VOA标准英语2009年-Southern African Leaders Discuss Madagasca

Southern African leaders at a special summit in Swaziland are responding to the controversial change of government in Madagascar and examining an economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe.
　
King Mswati III of Swaziland

Swaziland's King Mswati the Third told delegates of the Southern African Development Community the new power sharing government in Zimbabwe had eased political tensions in the country and now its greatest challenge was economic recovery.

"We continue to be happily impressed by the progress made in the formation and operationalization of the inclusive government," he said. "We are already witnessing the first fruits of Zimbabwean unity¹."

He welcomed the government's appeal for $2 billion in emergency funds to finance economic rehabilitation².

But he said such a program cannot be implemented³ successfully as long as economic sanctions continue against Zimbabwe.

President Robert Mugabe, who was leading the Zimbabwean delegation⁴, applauded the speech. Mr. Mugabe blames western sanctions for the decline of Zimbabwe's economy and social services.

Western governments imposed selective sanctions against certain Zimbabwean leaders because of corruption⁵ and human rights abuses.

The Swazi monarch⁶ said SADC leaders must also deal with what he called the forced removal from office of Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana.

"We need to abide⁷ and comply with SADC protocols⁸ and treaties," he said. "However, as history shows, the dictates⁹ of life are such that now and again challenges occur resulting in unfortunate eventualities and problems which are not in line with our protocols."

He concluded the unconstitutional takeover of power by what he called the de-facto regime in Madagascar violates the basic principle and treaties of SADC and therefore is not acceptable.

Mr. Ravalomanana resigned two weeks ago and the military handed power to opposition¹⁰ leader Andry Rajoelina who was then installed as head of a transitional authority.

But the African Union says the transfer was unconstitutional and has suspended Madagascar's membership.

Western governments have also rejected the transfer and some have suspended non-humanitarian aid.

Mr. Ravalomanana was invited to the summit although organizers did not clarify in what capacity. He told supporters back home in a broadcast telephone message Saturday to continue their demonstrations¹¹ against the new government and said he would join them soon.

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 rehabilitation   

n.康复，悔过自新，修复，复兴，复职，复位

参考例句：

• He's booked himself into a rehabilitation clinic.他自己联系了一家康复诊所。
• No one can really make me rehabilitation of injuries.已经没有人可以真正令我的伤康复了。

3 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

4 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

5 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。

6 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。

7 abide   

vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受

参考例句：

• You must abide by the results of your mistakes.你必须承担你的错误所造成的后果。
• If you join the club,you have to abide by its rules.如果你参加俱乐部，你就得遵守它的规章。

8 protocols   

n.礼仪( protocol的名词复数 )；（外交条约的）草案；（数据传递的）协议；科学实验报告（或计划）

参考例句：

• There are also protocols on the testing of nuclear weapons. 也有关于核武器试验的协议。 来自辞典例句
• Hardware components and software design of network transport protocols are separately introduced. 介绍系统硬件组成及网络传输协议的软件设计。 来自互联网

9 dictates   

n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布

参考例句：

• Convention dictates that a minister should resign in such a situation. 依照常规部长在这种情况下应该辞职。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He always follows the dictates of common sense. 他总是按常识行事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 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。

11 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。