VOA标准英语2013--In Islamabad, Mixed Reactions to Musharraf Return

 

In Islamabad, Mixed Reactions to Musharraf Return

On the streets of Pakistan's capital, reactions to former military president Pervez Musharraf's return to the country's political scene are mixed.

For residents like Azim Ehsan Qazi, the possibility that Musharraf has learned from his past mistakes and subsequent four years of self-imposed exile, could bring a fresh perspective to the May 11 elections.

"It's good for all the Pakistani nation," says Qazi, a gym worker. "He can give us a new view, a new opinion, a new hope, because there are a lot of parties in Pakistan, and different opinions of them, but Musharraf is good. I think he should try. It's good for him."

Others, like advertising¹ manager Syed Asad Abbas, say Musharraf did not do much for Pakistan during his nine years in power, and doubt he'll win much support in the elections.

"No one is with him right now," he says. "Everyone has joined so many parties, and the people who were with him at that time, they have vanished and no-one is standing² behind him, or with him. I don't think so that it will be helpful for him."

Musharraf, who left Pakistan under fear of impeachment³ in 2008 following personal clashes with the Supreme⁴ Court, suspended the Constitution and imposed a state of emergency. There are still legal cases against him pending⁵ in the courts.

Speaking at a news conference in the southern city of Karachi, the former military ruler appeared confident of his success.

"At this point in time, I cannot give you the exact assessment⁶, but I hope to win many seats," he said. "I cannot say, as it is said, that I will bring a tsunami⁷. I cannot say that at the moment."

The former military commander has insisted he is the right person for Pakistan.

Others, however, are less sure. Musharraf will have just over six weeks to convince the country that he again deserves to play a political role in the country's future.

1 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 impeachment   

n.弹劾；控告；怀疑

参考例句：

• Impeachment is considered a drastic measure in the United States.在美国，弹劾被视为一种非常激烈的措施。
• The verdict resulting from his impeachment destroyed his political career.他遭弹劾后得到的判决毁了他的政治生涯。

4 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

5 pending   

prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的

参考例句：

• The lawsuit is still pending in the state court.这案子仍在州法庭等待定夺。
• He knew my examination was pending.他知道我就要考试了。

6 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

7 tsunami   

n.海啸

参考例句：

• Powerful quake sparks tsunami warning in Japan.大地震触发了日本的海啸预警。
• Coastlines all around the Indian Ocean inundated by a huge tsunami.大海啸把印度洋沿岸地区都淹没了。