VOA慢速英语2014 苏格兰独立公投:苏独公投在即 民调难分胜负

 

AS IT IS 2014-09-15 Scotland's Independence Vote Is Too Close to Call 苏格兰独立公投:苏独公投在即 民调难分胜负

The people of Scotland will vote Sept. 18 on whether to stay in the United Kingdom with England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or whether to be an independent country. 

Recent public opinion studies suggest that sides for and against independence have almost equal support.

Scotland has been hosting political leaders from London who are urging the area not to vote for independence from Britain. 

Last Wednesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron clearly urged the people of Scotland to vote “no” on independence.

“Of course it is an issue that will be decided¹ solely² by the people of Scotland, but I want to make sure that they hear how much the rest of the United Kingdom also cares and wants to say to them very clearly: ‘It's your decision, but we want you to stay.’ ”

The push for the vote on independence started two years ago when Prime Minster Cameron agreed to the referendum, or vote. Scotland has its own parliament. But its powers to tax are limited. And, Britain decides economic and foreign policy.

The “yes”-to-independence campaign appears to have gained support as the vote nears. The ruling Scottish National Party leads the campaign.

David Torrance is a political writer. He says a minority of Scots has always supported independence. Now, however, he says there is also a new group of people who believe independence will open greater opportunities, or chances.

“What you see now is an additional layer of people who have been convinced over the past two years that independence will make them better off.”

Past Referendums: a Record of Success and Failure

Ethnic³ differences and economic disputes are often at the heart of the desire for self-determination, the desire for self-government.  The most recent internationally recognized referendum resulting in a new country was in 2011.  That year, South Sudan voted to leave Sudan after years of conflict.  Montenegro used a referendum to break away from Serbia in 2006.  And a U.N. organized referendum in East Timor resulted in independence from Indonesia.

Many referendums, however, result in a vote to remain part of the larger country. That has happened in Puerto Rico, a territory of the U.S., and in Quebec, in Canada.

In some cases, referendums do not solve territorial⁴ disputes, as is the case in Crimea. Russia faces growing restrictions⁵ and international condemnation⁶ for its annexation⁷ of Crimea after a rushed referendum in March.

Referendums can also be an effort for a territory to secure greater rights.

In this case, the main question is whether Scotland would be better off economically if it breaks away from Britain.

North Sea Oil Income May Influence Scotland's Decision

The North Sea area near Scotland is rich in oil. The Scottish port of Aberdeen is a center for services provided to oil drilling platforms in the North Sea.  An estimated 90 percent of Britain’s oil supplies are beneath the sea, in what would be Scottish territorial waters.

The Scottish government says there are 24 billion barrels of oil left in the area. Britain says there are 15 billion barrels.

Andrew McKenzie Smith lives near Dundee, Scotland. He is an activist⁸ for a vote against independence. He argues that it is too risky⁹ because of the economic uncertainties¹⁰. 

“I just feel we’re going into something, absolutely into an abyss of the unknown—that the ‘Yes’ campaign have got lots of sound bites, there’s lots of exciting things that they propose, but in the harsh reality, none of it is accounted for.”

Two of Britain’s biggest banks, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking¹¹ Group, have said they will move their headquarters if Scotland becomes independent. The financial services industry is a major part of the Scottish economy and provides many jobs. While the banks would keep many operations in Scotland, the move would be important.

Political experts say public opinion studies showing increasing support for independence have sent shock waves across Britain. Scotland and Britain have been unified¹² for more than 300 years. The vote on September 18th will decide whether Scotland will remain part of the United Kingdom.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 solely   

adv.仅仅，唯一地

参考例句：

• Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
• The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

5 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

6 condemnation   

n.谴责; 定罪

参考例句：

• There was widespread condemnation of the invasion. 那次侵略遭到了人们普遍的谴责。
• The jury's condemnation was a shock to the suspect. 陪审团宣告有罪使嫌疑犯大为震惊。

7 annexation   

n.吞并，合并

参考例句：

• He mentioned the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 .他提及1910年日本对朝鲜的吞并。
• I regard the question of annexation as belonging exclusively to the United States and Texas.我认为合并的问题，完全属于德克萨斯和美国之间的事。

8 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

9 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

10 uncertainties   

无把握( uncertainty的名词复数 )； 不确定； 变化不定； 无把握、不确定的事物

参考例句：

• One of the uncertainties of military duty is that you never know when you might suddenly get posted away. 任军职不稳定的因素之一是你永远不知道什么时候会突然被派往它处。
• Uncertainties affecting peace and development are on the rise. 影响和平与发展的不确定因素在增加。 来自汉英非文学 - 十六大报告

11 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

12 unified   

(unify 的过去式和过去分词)； 统一的； 统一标准的； 一元化的

参考例句：

• The teacher unified the answer of her pupil with hers. 老师核对了学生的答案。
• The First Emperor of Qin unified China in 221 B.C. 秦始皇于公元前221年统一中国。