刚果民主共和国的人权状况被联合国认定为“一种灾难”

21刚果民主共和国的人权状况被联合国认定为“一种灾难”

UN Labels DRC Humanitarian 1 Condition 'a Disaster'
Breck Ardery
New York
13 Jun 2001 22:25 UTC

Although hopes continue for a lasting 2 peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations Security Council has been told that 1)humanitarian conditions in the country are a 2)disaster.
The 3)Council received several updates on the situation in the DRC including efforts to disarm 3 and de-mobilize rebel groups, withdraw foreign forces and to open a dialogue of national 4)reconciliation. The United Nations has a 5)contingent of military observers in Congo to assist all parties in carrying out a peace agreement.
U.N. Peacekeeping chief Jean Marie Guehenno gave the Council a 6)cautiously optimistic report on the military situation, although noting there are some problems such as the slow progress of 7)demilitarization of the city of Kisangani.
However, even if progress toward peace continues, other speakers told the Council a 8)devastating humanitarian situation will remain. Olara Otunnu, the special U.N. Representative for Children in Armed 9)Conflict, said his recent visit to the DRC convinced him there is an urgent need for help. He said, "The primary responsibility for ensuring the well being of the children and therefore the future of the country rests with Congolese leaders. I have urged them to assume this responsibility. But today I 10)appeal to the international community to reach out to the Congolese children with concrete assistance, focusing particularly on 11)rehabilitation of schools and health care centers and the 12)provision of much-need resources for the 13)demobilization of child soldiers."
Mr. Otunnu said he welcomes the decision by the DRC government to 14)ratify an international treaty banning child soldiers.
DRC Foreign Minister Leonard She Okitundu described the humanitarian conditions in his country as a "disaster." Speaking through an English interpreter, Mr. Okitundu told the Council that the human effects of the fighting can be seen almost everywhere. Mr. Okitundu's interpreter said, "There are 16 million people directly affected 4 by the war and most of them are already the most 15)vulnerable, children in the streets, orphans 5, children enrolled 6 by force in the army. The Council has recently noted 7 the precarious 8 situation of the Congolese population in the provinces that are occupied as well as those under government control."
Mr. Okitundi said the recent 16)devaluation of the Congolese franc has brought further hardship. The decision to devalue the currency was made by the DRC government as part of an economic stabilization 9 program to stop runaway 10 17)inflation.
Later this week, the Security Council is expected to approve a resolution extending the U.N. 18)mission in the DRC for one year. That is considerably 11 longer than most extension resolutions but U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the long extension will demonstrate the Security Council's commitment to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(1) humanitarian[hju:mAnI5teErIEn]n.人道主义者
(2) disaster[dI5zB:stE(r); (?@) dIz5AstEr]n.灾难, 天灾, 灾祸
(3) council[5kaJns(E)l]n.政务会, 理事会,参议会
(4) reconciliation[rekEnsIlI5eIF(E)n]n.和解, 调和, 顺从
(5) contingent[kEn5tIndVEnt]adj.可能发生的, 附随的n.分遣队
(6) cautiously adv.慎重地
(7) demilitarization n.非军事化, 解除武装, 废除军备
(8) devastating[5devEsteItIN]adj.破坏性的, 全然的
(9) conflict[5kRnflIkt]n.斗争, 冲突vi.抵触, 冲突
(10) appeal to v.呼吁, 要求, 诉诸
(11) rehabilitation[ri:hEbIlI5teIF(E)n]n.复原
(12) provision[prE5vIV(E)n]n.供应, (一批)供应品
(13) demobilization n.复员
(14) ratify[5rAtIfaI]vt.批准, 认可
(15) vulnerable[5vQlnErEb(E)l]adj.易受攻击的, 易受...的攻击
(16) devaluation[9di:vAljJ`eIFLn]n.(货币)贬值
(17) inflation[In5fleIF(E)n]n.夸张, 通货膨胀, (物价)暴涨
(18) mission[5mIF(E)n]n.使命, 任务, 使团, 代表团