2006年VOA标准英语-Spain, Senegal Agree to Continue Cooperation on

By Jordan Davis
Dakar
06 December 2006

Spain's prime minister met with Senegalese leaders Tuesday to discuss ways to prevent illegal migration¹. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to stopping the flow of Africans taking the dangerous boat journey to the Canary Islands. Jordan Davis reports from Dakar.

 
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, left, and Abdoulaye Wade² speak at press conference in Dakar, 5 Dec 2006
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero says closer cooperation with Senegal is a high priority.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, Mr. Zapatero said both countries agree legal immigration is the only way to guarantee migrants' dignity and prosperity.

Senegal is a popular transit³ point for the tens of thousands of West African migrants headed for the Canary Islands.

Mr. Zapatero says he and Senegalese leaders have agreed to ask Europe to extend air and sea patrols of the West African coast line through July 2007.

During an October visit by the foreign minister, Spain promised to provide work visas to Senegalese job-seekers.

When asked about that pledge, Mr. Zapatero said it was premature⁴ to talk about specific numbers. A quota⁵, he said, would be determined⁶ by the demand in the Spanish labor⁷ market.

Senegalese officials' had announced just before the Spanish leader's visit that 4,000 visas would be issued by 2008.

Mr. Zapatero's visit to Dakar is his first to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office two years ago.

Mr. Zapatero said for too long Spain turned its back on development in Africa.

He said aid to the continent was fast becoming a cornerstone of Spanish foreign policy, and a way to prevent illegal migration. Spain has promised over $25 million for job creation in Senegal.

 
Senegalese young men have died on pirogues because of illegal migration to Europe
Authorities in Spain's Canary Islands say about 30,000 migrants have reached its shores by boat so far this year. That is five times the number that made the journey last year.

Many African make the trip in small fishing boats. Authorities believe several dozen died after two vessels⁸ capsized two weeks ago.

1 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。

2 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

3 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

4 premature   

adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的

参考例句：

• It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
• The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。

5 quota   

n.（生产、进出口等的）配额，（移民的）限额

参考例句：

• A restricted import quota was set for meat products.肉类产品设定了进口配额。
• He overfulfilled his production quota for two months running.他一连两个月超额完成生产指标。

6 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

7 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

8 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》