2006年VOA标准英语-Serbia Approves Constitution Amid International

By Stefan Bos
Budapest
30 October 2006

Serbia's government says results of Sunday's referendum show a majority of voters have approved a new constitution, which declares predominantly ethnic¹-Albanian Kosovo province an "integral part" of the country. However, Western diplomats² have warned that only U.N. talks can decide the future of the U.N.-administered province. Preliminary results show around 51.5 percent of the voters backed the constitution, despite international concerns it could create tensions.

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Kosovo Serb villager votes in referendum for new Serb constitution in Kosovo Serb village of Gracanica, Oct. 29, 2006
  
Serbs drove through the streets, holding flags as they celebrated³ the results. Slightly more than half of Serbian voters approved the new constitution, which declares Kosovo "an integral part of Serbia." Proponents⁴ of the measure say the results solidify⁵ Serbia's claim on Kosovo.

The vote is a major victory for Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who had warned of what he called "unforeseeable consequences," if the vote failed. He told reporters his country had become a stronger nation.

He says the new constitution establishes the rule of law and makes clear Kosovo is now part of Serbia. The move is expected to put more pressure on international mediators, who are in the middle of negotiations⁶ over the future status of Kosovo.

The province has been under United Nations control since 1999, after North Atlantic Treaty Organization air strikes forced a withdrawal⁷ of Serb troops, who were cracking down on independence-seeking ethnic Albanians.

Ethnic Albanian leaders say the outcome of the vote will have no impact on their efforts to break away from Serbia. Serbian President Boris Tadic does not share that view. After hearing the news the constitution was accepted, he predicted it will be easier for Serbia to revive the stalled talks on its European Union membership. 

President Boris Tadic casts his ballot⁸ during constitutional referendum, Oct. 28, 2006   
  
He said, "This is a really important moment for our country, making a distance from the Milosevic period. I think we are creating a better future for Serbia today. I am expecting that the next elections that are going to be after this constitutional referendum, will make it possible to form a very strong democratic majority in our parliament and a democratic government, which will lead Serbia towards the European Union."

About six and a half million people were entitled to vote in the national referendum, but only 53 percent of them did. Despite major political parties showing a united front, there have been divisions about Serbia's first constitution since the break up of Yugoslavia.

Critics claim the new constitution is more about nationalism and Serbian statehood than democracy, itself. Opponents collected signatures for what they call their own "Charter of Freedom," which calls for the creation of "a modern Serbia based on civic⁹ freedoms."

1 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

2 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 proponents   

n.（某事业、理论等的）支持者，拥护者( proponent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Reviewing courts were among the most active proponents of hybrid rulemaking procedures. 复审法院是最积极的混合型规则制定程序的建议者。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• Proponents of such opinions were arrested as 'traitors. ' 提倡这种主张的人马上作为“卖国贼”逮捕起来。 来自辞典例句

5 solidify   

v.(使)凝固，(使)固化，(使)团结

参考例句：

• Opinion on this question began to solidify.对这个问题的意见开始具体化了。
• Water will solidify into ice if you freeze it.水冷冻会结冰。

6 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

7 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

8 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。

9 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。