VOA标准英语2009年-Few Options Available to Deal With Burma

Burma's fellow members in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have expressed "deep disappointment" over opposition¹ leader Aung San Suu Kyi's extended house detention². As Western governments call for tougher sanctions, political analysts³ in the region say there are few viable⁴ options for getting the military government to yield on Aung San Suu Kyi's and Burma's political future.
　
Burmese activists⁵ hold a banner calling for the immediate⁶ release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest outside the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, 11 Aug 2009

The decision to extend the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi has once again raised a question that has long vexed⁷ the world - what to do with Burma's military government?

Western governments, including the United States, Britain and France, call for Aung San Suu Kyi's immediate release and talk of applying new or tighter sanctions on the country.

But among Burma's immediate neighbors, reactions were muted. On Wednesday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which Burma is a member, issued a statement from Bangkok expressing "deep disappointment".

Unchanged ASEAN's position

But ASEAN re-iterated it will continue its policy of constructive⁸ engagement with Burma - a strategy that critics say has legitimized the military government without leading to substantive⁹ political reforms.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun is lead researcher at the ASEAN Studies Center in Singapore:

"Western sanctions these days almost mean nothing," he said. "The Burmese government acts like they can do whatever they like. Burma has very good relationship with China, China and even Russia. These are not only defender¹⁰ of Myanmar politically but also economically as well."

China, which has significant oil and natural gas interests in Burma, is seen as having the most leverage¹¹ to pressure Burma to change. But Beijing Wednesday distanced itself from any involvement, calling for respect for Burma's "judicial¹² sovereignty".

"Sanctions and engagement"

Regional political analysts say there are no easy ways to ease Burma's political repression¹³ and improve Aung San Suu Kyi's situation. However, some say that ASEAN's engagement policy stands as one of few effective strategies left.

"ASEAN can step in not because ASEAN would do a better job than Western countries, but because Burma has an obligation in ASEAN," said Pavin. "What I think people would want to see is … a right mix between sanctions and engagement."

Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury is a fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. He says Burma's desire for dialogue with regional organizations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SARC) opens a way for peer pressure and persuasion¹⁴ to work.

"Generally it is believed here that threats can drive and will drive the regime even further into its shell where it's even more non-cooperative," said Chowdhury.

Test to regional bloc's Charter

Tuesday's decision by the military government tests Burma's commitment to the ASEAN Charter, which requires members to observe democratic principles and protect human rights.

Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted of violating her house arrest because a foreigner was able to sneak¹⁵ uninvited into her heavily guarded compound. The military government sentenced her to 18 more months of detention. She has been under house arrest for 14 of the past 20 years.

Human rights groups say the charges were aimed at preventing Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy from contesting elections next year. The NLD won the last elections in 1990 but the military never allowed it to govern.

The elections are part of the Burma's "road map to democracy", unveiled in 2003. That plan is in part the result of years of urging from ASEAN. Pavin says ASEAN faces a problem: while it is able to persuade the military to make some changes, the results may not be enough.

"ASEAN would have to get on with it," he said. "Then everything will be back to square one again. This is the reality."

Aside from Burma, ASEAN is comprised of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Brunei.

1 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。

2 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

3 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。

4 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

5 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 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。

7 vexed   

adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论

参考例句：

• The conference spent days discussing the vexed question of border controls. 会议花了几天的时间讨论边境关卡这个难题。
• He was vexed at his failure. 他因失败而懊恼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

9 substantive   

adj.表示实在的；本质的、实质性的；独立的；n.实词，实名词；独立存在的实体

参考例句：

• They plan to meet again in Rome very soon to begin substantive negotiations.他们计划不久在罗马再次会晤以开始实质性的谈判。
• A president needs substantive advice,but he also requires emotional succor. 一个总统需要实质性的建议，但也需要感情上的支持。

10 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

11 leverage   

n.力量，影响；杠杆作用，杠杆的力量

参考例句：

• We'll have to use leverage to move this huge rock.我们不得不借助杠杆之力来移动这块巨石。
• He failed in the project because he could gain no leverage. 因为他没有影响力，他的计划失败了。

12 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

13 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。

14 persuasion   

n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派

参考例句：

• He decided to leave only after much persuasion.经过多方劝说，他才决定离开。
• After a lot of persuasion,she agreed to go.经过多次劝说后，她同意去了。

15 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。