12-26-06

台湾附近海底发生地震 (Undersea Earthquake Strikes Near Taiwan)

地震学家说，台湾海岸以南发生了7.1级地震。

日本地震学家发出地区海啸警报，说1米高的海啸正在朝菲律宾方向逼近。科学家说，这次地震的规模看来不足以引发太平洋范围的海啸，但较小规模的海啸可能会破坏震中附近的海岸线。

台湾科学家说，这次地震后，台湾西南方向海域发生了一次6.4级余震。目前还没有关于人员伤亡和财产损失的报导，不过当地居民说，全岛都能感觉到第一次震动。

地质学家说，这次地震发生在距台湾南端不到100公里的海底。

Seismologists say a seven-point-one magnitude earthquake has struck off the southern coast of Taiwan.

Japanese seismologists have issued a local tsunami warning and say a one-meter-tall tsunami may now be heading for the Philippines. Scientists say the quake did not appear to be large enough to trigger a Pacific-wide tsunami, but a smaller tsunami could damage shoreline near the epicenter.

Taiwanese scientists say the earthquake was followed by a magnitude six-point-four aftershock that struck off southwestern Taiwan. There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, but local residents say the first tremor was felt throughout the island.

Geologists report the earthquake occurred at sea, less than 100 kilometers off Taiwan's southern tip.

潘基文吁解决北韩核纠纷有耐心 (Ban Calls for Patience in North Korean Nuclear Dispute)

即将正式上任的联合国秘书长潘基文呼吁通过外交努力制止北韩核武器项目要有耐心。

潘基文说，上星期在北京举行的六方会谈在劝说北韩放弃核武器方面没有取得进展，令人遗憾。但是他说，应该保持这种多边谈判解决争端的方式。

这位前韩国外交通商部长官说，他1月1号接任联合国秘书长职务后不打算立即出访北韩。但是他保证将把北韩问题作为一项当务之急。

潘基文星期二在首尔还说，作为联合国秘书长，他将集中精力争取和平解决黎巴嫩、苏丹和伊朗等地区性冲突和争端。

Incoming U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling for patience in diplomatic efforts to halt North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Mr. Ban says it is regrettable that six-party talks held in Beijing last week failed to make progress in persuading Pyongyang to abandon nuclear weapons. But, he says the multilateral negotiating format should be maintained to try to resolve the dispute.

The former South Korean foreign minister says he has no immediate plans to visit North Korea after he takes office as U.N. chief on January first. But, he promised to make the North Korean issue one of his top priorities.

Ban also said Tuesday in Seoul that he will focus his work as U.N. chief on seeking peaceful resolutions to regional conflicts and disputes involving Lebanon, Sudan and Iran.