VOA常速英语2018--美国为莱索托提供发展援助

Development Assistance for Lesotho

A delegation¹ from the U.S. government's Millennium² Challenge Corporation, or MCC, visited Lesotho recently to discuss the development of a second MCC compact to reduce poverty and promote economic growth in partnership³ with the government of Lesotho.

接下来，是一篇反映美国政府观点的社论。 

A delegation from the U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation, or MCC,visited Lesotho recently to discuss the development of a second MCC compact to reduce poverty and promote economic growth in partnership with the government of Lesotho.

最近，美国政府世纪挑战集团（MCC）代表团访问了莱索托，讨论了与MCC第二次签约的相关事宜，本次签约旨在与莱索托政府合作，以减少贫困、促进经济增长。

During their visit to restart development of a second MCC compact,the U.S. delegation met with senior Lesotho Government officials and political party leaders, civil society and the private-sector to discuss MCC’s approach to country partnership and the compact development process going forward.

在此次以重启美国与MCC第二次签约为目的的访问中，美国代表团与莱索托政府高级官员及政党领导人、民间团体和私营部门进行了会晤，讨论了MCC实现两国合作的方法以及签约事宜的下一步进展。

Using an approach that reflects a country’s own priorities, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to developing countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance,from fighting corruption⁴ to respecting democratic rights. Working with local partners, MCC tackles some of the most pressing challenges that developing countries face,such as access to electricity, clean water, land rights and roads.

MCC采用反应国家自身重要事项的方法，向符合严格善政标准的发展中国家提供一定期限内的赠款和援助，这些标准包括从反腐到尊重民主权利等各个方面。 MCC与当地伙伴合作，解决了发展中国家面临的一些最紧迫的挑战，比如在获得电力、清洁水源、土地权和道路等方面上的难题。

“The decision by MCC’s Board of Directors to reselect Lesotho is the acknowledgement of the government of Lesotho’s actions to address MCC’s ongoing⁵ rule of law concerns,including the implementation⁶ of the Southern African Development Community recommendations,”said Principal Deputy Vice⁷ President Kyeh Kim.“Lesotho’s continued commitment to rule of law, accountability and investing in its people will remain important as we work toward our shared goal of reducing poverty through economic growth.”

“MCC理事会重新选择与莱索托合作的决定是对莱索托政府在执行MCC目前法治关注问题方面工作的肯定，包括对南非发展共同体的建议的执行，”MCC首席代理副董事长Kyeh Kim说，“莱索托一直以来对保障法治、问责制和投资其人民的承诺依然是一项重要工作，同时，我们也在为通过经济增长实现减贫的共同目标而不懈努力。”

U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho Rebecca Gonzales noted,“The ongoing positive impact of the first MCC compact is a testament⁸ to the tremendous collaboration⁹ between the United States and Lesotho,and we look for the Government of Lesotho’s continued commitment to these early investments. As we build on this partnership of mutual¹⁰ accountability,we remain committed to supporting Lesotho as it undertakes an inclusive, transparent¹¹, and comprehensive national reform process, which is essential in achieving sustainable economic growth and long term stability.”

美国驻莱索托大使Lesotho Rebecca Gonzales指出：“第一份‘MCC合约’正在产生积极影响，这是美国与莱索托之间良好合作的证明，我们期待莱索托政府继续为这些早期投资而努力。在建立这种相互问责伙伴关系的基础上，我们将继续致力于支持莱索托展开包容、透明和全面的国家改革进程，这对于实现可持续的经济增长和长期稳定至关重要。”

1 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

2 millennium   

n.一千年，千禧年；太平盛世

参考例句：

• The whole world was counting down to the new millennium.全世界都在倒计时迎接新千年的到来。
• We waited as the clock ticked away the last few seconds of the old millennium.我们静候着时钟滴答走过千年的最后几秒钟。

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

5 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

6 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。

7 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

8 testament   

n.遗嘱；证明

参考例句：

• This is his last will and testament.这是他的遗愿和遗嘱。
• It is a testament to the power of political mythology.这说明，编造政治神话可以产生多大的威力。

9 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

10 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

11 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。