2007年VOA标准英语-Political Showdown Looms in Pakistan

By Benjamin Sand
Islamabad
31 August 2007

Pakistan braces¹ for a major political showdown a day after exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif announced his return on September 10. Mr. Sharif says he will challenge the reelection plans of Pervez Musharraf, the man who ousted² him and sent him into exile. From Islamabad, VOA correspondent Benjamin Sand reports.

Supporters of Pakistan's ousted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif share sweets to celebrate their leader's decision to come back to his country, 30 Aug 2007

Eight years after Pervez Musharraf ousted him in a military coup³, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says he is coming home to challenge the Pakistani president.

Speaking to reporters in London Thursday he dismissed fears that President Musharraf could have him arrested upon arrival.

"He kept me 14 months in jail," said Sharif. "He kept me in solitary⁴ confinement…he now once again is threatening me, I'm not scared…"

Mr. Sharif is demanding Mr. Musharraf step down as both president and head of Pakistan's military.

The showdown comes just weeks before President Musharraf is expected to seek another five-year term in office.

Public support for the Pakistani leader is plummeting⁵. The embattled president is reportedly seeking the support of another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto. Ms. Bhutto says a deal is nearing completion but insists the president must quit the army before she backs his reelection.

Nawaz Sharif during a news conference in central London, 30 Aug 2007

Mr. Sharif's return intensifies⁶ the pressure on both Bhutto and Mr. Musharraf to resolve any outstanding differences.

Ms. Bhutto lives in self-imposed exile but still heads Pakistan's largest opposition⁸ political party.

Without her support analysts⁹ say the president may lack the political muscle needed to guarantee his hold on power.

In exchange, Ms. Bhutto is demanding the government drop corruption¹⁰ charges against her and her family and end legal restrictions¹¹ preventing her from serving a third term as prime minister.

But the talks with her former rival have left Ms. Bhutto open to charges of political opportunism. Her domestic standing⁷ has suffered and many of her chief allies have argued against a political alliance with President Musharraf.

Mr. Sharif meanwhile is charging ahead. He has sharply criticized the talks and insists he would not cut a deal with the Pakistan president.

Mr. Sharif could also attract many of the president's top political allies, as the main political party backing Mr. Musharraf was formed after Mr. Sharif's exile and is filled with his former supporters.

Many suggest they will not vote for the president in next month's elections and a federal minister has already stepped down to protest Mr. Musharraf's continued rule.

1 braces   

n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来

参考例句：

• The table is shaky because the braces are loose. 这张桌子摇摇晃晃，因为支架全松了。
• You don't need braces if you're wearing a belt! 要系腰带，就用不着吊带了。

2 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

3 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

4 solitary   

adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士

参考例句：

• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
• The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。

5 plummeting   

v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Prices are rising, falling, going up, going down, shooting up, plummeting, etc. 物价在上涨、下跌、上升、下落、猛然上涨、骤然下跌等。 来自辞典例句
• The enemy plane went plummeting into the sea. 敌机直直掉进海里。 来自辞典例句

6 intensifies   

n.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的名词复数 )v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A clear atmosphere intensifies the blue of the sky. 纯净的空气使天空变得更蓝。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Blowing on fire intensifies the heat. 吹火使热度加强。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

8 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

9 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

10 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。

11 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制