VOA常速英语2013--历史性选举为尼泊尔带来机会

历史性选举为尼泊尔带来机会

U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Peter Bodde congratulated Nepal's Interim¹ Election Council of Ministers for setting a date for elections.

美国驻尼泊尔大使彼得·博德祝贺尼泊尔临时选举部长理事会安排选举的日期。

In a commentary addressed to the people of Nepal,

在一次对尼泊尔人民的发言中,

Ambassador Bodde said, “Whatever your opinion about the accommodations made to reach this point, setting a concrete date for elections is reason enough for celebration.

大使博德说道:“不管你们有何意见现在都集中于这一点上, 为选举安排一个具体的日期就有足够的理由庆祝了。

At the same time, we should not be complacent².

而同时我们不应自满。

Free, fair, transparent³ and inclusive elections-our shared goal-require much more than just a date.

自由、公平、透明及包容的选举才是我们共同的目标,我们需要的不仅仅是一个日期。

Many preparations are already underway, but a lot of hard work needs to be done between now and November 19.”

许多准备工作已在进行当中,但从现在到11月19日还有很多艰苦的工作。”

The U.S. is committed to helping⁴ Nepal at this historic moment.

在这一历史性时刻是美国致力于帮助尼泊尔。

Over the past year, the U.S. government has spent approximately $5.5 million U.S. to support Nepal's democratic institutions and help lay the groundwork for free, fair, and credible⁵ elections.

在过去的一年中,美国政府已经花费大约550万美元支持尼泊尔的民主机构,帮助打造自由、公平及可信的选举。

The most visible signs of this are the three printing presses that are now ready to print ballots⁶ as a result of U.S. assistance provided through the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES).

其中最明显当属这三台美国通过国际基金会选举系统(IFES)提供援助现在准备打印选票的印刷机。

Through IFES and other partners, including the National Democratic Institute, The Asia Foundation, and The Carter Center,

通过IFES及包括全国民主协会,亚洲基金会，卡特中心等的其他合作伙伴,

the United States continues to support voter registration⁷ and education, provide technical assistance to Nepal's Election Commission, and encourage Nepal's political parties to be more responsive to their constituencies.

美国继续支持选民登记及教育,为尼泊尔的选举委员会提供技术援助,并鼓励尼泊尔各政党更能顺应他们的选区。

And as a donor⁸ to the Ministry⁹ of Peace and Reconstruction-managed Nepal Peace Trust Fund, the U.S. has joined the Government of Nepal to provide support to polling stations and monitoring operations, mobile citizenship-voter registration teams, and election security.

而作为尼泊尔和平信托基金和平与重建管理部门的捐助者,美国加入了尼泊尔政府为投票站提供支持，监控操作,负责选民登记团队及选举安全。

As November 19 approaches, the United States will also work closely with the Election Commission and our international and local partners to help train election personnel and organize voter observation missions.

随着11月19日的临近,美国也将密切与选举委员会协作，而我们的国际及当地合作伙伴帮助培训选举工作人员及组织选民观察任务。

And on election day itself, the United States will support monitoring and evaluation¹⁰ efforts to ensure the polls are free and fair.

而在选举当天,美国将支持监测和评估以确保民意调查的自由和公平。

“To be clear,” said Ambassador Bodde, “the U.S. does not choose sides, and we do not pick winners.

"显然,”大使博德说道:“美国不会选择支持哪方,而且我们不会挑选赢家。

Our focus is on the strength and viability¹¹ of the electoral process itself.

我们的重点是集中于选举过程的力量和活力本身。

These are Nepal's elections, and, ultimately, it is up to the people of this country to ensure that the polls take place on time and credibly¹² represent the will of the Nepali people.

这些是尼泊尔自己的选举,最终,它取决于这个国家的人民,以确保民意调查准时开始及可信地代表尼泊尔人民的意愿。

The foundation is simple-integrity, civility, and, above all, a commitment to non-violence.”

该基金会是简单—正直,礼数，尤其是非暴力的承诺。” 

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 complacent   

adj.自满的；自鸣得意的

参考例句：

• We must not become complacent the moment we have some success.我们决不能一见成绩就自满起来。
• She was complacent about her achievements.她对自己的成绩沾沾自喜。

3 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？

6 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

8 donor   

n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体

参考例句：

• In these cases,the recipient usually takes care of the donor afterwards.在这类情况下，接受捐献者以后通常会照顾捐赠者。
• The Doctor transplanted the donor's heart to Mike's chest cavity.医生将捐赠者的心脏移植进麦克的胸腔。

9 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

10 evaluation   

n.估价，评价；赋值

参考例句：

• I attempted an honest evaluation of my own life.我试图如实地评价我自己的一生。
• The new scheme is still under evaluation.新方案还在评估阶段。

11 viability   

n.存活(能力)

参考例句：

• What is required to achieve or maintain such viability? 要达到或维持这种生存能力需要什么？
• Scientists are experimenting to find ways to ensure the viability of seeds for even longer periods of time. 正如我们所说，科学家正在试验努力寻找让种子的生命力更加延长的方法。

12 credibly   

ad.可信地；可靠地

参考例句：

• I am credibly informed that. 由可靠方面听说。
• An effective management software ensures network to run credibly. 一个高效的网管软件是网络运行的可靠保证。