VOA常速英语:Iraqi Kurds Prepare for Independence Vote, Despite Opposition

Kurdistan is an ethnic linguistic and cultural region that was divided by European colonial powers in the early 21th century.
库尔德斯坦是一个同一民族和语言下的文化区域，在二十一世纪初被欧洲殖民势力所分割。

It overlaps the borders of Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran.In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq locals say they deserve to have their own country.
它与叙利亚、土耳其、伊拉克和伊朗边境相交，在伊拉克的库尔德斯坦地区，当地人说他们应该拥有自己的国家。

I think people who share a common language, religion and history have the rights to hold them independence of referendum and declare their own country.
我认为有共同语言、宗教和历史的人有权组织独立公投并宣布建立自己的国家。

Pressure is mounting internationally to postpone or cancel the ballot.Western powers fear a vote right now could detract from the fight against Islamic militants.
国际上关于推迟或取消选票压力越来越大。西方国家担心，现在的投票可能会削弱对伊斯兰激进分子的打击。

Some regional powers like Turkey consider it a direct threat that could fuel Kurdish separatist groups within its borders.
像土耳其这样的地区大国认为，这是一种直接威胁，可能助长境内的库尔德分裂主义集团的气焰。

Opponents at home say the referendum is badly timed and could lead to internal conflict.
国内的反对者说，全民投票不合时宜，可能导致内部冲突。

According to political analysis, even what the Iraq popular mobilization forces have said there could be conflicts surrounding disputed areas claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil.
根据政治分析，甚至是伊拉克大众动员部队也声称，在周边有争议地区比如巴格达和埃尔比勒也许会导致冲突。

In Iraqi Kurdistan supporters say the benefit of declaring independence in the long run could outweigh the risks.
伊拉克库尔德斯坦的支持者说，从长远来看，宣布独立的好处可能大于风险。

After the referendum and the announcement that we are an independent country our economy will improve,we will make formal trade agreements around the world like any other country.
在全民公投和宣布我们是一个独立的国家之后，我们的经济将得到改善，我们将像其他国家一样在世界各地建立正式的贸易协定。

Kurdish leaders have expressed some openness in the past to a postponement if the international community could offer insurance and support for independence in the future but many voters here say they do not want to wait.
库尔德领导人过去表达过一些开放的态度表示如果国际社会能够为将来的独立提供保险和支持，也许会考虑延迟公投，但库尔德的许多选民们说他们不想等待。

Reporting from Irbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq. I’m Heather Murdock, VOA News.
美国之音，我是Heather Murdock，在伊拉克北部库尔德斯坦地区的伊尔比尔市为您报道。