VOA标准英语2014--泰国军方和谈后反对派再次会谈

 

After Thai Army Hosts Peace Talks, Opposing Sides to Meet Again 泰国军方和谈后反对派再次会谈

BANGKOK — A day after Thailand's army chief declared martial¹ law, he gathered top politicians and protest leaders for talks in Bangkok. The talks are intended to try to break the six-month political deadlock² that continues to damage the country’s economy.

Prominent political figures were summoned Wednesday afternoon for closed-door talks at the Army Club by General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The military says the talks were serious but conducted in a friendly atmosphere. An army spokesman says all the stakeholders were given "homework" by the military and asked to return for a second round of discussions Thursday.

The day after the army chief declared martial law, there was scant³ evidence of troops on Bangkok’s streets, a contrast from the previous day when there were numerous checkpoints in and outside the capital.  

One significant difference after the implementation⁴ of martial law: a muting of Thailand’s media. At least 14 satellite TV stations and hundreds of small radio stations were taken off the air. At the remaining news stations, soldiers now monitor content.

The pro-government red shirts, camped just west of the capital, have reiterated⁵ they will not remain passive if the caretaker cabinet is ousted⁶.

At the anti-government rally site, near key government buildings, the army’s headquarters and the U.N.’s largest regional office, there was no military presence. As was the case before martial law, guards of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee control access.

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister, vows⁷ his supporters will break camp only when the government is rid of the influence of the powerful Shinawatra family, whose political parties have won every election since 2001.

That record is why anti-government protesters such as freelance photographer (from Pattalung province) Sathit Yoddecha oppose another vote. Instead, they want an unelected council to change Thailand’s political system.

“Elections aren’t our goal. It would only mean the same group would come back to power. We don’t want that. Elections will lead the country down the same path and it’s not a good path. We don’t want to walk down that path anymore which has hurt us and the country," said Thaugsuban.

Thailand’s economy shrank by more than two percent in the first quarter of the year. And even before the declaration of martial law the government cut its economic growth forecast for the entire year. An extended period of martial law or another coup would almost certainly give pause to many more investors and tourists

1 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

2 deadlock   

n.僵局，僵持

参考例句：

• The negotiations reached a deadlock after two hours.两小时后，谈判陷入了僵局。
• The employers and strikers are at a deadlock over the wage.雇主和罢工者在工资问题上相持不下。

3 scant   

adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略

参考例句：

• Don't scant the butter when you make a cake.做糕饼时不要吝惜奶油。
• Many mothers pay scant attention to their own needs when their children are small.孩子们小的时候，许多母亲都忽视自己的需求。

4 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。

5 reiterated   

反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• "Well, I want to know about it,'she reiterated. “嗯，我一定要知道你的休假日期，"她重复说。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Some twenty-two years later President Polk reiterated and elaborated upon these principles. 大约二十二年之后，波尔克总统重申这些原则并且刻意阐释一番。

6 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

7 vows   

誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿

参考例句：

• Matrimonial vows are to show the faithfulness of the new couple. 婚誓体现了新婚夫妇对婚姻的忠诚。
• The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿。