VOA常速英语2008年-UN Welcomes Nepalese Government Deal with Prote

By Liam Cochrane
Kathmandu
29 February 2008

The international community is welcoming a deal between Nepal's government and ethnic¹ Madheshi protesters, after more than two weeks of crippling strikes. The deal means an end to protests that shut down most of southern Nepal, causing a severe fuel shortage and concerns about the upcoming election in April. Liam Cochrane reports from Kathmandu.

After 16 days of tense political negotiations², leaders from the government and ethnic Madheshi groups have announced a breakthrough deal.

The Madehshi leaders say they represent people living on the belt of flat land along Nepal's southern border with India.

They have long complained of discrimination and were pushing for more rights and autonomy rights in the lead up to a national election in April.

The Madheshi leaders backed their political push with strikes across the southern plains, disrupting life in Kathmandu as imports of gasoline, diesel³ and cooking gas ran out. Some protests turned violent and six demonstrators were killed in separate incidents.

The demand for an autonomous⁴ Madheshi state was the main sticking point, with fears in Kathmandu that such an agreement could lead to the breakup of the country.

But a compromise was reached, with an in-principle agreement to autonomy that would be decided⁵ on later by the Constituent⁶ Assembly, a body that will be created by an election April 10.

The U.N. mission in Nepal is assisting with the election, and spokesman Kieran Dwyer is optimistic about the deal.

"But this really does now open the way for a conducive⁷ environment across the southern plains to conduct the Constituent Assembly election and that that election can actually be inclusive of a very large part of Nepali society," said Dwyer.

The agreement was also welcomed by India and the U.S., and victory rallies were held by Madheshis in many parts of Nepal's south.

The eight-point agreement includes a decision to recruit more Madheshis into the Nepal Army, as well as compensation for the families of protesters who were killed and injured.

Kieran Dwyer says the U.N. is confident that elections can happen by April 10, but sees hurdles⁸ in the near future.

"Very significant logistical challenges in Nepal," said Dwyer. "The topography here from the plains through up to the high Himalayan mountains makes communications, logistics a major challenge - ballot⁹ papers across all villages in the country. But again, we are confident that this can be done, but they're not small challenges."

Several Madheshi political parties will be allowed more time to nominate their candidates for the April elections, putting further pressure on an already tight election schedule.

1 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。

2 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。

3 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

4 autonomous   

adj.自治的；独立的

参考例句：

• They proudly declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.他们自豪地宣布成为新自治省的一部分。
• This is a matter that comes within the jurisdiction of the autonomous region.这件事是属于自治区权限以内的事务。

5 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。

6 constituent   

n.选民；成分，组分；adj.组成的，构成的

参考例句：

• Sugar is the main constituent of candy.食糖是糖果的主要成分。
• Fibre is a natural constituent of a healthy diet.纤维是健康饮食的天然组成部分。

7 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

8 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

9 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。