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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Islamabad
14 February 2008
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is pledging that next week's parliamentary elections will be free, fair, transparent1 and peaceful. During a speech in Islamabad, Mr. Musharraf denied allegations the vote will be rigged and blasted international polling organizations who say his popularity is plummeting2. From Islamabad, VOA correspondent Meredith Buel has details.
In a speech broadcast nationally on state television, President Musharraf called next Monday's parliamentary vote "the mother of all elections".
Mr. Musharraf said the success of the vote will be critical to Pakistan's future and the nation's international reputation.
"Free, fair and transparent and they are seen to be free, fair and transparent and peaceful. Now as far as peaceful is concerned they will be peaceful," he said. "Let this serve as a warning to all those who think that they can disturb the peace of the country. They will not be allowed. Do not test the resolve of the government."
There are deep concerns about security for the elections, following the assassination3 of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto last December and a wave of suicide bombings at campaign gatherings4.
Leading opposition5 politicians in Pakistan, like former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, have charged that the elections will be rigged in favor of political parties that support the president, who fears losing power in parliament.
Mr. Musharraf's presidency6 is not being contested in the election, but if parties that back him lose control of the legislature, he could be impeached7.
Mr. Musharraf is rejecting charges the election results will be manipulated.
"Media or international organizations understand this role," said the Pakistani president. "Do not create an environment where automatically [there is] aspersion8 [slander] that this has been rigged and these elections are a fraud."
Recent public opinion polls are showing a significant drop in President Musharraf's popularity and an increase in support for opposition parties.
In his speech, the Pakistani president was sharply critical of the international organizations that have been conducting the surveys.
"Declaring winning parties, candidates, is malicious9," said Mr. Musharraf. "It is malicious. It disturbs our peace. It can not be done. It must not be done because you are giving unnecessary hopes, expectations, raising expectations of parties and people. I would like to say to all these foreign organizations, especially those who are conducting all these surveys, do not disturb the peace of this country. Do not disturb the peace of this region. You are playing with the peace of the world."
The retired10 army general, who seized power in a 1999 coup11 and has become a key U.S. ally in the war on terror, says dictatorship is not suitable for Pakistan and democracy is the right way forward for the nation.
Tens of thousands of army troops have deployed12 across the country to help provide security for the voting.
The government says more than 1,000 international election observers and journalists will be in Pakistan for the elections.
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1
transparent
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adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的 | |
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2
plummeting
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v.垂直落下,骤然跌落( plummet的现在分词 ) | |
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3
assassination
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n.暗杀;暗杀事件 | |
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4
gatherings
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聚集( gathering的名词复数 ); 收集; 采集; 搜集 | |
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5
opposition
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n.反对,敌对 | |
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6
presidency
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n.总统(校长,总经理)的职位(任期) | |
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7
impeached
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v.控告(某人)犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 );弹劾;对(某事物)怀疑;提出异议 | |
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8
aspersion
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n.诽谤,中伤 | |
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9
malicious
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adj.有恶意的,心怀恶意的 | |
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10
retired
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adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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11
coup
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n.政变;突然而成功的行动 | |
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12
deployed
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(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 | |
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