عنوان درس: زندانی شدن خبرنگاران آمریکایی در کره شمالی

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American diplomats say they are using all possible channels to release the two journalists, but the reality is it's not going to be easy. The United States and North Korea don't have diplomatic relations. Messages are passed using officials from third countries. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il has wanted direct talks with the United States for years, and may use the two Americans, Euna Lee and Laura Ling as 'bargaining chips' to try to win concessions from Washington.

Guards from the North arrested the pair while they were working near the country's border with China on March 17th. They have now been convicted of hostile acts against the country, and entering the North illegally. They face the prospect of being sent to one of the North's prison camps. The US State Department has described conditions in these institutions as 'harsh' and 'life-threatening'.

Before the verdicts came in, the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton had described the charges against the two women as 'baseless' and said they should be allowed to return home. She is thought to be exploring the possibility of sending an envoy to try to secure their release. There's been speculation in recent days that the former US vice president Al Gore might travel to Pyongyang. He's the co-founder of the media company the two women work for.

Chris Hogg, BBC News, Seoul

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all possible channels
تمام راه های ممکن، تمام امکانات

diplomatic relations
روابط دیپلماتیک

direct talks
مذاکرات مستقیم

bargaining chips
ابزار چانه زنی

win concessions
گرفتن امتیازات

convicted of hostile acts
have been convicted of hostile acts: در انجام اقدامات خصمانه مقصر شناخته شده اند

harsh
در اینجا: سخت و شاق

life-threatening
مخاطره انگیز برای جان شخص

baseless
بی اساس و بی پایه

an envoy
یک نماینده