美国总统奥巴马伊拉克撤军演讲（双语）

爱思英语编者按：当地时间8月31日晚20时，美国总统奥巴马发表演讲宣布结束对伊作战，演讲全文摘要如下：

Good evening. Tonight, I'd like to talk to you about the end of our combat mission in Iraq, the ongoing security challenges we face, and the need to rebuild our nation here at home.

大家晚上好，今晚我想与你们谈谈结束伊拉克战斗任务，我们正在面临的安全挑战，以及如何重建我们的国家。

I know this historic moment comes at a time of great uncertainty for many Americans. We have now been through nearly a decade of war. We have endured a long and painful recession. And sometimes in the midst of these storms, the future that we are trying to build for our nation - a future of lasting peace and long-term prosperity may seem beyond our reach.

我知道，许多美国人对这一历史性时刻依然半信半疑，但我们现在确实已经结束了持续近10年的战争。我们经历了漫长而痛苦的经济衰退。在这些风暴之中，我们努力建设国家未来、维护长期和平和繁荣的梦想，似乎一度变得有些遥不可及。

But this milestone should serve as a reminder to all Americans that the future is ours to shape if we move forward with confidence and commitment. It should also serve as a message to the world that the United States of America intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership in this young century.

但是这个里程碑应该提醒所有美国人，未来是我们的，关键在于我们如何满怀信心地去实现。它也在向全世界发出一个信息：美国打算继续维持和加强我们在新世纪的领导力。

From this desk, seven and a half years ago, President Bush announced the beginning of military operations in Iraq. Much has changed since that night. A war to disarm a state became a fight against an insurgency. Terrorism and sectarian warfare threatened to tear Iraq apart. Thousands of Americans gave their lives; tens of thousands have been wounded. Our relations abroad were strained. Our unity at home was tested.

7年半前，在这张桌子前面，布什总统宣布伊拉克军事行动开始。自从那晚开始，已经发生了太多改变。战争解除了一个国家的武装，变成了镇压叛乱的战斗。恐怖主义和宗教冲突威胁着撕裂的伊拉克；成千上万的美国人受伤，甚至为此付出了生命；我们与外国的关系变得紧张，我们在国内的团结受到考验。

These are the rough waters encountered during the course of one of America's longest wars. Yet there has been one constant amidst those shifting tides. At every turn, America's men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve. As Commander-in-Chief, I am proud of their service. Like all Americans, I am awed by their sacrifice, and by the sacrifices of their families.

伊拉克战争是美国近代参与的持续时间最长的战争之一，其中经历了多次汹涌海浪的袭击，但在变化多端的潮汐之间，唯有一种力量保持不变，他们就是美国的军队。在每个转折点，美国的军人们都依靠勇气和决心完成任务。作为三军总司令，我为他们感到骄傲。像所有美国人一样，我对他们及其家庭做出的牺牲充满敬畏。

The Americans who have served in Iraq completed every mission they were given. They defeated a regime that had terrorized its people. Together with Iraqis and coalition partners who made huge sacrifices of their own, our troops fought block by block to help Iraq seize the chance for a better future. They shifted tactics to protect the Iraqi people; trained Iraqi Security Forces; and took out terrorist leaders. Because of our troops and civilians -and because of the resilience of the Iraqi people - Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain.

在伊拉克服役的美国人完成了每一个被赋予的任务：他们推翻了实行恐怖统治的政权；我们的军队与伊拉克人和其他做出巨大牺牲的盟友一起并肩战斗，帮助伊拉克人抓住了创造更美好未来的机会；他们改变了保护伊拉克人的战术，训练伊拉克安全部队，追捕恐怖主义领导人。因为我们的军队和公民，因为伊拉克人民的支持，伊拉克获得了拥抱新生的机会，即使他们面临着诸多挑战。

So tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country.

今晚，我宣布美国在伊拉克的战斗任务结束。伊拉克自由行动结束，伊拉克人现在必须承担起保护自己国家安全的重担，这是我竞选美国总统时向美国人民做出的承诺。

This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office. Last February, I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq's Security Forces and support its government and people. That is what we have done. We have removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. We have closed or transferred hundreds of bases to the Iraqis. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq.

