VOA常速英语2008年-US, North Korea Hold Talks in Singapore

By Nancy-Amelia Collins
Jakarta
08 April 2008

The top U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill has met with his North Korean counterpart in Singapore to end an impasse¹ over talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program.  VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins in Jakarta has more.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill says a meeting in Singapore with North Korea's Vice² Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan went well and he hoped to make further announcements soon.

South Korean media reported earlier Kim saying there had been a "considerable narrowing of differences of views."

Hill told journalists shortly before the meeting started at the U.S. embassy in Singapore he did not expect the talks to reach an agreement, but warned time is running out.

"We are not looking for an agreement," Hill said. "I think we are looking to have a consultation³ on some of the issues that have kept us apart for several months.  Certainly I will be discussing the fact that we are kind of running out of time."

The talks have stalled since late last year, after North Korea failed to declare a full inventory⁴ of its nuclear activities and facilities as called for under a landmark⁵ deal struck in six-party talks with the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the two Koreas in February 2007.

Pyongyang says it provided the list in November, but the United States says it was incomplete.

The United States also wants North Korea to clear up allegations it has a secret uranium-enrichment program.

North Korea began disabling its main nuclear facilities last year in exchange for aid and diplomatic concessions⁶ under the six-party talks framework.

Hill will travel Wednesday to Beijing to meet with the heads of delegations⁷ from Japan, China, South Korea and brief the Russian ambassador to China. 

1 impasse   

n.僵局；死路

参考例句：

• The government had reached an impasse.政府陷入绝境。
• Negotiations seemed to have reached an impasse.谈判似乎已经陷入僵局。

2 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。

3 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

4 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。

5 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

6 concessions   

n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权

参考例句：

• The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
• The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。

7 delegations   

n.代表团( delegation的名词复数 )；委托，委派

参考例句：

• In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来，中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法