2006年VOA标准英语-S. Korea, Japan Explore Diplomatic Exit Fr

By Kurt Achin
Seoul
20 April 2006

South Korea and Japan are working to prevent a diplomatic confrontation¹ over disputed islands from escalating². Authorities in Seoul say they hope diplomacy³ will be successful, but warn that Japan will be to blame if events at sea take a turn for the worse.

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Korean War veteran shouts slogans as he holds picture of Dokdo - disputed island Japan claims as its own  
  

South Korean Foreign Ministry⁴ spokesman Choo Kyu-ho said a "physical clash" remained a possibility Thursday, as Japanese and South Korean vessels⁵ prepare for a potential face-off in disputed waters.

Japan says it is briefly⁶ delaying plans to conduct an oceanographic survey near islands claimed by both nations. South Korea calls the islands Dokdo. Japan, which calls them Takeshima, seized the islands in 1905, when it imposed 35 years of harsh colonial rule on the Korean peninsula.

South Korean authorities at the highest levels are denouncing Tokyo's survey plans as an aggressive provocation⁷. Officials here on Thursday rejected Japan's offer to call off the survey, if South Korea would abandon attempts to give Korean names to maritime⁸ features in the area.

At least 20 South Korean coast guard vessels backed by aircraft are heading to the disputed area. Japanese media report two Japanese coast guard vessels are preparing to conduct the controversial survey. Forecasters have predicted high winds and waves in the area, but Tokyo says an attempt at diplomacy, and not the weather, has delayed the mission temporarily. 

Shinzo Abe    
  
Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Shinzo Abe, said Thursday that both countries are hoping for a peaceful resolution.  Abe said a calm response is necessary, and that contacts between Japan and South Korea are taking place.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro⁹ Aso says talks have been going on between vice¹⁰ ministers and ambassadors of both countries.

South Korean Foreign Minster Ban Ki-moon summoned Japan's ambassador to South Korea Thursday for discussions aimed at clarifying Seoul's position. 

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun (File photo)   
  
But South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is continuing to talk tough. A day after he suggested Seoul's days of "quiet diplomacy" with Japan may be ending, he hinted Thursday at a further hardening of his foreign policy.

In a meeting with Christian¹¹ leaders, Mr. Roh said good will alone may not be enough to resolve the dispute.

Mr. Roh said South Korea is facing a difficult situation, which may not be solvable with words alone. He said South Korea will need both wisdom and courage in the days ahead.

1 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

2 escalating   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的现在分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The cost of living is escalating. 生活费用在迅速上涨。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The cost of living is escalating in the country. 这个国家的生活费用在上涨。 来自辞典例句

3 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

4 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

5 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

7 provocation   

n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因

参考例句：

• He's got a fiery temper and flares up at the slightest provocation.他是火爆性子，一点就着。
• They did not react to this provocation.他们对这一挑衅未作反应。

8 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

9 taro   

n.芋，芋头

参考例句：

• Main grain crop has taro,corn,banana to wait.主要粮食作物有芋头、玉米、芭蕉等。
• You celebrate your birthday with taro,red bean and butter.用红豆、芋头和黄油给自己过生日。

10 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

11 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。