2007年VOA标准英语-Draft Agreement Reached in North Korean Nuclear

By Kurt Achin
Beijing
12 February 2007

Six-nation talks in Beijing aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programs are to be extended into a sixth day, after negotiators had managed to bridge some gaps. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Beijing, where the fifth day of talks turned into a late-night marathon of negotiations¹.

Christopher Hill meets with the media before leaving for a fifth day of negotiations in Beijing, 12 Feb 2007

Appearing weary and red-eyed, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill returned from six-nation nuclear talks in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday morning here in Beijing.

He said the more than 12 hours he and other delegates invested in the day's negotiations had been time well spent.

"I think we made a lot of progress, so much so, that I think the Chinese felt secure in distributing a final text," said Christopher Hill. "But, it has to be approved and so we'll have a meeting tomorrow [Tuesday]."

Hill is the chief U.S. delegate to the six-nation talks, which have been in session since last Thursday. The United States, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea are trying to agree on a list of actions to begin the process of dismantling² North Korea's nuclear programs.

The contents of the draft agreement are not yet public, but are widely anticipated to include an exchange of energy assistance to Pyongyang for a halt in nuclear production.

China had announced that Monday would be the final day of the talks. Delegates from the five partner nations criticized North Korea for unreasonably³ high energy demands.

However, Hill says Monday's session produced some useful give and take.

"Everybody had to make some changes to try to narrow the differences," he said. "Let's get the thing approved, and then we can talk who did what."

Hill says it is now up to the Chinese hosts to secure final approval from all other delegations⁴. Experts say China's role in persuading North Korea is especially crucial, because Beijing is the North's main strategic ally and source of badly needed food, fuel, and trade.

Hill does not rule out extending the talks beyond Tuesday's planned session - if there is momentum⁵.

"In these negotiations, you stay as long as it takes, and as long as you're making progress," noted⁶ Christopher Hill.

The contents of this week's draft agreement are expected to be published once it has been approved.

1 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。

2 dismantling   

（枪支）分解

参考例句：

• The new government set about dismantling their predecessors' legislation. 新政府正着手废除其前任所制定的法律。
• The dismantling of a nuclear reprocessing plant caused a leak of radioactivity yesterday. 昨天拆除核后处理工厂引起了放射物泄漏。

3 unreasonably   

adv. 不合理地

参考例句：

• He was also petty, unreasonably querulous, and mean. 他还是个气量狭窄，无事生非，平庸刻薄的人。
• Food in that restaurant is unreasonably priced. 那家饭店价格不公道。

4 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

5 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

6 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。