VOA标准英语10月-Relations Between Belarus, US Blow Hot and Cold

The United States and the European Union have criticized recent parliamentary elections in Belarus, where opposition¹ candidates failed to win a single seat. In this report from Washington, VOA Senior Correspondent André de Nesnera looks at the current state of relations between Belarus and the United States.
　

Opposition activists2 protest against the parliamentary elections shortly after polling closed, in the Belarusian capital Minsk, Sunday, 28 Sept. 2008

The United States, echoing the assessment³ of European observers, said it was disappointed that the September 28 parliamentary elections in Belarus fell significantly short of international standards. But Russia, Belarus' closest ally, praised the elections.

One-hundred-ten seats were at stake with 78 opposition candidates appearing on the ballot⁴. But when the final tally⁵ was counted, not a single candidate opposed to authoritarian⁶ President Alexander Lukashenko won a seat.

Analysts⁷ say Washington's criticism of the election process in Belarus was more muted than in the past, indicating there may be some movement toward better relations between Washington and Minsk.

Since Mr. Lukashenko came to power in 1994, western governments have consistently criticized his authoritarian methods, describing him as "the last dictator in Europe." Over the years he has consolidated⁸ power in the presidency⁹, controlled the press and cracked down on any form of dissent¹⁰.

The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Belarus, including a travel ban on Mr. Lukashenko and senior government officials.

Robert Legvold from Columbia University, says the relationship between the United States and Belarus has blown hot and cold.

"Last year, in the context of the tensions over energy between Belarus and Russia, the Belarussians looked as though they wanted to explore opportunities to move forward a little bit with both the European Union and the United States. But then because there was very little progress on human rights and indeed a crackdown in early 2008, things cooled again. Lukashenko lost his temper, attacked the West in a speech in the spring and in April announced that 10 U.S. diplomats¹¹ were going to be expelled: that is a very small embassy, it reduced to about four. Karen Stewart, our ambassador, had already left earlier when the Belarussians withdrew their ambassador from Washington. So at that point - in April and May - the relationship was at a low point," he said.

But later in the year, analysts say, it looked as if Mr. Lukashenko wanted to reach out to the West once again.

David Marples from the University of Edmonton [Alberta, Canada], says he gradually released all political prisoners, including in August former presidential candidate Alexander Kozulin - a key demand from the West.

"With the release of Alexander Kozulin, all political prisoners so designated by the United States have been set free by Belarus, which the United States interpreted as a positive sign. And so the United States, along with the European Union, said to Belarus that relations could really be improved provided that this election for parliament was free and fair. And unfortunately, that does not seem to have occurred," he said.

At a recent State Department briefing, deputy spokesman Robert Wood indicated the United States intends to maintain a dialogue with Belarus.

"We have very serious issues with Belarus - there is no question about that. And as we said, those elections were going to be a key point in determining how we go forward we are obviously disappointed that they did not meet up to international standards. And we are having conversations with our European allies about how we can help move the process forward," he said.

Robert Legvold from Columbia University says the Europeans want increased contacts with Belarus.

"They would like to have some kind of engagement with Belarus. But Lukashenko's very firm political hand and determination to keep it makes it virtually impossible. But I think the European Union is determined¹² to continue on this road - and we will have to see," he said.

In the final analysis, Legvold says relations between Belarus, the European Union and the United States will depend on the relationship between Minsk and Moscow. If that relationship prospers¹³, Legvold says Mr. Lukashenko will have very little incentive¹⁴ to accommodate the concerns of Washington and the European Union. If, however, Minsk and Moscow do not see eye-to-eye and relations sour, Legvold says that will open up opportunities for the European Union and the United States to step in and move the relationship with Belarus in a positive direction.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

4 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

5 tally   

n.计数器，记分，一致，测量；vt.计算，记录，使一致；vi.计算，记分，一致

参考例句：

• Don't forget to keep a careful tally of what you spend.别忘了仔细记下你的开支账目。
• The facts mentioned in the report tally to every detail.报告中所提到的事实都丝毫不差。

6 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

7 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

8 consolidated   

a.联合的

参考例句：

• With this new movie he has consolidated his position as the country's leading director. 他新执导的影片巩固了他作为全国最佳导演的地位。
• Those two banks have consolidated and formed a single large bank. 那两家银行已合并成一家大银行。

9 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

10 dissent   

n./v.不同意，持异议

参考例句：

• It is too late now to make any dissent.现在提出异议太晚了。
• He felt her shoulders gave a wriggle of dissent.他感到她的肩膀因为不同意而动了一下。

11 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》

12 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。

13 prospers   

v.成功，兴旺( prosper的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Whatever prospers my business is welcome. 凡使我生意兴隆者皆竭诚欢迎。 来自辞典例句
• Whatever prospers my business is good. 任何使我生意兴隆的都是好的。 来自辞典例句

14 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。