2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Meets with New Liberian Leader

By Paula Wolfson
White House
21 March 2006
 
 
President Bush, right, meets with Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the Oval Office of the White House Tuesday, March 21, 2006, in Washington 
  
President Bush has met for the first time with the new president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  They discussed many issues, including the fate of former Liberian president and rebel leader Charles Taylor.

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President Sirleaf says it is crucial to bring Charles Taylor to justice.

"I wish we had the luxury of time on this issue, but it has become an impediment to our being able to move forward, to pursue our development agenda," she said.

Taylor is living in exile in Nigeria, and associates say he is warning of bloodshed if he is extradited to face war crimes charges before a special tribunal set up in Sierra Leone.

Speaking to reporters as she left the White House, President Sirleaf defended her decision to seek his extradition¹.   She said it is essential if Liberia is to recover from the damage caused by years of civil war.

"It is a known fact that Mr. Taylor continues to have people operate in our country, that he does, in fact, have business operations in our country, and the longer we wait for this matter to have closure, the more difficult it will be for us to move forward as a nation and a people," she added.

Mrs. Sirleaf said Nigerian officials are now holding consultations² with other African leaders who helped draft the arrangements that sent Charles Taylor into exile.  She said they must decide on the timing³ and conditions for his extradition, adding he will then receive a free and fair trial with the full right of self-defense.

She said she discussed the matter with President Bush.

"President Bush only said that he too would consult with the African leaders so that a fair decision is taken that would ensure not only the stability of Liberia is secure, but the Liberian people can move ahead and have a new life, and also that the conditions on which the African leaders have agreed for Mr. Taylor will be respected," she explained.

Neither Mrs. Sirleaf nor President Bush mentioned Charles Taylor when reporters were ushered⁴ into the Oval Office for the last few minutes of their talks.  Mr. Bush said his discussions with President Sirleaf dealt with development, education and regional conflicts.   He was also lavish⁵ in his praise of the new Liberian leader, who is the first female elected head of state in Africa.  He called her a "pioneer."

"And that requires courage and vision and the desire to improve the lives of your people.   And I congratulate you on that," said Mr. Bush.

President Sirleaf said her country will work hard to justify⁶ U.S. support for its reconstruction⁷

"Liberia is going to do all it can to justify the confidence that you have given us," she noted⁸.  "Liberia, we think, has the potential to become the U.S. success story in Africa."

The White House meeting came at the end of President Sirleaf's weeklong visit to the United States.   It was followed by a formal luncheon⁹ attended by dignitaries from both the United States and Liberia, including members of the extended Sirleaf family who live in America.

1 extradition   

n.引渡（逃犯）

参考例句：

• The smuggler is in prison tonight,awaiting extradition to Britain.这名走私犯今晚在监狱，等待引渡到英国。
• He began to trouble concerning the extradition laws.他开始费尽心思地去想关于引渡法的问题。

2 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

4 ushered   

v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
• A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

6 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

7 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

8 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。

9 luncheon   

n.午宴，午餐，便宴

参考例句：

• We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
• I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。