VOA标准英语2012--US Investigates American Support of Iranian Dissident Group

US Investigates American Support of Iranian Dissident Group 

MITCHELL REISS: "The U.S. State Department needs to de-list the MEK immediately!"

That was former U.S. Ambassador Mitchell Reiss, in April 2011. He is one of the prominent Americans demanding that the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) be removed from the State Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

Another speaker at that Washington event was former Joint¹ Chiefs Chairman, General Richard Myers.

MYERS: "De-listing the MEK is clearly the right thing to do. It's way past time to do that."

Such speeches on behalf of the MEK, also known as the People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran, coincide with court actions meant to compel the State Department to lift the Iranian opposition² group's terrorist designation, imposed in 1997.

But this advocacy has a price. General Myers has admitted to accepting an honorarium³ to speak on the group's behalf.

Published reports say many of these American supporters of the MEK were paid $25,000 for each appearance.

Sources report the U.S. Treasury⁴ Department is investigating the fees. The department is not saying how many of the speakers may be under investigation⁵.

Washington attorney Eric Ferrari believes the prominence⁶ of these Americans, and their advocacy of the MEK, triggered the probe.

"People were asking a lot of questions. Why are they not being investigated? How are they getting away with this?" asked Ferrari.

One American reported to be under investigation is former Democratic Party National Committee head Ed Rendell. Two other MEK supporters, former Attorney General Michael Mukasey, and former FBI Director Louis Freeh, have reportedly retained an attorney because of the investigation. Freeh says he has not been compensated⁷ for appearances on behalf of the Mujahedin.

A lawyer representing the MEK says these Americans have a constitutional First Amendment⁸ right to advocate for the group despite its listing as a foreign terrorist organization.

"Now that may be a fine line - it may even be a Byzantine line to draw. But, it is a line, and it is an important one, because it goes to the question as to whether American citizens have the right to speak their minds," said attorney Steven Schneebaum.

A critic of the MEK contends the group has evaded⁹ U.S. bans and restrictions¹⁰ by paying these Americans through various fronts.

"The MEK has used a number of names, or front organizations, as the conduits for financing this campaign. If you look at some of the big advertisements in the newspapers, it won't say the Mujahedin-e Khalq. It will say something like 'British scholars on behalf of Iran' or something like that," noted¹¹ Georgetown University professor Paul Pillar.

So far, this public relations campaign has not changed the State Department's listing of the MEK as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The group's federal court battle with the State Department to get de-listed will be looked at in the next segment of this series. 

1 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 honorarium   

n.酬金，谢礼

参考例句：

• Travel and hotel costs as well as an honorarium will be provided.我们提供旅费和住宿费以及酬金。
• A group of residents agreed to conduct the survey for a small honorarium.一部分居民同意去进行这样的一个调查，在支付一小点酬金的情况下。

4 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

6 prominence   

n.突出；显著；杰出；重要

参考例句：

• He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy.他在意大利的世界杯赛中声名鹊起。
• This young fashion designer is rising to prominence.这位年轻的时装设计师的声望越来越高。

7 compensated   

补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款）

参考例句：

• The marvelous acting compensated for the play's weak script. 本剧的精彩表演弥补了剧本的不足。
• I compensated his loss with money. 我赔偿他经济损失。

8 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

9 evaded   

逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出

参考例句：

• For two weeks they evaded the press. 他们有两周一直避而不见记者。
• The lion evaded the hunter. 那狮子躲开了猎人。

10 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

11 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。