VOA标准英语2011--Laos, Neighbors Face Off on Mekong River

Laos, Neighbors Face Off on Mekong River Dam Dispute

Countries along the Mekong River have disagreed with Laos on its proposal to build the first hydropower dam on the main stream of the lower river. Laos says the dam will cause no serious problems, while its neighbors say more information is needed about its environmental and economic effects.
Delegates from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam postponed¹ a decision Tuesday on Laos's plan to build a hydropower dam on the lower Mekong.
At a meeting of the Mekong River Commission in the Lao capital, Vientiane, Laos insisted the Xayaburi dam go ahead, saying it will be up to international standards.
The Lao delegate said the dam likely would not affect the environment of its neighbors.
However, Te Navuth, chairman of the MRC's Joint² Committee, said Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam have doubts. "The three countries want additional information while Laos... Laos wishes to have the process completed after six months."
Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam want a comprehensive assessment³ of cross-boundary environmental effects.
The four countries agreed to hold a ministerial-level meeting later this year to come to an agreement. Under the commission, the four neighbors consult each other on projects along the river, but do not need each other's permission
Vietnam was the most critical of the project and proposed that all plans for dams on the Mekong's main stream be put on hold for at least 10 years.
Cambodia and Vietnam are concerned the dam, one of 11 planned for the Mekong, could affect fish stocks and rice production. One commission study concluded the dam would affect fish migration⁴ and could drive endangered species, like the Mekong giant catfish⁵, to extinction⁶.
Thailand raised concerns about the sustainability of the $3.5 billion project.
It is expected to produce 1,260 megawatts of electricity, 95 percent of which would be sold to Thailand.
A commission report said the dam could lose up to 60 percent of its operating capacity in 30 years, though, because of sediment⁷ building up in the reservoir.
About 60 million people depend on the Mekong for their livelihoods⁸.
Laos, an impoverished⁹ and land-locked state ruled by a communist party, says the dam is necessary to raise revenue.
The only dams built on the Mekong's main channel so far are up stream in China, where it is known as the Lancang river.
Beijing built four dams without consulting neighbors, and plans to build four more in the coming decade.
The deadlock¹⁰ follows reports this week that Laos started road construction last year for the project.
Te Navuth said the commission has asked for clarification from Laos.

1 postponed   

vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发）

参考例句：

• The trial was postponed indefinitely. 审讯无限期延迟。
• The game has already been postponed three times. 这场比赛已经三度延期了。

2 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

4 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。

5 catfish   

n.鲶鱼

参考例句：

• Huge catfish are skinned and dressed by hand.用手剥去巨鲇的皮并剖洗干净。
• We gigged for catfish off the pier.我们在码头以鱼叉叉鲶鱼。

6 extinction   

n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种

参考例句：

• The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
• The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。

7 sediment   

n.沉淀，沉渣，沉积(物)

参考例句：

• The sediment settled and the water was clear.杂质沉淀后，水变清了。
• Sediment begins to choke the channel's opening.沉积物开始淤塞河道口。

8 livelihoods   

生计，谋生之道( livelihood的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• First came the earliest individualistic pioneers who depended on hunting and fishing for their livelihoods. 走在最前面的是早期的个人主义先驱者，他们靠狩猎捕鱼为生。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• With little influence over policies, their traditional livelihoods are threatened. 因为马赛族人对政策的影响力太小，他们的传统生计受到了威胁。

9 impoverished   

adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化

参考例句：

• the impoverished areas of the city 这个城市的贫民区
• They were impoverished by a prolonged spell of unemployment. 他们因长期失业而一贫如洗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 deadlock   

n.僵局，僵持

参考例句：

• The negotiations reached a deadlock after two hours.两小时后，谈判陷入了僵局。
• The employers and strikers are at a deadlock over the wage.雇主和罢工者在工资问题上相持不下。