新西兰英语 125 Congratulations to Helen Clark

　　Helen Clark’s position as Head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was announced yesterday. This position is number three in the United Nations. Helen Clark was one of 10 people on a short list. She was chosen because of her excellent qualifications, and the many things she has done during her nine years as New Zealand’s Prime¹ Minister. During that time, she travelled a lot to meet world leaders. She has always been a supporter of the United Nations and refused to send soldiers to Iraq because the United Nations did not agree with that war. However, New Zealand has always been involved in peace-keeping and in re-building countries which have suffered from war. We have soldiers working in Afghanistan now and in the past have sent soldiers to the Solomon Islands and East Timor to help bring peace.
The main job of the UNDP is to get rid of poverty, to help the poor in the world. This organisation² also needs to help bring democracy³ to poor countries. Helen Clark has worked with Pacific Island leaders to make their countries democratic⁴.
One of the big problems will be to make sure that money for the poor does not disappear into the pockets of corrupt⁵ officials. While Helen Clark was Prime Minister, she was tough with Cabinet⁶ Ministers who made mistakes. If they made a mistake, they lost their position. She was a very strong leader but a person who could build a strong team.
She is also known to be very intelligent, to have an excellent memory, and to be able to talk to TV reporters very easily and fluently. These are all good qualifications for her new job.
Her new job starts in August.

1 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。

2 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

3 democracy   

n.民主政治，民主制度；民主精神，民主作风

参考例句：

• Democracy is based on good will and mutual understanding.民主建立在善意和相互理解的基础上。
• Did democracy have its beginnings in Athens? 民主制度是创始于雅典吗？

4 democratic   

adj.民主的；民主主义的，有民主精神的

参考例句：

• Their country has democratic government.他们国家实行民主政体。
• He has a democratic work-style.他作风民主。

5 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

6 cabinet   

n.内阁，内阁会议；(带玻璃门存物品的)橱柜

参考例句：

• I keep my collection of old china in the cabinet.我把古瓷器收藏品存放在橱子里。
• He had held many important offices in the French cabinet.他在法国内阁中任过许多重要职务。