VOA标准英语2010年-Camara's Possible Return Splits Guinea

Guinea's injured military leader appears determined¹ to return to Conakry more than one month after being shot by the former head of the presidential guard.  His return could disrupt plans for a transitional government and split the ruling military council.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara and senior members of his ruling council continue to meet in Burkina Faso with regional mediator² President Blaise Compaore.

But Guinea's ruling council itself appears in need of mediation³ with divisions over Captain Camara returning to Conakry, more than one month after being shot in the head.

Permanent Secretary Colonel Moussa Keita, Foreign Minister Alexandre Cece Loua, and the influential⁴ military commander Lieutenant⁵ Claude Pivi all favor Captain Camara's return, with Keita asking reporters in Ouagadougou how the return of a head of state could possibly escalate⁶ the situation.

The United Nations says there are sufficient grounds for presuming direct criminal responsibility by Captain Camara for the killing⁷ of at least 157 protesters in September.

General Sekouba Konate addresses troops at Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo, Guinea (File)

Among those concerned that his return could derail plans for a transitional government and lead to further violence are the country's acting⁸ leader, Defense⁹ Minister Sekouba Konate.

Burkinabe officials say General Konate threatened to resign Thursday during an argument with supporters of Captain Camara's return.

Both the United States and France believe a transitional government leading to new elections is more likely if Captain Camara does not return to Conakry. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said it could lead to civil war - an assertion denounced by Foreign Minister Loua.

Loua asks if Kouchner's statement is evidence that France is calling for a civil war, saying his declaration is meant to deprive Captain Camara and the Guinean people of their dignity.

Said Djinnit, the head of the United Nations Office for West Africa, says he is not aware of any possibility of Captain Camara returning to Guinea shortly.

With Konate inviting¹⁰ politicians to name a new civilian¹¹ prime minister, Djinnit says the general's leadership offers an opportunity to restore constitutional order in Guinea.

"The general has made it very clear that he is not interested in staying in power. He made it very clear that he is there to restore discipline within the army and create conditions for a transition," he said.

But many people in Conakry worry what will happen to that transition if Captain Camara returns.

Businessman Mamadou Cellou Camara says it will be good for Guinea if General Konate follows through with plans for the opposition¹² to name a new prime minister.

But Camara says the people of Guinea do not know if Captain Camara approves of the decisions that General Konate is taking. If he does not approve, there will be one group for Captain Camara, one group for General Konate, and one group for civil society. And that, Camara says, will bring a confrontation¹³. To avoid such a confrontation, he says it is a good idea for Captain Camara to meet with President Compaore before returning to Conakry.

Civil servant Ibrahima Kalil Kourouma says it is only logical that Captain Camara would meet with President Compaore because the Burkinabe leader helped him when he was in danger by providing a plane to fly him to a Moroccan military hospital after he was shot.

Kourouma says it is normal that Captain Camara would go to thank President Compaore before coming back to Conakry and re-taking power.

1 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 mediator   

n.调解人，中介人

参考例句：

• He always takes the role of a mediator in any dispute.他总是在争论中充当调停人的角色。
• He will appear in the role of mediator.他将出演调停者。

3 mediation   

n.调解

参考例句：

• The dispute was settled by mediation of the third country. 这场争端通过第三国的斡旋而得以解决。
• The dispute was settled by mediation. 经调解使争端得以解决。

4 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

5 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

6 escalate   

v.(使)逐步增长(或发展)，(使)逐步升级

参考例句：

• It would tempt Israel's neighbors to escalate their demands.它将诱使以色列的邻国不断把他们的要求升级。
• Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict.失败可能会导致其中一方将冲突升级。

7 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

8 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

9 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

10 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。

11 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。

12 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。

13 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。