西部落：朝鲜获美国粮食援助

A modest first step in the right direction. The words of the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton announcing North Korea's freeze of summit its nuclear activities. The move comes just two months after the death of long-time leader Kim Jong Il and a handover part his son Kim Jong-un. Some observers hope it signals a softening¹ of Pyongyang stanks,but Mrs. Clinton isn't so sure.

沿正确的方向跨越了最谦逊的一步。美国国务卿希拉里·克林顿宣布朝鲜暂停核试验时如是说道。这次粮食援助行动发生于朝鲜长期领导人金正日逝世，其子金正恩继位两个月后。一些观察家希望此举传达了缓和平壤危机的信号，对此克林顿女士也模棱两可。

"Now,United States,I will be quick to add,still has profound concerns. But on the ocassion of Kim Jong Il's death,I said that it is our hope that the new leadership will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by living up to its obligations. Today's announcement represents a modest first step in the right direction. We,of course,will be watching closely and judging North Korea's new leaders by their actions."

“现在我长话短说，美国仍有深远的疑虑。但是在金正日逝世之际，我希望新一任领导人能履行责任，带领朝鲜走入和平的正轨上。今日的声明意味的是沿正确的方向跨越了最谦逊的一步。当然我们会密切关注和判断朝鲜新一任领导人的一举一动。”

This could of course be peer pragmatism on North Korea's part. Last year,the United Nation's warn that the country's facing its worst food shortage in the decade with millions of people at risk. It suffered persistent² famines since the 1990s. America's 240,000 tons of food aid will go some way towards helping³ the state seemingly unable to feed its people. And Pyongyang's nuclear freeze could also lead to the restarting of disarmed⁴ negotiations⁵ with among others-South Korea,the US and Russia,which were abandoned in 2009. So perhaps this is more than just a modest first step.

对于朝鲜来说，这次援助无疑是一次平等的实用主义。去年美国就警告朝鲜面临着20年来最严重的食物短缺危机，威胁着上百万人的生命。自上世纪90年代起，朝鲜就不断遭受着饥荒。美国24万吨粮食援助将在某种程度上帮助这个似乎无法养活其子民的国家。平壤暂停核试验也重启了与他国（包括韩国、美国和俄罗斯）的无核化谈判，此类谈判在2009年就被遗弃。所以这可不单单是沿正确的方向跨越了最谦逊的一步。

March 4th Sky News

3月4日天空新闻

1 softening   

变软，软化

参考例句：

• Her eyes, softening, caressed his face. 她的眼光变得很温柔了。它们不住地爱抚他的脸。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
• He might think my brain was softening or something of the kind. 他也许会觉得我婆婆妈妈的，已经成了个软心肠的人了。

2 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 disarmed   

v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒

参考例句：

• Most of the rebels were captured and disarmed. 大部分叛乱分子被俘获并解除了武装。
• The swordsman disarmed his opponent and ran him through. 剑客缴了对手的械，并对其乱刺一气。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。