VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Inauguration Resonates for Many South Afr

Millions of South Africans stayed up late Tuesday night to watch live broadcasts of the inauguration¹ of Barack Obama. In cafes, restaurants and private homes, they discussed the message and significance of the event.

The inauguration of Barack Obama as the United States' first African-American president reminded many South Africans of their own lengthy² struggle for democracy and equal rights.

Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs told the national broadcaster that the event recalled the inauguration of former President Nelson Mandela.

"It's a sort of upsurge that humanity felt when Nelson Mandela became president of what had formerly³ been apartheid South Africa. That's irreversible," said Sachs. "It doesn't solve any problems but it does solve problems of the mind, of outlook, attitude, of what's possible today."
　
Nelson Mandela

Mr. Mandela issued a statement calling the inauguration something truly historic not only in the annals of the United States but of the world.

Parts of the Mr. Obama's speech were seen as especially meaningful for the continent.

"To those who cling to power through corruption⁵ and deceit and the silencing of dissent⁶, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist," Mandela said.

A professor at Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University, Koffi Kouakou, said the new president brings an enthusiasm that he hopes will unleash⁷ new forces.

"It's so powerful for Africa because the continent has been stuck so long with leaders that are corrupt⁴, creating famine, changing the constitution to stay for life," said Kouakou. "We want new types of governments and that kind of new administration in the United States brings a fresh wave of meaning and saying, can we get the same thing in Africa."

A professor at the University of Johannesburg, Chris Landsberg, said Mr. Obama's pledge to seek new relations with the Muslim world based on mutual⁸ respect is an example of the change in U.S. foreign policy.

"We're going to see a change in style. The Bush administration will forever be remembered as the one that took the world through an ugly phase of unilateralism, of disregarding partners whenever it felt like doing it," said Landsberg. "I think America is going to come back to multilateral institutions."

He says with Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State the Obama administration will engage foreign governments to a greater degree and will temper power with diplomacy⁹.

Kouakou hopes the Obama administration will treat Africa as an equal partner as is being done by emerging powers like China and India.

"There's something here [in Africa] that has been dismissed, hasn't been given its greater value," he said. "And I really hope that the United States will look at Africa and be able to deal with it as a continent of relevance¹⁰."

Nevertheless, analysts¹¹ note that Mr. Obama remains¹² an American first. As a result they expect his foreign policy, especially on economic issues, to seek to advance U.S. interests foremost.

1 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

2 lengthy   

adj.漫长的，冗长的

参考例句：

• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
• The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。

3 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

4 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 dissent   

n./v.不同意，持异议

参考例句：

• It is too late now to make any dissent.现在提出异议太晚了。
• He felt her shoulders gave a wriggle of dissent.他感到她的肩膀因为不同意而动了一下。

7 unleash   

vt.发泄，发出；解带子放开

参考例句：

• They hope to create allies to unleash against diseases,pests,and invasive species.他们希望创造出一些新群体来对付疾病、害虫和一些有侵害性的物种。
• Changing water levels now at times unleash a miasma of disease from exposed sewage.如今，大坝不时地改变水位，从暴露的污水释放出了疾病瘴气。

8 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

9 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

10 relevance   

n.中肯，适当，关联，相关性

参考例句：

• Politicians' private lives have no relevance to their public roles.政治家的私生活与他们的公众角色不相关。
• Her ideas have lost all relevance to the modern world.她的想法与现代社会完全脱节。

11 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

12 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。