VOA标准英语2008年-Musharraf Promises Free and Fair Elections

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
22 January 2008

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf pledged in Brussels Monday that Pakistan's elections next month will be free and fair, and appealed to western nations to be more patient on human rights. Lisa Bryant has more for VOA on his European trip.

Speaking to the European Union legislators in Brussels, President Musharraf said that Pakistan suffers from misperceptions and distortions in the West, as he tried to assure lawmakers of his commitment to democracy and human rights. But he also urged patience.

"You have taken centuries in reaching wherever you have come. Allow us time for going for the values that you have established for yourself," said Pervez Musharraf. 'We are on the right course but our environment and your environment are very, very different."

Mr. Musharraf spoke¹ at the start of a European tour partly aimed at trying to improve his image in Europe and at convincing allies here he is committed to the fight against terrorism.

European leaders have called for free and fair parliamentary elections, scheduled for February 18. They also asked for a full investigation² into the assassination³ last month of opposition⁴ leader Benazir Bhutto.

Mr. Musharraf acknowledged Pakistan faced a turbulent year in 2007 in its fight against extremism. But he rejected criticism that his government failed to adequately protect Ms. Bhutto. He also dismissed chances of extremists acquiring any part of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal⁵.

Following a meeting with Mr. Musharraf, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop⁶ Scheffer said a stable Pakistan was key for regional stability.

"NATO in Afghanistan and he [Musharraf] in Pakistan, we are fighting the same demons⁷, the same terrorists who are trying to destabilize Pakistan and also trying to destabilize Afghanistan," said Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. "And is also true in the opposite direction, so to say."

The NATO chief said he also received Mr. Musharraf's assurances that next month's elections would be free and fair.

The Pakistani leader, who is on a mission to reassure⁸ Europe that Pakistan is a reliable ally, next meets with his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, in Paris Tuesday. He will then attend the World Economic Forum⁹ in Davos, Switzerland, before going to London for talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

3 assassination   

n.暗杀；暗杀事件

参考例句：

• The assassination of the president brought matters to a head.总统遭暗杀使事态到了严重关头。
• Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the whole nation.1865年，林肯遇刺事件震惊全美国。

4 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

5 arsenal   

n.兵工厂，军械库

参考例句：

• Even the workers at the arsenal have got a secret organization.兵工厂工人暗中也有组织。
• We must be the great arsenal of democracy.我们必须成为民主的大军火库。

6 hoop   

n.（篮球）篮圈，篮

参考例句：

• The child was rolling a hoop.那个孩子在滚铁环。
• The wooden tub is fitted with the iron hoop.木盆都用铁箍箍紧。

7 demons   

n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念

参考例句：

• demons torturing the sinners in Hell 地狱里折磨罪人的魔鬼
• He is plagued by demons which go back to his traumatic childhood. 他为心魔所困扰，那可追溯至他饱受创伤的童年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

9 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。