VOA标准英语2009年-Zimbabwe Accord Anniversary Marked

Tuesday is the first anniversary of the deal that brought about Zimbabwe's national unity¹ government, known as the Global Political Agreement. Most Zimbabweans, who believed it would end years of political strife² and suffering caused by a collapsing³ economy, welcomed the deal with much hope.
　
Zimbabwe's PM Morgan Tsvangirai, left, and President Robert Mugabe in Harare (file)

Twelve months ago, Zimbabwe's long-time ruler President Robert Mugabe; Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, and, Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a splinter group of MDC, signed the Global Political Agreement, amidst much pomp and fanfare⁴.

After the signing, it took another five months before the three leaders agreed on the formation of a government. Mr. Mugabe kept his job as president and Mr. Tsvangirai is now the prime minister.

But the parties are still wrangling⁵ over the full implementation⁶ of the agreement. Prime Minister Tsvangirai accuses Mr. Mugabe of making illegal appointments, stalling on other appointments and harassing⁷ and arresting his supporters. Media freedom, promised in the deal, has as yet to happen.

But the president argues he has met his end of the agreement.

But it is clear that some things in Zimbabwe are changing, albeit⁸ slowly. Shop shelves are packed with goods, schools and hospitals have re-opened and the Zimbabwe dollar has been replaced by hard currencies. This has led to some economic stabilization⁹.

VOA asked some Zimbabweans if and how their lives have changed since the signature of the accord.

Rudo Chakanyuka is an artist. She is happy that food is finally available in the shops, although it can be expansive. She also feels there is more freedom in Zimbabwe now.

"I think most noticeable is the fact that we are a lot less fearful now of walking around and basically just being expressive¹⁰ of ourselves," said Chakanyuka. "I think there is a lot a lot less intimidation¹¹ and tension in the air in the air. But, apart from that, I cannot really say much else has changed."

Businessman Khulekani Bruce Dzowa feels let down by the politicians.

"I think the excitement is now wearing off, regarding what was expected of the whole GPA. You got guys that were really optimistic about things beginning to happen, [but] I suppose one could give it to them for the fact that they have managed to bring about some form of stability, but, then again, the way forward is murky," said Dzowa.

Schoolteacher Charles Mumbwandarikwa was on strike at this time last year. Although teachers say their pay is still too low, he says he can now afford a few basics and he is back at work.

"The politicians should understand that the slow pace of implementation of the GPA is not a good thing," he said. "They should do what they agreed to do in time so that we move on. We have had a decade of our lives wasted and we do not want a day longer in that situation."

It does seem that, although some progress has been made during the past year, a lot still needs to be sorted out. The fear for most Zimbabweans is that the political bickering¹² might lead to the national unity government unraveling. Nobody wants to go back to the way things were 12 months ago.

1 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。

2 strife   

n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争

参考例句：

• We do not intend to be drawn into the internal strife.我们不想卷入内乱之中。
• Money is a major cause of strife in many marriages.金钱是造成很多婚姻不和的一个主要原因。

3 collapsing   

压扁[平]，毁坏，断裂

参考例句：

• Rescuers used props to stop the roof of the tunnel collapsing. 救援人员用支柱防止隧道顶塌陷。
• The rocks were folded by collapsing into the center of the trough. 岩石由于坍陷进入凹槽的中心而发生褶皱。

4 fanfare   

n.喇叭；号角之声；v.热闹地宣布

参考例句：

• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide.这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King.嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。

5 wrangling   

v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The two sides have spent most of their time wrangling over procedural problems. 双方大部分时间都在围绕程序问题争论不休。 来自辞典例句
• The children were wrangling (with each other) over the new toy. 孩子为新玩具（互相）争吵。 来自辞典例句

6 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

7 harassing   

v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人）

参考例句：

• The court ordered him to stop harassing his ex-wife. 法庭命令他不得再骚扰前妻。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It was too close to be merely harassing fire. 打得这么近，不能完全是扰乱射击。 来自辞典例句

8 albeit   

conj.即使；纵使；虽然

参考例句：

• Albeit fictional,she seemed to have resolved the problem.虽然是虚构的，但是在她看来好象是解决了问题。
• Albeit he has failed twice,he is not discouraged.虽然失败了两次，但他并没有气馁。

9 Stabilization   

稳定化

参考例句：

• The position of barycentre on plane directly impacts the stabilization and manipulation of plane. 飞机重心位置直接影响飞机的稳定和操纵特性。
• With the higher olefins, stabilization of the energetic intermediates occurs more easily. 在较高的烯烃情况下，高能的中间物稳定作用更易出现。

10 expressive   

adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的

参考例句：

• Black English can be more expressive than standard English.黑人所使用的英语可能比正式英语更有表现力。
• He had a mobile,expressive,animated face.他有一张多变的，富于表情的，生动活泼的脸。

11 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

12 bickering   

v.争吵( bicker的现在分词 )；口角；（水等）作潺潺声；闪烁

参考例句：

• The children are always bickering about something or other. 孩子们有事没事总是在争吵。
• The two children were always bickering with each other over small matters. 这两个孩子总是为些小事斗嘴。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》