VOA标准英语2011--Aristide Arrives in Haiti

Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has arrived Haiti after leaving South Africa late Thursday. Aristide said ending seven years exile in the southern African country was a "great day".
The media briefing at Oliver Tambo airport shortly before his departure, Aristide spoke¹ of mixed feelings at leaving South Africa. He spoke in isiZulu, a language in which he has become proficient² during his exile.
Mr Aristide said he and his family feel sad at leaving beloved friends, but at the same time felt peace at being able to return home after seven years. He said people in Haiti are waiting for the family's return, and said their long-held wish will soon come true.
The former Haitian leader was driven from office by armed rebels in 2004 and was granted exile in South Africa. He said he will not become involved in Haitian politics.
But he returns to Haiti two days before elections and amid warnings from the United States that his presence in the country could destabilize the poll. U.S. President Barack Obama called South African President Jacob Zuma earlier this week to voice that concern.
Zuma has not commented on the conversation, but Minister in the Presidency³, Collins Chabane told the media that Haiti had earlier this year issued a passport to Mr Aristide, and Pretoria could not hold him "hostage".
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane told reporters Zuma had briefly⁴ met with Aristide before his departure.
"We've just had a brief good-bye inter-action between President Aristide, his family and President Zuma, who on behalf of the government, people of South Africa had wished President Aristide, Bon Voyage, and safe landing in his country of birth Haiti. I just want to say once again on behalf of our people, we wish you a safe and a happy landing."
Reports in South Africa say this country paid for his chartered flight to Haiti.
Well known American actor Danny Glover flew to South Africa to accompany Mr Aristide and his family back to Haiti.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 proficient   

adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家

参考例句：

• She is proficient at swimming.她精通游泳。
• I think I'm quite proficient in both written and spoken English.我认为我在英语读写方面相当熟练。

3 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

4 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。