高中英语 voa常速听力2012年09月合辑文本usaid-democracy-programs-can-complicate-international-relations素材.docVIP

高中英语 VOA常速听力2012年09月合辑（文本）USAID-Democracy-Programs-Can-Complicate-International-Relations素材 WASHINGTON — Russian officials say they are ordering the U.S. Agency for International Development to close its operations in the country because U.S. pro-democracy programs have interfered in its elections. While Russia is not the only country to make such claims, U.S. officials say foreign assistance is not used to support political opposition groups, but to increase democratic participation and peacefully resolve disputes and grievances. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the leaders of Russia asked the U.S. for assistance in building a democracy and a market economy. Over the past 20 years, election-monitoring groups, human rights organizations, and anti-corruption efforts have been funded in part by USAID, which has provided more than $2.6 billion to Russia. President Vladimir Putin has now ended USAIDs programs, reportedly out of concern they interfere with elections by aiding opposition groups. But David Satter, a foreign policy analyst with the Hudson Institute, said USAID programs do not pick political sides. Instead, he said, the programs try to help disenfranchised groups use legal, peaceful and democratic means to get their voices heard. 揟he existence of such groups gives to people on the one hand the know-how to defend their rights, and on the other, the conviction that defending their rights is possible,?said Satter. Earlier this year Egypt抯 military leaders overseeing the transition to an elected government attempted to prosecute U.S.-funded pro-democracy and human rights groups. They relented after weeks of heavy diplomatic pressure from the United States. James Goldgeier, the dean of American University抯 School of International Service, said the most vocal critics of U.S. democracy programs often are elite leaders trying to hold onto power in the face of growing popular opposition. 揑f you are an authoritarian leader and you have a group that is foste