2006年VOA标准英语-UN Sets Saturday Vote on North Korea Sanctions

（单词翻译）

By Peter Heinlein
United Nations
13 October 2006

The U.N. Security Council has tentatively agreed to impose stiff sanctions on North Korea for its apparent nuclear test. A formal vote is scheduled for Saturday.

The United States introduced a compromise draft resolution Friday that softens¹ previous proposals for tough penalties on Pyongyang for its nuclear test claim.

Earlier drafts called for a total arms embargo². The latest version drops that. Instead, the measure would prohibit North Korea from trading in specific items, including combat aircraft, missiles and tanks.

The revised draft also softens the legally binding³ nature of the sanctions, to make clear that no military force would be used to enforce its terms.

The amendments⁴ were in response to concern voiced by Russia and China during negotiations⁵ late Thursday.

Amb. John Bolton at the United Nations, Oct. 13, 2006

Washington's U.N. ambassador, John Bolton, says the resolution constitutes a prompt and resolute⁶ response to what many members have called North Korea's "outrageous⁷ behavior."

"We've already had hours and hours of negotiations since the nuclear test on Monday, and I remain hopeful that the Council can act by the end of the week, as I've said, however you want to define that. I think it's important that the Council provide a swift and strong response," he said.

Bolton said Washington is satisfied with the scope of the weapons ban, even though it will contain an exemption⁸ to allow North Korea to trade in small arms.

"We have proposed a compromise on the arms embargo that would place under embargo the most dangerous, most sophisticated, most lethal⁹ weapons. So, that's a substantial step forward," he said.

The draft would authorize¹⁰ countries to inspect all cargo¹¹ entering or leaving North Korea to check for goods that could be related to ballistic missile or nuclear weapons production.

It also bans the import of luxury goods to the impoverished¹² nation. Ambassador Bolton said the luxury goods ban was aimed specifically at North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who is known for his lavish¹³ lifestyle.

"The North Korean population has been losing average height and weight over the years, and maybe this'll be a little diet for Kim Jong Il," he said.

As ambassadors and foreign ministers worked out final details of a Security Council resolution, a U.S. intelligence official told VOA experts analyzing¹⁴ data from sensor¹⁵ aircraft found no evidence of radiological fallout.

Pyongyang announced the test last Monday, and seismic¹⁶ evidence confirmed there was a large explosion at a remote North Korean site. The announcement was widely condemned¹⁷, prompting the Security Council action.

But U.S. officials say it is still too early to determine whether it was an underground nuclear explosion or a conventional weapon.