2007年VOA标准英语-Diplomats Gather for North Korea Nuclear Talks

By Kurt Achin
Beijing
07 February 2007

Senior international diplomats¹ are arriving in the Chinese capital for another attempt to negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons capabilities². Unlike many past sessions, there has been considerable positive speculation³ about this round, with many experts predicting at least a partial deal may be struck. VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Beijing.

Christopher Hill, right, arrives in Beijing, 7 Feb. 2007

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said Wednesday that conditions may be right to start implementing⁴ North Korea's promise to end its nuclear weapons program.

"It's a very important session," Hill noted⁵. "We all know what we need to try to accomplish.... we're not going to finish that this week, we'll just maybe take a good first step."

Hill arrived in Beijing Wednesday to lead the U.S. delegation⁶ to talks on ending North Korea's nuclear programs. Host China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea begin meeting with the U.S. and North Korean negotiators Thursday.

Three years of negotiations⁷ have yielded little progress, and last October, North Korea tested its first nuclear explosive. But over the past few weeks, experts and negotiators have indicated things might change this time. Several news reports have said both sides might be willing to make initial steps toward fulfilling Pyongyang's promise to end its nuclear programs in return for aid and security guarantees.

The initial signs of progress came last month, after Hill met with his North Korean counterpart. Shortly after that meeting, a date was set for this round of talks. In addition, U.S. Treasury⁸ and North Korean officials met to discuss Pyongyang's demands that Washington lift financial sanctions on some North Korean enterprises.

Mike Chinoy specializes in North Korea as a fellow at the Pacific Council on International Relations in Los Angeles. He says some U.S. leaders who opposed engaging with North Korea, such as Vice⁹ President Dick Cheney and former Defense¹⁰ Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, have been politically sidelined because of public disapproval¹¹ of the U.S. military campaign in Iraq.

That, he says, gives Ambassador Hill a stronger hand than before to negotiate a deal.

"One question is, do the North Koreans appreciate this change? Do they feel there's enough of an opening for them to do something? The bigger question is, having declared themselves a nuclear power in a very public way with their test, and having trumpeted¹² that internally - are there any circumstances under which the North would in fact agree to roll that back?" he said.

Chinoy and other experts say there are widespread expectations the United States may offer to lift at least part of the banking¹³ sanctions against North Korea, while Pyongyang may halt some or all of its nuclear production at least temporarily.

However, Hill and other U.S. officials have said in recent weeks that any agreement must eventually lead to North Korea completely shutting down its nuclear operations.

Ultimately, that could derail the talks. Many regional experts caution that North Korea has been unpredictable in the past, and that it may not be willing to ever give up its nuclear weapons.

1 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》

2 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

3 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。

4 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

7 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。

8 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

9 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

10 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

11 disapproval   

n.反对，不赞成

参考例句：

• The teacher made an outward show of disapproval.老师表面上表示不同意。
• They shouted their disapproval.他们喊叫表示反对。

12 trumpeted   

大声说出或宣告（trumpet的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Soldiers trumpeted and bugled. 士兵们吹喇叭鸣号角。
• The radio trumpeted the presidential campaign across the country. 电台在全国范围大力宣传总统竞选运动。

13 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。