VOA常速英语:Lesotho to Resume Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.
接下来，是一篇反映美国政府观点的社论。

Lesotho will resume its second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an independent United States foreign aid agency. That was the decision of the MCC Board, which met in Washington, DC on December 19th.Following the meeting, Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Nash spoke to Prime Minister Thabane to advise him of the Board’s decision to reselect Lesotho, after a two-year hiatus.
莱索托将与美国独立外援机构世纪挑战集团（MCC）第二次签约。本次签约是MCC董事会于2017年12月19日在华盛顿会晤时做出的决定。会议结束后，MCC首席运营官乔纳森·纳什与莱索托首相塔巴内进行了会谈，告知他MCC董事会在双方合同间断了两年之后，重新决定与莱索托签约。

The Board recognized the concrete steps taken by the Government of Lesotho over the past year that demonstrate a commitment to addressing MCC’s ongoing rule of law concerns.While the decision will allow Lesotho to restart the development of its second compact, the Board noted that it will continue to closely monitor the situation.
董事会对莱索托政府过去一年来的坚实努力表示认可，这些努力表现了莱索托致力于解决MCC目前在法律方面的担忧。尽管续约决定将使莱索托得以重新开始开展第二次合同，但董事会也表示将继续密切关注情况进展。

Over the coming weeks and months, representatives from MCC will visit Lesotho to work along with Government of Lesotho partners to identify and develop priority investments to address constraints on economic growth.Throughout this process, MCC will work with Lesotho to facilitate consultations with civil society and the private sector to ensure that projects incorporate local perspectives and promote self-sufficiency that continue long after MCC’s investment ends.
未来几周乃至数月，MCC的多位代表将到访莱索托，与莱索托政府合作伙伴一道，共同确定和开展优先投资项目，以解决经济增长的制约因素。整个过程中，MCC将与莱索托一道，共同促进与民间团体及私营企业之间的磋商，以确保项目得以本地化，使其在MCC结束投资后依然能长期保持自给自足。

Lesotho successfully completed their first MCC compact in 2013. Focused on reducing poverty and increasing economic growth, the 362.5 million dollars compact supported investments in the construction and renovation of 138 health clinics,digging 10,000 latrines in villages nationwide, renovating 14 outpatient departments in hospitals, and alongside other donors, helping establish the Metolong Dam, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Lesotho’s history.
2013年，莱索托与MCC首次成功签约。第一次签约以减少贫困、增强经济发展为关注点，投资3.625亿美元，用以建设改造当地138个卫生诊所、为全国各村落建造1万个公共厕所、修复了当地医院的14个的门诊部、以及与其他捐助者合力建设了麦特隆大坝，这座大坝是莱索托历史上的一大基础设施项目。

Although Lesotho was initially selected to develop a second compact in December 2013, the MCC Board deferred its vote on continued eligibility in 2015 and 2016.
虽然莱索托早在2013年12月就被选中开展第二次合同，但MCC董事会在2015年和2016年推迟了对莱索托持续资格的投票。

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign aid agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty.Created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support,MCC has changed the conversation on how best to deliver smart U.S. foreign assistance by focusing on good policies, country ownership, and results.MCC provides time-limited grants promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions.
MCC是一家创新、独立的美国外援机构，致力于引领抗击全球贫困。MCC由美国国会于2004年1月在两党的大力支持下创立，通过围绕良好政策、国家所有权与成果，改变了关于如何最好地提供外援的对话。MCC提供了一定期限内的赠款，以促进受援助地区增长经济、减少贫困、加强机构建设。

The United States is proud to work with its partner, the Government of Lesotho, to help the people of Lesotho achieve a productive and prosperous future.
美国很骄傲能够与莱索托政府合作，帮助莱索托人民实现繁荣富强的未来。