美国国家公共电台 NPR--President Biden to host more than 40 African leaders at U.S.-Africa summit

President Biden to host more than 40 African leaders at U.S.-Africa summit

Transcript¹

The summit is the centerpiece of a major effort to reset² and improve U.S. ties with the continent — at a moment when Africa's ties with China and increasingly Russia, have attracted scrutiny³.

ROB SCHMITZ, HOST:

Delegations⁴ and leaders from nearly 50 African countries have arrived in Washington for a key summit hosted by President Joe Biden. The U.S.-African Leaders Summit is the centerpiece of an effort to reset and improve U.S. ties with the continent at a moment when ties with China and increasingly Russia have attracted scrutiny. To hear more, we're joined now by NPR's new West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu in Lagos, Nigeria. Emmanuel, welcome.

EMMANUEL AKINWOTU, BYLINE⁵: Good morning, Rob.

SCHMITZ: So happy to be speaking with you. Emmanuel, how important is this summit to U.S. officials?

AKINWOTU: It's really important in that it's kind of a central part of resetting⁶ U.S.-Africa relations. You know, over the last decade, we've seen the importance of Africa to other powers like the EU, Turkey, Russia really grow. And we see that particularly with Lagos. And everything from the train lines to the new port to new agriculture plants are being built from Chinese loans and assistance. And this kind of thing is happening all across Africa.

Meanwhile, U.S. engagement has really lagged behind. You know, it's been eight years since the last summit in Washington was held by President Obama. And African diplomats⁷ I've spoken to recently - they say there was a lot of promise at that summit, but it largely went unfulfilled. And then there was the Trump⁸ years - President Trump's years and his America First policy, and obviously, his disparaging⁹ comments about some African countries...

SCHMITZ: Right.

AKINWOTU: ...Which weren't helpful. So this really is a moment where the U.S. are hoping to reboot and reframe that relationship.

SCHMITZ: Reboot and reframe - who will be at this summit, and what do we expect to see over the next few days?

AKINWOTU: Well, there'll be over 40 African heads of state, most likely. And, you know, an interesting figure who will be there is Ethiopia's prime minister, Abiy Ahmed. You know, he's led a two-year war in his country that has effectively seen a blockade of the northern Tigray region in Ethiopia by his government. And Abiy's going to meet Secretary of State Blinken. And the U.S. played a part in bringing about the recent cease-fire agreement in Ethiopia. And then there are some leaders who have not been invited, like, for example, leaders of Sudan, Burkina Faso, Guinea, because the African Union have - has expelled them and, you know, following coups¹⁰ and rights abuses.

SCHMITZ: Wow.

AKINWOTU: But it also highlights another challenge for the U.S. because countries like Russia and China aren't as sensitive to human rights concerns in the same way as the U.S. is. And what we expect from the summit, Rob, is the U.S. is going to announce its support, as it kind of has touted¹¹ in recent days, for the African Union's seat at the G20 and for a multi-country trip from President Biden to Africa in the next year. But something that has been quite striking is there's not really been a focus on a single policy or a signature policy. And so we'll see whether that emerges.

SCHMITZ: Right. Now, Emmanuel, you mentioned China and Russia. How much competition do these countries pose when it comes to what the U.S. is hoping to do in Africa?

AKINWOTU: I think the U.S. sees China and Russia as being in competition for influence and access to Africa's rapidly expanding market, natural resources economy and really China and Russia - the U.S. sees China and Russia as attempting to be more integral to developing this huge and vitally important continent. And there's a concern that a lot of this money and infrastructure¹² might shift the balance of power towards Chinese and Russian interests. You know, Russia's influence isn't as extensive, but it is significant, maintaining relations with African countries over a period where the U.S. has drifted. But on the other hand, African countries really aren't interested in being drawn¹³ into a wider rivalry¹⁴ between the U.S., China and Russia. And they see this as an opportunity to, you know, put their foot down and engage with the U.S. on their terms.

SCHMITZ: Thank you. That's Emmanuel Akinwotu. He's NPR's West Africa correspondent in Lagos. Emmanuel, thank you.

AKINWOTU: Thanks, Rob.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 reset   

v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物

参考例句：

• As soon as you arrive at your destination,step out of the aircraft and reset your wristwatch.你一到达目的地，就走出飞机并重新设置手表时间。
• He is recovering from an operation to reset his arm.他做了一个手臂复位手术，正在恢复。

3 scrutiny   

n.详细检查，仔细观察

参考例句：

• His work looks all right,but it will not bear scrutiny.他的工作似乎很好，但是经不起仔细检查。
• Few wives in their forties can weather such a scrutiny.很少年过四十的妻子经得起这么仔细的观察。

4 delegations   

n.代表团( delegation的名词复数 )；委托，委派

参考例句：

• In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来，中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

5 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

6 resetting   

v.重新安放或安置( reset的现在分词 )；重拨（测量仪器指针）；为（考试、测试等）出一套新题；重新安置，将…恢复原位

参考例句：

• Range represents the maximum strain which can be recorded without resetting or replacing the strain gage. 量程表示无需重调或重装应变计就能记录到的最大应变。 来自辞典例句
• Adding weight to the puddle jumper by resetting its inertial dampeners. 通过调节飞船的惯性装置来增加重量。 来自电影对白

7 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

9 disparaging   

adj.轻蔑的，毁谤的v.轻视( disparage的现在分词 )；贬低；批评；非难

参考例句：

• Halliday's comments grew daily more and more sparklingly disagreeable and disparaging. 一天天过去，哈里代的评论越来越肆无忌惮，越来越讨人嫌，越来越阴损了。 来自英汉文学 - 败坏赫德莱堡
• Even with favorable items they would usually add some disparaging comments. 即使对好消息，他们也往往要加上几句诋毁的评语。 来自互联网

10 coups   

n.意外而成功的行动( coup的名词复数 )；政变；努力办到难办的事

参考例句：

• China has seen many political coups within the ruling class. 中国统治阶级内部发生过很多政变。 来自互联网
• Thailand has had eighteen coups or coup attendance since nineteen thirty-two. 泰国1932年以来有18次政变或参加政变。 来自互联网

11 touted   

v.兜售( tout的过去式和过去分词 )；招揽；侦查；探听赛马情报

参考例句：

• She's being touted as the next leader of the party. 她被吹捧为该党的下一任领导人。
• People said that he touted for his mother and sister. 据说，他给母亲和姐姐拉生意。 来自辞典例句

12 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

13 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

14 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。