2007年VOA标准英语-Rocket Attack Targets Ivory Coast PM's Plane

By Kari Barber
Dakar
29 June 2007

An airplane carrying the Ivory Coast's prime minister, Guillaume Soro, came under fire by unknown assailants Friday, leaving several dead according to early reports.  Sources close to the prime minister, say Mr. Soro, a former rebel leader who now heads a coalition¹ government, was not injured in the attack.  Kari Barber has more from our West Africa bureau in Dakar.

Guillaume Soro (Apr 2007)

From the New Forces rebel headquarters, Kama Gate confirmed that the plane carrying Mr. Soro was fired on when it landed in the central city of Bouake, a stronghold of the rebel movement.

Gate says the rebel group has no indication of who is responsible for the attack.

Journalist Siratigui Konate works for Mr. Soro's cabinet and was on the plane when the attack occurred.

"Just when the plane landed in Bouake, at maybe 10:30 or 10:40, we heard two explosions inside the plane and according to the people who were on the outside, they said it was some kind of short range rocket, or RPG," he said.

Konate says he saw three people dead.

Sources close to the prime minister say shots continued to be heard as the convoy² traveled from the airport to the center of town.

Konate says several injured members of the convoy were taken to a French-run hospital in the area.  He says Mr. Soro is unharmed and safe.

"Right now I can see him in his office, he is going upstairs to his office now," he noted³.

Konate says shooting has stopped, but everyone is on alert.

"For the time being the situation is calm, but we do not know what exactly what will happen," he added.  "The are a lot of soldiers inside the headquarters of the rebels."

Mr. Soro had traveled to Bouake from the capital Abidjan to preside over a ceremony restoring a judicial⁴ system to the rebel-held area.

Tensions have reportedly escalated⁵ in recent weeks as many rebels have expressed discontent with Mr. Soro's cooperation with his former opponent, President Laurent Gbagbo.  Mr. Soro was named prime minister of Mr. Gbagbo's government as part of a peace deal earlier this year.

President Gbagbo is expected in Bouake on July 5 for a ceremony to celebrate disarmament and reconciliation⁶.

1 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。

2 convoy   

vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队

参考例句：

• The convoy was snowed up on the main road.护送队被大雪困在干路上了。
• Warships will accompany the convoy across the Atlantic.战舰将护送该船队过大西洋。

3 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。

4 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

5 escalated   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The fighting escalated into a full-scale war. 这场交战逐步扩大为全面战争。
• The demonstration escalated into a pitched battle with the police. 示威逐步升级，演变成了一场同警察的混战。

6 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。