2007年VOA标准英语-US Appeals For Fairness And Transparency in Nig

By David Gollust
State Department
20 April 2007

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Many fear Nigeria elections will be chaotic

On the eve of Nigeria's presidential election, the United States is appealing to Nigerian authorities to make the voting as free, fair and transparent² as possible. The State Department says a successful democratic transition in Nigeria has broad implications for the rest of Africa. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

The State Department says it is not taking sides in the electoral process in Nigeria, which has been marred³ by violence at polling stations and opposition⁴ charges of vote-rigging.

But on the eve of the presidential vote, it is urging that everything possible be done to assure the fairness of the election, which is to lead to the first transition from one elected president to another in Nigeria for the first time since independence in 1960.

Tom Casey

In a talk with reporters, Deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey said it is important that Nigerians have confidence in the election process.

"We want to make sure that everything is done to make those elections as good as they possibly can be, and we think it is very important that where there are issues and questions, where there are concerns that are raised, or allegations of improprieties, that they be thoroughly⁵ and completely investigated, because the people of Nigeria need to have confidence in this system, and they need to have confidence in their new leadership," said spokesman Casey.

The United States has invested some $15 million over the last three years in helping⁶ build the election infrastructure⁷ in Nigeria and it is sponsoring nearly 200 local and international election monitors.

Spokesman Casey said that given Nigeria's size, influence and economic prominence⁸, a successful election there has significance far beyond that country's borders.

"The development of democracy in Nigeria, I think, is an important measure for everyone in the region of the progress that can be made. And I think if you look at the role Nigeria has played in the African Union, and if you look at the role Nigeria has played in trying to support democracy and transitions to democracy in places like Liberia and elsewhere, this is a country that has a significant regional role," said Casey.

Last Saturday's first stage of the Nigerian election process, voting for state governors and legislators, was marred by violence that left about 50 people dead and also logistical problems and allegations of vote rigging.

The European Union election observer mission this week urged the Nigerian election commission to take urgent action to try to head off similar problems in the presidential vote, citing the danger of not only a non-credible election but also further violence.

Last week, the State Department categorically rejected a New York Times editorial assertion that key international partners of outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo, including the United States and Britain, had soft-pedaled (downplayed their) election concerns because of Nigeria's oil wealth and contributions to African peacekeeping.

1 chaotic   

adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的

参考例句：

• Things have been getting chaotic in the office recently.最近办公室的情况越来越乱了。
• The traffic in the city was chaotic.这城市的交通糟透了。

2 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

3 marred   

adj. 被损毁, 污损的

参考例句：

• The game was marred by the behaviour of drunken fans. 喝醉了的球迷行为不轨，把比赛给搅了。
• Bad diction marred the effectiveness of his speech. 措词不当影响了他演说的效果。

4 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。

5 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

8 prominence   

n.突出；显著；杰出；重要

参考例句：

• He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy.他在意大利的世界杯赛中声名鹊起。
• This young fashion designer is rising to prominence.这位年轻的时装设计师的声望越来越高。