2007年VOA标准英语-New Term for Venezuela President Raises Concern

By Brian Wagner
Miami
10 January 2007

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has again taken the oath of office, following a landslide¹ re-election in December. The former paratrooper is promising² to continue socialist³ reforms thast he says are aimed at helping⁴ the nation's poor. But VOA's Brian Wagner reports a new call by Mr. Chavez to nationalize key businesses is raising concerns about the nation's economic future.

Vice5-President Jorge Rodriguez stands behind during the inauguration6 ceremony, 10 Jan. 07" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070515/1624160.jpg" width="152" vspace="2" border="0" />

Hugo Chavez gestures to supporters as his Vice President Jorge Rodriguez stands behind during the inauguration ceremony, 10 Jan 07

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez began a new six-year term, during a ceremony with newly elected lawmakers at the National Assembly.

Swearing to uphold the nation's constitution, Mr. Chavez said he would give his life to defend the South American nation and his socialist policies.

Mr. Chavez said he will carry out the mandates⁸ of what he called a marvelous constitution, and the mandates of the Venezuelan people. He ended the oath, saying homeland, socialism or death.

Since his landslide re-election, the Venezuelan leader is showing no sign of backing away from the policies which have sparked criticism that he is trying to build an autocratic regime.

Recently, Mr. Chavez announced plans for sweeping⁹ changes to the presidency¹⁰, such as an end to term limits and the power to impose laws though presidential mandate⁷. He also said he wants to nationalize the nation's main telephone and electricity companies.

The proposals suggest a more radical¹¹ approach than before, says Terry McCoy, professor of Latin American studies and political science at the University of Florida.

"He is using his victory in the election as a mandate to do that," he said. "He talks about socialism. In the past, it was kind of a figure of speech but now he is actually talking about building an economy in which the state actually owns the means of production."

The latest proposals by Mr. Chavez may affect Venezuela's international relations. White House spokesman Tony Snow, recently expressed concern.

"Well, nationalization has a long and inglorious history of failure around the world," he said. "We support the Venezuelan people and think this is an unhappy day for them."

Relations between the United States and Venezuela have suffered in recent years. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned about efforts to restrict the political opposition¹² in Venezuela, and Mr. Chavez has threatened to cut oil sales to American buyers.

Despite the rhetoric¹³ from Caracas, Professor McCoy says such a break in oil sales is unlikely.

"One has always thought that Chavez would be careful in avoiding a major break," he said. "I guess that is still what we would expect. This makes it more difficult, makes the relationship more problematic."

At home, Mr. Chavez has received broad praise for anti-poverty efforts, such as inflation controls and increased food distribution. Many observers in Venezuela and abroad will be watching for more details on his latest plans.

1 landslide   

n.(竞选中)压倒多数的选票；一面倒的胜利

参考例句：

• Our candidate is predicated to win by a landslide.我们的候选人被预言将以绝对优势取胜。
• An electoral landslide put the Labour Party into power in 1945.1945年工党以压倒多数的胜利当选执政。

2 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

3 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

6 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

7 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

8 mandates   

托管（mandate的第三人称单数形式）

参考例句：

• Individual mandates would require all people to purchase health insurance. 个人托管要求所有人都要购买健康保险。
• While I agree with those benefits, I'm not a supporter of mandates. 我同意上述好处，我不是授权软件的支持者。

9 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

10 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

11 radical   

n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的

参考例句：

• The patient got a radical cure in the hospital.病人在医院得到了根治。
• She is radical in her demands.她的要求十分偏激。

12 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。

13 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。