This completes a transition to Iraqi responsibility for their own security. U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq's cities last summer, and Iraqi forces have moved into the lead with considerable skill and commitment to their fellow citizens. Even as Iraq continues to suffer terrorist attacks, security incidents have been near the lowest on record since the war began. And Iraqi forces have taken the fight to al Qaeda, removing much of its leadership in Iraqi-led operations.
這就完成了一個(gè)讓伊拉克為自己的安全負(fù)責(zé)的轉(zhuǎn)變。去年夏天,美國士兵撤出了伊拉克的城市,而伊拉克軍隊(duì)則身懷出色技術(shù)及對同胞們的承諾,進(jìn)駐了伊拉克城市。盡管恐怖襲擊在伊拉克時(shí)有發(fā)生,但是這里的安全事故也已接近了自戰(zhàn)爭開始以來的最低記錄。伊拉克軍隊(duì)已經(jīng)開始打擊基地組織,在伊拉克領(lǐng)導(dǎo)的行動(dòng)中,許多基地組織頭目被消滅。
This year also saw Iraq hold credible elections that drew a strong turnout. A caretaker administration is in place as Iraqis form a government based on the results of that election. Tonight, I encourage Iraq's leaders to move forward with a sense of urgency to form an inclusive government that is just, representative, and accountable to the Iraqi people. And when that government is in place, there should be no doubt: the Iraqi people will have a strong partner in the United States. Our combat mission is ending, but our commitment to Iraq's future is not.
今年,伊拉克還舉行了一次眾人踴躍參加的公平選舉。在根據(jù)選舉結(jié)果組建政府的過程中,伊拉克人民成立了臨時(shí)政府。今晚,我鼓勵(lì)伊拉克領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人心懷緊迫感,組建一個(gè)公正、具有代表性、對伊拉克人負(fù)責(zé)、覆蓋廣泛的政府。當(dāng)這個(gè)政府成形的時(shí)候,毫無疑問,美國將成為伊拉克人民的強(qiáng)大合作伙伴。我們的作戰(zhàn)使命正在結(jié)束,但我們對伊拉克未來的承諾并未結(jié)束。
Going forward, a transitional force of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq with a different mission: advising and assisting Iraq's Security Forces; supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counter-terrorism missions; and protecting our civilians. Consistent with our agreement with the Iraqi government, all U.S. troops will leave by the end of next year. As our military draws down, our dedicated civilians -diplomats, aid workers, and advisors -are moving into the lead to support Iraq as it strengthens its government, resolves political disputes, resettles those displaced by war, and builds ties with the region and the world. And that is a message that Vice President Biden is delivering to the Iraqi people through his visit there today.
展望未來,一支肩負(fù)不同任務(wù)的美軍過渡部隊(duì)仍將留在伊拉克:為伊拉克安全部隊(duì)提供建議和協(xié)助;在針對性反恐任務(wù)中為伊拉克軍隊(duì)提供支持;保護(hù)我們的平民。遵照我們與伊拉克政府締結(jié)的協(xié)議,所有美軍將于明年底撤離。隨著我們軍隊(duì)的撤離,我們的非軍職人員,外交官、救援人員以及顧問將在支持伊拉克鞏固政府、解決政治糾紛、安置因戰(zhàn)爭流離失所的人群以及建立與地區(qū)和世界的關(guān)系中起到領(lǐng)導(dǎo)性作用。今天副總統(tǒng)拜登訪問伊拉克的時(shí)候,他也向伊拉克人民傳達(dá)了這一信息。
This new approach reflects our long-term partnership with Iraq-one based upon mutual interests, and mutual respect. Of course, violence will not end with our combat mission. Extremists will continue to set off bombs, attack Iraqi civilians and try to spark sectarian strife. But ultimately, these terrorists will fail to achieve their goals. Iraqis are a proud people. They have rejected sectarian war, and they have no interest in endless destruction. They understand that, in the end, only Iraqis can resolve their differences and police their streets. Only Iraqis can build a democracy within their borders. What America can do, and will do, is provide support for the Iraqi people as both a friend and a partner.
這一新辦法體現(xiàn)了我們與伊拉克的長期伙伴關(guān)系,以共同利益、相互尊重為基礎(chǔ)的伙伴關(guān)系。當(dāng)然,暴力不會(huì)隨著我們的撤離而結(jié)束。極端分子仍會(huì)繼續(xù)引爆炸彈、攻擊伊拉克平民,并試圖引發(fā)宗派沖突。不過,這些恐怖分子終將不能達(dá)成其目標(biāo)。伊拉克是一個(gè)驕傲的民族。他們反對宗派戰(zhàn)爭,他們對無休止的破壞不感興趣。他們很清楚,到最后,只有伊拉克人能夠解決他們的分歧,維護(hù)他們的街道治安。只有伊拉克人能夠在其境內(nèi)建立一個(gè)民主國家。美國能夠做的、將要做的,就是作為一個(gè)朋友、一個(gè)合作伙伴,為伊拉克提供支持。
Ending this war is not only in Iraq's interest- it is in our own. The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people. We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. We have persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people -a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it is time to turn the page.
結(jié)束這場戰(zhàn)爭不僅符合伊拉克的利益,也符合我們的利益。美國已經(jīng)為使伊拉克人能掌握自己的未來而付出了巨大代價(jià)。我們派往伊拉克的年輕士兵們做出了巨大犧牲,我們在國內(nèi)預(yù)算緊張的情況下在國外投入了大量資源。我們堅(jiān)持不懈,因?yàn)槲覀兣c伊拉克人民有共同的信念——在戰(zhàn)爭的廢墟中,這個(gè)文明的搖籃將有新的開始。在美國和伊拉克歷史上這輝煌的一頁中,我們已經(jīng)履行了我們的義務(wù),現(xiàn)在是時(shí)候翻開新的一頁了。
As we do, I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It's well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush's support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq's future.
當(dāng)我們這樣做的時(shí)候,我很清楚,伊拉克戰(zhàn)爭在國內(nèi)一直是一個(gè)有爭議的話題。在這一問題上,也是時(shí)候翻開新的一頁了。今天下午,我與前總統(tǒng)布什進(jìn)行了談話。眾所周知,戰(zhàn)爭初始,我與他曾意見相左。但沒人能夠懷疑布什總統(tǒng)對我們軍隊(duì)的支持,以及他對國家的熱愛和對我們安全做出的努力。就像我此前曾說的,支持這場戰(zhàn)爭與反對這場戰(zhàn)爭的人都是愛國者。在感謝我們的士兵、希冀伊拉克未來方面,我們是一致的。
The greatness of our democracy is grounded in our ability to move beyond our differences, and to learn from our experience as we confront the many challenges ahead. And no challenge is more essential to our security than our fight against al Qaeda.
我們民主的偉大之處就在于我們能在分歧中前進(jìn),并在遇到挑戰(zhàn)時(shí)從已有經(jīng)歷中汲取經(jīng)驗(yàn)。對于我們的國家安全而言,沒有比與基地組織斗爭更重大的挑戰(zhàn)了。