VOA标准英语2012--Civil Society Group Opposes US Aid Waiver for Egypt

Civil Society Group Opposes US Aid Waiver for Egypt

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton approved the aid based on national security interests, but says that in no way affects Washington's resolve to watch closely how Egyptian leaders treat civil society.

"We are going to watch their commitment to the rights and dignity of every Egyptian," said Clinton. "We want to see Egypt move forward in a democratic transition, and what that means is you do not and cannot discriminate² against religious minorities, women, political opponents."

The aid controversy³ grew from Egyptian authorities accusing U.S. pro-democracy groups of backing anti-government protests. Some of those Americans indicted⁴ in Cairo sought refuge in the U.S. embassy before finally being allowed to leave the country.

Freedom House Middle East director Charles Dunne is accused of using foreign funds to create instability in Egypt.

"What troubles me about the decision to waive¹ is that it was taken without having first cut a deal with the Egyptians to end the NGO crisis. Which means we all are still under indictment," said Dunne.

Dunne says continuing to fund Egypt's military makes it harder for Washington to press for protections for civil society.

"Once you've told the Egyptians, as they have in effect, that this aid relationship will continue with no consequences, even if you are continuing to prosecute⁵ and repress NGOs, it makes it very difficult for the administration to come back and say wait, we've changed our minds," Dunne noted⁶.

But many U.S. lawmakers say Washington's decades-long relationship with Egypt is more important than the civil society dispute. Middle East analyst⁷ Steve Heydemann agrees.

"If we are talking about opportunities to preserve American influence and the chance to put the U.S./Egyptian relationship on a solid foundation in the long term, I think it's very important at this very delicate stage of Egypt's transition not to take decisions because of very short term, transient kinds of differences of opinion between the two government," Heydemann said.

U.S. officials say they are focused on working with Egypt's new leaders to protect the rights of international and local civil society groups in a country where there has been more progress in the last 15 months than there has been in decades. 

1 waive   

vt.放弃，不坚持(规定、要求、权力等)

参考例句：

• I'll record to our habitat office waive our claim immediately.我立即写信给咱们的总公司提出放弃索赔。
• In view of the unusual circumstances,they agree to waive their requirement.鉴于特殊情况，他们同意放弃他们的要求。

2 discriminate   

v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待

参考例句：

• You must learn to discriminate between facts and opinions.你必须学会把事实和看法区分出来。
• They can discriminate hundreds of colours.他们能分辨上百种颜色。

3 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

4 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。

5 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？

6 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。

7 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。