VOA标准英语2008年-Medvedev Sworn in as New Russian President

By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
07 May 2008

Newly-inaugurated Kremlin leader Dmitri Medvedev says Russia must develop genuine respect for the law. But VOA Moscow Correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports, critics of the new president see his elevation¹ to power as a contradiction of the legal values he promises to advance.

Considerable fanfare² accompanied Dmitri Medvedev's inauguration³ in a lavish⁴ Kremlin ceremony that featured goose-stepping military units and 2,000 guests. They included political and military leaders, Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim clergy⁵, and foreign ambassadors.

Mr. Medvedev entered the Kremlin in a Mercedes Benz limousine⁶. He walked up a long flight of stairs to an ornate hall along a red carpet to a stage where he was awaited by outgoing President Vladimir Putin, the head of Russia's Constitutional Court and the leaders of both houses of Parliament.

Placing his hand on a copy of the Russian Constitution, the new Kremlin leader pledged to uphold the document, Russian sovereignty, and the human rights of citizens.

In a six-minute address, Mr. Medvedev underscored the importance of the law in development of what he said are his most important objectives, civil and economic freedom.

Russians are obligated, says the president, to achieve genuine respect for the law and to overcome legal nihilism, which hinders modern development. A well-developed legal system, he adds, creates conditions for economic and social development, supports entrepreneurship, and the struggle against corruption⁷. Mr. Medvedev notes that the law is no less important for securing Russia's global role and a dialogue with other nations.

The inauguration was broadcast live on television. Yet critics note that Kremlin control of not only television, but the entire electoral process, gave Mr. Medvedev an unfair advantage during the presidential election.

On the eve of the presidential inauguration, Moscow authorities backed by hundreds of riot police, dispersed⁹ demonstrators who sought to protest what they believe was a fraudulent presidential election. One of the participants, Alexander Khatov of the United Civic¹⁰ Front, questioned whether the new Russian leader has the genuine support of his people.

Khatov says 40 percent of Russian's did not participate in the election and another 24 percent voted against Mr. Medvedev. The activist¹¹ concludes that a combined total of 64 percent did not vote for this president.

Khatov's estimate, however, sparked a shouting match with a Medvedev supporter who noted¹² that every country has people who do not bother to go to the polls.

Authorities disperse⁸ d the inauguration eve protest, saying demonstrators did not have a permit. Organizers countered that the local mayor's refusal to issue the document, which was requested more than two weeks in advance, betrays the freedom which President Medvedev pledges to support.

In a brief address minutes before relinquishing¹³ the presidency¹⁴, outgoing leader Vladimir Putin thanked the people of Russia for their support and wished Mr. Medvedev success.

Mr. Putin recalls his oath of office eight years ago, when he promised to work openly and honestly and to faithfully serve the Russian state and its people. He says he did not violate his oath.

Critics say that the Medvedev presidency and Mr. Putin's new role as prime minister do not represent open transfers of power.

Some have also noted that the first Russian president, Boris Yeltsin, gave his successor a pen as a symbol of presidential succession. Mr. Yeltsin had used that pen to sign bills into law. Mr. Putin has said he will keep that gift instead of giving it to his successor.

1 elevation   

n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高

参考例句：

• The house is at an elevation of 2,000 metres.那幢房子位于海拔两千米的高处。
• His elevation to the position of General Manager was announced yesterday.昨天宣布他晋升总经理职位。

2 fanfare   

n.喇叭；号角之声；v.热闹地宣布

参考例句：

• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide.这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King.嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。

3 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

4 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

5 clergy   

n.[总称]牧师，神职人员

参考例句：

• I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
• All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。

6 limousine   

n.豪华轿车

参考例句：

• A chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for the grand lady.司机为这个高贵的女士打开了豪华轿车的车门。
• We arrived in fine style in a hired limousine.我们很气派地乘坐出租的豪华汽车到达那里。

7 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。

8 disperse   

vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散

参考例句：

• The cattle were swinging their tails to disperse the flies.那些牛甩动着尾巴驱赶苍蝇。
• The children disperse for the holidays.孩子们放假了。

9 dispersed   

adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的

参考例句：

• The clouds dispersed themselves. 云散了。
• After school the children dispersed to their homes. 放学后，孩子们四散回家了。

10 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

11 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

12 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

13 relinquishing   

交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃

参考例句：

• The international relinquishing of sovereignty would have to spring from the people. 在国际间放弃主权一举要由人民提出要求。
• We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. 我们很明白，没有人会为了废除权力而夺取权力。 来自英汉文学

14 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。