2007年VOA标准英语-Maoists Vow to Make Nepal Republic

By Steve Herman
Kathmandu
16 April 2007

Nepal's Maoist leader Prachanda during today's news conference, in Kathmandu, 16 Apr 2007

The leader of Nepal's Maoists, who joined the interim¹ government earlier this month, has called for the nation to be declared a republic ahead of elections, which are likely to be delayed. But the rebel leader, who goes by the name, Prachanda, promises the former rebels will seek King Gyanendra's removal through the democratic process, at least for now. VOA's Steve Herman reports from Kathmandu.

 

Nepal's Maoists on Monday said they would agree to a delay of nationwide elections if Nepal is declared a republic.

Elections for a constituent² assembly had been scheduled for June 20.

The new legislators are to decide the fate of Nepal's unpopular monarchy⁴.

Speaking to reporters at a Kathmandu hotel Monday, Maoist leader Prachanda appealed for the interim parliament to declare the country a republic.

"If it is not going to happen, if other parties will not agree then there are some other options. The referendum may be another option - a most democratic option," he said. "Even if it is also not agreed then we should have to go among the masses. We shall have to appeal to the masses to rouse again against this feudal⁵ system"

A peace deal last year brought the Maoists into the political process after a decade long insurgency⁶ that claimed 14,000 lives.

The former rebels agreed to enter the interim coalition⁷ government if elections were held in June.

Nepal's election commission says nationwide polling can not take place that soon because of technical and security problems. The government has not set a new election date.

King Gyanendra gave up absolute power last year following demonstrations⁸ organized by the political mainstream⁹ and the Maoists.

Prachanda on Tuesday rejected speculation¹⁰ that the king would be allowed to remain as a ceremonial figure. He said the position the Maoists once took to allow a constitutional monarch³ was the biggest mistake they ever made. He said the Maoists have brought the unpopular king to his knees and they will not back off their hard line anti-royalist position.

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 constituent   

n.选民；成分，组分；adj.组成的，构成的

参考例句：

• Sugar is the main constituent of candy.食糖是糖果的主要成分。
• Fibre is a natural constituent of a healthy diet.纤维是健康饮食的天然组成部分。

3 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。

4 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

5 feudal   

adj.封建的，封地的，领地的

参考例句：

• Feudal rulers ruled over the country several thousand years.封建统治者统治这个国家几千年。
• The feudal system lasted for two thousand years in China.封建制度在中国延续了两千年之久。

6 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

7 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

8 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

9 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

10 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。