VOA英语2010年-African Union Suspends Ivory Coast, Reinstat

 

The African Union on Thursday suspended Ivory Coast until its leadership dispute is settled. At the same time, the continental¹ body reinstated Guinea, which was suspended after a military takeover two years ago.

The AU Peace and Security Council approved a resolution suspending Ivory Coast's membership immediately. Peace and Security Commissioner³ Ramtane Lamamra said the suspension will remain in effect until President Laurent Gbagbo recognizes the outcome of last month's election and gives up power.

"The Peace and Security Council did formally acknowledge that Mr. Alassane Outtara is the president elect of Cote d'Ivoire," said Lamamra. "The same council decided⁴ to suspend Cote d'Ivoire until such time as Mr. Alassane Ouattara, the democratically elected president, will take over effectively."

The AU suspension follows similar action by the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, and a vote by the United Nations Security Council, recognizing Mr. Ouattara's victory.

Ivory Coast's electoral commission earlier certified⁵ Mr. Ouattara's victory, but the constitutional council alleged⁶ fraud and declared Mr. Gbagbo the winner.

Lamamra cautioned not to expect a quick-fix solution to Ivory Coast's political crisis or an immediate² lifting of the suspension. He said ECOWAS and the United Nations are urging African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping to negotiate an agreement that will lead to long-term stability.

"We want to deliver peace and democracy and reconciliation⁷ at the same time," said Lamamra. "The AU has its own methods of work. It is stemming out of the African culture. The way we bring about peace, reconciliation, understanding - I think you should give us some time to work on it."

Lamamra also announced a lifting of all sanctions against Guinea. "We have duly acknowledged that there was a return to constitutional order in Guinea. Therefore, sanctions are lifted. That means no ban on visas; no freeze on assets - all this is behind us."

Lamamra said he expects Guinea to promptly⁸ make a troop contribution to AMISOM, the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. At the last AU summit, Guinea's interim⁹ leaders pledged a troop contribution once the sanctions were lifted.

Lamamra noted¹⁰ that Guinea's interim president, General Sekouba Konate, had recently been named to lead efforts to create an African standby military force and said the contribution to AMISOM will definitely happen.

Guinea was suspended from AU membership last year after a military coup¹¹ following the death of president Lansana Conte. After several delays, a new president, Alpha Conde, was chosen in a runoff election last month.

1 continental   

adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的

参考例句：

• A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
• The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.大陆地壳最古老的部分有40亿年历史。

2 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

3 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 certified   

a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的

参考例句：

• Doctors certified him as insane. 医生证明他精神失常。
• The planes were certified airworthy. 飞机被证明适于航行。

6 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

7 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

8 promptly   

adv.及时地，敏捷地

参考例句：

• He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
• She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。

9 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。

10 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

11 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。