VOA常速英语2008年-Australian PM Visits East Timor, Pledges Suppor

By Phil Mercer
Sydney
15 February 2008

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says "rogue¹ elements" will not be allowed to derail democracy in East Timor. Mr. Rudd is visiting the country following this week's assassination² attempts on the country's president and prime minister. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.

Kevin Rudd's visit is a show of support for the East Timorese government after a traumatic week in which both President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were targeted by rebels.

Mr. Rudd will be briefed on the security situation in the country and will meet the commander of the United Nations' International Stabilization³ Force. He will also have talks with senior members of the Australian Federal Police and his East Timorese counterpart, Mr. Gusmao.

Reinforcements sent to Dili by Canberra since the attacks have boosted Australia's peacekeeping contingent⁴ to about 1,100 soldiers and police officers.

Mr. Rudd brought with him a clear message. He said his government would do everything possible to safeguard democratic institutions in East Timor.

Australia's support for the young nation, he insists, is "absolutely rock solid" - and he brushed aside concerns for his own safety during his visit.

"Absolutely no concerns in relation to my own security. I am, however, deeply concerned about the future security and stability of East Timor, and we've got a thousand men and women in uniform up there, and 100 police and a whole bunch of other Australians," said Mr. Rudd. "I think I've got a responsibility given recent events also to ensure that they have what they need to do their job properly."

Mr. Rudd was invited by Mr. Gusmao, who escaped unhurt after rebels attacked his car earlier this week.

President Jose Ramos Horta was shot twice in a separate ambush⁵ and is in serious condition in a hospital in Australia's northern city of Darwin. Mr. Rudd is due to visit the president on his return to Australia.

The assassination attempt was led by a fugitive⁶ rebel commander, Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in a gunfight with presidential guards. The former military police chief had led a revolt against East Timor's government, and had been indicted⁷ for his alleged⁸ role in fighting between rebel troops and police in 2006.

That earlier violence prompted the intervention⁹ of peacekeepers from Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Malaysia, which make up the International Stabilization Force in East Timor.

1 rogue   

n.流氓；v.游手好闲

参考例句：

• The little rogue had his grandpa's glasses on.这淘气鬼带上了他祖父的眼镜。
• They defined him as a rogue.他们确定他为骗子。

2 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。

3 Stabilization   

稳定化

参考例句：

• The position of barycentre on plane directly impacts the stabilization and manipulation of plane. 飞机重心位置直接影响飞机的稳定和操纵特性。
• With the higher olefins, stabilization of the energetic intermediates occurs more easily. 在较高的烯烃情况下，高能的中间物稳定作用更易出现。

4 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

5 ambush   

n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击

参考例句：

• Our soldiers lay in ambush in the jungle for the enemy.我方战士埋伏在丛林中等待敌人。
• Four men led by a sergeant lay in ambush at the crossroads.由一名中士率领的四名士兵埋伏在十字路口。

6 fugitive   

adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者

参考例句：

• The police were able to deduce where the fugitive was hiding.警方成功地推断出那逃亡者躲藏的地方。
• The fugitive is believed to be headed for the border.逃犯被认为在向国境线逃窜。

7 indicted   

控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The senator was indicted for murder. 那位参议员被控犯谋杀罪。
• He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder. 他被大陪审团以两项谋杀罪名起诉。

8 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

9 intervention   

n.介入，干涉，干预

参考例句：

• The government's intervention in this dispute will not help.政府对这场争论的干预不会起作用。
• Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention.许多人觉得他会反对外来干预。