VOA标准英语2012--NATO Trucks Remain Stalled in Pakistan’s Southern Port

 

NATO Trucks Remain Stalled in Pakistan’s Southern Port

Some trucks and drivers have been waiting for months to return to the road. Entry points to Afghanistan were closed after the United States mistakenly killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in an airstrike last November.

But truck owners say they are not moving until they are compensated¹ for the money lost during the shutdown that stranded² more than 1,500 shipments on the road.

Muhammad Khan, who owns 310 trucks, said he and others deserve to get paid.

“The round figure for the 210 days that these trucks have been held up is $15 million,” said Khan.

High stakes, significant rewards

The NATO shipments are profitable for Pakistani transport companies, but the trip to Afghanistan is a dangerous one.

Israr Ahmed Shinwari, of the Pakistan Oil Tanker³ Owners Association, said that despite the risks, the truckers must get back on the roads.

“So far, 1,300 drivers and assistants have died. But the drivers have to go because everyone owes money on the trucks now. And security is better now,” said Shinwari.

Threats in the southwest province of Baluchistan have led Pakistan officials to provide enhanced security for NATO supply trucks crossing that area.

Some drivers are not convinced, though, that the route for the 10-day road trip is safe enough.

Driver Kabeer Ahmed, said he thinks security concerns are delaying the trucks’ movements.

“People are saying that loading has not started yet because of the Taliban and protests,” said Ahmed.

Crucial supplies, roads for NATO forces

Pakistan’s supply routes are seen as vitally important to NATO forces in Afghanistan. In Pakistan, they remain politically controversial - but not for drivers like Masood Afridi, who has made the trip to Afghanistan about 12 times.

“It’s dangerous but we have to do it, because there is no work in Pakistan. There is no money here. If the NATO supply roads are closed, there is no work, there is no money, diesel⁴ prices are going up. If they open the NATO supply, all our problems will be solved,” said Afridi.

For now, the drivers are getting their vehicles ready to go back on the road. 

1 compensated   

补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款）

参考例句：

• The marvelous acting compensated for the play's weak script. 本剧的精彩表演弥补了剧本的不足。
• I compensated his loss with money. 我赔偿他经济损失。

2 stranded   

a.搁浅的，进退两难的

参考例句：

• He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里， 身无分文，一筹莫展。
• I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市，既没有钱，又没有朋友。

3 tanker   

n.油轮

参考例句：

• The tanker took on 200,000 barrels of crude oil.油轮装载了二十万桶原油。
• Heavy seas had pounded the tanker into three parts.汹涌的巨浪把油轮撞成三载。

4 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。