VOA标准英语2012--Tensions Rise Ahead of Planned North Korean Launch

Tensions Rise Ahead of Planned North Korean Launch

North Korea says it will launch this 32-meter-long rocket by April 16, with the goal of placing an Earth observation satellite into orbit. It will be the nation's third ballistic missile attempt, and the United States does not approve.

“We view the potential rocket launch as a very provocative¹ act that would be, if it were conducted, in direct violation² of North Korea’s international obligations,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney:

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland summed up the U.S. position this way: “Do not do it.”

Nuland noted³ that Pyongyang is also thought to be preparing a third underground nuclear test.

“That would be equally bad, if not worse,” she said.

Although the rocket’s projected southward trajectory⁴ does not cross over Japanese territory, Japan’s military is on full alert. 

“The Japanese government maintains the view that any launch of a missile is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said.

But Pyongyang maintains international prohibitions⁵ do not cover space endeavors. 

“The Space Treaty clearly states that every country has the right to develop space technology and explore space for peaceful purposes," said North Korean launch manager Jang Myong Jin.

Not so, says former CIA Korea specialist Bruce Klingner:

“After North Korea launched similar missiles or satellites, the U.N. Security Council passed a number of resolutions precluding⁶ North Korea from being able to launch any item using ballistic missile technology, as the wording says. So, whether they have a satellite up top or a recording⁷ device is immaterial,” he said.

Klingner says the launch is designed to boost the image of North Korea’s new leader, Kim Jong Un, at home and to strengthen the country’s bargaining position at international nuclear negotiations⁸.

“North Korea feels that when it is raising tensions, it will make other nations cower⁹ and offer concessions¹⁰ in return for lowering the tensions that North Korea has raised,” Klinger said.

Those tensions are keenly felt in South Korea, where officials warn of a threat to the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, and Asia as a whole, if the launch goes forward. 

1 provocative   

adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的

参考例句：

• She wore a very provocative dress.她穿了一件非常性感的裙子。
• His provocative words only fueled the argument further.他的挑衅性讲话只能使争论进一步激化。

2 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

3 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。

4 trajectory   

n.弹道，轨道

参考例句：

• It is not difficult to sketch the subsequent trajectory.很容易描绘出它们最终的轨迹。
• The path followed by a projectile is called its trajectory.抛物体所循的路径称为它的轨道。

5 prohibitions   

禁令，禁律( prohibition的名词复数 )； 禁酒； 禁例

参考例句：

• Nowadays NO PARKING is the most ubiquitous of prohibitions. 今天，“NO PARKING”（禁止停车），几乎成了到处可见的禁止用语了。
• Inappropriate, excessive or capricious administration of aversive stimulation has led to scandals, lawsuits and prohibitions. 不恰当的、过度的或随意滥用厌恶性刺激会引起人们的反感、控告与抵制。

6 precluding   

v.阻止( preclude的现在分词 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通

参考例句：

7 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

8 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。

9 cower   

v.畏缩，退缩，抖缩

参考例句：

• I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.我决不会在任何一位大师面前发抖，也不会为任何恐吓所屈服。
• Will the Chinese cower before difficulties when they are not afraid even of death?中国人死都不怕，还怕困难吗？

10 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。