VOA标准英语2010年-Analysts Dismiss Calls by Libyan Leade

At least 13 people have been killed in the latest sectarian violence to hit central Nigeria.  As investigations¹ begin into the latest violence in the central city of Jos, the government and prominent groups are searching for a lasting² solution.  Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has a proposal that’s getting a lot of attention.  He says Nigeria should be split into two independent countries.

“His simplistic solution cannot work because Nigeria is not neatly³ divided between Christians⁵ and Muslims,” says Innocent Chukwuma, head of the CLEEN Foundation, a Lagos-based pro-democracy group.

 He says although some agree with the Libyan leader, the proposal would not work in a complex country like Nigeria.
“Down in the North, you also have a significant Christian⁴ population as you also have a significant Muslim in the South.  So if you have you say you are given the North to the Muslims and the South to the Christians, what do you do about the Christians in the North and the Muslims in the South?”

Chukwuma agrees that the circle of violence will continue to put pressure on the country’s unity⁶.  Only a sustained government effort to prosecute⁷ those responsible, he says, will reduce the calls for the dissolution of the current political arrangement.

“There is that fear that if the federal government does not quickly come to a solution on this intractable sectarian violence, it might get out of hand.  But I don’t see it getting to such a situation that people would whole-heartedly drift back to their places of origin.”

The real danger about the current spate⁸ of killings⁹ in Jos, says Chukwuma, is the possibility in might spread to other parts of the country.

It will spread if the government continues to do nothing, he says.  “But I think in this latest one, a number of people have been arrested who they say have confessed.  So if they quickly bring those people to trial, it would go a long way in reassuring¹⁰ people that they don’t need to take the laws into their hands.”
 

1 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

2 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

3 neatly   

adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地

参考例句：

• Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
• The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。

4 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

6 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

7 prosecute   

vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官

参考例句：

• I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
• Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据？

8 spate   

n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵

参考例句：

• Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。
• Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。

9 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

10 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。