VVOA常速英语2020--美国制裁黎巴嫩两名前部长（在线收听）

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government. Lebanon is facing a dire economic crisis as a result of decades of governmental mismanagement, corruption, and the repeated failure of Lebanese leaders to undertake meaningful, sustained reforms. The devastating August 4 explosion has only magnified calls by the Lebanese people for economic and institutional reforms, better governance, and an end to the endemic corruption that has plagued Lebanon. The United States stands with the Lebanese people who are saying “business as usual is unacceptable.” While the Lebanese people suffer through an economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran-backed Hezbollah and its supporters exploit the rampant political corruption that has been pervasive in Lebanon for decades to promote their terrorist and illicit activities. On September 8, the United States designated Yusuf Finyanus and Ali Hassan Khalil, two former government ministers, for providing material support to Hezbollah, pursuant to Executive Order 13224. “While holding positions in previous Lebanese cabinets,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a written statement, “Finyanus and Khalil directed political and economic favors to Hezbollah, including ensuring Hezbollah-owned companies won government contracts worth millions of dollars and moving money from government ministries to Hezbollah-associated institutions.”

以下是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。黎巴嫩正面临严重的经济危机，这都是由于数十年来政府管理不善，腐败猖獗，以及领导人一再未能采取有意义的和持续的改革。8月4日毁灭性的爆炸让黎巴嫩民众更加大声呼吁，要求政府进行经济和体制改革，改善治理，结束困扰黎巴嫩的腐败现象。美国支持黎巴嫩人民“不接受一切照旧”的呼声。在黎巴嫩人民饱受经济危机和新冠肺炎疫情折磨之际，伊朗支持的真主党及其支持者利用黎巴嫩几十年来普遍存在的猖獗的政治腐败来推行他们的恐怖主义和非法活动。9月8日，美国政府根据13224号行政命令对黎巴嫩前政府部长优素福·菲尼亚努斯和阿里·哈桑·哈利勒实施制裁，原因是他们向真主党提供物质支持。“菲尼亚努斯和哈利勒之前在黎巴嫩内阁任职期间，”美国国务卿蓬佩奥在一份书面声明中表示，“向真主党提供政治和经济恩惠，包括确保真主党拥有的公司赢得价值数百万美元的政府承包合同，并将资金从政府部门向与真主党有关的机构转移。”

Yusuf Finyanus is a former minister of transportation while Ali Hassan Khalil is a former minister of finance, health, and agriculture. Both men abused their positions to direct public funds to the terrorist group. “Hezbollah depends on Lebanon’s corrupt political system for survival,” wrote Secretary of State Pompeo. “Anyone helping to advance Hezbollah’s political or economic interests is further eroding what remains of effective governance and facilitating financing for terrorism.” The Treasury Department noted in a written statement that “the multi-layered crisis in Lebanon stems from decades of corruption and economic mismanagement. Since October 2019, popular, cross-sectarian protests across the country demanded political and economic reform in Lebanon. The protesters’ calls for “all of them, means all of them” demonstrates the seriousness of their desire for reform and to pull back the curtain on certain groups’ corruption, including Hezbollah.” “Corruption has run rampant in Lebanon, and Hezbollah has exploited the political system to spread its malign influence,” said Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin. “The United States stands with the people of Lebanon in their calls for reform and will continue to use its authorities to target those who oppress and exploit them.” That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.

菲尼亚努斯是前运输部长，哈利勒是前财政、卫生和农业部长。两人滥用职权将公款拨给恐怖组织。“真主党依赖黎巴嫩腐败的政治体制而生存，”国务卿蓬佩奥在声明中写道。“任何帮助推动真主党政治经济利益的人都是在进一步侵蚀黎巴嫩残存的有效治理，并为恐怖主义融资提供便利。”美国财政部在一份书面声明中指出，“黎巴嫩的多重危机源于数十年来的腐败和经济管理不善。自2019年10月以来，全国各地爆发了跨教派的民众抗议，他们要求黎巴嫩进行政治和经济改革。抗议人士呼吁‘所有人，就是指所有人’，这表明他们有着严肃的意愿，渴望改革并揭露包括真主党在内的某些组织的腐败行为。”美国财政部长史蒂文·姆努钦说，“黎巴嫩腐败猖獗，真主党利用这个政治体制去散布其邪恶影响。”“美国支持黎巴嫩人民的改革呼声，美国当局会继续打压那些压迫和剥削黎巴嫩人民的人。”这是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。