-
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Dar es Salaam1
17 February 2008
President Bush says there should be free and fair elections in Zimbabwe next month. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports from Dar es Salaam, Mr. Bush discussed the issue Sunday with the new head of the African Union, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.
During their talks at Dar es Salaam's State House, President Bush and President Kikwete discussed next month's elections in Zimbabwe, where long-time President Robert Mugabe is facing a divided opposition2.
In remarks before this trip to Africa, Mr. Bush denounced Mr. Mugabe as a discredited3 dictator who has brought nightmarish misery4 to his people by mismanaging the economy and repressing political dissent5.
In a joint6 press conference with the Tanzanian leader Sunday, the president said Zimbabweans deserve better.
"There is no doubt the people of Zimbabwe deserve a government that serves their interest and recognizes their basic human rights and holds free and fair elections," said Bush. "That is in the interest of the people of Zimbabwe. It happens to be in the interest of the world as well."
Zimbabwe's official inflation rate, already the world's highest, has risen to more than 66,000 percent. Price controls introduced last June have had little effect in a country with chronic7 food and fuel shortages and an unemployment rate of about 80 percent.
Zimbabwe was a big issue during the president's first trip to Africa five years ago. At the time, Mr. Bush embraced South African President Thabo Mbeki as an honest broker8 in the political stand-off between President Mugabe and opponents in Zimbabwe's pro-democracy movement.
President Bush now says he is disappointed that South Africa has not been more pro-active in resolving the political and economic crisis in its northern neighbor.
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader says the South African president should show some courage and abandon his policy of quiet support for President Mugabe.
South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister says the fact that Zimbabweans are preparing for elections next months is proof that President Mbeki's mediation9 efforts have been productive.
President Mugabe is looking to extend his 28 years in power. The opposition has failed to come together in a unified10 campaign. Mr. Mugabe's most serious challenger, Simba Makoni, is a former member of his own party.
Critics blame President Mugabe for economic mismanagement and the poorly handled seizure11 of white-owned commercial farms. Mr. Mugabe blames sabotage12 by Western governments led by Britain.
![收听单词发音](/images/play.gif)
1
salaam
![]() |
|
n.额手之礼,问安,敬礼;v.行额手礼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2
opposition
![]() |
|
n.反对,敌对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3
discredited
![]() |
|
不足信的,不名誉的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4
misery
![]() |
|
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5
dissent
![]() |
|
n./v.不同意,持异议 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6
joint
![]() |
|
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7
chronic
![]() |
|
adj.(疾病)长期未愈的,慢性的;极坏的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8
broker
![]() |
|
n.中间人,经纪人;v.作为中间人来安排 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9
mediation
![]() |
|
n.调解 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10
unified
![]() |
|
(unify 的过去式和过去分词); 统一的; 统一标准的; 一元化的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11
seizure
![]() |
|
n.没收;占有;抵押 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12
sabotage
![]() |
|
n.怠工,破坏活动,破坏;v.从事破坏活动,妨害,破坏 | |
参考例句: |
|
|