voa标准英语2008年-Sheikh Hasina Returns to Lead Her Party in Bang

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has returned to the country to lead her party in general elections, scheduled for December. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, the polls are being held to restore democracy in the country, which is ruled by a military-backed administration.
　

Sheikh Hasina smiles during a press meeting at the airport after her arrival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 06 Nov 2008

Thousands of Awami League supporters greeted Sheikh Hasina with flowers and cheers as she drove from the Dhaka airport to her home, after her return from the United States, where she spent four months for medical treatment.

Sheikh Hasina, who faces trial in a number of corruption¹ and extortion cases, was paroled from prison in June.

The Awami League leader says she has come to rescue her country from "a great crisis." She says elections must be held on schedule.

The December 18 elections are expected to restore democracy to the country, after nearly two years of emergency rule. But observers say the polls will only be credible² if the country's two main parties - the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party - participate in the polls.

Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil says Sheikh Hasina will seek bail³ and fulfill⁴ her pledge to lead her party in the elections.

"Through elections, the fundamental rights should be returned to people of Bangladesh, so that they can decide the future on their own," said Jalil. "That is her wish, that democracy in Bangladesh should get on strong footing."

Political observers say Sheikh Hasina's categorical vow⁵ to take part in the polls will put pressure on the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party to join the race.

Wednesday, BNP head, Khaleda Zia told her party workers to "avoid an unfair and unacceptable election." She wants emergency rule to be lifted before the polls and has not confirmed her party's participation⁶ in the election.

Khaleda Zia also faces several charges of corruption and is out on bail after spending more than a year in prison. Both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia were released from jail to ensure that their parties take part in the elections.

Earlier this week, the military-backed government paved the way for political parties to launch election campaigns, by lifting all curbs⁷ on political rallies. The government had clamped down on political gatherings⁸, when it took power last year, after bitter rivalry⁹ between the Awami League and the BNP led to months of violence.

1 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

2 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？

3 bail   

v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人

参考例句：

• One of the prisoner's friends offered to bail him out.犯人的一个朋友答应保释他出来。
• She has been granted conditional bail.她被准予有条件保释。

4 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

5 vow   

n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓

参考例句：

• My parents are under a vow to go to church every Sunday.我父母许愿，每星期日都去做礼拜。
• I am under a vow to drink no wine.我已立誓戒酒。

6 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

7 curbs   

v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• In executing his functions he is not bound by any legal curbs on his power. 在他履行职务时，他的权力是不受任何法律约束的。 来自辞典例句
• Curbs on air travel were being worked out and would shortly be announced. 限制航空旅行的有关规定正在拟定中，不久即将公布。 来自辞典例句

8 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

9 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。