voa标准英语2008-India, Pakistan Consider Action Against Charity

India's government is expressing optimism that the United Nations will respond favorably to its request to outlaw¹ a Pakistani group linked to the recent terror attack on Mumbai. Meanwhile, Pakistan's prime minister says that connection needs to be looked into before Islamabad can take action against the Islamic charity.

Indian officials say the ball is now in the court of the international community, to take action against the organization it believes is the front for the Laskhar-e-Taiba terror outfit².

India accuses Lashkar of plotting the assault on its commercial capital, which killed about 170 people, including nine of the attackers. It has formally asked the United Nations Security Council to ban the Pakistan-based charity, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, and declare it a terrorist organization. India contends Jamaat is the parent body of the terror group known for fighting Indian rule in the disputed Kashmir region.

Charity group linked to Mumbai terrorists
　

Shivshankar Menon (file photo)

Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, speaking to reporters in New Delhi, says the charity is clearly linked to the terrorist group, which is also blamed for previous attacks in India.

"We think the perpetrators of the attack on Mumbai were Lashkar-e-Taiba people and it was organized by them. Let's see what the international community does. We hope that they will respond positively³ to our request," said Menon.

After Pakistan banned Lashkar in 2002, Jamaat came to the forefront as the group's political and charitable wing. It denies any role in carrying out terrorist attacks.

Pakistan calls for investigation⁴

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani - responding to the Indian request to ban Jamaat - says there must be an investigation before such action can be taken.

"I want to put the record straight," he said.
　

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani (File)

The Pakistani prime minister, speaking to reporters in Multan, denies his government is under any pressure from India to shut down Jamaat. He says any action taken by Pakistan will be in the interest of the country and its people. He adds Pakistan will investigate any findings sent to Islamabad by Indian intelligence agencies.

Mr. Gilani did confirm the arrest of two senior members of L-e-T, as suspects in the conspiracy⁵ behind the Mumbai attack.

International pressure mounts for action against terror group

In the past week, both India and the United States have been calling for Pakistan's government to take concrete action to identify and arrest those responsible for the siege on Mumbai.

India says 10 Pakistani gunmen, trained by the terror group, carried out the attack which lasted 60 hours. Most of those who died were gunned down at two luxury hotels, a Jewish community center, a train station and a cafe.

India has insisted that those arrested in Pakistan for involvement in the terrorist strike be put on trial here. But Islamabad says any such legal proceedings⁶ would have to take place in Pakistan.

1 outlaw   

n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法

参考例句：

• The outlaw hid out in the hills for several months.逃犯在山里隐藏了几个月。
• The outlaw has been caught.歹徒已被抓住了。

2 outfit   

n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装

参考例句：

• Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
• His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

3 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

4 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。

5 conspiracy   

n.阴谋，密谋，共谋

参考例句：

• The men were found guilty of conspiracy to murder.这些人被裁决犯有阴谋杀人罪。
• He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.他声称这一切都是一场针对他的阴谋。

6 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