VOA标准英语2011--Mugabe's Absence Reportedly Hinders Zimb

President Robert Mugabe left Zimbabwe last Friday for medical treatment in Asia. Mugabe's recent absences from Harare means that the executive branch has met for just two hours in the last two months.
Mugabe told colleagues he was traveling to Singapore for a post-operative check after an operation on one of his eyes. His spokesman George Charamba said he had a cataract¹ removed during his annual break in Singapore last month.
Mugabe's health remains² a closely guarded secret. The president is reportedly suffering health setbacks in his recovery after what had been initially³ billed as a minor⁴ medical procedure in Singapore last month.
Last month, though, Mugabe - one of Africa's longest serving leaders - dismissed reports of his medical problems as "naked lies."
Mugabe goes on holiday each year in Asia over the Christmas and New Year break. He also consults doctors in Asia.
Ministers in the inclusive government said Friday they received notification that cabinet was canceled Tuesday. Last week, Mugabe only attended the cabinet for about two hours. The last full cabinet meeting was on December 14.
Senior government officials in Harare say ministers are anxious because they need to make decisions to meet urgent deadlines.
The main goal of the two-year-old unity⁵ government was to reform repressive laws inherited from the previous ZANU-PF government so that free and fair elections can be held.
Irene Petras, director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said parliament has been unable to reform many laws because of delays by the executive.
Charamba said Mugabe will return to Zimbabwe on February 20, the day before his 87th birthday.

1 cataract   

n.大瀑布，奔流，洪水，白内障

参考例句：

• He is an elderly gentleman who had had a cataract operation.他是一位曾经动过白内障手术的老人。
• The way is blocked by the tall cataract.高悬的大瀑布挡住了去路。

2 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。

3 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

4 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

5 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。