VOA标准英语2009年-Croatia Facing Turmoil as Prime Minister S

Croatia is facing political turmoil¹, after Prime Minister Ivo Sanader suddenly resigned, citing personal reasons. Mr. Sanader's announcement comes amid economic concerns in the country that has been trying to join the European Union.
　
Outgoing Croatian PM Ivo Sanader during a news conference at the government building in Zagreb, Croatia, 01 Jul 2009

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader unexpectedly announced his resignation Wednesday at a hastily arranged news conference.

The 56-year-old leader of the Croatian Democratic Union party had been prime minister since 2003.

Mr. Sanader told reporters he decided² to withdraw from politics after two decades not for health reasons, but because he wanted a new beginning in his life. He said important goals were realized under his leadership.

Prime Minister Sanader explains he is satisfied with "the strategic objectives that were achieved." He explains that Croatia "became a member of NATO, the U.N. Security Council and is now on the doorstep to become a full member of the European Union."

Mr. Sanader says despite his resignation, negotiations³ on EU membership could be completed within three months. The prime minister says he had the honor to serve the people in politics, but he adds: "My job has been done, my political life ends now."

Mr. Sanader made it clear he would not run for president in early 2010. He recommended that Croatian President Stipe Mesic name Deputy Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor to be the new prime minister.

Commentators⁴ have warned Mr. Sanader's sudden departure will leave a political vacuum at a time when Croatia already faces instability because of the global financial crisis.

Croatia's economy is not doing well and unemployment has risen steadily⁵. The country's gross domestic product plunged⁶ 6.7 percent in the first three months of this year, the largest drop in a decade. In addition EU entry talks are currently stalled because of Croatia's border dispute with neighbor Slovenia.

European Union officials have urged Croatia to settle Mr. Sanader's succession "rapidly" and to continue with reforms needed to join the European Union.

That view is shared by neighboring Hungary, one of the most vocal⁷ supporters of Croatian EU membership.

Hungarian Foreign Ministry⁸ Spokesperson Zsuzsanna Matrai told VOA News her country finds it crucial for Croatia to join the Union soon to create more stability in the Balkans.

"To help them, that is why we keep on giving advise [to Croatia] how to integrate, how to harmonize their legal system," said Matrai. "We have always advocated for any kind of enlargement. Given our geographical⁹ situation we have been advocating the whole Western Balkan region, including Croatia."

But the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office confirmed to VOA News that a key meeting of the Croatian and Hungarian governments scheduled for Friday, has been canceled because of Mr. Sanader's sudden resignation.

Croatia's opposition¹⁰ Social Democrats¹¹ have said the political turmoil shows it is time for early elections. The next parliamentary poll is scheduled in two years.

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 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。

3 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。

4 commentators   

n.评论员( commentator的名词复数 )；时事评论员；注释者；实况广播员

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

6 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

7 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

8 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

9 geographical   

adj.地理的；地区(性)的

参考例句：

• The current survey will have a wider geographical spread.当前的调查将在更广泛的地域范围內进行。
• These birds have a wide geographical distribution.这些鸟的地理分布很广。

10 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

11 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》