VOA慢速英语2017--Spain Rejects Mediation to Resolve Catalonia Crisis

 

Spain has rejected calls for talks or mediation¹ to resolve a dispute over independence with the northeastern region of Catalonia.

In a speech to parliament Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said there can be no mediation “between democratic law and disobedience and unlawfulness.”

Rajoy spoke² one day after Catalonia’s leader, Carles Puigdemont, announced plans to move forward with a declaration of independence from Spain.

In a speech Tuesday, Puigdemont said the declaration would be carried out following results of a referendum held in Catalonia October 1. However, he said he wanted to delay the action for several weeks to allow for possible discussions with the government.

Spain’s government and Constitutional Court declared the referendum illegal. Independence movement leaders said more than 90 percent of those who voted supported independence. About 43 percent of voters took part in the referendum. Opponents said they would boycott³ the vote.

Nearly 900 people were injured in clashes with Spanish police who entered voting stations to stop people from voting.

Independence or not?

On Wednesday, Rajoy demanded that Puigdemont clarify whether or not Catalonia’s independence had been declared. The prime minister said the Catalan leader’s response would be important in deciding “events over the coming days.”

Rajoy’s comments were seen as an indirect threat to Catalonia that Spain could move to limit or suspend the region’s political autonomy if independence is in fact declared.

Spain’s constitution permits the central government to take some or total control of any of its 17 regions if they don't fulfill⁴ their legal obligations. The process would begin with a cabinet meeting and warning to the regional government. The Senate could then be called upon to approve the measure.

The EU and most of its 28 nations have not backed Catalonia's independence movement. EU leaders have expressed support for Rajoy and called on the independence movement to “fully respect Spanish constitutional order.”

Experts say EU officials are fearful that supporting Catalonia could open the door for many other independence campaigns across Europe.

Words in This Story

mediation – n. process to find a solution between two or more people who disagree about something

disobedience – n. refusal or failure to obey rules or laws

clarify – v. make something clearer or easier to understand

autonomy – n. existing or acting separately from others

1 mediation   

n.调解

参考例句：

• The dispute was settled by mediation of the third country. 这场争端通过第三国的斡旋而得以解决。
• The dispute was settled by mediation. 经调解使争端得以解决。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。

4 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。