2006年VOA标准英语-AU Military Chief Wants More Troops in Dar

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
09 May 2006

The African Union troops in Darfur are to play a very important role in enforcing security in the aftermath of the Abuja accord. Gilbert da Costa reports from Abuja that the troops commander is seeking urgent reinforcement to increase the effectiveness of his men.

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An African Union peacekeeper and colleagues in the background standing¹ guard to control a crowd (file photo)  
  

Under the Abuja treaty on Darfur, African Union troops are to ensure strict compliance² with the cease-fire and security arrangements as well as disarmament provisions.

The commander of the African Union troops, General Collins Ihekire, says increasing troop levels is key to the implementation³ of the new accord and the strengthening of security in the troubled Sudanese region.

"If we don't have sufficient troops, we cannot be everywhere," he said. "So what we do now is, where we cannot have presence on 24-hour basis we just go on patrols to make sure that we cover that area also. But definitely we need increased troops level to cover everywhere. I keep citing example of Liberia having 15,000 troops and it's about a quarter the size of Darfur. So if we are to use that standard, how many will we need? But we are not asking for that. We are saying give us 15,000 troops."

The African Union currently has 6,400 troops in Darfur.

The rejection⁴ of the peace deal by two rebel factions⁵ had prompted concerns about the prospect⁶ of renewed hostilities⁷. Supporters of a rebel chief, Abdulwahed al-Nur, have signaled their intention to resume fighting from their bases in Darfur.

General Ihekire dismisses such threats.

"Frankly⁸ speaking I believe they will not strike," he said. "Because one, their strength on the ground does not dispose him to that kind of action that could cause much damage."

The African Union is hoping the splinter Sudan Liberation Movement and Justice and Equality Movement, both of which rejected the Abuja peace plan last week would somehow be convinced to come on board.

British-born consultant⁹ to the African Union on Darfur, Peter DeWaal, says the rebel groups could lose out if they stick to their current position.

"For the groups that refused to sign, the consequences are bleak¹⁰ indeed," he said. "They are excluded from the political process, they are unable to return to the armed struggle because they are still bound by the cease-fire of N'djamena two years ago and a whole array of international measures will be taken against them, including most likely, individual and collective sanctions."

The rebels took up arms in 2003 alleging¹¹ marginalization by Khartoum. More than two million people have been displaced and some 200,000 killed.

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 compliance   

n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从

参考例句：

• I was surprised by his compliance with these terms.我对他竟然依从了这些条件而感到吃惊。
• She gave up the idea in compliance with his desire.她顺从他的愿望而放弃自己的主意。

3 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

4 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。

5 factions   

组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The gens also lives on in the "factions." 氏族此外还继续存在于“factions〔“帮”〕中。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
• rival factions within the administration 政府中的对立派别

6 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

7 hostilities   

n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事

参考例句：

• Mexico called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. 墨西哥要求立即停止敌对行动。
• All the old hostilities resurfaced when they met again. 他们再次碰面时，过去的种种敌意又都冒了出来。

8 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

9 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

10 bleak   

adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的

参考例句：

• They showed me into a bleak waiting room.他们引我来到一间阴冷的会客室。
• The company's prospects look pretty bleak.这家公司的前景异常暗淡。

11 alleging   

断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• His reputation was blemished by a newspaper article alleging he'd evaded his taxes. 由于报上一篇文章声称他曾逃税，他的名誉受到损害。
• This our Peeress declined as unnecessary, alleging that her cousin Thornhill's recommendation would be sufficient. 那位贵人不肯，还说不必，只要有她老表唐希尔保荐就够了。