VOA标准英语 Fiji President Scraps Constitution, Assumes Control

There is more political turmoil¹ in Fiji after President Ratu Josefa Iloilo annulled² the constitution, fired the judiciary and assumed all governing power in the South Pacific nation.
　
Ratu Josefa Iloilo (2008 File)

The elderly leader's motives³ are, however, unclear. He has been a staunch supporter of Fiji's army chief, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who deposed⁴ an elected government two-and-a-half years ago and has ignored international demands to restore democracy.

The coup⁵ was the country's fourth in 20 years.

Court rules military government illegal

On Thursday, the Fiji Court of Appeal ruled the military government was illegal. The ruling prompted Commodore Bainimarama to make a national televised address in which he announced he would step down from his position as interim⁶ prime minister and urged the people to remain calm.

"I want to assure you all that I, as commander of the RFMS [Republic of Fiji Military Forces] together with all the security forces shall ensure that there will be no disruption to law and order," Bainimarama said. "I also want to caution any person who is thinking of interrupting the peace and good governance of our Fiji that no such behavior shall be tolerated."

Military chief unlikely to leave quietly

Commodore Bainimarama is unlikely to move quietly to the sidelines. He seized power in 2006 in a bloodless coup, claiming that the government was corrupt⁷ and pursuing racist⁸ policies against the country's ethnic⁹ Indian minority. His refusal to set a timetable for elections has upset Fiji's South Pacific neighbors, including Australia and New Zealand, which have imposed limited sanctions.

Bainimarama's critics have accused him of being a power-hungry dictator.

President to appoint interim government

President Iloilo said he would appoint a new interim government soon, which would serve until elections in September 2014.

The army's grip on Fiji has left the island nation isolated¹⁰ internationally. Its economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism and sugar cane¹¹ exports, has suffered, sending more of the population of 800,000 into poverty.

1 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

2 annulled   

v.宣告无效( annul的过去式和过去分词 )；取消；使消失；抹去

参考例句：

• Their marriage was annulled after just six months. 他们的婚姻仅过半年就宣告取消。
• Many laws made by the former regime have been annulled. 前政权制定的许多法律被宣布无效。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 motives   

n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
• His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。

4 deposed   

v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证

参考例句：

• The president was deposed in a military coup. 总统在军事政变中被废黜。
• The head of state was deposed by the army. 国家元首被军队罢免了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

6 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

7 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

8 racist   

n.种族主义者，种族主义分子

参考例句：

• a series of racist attacks 一连串的种族袭击行为
• His speech presented racist ideas under the guise of nationalism. 他的讲话以民族主义为幌子宣扬种族主义思想。

9 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。

10 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

11 cane   

n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的

参考例句：

• This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
• English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。