2007年VOA标准英语-New Power-Sharing Government Takes Over in Nort

By Sonja Pace
Belfast
08 May 2007

A new power-sharing government has taken over administration of Northern Ireland, bringing together long-time Catholic and Protestant enemies. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from Stormont, the seat of government in Belfast.

Britain's PM Tony Blair, center, speaks as Northern Ireland's First Minister Ian Paisley, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Ireland's PM Ahern, seated from left, look on, 08 May 2007

It has been nine years in the making -  this power-sharing deal between mostly Catholic Republicans who want Northern Ireland free of British rule and mostly Protestant Unionists who want to remain part of the United Kingdom.

After much hesitation² and stops and starts a new Northern Ireland administration takes over from direct British rule.

To pledge to discharge in good faith all the duties of office, commitment to non-violence (FADE) by exclusively peaceful and democratic means .

The oath of office is read out. Hardline Unionist leader Ian Paisley formally accepts to take up the post of first minister.

"I affirm the terms of the pledge of office [FADE] as set out in schedule four to the Northern Ireland act of 1998," he said.

And, Republican Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister.

"I affirm the terms of the pledge of office [FADE ] as set out in schedule four to the Northern Ireland act of 1998," he said.

After an elaborate swearing-in ceremony at Stormont, there was a general call to put the violence in the past, work toward unity⁴ and fulfill⁵ the aspirations⁶ of the peoples of Northern Ireland.

"Today at long last we are starting upon the road, I emphasize starting, which I believe will take us to lasting⁷ peace in our province, said First Minister Ian Paisley. "I have not changed my unionism. The union of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom I believe is today stronger than ever but we together making a declaration, we are all aiming to build a Northern Ireland in which all can live together in peace."

Sentiments echoed moments later by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

"I am very proud as an Irish Republican, who believes in the unity of Ireland to stand here with all of you today ... as we strive for a society moving from division and disharmony to one that celebrates our diversity and is determined⁸ to provide a better future for all of our people," he said.

This power-sharing administration is the result of talks that began in 1996 and culminated⁹ in what became known as the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998.

A previous attempt to form a joint¹⁰ Northern Ireland administration broke down in 2002, but the agreement was revived during a historic meeting this March between Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams.

For British Prime Minister Tony Blair this event in Belfast represents a major success.

"Northern Ireland was synonymous with conflict," he said. "It was felt to be intractable, the 'troubles,' not so much a dispute as a fact of life - irreconcilable¹¹ differences. People felt that it could not be done, indeed sometimes that it should not be done - that the compromises involved were too ugly. Yet in the end, it was done and this holds a lesson for conflict everywhere."

The Northern Ireland handover comes just days before Mr. Blair is expected to announce he is stepping down as prime minister and leader of the Labor³ party.

Also at Stormont was U.S. Senator Ted¹ Kennedy, who said the occasion marked a new day, a new beginning that can serve as a model to the world.

"That you can disband militias¹², private armies and put aside the bomb and the bullet and through political reconciliation¹³, hopefully carry forward the hopes and dreams of a people," he said.

Also attending the ceremonies was Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who has been instrumental in keeping the Northern Ireland negotiations¹⁴ going.

1 ted   

vt.翻晒，撒，撒开

参考例句：

• The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。
• She often teds the corn when it's sunny.天好的时候她就翻晒玉米。

2 hesitation   

n.犹豫，踌躇

参考例句：

• After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天，他终于直说了。
• There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。

3 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。

4 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。

5 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

6 aspirations   

强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音

参考例句：

• I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。
• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。

7 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

8 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

9 culminated   

v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• a gun battle which culminated in the death of two police officers 一场造成两名警察死亡的枪战
• The gala culminated in a firework display. 晚会以大放烟火告终。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

11 irreconcilable   

adj.（指人）难和解的，势不两立的

参考例句：

• These practices are irreconcilable with the law of the Church.这种做法与教规是相悖的。
• These old concepts are irreconcilable with modern life.这些陈旧的观念与现代生活格格不入。

12 militias   

n.民兵组织，民兵( militia的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The troops will not attempt to disarm the warring militias. 部队并不打算解除战斗中的民兵武装。 来自辞典例句
• The neighborhood was a battleground for Shiite and Sunni militias. 那里曾是什叶派和逊尼派武装分子的战场。 来自互联网

13 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

14 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。