2007年VOA标准英语-Pakistan's President Says Muslim Nations Should

By Benjamin Sand
Islamabad
15 May 2007

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has told a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Islamabad that Muslim nations must stop blaming others for their troubles and solve their own problems. VOA correspondent Benjamin Sand reports from Islamabad.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf addresses the 34th session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, 15 May 2007

Delegations¹ from all 57 members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference attended Tuesday's opening session in Islamabad.

The 38-year-old group is the leading coalition² of Muslim nations.

In unexpectedly blunt opening comments, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said the meeting comes as the Muslim community faces unprecedented³ challenges, many of them self-imposed.

"The crises confronting the Islamic world are not only external but also internal, flowing from our own weaknesses, our own vulnerabilities, our own divisions within," he said. "The Islamic world is on a downward slide and we must face this."

General Musharraf said Islamic countries have failed to invest in education and lag far behind the rest of the world in literacy and economic growth.

The president also lashed⁴ out at Muslim hardliners who he blamed for fueling Western fears of the Islamic world.

"While the world views Islam as a militant⁵, intolerant religion, this thought is reinforced by our own extremist forces," he said.  "We are in a state where these semi-literate clerics are closing the minds of people."

The president urged the Islamic Conference to completely revamp its charter so it can more effectively represent and revitalize Muslim nations.

He said wealthier members of the group should step up their support for lesser-developed Muslim countries.

General Musharraf also called for an end to "outside interference" in Iraq and proposed an all-Muslim peacekeeping force to help patrol the country.

A similar proposal was previously⁶ raised by U.S. diplomats⁷ but failed to attract support from Islamic countries.

President Musharraf has been a key ally in the U.S.-led war on terror but faces increasing criticism from U.S. officials.

His comments Tuesday come as domestic opposition⁸ to his military-backed government has swelled⁹ and political analysts¹⁰ here suggest retaining U.S. support may be critical to his political survival.

Pakistan says 600 delegates are attending the conference from the 57 members of the OIC and observer groups. The meeting ends on Thursday.

 

1 delegations   

n.代表团( delegation的名词复数 )；委托，委派

参考例句：

• In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来，中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 unprecedented   

adj.无前例的，新奇的

参考例句：

• The air crash caused an unprecedented number of deaths.这次空难的死亡人数是空前的。
• A flood of this sort is really unprecedented.这样大的洪水真是十年九不遇。

4 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

参考例句：

• The rain lashed at the windows. 雨点猛烈地打在窗户上。
• The cleverly designed speech lashed the audience into a frenzy. 这篇精心设计的演说煽动听众使他们发狂。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

6 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

7 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 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。

9 swelled   

增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情）

参考例句：

• The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染，他的手肿了起来。
• After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后，河水猛涨。

10 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。