去年2月份，我宣布了一项计划，将我们的战斗部队撤出伊拉克，集中全力加强伊拉克安全部队，支持伊拉克政府和人民，这些就是我们已经做完的。我们已经从伊拉克撤出近10万部队，我们已经关闭或者向伊拉克人转交了数百座基地，我们已经将数以百万计的武器装备撤出伊拉克。

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.

完成将伊拉克的安全转交给伊拉克人的任务后，美国军队从去年夏季开始撤离城市，伊拉克部队已经开始履行他们对于本国人民的义务和责任，他们有能力这样做。 即使伊拉克继续遭受恐怖分子袭击，但伊拉克安全事故已经下降到开战以来的最低水平。伊拉克军队已经接过了与基地继续战斗的任务，消灭了基地在伊拉克的许多领导人。

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.

今年也是伊拉克举行可信大选的年份，有望吸引大量选民参加投票。在根据大选结果组建以阿拉克政府之前，伊拉克需要一个看守政府。今晚，我希望伊拉克领导人 能够感受到紧迫感，尽快组建代表伊拉克、对人民负责的政府。当这个政府成立后，伊拉克人毫无疑问将成为美国最亲密的伙伴。我们的战斗任务正在结束，但是我 们对伊拉克未来的承诺还没有兑现。

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.

美国军队的过渡力量依然留在伊拉克，他们将承担不同的任务：为伊拉克安全部队提供建议和帮助；支持伊拉克军队针对恐怖主义的行动；保护美国公民。按照与伊拉克政府签署的协议，所有美国军队将在2011年末撤离。当军队撤离后，我们的平民人员，包括外交官、援助人员以及顾问，将成为支持伊拉克建立稳定政府、解决政治纠纷、重新安置战争流民、帮助伊拉克与地区和世界各国建立联系的领导力量。这也是副总统拜登访问伊拉克，向当地人传送的消息。

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.

这种新的态度反映了我们与伊拉克的长期伙伴关系，我们以共同利益和互相尊重为基础。当然，随着我们战斗任务的结束，伊拉克的暴力不会很快消失。极端分子将继续引爆炸弹，袭击伊拉克平民，试图引发宗派冲突。但是最后，这些恐怖分子不会达到他们的目标。伊拉克人是一群骄傲的人，他们已经拒绝宗派战争，他们对无休止的破坏不感兴趣。他们知道，最后只有伊拉克人自己能够解决他们之间的分歧，只有伊拉克人能够建立自己的民主。而美国人能做的，也是要做的，就是为伊拉克人提供朋友和伙伴式的支持。

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.

结束这场战争不仅仅是出于伊拉克的利益，同样也基于美国的利益。为了将伊拉克的未来交付到伊拉克人的手中，美国为此付出了巨大的代价。我们派遣的年轻男女军人在伊拉克付出了巨大牺牲，在国内预算紧缺的情况下投入大量资源支持这场战争。因为我们与伊拉克人民分享同样的信仰，相信战争的硝烟消散后，这个古老的文明将重新焕发生机。在美国和伊拉克这篇不同寻常的历史篇章中，我们完成了我们的职责，现在该是翻过这一页的时候了。

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.

我知道伊拉克战争在国内是一个非常有争议的问题，现在也该是翻过这一页的时候了。今天下午，我与前总统布什对过话。众所周知，我们对战争的看法存在明显分歧。没人怀疑布什总统对美国军队的支持，或者他对国家的热爱以及国家安全的关注。就像我曾经说过的，有许多支持这场战争的爱国者，同样有反对战争的爱国者。但是我们所有人都感激那些服役的军人，他们是伊拉克未来的希望。

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.

