2007年VOA标准英语-UN Evaluates Africa's Post-Conflict Disarmament

By Selah Hennessy
Dakar
13 June 2007

United Nations officials and delegates from about 20 African nations are meeting in Kinshasa to talk about disarmament strategies that can be implemented¹ when conflicts come to an end. Analysts² say the session will be provide a useful platform for delegates from across Africa to exchange information on disarmament, but say it is important that the U.N. does not dominate a process that must be driven by Africans themselves. Selah Hennessy reports from our West and Central Africa bureau in Dakar.

UN armored vehicle in Kinshasa (2006 photo)

Representatives from around 20 African countries are attending the conference on the process of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration, widely known as DDR.

Organizers say they want to facilitate communication between officials from countries that have already gone through the process, like Mozambique and Sierra Leone, and those that are just beginning, such as in divided Ivory Coast.

Observers say it is significant that the conference is taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently working towards disarmament following a drawn-out civil war.

Opening the conference, the DRC Foreign Minister Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, said that over 100,000 former combatants have been disarmed³ in his country, including at least 30,000 child soldiers. But he said there is still much to be done.

Some aid workers say thousands of former fighters in the DRC still need to be disarmed or reintegrated into a newly formed army.

Alex Vines is from the London-based research center Chatham House. He says conferences such as these, where delegates from across Africa share experiences and information, are very important.

He says that it is necessary to have a consistent approach to disarmament, especially when dealing⁴ with countries that neighbor one another. Vines says there are often noticeable differences, such as the amount of money given to fighters who enter the process.

"I remember that the disarmament package being offered in Liberia was much less than the one that was going to be offered in Cote d'Ivoire, which meant for example that ex-combatants were waiting to hand their weapons over in Cote d'Ivoire because they get more money for it," he said. "These are the types of lessons that need to be learned."

Emmanuel Sowatey, a researcher with the Ghana-based non-profit organization Africa Security Dialogue and Research, says the conference will be beneficial, but may not lead to any concrete change.

"It is sometimes very difficult to make prognosis based on these conferences, particularly if no actionable policy is being implemented," he said. "Time and again we see this type of workshop and conferences, but the real, for me, fulcrum⁵ of the issue is seeing the actionable policies being implemented."

Sowatey says the U.N. presence in Africa is beneficial to the continent, especially in terms of financial support.

But he says it is important that the international body does not always take the lead role in decision making, and that local perspectives are respected and incorporated into policy planning, including in how to manage the delicate period of disarmament and reintegration.

1 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 disarmed   

v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒

参考例句：

• Most of the rebels were captured and disarmed. 大部分叛乱分子被俘获并解除了武装。
• The swordsman disarmed his opponent and ran him through. 剑客缴了对手的械，并对其乱刺一气。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

5 fulcrum   

n.杠杆支点

参考例句：

• Give me a fulcrum on which to rest,and I will move the earth.给我一个支承的支点，我就会搬动地球。
• The decision is the strategic fulcrum of the budget.这一决定是预算案的战略支点。