2007年VOA标准英语-Maoists Quit Nepal's Interim Government

By Steve Herman
New Delhi
18 September 2007

Nepal's Maoists have made good on their threat to quit the interim¹ government. VOA's Steve Herman reports from our South Asia bureau in New Delhi that the move is likely to cause political chaos² and jeopardize³ elections planned this year.

Nepal's Maoists have walked out of the coalition⁴ government and vowed⁵ to resume street protests to demand the monarchy⁶ be abolished and the country declared a republic.

The Maoists fought a decade-long civil war against the monarchy before making peace, entering the government this year, and agreeing to elections to decide the fate of the unpopular king, Gyanendra.

While the former rebels say they will not return to the jungle and wage war, others in Nepal are concerned their campaign against the monarchy will not be peaceful.

Human-rights activist⁷ Satya Narayan Shah is among those worried about a return to violence.

"I think the Maoists, after pulling out from the government, will create some disturbances," said Shah. "There may be some sort of violence, because their workers believe in martial⁸ power."

Shah says the Maoists should keep their word to let a constituent⁹ assembly decide the fate of the King, who has already been stripped of most of his power and royal assets.

Nationwide elections are scheduled for November 22 to select that assembly. Nepal is currently governed by an eight-party, interim coalition, which had included the Maoists.

Maoist supporters streamed into central Kathmandu chanting anti-monarchy slogans, bringing large parts of the Nepalese capital to a standstill.

Before pulling out of the government, Maoist leader Prachanda met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the heads of the other parties in the coalition government. Officials say the talks were unable to reach a compromise.

The Maoists waged a 10-year rebellion beginning in 1996. The conflict killed an estimated 13,000 people and crippled the economy of Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world.

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 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

3 jeopardize   

vt.危及，损害

参考例句：

• Overworking can jeopardize your health.工作过量可能会危及你的健康。
• If you are rude to the boss it may jeopardize your chances of success.如果你对上司无礼，那就可能断送你成功的机会。

4 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。

5 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

6 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。

7 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

8 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

9 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。