亚洲—阿罗约为竞选舞弊公开道歉

Arroyo¹ Apologizes for Conversation with

Election Officials

阿罗约为竞选舞弊公开道歉

 

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo broke her silence Monday on allegations she cheated in last year's closely contested presidential election. Mrs. Arroyo apologized to the nation, but said she was guilty only of a lapse² in judgment³.

 

In a televised address Monday, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo admitted she telephoned a senior election official, to ask about her votes, during the counting of ballots⁵ in last year's presidential election.

 

That conversation was secretly recorded, allegedly by military intelligence, and has been widely distributed in the Philippines. Mrs. Arroyo now admits the voice on the recording⁶ was hers, but denies the call was intended to influence the election result.

 

She says she regrets making that call.

 

Gloria Arroyo: I recognize that making any such call was a lapse of judgment. I am sorry.

 

Mrs. Arroyo defeated her closest rival, Fernando Poe Junior, by a million votes in the ballot⁴.

 

She said the outcome of the election was already clear when she made the call, and that she did it to protect her votes.

 

Election cheating is common in Philippine elections, but Mrs. Arroyo noted⁷ that several international election observers had judged this ballot free and fair.

 

The recording, which emerged in public earlier this month, has sparked demonstrations⁸ and calls for Mrs. Arroyo to step down and call a new election. For weeks before Monday’s address, she refused even to discuss the issue.

 

Earlier Monday, a lawyer closely identified with the opposition⁹ filed an impeachment¹⁰ complaint against Mrs. Arroyo. It is not clear whether Congress will pursue an impeachment, given her party's majority in both houses.

 

Heda Bayron, VOA news, Hong Kong.

 

注释：

lapse [lAps] n. 失误

allegedly [E5ledVidli] adv. 涉嫌，有嫌疑

rival [5raivEl] n. 竞争者，对手

outcome [5autkQm] n. 结果，成果

step down 下台

impeachment [im5pi:tFmEnt] n. 弹劾

1 arroyo   

n.干涸的河床，小河

参考例句：

• She continued along the path until she came to the arroyo.她沿着小路一直走到小河边。
• They had a picnic by the arroyo.他们在干枯的河床边野餐过。

2 lapse   

n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效

参考例句：

• The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.这一事故被看作是一次严重的安全疏忽。
• I had a lapse of memory.我记错了。

3 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

4 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

5 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

9 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

10 impeachment   

n.弹劾；控告；怀疑

参考例句：

• Impeachment is considered a drastic measure in the United States.在美国，弹劾被视为一种非常激烈的措施。
• The verdict resulting from his impeachment destroyed his political career.他遭弹劾后得到的判决毁了他的政治生涯。