2006年VOA标准英语-Palestinians Stuck at Iraq-Syrian Border

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
24 December 2006

Palestinian refugees leave buses that drove them through Iraq, upon their arrival to Tanaf border crossing, 300 kilometers northeast of Damascus, Syria, 9 May 2006

The U.N. refugee agency says more than 40 Palestinians who fled Baghdad to escape increasing violence, harassment¹ and targeted killings² remain stranded³ at the Iraqi-Syrian border. The UNHCR says no country wants to accept the Palestinians. It is calling for a solution to their plight⁴. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.

The U.N. refugee agency says the Palestinians are caught in a Catch-22 situation. It says they are not allowed to either leave Iraq or enter Syria.

The UNHCR estimates about 15,000 Palestinians currently live in Iraq, compared to some 34,000 before the war began in 2003. Many arrived after the Arab-Israeli wars in 1948 and 1967 and enjoyed generous financial support from former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who championed the Palestinian cause.

UNHCR spokesman, Ron Redmond, says Iraqi border guards claim the Palestinians lack proper documentation. He says some members of the group do not have any travel documents, while others are holding expired ones. He says the Palestinians are in a bind⁵ because Iraqi authorities in Baghdad have been unwilling⁶ to renew their residence permits.

"So, now we have 41 traumatized Palestinians who have spent the past week 250 meters from the Iraqi checkpoint," he said. "They are being helped by a local tribal⁷ leader who has given them accommodation, food and water. Iraqi border officials are also giving some help as is the International Committee of the Red Cross. UNHCR has been in contact with the respective authorities, but so far we have been unable to get any solution for these 41 Palestinians."

Redmond says the Palestinians are in a state of limbo⁸. They are not even allowed to enter the no-man's land between Iraq and Syria to join an earlier group of 350 Palestinians who have been stuck there since May.

Redmond says the Palestinians remaining in Iraq are living in a climate of constant fear in Baghdad, with no easy way out of the country.

"But now, many of them have been pushed out of their apartments because they no longer get that subsidy⁹. They cannot afford to stay there," he continued. "They are living in just sort of makeshift settlements or pockets in Baghdad that have been attacked, several times-specifically targeted. So, they are not a particularly welcome group by some quarters in Baghdad."

 

The UNHCR is urging the Iraqi and Syrian authorities to allow the Palestinians to leave the country. It also is renewing its plea to neighboring and resettlement countries and Israel to offer a solution. Spokesman Redmond says the Palestinians have nowhere to turn.

1 harassment   

n.骚扰，扰乱，烦恼，烦乱

参考例句：

• She often got telephone harassment at night these days.这些天她经常在夜晚受到电话骚扰。
• The company prohibits any form of harassment.公司禁止任何形式的骚扰行为。

2 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

3 stranded   

a.搁浅的，进退两难的

参考例句：

• He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里， 身无分文，一筹莫展。
• I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市，既没有钱，又没有朋友。

4 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

5 bind   

vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬

参考例句：

• I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you.我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
• He wants a shirt that does not bind him.他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。

6 unwilling   

adj.不情愿的

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。

7 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

8 limbo   

n.地狱的边缘；监狱

参考例句：

• His life seemed stuck in limbo and he could not go forward and he could not go back.他的生活好像陷入了不知所措的境地，进退两难。
• I didn't know whether my family was alive or dead.I felt as if I was in limbo.我不知道家人是生是死，感觉自己茫然无措。

9 subsidy   

n.补助金，津贴

参考例句：

• The university will receive a subsidy for research in artificial intelligence.那个大学将得到一笔人工智能研究的补助费。
• The living subsidy for senior expert's family is included in the remuneration.报酬已包含高级专家家人的生活补贴。