VOA常速英语2007年-Congo President Reduces Government, Reorganizes

By Kari Barber
Kinshasa
26 November 2007

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has announced changes in his government, naming 10 new ministers, while at the same time reducing the number of government positions. Kari Barber reports from Kinshasa those in opposition¹ to the government say it needs more than a reorganization.

President Kabila's cabinet was reduced from 59 to 45 members as part of a long-anticipated reorganization that was announced Monday. While some positions were combined, others were eliminated. And one new position was created, minister in charge of parliamentary relations.

Experts say the government Mr. Kabila formed after winning the 2006 election was too large and unwieldy for the economically strapped² country.

Opposition leader Mbwebwe Kapamba says the reorganization does nothing to address political divisions in the country that have at times turned violent.

"The magnitude of the crisis, the root of the crisis, is something different than simply reshuffling a cabinet," said Kapamba.

Kapamba is head of the Patriotic³ Front opposition party.

He says opposition leaders like himself are waiting for the government to take steps to reconcile with them. Kapamba says he wants new elections.

Many died in violence surrounding the 2006 elections. In March, hundreds more were killed when militia⁴ loyal to opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba clashed with Mr. Kabila's forces in the capital.

Kapamba, who boycotted⁵ the election, says the roots of this tense political environment need to be addressed.

"The only thing I can say is to invite those who are in power today, those who were so labeled and were elected, to have talks with those who did not participate in the election to know how the future of this country will go," he said.

The country, rich in natural resources, has long suffered under the weight of poverty and political instability. Many had hoped the presidential elections in 2006 would usher⁶ in an era of democracy and stability.

According to the announcement, the new government will include more women and each of the provinces will have at least two representatives. Many of the key ministries⁷, including foreign affairs, interior, and defense⁸ will stay the same. The prime minister, longtime opposition leader Antoine Gizenga, will also keep his post.

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 strapped   

adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带

参考例句：

• Make sure that the child is strapped tightly into the buggy. 一定要把孩子牢牢地拴在婴儿车上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The soldiers' great coats were strapped on their packs. 战士们的厚大衣扎捆在背包上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 patriotic   

adj.爱国的，有爱国心的

参考例句：

• His speech was full of patriotic sentiments.他的演说充满了爱国之情。
• The old man is a patriotic overseas Chinese.这位老人是一位爱国华侨。

4 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

5 boycotted   

抵制，拒绝参加( boycott的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Athletes from several countries boycotted the Olympic Games. 有好几国的运动员抵制奥林匹克运动会。
• The opposition party earlier boycotted the Diet agenda, demanding Miyaji's resignation. 反对党曾杯葛国会议程，要宫路下台。

6 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。

7 ministries   

（政府的）部( ministry的名词复数 )； 神职； 牧师职位； 神职任期

参考例句：

• Local authorities must refer everything to the central ministries. 地方管理机构应请示中央主管部门。
• The number of Ministries has been pared down by a third. 部委的数量已经减少了1/3。

8 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。