VOA标准英语2009-Security Key Issue in Lebanon's Elections

As voters in Lebanon go to the polls on Sunday (June 7) , one issue seems to be dominating the elections more than any other: security. In the tumultuous landscape of Lebanese politics, the issue of security is of particular importance to one candidate: Nayla Tueni, whose father Gebran Tueni was assassinated¹ six months after being elected in 2005 to the seat she now seeks.
　
Supporters of Nayla Tueni (posters) sit in front of electoral office in Beirut's Christian² Achrafiyeh district, 27 May 2009

Nayla Tueni is candidate for parliament. A stable Lebanon matters to her more than most. Her father was MP, Gebran Tueni. He was assassinated in 2005. His murder was widely seen as revenge for his outspoken³ criticism of Syria's political control over Lebanon. Nayla Tueni believes outside forces are still a major threat to Lebanon.

"We don't know if they will continue to kill us, continue to kill those who are not with the Syrian regime, who are not with the Iranians, who are not with Hezbollah and who are not with all these people because we are asking for our freedom, sovereignty and independence, maybe they will kill us, nobody knows," she said.

Boutros Harb, a Lebanese member of parliament up for re-election, also believes that improving security in Lebanon is key to improving life in the country.

"Building a country, a stable country without everyday war and transforming Lebanon away from continuous struggle will help Lebanon to have a better economy, a more stable economy and will help people have a better standard of life," he said.

The desire for safety and political stability for the elections is reflected in the streets of Beirut.

This man says as long as there is safety and security everything even the economy will improve.

This woman says security is the most important, but the Lebanese forces will be out for the elections so I'm not afraid.
　
Flowers adorn⁴ the gravesite of Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut (file photo)

Lebanon has suffered long periods of political violence and upheaval⁵. In 1975 the country spiraled into civil war that lasted 15 years. Then just 4 years ago, a number of assassinations⁶ saw the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri killed as well as Gebran Tueni. Many blame the murders on neighboring Syria, an accusation⁷ that Damascus has always denied. Nayla Tueni says her father's vision of a strong and independent Lebanon is what inspired her to run for a parliamentary seat.

"For him and for my country, because I love my country, I decided⁸ to present myself for the election. I believed in what he said and what he wanted for the country," she said.

The desire for stability in Lebanon seems one that everyone wants - the challenge for politicians will be making that dream of security into a reality.

1 assassinated   

v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏

参考例句：

• The prime minister was assassinated by extremists. 首相遭极端分子暗杀。
• Then, just two days later, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. 跟着在两天以后，肯尼迪总统在达拉斯被人暗杀。 来自辞典例句

2 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

3 outspoken   

adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的

参考例句：

• He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。
• She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。

4 adorn   

vt.使美化，装饰

参考例句：

• She loved to adorn herself with finery.她喜欢穿戴华丽的服饰。
• His watercolour designs adorn a wide range of books.他的水彩设计使许多图书大为生色。

5 upheaval   

n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱

参考例句：

• It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World War Ⅱ.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。
• The country has been thrown into an upheaval.这个国家已经陷入动乱之中。

6 assassinations   

n.暗杀( assassination的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Most anarchist assassinations were bungled because of haste or spontaneity, in his view. 在他看来，无政府主义者搞的许多刺杀都没成功就是因为匆忙和自发行动。 来自辞典例句
• Assassinations by Israelis of alleged terrorists habitually kill nearby women and children. 在以色列，自称恐怖分子的炸弹自杀者杀害靠近自己的以色列妇女和儿童。 来自互联网

7 accusation   

n.控告，指责，谴责

参考例句：

• I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
• She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。

8 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。