VOA标准英语2008年-US Politicians See Rwandan Success Story

A bi-partisan group including two former U.S. Senators and the wife of Republican hopeful John McCain are in Rwanda to witness some of the successful development projects taking place there. Thomas Rippe reports from Kigali.
　
Cindy McCain and John Podesta, part of the US delegation¹, visit Rwanda, 20 July 2008

The U.S. delegation is in Rwanda this week to see what is working, and what is not, in the country's development progress. Cindy McCain, the wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, along with former senators Tom Daschle and Bill Frist are in Rwanda with the One Campaign. Their goal is to learn more about what is happening here and to take that message back to America.

Senator Daschle, a Democrat², says it is important to emphasize the success of the partnership³ between Rwanda and the U.S.

"We really want to showcase this success story so that we can energize⁴ the American people and people in high levels of government to understand this is not only an important partnership, but also an investment in even greater economic development and real opportunities, not only for people in Rwanda, but people in countries all through Africa," he said.

Senator Frist, a Republican, is also a physician. He praised Rwanda's success in the health sector⁵.
　
Sen. Bill Frist in Rwanda, 20 July 2008

"The One Campaign, the purpose of this visit, is to listen very carefully to the people of Rwanda," he said. "Because Rwanda has been, as Senator Daschle said, a tremendous success story, with the reduction of child mortality by a third, a reduction in maternal⁶ mother deaths by about a third. Why has it worked so well here? What can we do to continue to support that? And we are going to share that message with the people back in the United States who have supported most of this program, and the people of the world so we can further reduce poverty and fight preventable disease."

This is not Mrs. McCain's first trip to Rwanda, where the 1994 genocide killed more than 800,000 people. Since that time she says Rwanda has become a model for other developing countries.

"What I have seen is this country is truly on its way to becoming a very successful country in this region," she said. "But what this brings to the world is peace and security, and that is what is so sorely needed around the world. And this country will truly be an inspiration to other fledgling countries around the world."

Mrs. McCain says what impresses her most is the efforts of the women in the country.

"The women are truly what is making this country survive, excel and succeed," she said. "And it is a great inspiration to observe and to witness their courage and their absolute resolve to making this country a great and wonderful place."

The One Campaign is a U.S.-based advocacy group with more than two million members. The organization successfully pushed American lawmakers into increasing funding to fight disease and extreme poverty. The group is asking Barack Obama and John McCain to make poverty reduction a priority in their foreign policy platforms. Both the candidates have expressed support for the project.

 

1 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

2 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 energize   

vt.给予(某人或某物)精力、能量

参考例句：

• It is used to energize the city.它的作用是为城市供给能量。
• This is a great way to energize yourself and give yourself more power!这种方法非常棒，可以激活你的能量，让你有更多的活力！

5 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

6 maternal   

adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的

参考例句：

• He is my maternal uncle.他是我舅舅。
• The sight of the hopeless little boy aroused her maternal instincts.那个绝望的小男孩的模样唤起了她的母性。