VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton Says US Supports Sirleaf

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has given a big boost of support to embattled Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf whose Truth and Reconciliation¹ Commission has recommended that she be barred from holding further public office.

Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission says President Sirleaf should be barred from future political office because of her support in the early 1990s for then-rebel-leader Charles Taylor.

The commission's recommendations do not have the force of law, but legislators who support the move against the president are preparing to introduce those recommendations in the national assembly.
　
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (r) with Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia, 13 Aug, 2009

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Sirleaf, Secretary Clinton was asked if her visit here is meant as a show of support for Africa's first elected female president.

"Of course it's a sign of support," she said. "We have looked at the entire record that President Sirleaf brings to office, her performance in office, the accomplishments² of the government she leads, and we are supportive and will continue to be because we think Liberia is on the right path, as difficult as the path might be."

Secretary Clinton says the Obama administration will continue to back Liberian efforts to reduce corruption³ and improve the electoral process ahead of the next national elections in 2011.

President Sirleaf says Liberians are grateful for the partnership⁴ and deep friendship between the countries and appreciate Secretary Clinton's support.

"We look forward to continuing to carry out our part of the bargain - to move Liberia forward, open society, democracy, accountability, transparency, developing our country through the proper use of our natural resources," said Ms. Sirleaf. "And we also look forward to her support, and the United States support of our endeavor."

President Sirleaf's early support for then-rebel-leader Taylor was not unusual. Most civil society groups and opponents of then-President Samuel Doe backed the Taylor rebellion at its start and, like President Sirleaf, distanced themselves from his National Patriotic⁵ Front when civilian⁶ atrocities⁷ mounted.

Both women were asked repeatedly about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. Neither responded directly. Secretary Clinton says she believes the Liberian leader should be judged on what she has accomplished⁸.

"I look at what President Sirleaf has done in the past three years, and I see a very accomplished leader dedicated⁹ to the betterment of the Liberian people, who has been consistent in her leadership on behalf of solving the problems that Liberia faces so that Liberians can have a peaceful future with prosperity and opportunity," said Clinton.

This is the sixth stop on an Africa trip that has already taken Secretary Clinton to Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria. She ends this trip Friday in Cape¹⁰ Verde.

1 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

2 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 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。

4 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。

5 patriotic   

adj.爱国的，有爱国心的

参考例句：

• His speech was full of patriotic sentiments.他的演说充满了爱国之情。
• The old man is a patriotic overseas Chinese.这位老人是一位爱国华侨。

6 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

7 atrocities   

n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪

参考例句：

• They were guilty of the most barbarous and inhuman atrocities. 他们犯有最野蛮、最灭绝人性的残暴罪行。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The enemy's atrocities made one boil with anger. 敌人的暴行令人发指。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

9 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

10 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。