12-26-06

台灣附近海底發生地震 (Undersea Earthquake Strikes Near Taiwan)

地震學家說，台灣海岸以南發生了7.1級地震。

日本地震學家發出地區海嘯警報，說1米高的海嘯正在朝菲律賓方向逼近。科學家說，這次地震的規模看來不足以引發太平洋範圍的海嘯，但較小規模的海嘯可能會破壞震中附近的海岸線。

台灣科學家說，這次地震後，台灣西南方向海域發生了一次6.4級余震。目前還沒有關於人員傷亡和財產損失的報導，不過當地居民說，全島都能感覺到第一次震動。

地質學家說，這次地震發生在距台灣南端不到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.

潘基文吁解決北韓核糾紛有耐心 (Ban Calls for Patience in North Korean Nuclear Dispute)

即將正式上任的聯合國秘書長潘基文呼籲通過外交努力制止北韓核武器項目要有耐心。

潘基文說，上星期在北京舉行的六方會談在勸說北韓放棄核武器方面沒有取得進展，令人遺憾。但是他說，應該保持這種多邊談判解決爭端的方式。

這位前南韓外交通商部長官說，他1月1號接任聯合國秘書長職務後不打算立即出訪北韓。但是他保證將把北韓問題作為一項當務之急。

潘基文星期二在首爾還說，作為聯合國秘書長，他將集中精力爭取和平解決黎巴嫩、蘇丹和伊朗等地區性衝突和爭端。

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.