VOA常速英语2007-Pakistan's Bhutto Says Charges Against Her Remai

By Daniel Schearf
Islamabad
03 October 2007

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto says there is no agreement on granting her amnesty from corruption¹ charges and that power-sharing talks with Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf are totally stalled. The stalemate comes just days before the presidential election and, as Daniel Schearf reports from Islamabad, could lead to Bhutto's party joining protests against the government.

The exiled former Prime Minister told journalists in London on Wednesday that a minister's suggestion the government would drop corruption charges against her was "disinformation" made up by Pakistani authorities.

Ms. Bhutto has been in self-imposed exile for eight years since she was charged with corruption in connection with her time as prime minister.

Pakistan's Railways Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, said Tuesday the cabinet and ruling party are prepared to grant Ms. Bhutto amnesty to try to win her party's support in Saturday's presidential election. But, there was no official announcement of any offer nor confirmation² from Ms. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party.

Ms. Bhutto says months-long talks with General Musharraf on a power-sharing deal are now at an impasse³ because he refuses to give a timeline for meeting her requirements. Among them: a key demand to give up his post as head of the military before the election.

"He's not prepared to do that, he's not prepared to give a full immunity⁴ bill, he's not prepared to lift the ban on a twice elected Prime Minister, he's not prepared to bring about election reforms that are necessary for a fair election, he's not prepared to bring about a balance in the power between the presidency⁵ and the prime minister," she said. "He's prepared to say that all this will be done at some indefinite, indeterminate future time.

 

General Musharraf came to power in a 1999 military coup⁶ and has been under pressure to restore civilian⁷ rule. But, he appears hesitant to give up the reigns⁸ of power. He has promised to give up his military post to a newly-appointed successor, but not until after he wins reelection to another five-year term as president.

General Musharraf lost considerable public support this year because of a failed attempt to fire the chief justice of the Supreme⁹ Court for allowing challenges to his continued rule. However, he is expected to win reelection.

Pakistan's Supreme Court began last-minute hearings Wednesday on petitions challenging General Musharraf's right to run for president. The high court dismissed similar petitions last week.

On Tuesday, more than 80 opposition¹⁰ legislators resigned in protest against Mr. Musharraf's reelection bid, which they say is unconstitutional.

Ms. Bhutto says her party may join in the resignations and protest in the streets if the ruling party does not come up with an acceptable power-sharing deal.

1 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。

2 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

3 impasse   

n.僵局；死路

参考例句：

• The government had reached an impasse.政府陷入绝境。
• Negotiations seemed to have reached an impasse.谈判似乎已经陷入僵局。

4 immunity   

n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权

参考例句：

• The law gives public schools immunity from taxation.法律免除公立学校的纳税义务。
• He claims diplomatic immunity to avoid being arrested.他要求外交豁免以便避免被捕。

5 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

6 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

7 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

8 reigns   

n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期

参考例句：

• In these valleys night reigns. 夜色笼罩着那些山谷。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The Queen of Britain reigns, but she does not rule or govern. 英国女王是国家元首，但不治国事。 来自辞典例句

9 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

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。