2007年VOA标准英语-Thailand, Malaysia Agree To Step Up Security Co

By Ron Corben
Bangkok
12 February 2007

Thailand and Malaysia are to increase cross-border cooperation as part of efforts to end more than three years of separatist violence in the Southern-most provinces. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, the agreement was reached during an official visit to Thailand by Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and includes efforts to boost economic development and education support.

The agreement between Malaysia and Thailand followed a two-day visit by Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdulah Badawi to Thailand, and marked a major turning point in bilateral¹ relations that soured during the former Thai government of Thaksin Shinawatra.

During formal talks in Bangkok, Mr. Abdualah and Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanot included measures to develop the border areas with Malaysia offering to assist Thailand in Islamic education studies.

 
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi gestures as he speaks at a press conference at Government House in Bangkok, 12 Feb 2007
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Abdullah, expressed concern the violence in the Thai provinces bordering Malaysia remained a threat.

"Southern Thailand is a big concern to us," he said. "We intend to cooperate in whatever way we can so that together we can help to reduce the situation - which at the moment is one of threat to the peace and stability of Southern Thailand."

Since attacks escalated² in early 2004, bloodshed has claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people.

Bilateral relations soured in 2004 amid an escalation³ of violence and a harder-line policy by the Thaksin government. Mr. Thaksin also accused Malaysia of harboring insurgents⁴.

Mr. Surayud, who replaced Thaksin after a September coup⁵, said a peaceful resolution to the violence was necessary for the region's economic progress.

 
Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont addresses a joint⁶ press conference along with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, unseen, at the Government House in Bangkok, 12 Feb 2007
He said, "Both prime ministers agreed that peace, security and stability in the southern part of Thailand are relevant and important to the northern most part states of peninsular Malaysia and vice⁷ versa."

"A peaceful and secure environment is crucial to the economic development and prosperity of these areas," he continued.

Mr. Surayud said Malaysia had welcomed the Thai government's new efforts to achieve reconciliation⁸ in the southern provinces.

Rights groups accused the Thaksin government of human-rights abuses in dealing⁹ with the insurgency¹⁰ as well as policy failures starting soon after he came to power in 2001. In November Mr. Surayud publicly apologized to Thailand's Muslims for any abuses under the former government.

The increased cross-border cooperation is welcome, says Human Rights Watch representative in Thailand, Sunai Pasuk.

"Cooperation between the governments of Thailand and Malaysia is very important to any effort to address the insurgency in Southern Thailand," he said. "This is the right approach. I am very pleased to see Prime Minister Surayud and Prime Minister Badawai seriously working together."

But analysts¹¹ say cooperation is just a first step. Separatists stepped up attacks through late 2006 as Mr. Surayud's government made renewed efforts to win back support from the Muslim communities.

Mr. Abdullah also welcomed peace talks between Thai officials and Muslim insurgents negotiated last year by former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad, providing Bangkok agrees to participate.

1 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

2 escalated   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The fighting escalated into a full-scale war. 这场交战逐步扩大为全面战争。
• The demonstration escalated into a pitched battle with the police. 示威逐步升级，演变成了一场同警察的混战。

3 escalation   

n.扩大，增加

参考例句：

• The threat of nuclear escalation remains. 核升级的威胁仍旧存在。 来自辞典例句
• Escalation is thus an aspect of deterrence and of crisis management. 因此逐步升级是威慑和危机处理的一个方面。 来自辞典例句

4 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

5 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

6 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

7 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

8 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

9 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

10 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

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。