VOA常速英语2007-Re-Opened Bridge Unites Sierra Leoneans, Liberia

By Kari Barber
Dakar
20 October 2007

Residents in the region along the Sierra Leone-Liberian border say the re-opening of a bridge connecting the two countries has brought increased trade as people cross to buy and sell goods. During recent civil wars, the bridge served as a transit¹ point for rebels and their weapons.  Now people say they hope it will bring improved relations between the two countries. Kari Barber reports from our West Africa bureau in Dakar.

The Mano River Bridge was once a vital pathway, commercially linking the Sierra Leone capital Freetown with Liberia's capital Monrovia.  But in the1990s, as war broke out, the bridge was used by rebels and became too dangerous for civilians².

Its re-opening is mostly a symbolic³ move, reflecting improved relations between Liberia and Sierra Leone, strained during the wars.

Sierra Leonean trader Hawa Fomba says she crosses the bridge each day with her goods hoping that sales will be better on the other side and she will be able to buy food for her children.

"The business we are doing here is very difficult, all over the country, not only Sierra Leone, but also Liberia," she said.  "We are trying our level best to survive.  Sometimes we lose and sometimes we gain."

Liberian health worker James Kumakai says many Sierra Leoneans are crossing into Liberia to buy medicines that are unavailable on their side of the border.  He says this has caused shortages.

"[There are] no drugs around the border," he noted⁴.  "They are bringing patients in, but most of the essential drugs are not there, the antibiotics⁵ and most of the essential drugs are not there.  No antimalarial drugs.  So people are coming in to come for treatment."

Liberian Hassan Passaway was a child soldier.  He says some former child soldiers like himself earn money by pushing wheelbarrows piled with goods across the bridge destined⁶ for vendors⁷ on the other side. He says many former child soldiers have not found work.

"We do not have any job," he said.  "We do not have anything to do.  Even people building a house and working on that, we do not have that here."

The Mano River basin along the border of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea has long been lawless and tense during regional conflicts.

Many hope the re-opened border crossing will build trust between Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Passaway says it is working.  He says he and other former combatants from both sides have been using the bridge to cross over and play soccer with each other.

"We call the guys in from there, and they come for us to have friendly matches," he noted.  "We have everything in common with them."

The governments of Liberia and Sierra Leone say they hope improved trade will increase revenue and improve living standards for the two nations, but they say security in the area will be tightened⁸ to ensure the bridge does not again become a tool for destabilizing the region.

1 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

4 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。

5 antibiotics   

n.（用作复数）抗生素；（用作单数）抗生物质的研究；抗生素，抗菌素( antibiotic的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century 20世纪抗生素的发现
• The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. 医生给我开了抗生素。

6 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。

7 vendors   

n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方

参考例句：

• The vendors were gazundered at the last minute. 卖主在最后一刻被要求降低房价。
• At the same time, interface standards also benefIt'software vendors. 同时，界面标准也有利于软件开发商。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

8 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。