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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Caracas
11 December 2007
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has vowed1 to press ahead with a set of socialist2 reforms despite the voters' rejection3 of a constitutional referendum on December 2. Opposition4 leaders say they hope to seize on the president's election defeat to begin forming a credible5 alternative to Mr. Chavez. VOA's Brian Wagner has this report.
Immediately after the defeat of the constitutional reform plan, Mr. Chavez said the vote showed the will of the people. But days later, he vowed to pursue the reforms and he lashed6 out at opposition leaders and the United States, whom he accused of seeking to interfere7 in the vote.
"Yes, I did take a hit," Mr. Chavez told one group. "But I have not moved one millimeter and I have not been weakened. The U.S. empire should worry that their blows do not weaken me, but strengthen me."
U.S. officials denied any attempts to influence the vote. But officials had expressed concern the reforms, which include ending term limits on the presidency8, would weaken democracy in the South American nation.
Tuesday, President Bush said the vote was a boost for Venezuela's institutions."The Venezuelan people rejected one-man rule. They voted for democracy," he said.
The December 2 vote was the first election defeat for Mr. Chavez since he took office more than eight years ago. Political scientist Anibal Romero of Metropolitan9 University of Caracas says voters see the loss as an important sign. "President Chavez had an aura of invincibility10, but now that he has been defeated at the ballot11 box, I believe many more voters will turn out to vote in the next election," said Romero.
University students had led opposition to the vote, saying the changes were a distraction12 to problems like inflation, food shortages and crime.
Student leader Miguel Ponte said there is a new opportunity for dialogue between the opposition and mostly poor, pro-government sectors13. "We should approach those in the poor communities who voted against the constitutional reform. We need to build a consensus14 that addresses the people's needs," he said.
Opposition groups say they may consider some of the president's reform plans in the future. But they say voters are growing tired of his calls for socialist revolution and alliances with Iran and other leftist nations in an effort to counter U.S. interests.
Political scientist Romero says Sunday's vote confirms how much Venezuelan voters are willing to accept. "If Mr. Chavez does not adopt a more democratic style and abandon his radical15 rhetoric16, then I fear his government may collapse," he added.
Mr. Chavez has shown little inclination17 to change and has vowed to pursue his socialist policies even if it costs him the presidency or his life.
1 vowed | |
起誓,发誓(vow的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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2 socialist | |
n.社会主义者;adj.社会主义的 | |
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3 rejection | |
n.拒绝,被拒,抛弃,被弃 | |
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4 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
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5 credible | |
adj.可信任的,可靠的 | |
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6 lashed | |
adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 );煽动;紧系;怒斥 | |
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7 interfere | |
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰 | |
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8 presidency | |
n.总统(校长,总经理)的职位(任期) | |
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9 metropolitan | |
adj.大城市的,大都会的 | |
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10 invincibility | |
n.无敌,绝对不败 | |
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11 ballot | |
n.(不记名)投票,投票总数,投票权;vi.投票 | |
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12 distraction | |
n.精神涣散,精神不集中,消遣,娱乐 | |
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13 sectors | |
n.部门( sector的名词复数 );领域;防御地区;扇形 | |
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14 consensus | |
n.(意见等的)一致,一致同意,共识 | |
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15 radical | |
n.激进份子,原子团,根号;adj.根本的,激进的,彻底的 | |
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16 rhetoric | |
n.修辞学,浮夸之言语 | |
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17 inclination | |
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好 | |
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