VOA标准英语2015--布隆迪大使称总统候选资格是宪法问题

Burundi Ambassador says President's Candidacy is a Constitutional Question

Preparations are underway for the June presidential elections in Burundi amid questions whether President Pierre Nkurunziza should run for a third term.  While the Burundi leader has not declared his candidacy, the United States and others say he should not do so because it would violate the 2000 Arusha Peace Accords that helped end the country's civil war. But Burundi's ambassador to the United States tells VOA the election question should be decided¹ by the constitution.

Thousands took part recently in a government-backed rally in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, as the country prepares to hold presidential elections later this year.

Whether President Pierre Nkunrunziza is going seek re-election or not, some ordinary citizens are already expressing concern, like this street vendor².

"We do not want to run anymore.  We are tired of war.  We want somewhere to sell our produce in peace so we can feed our families," she said.

Although President Nkurunziza has not declared his candidacy, some civil society groups say if he wins this would be an illegal third term.  The confusion lies in whether his first term should count, because he was elected then by parliament, instead of by direct election under the constitution.

But U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Gilmour says regardless of what the constitution says the Arusha Peace Accords remain a vital component³ of the country's continued stability.  The accords only allow two terms for a president.

“We hope that the presidential elections will be consistent with the Arusha Accords, including its unambiguous provision regarding executive term limits.  And we believe that in the spirit of compromise, balance and power sharing that are inherent in the Arusha Accords, that that has been fundamental to Burundi's laudable progress," said Gilmour.

However, Burundi's ambassador in Washington, Ernest Ndabashinze, says the presidential election should be held according to Burundi's constitution.

“The Arusha Accords were a step in the process of resolving our problems.  Today we have a constitution approved by Burundians themselves, so everything related to elections, we have all that is needed in the constitution.  So a reference to the Arusha agreement is a mistake, because the Arusha agreement is not the constitution of Burundi," said Ndabashinze.

A Burundian living in the U.S., Sixte Vigny Nimuraba, says the issue is neither the constitution nor the Arusha Accords.

“We need to give power to the people so that they can be the ones to vote.  The concern again here is how they will be influenced, called by the media or the ruling party or the opposition⁴ to act in a way that they may not have done," said Nimuraba.

At a recent talk on election preparations, Gilmour said Washington is committed to a stable and democratic society in Burundi.  He says $13 million has been committed in that effort, but there remains⁵ cause for concern because of the arrests of journalists, some opposition party members and others who speak out against the government position.

1 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。

2 vendor   

n.卖主；小贩

参考例句：

• She looked at the vendor who cheated her the other day with distaste.她厌恶地望着那个前几天曾经欺骗过她的小贩。
• He must inform the vendor immediately.他必须立即通知卖方。

3 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

4 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。

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。