民主的伟大就在于我们能够接纳彼此的不同，从我们前面面临的诸多挑战中学习经验，但是没有任何挑战比基地组织对我们的安全威胁更大。

Americans across the political spectrum supported the use of force against those who attacked us on 9/11. Now, as we approach our 10th year of combat in Afghanistan, there are those who are understandably asking tough questions about our mission there. But we must never lose sight of what's at stake. As we speak, al Qaeda continues to plot against us, and its leadership remains anchored in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. We will disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda, while preventing Afghanistan from again serving as a base for terrorists. And because of our drawdown in Iraq, we are now able to apply the resources necessary to go on offense. In fact, over the last 19 months, nearly a dozen al Qaeda leaders -and hundreds of Al Qaeda's extremist allies-have been killed or captured around the world.

美国各个政治阶层支持使用武力打击发动“9-11”恐怖袭击的人，现在当我们在阿富汗的战争接近10周年之际，那些不理解这场战争意义的人正在质疑我们在阿富汗的任务。我们必须注意面临的潜在危险，基地继续阴谋攻击我们，其领导人依然藏在阿富汗和巴基斯坦边境地区。我们将瓦解、拆除直至最后击败基地，同时防止阿富汗再次成为恐怖分子的安全天堂。虽然我们撤出了伊拉克，但我们依然能够利用庞大的资源继续对他们发动攻击。事实上，在过去的19个月中，全世界已经有12名基地领导人、数百名基地极端分子盟友被击毙或者逮捕。

Within Afghanistan, I have ordered the deployment of additional troops who-under the command of General David Petraeus -are fighting to break the Taliban's momentum. As with the surge in Iraq, these forces will be in place for a limited time to provide space for the Afghans to build their capacity and secure their own future. But, as was the case in Iraq, we cannot do for Afghans what they must ultimately do for themselves. That's why we are training Afghan Security Forces and supporting a political resolution to Afghanistan's problems. And, next July, we will begin a transition to Afghan responsibility. The pace of our troop reductions will be determined by conditions on the ground, and our support for Afghanistan will endure. But make no mistake: this transition will begin - because open-ended war serves neither our interests nor the Afghan people's.

在阿富汗内部，我已经命令增加额外军队，在彼得雷乌斯将军的指挥下，他们正在不断削弱塔利班。随着援军的到来，这些部队将在不久的将来为阿富汗人提供更多空间，帮助他们增强能力，确保自己的未来。但是以伊拉克为鉴，我们不能为阿富汗人做那些应该由他们自己完成的事情。这也就是我们正在训练阿富汗安全部队、支持解决阿富汗问题政治方案的原因。2011年7月，我们将开始向阿富汗人移交职责。驻阿美军数量的削减幅度需要根据实际情况决定，但沃恩对阿富汗人的支持不会变。但是注意，这种移交还没开始，现在行动既不符合我们的利益，也不符合阿富汗人的利益。

Indeed, one of the lessons of our effort in Iraq is that American influence around the world is not a function of military force alone. We must use all elements of our power -including our diplomacy, our economic strength, and the power of America's example -to secure our interests and stand by our allies. And we must project a vision of the future that is based not just on our fears, but also on our hopes -a vision that recognizes the real dangers that exist around the world, but also the limitless possibility of our time.

确实，我们在伊拉克学到的一个经验是，美国在全世界的影响力不仅仅是军方的功劳。我们必须充分利用我们的所有权利因素，包括我们的外交、经济优势、美国的榜样力量等，去确保我们的利益和支持我们的盟友。我们必须制定出一个未来计划，不仅要包含我们的恐惧，也要基于我们的希望。这个计划必须承认，全世界存在真正的危险，但同时也有无限的可能和希望。

Today, old adversaries are at peace, and emerging democracies are potential partners. New markets for our goods stretch from Asia to the Americas. A new push for peace in the Middle East will begin here tomorrow. Billions of young people want to move beyond the shackles of poverty and conflict. As the leader of the free world, America will do more than just defeat on the battlefield those who offer hatred and destruction -we will also lead among those who are willing to work together to expand freedom and opportunity for all people.

