VOA常速英语2007-UN Security Council Says Terrorists, Drugs Still

By Mona Ghuneim
New York
15 October 2007

The United Nations Security Council says terrorism and the drug trade in Afghanistan continue to undermine peace and stability. From VOA's New York Bureau, Mona Ghuneim reports.

Head of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, Tom Koenigs, says an increase in civilian¹ casualties and violent incidents in 2007 shows that the international community must strengthen its resolve to help the Afghan nation.

Briefing the U.N. Security Council Monday, Koenigs said the protection of the civilian population must remain a priority as the Afghan government and international community continue efforts to stabilize² the country.

"The biggest threat to the civilian population and the overall stability is the ongoing³ campaign of intimidation⁴, abduction and execution being carried out by anti-government elements against all those seen to have a connection with the Afghan government or the international community," he said.

Council members say improvements in education, healthcare and the economy are being overwhelmed by challenges in governance, regional cooperation, security - especially an ineffective police force - and drug trafficking. He says there was a 34 percent increase in opium⁵ production from 2006 to 2007.

Koenigs says the link between the drug trade and the growing insurgency⁶ could jeopardize⁷ the already weak government.

U.S. representative Alejandro Wolf told the Security Council that the international community must assist the Afghan government in exerting its authority throughout the country. "While the international community's assistance to Afghanistan has been great, the needs are greater still. We must not slacken in our resolve to provide the Afghan people with the tools to rebuild," he said.

Wolf says one way to help tackle the drug problem is to create a robust⁸ agricultural sector⁹ in Afghanistan that will reduce the incentive¹⁰ to grow opium. He says the international community must help strengthen Afghanistan's rule of law, security and human rights, and that long-term assistance to the nation is imperative¹¹.

1 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。

2 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。

3 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

4 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

5 opium   

n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的

参考例句：

• That man gave her a dose of opium.那男人给了她一剂鸦片。
• Opium is classed under the head of narcotic.鸦片是归入麻醉剂一类的东西。

6 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

7 jeopardize   

vt.危及，损害

参考例句：

• Overworking can jeopardize your health.工作过量可能会危及你的健康。
• If you are rude to the boss it may jeopardize your chances of success.如果你对上司无礼，那就可能断送你成功的机会。

8 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

9 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

10 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。

11 imperative   

n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的

参考例句：

• He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
• The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。