2006年VOA标准英语-North Korean Missile Raises Speculation

By Kurt Achin
Seoul
20 June 2006

Although concerns remain high that North Korea might soon fire a long-range missile, there are some doubts that a launch is imminent¹. The U.S. ambassador to South Korea warns that a missile launch would only further isolate² the communist state.

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South Korean lawmakers say they were told at an intelligence briefing that despite signs Pyongyang is preparing to launch a missile, it is not clear if it will do so.

The politicians say it is not certain North Korea has finished fueling the missile, meaning it could be some days before a launch. In addition, other South Korean experts said cloudy weather over the North recently could delay a launch.

The administration of South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun briefed senior members of his Uri Party on the potential for a North Korean missile launch. Uri spokesman Woo Sang-ho says the administration and party members are of one mind on the prospective³ launch. He says everyone agrees the situation is very serious, and that North Korea should not launch a missile. A launch, he says, will do no good for anyone.

The United States, Japan, South Korea and other countries have warned North Korea that a launch would not be in its interests. They say Pyongyang should instead return to six-nation talks on ending its nuclear-weapons programs.

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Vershbow says a missile test would increase the North's isolation⁴.

"We want to achieve a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue, and we want to establish a more normal relationship with North Korea through the six-party process," he said. "We hope that they do not carry out the test and that they seize the opportunity they have been failing to seize for many months now."

Vershbow says "the door is still open" for dialogue. He also said repeated earlier U.S. statements that a missile launch would require a U.S. response of some kind.

"This missile has a military capability⁵, and we view it therefore as a serious matter," he said.

Vershbow met with former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, whose 2000 summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il brought a thaw⁶ in North-South relations. Though Kim Dae-jung is scheduled to make a return visit to North Korea next week, Vershbow says the status of that visit is not clear in light of the possible missile test.

Kim Dae-jung has called for North Korea to return to talks with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States aimed at implementing⁷ a nuclear disarmament pledge it made last September. He also urges the United States to end sanctions against the North and offer Pyongyang security guarantees.

North Korea last tested a long-range missile in 1998, when a Taepodong missile landed in the Pacific Ocean east of Japan. It then placed a moratorium⁸ on long-range missile launches, though it has tested shorter-range weapons. Many experts think Pyongyang is preparing to test another version of the Taepodong.

Pyongyang's official media is criticizing the United States for its development of a missile-defense system. North Korea said that system would lead to a war in space, and accused the U.S. of wanting to attain⁹ world supremacy¹⁰. Pyongyang has often said it needs heavy armament, including nuclear weapons, to protect itself from a possible invasion by the United States.

1 imminent   

adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的

参考例句：

• The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
• The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。

2 isolate   

vt.使孤立，隔离

参考例句：

• Do not isolate yourself from others.不要把自己孤立起来。
• We should never isolate ourselves from the masses.我们永远不能脱离群众。

3 prospective   

adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的

参考例句：

• The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.这篇报道应该对其他潜在的购买者起到警示作用。
• They have all these great activities for prospective freshmen.这会举办各种各样的活动来招待未来的新人。

4 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

5 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。

6 thaw   

v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和

参考例句：

• The snow is beginning to thaw.雪已开始融化。
• The spring thaw caused heavy flooding.春天解冻引起了洪水泛滥。

7 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

8 moratorium   

n.(行动、活动的)暂停(期)，延期偿付

参考例句：

• The government has called for a moratorium on weapons testing.政府已要求暂停武器试验。
• We recommended a moratorium on two particular kinds of experiments.我们建议暂禁两种特殊的实验。

9 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

10 supremacy   

n.至上；至高权力

参考例句：

• No one could challenge her supremacy in gymnastics.她是最优秀的体操运动员，无人能胜过她。
• Theoretically,she holds supremacy as the head of the state.从理论上说，她作为国家的最高元首拥有至高无上的权力。