VOA标准英语10月-UN Chief, World Leaders, Congratulate Nobel Winne

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to long-time peace advocate and former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was among those welcoming the news. From United Nation's headquarters in New York, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.
　

Martii Ahtisaari

In a statement, Mr. Ban said he was "delighted" that Mr. Ahtisaari received this prestigious¹ honor. The U.N. chief said Mr. Ahtisaari, who has worked over the years with the United Nations, has never ceased to champion the principles and ideals of the organization.

"He pays tribute to Mr. Ahtisaari's exceptional career in the service of the global community, with missions ranging from the former Yugoslavia to Namibia, the Horn of Africa and elsewhere, including his successful mediation² to help achieve a peaceful settlement in Aceh between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement," said Mr. Ban's deputy spokesperson, Marie Okabe.

The Norwegian Nobel committee said it decided³ to award the peace prize this year to Mr. Ahtisaari for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, as a mediator⁴ to resolve international conflicts.

"Through his untiring efforts and good results he has shown what role mediation of various kinds can play in the resolution of international conflicts. The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to express their hope that others may be inspired by his efforts and his achievements," said Ole Danbolt Mjoes, Chairman of the Nobel Committee.

Eight years ago, the 71-year old Ahtisaari founded the Crisis Management Initiative, which has worked behind the scenes to facilitate peace in Iraq, Indonesia and Northern Ireland.

The former president was also deeply involved in trying to end the conflict in Kosovo by proposing a form of supervised independence to satisfy both the ethnic⁵ Albanian majority and Serb minority. That plan took his name - the Ahtisaari Plan. Ultimately, despite Serbian protests, Kosovo declared its independence in February and has been recognized by nearly 50 other nations. The Ahtisaari Plan forms the essence of Kosovo's constitution.

Kosovo's President, Fatmir Sejdiu said it is an "extraordinary evaluation⁶ by the Norwegian Committee to give deserved credit to a man who has done much for a very long time for peace and stability in different parts of the world." He went on to say that the issue of Kosovo is of specific importance, for the formulas he offered, for his approach and for the path he has followed throughout the difficult task of negotiations⁷.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy also welcomed the news, saying in a statement that the prize is recognition that Mr. Ahtisaari's plan for Kosovo was the right one.

Mr. Ahtisaari received the news in his native Finland. He said he hoped the prize would help facilitate his future work. A one-time primary school teacher, Mr. Ahtisaari said one of the biggest challenges is to find employment for the growing numbers of young people who are entering the work force.

Mr. Ahtisaari will receive his medal and more than $1 million at a formal ceremony in Oslo, Norway on December 10. The date marks the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite⁸, who instituted the prize.

1 prestigious   

adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的

参考例句：

• The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
• You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。

2 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。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 mediator   

n.调解人，中介人

参考例句：

• He always takes the role of a mediator in any dispute.他总是在争论中充当调停人的角色。
• He will appear in the role of mediator.他将出演调停者。

5 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

6 evaluation   

n.估价，评价；赋值

参考例句：

• I attempted an honest evaluation of my own life.我试图如实地评价我自己的一生。
• The new scheme is still under evaluation.新方案还在评估阶段。

7 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。

8 dynamite   

n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破)

参考例句：

• The workmen detonated the dynamite.工人们把炸药引爆了。
• The philosopher was still political dynamite.那位哲学家仍旧是政治上的爆炸性人物。