2006年VOA标准英语-Chirac Calls for Fund to Aid Palestinians

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
28 April 2006

French President Jacques Chirac looks on during a joint¹ address with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, unseen, at the Elysee Palace   
  
French President Jacques Chirac called Friday for a special World Bank fund to be created to channel international assistance to the Palestinians. Mr. Chirac held talks in Paris with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

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As he has done before, President Chirac said it was essential that international aid to the Palestinian people continue.

In remarks to reporters at the Elysee presidential palace, Mr. Chirac said international assistance must be maintained for both humane² and technical reasons. He said he would reiterate³ his plea to the European Union and to other members of the international community.

The European Union is the leading donor⁴ in the Palestinian territories, contributing about $650 million a year.

But like the United States, the EU has suspended direct aid to the Palestinian territories, until the ruling Hamas party recognizes Israel, renounces⁵ violence and backs the Middle East peace process. However, European humanitarian⁶ assistance continues to be channeled to the region indirectly⁷.
  
 
French President Jacques Chirac, right, with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, April 28, 2006
  
During talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas Friday, Mr. Chirac proposed creating an account managed by the World Bank that could directly pay the salaries of Palestinian civil servants. Many Palestinians have at least one family member employed in the government and are feeling the bite of the reduced assistance.

And because Palestinian security forces also await payment, the impact may increase tensions in an already volatile⁸ region.

President Abbas, who has been touring Europe to plead the Palestinian cause, echoed his appeal in Paris.

Mr. Abbas described the assistance, including that for civil servant salaries, as essential. Without aid, he said, the Palestinians faced catastrophe⁹.

1 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

2 humane   

adj.人道的，富有同情心的

参考例句：

• Is it humane to kill animals for food?宰杀牲畜来吃合乎人道吗？
• Their aim is for a more just and humane society.他们的目标是建立一个更加公正、博爱的社会。

3 reiterate   

v.重申，反复地说

参考例句：

• Let me reiterate that we have absolutely no plans to increase taxation.让我再一次重申我们绝对没有增税的计划。
• I must reiterate that our position on this issue is very clear.我必须重申我们对这一项议题的立场很清楚。

4 donor   

n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体

参考例句：

• In these cases,the recipient usually takes care of the donor afterwards.在这类情况下，接受捐献者以后通常会照顾捐赠者。
• The Doctor transplanted the donor's heart to Mike's chest cavity.医生将捐赠者的心脏移植进麦克的胸腔。

5 renounces   

v.声明放弃( renounce的第三人称单数 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃

参考例句：

• Japan renounces all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores. 日本放弃对福尔摩沙（台湾）及澎湖的一切权利，主张（名称）及所有权。 来自互联网
• He renounces Christianity, temporarily straining his relationship with his parents. 他放弃了基督教信仰，从而与父母的关系暂时变得紧张。 来自互联网

6 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

7 indirectly   

adv.间接地，不直接了当地

参考例句：

• I heard the news indirectly.这消息我是间接听来的。
• They were approached indirectly through an intermediary.通过一位中间人，他们进行了间接接触。

8 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

9 catastrophe   

n.大灾难，大祸

参考例句：

• I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。
• This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。