VOA常速英语2020--白俄罗斯反对派领导人遭绑架

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government. The political turmoil¹ in Belarus since the fraudulent reelection of authoritarian² Alexander Lukashenka on August 9 continues. Members of the political opposition³ in Belarus set up the National Coordination⁴ Council, or NCC, to negotiate with the Belarusian authorities about holding free and fair elections and a transition of power. Instead of engaging in good faith, the Lukashenka regime has launched a politically-motivated investigation⁵ against the National Coordination Council and detained, forced into exile, and abducted⁶ members of the NCC. Indeed, the United States is deeply concerned by the September 7 abduction of National Coordination Council member Mariya Kalesnikava in Minsk, and the forced expulsions of Spokesman Anton Rodnenkou and Executive Secretary Ivan Krautsou on September 8. Maxim⁷ Znak, also a National Coordination Council member, was detained the following day. The United States commends the courage of Ms. Kalesnikava and of the Belarusian people in peacefully asserting their right to pick their leaders in free and fair elections.

以下是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。8月9日，独裁者亚历山大·卢卡申科以欺诈性手段获得连任，自此，白俄罗斯的政治动荡持续不断。白俄罗斯政治反对派成员成立了国家协调委员会（NCC),就举行自由公正的选举和政权交接问题与白俄罗斯当局进行谈判。卢卡申科政权并未与国家协调委员会进行善意接触，反而出于政治动机，对国家协调委员会展开调查，并且对其成员进行拘留、迫使流亡和绑架。事实上，美国对此深感关切，9月7日，国家协调委员会成员玛丽亚·科列斯尼科娃在明斯克被绑架，9月8日，发言人安东·罗德涅科夫和执行秘书伊万·克拉夫佐夫被强制驱逐出境。国家协调委员会成员马克西姆·兹纳克在第二天被拘留。美国赞扬卡列斯尼卡瓦女士和白俄罗斯人民的勇气，他们勇于和平行使在自由公正的选举中挑选领导人的权利。

Protesters have faced brute⁸ violence and repression⁹ by government authorities, which included brazen¹⁰ beatings in broad daylight and thousands of detentions¹¹, as well as increasing reports of abductions. Since September 1, university students have been the victims of violent crackdowns led by security forces dressed in black with their faces covered in ski masks. Several were picked up from the street and thrown into unmarked mini vans. The United States, in coordination with its partners and Allies, is considering additional targeted sanctions to promote accountability for those involved in human rights abuses and repression in Belarus. “We remind the Belarusian authorities of their responsibility to ensure the safety of Ms. Kalesnikava and all those unjustly detained,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. “We call on the Belarusian authorities to end the violence against their own people, release all those who have been unjustly detained, including U.S. citizen Vitali Shkliarov, and engage in meaningful dialogue with genuine representatives of Belarusian society.” That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.

抗议者遭受了政府当局的野蛮暴力和镇压，很多民众在光天化日之下被肆无忌惮地殴打，成千上万的人被拘留，报道的绑架行为也越来越多。自9月1日以来，大学生们也成为安全部队暴力镇压的受害者，行动人员们身穿黑衣，脸上带着滑雪面罩。一些大学生被从街上拖走，扔进没有标志的小货车里。美国正与其合作伙伴和盟国协调，考虑采取更多有针对性的制裁措施，以追责那些在白俄罗斯境内参与侵犯人权和压迫行动的人。美国国务卿蓬佩奥在一份声明中说，“我们提醒白俄罗斯当局，他们有责任确保科列斯尼科娃女士和所有被不公正拘押的人员的安全。”“我们呼吁白俄罗斯当局结束对本国人民的暴力行为，释放美国公民维塔利·什克里洛夫等所有被不公正拘押的人，并与白俄罗斯社会的真正代表进行有意义的对话。”这是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。

1 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

2 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

3 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。

4 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

5 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。

6 abducted   

劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展

参考例句：

• Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that she was abducted. 侦探尚未排除她被绑架的可能性。
• The kid was abducted at the gate of kindergarten. 那小孩在幼儿园大门口被绑架走了。

7 maxim   

n.格言，箴言

参考例句：

• Please lay the maxim to your heart.请把此格言记在心里。
• "Waste not,want not" is her favourite maxim.“不浪费则不匮乏”是她喜爱的格言。

8 brute   

n.野兽，兽性

参考例句：

• The aggressor troops are not many degrees removed from the brute.侵略军简直象一群野兽。
• That dog is a dangerous brute.It bites people.那条狗是危险的畜牲，它咬人。

9 repression   

n.镇压，抑制，抑压

参考例句：

• The repression of your true feelings is harmful to your health.压抑你的真实感情有害健康。
• This touched off a new storm against violent repression.这引起了反对暴力镇压的新风暴。

10 brazen   

adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的

参考例句：

• The brazen woman laughed loudly at the judge who sentenced her.那无耻的女子冲着给她判刑的法官高声大笑。
• Some people prefer to brazen a thing out rather than admit defeat.有的人不愿承认失败，而是宁肯厚着脸皮干下去。

11 detentions   

拘留( detention的名词复数 )； 扣押； 监禁； 放学后留校

参考例句：

• Teachers may assign detention tasks as they wish and some detentions have been actually dangerous. 老师可能随心所欲指派关禁闭的形式，有些禁闭事实上很危险。
• Intimidation, beatings and administrative detentions are often enough to prevent them from trying again. 恐吓，拷打和行政拘留足以阻止请愿者二次进京的脚步。