2007年VOA标准英语-Burkinabes Debate 'American Dream' with New Fiv

By Phuong Tran
Dakar
13 April 2007

A change in U.S. visa policy is giving citizens in the West African nation of Burkina Faso a chance to make more frequent trips to the United States. Businessmen and others who travel often to the United States can now apply for multiple-entry visas good for five years. Phuong Tran talked to Burkinabes who are eager for a visa to find out if the American dream really exists. She has this report from VOA's West Africa bureau in Dakar, with additional reporting from Zoumana Wonogo in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou.

Announcing the visa policy change earlier this month, U.S. Ambassador¹ to Burkina Faso Jeanine Jackson said the visa is one way to strengthen business and trade relations between the countries.

"I think it is a very, very good encouraging sign of growing bilateral² cooperation," she said.

Justin Bayili

For Justin Bayili of the Export Promotion³ Center in Ouagadougou, he says this visa puts Burkinabe businesses one step closer to the American market.

"The market now is open. African market, Burkinabe market is open," he said. "The world market is open. What we have to do now is [figure out] how can we work to comply⁴ with the requirements of these markets."

Changes in American trade policy over the past few years have allowed Burkina Faso and other Sub-Saharan African countries to export certain items, such as clothing, to the United States without paying taxes. But only if they follow rules, like fighting corruption⁵ and making sure businesses operate freely.

Pierre Kafando is a businessman waiting on the new visa. He says he wants to try out a new clothing idea in the United States. He says it takes too long to get ahead in Burkina Faso.

Kafando says it takes less time to make dreams come true in the United States. He says one can stay in Burkina Faso for a decade and not do as much as someone who is in the United States for only three to four years.

But others say they know this American fast track to success comes with a price.

Abdoulaye Gardema is learning through his brother who does business in the United States.

"In the U.S, there is no time to waste, and everything is very fast, that there is no time to joke. He used to be here and visit many people during the weekend, but right now he has to work very, very, very hard," said Gardema.

But for others, the visa is not all about business.

For Frederic Ilboudo, the visa is a way to see if there really is such a thing as the American dream. He is eager to visit a brother in the United States to find out.

"He is doing good things there," he said. "He built his house, he bought a good car, So why not me? I would like to go."

As the new visa goes into effect, Burkinabe cotton businesses continue to blame the United States for its problems, saying U.S. subsidies⁶ for its farmers hurt Burkinabe cotton producers, and drive down cotton prices.

U.S. trade representatives have pointed⁷ to tax-free imports and multiple-entry visas as examples of how poor countries are given a fair chance to do business in the United States.

1 ambassador   

n.大使，特使，（派驻国际组织的）代表

参考例句：

• He took up office as an ambassador for ten years continuously.他连任十年大使。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

4 comply   

v.遵照，照做，应允，顺从，服从

参考例句：

• She was told to pay the fine,but refused to comply.她被通知交纳罚款，但她拒不服从。
• Candidates must comply strictly with these instructions.候选人必须严格遵守这些指示。

5 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。

6 subsidies   

n.补贴，津贴，补助金( subsidy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• European agriculture ministers failed to break the deadlock over farm subsidies. 欧洲各国农业部长在农业补贴问题上未能打破僵局。
• Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU's income. 农业补贴占去了欧盟收入的大约一半。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。