VOA常速英语2007年-Commonwealth Gives Musharraf November 22 Deadli

By Tom Rivers
London
12 November 2007

Foreign ministers from the Commonwealth¹ of Britain and its former colonies said Monday it would suspend Pakistan from the organization unless President Pervez Musharraf lifted the state of emergency by November 22. For VOA, Tom Rivers reports from London.

The nine-member Commonwealth ministerial action group has in effect given President Pervez Musharraf 10 days to restore democratic institutions Pakistan or face suspension from the 53-nation body.

The heads of the Commonwealth member states are meeting in Kampala November 23rd.

At a news conference after Monday's London meeting, Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon called on President Musharraf to begin implementing² a number of changes.

"Immediate³ repeal⁴ of the emergency provisions and full restoration of the constitution and of the independence of the judiciary," said Don McKinnon. "This should also include full restoration of fundamental rights and the rule of law that have been curbed⁵ under the proclamation of emergency. President Musharraf to step down as promised [as army chief]. Immediate release of political party leaders and activists⁶, human rights activists and lawyers and journalists detained under the proclamation of emergency."

McKinnon also says curbs⁷ on the press must be lifted and conditions must be created for holding free and fair elections in accordance with the constitution.

General Musharraf knows the implications of refusing to comply. Pakistan was previously⁸ suspended by the Commonwealth in 1999 after he seized power in a coup⁹.

Pakistan was reinstated five years later after Musharraf agreed to give up his role as head of the armed forces, something he has still not done.

1 commonwealth   

n.共和国，联邦，共同体

参考例句：

• He is the chairman of the commonwealth of artists.他是艺术家协会的主席。
• Most of the members of the Commonwealth are nonwhite.英联邦的许多成员国不是白人国家。

2 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 repeal   

n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消

参考例句：

• He plans to repeal a number of current policies.他计划废除一些当前的政策。
• He has made out a strong case for the repeal of the law.他提出强有力的理由，赞成废除该法令。

5 curbed   

v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Advertising aimed at children should be curbed. 针对儿童的广告应受到限制。 来自辞典例句
• Inflation needs to be curbed in Russia. 俄罗斯需要抑制通货膨胀。 来自辞典例句

6 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 curbs   

v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• In executing his functions he is not bound by any legal curbs on his power. 在他履行职务时，他的权力是不受任何法律约束的。 来自辞典例句
• Curbs on air travel were being worked out and would shortly be announced. 限制航空旅行的有关规定正在拟定中，不久即将公布。 来自辞典例句

8 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

9 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。