VOA常速英语2007年-Libya Holds Talks With Muslim Rebels in the Phi

By Douglas Bakshian
Manila
14 December 2007

The son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has discussed unifying¹ the two main Muslim rebel groups in the Philippines to help achieve a comprehensive peace between the rebels and Manila. The development came out of a three-day visit to the Philippines by Saif al-Islam Gadhafi. Douglas Bakshian reports from Manila that Libya has played a key role in Philippine peace efforts before.

 

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF, is negotiating a treaty with Manila to end four decades of conflict in the south.

Another Muslim rebel group, the Moro National Liberation Front, reached a peace agreement in 1996 but it leaders complain the pact² did not deliver much needed economic development.

The two rebel organizations split decades ago.

Saif al-Islam Gadhafi met with representatives of both groups in Manila Thursday to discuss unity³. Libya has mediated⁴ for years between the Manila and the Muslim rebels.

Salem Adam, a former Libyan ambassador to the Philippines, traveled with the Libyan leader's son to Manila.

"They discussed the possibility of unity among the Bangsamoro [Moro] Muslims and also they are talking about the time frame," he said. "It should not exceed September 2008 that the Muslims, whether they are MNLF or MILF, should get together and choose their leadership and become one group."

After the talks, the two groups said they agreed to set a timetable for resolving the conflict, "possibly not beyond September 2008."

A road map for this goal will be drawn⁵ up under Gadhafi's supervision⁶ and in coordination⁷ with other Muslim countries.

 

The Philippine government says it hopes to reach an agreement with the MILF next year, and the MILF has said it is keeping its doors open to the MNLF. Political analysts⁸ say unity between the rebel groups is important to a lasting⁹ settlement.

Gadhafi, who heads a Libyan charity and development foundation, also met with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo¹⁰ and other government officials during his visit.

Libya has played a key role in past peace efforts. It brokered¹¹ a preliminary peace pact between Manila and MNLF, and has contributed development aid to the country's Muslim regions.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference, of which Libya is a member, has also been involved in the peace process. It initiated¹² the first formal peace talks between the Philippines and the MNLF and has monitored implementation¹³ of their peace agreement.

The Philippines is a mostly Christian¹⁴ nation. The MILF has been fighting for a Muslim homeland in south where the Muslim minority is concentrated. The conflict has cost 120,000 lives and billions of dollars in economic losses.

1 unifying   

使联合( unify的现在分词 )； 使相同； 使一致； 统一

参考例句：

• In addition, there were certain religious bonds of a unifying kind. 此外，他们还有某种具有一种统一性质的宗教上的结合。
• There is a unifying theme, and that is the theme of information flow within biological systems. 我们可以用一个总的命题，把生物学系统内的信息流来作为这一研究主题。

2 pact   

n.合同，条约，公约，协定

参考例句：

• The two opposition parties made an electoral pact.那两个反对党订了一个有关选举的协定。
• The trade pact between those two countries came to an end.那两国的通商协定宣告结束。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 mediated   

调停，调解，斡旋( mediate的过去式和过去分词 )； 居间促成； 影响…的发生； 使…可能发生

参考例句：

• He mediated in the quarrel between the two boys. 他调解两个孩子之间的争吵。
• The government mediated between the workers and the employers. 政府在工人与雇主间搞调和。

5 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

6 supervision   

n.监督，管理

参考例句：

• The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
• The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。

7 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

8 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

9 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

10 arroyo   

n.干涸的河床，小河

参考例句：

• She continued along the path until she came to the arroyo.她沿着小路一直走到小河边。
• They had a picnic by the arroyo.他们在干枯的河床边野餐过。

11 brokered   

adj.由权力经纪人安排（或控制）的v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的过去式和过去分词 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排…

参考例句：

• a peace plan brokered by the UN 由联合国出面协商的和平计划
• Your husband brokered the deal to go in, transfrer the assets and get our man out. 你丈夫后来插了一脚，把生意都抢了过去，我们的人也被挤了出来。 来自电影对白

12 initiated   

n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入

参考例句：

• He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
• The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。

13 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

14 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。