今天，老的对手基本都处于和平状态，新兴的民主也都成为潜在的伙伴。我们的商品新市场从亚洲亚伸到美国，中东和平的新谈判将从明天开始。数十亿年轻人想摆脱贫困和冲突的镣铐。作为自由世界的领导者，美国必须做得更多，不仅仅在战场上击败那些制造仇恨和毁灭的敌人，还要领导那些愿意同心协力扩大自由和机会的人。

That effort must begin within our own borders. Throughout our history, America has been willing to bear the burden of promoting liberty and human dignity overseas, understanding its link to our own liberty and security. But we have also understood that our nation's strength and influence abroad must be firmly anchored in our prosperity at home. And the bedrock of that prosperity must be a growing middle class.

这种努力必须从我们自己的边境开始。纵览历史，美国一直愿意承担促进人类自由和尊严、理解其与我们自己的自由和安全关系的重任。但是我们也明白，我们国家在国外的强大影响力必须基于国内的繁荣，而繁荣的基础就是日益增长的中产阶级。

Unfortunately, over the last decade, we have not done what is necessary to shore up the foundation of our own prosperity. We have spent over a trillion dollars at war, often financed by borrowing from overseas. This, in turn, has short-changed investments in our own people, and contributed to record deficits. For too long, we have put off tough decisions on everything from our manufacturing base to our energy policy to education reform. As a result, too many middle class families find themselves working harder for less, while our nation's long-term competitiveness is put at risk.

不幸地是，在过去10年间，我们没有为这些支持国家繁荣的“柱石”提供太多必要帮助。我们花费一万亿美元用于战争，经常靠海外借款维持财政。这样做不仅欺骗了自己的人民，还让美国的赤字居高不下。长期以来，我们一直在制造业、能源政策以及教育改革等领域推迟采取强硬措施，结果许多中产阶级家庭发现，越努力工作获取的就越少，而我们国家的长期竞争力正陷入危险之中。

And so at this moment, as we wind down the war in Iraq, we must tackle those challenges at home with as much energy, and grit, and sense of common purpose as our men and women in uniform who have served abroad. They have met every test that they faced. Now, it is our turn. Now, it is our responsibility to honor them by coming together, all of us, and working to secure the dream that so many generations have fought for -the dream that a better life awaits anyone who is willing to work for it and reach for it.

此时此刻，当我们结束伊拉克战争的时候，我们必须同时着手解决这些国内挑战，比如能源、电力以及国内外部队之间缺乏认同感的问题。这些军人已经通过了所有考验，现在该轮到我们了。给与他们应得的荣誉是我们的责任，我们所有人都必须努力确保无数仁人志士为之奋斗的梦想——每个人都能过上更好的生活。

Our most urgent task is to restore our economy, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work. To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve, and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy. We must jumpstart industries that create jobs, and end our dependence on foreign oil. We must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines, and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs. This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people, and my central responsibility as President.

现在我们面临的最紧迫任务就是恢复国内经济，帮助数百万失业美国人重新找到工作。为了加强我们的中产阶级，我们必须给与所有孩子应得的教育，给与所有工人在全球竞争中需要的技术；我们必须启动能够创造工作机会的行业，结束对外国石油的依赖；我们必须鼓励革新，允许新产品尽快投入生产，并且培养企业家的创新意识。尽管这些工作很困难，但在未来的日子里，它们毕将成为我们的中心任务，也是我作为总统的重要职责。

Part of that responsibility is making sure that we honor our commitments to those who have served our country with such valor. As long as I am President, we will maintain the finest fighting force that the world has ever known, and do whatever it takes to serve our veterans as well as they have served us. This is a sacred trust. That is why we have already made one of the largest increases in funding for veterans in decades. We are treating the signature wounds of today's wars post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, while providing the health care and benefits that all of our veterans have earned. And we are funding a post-9/11 GI Bill that helps our veterans and their families pursue the dream of a college education. Just as the GI Bill helped those who fought World War II- including my grandfather- become the backbone of our middle class, so today's servicemen and women must have the chance to apply their gifts to expand the American economy. Because part of ending a war responsibly is standing by those who have fought it.

