奥巴马重申美国支持海地的发展

 　　奥巴马重申美国支持海地的发展

　　WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday pledged American commitment to Haiti in its rebuilding process after a devastating¹ earthquake struck the impoverished² Caribbean nation four years ago.

　　Before a meeting with visiting Haitian President Michel Martelly, Obama praised Haiti's post-quake progress for the country's strong leadership and the U.S.-led international support.

　　The massive quake, which struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, killed some 220,000 people and left 1.5 million others homeless, according to UN figures.

　　"The economy is growing; security is improving; infrastructure³ is getting rebuilt... and businesses are starting to return to Haiti," Obama said. "It's been a very slow and difficult process, and I think we are all recognizing that we have a lot more work to do."

　　Together with Haiti, the U.S. is working to create the conditions for sustainable long-term development and prosperity, White House spokesman Jay Carney told a press briefing Thursday.

　　"Our relationship with Haiti is broader and deeper than short- term reconstruction⁴ alone," Carney said.

　　Obama also said he was encouraged by steps Haiti has taken to remove "political roadblocks" to holding elections, which are two years overdue⁵.

　　Martelly thanked Obama for U.S. support to Haiti and said he hoped to discuss with him issues on security, drug trafficking and Haiti's democratic process.

1 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

2 impoverished   

adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化

参考例句：

• the impoverished areas of the city 这个城市的贫民区
• They were impoverished by a prolonged spell of unemployment. 他们因长期失业而一贫如洗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

5 overdue   

adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的

参考例句：

• The plane is overdue and has been delayed by the bad weather.飞机晚点了，被坏天气耽搁了。
• The landlady is angry because the rent is overdue.女房东生气了，因为房租过期未付。