VOA标准英语2011--US, N. Korea Tentative about Future Relations

US, N. Korea Tentative about Future Relations

There are still more questions than answers about what comes next for North Korea, as the communist nation mourns the death of long-time leader Kim Jong Il. One question increasingly on the minds of some analysts¹: Is the United States missing a chance to make critical inroads with the new regime?

Flags fly at half-staff in North Korea, as North Koreans publicly grieve.

What has been missing so far, any official offer of condolences from the United States. And State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland made clear earlier this week, no such statement will be coming.

"With regard to the 'C word,' I think we didn't consider it appropriate in this case," said Nuland.

The U.S. did issue a statement that Nuland described as a signal of Washington's "expectations and hopes for the new regime."

But is that enough?

Former US Representative for North Korea Stephen Bosworth says maybe, or maybe not.

"North Korea makes decisions on what it’s going to negotiate, or how it’s going to negotiate, what it’s going to give up, in terms of demands, very much based on their own perception of their self-interest," said Bosworth.

The U.S. officially expressed its condolences to North Korea in 1994, when Kim Jong Il's father, Kim Il Sung, died. Bosworth says that may have helped ease tensions for a while.

Pyongyang signed onto the so-called "Framework Agreement," freezing its nuclear programs just a few months later.

But any gains quickly disappeared. North Korea has continued to pursue nuclear weapons while stoking tensions with South Korea.

Just last year, North Korea launched an unprovoked attack on a South Korean warship², killing³ 46 sailors. A few months later, it shelled South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island, killing four.

In addition to Pyongyang's erratic⁴ behavior, there are also political considerations for the U.S., especially as it heads into an election year.

Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage says the U.S. needs to be careful it does not give Pyongyang too much room to maneuver⁵.

"It makes us look weak and them look strong," said Armitage. "I think the better part of wisdom is to keep our powder dry, take a deep breath and watch carefully."

For now, it seems what happens next will be in the hands of Kim Jong Il's youngest son, Kim Jong Un - a man who like his country, is a mystery to many on the outside.

1 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

2 warship   

n.军舰，战舰

参考例句：

• He is serving on a warship in the Pacific.他在太平洋海域的一艘军舰上服役。
• The warship was making towards the pier.军舰正驶向码头。

3 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

4 erratic   

adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的

参考例句：

• The old man had always been cranky and erratic.那老头儿性情古怪,反复无常。
• The erratic fluctuation of market prices is in consequence of unstable economy.经济波动致使市场物价忽起忽落。

5 maneuver   

n.策略[pl.]演习；v.(巧妙)控制；用策略

参考例句：

• All the fighters landed safely on the airport after the military maneuver.在军事演习后，所有战斗机都安全降落在机场上。
• I did get her attention with this maneuver.我用这个策略确实引起了她的注意。