VOA标准英语2008年-Zimbabwe's Political Rivals to Begin Power-Shar

Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF and the opposition¹ Movement for Democratic Change were to begin talks about the political future of the country in South Africa's capital, but the timing² is uncertain. As VOA's Delia Robertson reports from our southern Africa bureau the two sides set out an ambitious agenda and little time to accomplish the goals.

Zimbabwe's political leaders have set their negotiators a significant list of agreements to forge within two weeks. These include setting the objectives and priorities of a new government, a new constitution, a framework for a new government, and implementation³ mechanisms⁴.

Each of these agenda items include sub-elements such as economic stability, land questions, individual security and prevention of violence, and the rule of law.

All must then be combined into an agreement signed by party leaders in the presence of the facilitator, South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is supported by the Southern Africa Development Community and the African Union.

Many Zimbabweans, weary of political turmoil⁶ and a collapsing⁷ economy, welcomed the talks and expressed hope they will bring about positive change. But not all are happy. Many fear that President Robert Mugabe is using the talks as a tactic⁸ to shift attention from the failures of his government.

Others, such as National Constitutional Assembly Chairman Lovemore Madhuku, believe the agreement will lead to a power-sharing arrangement between the parties without time limits or commitments to real political reform.

"If you look at the content and if you listen to the speeches, although they pretend that the intention is to solve the problems of the country, the clear signal there is that they are about to share power, parceling out government positions and so on," said Madhuku. "That is far from what we need at the moment. What is required is a complete reform process that changes the political system."

A transitional government of national unity⁵ is expected to be part of the final agreement, but the parties appear greatly divided on who will lead that government and what transitional means.

Mr. Mugabe says he should lead a power-sharing government and wants the MDC to recognize his widely discredited⁹ re-election last month as president. He also wants a lengthy¹⁰ transition period, perhaps as long as five years to enable him to serve out his current term in office.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai believes he should lead the government because of his majority in the March presidential vote that was widely accepted as free and fair. The MDC would also like a short transition period, allowing just enough time to stabilize¹¹ the country and prepare for fresh elections conducted under African Union and SADC principles.

 

 

1 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。

2 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

3 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

4 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

6 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

7 collapsing   

压扁[平]，毁坏，断裂

参考例句：

• Rescuers used props to stop the roof of the tunnel collapsing. 救援人员用支柱防止隧道顶塌陷。
• The rocks were folded by collapsing into the center of the trough. 岩石由于坍陷进入凹槽的中心而发生褶皱。

8 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

9 discredited   

不足信的，不名誉的

参考例句：

• The reactionary authorities are between two fires and have been discredited. 反动当局弄得进退维谷，不得人心。
• Her honour was discredited in the newspapers. 她的名声被报纸败坏了。

10 lengthy   

adj.漫长的，冗长的

参考例句：

• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
• The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。

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。