04-17-08

美众院法案减免贫困国家债务 (U.S. House Act Relieves Debt of Poor Countries)

美国国会众议院批准一项法案，旨在减免世界上一些最贫困国家的债务。众议院星期三以285票比132票通过了这项法案。法案将启动有关程序，以减少24个世界最贫困国家的债务。虽然这项法案没有特别授权免除债务，但法案指示美国政府与世界银行和国际货币基金组织就贫苦国家所欠债务的问题进行谈判。

根据这项法案，拖欠了数十亿美元债务的9个贫困国家立即有资格享受减债待遇，其他15个国家则必须实行进一步改革，才可以享受这一待遇。众议员说，债务国家必须达到某些标准才能享受这项减债计划，包括展示改善人权、提高治理透明度和打击恐怖主义的决心。法案获得了两党议员的支持。参议院在审核一项类似的法案。

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a measure designed to support debt forgiveness for some of the world's poorest nations. The House approved the measure on a 285 to 132 vote Wednesday. The bill would begin the process of debt relief for 24 of the world's poorest nations. While not specifically authorizing debt cancellation, the proposal would instruct the U.S. government to negotiate with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on debt owed by poor nations.

Under the measure, nine nations with billions of dollars in debt would be immediately eligible for the program while 15 others would be eligible once further reforms are implemented. Lawmakers say nations must meet certain standards to qualify for the program, including demonstrating commitments to human rights, transparent governance and fighting terrorism. The bill passed with bipartisan support and there is a similar measure moving through the Senate.

韩起诉三星董事长 (Korea Charges Chairman of Samsung)

韩国特别检察官依逃税和背弃公众信任罪正式起诉三星集团董事长李健熙。检察官星期四在首尔宣布了这项起诉。这项起诉与韩国这家最大的家族集团因腐败指控而接受当局3个月的调查有关。在韩国，这种大型家族集团又称为“财阀”。不过，检察官说，他们不会逮捕今年66岁的李健熙。

在检方今年元月开始调查之前，三星集团前首席律师说，公司方面曾设有一个特别基金专门用来贿赂政府官员。特别检察官本月两次传唤李健熙作证。特别检察官后来查明三星集团没有行贿犯罪，但是说该公司曾策划将三星集团的控制权非法转交给李健熙的儿子，并隐瞒李健熙数十亿美元的资产。三星集团星期四发表一份声明，对公司丑闻表达歉意。声明还说，三星集团将在下星期宣布新的改革方案。

Special prosecutors in South Korea have indicted Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee on charges of tax evasion and breach of trust. The charges against Lee, announced Thursday in Seoul, were brought in connection with a three-month probe of alleged corruption at South Korea's biggest family-run conglomerates, known as "chaebol." But prosecutors say they will not place the 66-year-old Lee under arrest.

The probe was launched in January after Samsung's former chief attorney said the company had created a special slush fund to bribe government officials. Lee was summoned before the special prosecutors twice this month to testify. The special prosecutors cleared the company of the bribery allegations, but acknowledged there was a conspiracy at the firm to illegally transfer control of Samsung to Lee's son, and to hide billions of dollars of his assets. The company released a statement Thursday apologizing for the scandal. It says it will announce new reform plans next week.