米朝核合意 ウラン濃縮停止を見極めたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 3, 2012)
Suspension of uranium enrichment by N. Korea must be confirmed
米朝核合意　ウラン濃縮停止を見極めたい（3月2日付・読売社説）

Will the latest agreement really bring about a suspension of North Korea's nuclear weapons development program? The important thing is to see that country steadily carry out actions that were agreed upon.
　北朝鮮の核開発に歯止めをかけることにつながるのか。重要なのは、合意した措置を確実に実行することである。

The United States and North Korea have announced they agreed during last week's bilateral talks that North Korea will temporarily halt its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, while the United States will extend 240,000 tons of food assistance to North Korea.
　米国と北朝鮮が、先週、北京で行った協議について、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮活動などを一時停止する一方、米国は２４万トンの食糧支援を実施することで合意した、と発表した。

It took about a week until Wednesday's announcement because it is believed to have been necessary to check the contents of the agreement and coordinate among countries concerned.
　発表まで約１週間たったのは、合意内容の点検や関係国との調整が必要だったためと見られる。

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Limited, but important, progress

According to the U.S. government, North Korea will stop nuclear and related activities in Yongbyon, including nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and the launching of long-range missiles. North Korea also agreed to accept verification and confirmation by the International Atomic Energy Agency of the halt of its nuclear activities.
　米政府によると、北朝鮮が停止するのは、長距離ミサイル発射、核実験、ウラン濃縮活動を含む寧辺での核活動だ。北朝鮮は、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）による核活動停止の検証、確認を受け入れることも同意した。

Three years ago North Korea ejected IAEA inspectors from Yongbyon and carried out a second nuclear test. Declaring it would use all the plutonium it possesses for weapons and start uranium enrichment, it has been continuing its nuclear program.
　北朝鮮は３年前、ＩＡＥＡ要員を寧辺から強制退去させ、２度目の核実験を強行した。保有するプルトニウム全量を「兵器化」し、ウラン濃縮活動を開始する、と宣言して核開発を続けている。

If the situation is left untouched, it will only be a matter of time until North Korea deploys nuclear missiles. Considering the danger, the agreement this time is "important, if limited, progress," as the U.S. government put it.
　このままでは、北朝鮮の核ミサイル配備も時間の問題だ。その危険を考えれば、今回の合意は、米政府が言う通り「限定的ながらも重要な進展」には違いない。

The problem is whether North Korea will surely halt its uranium enrichment program. Past events have shown the country has scrapped international agreements a number of times. The United States must seriously discuss with North Korea the procedures for implementing the agreement so as not to allow loopholes for the reclusive country.
　問題は、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を確実に停止するのかどうかだ。北朝鮮は、幾度も合意を反古(ほご)にしてきた経緯がある。合意履行の手順について、米国は、抜け道を許さぬよう厳しく詰めるべきだ。

Food assistance from the United States will be mainly nutritional assistance to infants and small children as well as pregnant women, including dietary supplements. The U.S. government has left open the prospect of additional assistance depending on necessity.
　米国からの食糧支援は乳幼児や妊婦向けの栄養補助食品で、必要に応じて追加支援する可能性もあるという。

We think North Korea will perform concrete steps such as suspending uranium enrichment and accepting the IAEA's verification team, while closely watching the progress of the food assistance.
北朝鮮はこの食糧支援の状況を見定めながら、ウラン濃縮停止や検証受け入れなどの具体的措置を講じるのではないか。

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When will actual halt take place?

According to the original plan, the United States will provide 20,000 tons of food per month over a 12-month period. Will North Korea actually take steps toward stopping uranium enrichment when the first shipment of food aid arrives or after a considerable amount arrives? It is important to clarify this point before actual shipments begin.
　米国の当初の計画では、２万トンずつ１年かけて提供する予定だ。北朝鮮がウラン濃縮停止に動くのは、最初の食糧の到着時か、それとも相当量が到着した時なのか。明確にしておく必要がある。

Even if the agreement is implemented as stated, it is still dangerous to heave a premature sigh of relief.
　合意が履行されたとしても、安心するのは危険だ。

Concerning suspension of uranium enrichment, the agreement targets only the Yongbyon facility that was previously opened to U.S. nuclear experts. Basically, the agreement is merely a partial "suspension" of North Korea's entire nuclear development activities. Therefore, the possibility remains that North Korea will continue uranium enrichment at secret nuclear facilities elsewhere.
　ウラン濃縮の停止について、合意は、北朝鮮が米国の核専門家に公開した寧辺の施設だけを対象にした。合意は、あくまで核活動の部分的な「停止」に過ぎず、秘密の核施設で北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を続ける可能性は十分に残る。

Since the death of longtime leader Kim Jong Il, North Korea has been hurriedly trying to consolidate the regime that succeeded him, with his young son Kim Jong Un at the center of the country's administration.
　金正日総書記の死去後、北朝鮮は若い正恩氏を中心とする後継体制固めを急いでいる。

The more vulnerable the regime feels, the more it will stick to its nuclear program and missiles, dubbed the "heritage of revolution," and will never give up them.
その体制が脆弱(ぜいじゃく)であればあるほど、「革命の遺産」である核とミサイルにしがみつき、手放すはずはない。

The fundamental threat of North Korea has not been lessened. We must stay alert.
　北朝鮮の根本的な脅威は減じておらず、警戒は怠れない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2012)
（2012年3月2日01時16分 読売新聞）