VOA标准英语2009年-Madagascar High Court Endorses New President

Madagascar's highest court has backed the military's move to replace President Marc Ravalomanana with his rival, opposition² leader Andry Rajoelina. But some African leaders are questioning whether the move is constitutional.
　
Andry Rajoelina greets the crowd at a rally in Antananarivo, 18 Mar¹ 2009

Madagascar's constitutional court declared Wednesday on national radio that opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has become president of the republic.

The court noted³ that President Marc Ravalomanana had resigned and handed power to the military. It said this left the decision to the military. The army said it did not wish to wield⁴ power but rather wanted Mr. Rajoelina to take charge.

The 34-year-old Rajoelina, who is six years younger than the minimum age required by the constitution to be president, earlier announced he was forming an interim⁵ government that would revise the constitution and hold elections within two years.

In a speech Tuesday at a central plaza⁶, Mr. Rajoelina thanked the military for its support.

He praised the army for taking over a presidential office in the city center and invited the people to come with him to occupy it. Soldiers had seized the building a few hours before.

Mr. Ravalomana announced Tuesday he was stepping down due to the crisis characterized by what he called a polarization of opinion within the army and the citizenry.

He said it is crucial to re-establish order so that we can work together. We all love our country, he said, and appealed for serenity⁷.

The dramatic transfer of power brought to a head weeks of confrontation⁸ that killed more than 100 people and hurt tourism and foreign investment.

The capital was calm and businesses operated normally although some embassies were closed. Residents expressed different opinions on the legality of the transition, but most expressed hope for peace and stability.

But some African governments expressed concerns over the legality of the transition.

Zambia says it is rejecting what it called the unconstitutional change of government and called for Madagascar's suspension in the African Union and Southern African Development Community, SADC.

The African Union said its Peace and Security council would review Madagascar's situation this week.

The Chairman of SADC, South Africa's President Kgalema Motlanthe, said its security organ would meet Thursday to discuss the development. He said SADC would never accept the unconstitutional transfer of power from a democratically elected government.

The European Union and United States have said that an unconstitutional transfer of power could bring sanctions.

1 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 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。

3 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。

4 wield   

vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等)

参考例句：

• They wield enormous political power.他们行使巨大的政治权力。
• People may wield the power in a democracy.在民主国家里，人民可以行使权力。

5 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

6 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

7 serenity   

n.宁静，沉着，晴朗

参考例句：

• Her face,though sad,still evoked a feeling of serenity.她的脸色虽然悲伤，但仍使人感觉安详。
• She escaped to the comparative serenity of the kitchen.她逃到相对安静的厨房里。

8 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。