continent are really seduced⁹ by this easy package.

INSKEEP: So let's come back to Burkina Faso. What is there of value in Burkina Faso?

DEPAGNE: Gold. And you have currently 17 industrial mining operations working in Burkina. And one of them is under Russian control, but 16 of them are under Western control, many Canadian miners or mining companies.

INSKEEP: And so now there could be some contention¹⁰ there. Thanks so much for the insights. Really appreciate it.

DEPAGNE: OK. Thank you. Thank you.

INSKEEP: Rinaldo Depagne is the deputy Africa director for the International Crisis Group.

1 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 coups   

n.意外而成功的行动( coup的名词复数 )；政变；努力办到难办的事

参考例句：

• China has seen many political coups within the ruling class. 中国统治阶级内部发生过很多政变。 来自互联网
• Thailand has had eighteen coups or coup attendance since nineteen thirty-two. 泰国1932年以来有18次政变或参加政变。 来自互联网

4 rampant   

adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的

参考例句：

• Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
• You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。

5 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

6 solicit   

vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意)

参考例句：

• Beggars are not allowed to solicit in public places.乞丐不得在公共场所乞讨。
• We should often solicit opinions from the masses.我们应该经常征求群众意见。

7 diversified   

adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域

参考例句：

• The college biology department has diversified by adding new courses in biotechnology. 该学院生物系通过增加生物技术方面的新课程而变得多样化。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Take grain as the key link, develop a diversified economy and ensure an all-round development. 以粮为纲，多种经营，全面发展。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 ratifies   

v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• American Revolutionary War: The United States ratifies a peace treaty with England. 1784年的今天，美国独立战争：美国批准了一项与英国的和平条约。 来自互联网
• Each Member which ratifies this Convention shall ensure the effectiveapplication of its provis ions. 批准本公约的每一会员国应确保有效地实施本公约的规定。 来自互联网

9 seduced   

诱奸( seduce的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷

参考例句：

• The promise of huge profits seduced him into parting with his money. 高额利润的许诺诱使他把钱出了手。
• His doctrines have seduced many into error. 他的学说把许多人诱入歧途。

10 contention   

n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张

参考例句：

• The pay increase is the key point of contention. 加薪是争论的焦点。
• The real bone of contention,as you know,is money.你知道，争论的真正焦点是钱的问题。