VOA标准英语2011--Sierra Leonean President Reduces Fuel Pr

Sierra Leonean President Reduces Fuel Prices

In a nationwide broadcast over state radio and television, President Ernest Bai Koroma has reversed a 27-day increase in the price of fuel.
On May 1, the country changed from an imperial system of measurement to metric. The changes also saw an increase in fuel prices by a little over a dollar per litre. This caused a rapid increase in the price of local commodities, prompting the human rights group, the National Youth Coalition¹, to issue a 21-day strike notice if prices were not returned to their earlier levels.
The president blamed the increase in fuel prices on instability in some oil producing countries and natural disasters in rice producing countries in Asia.
But as commodity prices and transport fares rose, the public outcry grew stronger. Twenty-seven days later the president reacted by reversing the price increase and suspending a 10% tax on imported rice.
National Youth Coalition President Ishmail Al-Sankoh Conteh says it is a welcome move.
"We have agreed as a coalition to call the demonstration² off with immediate³ effect," he said, "because the president has heard the cry of the people. He has listened to the call of the coalition. So, we have no alternative but to cooperate and also call on all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to actually to adhere to the statement of [the president]....so that collectively we will have no disturbances⁴."
Over 24 hours after the broadcast commodity prices remain the same.

1 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

2 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 disturbances   

n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍

参考例句：

• The government has set up a commission of inquiry into the disturbances at the prison. 政府成立了一个委员会来调查监狱骚乱事件。
• Extra police were called in to quell the disturbances. 已调集了增援警力来平定骚乱。