2006年VOA标准英语-African Leaders Discuss Stalled Transition in I

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
06 October 2006

West African leaders are meeting in Abuja to discuss how war-divided Ivory Coast should be run, after a U.N.-backed transitional government expires at the end of this month. The meeting is viewed as a crucial step in Ivory Coasts political future.

-----

The Abuja summit is expected to set new dates for elections in Ivory Coast. The West African leaders are also expected to determine what role the present Ivorian leader, Laurent Gbagbo, will play after his mandate¹, which has already been extended once, finally expires on October 31.

Rebels holding northern Ivory Coast have rejected any extension of Mr. Gbagbo's mandate.

Olusegun Obasanjo (l) chats with Liberian President Helen Sirleaf Johnson before opening session  ECOWAS summit, Oct. 6, 2006   
  
Addressing the opening session of the one-day forum² on Friday, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, host of the summit, said it represents the best chance of resolving the crisis.

"I believe that the opportunity that we have today we will be able to utilize³ to our advantage, so that the decisions and conclusions we reach will lead to permanent peace, sustained security and development in Cote d'Ivoire," he said. "I will urge that the time we have in our hands, we should be insightful, we should be analytical⁴, we should be reflective, taking into account the past, so that we can chart a new future, a future that will be in the best interest of all the people of Cote d'Ivoire."

Several African leaders have expressed fears that the situation in Ivory Coast could lead to a regional crisis.

On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan criticized what he called "inflammatory remarks" made by Ivory Coast's ruling party chief, Pascal Affi N'Guessan. The U.N. chief said the remarks contained threats against citizens from other West African countries who live in Ivory Coast.

He stressed that those instigating⁵ violent acts will be held personally responsible by the international community, and called on Ivorian leaders to urge utmost restraint.

Tensions in Ivory Coast have risen, as rebels and the government bicker⁶ over how the world's leading cocoa-growing country should be governed after the U.N.-backed transitional government's mandate expires on October 31.

Laurent Gbagbo arrives in Abuja for opening of ECOWAS summit, Oct. 6, 2006  
  
Mr. Gbagbo insists he will remain as president, until elections are held.

Ivory Coast's president is among 10 regional leaders and five high-level officials from the country who are attending the session.

ECOWAS and the African Union are expected to submit new election dates to the U.N. Security Council before October 31.

The United Nations has deployed⁷ more than 7,000 troops in the war-divided country, backed by 4,000 French peacekeepers.

1 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

2 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

3 utilize   

vt.使用，利用

参考例句：

• The cook will utilize the leftover ham bone to make soup.厨师要用吃剩的猪腿骨做汤。
• You must utilize all available resources.你必须利用一切可以得到的资源。

4 analytical   

adj.分析的；用分析法的

参考例句：

• I have an analytical approach to every survey.对每项调查我都采用分析方法。
• As a result,analytical data obtained by analysts were often in disagreement.结果各个分析家所得的分析数据常常不一致。

5 instigating   

v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Distant but clear Longyin instigating the eardrums of every person. 遥远却清晰的龙吟鼓动着每一个人的耳膜。 来自互联网
• The leader was charged with instigating the workers to put down tools. 那位领导人被指控煽动工人罢工。 来自互联网

6 bicker   

vi.(为小事)吵嘴，争吵

参考例句：

• The two children used to bicker about who should do the washing-up.这两个小孩子过去常为该由谁洗餐具一事而争吵。
• They always bicker when they meet at school.在学校见面时他们总是争吵。

7 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。