2006年VOA标准英语-ECOWAS: Economic, Socio-Political Integration T

By Gilbert da Costa
Abjua
22 November 2006

A new crop of leaders have emerged in West Africa that is focusing on building a culture of democracy, transparency and accountability to achieve sustainable development, according to the regional group ECOWAS. For VOA, Gilbert da Costa reports from Abuja that the group, at a recent meeting, said its top priority is economic and socio-political integration¹ of the region.

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Violence and political instability have long undermined western Africa's development goals and has cost the region critical foreign investment.

At its most recent session, the Economic Community of West African States, also known as ECOWAS, said the region has made great strides to end conflict and instability in the region.

ECOWAS Executive Secretary Mohamed Ibn Chambas assured Western diplomats² at a meeting in Abuja, that the group was also committed to resolving one of the key conflicts in the region:  the crisis in Ivory Coast.
 
"We are determined³ to ensure that Resolution 1721[of the UN Security Council] will be the final extension of the mandate⁴ in Cote d'Ivoire[Ivory Coast], and that within the coming year we will move towards holding transparent⁵, credible⁶, free and fair elections in Cote d'Ivoire, so that we can put the conflict behind us," Chambas said. "We do indeed see a new crop of leaders emerging in West Africa, very committed to democratic governance. We see that happen country after country and that is very encouraging, dealing⁷ with the root causes of the problems in the past; respect for human rights, fighting corruption⁸, we also see reforms on the economic front."
 
Young West Africans who are escaping poverty and joblessness for a chance at a better life in Europe or elsewhere are now a major concern for the European Union.
 
Danish Ambassador Messe Knudsen asked ECOWAS to stem the growing problem.
 
"There are also new issues coming on to your plate and one of these is migration⁹," he said. "I think migration as possibly an ancient phenomenon in West Africa but I think it is coming to resumed focus in the last years and it will be very good for ECOWAS to strengthen its role and try to promote the possibilities of reaping the positive benefits of migration in the region and combat some of the more negative aspects."
 
West African officials are pushing for better trade deals, increased foreign investment and assistance with the European Union.
 
They argue that with West Africa strong signs of stability and economic reforms, developed nations now have an opportunity to address poverty and lack of development in the region. 

1 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

2 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

4 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

5 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

6 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？

7 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

8 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

9 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。