VOA常速英语2014--IMF, International Community Step Up Aid for Ukraine 国际货币基金组织欲资助乌克兰(在线收听

 

IMF, International Community Step Up Aid for Ukraine 国际货币基金组织欲资助乌克兰

Around the world, support for Ukraine’s battered economy is gaining ground.  On Thursday, the International Monetary Fund agreed to a two-year bailout worth up to $18 billion, with additional loan guarantees from member countries worth another $9 billion.  And, in the U.S., both houses of Congress displayed a rare moment of unity - reprimanding Russia for its aggressive takeover of Crimea and approving additional financial aid for the former Soviet Republic.  

现世界范围内欲资助乌克兰破碎经济声势高涨。在星期四,国际货币基金组织同意两年紧急融资1亿8千万美元,成员国再额外贷款保证金9千万。在美国,众议院与参议院都表现出难得一见的团结时刻,谴责俄侵略性质接管克里米亚及俄对前苏维埃共和国经济资助。

With an economy forecast to shrink by 3 percent, and immediate debt payments equivalent to a third of its domestic output, Ukraine is a country in desperate need of a lifeline.  In a passionate address to parliament, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk did not mince words.

由于经济前瞻性使乌克兰经济衰退三个百分点,立即到期的债务又相当于等国内收入三分之一,乌克兰绝望地挣扎在生死线上。在国会饱含深情的演讲中,乌克兰总理阿尔谢尼·亚采纽克对如今的情况直言不讳。

“The country is on the brink of economic and financial bankruptcy," said Yatsenyuk.

“国家正处于经济崩溃的边缘。”亚采纽克说道。

In a bid to stabilize Ukraine’s economy, IMF mission chief Nickolay Gueorguiev says the world lending body has agreed to provide up to $18 billion in emergency aid, not counting the additional loan guarantees.

在提议稳定乌克兰经济提议中,IMF执行长官尼古拉·古奥夫谈到,世界贷款机构同意提供1亿8千万美元紧急援助,但还不包括额外的贷款保证金资助。

“This financial support amounts to $27 billion over the next two years," said Gueorguiev.

“未来两年经济资助要达到2亿7千万。”古奥夫提到。

But European Union Commissioner Olli Rehn says the bailout is conditional on Ukraine agreeing to tough austerity measures.  

但欧盟理事奥利·雷恩表示融资将根据乌克兰经济紧缩措施调整。

“This financial assistance will help in stabilizing the worsening financial situation in Ukraine and therefore will be one vital part of achieving a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis," said Rehn.

“经济支援会帮助稳定乌克兰糟糕的经济情况,这会成为和平协商处理危机的关键举动。”雷恩谈到。

While most in Kyiv welcomed the support from the international community, some worry about how the money will be spent.

虽然基辅绝大多数群众愿意接受国际组织的帮助,但仍有少数人对资金如何使用持忧虑态度。

“They are offering us false hope because this is a loan, and loans need to be paid back.  If this money gets stolen and taxpayers need to repay the loan - that would be unfair," said a Ukrainian woman.

“他们给予我们错误的希望,因为这只是贷款。而贷款是需要偿还的。如果这笔资金弄丢了,那纳税人需要重新偿还贷款,这是非常不公平的。”一位乌克兰女性说道。

U.S. lawmakers have also stepped up efforts to assist the former Soviet republic.  On Thursday, both houses of Congress approved legislation guaranteeing up to a billion dollars in loans.  Senate leader Harry Reid says that includes an additional $100 million in direct aid.   

美国议员也介入帮组前苏维埃共和国事宜中。在星期四,国会两院通过了确保1千万美元贷款到位的提案。参议院领袖哈利·雷德提到,这里包括一百美元的直接资助。

"What we are doing here today is just the beginning.  I support this legislation.  I am proud of my Senate colleagues who join me in standing up for the people of Ukraine," said Reid.

“我们今天所做的只是开始。我支持这项法案。我很自豪为与我站在支持乌克兰人民立场上的参议院同仁自豪。”

Despite the rare bipartisan agreement, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says more needs to be done.

除了极少数的两党契约,共和党参议员林赛·格兰认为必须加大力度支持。

“Should the United States and our NATO partners at the request of the Ukrainian people supply them with defensive weapons to rebuild a military gutted by pro-Russian elements?  To me the answer is yes, because if you want to make Putin think twice about what he does next, he has got to pay a price greater than he has for Crimea," said Graham.

“在乌克兰人民要求下,美国会与北约成员会为乌克兰提供防御武器来重建被亲俄势力破换的军事力量吗?对我来说,答案是肯定的。因为如果你要让普京三思之后的举动,他必须付出对待克里米亚更惨痛的代价。”格兰指出。

 

The U.S. is considering additional measures to further isolate Russia, but some worry new sanctions could hurt the U.S. and European economies.

美国正在考虑进一步隔离俄罗斯措施,但仍有人顾虑新的制裁会影响美国与欧洲经济。

  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/voastandard/2014/4/253576.html