VOA标准英语2018--Pompeo at OAS

 

Speaking at the Organization of American States, or OAS, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged fellow members to do their “part to strengthen the OAS to deal effectively with the challenges to our values.”

The primary role of the OAS is to support democracy and human rights in the Americas. “There is no greater challenge today,” noted¹ Secretary Pompeo, than the “dismantling of democracy and the heartbreaking humanitarian² disaster in Venezuela.” The United States stands steadfast³ in support of the Venezuelan people and their efforts to restore their democracy.

Secretary Pompeo urged all OAS members to support in Venezuela “a return to the constitutional order, free and fair elections with international observation, and the release of political prisoners.”

He further urged sending a strong message to Venezuela by doing what the Democratic Charter says and suspending Venezuela from the OAS.

Suspension, said Mr. Pompeo, “would show that the OAS backs up its words with action.”

In addition to suspension, Secretary Pompeo called on the international community to apply sustained pressure on the Maduro regime until it undertakes the actions necessary to return genuine democracy and provide Venezuelans desperately⁴ needed access to international humanitarian aid.

In Cuba, said Secretary Pompeo there is an expectation “that change is inevitable⁵ and that it can't come quickly enough. Young Cubans are demanding educational opportunities free from political constraints⁶ or a totalitarian regime's repression,” said Secretary Pompeo:

“As democratic societies, we must support young people in Cuba and elsewhere in the hemisphere in their hopes for democratic change.”

In Nicaragua, police and government-controlled thugs have killed over 120 people, merely for peacefully protesting. The United States demands that the government of Daniel Ortega immediately cease the violence, respond to the Nicaraguan people's demands for credible⁸ democratic reform, respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and hold accountable those responsible for violence. On June 7, the Department of State announced visa restrictions⁹ for Nicaraguan persons responsible for human rights abuses or undermining democracy in Nicaragua

The U.S. calls on all OAS nations to take immediate⁷ steps regarding Venezuela for the good of the region and the world.

1 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。

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。

4 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

5 inevitable   

adj.不可避免的，必然发生的

参考例句：

• Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
• The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。

6 constraints   

强制( constraint的名词复数 )； 限制； 约束

参考例句：

• Data and constraints can easily be changed to test theories. 信息库中的数据和限制条件可以轻易地改变以检验假设。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史
• What are the constraints that each of these imply for any design? 这每种产品的要求和约束对于设计意味着什么？ 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

7 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。

8 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？

9 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制