Irish Prime Minister Announces Resignation
爱尔兰总理埃亨宣布将下月辞职
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern says he will resign on May 6, because of growing pressure on him from a tribunal probing alleged financial irregularities.
爱尔兰总理埃亨说，他将于5月6号辞职，因为一家特别法庭调查他有关财务违规的传言给他造成的压力越来越大。
In an address to the nation from outside parliament in Dublin, Bertie Ahern said he had done nothing wrong, but he said continued speculation about his finances is taking the parliament's focus away from running the country.
埃亨在都柏林议会外面向全国发表的讲话中说，他没有做错任何事，但是他说，人们继续对他的个人财务进行猜测使议会偏离了管理国家的中心工作。
"It is a matter of real concern to me that the important work of government and party is now being overshadowed by issues relating to me at the tribunal of inquiry into certain planning matters and payments," Mr. Ahern said. "The constant barrage of commentary of tribunal related matters has, and I believe will continue to dominate the political agenda at an important point for our country."
埃亨说：“政府和党的重要工作现在因为特别法庭调查与我有关的某些计划中的事宜和付款问题而变得次要，这才是我真正担心的问题。与特别法庭调查有关的事宜引起的连篇累牍的评论已经、而且我相信它们将会继续在我们国家的一个重要时刻主导我们的政治议程。”
The tribunal is investigating allegations - strongly denied by Mr. Ahern - that he received improper payments from a property developer between 1989 and 1992. He has also been dogged by allegations about his personal finances involving loans in British pounds and dollars from private supporters in the Irish business community.
特别法庭正在调查一些埃亨坚决否认的指控。这些指控说，在1989年到1992年期间，埃亨接受了一家房地产开发商不适当的付款。埃亨还在个人财务方面面临许多指控，这涉及他从爱尔兰企业界他的民间支持者那里借贷英镑和美元。
Bertie Ahern is a veteran politician. He became prime minister in 1997 and won international acclaim for his role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
埃亨是一个资深的政界人士。他在1997年成为总理，并且因为在北爱尔兰的和平进程中发挥的作用受到国际社会的赞许。
Britain's minister responsible for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward, told British TV the peace deal will be Mr. Ahern's legacy.
英国负责北爱尔兰事务的大臣伍德沃德在英国的电视节目中说，和平协定将是埃亨的政治遗产。
"His legacy here is that peace process, and that peace process is here to stay," he noted. "He was determined to change the lives for the people in Northern Ireland, just as Tony Blair was, and as a result of that determination it was possible to have that transformation."
伍德沃德说：“他的政治遗产是和平进程，和平进程将会继续下去。埃亨决心改变北爱尔兰人民的生活，就像布莱尔一样，这种决心使北爱尔兰可能发生变化。”
Mr. Ahern had previously said this would be his last term in office, but that he did not intend to go until it ended in 2012. Finance Minister Brian Cowen is favored to take over as Irish prime minister until new elections are held.
埃亨先前曾表示，这将是他最后一届总理任期，但是他并没有打算在2012年年底前离职。爱尔兰财政部长科恩被看好接任爱尔兰总理，直到举行新选举为止。