我的部分责任是确保那些为国家英勇服役的军人获得应得的荣誉。只要我还是美国总统，我将竭力维护这支世界上最好的战斗部队，像他们为我们服务那样，竭尽所能为他们提供服务。这是一种神圣的信任，也是数十年来我们对老兵的支持不断增加的原因。我们正在为战争中受伤的士兵提供最好的治疗，并且为所有老兵提供医疗保障和其他帮助；我们还为那些“9-11”恐怖袭击后的老兵和他们的家人，追求大学梦想提供资金支持。就如帮助二战中的老兵一样（包括我的祖父），他们如今都已经成为中产阶级的骨干，因此今天的军人有机会应用他们的天赋，为发展美国经济出力。

Two weeks ago, America's final combat brigade in Iraq -the Army's Fourth Stryker Brigade -journeyed home in the pre-dawn darkness. Thousands of soldiers and hundreds of vehicles made the trip from Baghdad, the last of them passing into Kuwait in the early morning hours. Over seven years before, American troops and coalition partners had fought their way across similar highways, but this time no shots were fired. It was just a convoy of brave Americans, making their way home.

两周前，美国最后一支战斗部队——美军第二步兵师第4斯特赖克旅在黎明前的黑暗中，踏上了回家的路。数千士兵和数百辆军车从巴格达出发，他们将在清晨进入科威特境内。7年前，美国军队及其盟友一路战斗着通过这条路线，但是这次他们没有开火。只是护送勇敢的美国人，踏上他们回家的路。

Of course, the soldiers left much behind. Some were teenagers when the war began. Many have served multiple tours of duty, far from their families who bore a heroic burden of their own, enduring the absence of a husband's embrace or a mother's kiss. Most painfully, since the war began fifty-five members of the Fourth Stryker Brigade made the ultimate sacrifice -part of over 4,400 Americans who have given their lives in Iraq. As one staff sergeant said, "I know that to my brothers in arms who fought and died, this day would probably mean a lot."

当然，士兵们的身后留下了许多东西。一些战争开始时还是十几岁青年的士兵，许多人已经多次服役，远离家人承担起英雄的责任，忍受缺乏丈夫拥抱或者母亲之吻的寂寞。最痛苦的是，自从战争开始后，这支部队已经有55人牺牲，成为在伊拉克牺牲的4400名阵亡士兵中的一部分。正如一名上士说的那样：“我知道，我在军中的许多战友在战斗或者牺牲了，这天可能意味着许多。”

Those Americans gave their lives for the values that have lived in the hearts of our people for over two centuries. Along with nearly 1.5 million Americans who have served in Iraq, they fought in a faraway place for people they never knew. They stared into the darkest of human creations -war -and helped the Iraqi people seek the light of peace.

这些人为了活在我们心中200多年的价值观献出了他们的生命。连同150万在伊拉克服役的美国人一起，他们在遥远的地方为了不认识的人战斗，他们凝视着人类创造中最黑暗的一面——战争，帮助伊拉克人寻找希望的光芒。

In an age without surrender ceremonies, we must earn victory through the success of our partners and the strength of our own nation. Every American who serves joins an unbroken line of heroes that stretches from Lexington to Gettysburg; from Iwo Jima to Inchon; from Khe Sanh to Kandahar - Americans who have fought to see that the lives of our children are better than our own. Our troops are the steel in our ship of state. And though our nation may be travelling through rough waters, they give us confidence that our course is true, and that beyond the pre-dawn darkness, better days lie ahead.

在一个没有投降礼节的时代，我们必须通过我们的伙伴以及我们自己国家的力量赢得胜利。从列克星敦到盖茨堡，从硫磺岛到仁川，从越南溪山到阿富汗坎大哈，每个美国人都在为“孩子的生活比我们更好”而战斗。我们的军队就是国家这艘大船上的钢铁，虽然国家正在汹涌的波涛中航行，但他们给与我们信心，冲破黎明前的黑暗，更美好的日子就在前方。更多信息请访问：http://www.engbus.cn/

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America, and all who serve her.

感谢你们，上帝保佑你们！上帝保佑美利坚合众国，以及所有为他服务的人。