VOA标准英语2013--Thai-Cambodia Border Decision Risks Renewing Nationalist Protests

 

Thai-Cambodia Border Decision Risks Renewing Nationalist Protests

Thai nationalists two years ago demanded the United Nations cultural office de-list a Cambodian temple as a World Heritage site.

They view the recognition as a loss of Thai sovereignty stemming from a 1962 decision by a top U.N. court.

The International Court of Justice ruled on the ownership of the temple but, until this year, refused to decide who owns the land around it.

At Bangkok's Institute of Security and International Studies, Thitinan Pongsudhirak says it would be best if the court left ownership ambiguous.

"I'm hoping that this time we will see a similar ambiguity¹ which forces Cambodian government and Thai government to sit down and work things out.  Because now we have two governments that seem to be able to talk," he said. 

Tensions over the issue led to sporadic² clashes along the border that killed 20-some people and sent tens of thousands of villagers fleeing for safety.

The 900-year-old Khmer Hindu temple, called Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Phra Viharn in Thailand, was damaged in the fighting.

The border dispute was fueled by opponents of exiled former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, says political analyst³ Thitinan.

"Politicization of the temple listing has been a function of domestic Thai politics.  At the same time, the Cambodian side, Prime Minister Hun Sen, also did not help by taking sides in this division in Thailand, by taking the side of Thaksin Shinawatra," he said. 

Indonesia sought to mediate⁴ the dispute, but the Thai military refused to allow monitors on the border.

Nonetheless, relations improved after Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was elected prime minister and the Thai army became more hesitant, says political analyst Thitinan.

"There are no backing, direct backing, from other sources to agitate⁵, to aggravate⁶, stimulate⁷ the army to go on the march again. So, much more conducive⁸ than 2011 for the Thai army to abide⁹ by whatever decision that comes out of ICJ," he said. 

Regardless of the court's decision, locals who live along the border want peace to prevail over politics so life and trade can continue as normal.  

1 ambiguity   

n.模棱两可；意义不明确

参考例句：

• The telegram was misunderstood because of its ambiguity.由于电文意义不明确而造成了误解。
• Her answer was above all ambiguity.她的回答毫不含糊。

2 sporadic   

adj.偶尔发生的 [反]regular；分散的

参考例句：

• The sound of sporadic shooting could still be heard.仍能听见零星的枪声。
• You know this better than I.I received only sporadic news about it.你们比我更清楚，而我听到的只是零星消息。

3 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

4 mediate   

vi.调解，斡旋；vt.经调解解决；经斡旋促成

参考例句：

• The state must mediate the struggle for water resources.政府必须通过调解来解决对水资源的争夺。
• They may be able to mediate between parties with different interests.他们也许能在不同利益政党之间进行斡旋。

5 agitate   

vi.(for,against)煽动，鼓动；vt.搅动

参考例句：

• They sent agents to agitate the local people.他们派遣情报人员煽动当地的民众。
• All you need to do is gently agitate the water with a finger or paintbrush.你只需要用手指或刷子轻轻地搅动水。

6 aggravate   

vt.加重(剧)，使恶化；激怒，使恼火

参考例句：

• Threats will only aggravate her.恐吓只能激怒她。
• He would only aggravate the injury by rubbing it.他揉擦伤口只会使伤势加重。

7 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

8 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

9 abide   

vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受

参考例句：

• You must abide by the results of your mistakes.你必须承担你的错误所造成的后果。
• If you join the club,you have to abide by its rules.如果你参加俱乐部，你就得遵守它的规章。