VOA标准英语2011--More Democracy Means More Economic Aid f

More Democracy Means More Economic Aid for Guinea

The road to democracy has been bumpy¹ for Guinea, but the European Union is supporting new development projects. The reinstated funding comes after the country's first free and fair elections, and a new bridge is becoming a symbol for democracy.
Less than five years ago, the people of Guinea suffered from, what's been called, the African disease: hunger, violent crime, and unemployment. And its government was in turmoil².
A December 2008 military coup³ threatened millions of euros in aid from the European Union. The EU suspended development funds until Guinea's government could prove it was stable.
Now it has. Guinea held free and fair elections late last year, putting President Alpha Condé into power. With a democratically-elected government, the EU renewed its funding pledge, and provided the money for a bridge between Guinea and Sierra Leone designed to improve trade between the two countries. EU Development Commissioner⁴ Andris Piebalgs was in Guinea this week to meet with political leaders. He explained why the Forecariah Bridge, over the Kissi Kissi River, is symbolic⁵.
"I believe it's crucial," said Piebalgs. "The country have had first time free and fair presidential election, so that means with this support, we definitely demonstrate that democracy means also more cooperation with other nations in the world. Without these we wouldn't be here, there wouldn't be this bridge and our relations would be much more strained."
Excited crowds gathered for the inauguration⁶ of the bridge. Commissioner Piebalgs says there are high hopes for the project.
"For this local community, it gives them access to the markets," added Piebalgs. "So, because we also deal with some access roads, smaller roads to basically increase commercial capacity, but most importantly, it connects also the region. Sierra Leone is very close here so that connects Sierra Leone also with trade exchange."
Sierra Leone is just 30 kilometers away from the Guinean markets, and that, says businessman Mohamed Bah, means progress for Guinea.
"The Sierra Leonians come to Guinea to buy everything - rice, oil, soaps, everything in a way, for their businesses. This is where they come to buy," said Bah. "So they will be bringing money and carrying goods.? So this is very good. It's making the Guineans develop economically."
With the country remaining calm, and with the EU commissioner pledging even more aid, Guineans hope the Forecariah Bridge is just the start of a new era of stability and prosperity.

1 bumpy   

adj.颠簸不平的，崎岖的

参考例句：

• I think we've a bumpy road ahead of us.我觉得我们将要面临一段困难时期。
• The wide paved road degenerated into a narrow bumpy track.铺好的宽阔道路渐渐变窄，成了一条崎岖不平的小径。

2 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。

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 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

5 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

6 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。