VOA标准英语2009年-Niger Prepares for Referendum on President
时间：2009-09-05 02:56:30
搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号：tingroom，领取免费英语资料大礼包。
（单词翻译）
The government of Niger is expecting a big turn out for Tuesday's referendum on changing the constitution to allow the president to run for a third term. Niger's parliament and constitutional court were both dissolved after opposing the move.
Prime Minister Seini Moumarou says everyone in Niger should turn out to vote in Tuesday's constitutional referendum.
The prime minister says, voters should register a massive "yes" vote to end term limits, and allow President Mamadou Tandja to extend his time in office beyond the expiration1 of his second term later this year.
Billboard2 calling to vote 'Yes' for 4 Aug 2009 referendum on new constitution adorns3 the streets of Niamey, 01 Aug 2009
President Tandja says there is wide-spread popular demand for him to extend his presidency4 to complete several large infrastructure5 projects, including a Chinese-financed oil refinery6, a hydroelectric dam, and a French uranium mine.
But support was not forthcoming from Niger's parliament or constitutional court. Both bodies said changing the constitution to end presidential term limits would be illegal. Both bodies were subsequently dissolved by President Tandja, who is now ruling by decree.
The president also faces opposition7 from within his ruling coalition8, including the Alliance for Democracy and Progress party, which says changing the constitution would create a "grave threat to peace and stability."
Trade unions have organized strikes to protest the referendum. Security forces used tear gas to break up two anti-referendum rallies, and a private radio station was closed for broadcasting an opposition statement about the referendum.
Abderrahaman Ousman, who heads Niger's press association, says the president will nominate who he wants to head the communications council, without consideration for that person's qualifications. The media will then be reviewed not by an independent institution but by a political one. Ousman says he is concerned about political meddling9 in the media in this pre-referendum period.
The Economic Community of West African States has threatened President Tandja with sanctions, if he changes the constitution to run again. The European Union says it is delaying the payment of funds meant to help support Niger's budget.
President Tandja says he serves the people of Niger, not international opinion, and is going to the referendum as an independent, sovereign leader.
分享到：
收听单词发音 
