2007年VOA标准英语-World Economic Forum Examines Ways for Africa t

By Terry Fitzpatrick
Cape¹ Town
13 June 2007

Many African countries lack the resources to effectively fight global terrorism, according to security experts who gathered in Cape Town for the World Economic Forum² on Africa. Terry Fitzpatrick is there and filed this report for VOA.

Africa faces a dual³ terrorist threat. On the one hand, vacation resorts, Western embassies and international conferences can be targets for terrorist attacks.  Also, domestic insurgents⁴ inside African countries often look beyond their borders for help from terrorist networks.
     
One focus for business and government leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum on Africa is how to combat this dual threat.  South Africa's Intelligence Minister Ronald Kasrils told the delegates that Africa is no longer a bystander.

"Terrorism is very serious wherever you live in the world today," he said.  "It affects everybody. And I don't think we can claim that any country is immune."

Experts said for many African countries with limited resources the challenge can particularly tough. They said terrorists thrive when governments lack resources to provide reliable security. 

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Jendayi Frazer agreed resources are important, but added good governance is also critical in combating terrorism.

US assistant secretary for African affairs Jendayi Frazer (05 June 2007 file photo)

"I don't think that the fundamental issue is the capacity to counter terrorism," she noted⁵.  "I think the fundamental issue is the capacity to govern the institutions of governance, which includes a strong security sector⁶, it includes a strong judiciary, it includes an independent legislature. It includes a strong economy. And so it's building the capacity of African countries generally."

Frazer said the greatest terrorist threat in Africa today exists along an arch running from Muratania in West Africa, along the northern tier of countries such as Mali, Niger, Chad and Somalia, then down Africa's eastern coastline including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.

Intelligence Minister Kasrils said African governments are getting together to form an early warning center in Ethiopia aimed at sharing information among national intelligence agencies.

But to make the center work, he said, the national intelligence officials will have to abandon the ingrained "need-to-know policy," with the more cooperative "need-to-share" approach.

1 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

2 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

3 dual   

adj.双的；二重的，二元的

参考例句：

• The people's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.中华人民共和国不承认中国公民具有双重国籍。
• He has dual role as composer and conductor.他兼作曲家及指挥的双重身分。

4 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。