非洲—赖斯倡导海地进行公开选举

Rice Advocates Open Elections in Haiti

赖斯倡导海地进行公开选举

 

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Port-au-Prince Tuesday to talk with the Haiti's interim¹ government about the upcoming national elections.

 

Traveling with a small group of congressmen, Secretary Rice visited Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, President Boniface Alexandre, and members of the U.N. peacekeeping force, MINUSTAH. The U.S. delegation² also toured a voter registration³ center in the capital.

 

In a news conference at the National Palace today, Secretary Rice said her visit was a show of support to the Haitian people during their electoral process. She urged all Haitians to work together to ensure the legitimacy⁴ of the national elections this coming November.

 

Secretary Rice: In my conversations today I noted⁵ that all Haitians must accelerate preparations for the elections. I underscored also that the elections must be open and inclusive and fair.

 

The Haitian Provisional Elections Commission, known locally as the CEP, has been working with U.N. officials in preparation for the vote. Major problems, such as bad roads, lack of electricity and civil unrest, have kept many Haitians from registering. So far, 2.6 million people have registered to vote in a country where as many as four million are eligible⁶.

 

Government critics from the former ruling party, Lavalas, claim many of the delays and complications are intentional⁷ and aimed at excluding them from power.

 

But Prime Minister Latortue says the government is non-partisan, and wants to hold open elections in which everyone can participate. He says his government is ready to welcome the next president, and pass the reins⁸ of power to him. He says there have been some technical problems, but the government is working hard to solve them. He says the elections will be held on time and the transfer of power will take place next February.

 

Secretary Rice underscored the role of the international community in providing security and technical expertise⁹ to ensure free and fair elections. In her comments, she urged the Haitian people to take charge of their future, and go to the polls.

 

Secretary Rice: Mr. Prime Minister, throughout history people have fought for the right to vote. Some have already died for the right to vote. There is no weapon more powerful in the hands of a citizen than the vote. And so to the people of Haiti, I urge you to use that powerful weapon - the vote - in the days ahead.

 

So far, there are 32 presidential candidates on the ballot¹⁰. The election campaign will officially open in early October.

 

Reporting for VOA news, I’m Amelia Shaw in Port-au-Prince.

 

注释：

legitimacy [li5dVitimEsi] n. 合法（性）

underscore [7QndE5skC:] vt. 强调

non-partisan [nRnpB:ti5zAn] adj. 超党的，无党派的

expertise [7ekspE5ti:z] n. 专家的意见，专门技术

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 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

3 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？

4 legitimacy   

n.合法，正当

参考例句：

• The newspaper was directly challenging the government's legitimacy.报纸直接质疑政府的合法性。
• Managing from the top down,we operate with full legitimacy.我们进行由上而下的管理有充分的合法性。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

7 intentional   

adj.故意的，有意（识）的

参考例句：

• Let me assure you that it was not intentional.我向你保证那不是故意的。
• His insult was intentional.他的侮辱是有意的。

8 reins   

感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带

参考例句：

• She pulled gently on the reins. 她轻轻地拉着缰绳。
• The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods. 政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。

9 expertise   

n.专门知识(或技能等)，专长

参考例句：

• We were amazed at his expertise on the ski slopes.他斜坡滑雪的技能使我们赞叹不已。
• You really have the technical expertise in a new breakthrough.让你真正在专业技术上有一个全新的突破。

10 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。