VOA常速英语2008年-UN Says Haitian Riots Could Undermine Progress

By Margaret Besheer
United Nations
08 April 2008

The head of the U.N.'s stabilization¹ mission in Haiti says there has been real progress on several key fronts, but it remains² fragile and reversible, as the current unrest over rising food prices has demonstrated. From United Nations headquarters in New York, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.

Hédi Annabi told the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council that recent deadly riots in parts of Haiti over rising food prices also appear to have a political dimension, and could undermine the government as well as the public's confidence.

"We have seen a rise in anti-government demonstrations³, with a particular focus on the recent dramatic increase in the cost of living. … Because of the violence that has occurred in the past, the Haitian public is particularly sensitive to threats of instability," Annabi said.

Annabi said the 10,000-strong U.N. force (MINUSTAH) needs to remain vigilant⁴ and respond robustly⁵ so these demonstrations are not exploited by people with a political agenda or by criminal gangs.

In his briefing, the secretary-general's special representative also told the council that any lasting⁶ progress will require a minimal⁷ level of political consensus⁸ and advances in socio-economic conditions.

And while security is significantly better overall, he warned that kidnappings have again been on the rise and there are signs that criminal gangs may be working to reorganize. He noted⁹ that the national police force has grown to more than eight thousand, but it is still far short of the 14,000 required for a country the size of Haiti.

Annabi said the U.N. stabilization mission must stay the course and help Haiti escape the destructive cycles of the past.

"We need to work together to ensure that this opportunity is seized, that the country's emerging stability is consolidated¹⁰, and that firm foundations are laid for a better future," Annabi said.

In a statement, the Security Council reaffirmed its support for the government of Haiti and the $500 million a year U.N. mission there. The council noted that it is the Haitian government's primary responsibility to stabilize¹¹ the country, but it recognized the importance of sustained international support toward achieving that end.

1 Stabilization   

稳定化

参考例句：

• The position of barycentre on plane directly impacts the stabilization and manipulation of plane. 飞机重心位置直接影响飞机的稳定和操纵特性。
• With the higher olefins, stabilization of the energetic intermediates occurs more easily. 在较高的烯烃情况下，高能的中间物稳定作用更易出现。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。

5 robustly   

adv.要用体力地，粗鲁地

参考例句：

• These three hormones also robustly stimulated thymidine incorporation and inhibited drug-induced apoptosis. 并且这三种激素有利于胸（腺嘧啶脱氧核）苷掺入和抑制药物诱导的细胞凋亡。 来自互联网
• The economy is still growing robustly, but inflation, It'seems, is back. 经济依然强劲增长，但是通胀似乎有所抬头。 来自互联网

6 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

7 minimal   

adj.尽可能少的，最小的

参考例句：

• They referred to this kind of art as minimal art.他们把这种艺术叫微型艺术。
• I stayed with friends, so my expenses were minimal.我住在朋友家，所以我的花费很小。

8 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

9 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。

10 consolidated   

a.联合的

参考例句：

• With this new movie he has consolidated his position as the country's leading director. 他新执导的影片巩固了他作为全国最佳导演的地位。
• Those two banks have consolidated and formed a single large bank. 那两家银行已合并成一家大银行。

11 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。