2006年VOA标准英语-Tens of Thousands Celebrate 'Victory' Over

By Patricia Nunan
Kathmandu
25 April 2006

Thousands of people have rallied on the streets of Nepal's capital Kathmandu to celebrate the decision by King Gyanendra to reinstate parliament and allow opposition¹ parties to name a new prime minister. But leaders of Nepal's communist insurgency² have rejected the proposal, saying the king is merely trying to hold on to power.

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Nepalese shout for joy as they take to the streets on outskirts³ of Katmandu, April 25, 2006, following announcement by King Gyanendra to reinstate Parliament   
  

It was another day of mass rallies in Kathmandu, but this time, anger had given way to celebration.

Tens of thousands of people gathered to hear speeches, march along the city's ring road, or drive in trucks and on motorcycles, chanting pro-democracy slogans.

They were celebrating the decision announced late Monday by King Gyanendra to reinstate parliament - a major concession⁴ to Nepal's seven-party opposition alliance, whose supporters had staged nearly three weeks of anti-government demonstrations⁵. Clashes with police were common, and at least 14 people died.

With the restoration of parliament, elections will be held for a new constituent⁶ assembly. A former prime minister, 84-year-old Girija Prasad Koirala will again head the government.

But many people, such as this demonstrator, say they will continue to hold rallies to keep up the pressure on the political parties to work for the end of Nepal's monarchy⁷.

"We are very cautious because they may sign another compromise with the king and let him last another decade," the protester said.

King Gyanendra dismissed parliament in May 2002 and sacked the government last February. He also arrested scores of opposition leaders, students and activists⁸.

The king said his actions were justified⁹ because the political parties had failed to organize elections or end a long-running conflict with communist insurgents¹⁰, who call themselves Maoists. Nepal, he said, was in danger of becoming a failed state.

King Gyanendra dramatically reversed his position in an address broadcast Monday on state television - apologizing for the deaths of demonstrators at the hands of security forces, and pledging to work in the spirit of the people's movement.

For those reasons, some say, it is unlikely he will try to seize power again.

Kunda Dixit is the editor of the magazine, the Nepali Times.

"For this king to acknowledge - even say the word "people's movement," in an address to the nation, to offer condolences to people who have mauled by his own security forces - especially given the personality of this king, - ...he was really coming out. So now the question is again, should we trust him? ...I think we can this time," Dixit said.

But not everyone was celebrating. The leaders of the Maoist insurgency have criticized the decision by the political parties to accept the king's plan to restore parliament, calling it a "historic blunder." The rebel group has been fighting to topple the monarchy since 1996.

1 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。

2 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

3 outskirts   

n.郊外，郊区

参考例句：

• Our car broke down on the outskirts of the city.我们的汽车在市郊出了故障。
• They mostly live on the outskirts of a town.他们大多住在近郊。

4 concession   

n.让步，妥协；特许(权)

参考例句：

• We can not make heavy concession to the matter.我们在这个问题上不能过于让步。
• That is a great concession.这是很大的让步。

5 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。

6 constituent   

n.选民；成分，组分；adj.组成的，构成的

参考例句：

• Sugar is the main constituent of candy.食糖是糖果的主要成分。
• Fibre is a natural constituent of a healthy diet.纤维是健康饮食的天然组成部分。

7 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

8 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

10 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网