VOA常速英语2007年-UN Chief to Push for Counter-Terrorism Measures

By Barbara Schoetzau
New York
19 December 2007

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has returned from an emotional visit to Algiers where a car bomb ripped through the U.N. compound December 11, demolishing¹ the offices of the U.N. Refugee Agency and its Development Program and killing² 17 U.N. staff members. From VOA's New York bureau, correspondent Barbara Schoetzau reports the Secretary General says he plans to push for counter-terrorism measures worldwide.

In an emotional address to staff at U.N. headquarters in New York, Mr. Ban described the scene of devastation³ at the U.N. compound in Algiers and his meetings with survivors⁴ and the families of victims.

He says many family members pleaded with him to do more to fight terrorism. The Secretary General says he will redouble his efforts to get U.N. counter-terrorism strategies implemented⁵ and to strengthen global staff security.

"Above all, the experience strengthened my resolve to do everything in my power to improve the security of our staff," he said.  "I will soon present a proposal for a review of U.N. security worldwide. I will ask governments to act on their obligations under General Assembly resolution 59-276, which spells out that the primary responsibility for insuring the safety and security of the United Nations staff and premises⁶ rests with host country."

A North African branch of al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the bombings, calling the U.N. a slave of France and the United States. Mr. Ban says the United Nations must do a better job of explaining its role in the world.

"We must explain to the public and the media the role of the United Nations wherever we operate, why we are there, what we do and what we stand for and what we don't," he said.  "We must make clear we are not there to represent the interests of any one group of nations. We must make clear that we are there to clear mines, build schools, run clinics, advance the rules of law, help protect the environment and help protect human rights. In short, to build better lives for the men women and children we exist to serve."

The Secretary General returned with the flag that flew outside U.N. House in Algiers. He said it will be displayed at U.N. headquarters in New York as a reminder⁷ of the sacrifices United Nations staffers make working for peace.

1 demolishing   

v.摧毁( demolish的现在分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光

参考例句：

• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings. 这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。 来自《用法词典》
• Conventional demolishing work would have caused considerable interruptions in traffic. 如果采用一般的拆除方法就要引起交通的严重中断。 来自辞典例句

2 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

3 devastation   

n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤

参考例句：

• The bomb caused widespread devastation. 炸弹造成大面积破坏。
• There was devastation on every side. 到处都是破坏的创伤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

5 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

6 premises   

n.建筑物，房屋

参考例句：

• According to the rules,no alcohol can be consumed on the premises.按照规定，场内不准饮酒。
• All repairs are done on the premises and not put out.全部修缮都在家里进行，不用送到外面去做。

7 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。