2006年VOA标准英语-UN Secretary-General Appeals for Release of Bur

By Ron Corben
Bangkok
26 May 2006

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called on Burma's military government to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. Mr. Annan issued the call in Thailand on the last stop of a five-nation Asian tour.

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U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan made the appeal Friday, one day before the pro-democracy leader's detention¹ order was due to expire.

 

 
Aung San Suu Kyi
(May 2002 file photo) 
  

Mr. Annan said the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who heads the opposition² National League for Democracy, would help mend political divisions in Burma. "I believe her release will facilitate national dialogue, and allow the National League for Democracy to participate in that dialogue," he said.

The Burmese military has governed for more than four decades. The National League for Democracy won national elections in 1990, but was never allowed to govern.

Mr. Annan's appeal came less than a week after Mr. Annan's deputy, Under Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari, met with Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon. It was her first meeting with a foreigner in more than two years.

Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 10 of the past 16 years under house arrest.

Shortly after her latest detention began three years ago, the Burmese government announced a seven-step road map leading to civilian³ democracy.

The junta⁴ has taken the first step by convening⁵ a national convention to draft a constitution. But critics say the government tightly controls the process and is merely trying to legitimize the military's hold on power.

Mr. Annan addressed his appeal directly to the head of the junta, General Than Shwe, saying national dialogue is needed that includes Aung San Suu Kyi. "For the democratic process and reconciliation⁶ process to be truly successful, it has to be inclusive,” he said, “And, [Aung San Suu Kyi] has a role to play. And I'm relying on you, General Than Shwe, to do the right thing."

Earlier this week, Burma's police chief, Major General Khin Yi, told reporters in Malaysia that, if Aung San Suu Kyi were to be released, it would have little effect on the country's political stability. 

1 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

2 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。

3 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

4 junta   

n.团体；政务审议会

参考例句：

• The junta reacted violently to the perceived threat to its authority.军政府感到自身权力受威胁而进行了激烈反击。
• A military junta took control of the country.一个军政权控制了国家。

5 convening   

召开( convene的现在分词 )； 召集； （为正式会议而）聚集； 集合

参考例句：

• When convening the assembly, however, you shall blow without sounding an alarm. 民10:7但招聚会众的时候、们要吹号、不要吹出大声。
• We warmly welcome the convening of Asia-Europe meeting in London. 热烈欢迎亚欧会议在伦敦召开。

6 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。