2006年VOA标准英语-US House of Representatives Approves Burma Sanc

By Dan Robinson
Washington
11 July 2006

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the extension of economic sanctions against Burma's military government. 

Burma   
  
A resolution extending trade sanctions against the ruling military government in Burma was approved by voice vote on Tuesday.

The legislation had no opposition¹ and was moved quickly to the floor of the House, bypassing the usual process of consideration at the congressional committee level.

Under the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act approved by Congress in 2003, sanctions involving a ban on imports from Burma must be renewed each year.

That is something lawmakers have supported, particularly in light of developments such as the Burmese military's extension of the house arrest of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"It is now incumbent² on all of us to ensure that the essential component³ [of sanctions] remains⁴ in place until this murderous regime yields to the desire of its citizens to be free. To back down now would send the wrong message to the military regime in Burma, as well as the international community. Most importantly it would send the wrong message to those pro-democracy advocates within Burma fighting for the freedom of their fellow citizens," said Republican Congressman⁵ Clay Shaw spoke⁶ on the floor of the House.

Democratic Congressman Benjamin Cardin joined in supporting the resolution. "The western world and those who are concerned about human rights are united. Burma cannot be allowed to continue its oppressive actions," he said.

In addition to the continuing detention⁷ of Aung San Suu Kyi, lawmakers supporting the sanctions renewal⁸ point to ongoing⁹ Burmese military attacks on ethnic¹⁰ minorities sited in the State Department's annual human rights report.

An identical resolution is still pending¹¹ in the Senate, introduced earlier this year by Republican Senator Mitch McConnell.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

3 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

4 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

5 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

6 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

7 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

8 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

9 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

10 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。

11 pending   

prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的

参考例句：

• The lawsuit is still pending in the state court.这案子仍在州法庭等待定夺。
• He knew my examination was pending.他知道我就要考试了。