2006年VOA标准英语-Bahraini Woman Takes Over UN General Assembly

By Peter Heinlein
United Nations
12 September 2006
 

Sheika Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa (file photo)

The U.N. General Assembly has opened its 61st session and for the first time a Muslim woman is in the president's chair. From U.N. headquarters, VOA's Peter Heinlein has more on Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain.

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With a sharp rap of the gavel, Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa brought the General Assembly to order Tuesday. "I declare open the 61st session of the General Assembly."

The first order of business was a moment of silence for the ruler of the Pacific island nation of Tonga.The 88-year old King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV died this week.

Al-Khalifa comes to the United Nations after achieving prominence¹ as one of Bahrain's first female lawyers, and as an advocate for women's rights under Sharia law. She has also served as Bahrain's ambassador to France, and as a delegate to the U.N. Education and Scientific Organization, UNESCO.

She is the first woman to serve as General Assembly president since 1969, when Angie Brooks² of Liberia completed her term.

At a meeting with reporters after the opening session, the Assembly president was asked if she, as a Muslim woman, had any special perspective on the challenges facing the world body. "It does not matter if I am a Muslim or a Christian³ or Jewish, we are human beings and we have same worries and the same problems, and I think as a woman, I have also to face this fact of life, that the woman's position all over the world is not as expected [is not as it should be], and in many countries and civilizations, they consider woman a lesser⁴ human being. Maybe I can do something to improve the situation of women, I will do it, I will be very happy to do it," she said.

Moments later, Al-Khalifa reacted with surprise when a European journalist asked her if, as a Muslim, she thought there was any cause that would justify⁵ the killing⁶ of civilians⁷. "We are all human beings, and nobody can accept that killing of somebody else is acceptable. It is not my opinion, it is the legal system all over the world, and anybody [who] says something different, it is not correct," she said.

The annual General Assembly debate is set to begin next Tuesday, featuring a number of heads of state and government from around the world. The first day's list of scheduled speakers includes President Bush, along with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, French President Jacques Chirac, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

1 prominence   

n.突出；显著；杰出；重要

参考例句：

• He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy.他在意大利的世界杯赛中声名鹊起。
• This young fashion designer is rising to prominence.这位年轻的时装设计师的声望越来越高。

2 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 lesser   

adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地

参考例句：

• Kept some of the lesser players out.不让那些次要的球员参加联赛。
• She has also been affected,but to a lesser degree.她也受到波及，但程度较轻。

5 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

6 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

7 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。