2006年VOA标准英语-North Korea Conducts Missile Tests

By Paula Wolfson
White House
05 July 2006

U.S. officials say North Korea has test fired at least six missiles, including a long-range missile that failed shortly after launch. High level consultations¹ are underway.

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White House officials call the series of launches a provocation², but add there is no immediate³ threat to the United States.

All the tests occurred early Wednesday morning local time within the span of hours. Most involved short to medium range missiles that landed in the Sea of Japan. But one, the failed missile, was a Taepodong 2, the intercontinental missile that has been a focus of international attention.

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow   
  
The White House responded to the news of the launches with caution and relative calm. Spokesman Tony Snow said North Korea has further isolated⁴ itself by rebuffing diplomatic efforts and defying neighbors who asked them not to launch. National Security Advisor⁵ Steve Hadley said the North Koreans have now broken their own moratorium⁶ on testing, which was adopted in 1999.

When asked what action the United States might take, now that North Korea has defied calls from the international community to refrain from long range missile testing, both officials put the focus on diplomacy⁷. Snow announced the administration's chief negotiator on North Korea - Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill - will travel to the region later Wednesday. At the same time, Hadley will meet with his South Korean counterpart in Washington.

 
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley 
  
Hadley told reporters President Bush was notified almost immediately once the launches were detected. He said the president was not very surprised that North Korea would defy the international community. He said it is hard to understand why they would do it, and stressed it is important now to be able to assess their true intentions.

For his part, the White House spokesman downplayed the notion the launches were timed to coincide with America's Independence Day holiday. When asked by reporters about the timing⁸ Tony Snow referred to the North Korean leader and said simply ask Kim Jong-Il.

1 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 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。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

5 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

6 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。

7 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。

8 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。