2006年VOA标准英语-Syrian Protesters Torch Danish and Norwegi

By Sonja Pace
Damascus
04 February 2006

Angry Syrian protesters set fire to the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus Saturday. It was the most violent demonstration¹ of anger to date over cartoons depicting² the Muslim prophet Mohammad in western newspapers.

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Protest in front of Danish embassy in Damascus   
  

They came several thousand strong - carrying banners in praise of God and Islam.

It was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration. But, soon protestors began throwing stones at the Danish embassy building. They broke through the barricades³ and set fire to the building.

Similar scenes took place at the Norwegian embassy and police eventually used water cannons⁴ to disperse⁵ the crowds.

Police also used water hoses to disperse hundreds of protesters in front of the French embassy and riot police were stationed at the American diplomatic mission.

Outraged⁶ Syrians torch Denmark's Embassy in Damascus   
  
It was the most violent protest to date over the publication of a series of cartoons - one of which depicts⁷ the Muslim prophet Mohammad wearing a turban in the shape of a bomb.

The cartoons were first published in a Danish newspaper last September and later reprinted in a Norwegian newspaper. They have since been reprinted elsewhere in Europe and as far away as New Zealand by newspapers that say they are taking the action in defense⁸ of the right of the freedom of speech.

The cartoons have outraged Muslims, who say they defame their religion and are a sign of western disregard for the Muslim world.

Protests over the cartoons have taken place throughout the Middle East and other Islamic countries.

There were no reports of injuries in Saturday's protests in Damascus. Both Norway and Denmark have urged their citizens to leave Syria.

1 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

2 depicting   

描绘，描画( depict的现在分词 )； 描述

参考例句：

• a painting depicting the Virgin and Child 一幅描绘童贞马利亚和圣子耶稣的画
• The movie depicting the battles and bloodshed is bound to strike home. 这部描写战斗和流血牺牲的影片一定会取得预期效果。

3 barricades   

路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The police stormed the barricades the demonstrators had put up. 警察冲破了示威者筑起的街垒。
• Others died young, in prison or on the barricades. 另一些人年轻时就死在监牢里或街垒旁。

4 cannons   

n.加农炮，大炮，火炮( cannon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Cannons bombarded enemy lines. 大炮轰击了敌军阵地。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One company had been furnished with six cannons. 某连队装备了六门大炮。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 disperse   

vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散

参考例句：

• The cattle were swinging their tails to disperse the flies.那些牛甩动着尾巴驱赶苍蝇。
• The children disperse for the holidays.孩子们放假了。

6 outraged   

a.震惊的，义愤填膺的

参考例句：

• Members of Parliament were outraged by the news of the assassination. 议会议员们被这暗杀的消息激怒了。
• He was outraged by their behavior. 他们的行为使他感到愤慨。

7 depicts   

描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述

参考例句：

• The book vividly depicts French society of the 1930s. 这本书生动地描绘了20 世纪30 年代的法国社会。
• He depicts the sordid and vulgar sides of life exclusively. 他只描写人生肮脏和庸俗的一面。

8 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。