VOA英语2010年-Ivory Coast Election Winner Rejects

Ivory Coast's U.N.-endorsed presidential-election winner Alassane Ouattara has rejected calls by incumbent¹ President Laurent Gbagbo for an international review of the country's political crisis, following last month's disputed election.

In what was his first televised speech since last month's disputed election, Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo said Tuesday he is open to dialogue, though analysts² say any kind of power-sharing agreement is not a viable³ option for Ivory Coast.

Mr. Gbagbo says he does not want to see the blood of even one Ivorian spilled. He says he does not want a war in Ivory Coast that could impact neighboring countries. He says he is ready to welcome an international committee to evaluate the post-electoral crisis and re-examine election results.

He adds this committee will be led by a representative from the African Union and include members of ECOWAS, the West African Central Bank, the Arab League, the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, Russia and China.

But a spokesman for Alassane Ouattara dismissed the offer as a delay tactic⁴, and it is unlikely that many foreign powers named will go along with the proposal, as most of them have already called for Mr. Gbagbo to stand down.

Speaking on state television, Mr. Gbagbo says the international community has based its support of Mr. Ouattara on what the incumbent says were worthless electoral commission results.

He says the international community has declared war on Ivory Coast. He says that is not acceptable, and will not be allowed.

The electoral commission said Mr. Ouattara won the election with 54 percent of the votes. But Ivory Coast's constitutional court, which is led by a Gbagbo ally, annulled⁵ 10 percent of the ballots⁶ as fraudulent and proclaimed Mr. Gbagbo the winner with 51 percent.

Since then, the country has been stuck in a tense political showdown that many, including U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, say they fear could re-ignite a 2002-2003 civil war that split the country between a rebel-held north and a government-held south. The United Nations says street violence since the election has killed more than 50 people.

Speaking to journalists after Mr. Gbagbo's speech, U.N. peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy called for Gbagbo loyalists to stop trying to, as he said, "strangle or provoke" the U.N. force, which was attacked and forced to return fire on Saturday.

"Mr. Gbagbo has been very clear, he wants no violence, no more blood, so all the forces loyal to him should stop immediately provocation⁷, instigating⁸ violence, violation⁹ of human rights, and provoking the UNOCI mission," said LeRoy. "We have a mandate¹⁰ to fulfill¹¹ and we will fulfill that mandate."

The United Nations also confirmed the Gbagbo camp had recruited mercenaries, including former Liberian combatants, to target certain groups.

The U.N. Security Council says its 10,000-member peacekeeping force will remain in Ivory Coast, despite Mr. Gbabgo's demands that U.N. and French peacekeepers withdraw. Mr. Gbagbo's supporters accuse foreigners of threatening the country's sovereignty and U.N. forces of supporting Mr. Ouattara.

The U.N. force is currently protecting the Abidjan hotel serving as Mr. Ouattara's headquarters, and the U.N. mission condemns¹² what it says are efforts to blockade its supplies.

The United States and the European Union are imposing¹³ travel sanctions on Mr. Gbagbo and his close allies and say they will continue to increase pressure on Mr. Gbagbo until he steps down.

1 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

4 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

5 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》

6 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 provocation   

n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因

参考例句：

• He's got a fiery temper and flares up at the slightest provocation.他是火爆性子，一点就着。
• They did not react to this provocation.他们对这一挑衅未作反应。

8 instigating   

v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Distant but clear Longyin instigating the eardrums of every person. 遥远却清晰的龙吟鼓动着每一个人的耳膜。 来自互联网
• The leader was charged with instigating the workers to put down tools. 那位领导人被指控煽动工人罢工。 来自互联网

9 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

10 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

11 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

12 condemns   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• Her widowhood condemns her to a lonely old age. 守寡使她不得不过着孤独的晚年生活。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The public opinion condemns prostitution. 公众舆论遣责卖淫。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

13 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。