VOA标准英语2009年-Afghanistan's Presidential Runoff Set For

By Sean Maroney
Islamabad
20 October 2009
 
Afghan President Hamid Karzai (file photo)
Afghan election officials have ordered a second round in voting after a fraud investigation¹ into the country's August 20 presidential poll dropped President Hamid Karzai's lead below 50 percent.

President Karzai says he welcomes the decision by the country's Independent Election Commission to hold a second round of voting on November 7 between himself and top challenger, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah.

He called upon the Afghan voters to come out and participate in the next round, saying this would help ensure Afghanistan's unity² and stability.

President Karzai spoke³ Tuesday alongside visiting U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry and other international officials in Kabul.

Senator Kerry praised Mr. Karzai for what he called "embracing the constitution" and moving forward with the run-off. He also pledged international support for the second round.

"The international community is 100 percent committed to helping⁴ to carry out this election," Kerry said, "NATO is committed, ISAF is committed - in every way possible in order to make the runoff a success. We know that it will be difficult and it will require sacrifice, but we are committed to this effort."

International officials in Kabul say there is a sense of urgency to proceed with the next round before the country's harsh winter limits access to certain polling stations.

Political uncertainty⁵ has reigned⁶ in Afghanistan since the election, even as Afghan and coalition⁷ forces struggle with a growing Taliban-led insurgency⁸.

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

6 reigned   

vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式）

参考例句：

• Silence reigned in the hall. 全场肃静。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Night was deep and dead silence reigned everywhere. 夜深人静，一片死寂。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

8 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网