VOA标准英语2010年-India's Prime Minister Appeals for Cal

India's leader has used part of his Independence Day address to call for an end to violence in Kashmir.

The appeal for an end to the ongoing¹ street protests in Kashmir by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came one day after two more protestors were killed in clashes with security forces in Indian controlled Kashmir. The protests have lead to 57 deaths over the past two months.

The protestors have set official buildings and vehicles on fire during the almost daily protests. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both countries. However, anti-India sentiment runs deep in the Indian controlled portion, with most reportedly favoring either independence from India or a merger² with Pakistan.

In his 30 minute speech, the Prime Minister said his government is ready to hold talks, saying "the years of violence should now end and that such violence will not benefit anyone." The speech was delivered in New Delhi marking India's Independence Day which was the end of British colonial rule in 1947 and the partitioning of the territory into India and Pakistan. That split has lead to tensions between the two nations and triggered three wars, two of them over Kashmir.

Prime Minister Singh's address was delivered as he stood behind bullet proof glass. The entire city of New Delhi had been turned into a virtual fortress³ with nearly 80,000 police and troops guarding the capitol city. The United States had warned in an advisory⁴ last week about the continuing threat of terrorist attacks in Indian cities.

1 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 merger   

n.企业合并，并吞

参考例句：

• Acceptance of the offer is the first step to a merger.对这项提议的赞同是合并的第一步。
• Shareholders will be voting on the merger of the companies.股东们将投票表决公司合并问题。

3 fortress   

n.堡垒，防御工事

参考例句：

• They made an attempt on a fortress.他们试图夺取这一要塞。
• The soldier scaled the wall of the fortress by turret.士兵通过塔车攀登上了要塞的城墙。

4 advisory   

adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询

参考例句：

• I have worked in an advisory capacity with many hospitals.我曾在多家医院做过顾问工作。
• He was appointed to the advisory committee last month.他上个月获任命为顾问委员会委员。