2007年VOA标准英语-US Pushes for All-Inclusive Somali Talks

By Cathy Majtenyi
Nairobi
17 January 2007

The U.S. ambassador to Kenya says the United States is pushing Somalia's transitional government to hold talks with all groups of Somali society to bring peace and stability to the volatile¹ country.  Meanwhile, Somalia's parliament ousted² the parliamentary speaker, who had held unauthorized talks with the Islamists several months ago.  Cathy Majtenyi reports for VOA from Nairobi.

US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger told reporters in Nairobi that the $40 million that the U.S. has given Somalia recently for peace and development efforts will not be effective unless Somalia is stable and the government (TFG) reaches out to the people, including the Islamists.

"We are putting a lot of pressure on the TFG for dialogue and outreach," he said.  "They need to build unity³ in their own government, but it is also dialogue with all segments of the population.  We have indicated, for example, that someone like Sheikh Sharif, if he wanted to play a positive role, that that should be a possibility.  He is a recognized moderate, and a respected figure, and there may be other moderates who were associated with the Islamic Courts who could play a significant role in the future of the country."

Ranneberger says this dialogue and other necessary changes will not happen overnight, and that the United States and others should not, in his words, "write off the efforts of the transitional government."

The U.S. ambassador addressed journalists on recent developments in Somalia, following the ouster of the Islamic Courts Union and U.S. policy towards the volatile nation.

The U.S. recently launched an air strike on a southern Somalia location believed to be a hideout for al-Qaida members.

Ranneberger told reporters he thinks the air strike was successful, despite the fact the three al-Qaida people being targeted by the strike escaped.

"It did achieve its goal," he added.  "One part of what we are doing in Somalia is to apprehend⁴ preferably, but also obviously kill, foreign terrorists who have perpetrated terrorist attacks against Americans and other people around the world."

Eight people who the U.S. ambassador calls "significant" were killed.

Meanwhile, in Somalia, the transitional parliament voted out its speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden, by a vast majority.  Lawmakers were upset with Aden primarily, because he held unauthorized peace talks with the Islamic Courts Union last year.

1 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

2 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 apprehend   

vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑

参考例句：

• I apprehend no worsening of the situation.我不担心局势会恶化。
• Police have not apprehended her killer.警察还未抓获谋杀她的凶手。