2007年VOA标准英语-US Says: 'One Issue' Blocks North Korea Nuclear

By Kurt Achin
Seoul
10 February 2007

The chief U.S. envoy¹ to six-nation talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weapons capability² says delegates are going to keep working to resolve a single issue blocking a deal.  VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Beijing, where the talks are taking place.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, center, speaks to reporters after his meeting with chief North Korean negotiator Kim Kye Gwan, 9 Feb 2007

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said Saturday night, six-nation talks in Beijing are an unspecified "single issue" away from a joint³ agreement on steps toward ending North Korea's nuclear weapons capability.

"We're looking for some ways through this," he said.  "In my view, it's really worth staying with."

Hill is joined by counterparts from China, which has hosted the six-party process since 2003, as well as South Korea, Japan and Russia.  The five nations are trying to convince North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons for diplomatic and economic incentives⁴.

North Korea agreed in principle to do that in September 2005, but implementation⁵ was delayed by Pyongyang's objection to U.S. financial sanctions targeting what Washington described as North Korean money laundering⁶ and counterfeiting⁷.  Hill says the financial issue is no longer a sticking point.

The six nations are now seeking to agree on a proposal for concrete action steps proposed by China, something Hill says is much more specific than the September 2005 agreement.

"Unlike in a general set of principles, where there is room for different sides to try to interpret things differently, when you talk about implementation, you've really got to have a very precise notion of what it's going to look like," he added.

Hill says North Korea's "measurement" of the issue in question differs from that of the other five nations.  Experts speculate the issue involves energy compensation for Pyongyang, in exchange for a halt in nuclear materials production.

Failing to solve the issue this week, says Hill, could deal a blow to the six-party process itself.

"If we don't solve this, I think, it's sort of tough to reconvene the six parties.  So, we have to figure out a way through it," he noted⁸.

Hill says patience is crucial in achieving a breakthrough.

"There's no magic in diplomacy," he said.  "I mean, whenever you pull a rabbit out of a hat, it's because you've spent a lot of time - boy, a lot of time - trying to stuff that rabbit down the hat."

The six-nation talks are scheduled to continue Sunday.  Delegates say they will probably conclude sometime early next week.

1 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

2 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

3 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

4 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

5 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

6 laundering   

n.洗涤（衣等），洗烫（衣等）；洗（钱）v.洗（衣服等），洗烫（衣服等）( launder的现在分词 )；洗（黑钱）（把非法收入改头换面，变为貌似合法的收入）

参考例句：

• Separate the white clothes from the dark clothes before laundering. 洗衣前应当把浅色衣服和深色衣服分开。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He was charged with laundering money. 他被指控洗钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 counterfeiting   

n.伪造v.仿制，造假( counterfeit的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was sent to prison for counterfeiting five-dollar bills. 他因伪造5美元的钞票被捕入狱。 来自辞典例句
• National bureau released securities, certificates with security anti-counterfeiting paper technical standards. 国家质量技术监督局发布了证券、证件用安全性防伪纸张技术标准。 来自互联网

8 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。