2006年VOA标准英语-US Envoy Seeks Resumption of Six-Party Talks on

By Steve Herman
Tokyo
04 September 2006
 

US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is surrounded by reporters upon arrival at Narita international airport, near Tokyo, Monday, September 4, 2006

The top U.S. negotiator has arrived in Japan with a warning that it may be difficult to revive talks on North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons. 

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The U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia returned to the region Monday for consultations¹ with Japanese, South Korean and Chinese diplomats² about North Korea's nuclear program.

Christopher Hill, speaking to reporters at Narita International Airport outside Tokyo, said he was not optimistic about a quick resumption of six-way talks on North Korea, which have not been held for nearly a year.

"It's very clear we're in a very difficult period with the six-party process," he said. "The D.P.R.K. has not indicated any interest, right now, in returning to the process."

Hill's visit comes as concerns mount that North Korea, also known as the D.P.R.K., may be preparing to conduct its first nuclear weapons test. North Korea has declared it has such weapons.

A year ago, Pyongyang vowed³ to give up its nuclear program in exchange for security guarantees and much-needed foreign aid. However, it has refused to return to talks, because of U.S. sanctions imposed on some of its overseas businesses.

Washington contends the businesses are used to launder⁴ money and are tied to other criminal activities.

The Pyongyang government in July caused regional alarm by test-firing seven missiles.

Hill had no comment on speculation⁵ North Korea might conduct more such tests this Saturday when it marks its 58th anniversary as a nation.

Besides the two Koreas, Japan and the United States, the six-party talks also include host China and Russia.

Hill is to visit Beijing later this week, and is scheduled to hold talks in Seoul starting September 11. That will be just three days before South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun goes to Washington for a summit with President Bush.

1 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

4 launder   

v.洗涤；洗黑钱（把来路可疑的钱弄得似乎合法）

参考例句：

• She wore a freshly laundered and starched white shirt.她穿一件刚刚浆洗熨烫过的白色衬衣。
• The gang launders the steal money through their chain of restaurants.这帮匪徒通过他们的连锁饭店洗赃款。

5 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。