VOA标准英语2008年-Indonesian President Upbeat in State of Union A

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono gave an upbeat assessment¹ on the state of the nation during his annual address to parliament and vowed² to tackle the nation's energy crisis. VOA correspondent Nancy-Amelia Collins in Jakarta has more.
　
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivers his State of the Union address marking the 63 anniversary of Indonesia's independence at the Parliament in Jakarta, 15 Aug 2008

In his State of the Union Address to Parliament Friday Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono sounded optimistic about the nation's economy, his government's efforts to crack down on graft³ and corruption⁴, and vowed to tackle the country's power supply crisis.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said rising oil prices have affected⁵ the economy, but growth was expected to hold steady in 2009 at just over 6 percent.

"Although we have also been affected by the global economy, we are optimistic because our economy is still growing over 6 percent per year for the last eight quarters, and the first quarter of this year we still grow at 6.4 percent and so we are cautious but we are optimistic about the situation," he said.

President Yudhoyono said he would try to solve the country's growing energy crisis through projects to develop alternative energy such as micro-hydro power, biofuel, and
geothermal, aiming to expand the country's electricity capacity by 30 percent next year.

Population and economic growth have left power suppliers unable to meet bigger electricity demands, causing growing power shortages throughout the nation.

In addition, much of Indonesia's domestic coal is being exported to China and India for greater profit while the country relies mainly on coal and oil to meet its electricity demands.

President Yudhoyono also pledged peaceful elections scheduled for next year, but did not formally declare his intentions to run, although he is widely expected to do so.

The president also pointed⁶ out Indonesia's success in resolving a number of religious conflicts in the country including the troubled region of Poso on Sulawesi island, and the separatist rebellion in Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

Presidential spokesman Mallarangeng says while the government had been successful in its fight against terrorism, it would remain vigilant⁷.

"We are upbeat that our records show that we have been able to go after the terrorist activities, terrorist cells, and etcetera," he said. "The president also warns that there is always a possibility [of] attack from terrorist [but] we are determined⁸ to make sure that any terrorism based on whatever reason they may be - we will go after them, we will destroy them."

Yudhoyono also vowed to continue to crack down on graft and corruption which is endemic in the country.

 

1 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

2 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

3 graft   

n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接

参考例句：

• I am having a skin graft on my arm soon.我马上就要接受手臂的皮肤移植手术。
• The minister became rich through graft.这位部长透过贪污受贿致富。

4 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。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

6 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

7 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。

8 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。