VOA标准英语2010年-Turkey's Government Encouraged by Refe

The government in Turkey secured a decisive victory in a referendum on its reforms to the constitution.  The result has been positively¹ received internationally, but opponents accuse the government of seeking to undermine the independence of the judiciary.

 

Thousands of supporters joined with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in celebrating the "Yes" vote in Sunday's referendum for constitutional reform.  The size of the victory came as a surprise to many, and in addressing his supporters Mr. Erdogan was eager to appear magnanimous in victory.

Prime Minister Erdogan said 12 September will go down in history as a turning point in Turkish democracy.  He told the crowd, "You will be always be remembered for this."  He said the date of 12 September was tainted² with a constitution from a coup³, but has now been turned on to a bright page with this referendum.

 

Throughout his campaign, Mr. Erdogan claimed the reform package aimed to cut the country's links with the past when Turkey was run by the military.  The present constitution was written by the army in 1982 after it seized power in a coup in 1980.

The 26 reforms include putting the military under the control of civilian⁴ courts.  Women and trade union rights also were extended.

Several leaders and foreign ministers from the European Union, which Turkey is seeking to join, welcomed the result.  A member of the European Parliament's Committee on Turkey, Richard Howitt, says the result sends a powerful message to Turkish critics of its EU bid.

"If there had been a "No" vote, Turkey's opponents in the European Union would be jumping on such a result, saying there was no clear support for reform in Turkey," said Howitt.  "I think we should conclude the opposite, that there is clear political will from the Turkish people for reform and future European membership."

But the two main opposition⁵ parties claim that proposed reforms to the judiciary will put the courts under the control of the government, and that worries them, because they fear that the governing party's Islamic roots could lead to too much religious influence.

Istiklal street is one of the main shopping streets in central Istanbul.  For the people here, deep divisions remain over the referendum.

One resident interviewed on the street said he believes Tayyip Erdogan is honest and sincere.  He said he voted "Yes" in the referendum and will always support the prime minister, because with this new system all those who create coups⁶ will be eliminated.

But this same man said he is concerned.  "Maybe Turkish republic will change to going to an Islamic system, not equal, so it is very bad situation for us."

Prime Minister Erdogan dismissed such concerns, saying he is committed to the country's 87-year-old secular⁷ state.  Following the referendum victory, Mr. Erdogan has committed himself to further reform, including a completely new constitution.

Bahcesehir University political scientist Cengiz Aktar said that process should start now, and must be politically inclusive.  "We should create conditions of a dialogue and a national consensus⁸ to go and find out what is the best social contract for this country to become a genuine democracy."

The referendum has given the government a powerful mandate⁹ for change.  It also has shown support for the ruling AK Party before next year's general election. At same time, however, analysts¹⁰ say the country remains¹¹ deeply divided.
 

1 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

2 tainted   

adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏

参考例句：

• The administration was tainted with scandal. 丑闻使得政府声名狼藉。
• He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime. 他因与腐败政府有牵连而名誉受损。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

4 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。

5 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。

6 coups   

n.意外而成功的行动( coup的名词复数 )；政变；努力办到难办的事

参考例句：

• China has seen many political coups within the ruling class. 中国统治阶级内部发生过很多政变。 来自互联网
• Thailand has had eighteen coups or coup attendance since nineteen thirty-two. 泰国1932年以来有18次政变或参加政变。 来自互联网

7 secular   

n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的

参考例句：

• We live in an increasingly secular society.我们生活在一个日益非宗教的社会。
• Britain is a plural society in which the secular predominates.英国是个世俗主导的多元社会。

8 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

9 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。

10 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。

11 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。