2006年VOA标准英语-US: If N. Korea Launches Missile Without Notice

（单词翻译）

 By Al Pessin
Washington
19 June 2006
 

S. Koreans use binoculars¹ to look at the North side from Imjingak near the border village of the Panmunjom, north of Seoul, June 18, 2006   
  
The Defense² Department says in the absence of any statement by the North Korean government it will not be possible to know whether a widely expected missile launch is a test or an attack.

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Spokesman Bryan Whitman would not confirm reports that North Korea is preparing to launch a long-range missile, saying he could not discuss intelligence matters. But he says if there is a launch without any advance notice from the government in Pyongyang, there will be no basis on which to assume it is only a test.

"'Test' would, to me, indicate that you are doing something like an exercise," he said. "You are testing a missile. 'Test' has intent behind it, as opposed to launching a missile. When you are launching a missile, to me, you [others] do not know what the intent of the launch is, you [others] do not know if the launch is intended to be a test or something else."

The Pentagon spokesman hinted to reporters that if North Korea launches a missile the United States might use its new missile defense system.

"The United States does have a limited missile defense system. I will not get into or discuss any specific alert status or capabilities," added Whitman.

The U.S. Missile Defense system relies on radars³ and other systems on the ground and on satellites to detect missile launches and deploy⁴ interceptors to shoot them down. The system has had some successful tests, and some failures, and is not yet fully⁵ operational.

The Pentagon spokesman and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice again referred to any North Korean launch as 'a provocative⁶ act.' And Secretary Rice says she has been coordinating⁷ possible responses with allies.

"It would once again show North Korea determined⁸ to deepen its isolation⁹, determined not to take a path that is a path of compromise and a path of peace," said Rice.

Secretary Rice says a launch would violate North Korea's own moratorium, and she says maintaining the moratorium is part of the agreement North Korea signed last September to pursue a diplomatic solution to the dispute over its nuclear program