VOA标准英语2012--Cambodia Opposition Leader Campaigns Abroad

 

Cambodia Opposition¹ Leader Campaigns Abroad

 

As Cambodia prepares for local polls, the self-exiled leader of the opposition party is in Europe, speaking with officials and overseas Cambodians.

Sam Rainsy discussed election concerns with officials from the Austrian Foreign Affairs Ministry². Under portraits of royalty³, he and Bruno Bilek spoke⁴ casually⁵ in what was less than an official diplomatic meeting.

"Actually it was an exchange of views and we were speaking on Cambodia and the forthcoming elections next year. What we hope is that the elections will be free and fair and transparent⁶ and that every party and every politician has access to means for campaigning and can compete fairly and freely for seats," Bilek said.

Outside observers worry that vote-buying and intimidation⁷ could mar⁸ the polls as in the last national election in 2008. But Sam Rainsy says even though he will not be present, his party is running a competitive campaign.

"What is important is not the physical presence but the virtual presence and the party depends on its ideology⁹, on its machinery¹⁰, on its human resources, on its organization," Rainsy said.

The politician says he also discussed human rights, a topic he raised in a recent stop in Switzerland. He spoke with United Nations officials and other groups about worker wages and their right to unionize.

"Those rights are being denied by the Cambodian authorities So I have to help my fellow compatriots before any institution that could help," Rainsy said. 

As Southeast Asian economies continue to grow as an important trading partner, Bruno Bilek says Austria is following developments in Cambodia.

"We have relations politically and economically. Of course, as a country which is not so close to Austria, the relationship is not as intense as it is with neighboring countries. But what is important also is Cambodia, within ASEAN, in the ASEAN and also EU-ASEAN, in the general context -- this is an important issue for us," Bilek said.

In the 2008 poll, Sam Rainsy’s party took just 26 of the 123 seats in parliament. While Hun Sen’s ruling party is still accused of heavy handed tactics influencing the electoral process, Rainsy remains¹¹ hopeful.

"The wind of freedom is blowing all over the world, and this wind of freedom will reach Cambodia eventually," Rainsy said.

Observers say the results of June polls will be a sign for national elections in July, 2013.

 

1 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。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 royalty   

n.皇家，皇族

参考例句：

• She claims to be descended from royalty.她声称她是皇室后裔。
• I waited on tables，and even catered to royalty at the Royal Albert Hall.我做过服务生， 甚至在皇家阿伯特大厅侍奉过皇室的人。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 casually   

adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地

参考例句：

• She remarked casually that she was changing her job.她当时漫不经心地说要换工作。
• I casually mentioned that I might be interested in working abroad.我不经意地提到我可能会对出国工作感兴趣。

6 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

7 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

8 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。

9 ideology   

n.意识形态，(政治或社会的)思想意识

参考例句：

• The ideology has great influence in the world.这种思想体系在世界上有很大的影响。
• The ideal is to strike a medium between ideology and inspiration.我的理想是在意识思想和灵感鼓动之间找到一个折衷。

10 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

11 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。