2007年VOA标准英语-Darfur Is a Priority Issue for New UN Leader

By Kane Farabaugh
New York, New York
16 January 2007
 
watch Ban Ki moon report

New UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gives a news conference at UN headquarters, 2 Jan 2007

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is beginning his five-year term as leader of the United Nations at a time of crisis in Sudan's Darfur region, upheaval¹ in Somalia and continuing war and unrest in the Middle East.  The South Korean diplomat² and President Bush are meeting at the White House today on those and other issues of worldwide concern.  VOA's Kane Farabaugh, who has been covering Mr. Ban's first public appearances, reports from New York.

Before a crowd representing New York City's business community, Ban Ki-moon opened his first public address as U.N. secretary-general by joking about his name. "When I became secretary-general, I [thought I] should change my name [at] this time.  But I have realized that in our world, there are so many things to "ban," in fact.  As secretary-general, that is very relevant to my job."

But comedy soon turned to concern, as the career diplomat somberly identified the thrust of his efforts in the coming months -- the continuing crisis in Sudan.

"On my agenda, this situation of Darfur is the highest priority."

His address to the Association for a Better New York came at the same time as word from Khartoum, announced by American envoy³ Bill Richardson, that rebels in Darfur agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with the Sudanese government.  The agreement comes ahead of an African Union summit later this month that Secretary-General Ban plans to attend. "I myself intend to participate in my first trip overseas [at] the African Union summit meeting ... later this month in Addis Abbaba in Ethiopia.  There, I hope, I will be able to have diplomatic activities and negotiations⁴ with President [Omar al-]Bashir of Sudan and other leading players of the African Union.  I am firmly committed to resolve this issue as soon as possible, to prevent further sufferings of innocent people in the Darfur area."

Just before he took over the top U.N. post, Secretary-General Ban came under fire from the international community for his failure to publicly condemn⁵ use of the death penalty -- at the time of Saddam Hussein's execution in Iraq. 

Mr. Ban had written to the Iraqi High Tribunal, urging restraint in the Saddam case, and he tried to set the matter straight during his first news conference with correspondents who cover the United Nations. "I recognize the growing trend in international law, and in national practice, towards a phasing out of the death penalty.  I encourage that trend.  As member states are taking their decisions, I expect that they will comply with all aspects of international law."

The continuing violence in Iraq has the world's attention this week, following President Bush's decision to increase U.S. troop strength in Baghdad and other Iraqi trouble spots.  U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to the Middle East (Friday) on a diplomatic campaign to boost support for U.S. policies. 

Asked what the U.N. can do to help resolve the strife⁶ in Iraq, Secretary-General Ban avoided making any commitment to an expanded role for the United Nations in Iraq. "We will continue to participate in that process as much as we can.  But our participation⁷ and contribution at this time is largely dictated⁸ by the security situation on the ground.  We will closely monitor the situation."

Mr. Ban says the worldwide demand for U.N. peacekeeping and mediation⁹ services is at an all-time high, and he pledges to streamline¹⁰ those efforts and make them more efficient.

1 upheaval   

n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱

参考例句：

• It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World War Ⅱ.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。
• The country has been thrown into an upheaval.这个国家已经陷入动乱之中。

2 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

3 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

4 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

5 condemn   

vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑

参考例句：

• Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他，而有些人谴责他。
• We mustn't condemn him on mere suppositions.我们不可全凭臆测来指责他。

6 strife   

n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争

参考例句：

• We do not intend to be drawn into the internal strife.我们不想卷入内乱之中。
• Money is a major cause of strife in many marriages.金钱是造成很多婚姻不和的一个主要原因。

7 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

8 dictated   

v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布

参考例句：

• He dictated a letter to his secretary. 他向秘书口授信稿。
• No person of a strong character likes to be dictated to. 没有一个个性强的人愿受人使唤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 mediation   

n.调解

参考例句：

• The dispute was settled by mediation of the third country. 这场争端通过第三国的斡旋而得以解决。
• The dispute was settled by mediation. 经调解使争端得以解决。

10 streamline   

vt.使成流线型；使简化；使现代化

参考例句：

• We must streamline our methods.我们必须简化方法。
• Any liquid or gas passing it will have streamline flow.任何通过它的液体或气体将呈流线型的流动。