VOA标准英语2013--哥伦比亚面临的改革机会

 

哥伦比亚面临的改革机会

Cambodia’s National Election Committee recently announced the preliminary results of the July 28 elections for the National Assembly. The opposition¹ party is challenging those results.

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William E. Todd, in a commentary published in the Cambodian press, said the U.S. Embassy “is closely following developments with the elections and has consistently called for a full and transparent² investigation³ of reported irregularities that is credible⁴ in the eyes of the Cambodian electorate⁵.

Just as importantly,” said Ambassador Todd, “we continue to urge both parties to engage in positive and constructive⁶ dialogue to find a peaceful way forward that is in the best interests of the Cambodian people.”

Ambassador Todd noted⁷ that discussions with representatives of both political parties, civil society leaders and everyday citizens shows a broad consensus⁸ among Cambodians “that the elections were a resounding⁹ call for meaningful reforms, particularly in the electoral process, economic expansion, and combating corruption¹⁰.”

“As the contentious¹¹ post-election review shows,” wrote Ambassador Todd, “significant changes to the electoral process are needed to give all the parties and the Cambodian people greater faith in future election results.”

To meet these needs, Cambodians should consider forming a committee to investigate election irregularities and address weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the election process with an eye toward future elections.

Another step forward would be to implement¹² the recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, such as correcting the voter registry and making the activities of the National Election Committee fully¹³ non-partisan and transparent.

Ambassador Todd welcomed Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent announcement of an increase in the wages of many civil servants, particularly those at the lower end of the salary range, as a positive first step to reform. This reform, supported across party lines, and with broad public support, is important in building an honest and professional civil service. “The increase in the salaries of civil servants,” Ambassador Todd observed, “is one method that can reduce the temptation of corruption to secure extra income.”

Ambassador Todd urged members of both parties to work together in a constructive manner when the new National Assembly is formed. “The free exchange of ideas and vigorous debate will result in the best policies put into practice.”

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

3 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

4 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？

5 electorate   

n.全体选民；选区

参考例句：

• The government was responsible to the electorate.政府对全体选民负责。
• He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate.他得到了几乎1/4选民的支持。

6 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

9 resounding   

adj. 响亮的

参考例句：

• The astronaut was welcomed with joyous,resounding acclaim. 人们欢声雷动地迎接那位宇航员。
• He hit the water with a resounding slap. 他啪的一声拍了一下水。

10 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

11 contentious   

adj.好辩的，善争吵的

参考例句：

• She was really not of the contentious fighting sort.她委实不是好吵好闹的人。
• Since then they have tended to steer clear of contentious issues.从那时起，他们总想方设法避开有争议的问题。

12 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

13 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。