Arab League Ends Meeting With Calls for Reforms

 

Greg LaMotte

The Arab League concluded its annual summit with calls for increased democracy. The League also adopted resolutions calling for greater international participation¹ in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as promises to increase the fight against terrorism.

In his closing statement, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa called for a wide range of reforms throughout the Arab world.

Mr. Moussa said, in the hopes of strengthening democracy and enhancing modernization², Arab countries should continue their efforts on social, economic, and educational reforms while developing democracy according to each Arab state's cultural and religious values. He said there should be broader political participation, freedom of speech, an independent court system and a strengthened role for women in Arab society.

In its final statement, the 22-member Arab League also promised to fight terrorism.

And, while calling for an end to the targeted assassinations³ Palestinian resistance leaders the Arab leaders also called for an end to the killing⁴ of both Palestinian and Israeli civilians⁵. The League also called for the protection of Palestinians by the international community and said Israel must withdraw all military troops from Palestinian areas occupied since 1967.

The Palestinian representative to the Arab League, Mohammad Sobeih, said he agrees with the League's decisions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But he says he hopes that this time the decisions will be implemented⁷.

"We are satisfied with the decisions as approved," he said. "But, our problem has never been with the decisions, it has always been with the implementation⁸ of the decisions and we hope this time that the decisions taken will be implemented. It is the implementation that counts for a people who are beleaguered⁹, who are under siege, who are facing an Israeli aggression¹⁰."

Political analysts¹¹ at the summit indicated that the reforms being proposed by the Arab League are a step in the right direction. But they also noted¹² that the League did not spell out how the changes are to be implemented, and it has no enforcement powers.

It was a criticism Secretary-General Moussa was asked about following the conclusion of the summit. He said the League has never been given financing to enforce the resolutions it adopts.

"The Arab League, from its inception¹³, from its beginning has played a very important role even if it is below our expectations," said Mr. Moussa. "And, it could have played a stronger role but the League was not empowered, or allowed to play a key role. And, if it has not played, so far, a key role it should not be blamed."

Mr. Moussa said there will be broad discussions on the proposed reforms and detailed¹⁴ meetings leading up to next year's summit in Algiers. At that time, he says, more-specific measures can be adopted to enhance the growth of democracy and human rights in the Arab world.

注释：
Arab League 又做League of Arab States(LAS)，阿拉伯国家联盟（阿盟）
conclude [kEn5klu:d] v. 结束
adopt [E5dCpt] vt. 采纳，采用
Amr Moussa 阿姆鲁·穆萨，阿拉伯国家联盟秘书长。
strengthen [5streNWEn] v. 加强，巩固
target [5tB:^it] n. 把……作为目标，以……为目标
assassination [E7sAsi5neiFEn] n. 暗杀
withdraw [wiT5drC:] vt. 撤回
regard [ri5^B:diN] prep. 关于
implement⁶ [5implimEnt] v. 贯彻，执行
approve [E5pru:v] v. 批准，通过
implementation [7implimen5teiFEn] n. 执行
count for 对……有用，对……有价值
beleaguer [bi5li:^E] vt. 围攻，围困
siege [si:dV] n. 包围，围困
propose [prE5pEuz] vt. 提议，建议
spell out 讲清楚，清楚地说明
financing [fai5nAnsiN] n. 资金
inception [In5sepF(E)n] n. 开始，开端
empower [im5pauE] vt. 授权，准许
Algiers [Al5dViEz] n. 阿尔及尔（阿尔及利亚的首都和最大的城市）

1 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

2 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

3 assassinations   

n.暗杀( assassination的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Most anarchist assassinations were bungled because of haste or spontaneity, in his view. 在他看来，无政府主义者搞的许多刺杀都没成功就是因为匆忙和自发行动。 来自辞典例句
• Assassinations by Israelis of alleged terrorists habitually kill nearby women and children. 在以色列，自称恐怖分子的炸弹自杀者杀害靠近自己的以色列妇女和儿童。 来自互联网

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

5 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

6 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。

7 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

8 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

9 beleaguered   

adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰

参考例句：

• The beleaguered party leader was forced to resign. 那位饱受指责的政党领导人被迫辞职。
• We are beleaguered by problems. 我们被许多困难所困扰。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

11 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

12 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。

13 inception   

n.开端，开始，取得学位

参考例句：

• The programme has been successful since its inception.这个方案自开始实施以来一直卓有成效。
• Julia's worked for that company from its inception.自从那家公司开办以来，朱莉娅一直在那儿工作。

14 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。