2006年VOA标准英语-Dili Leaders Talk as Gangs Continue Violence

By Nancy-Amelia Collins
Dili
30 May 2006

Violence continued in the East Timor capital Dili Tuesday as the fractured government entered a second day of talks on how to end days of fighting triggered by a split in the military.

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Australian soldiers push back East Timorese to stop them fighting each other in Dili, East Timor, Tuesday, May 30, 2006  
  

Rival gangs continued to fight and torch buildings Tuesday. While sporadic¹ looting broke out as residents searched for food, water and fuel. More people are fleeing Dili looking for safe shelter in neighboring villages. The United Nations estimates at least 70,000 people have been displaced.

Manuel de Silva is staying at one of many makeshift refugee camps that have sprung up all over the city since the daily violence began last week.

"The leaders should make a strong decision to stop all the violence that's happening in the country," he said.

Government leaders are meeting for a second day with pressure building for Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri to step down. He is blamed for mishandling a military mutiny over alleged² discrimination that lead to the current communal³ violence dividing the country.

Some 40 percent of the armed forces were dismissed in March - leading the disgruntled soldiers to take to the streets in violent protests.

The situation erupted last week into broader civil unrest pitting those from the west of the country against those from the east.

Many easterners believe those from the west supported Indonesia's 24-year bloody⁴ rule of East Timor. The country gained its independence four years ago.

1 sporadic   

adj.偶尔发生的 [反]regular；分散的

参考例句：

• The sound of sporadic shooting could still be heard.仍能听见零星的枪声。
• You know this better than I.I received only sporadic news about it.你们比我更清楚，而我听到的只是零星消息。

2 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

3 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。

4 bloody   

adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染

参考例句：

• He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
• He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。