VOA常速英语2017--海地开启新篇章

For the past year and a half, Haiti's political scene has been in turmoil. The electoral process to select a new president, all seats in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, mayors countrywide plus over 1,200 local elections, which began in late 2015, was marred by numerous delays and postponements as well as both widespread suffering and by damage to electoral infrastructure inflicted by Hurricane Matthew in the southwest of the country.

过去一年半的时间里，海地(Haiti)的政治格局一片混乱。新总统、参议院众议院席位、各地市长以及1200多个当地其他岗位的选举流程本于2015年末启动，但因多次耽搁延误以及因海地西南部飓风马修肆虐所造成的的人员伤亡和选举基础设施损坏而受到阻碍。

Despite these many obstacles, the Government of Haiti and the Provisional Electoral Council worked effectively and responsibly to overcome organizational challenges in these elections, which the Organization of American States Electoral Observation Mission noted in its preliminary report were an “important milestone for the consolidation of democratic institutions in Haiti.”

虽然障碍重重，但海地政府以及海地临时选举委员会负责任地进行了有效的合作，攻克了选举中来自组织方面的诸多挑战，美洲国家组织(Organization of American States)选举观察团(Electoral Observation Mission)在其初步报告中写道，这是“巩固海地民主体系的重要里程碑”。

Although longer-term electoral reforms are still needed, Haiti is finally poised in 2017 to return to constitutional, democratically elected government with the benefits for stability and development that democratic accountability will bring.

虽然海地依然需要更长久的选举改革，但最终还是确定2017年重返依据宪法和民主选举产生的政府，这样做的好处是民主问责制可以为海地带来稳定与发展。

On February 7, when President-elect Jovenel Mo?se was sworn in as Haiti's 58th president, Haiti also gained a recently elected legislature, with which the new president can work to reset the future of Haitian democracy and development.

2月7日，是海地当选总统若弗内尔莫伊兹(Jovenel Moise)宣誓就任海地第58任总统的日子，也是海地有了最新选举的立法机关的日子，有了立法机关，新一任总统就能重新规划海地民主发展的未来。

“In 2017, Haiti turns the page. For the next five years, stakeholders in Haiti have a choice. They can work together toward the common good of the nation, or they can sacrifice the interests of the Haitian people for individual advancement,” notes Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Haiti Special Coordinator Kenneth Merten.

“2017年，海地翻开了新篇章。未来五年，海地的利益相关方有了选择。他们可以一起为了国家的共同利益而努力，也可以牺牲海地人民的幸福来换取个人的攀升，”代理首席助理副国务卿兼海地特别协调员肯尼思(Kenneth Merten)指出。

The Haitian people have a chance to progress, to strengthen their democracy, and to learn from the past even as they continue to move forward.

海地人民有机会进步、加强民主、继往开来。

Haiti Special Coordinator Merten recalls that “over two hundred years ago, the father of the Haitian Revolution, Toussaint L'Ouverture, demonstrated leadership by reminding early Haitian patriots to ‘reflect on the disasters which may ensue from longer obstinacy.'”

特别协调员肯尼思回忆道“200多年前，海地革命领袖领袖杜桑卢维图尔(Toussaint L'Ouverture)彰显了领导力，提醒了早期的爱国者们‘反思长期的固执己见可能引发的灾难。’”

“There is no need to forsake Haiti's 213 years of accumulated nationhood by not heeding such sage advice,” Ambassador Merten reminds us. “Let us allow the wind to fill Haiti's sails and support its new leaders in setting the course.”

“要听取先辈智慧的建议，不能放弃海地213年积淀的民族底蕴，”肯尼思提醒我们。“让海地扬起风帆，支持新任领导人开辟道路。”