2007年VOA标准英语-Blair Pledges to Stay Despite Financial Probe U

By Tom Rivers
London
02 February 2007

Interviewed for a second time by police, Prime Minister Tony Blair is under increasing pressure to step down early as the so-called cash-for-honors probe takes its toll¹ on Britain's ruling Labor² Party. For VOA News, Tom Rivers reports from London.

 
Britain's PM Tony Blair
A day after it was revealed that Prime Minister Tony Blair was questioned for a second time by detectives looking into allegations that political honors may have been traded for cash donations to political parties here, pressure is mounting on the British leader to leave office early.

According to his office he was interviewed as a witness, not as someone who may have broken long-standing rules against favoritism in exchange for donations.

A number of Blair's close aides have been questioned over the course of the police inquiry³ that was initiated⁴ last spring.

Police are looking into whether any donors⁵, or those giving loans to parties, might have been granted special honors like knighthood or a place in the House of Lords.

Two of Blair's closest advisors⁶, including his top party fundraiser, were arrested last month on suspicion of obstructing⁷ justice.  Although no one has been charged as part of the ongoing⁸ probe, political observers are sensing a possible cover up.

Several senior Labor Party figures say the net effect of this nearly year-long investigation⁹ has eroded¹⁰ the authority of Blair and his government.

Labor Party chair Hazel Blears, for one, concedes it has not been good.

"I think it is damaging for politics, because there is a corrosive¹¹ cynicism around that I think is actually damaging for the country," she said.  "Now, but what I am saying is that the business of government, actually getting out there, passing new legislation, implementing¹² change, improving NHS [National Health Service] and education, that goes on."

As for the prime minister, he tells the BBC that the inquest will not force him to depart office early. He has repeatedly said he will leave sometime before the next party conference in September.

 
Tony Blair 
"I think it has got to run its course over the next few weeks," said Mr. Blair.  "I hope it will be wound up and then let us see where we are then. And in the meantime, despite what people may think, I get on with the job."

He also says he will be more forthcoming with his comments on the matter once that investigation has concluded. But the issue and its implications will likely follow him until his last day in office and it will be seen as part of his legacy¹³.

Blair is the first serving British prime minister to be questioned by police in a criminal investigation.

 

1 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

2 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

3 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

4 initiated   

n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入

参考例句：

• He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
• The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。

5 donors   

n.捐赠者( donor的名词复数 )；献血者；捐血者；器官捐献者

参考例句：

• Please email us to be removed from our active list of blood donors. 假如你想把自己的名字从献血联系人名单中删去，请给我们发电子邮件。
• About half this amount comes from individual donors and bequests. 这笔钱大约有一半来自个人捐赠及遗赠。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

7 obstructing   

阻塞( obstruct的现在分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止

参考例句：

• You can't park here, you're obstructing my driveway. 你不能在这里停车，你挡住了我家的车道。
• He was charged for obstructing the highway. 他因阻碍交通而受控告。

8 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

9 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

10 eroded   

adj. 被侵蚀的，有蚀痕的 动词erode的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• The cliff face has been steadily eroded by the sea. 峭壁表面逐渐被海水侵蚀。
• The stream eroded a channel in the solid rock. 小溪在硬石中侵蚀成一条水道。

11 corrosive   

adj.腐蚀性的；有害的；恶毒的

参考例句：

• Many highly corrosive substances are used in the nuclear industry.核工业使用许多腐蚀性很强的物质。
• Many highly corrosive substances are used in the nuclear industry.核工业使用许多腐蚀性很强的物质。

12 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

13 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。