VOA常速英语2007-Immigration Museum Opens in France Amid Debate a

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
10 October 2007

France's first museum showcasing the country's history of immigration has opened in Paris - to a storm of controversy¹. Lisa Bryant has more on the immigration debate from the French capital.

Located in eastern Paris, the National Complex of the History of Immigration aims to retrace² France's history of immigration during the past two centuries - and the role immigrants have played in the nation's construction.

Though many years in the planning, the museum's opening occurs while legislation making its way through parliament to toughen French immigration laws has generated fierce criticism.

Even members of the center-right government have voiced concerns over one clause in the bill - on voluntary DNA³ testing of applicants⁴ wishing to join their families in France.

Earlier this year, eight researchers resigned from the immigration museum to protest the new name of a French ministry⁵ - the Ministry of Immigration and National Identity. They said the name reflects wariness⁶ toward immigrants, rather than acceptance. But the researchers said they supported the intent of the immigration museum.

Some people also criticized French President Nicolas Sarkozy for not being present at the opening. However, Mr. Sarkozy is on an official visit to Moscow. The country's immigration minister also did not attend. An official inauguration⁷ of the museum is to take place at a later date.

In an interview with Radio France International, museum President Jacques Toubon argued the institution plays no role in the political concerns.

Toubon said it is important to distinguish the role of the immigration museum, which is cultural and educational, from that of politics.

But critics like Mouloud Aounit, the head of the Paris-based NGO Movement Against Racism⁸ and for Friendship between Peoples, says it is impossible for the museum, as a public institution, to stay out of the political debate.

But Aounit, whose family immigrated⁹ from North Africa, says he plans to visit the museum soon - with his children.

Illegal immigration has been an important issue for the current government, and was a campaign issue for Mr. Sarkozy before his election earlier this year.

French officials say 200,000 to 400,000 foreigners live in France without residency papers. The government has told police to expel at least 25,000 foreigners without valid¹⁰ visas or papers this year.

1 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

2 retrace   

v.折回；追溯，探源

参考例句：

• He retraced his steps to the spot where he'd left the case.他折回到他丢下箱子的地方。
• You must retrace your steps.你必须折回原来走过的路。

3 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

4 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

5 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。

6 wariness   

n. 注意,小心

参考例句：

• The British public's wariness of opera is an anomaly in Europe. 英国公众对歌剧不大轻易接受的态度在欧洲来说很反常。
• There certainly is a history of wariness about using the R-word. 历史表明绝对应当谨慎使用“衰退”一词。

7 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

8 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。

9 immigrated   

v.移入( immigrate的过去式和过去分词 )；移民

参考例句：

• He immigrated from Ulster in 1848. 他1848年从阿尔斯特移民到这里。 来自辞典例句
• Many Pakistanis have immigrated to Britain. 许多巴基斯坦人移居到了英国。 来自辞典例句

10 valid   

adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的

参考例句：

• His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
• Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？