VOA常速英语:Celebrating Estonia’s Independence

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。
February 24th marked the one hundredth anniversary of the founding the Republic of Estonia.
2月24日是爱沙尼亚共和国成立一百周年纪念日。
The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia, was drafted by the Salvation Committee elected by the elders of the Estonian Provincial Assembly. Originally intended to be proclaimed on 21 February 1918, the proclamation was delayed until the evening of 23 February,when the manifesto was printed and read out aloud publicly in Parnu.On the next day, 24 February, the manifesto was printed and distributed in the capital, Tallinn, and beyond.
《爱沙尼亚独立宣言》也被称为《爱沙尼亚人民宣言》，由爱沙尼亚省议会长老们选出的“拯救爱沙尼亚委员会”起草。宣言的公布原本定于1918年2月21日，后被推迟到2月23日晚，在派尔努公开印发并宣读。次日，2月24日，宣言在爱沙尼亚首都塔林及更多城市公开印发。
In a message of congratulations to Estonians this year U.S. Ambassador to Estonia James Melville noted:“Contained in that declaration of an ‘independent and democratic republic’are affirmations of inalienable rights that ring just as true today as they did a century ago.”
今年，美国驻爱沙尼亚大使詹姆斯·梅尔维尔向爱沙尼亚人民表示祝贺，他说：“一个‘独立和民主的共和国’宣言中包含的，是对当今爱沙尼亚同百年前一样真实的不可剥夺权利的肯定。”
“Equal protection under the law for all irrespective of religion, ethnic origin, or political views. The guarantee of all civic freedoms, freedom of expression, religion, assembly, association, to strike,and the inviolability of each individual and of the home.
“无论宗教、民族或政见如何，所有人都应享有平等的法律保护。要保证所有的公民自由，包括言论、宗教信仰、集会、结社、罢工的自由，要保证每个个体和家庭神圣不可侵犯。
“The United States and Estonia are linked”, wrote Ambassador Melville,“by our shared commitment to democratic freedoms, our rock solid alliance, economic ties that bridge the Atlantic, and the many ties between our two peoples.”
“美国和爱沙尼亚密不可分，”梅尔维尔大使写道，“联系两国的是我们对民主自由的共同追求，是我们坚如磐石的联盟，是桥接大西洋的经济纽带，以及两个民族之间千丝万缕的联系。”
“Over my nearly three-year tenure as Ambassador, I have traveled to every corner of your beautiful land.I have had the honor to meet with your nation’s leaders, be motivated by your innovative use of technology,and inspired by the energy and boundless potential of your young people.The future is so bright for Estonia, and I feel honored to have shared this land with you during my time here.”
“在近三年担任大使期间，我曾走遍贵国美丽土地上的每一个角落。我很荣幸，能与贵国领导人会面，能从贵国对技术的创新应用中得到激励，能从贵国年轻人的蓬勃精力和无限潜能中受到启发。爱沙尼亚的未来十分光明，与贵国人民一同生活在这片土地上的经历使我深感荣幸。”
“In this centennial year,” the Ambassador added, “I join all of my colleagues and friends from the U.S. Embassy in expressing our sincerest gratitude for your partnership and heartfelt congratulations on your 100th anniversary. Happy Birthday, Estonia!”
“值此一百周年之际，”大使补充到，“我和美国使领馆的所有同事和朋友一道，向两国友谊表示衷心的感谢，并对贵国独立一百周年表示衷心的祝贺。祝愿爱沙尼亚生日快乐！”