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. 晚上好。今晚，我想和大家谈谈我们在伊拉克作战任务的结束、我们面临的持续安全挑战，以及在国内重建我们国家的必要性。
I know this historic moment comes at a time of great uncertainty for many Americans. We've now been through nearly a decade of war. We've endured a long and painful recession. And sometimes in the midst of these storms, the future that we're trying to build for our nation -- a future of lasting peace and long-term prosperity -- may seem beyond our reach. 我知道，对许多美国人而言，这一历史时刻伴随着巨大的不确定性。我们已走过近十年的战争，也经历了一场漫长而痛苦的经济衰退。有时在风雨之中，我们努力为本国塑造的未来——一个持久的和平与长期的繁荣——似乎可望而不可即。
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. 但这一里程碑应提醒所有美国人：只要我们怀揣信心与决心向前迈进，未来就掌握在我们手中。它也应向世界传递一个信息：美利坚合众国决心在本世纪的青春岁月里维系并加强自身的领导地位。
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. 七年半前，正是从这张办公桌前，布什总统宣布开始对伊拉克的军事行动。自那一夜以来，许多事情都发生了变化。一场以解除一国武装为名的战争，演变为对抗叛乱的战斗。恐怖主义与教派冲突几乎要将伊拉克撕裂。数以千计的美国人献出了生命，数万人负伤。我们在国外的关系承受压力，国内的团结也受到考验。
These are the rough waters encountered during the course of one of America's longest wars. Yet there has been one constant amidst these shifting tides. At every turn, America's men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve. As Commander-in-Chief, I am incredibly proud of their service. And like all Americans, I'm awed by their sacrifice, and by the sacrifices of their families. 这些都是美国历史上最漫长的战争之一所遭遇的险恶水域。然而在潮起潮落之中，有一件事始终不变。在每一个关键时刻，美国的男女军人都以勇气和决心履职尽责。作为三军统帅，我对他们的服役深感骄傲。与所有美国人一样，我为他们的牺牲——以及他们家人的牺牲——所震撼。
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. 在伊服役的美国人完成了赋予他们的每一项任务。他们击败了一个长期恐吓本国人民的政权。与同样付出巨大牺牲的伊拉克军民和盟军并肩，我们的部队逐街逐巷地战斗，帮助伊拉克抓住迈向更好未来的机会。他们调整战术以保护伊拉克人民，训练伊拉克安全部队，并铲除恐怖分子头目。正是凭借我们的部队和文职人员的努力，以及伊拉克人民自身的坚韧，伊拉克如今有机会拥抱新的命运，尽管诸多挑战仍存。
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. 因此今晚我宣布，美国在伊拉克的作战任务已经结束。"伊拉克自由行动"就此终结，伊拉克人民如今对本国安全承担首要责任。
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. 这是我竞选这一职位时向美国人民立下的承诺。去年二月，我公布了一项计划，将作战旅撤出伊拉克，同时加倍努力以加强伊拉克安全部队，支持其政府与人民。
That's what we've done. We've removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. We've closed or transferred to the Iraqis hundreds of bases. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq. 这就是我们所做的。我们已从伊拉克撤出近十万名美军，关闭或向伊方移交了数百个基地，并将数以百万计的装备运出伊拉克。
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. 这完成了向伊拉克自主承担安全责任的过渡。去年夏天美军撤出伊拉克城市，伊拉克部队以相当高的技能和对同胞的承诺担起重任。尽管伊拉克仍不断遭受恐怖袭击，安全事件发生率却已接近战争爆发以来的最低水平。伊拉克部队还主动出击打击基地组织，在伊方主导的行动中清除了其大部分领导层。
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. 今年伊拉克还举行了得到广泛认可的选举，投票率很高。在伊拉克人依据选举结果组建政府期间，看守政府已就位。今晚，我敦促伊拉克领导人以紧迫感推进组建一个公正、具有代表性、并对伊拉克人民负责的包容性政府。当这一政府就位时，毫无疑问：伊拉克人民将拥有美国这一强有力的伙伴。我们的作战任务即将结束，但我们对伊拉克未来的承诺不会终止。
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 counterterrorism 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. 展望未来，一支过渡性美军部队将继续驻留伊拉克，承担不同任务：为伊拉克安全部队提供咨询与协助，支援伊拉克部队执行有针对性的反恐任务，并保护我方文职人员。依据我们与伊拉克政府达成的协议，所有美军将于明年年底前撤离。
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. That's a message that Vice President Biden is delivering to the Iraqi people through his visit there today. 随着我军削减部署，我们尽心尽力的文职人员——外交官、援助人员和顾问——正走上前台，支持伊拉克加强政府治理、化解政治分歧、安置战争流离失所者，并与本地区和世界建立联系。这正是拜登副总统今日通过访伊向伊拉克人民传达的信息。
This new approach reflects our long-term partnership with Iraq -- one based upon mutual interest 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. 这一新方针体现了我们与伊拉克的长期伙伴关系——一种建立在共同利益与相互尊重之上的关系。当然，暴力不会随我们作战任务的结束而终止。极端分子将继续制造爆炸、袭击伊拉克平民，并企图挑起教派冲突。但归根结底，这些恐怖分子将无法实现其目标。
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. 伊拉克人民是骄傲的民族。他们已拒绝教派战争，对无尽的破坏毫无兴趣。他们明白，归根到底，只有伊拉克人能自行化解分歧、维持街头的治安；只有伊拉克人能在本国疆界之内建立起民主。美国能够做、也将要做的，是作为朋友和伙伴为伊拉克人民提供支持。
Ending this war is not only in Iraq's interest -- it's 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. 结束这场战争不仅符合伊拉克的利益，也符合我们自身的利益。美国付出了巨大代价，才将伊拉克的未来交到伊拉克人民手中。我们派遣青年男女在伊拉克作出巨大牺牲，在国内预算紧张之时却在海外投入大量资源。
We've 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's time to turn the page. 我们之所以坚持，是因为我们与伊拉克人民共有一种信念——相信在这片文明的摇篮里，从战争的灰烬中可以孕育出崭新的开端。在美国与伊拉克历史的这一非凡篇章中，我们履行了自己的责任。现在，是时候翻过这一页了。
As we do, I'm mindful that the Iraq war has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it's 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 can doubt President Bush's support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I've 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 hopes for Iraqis' future. 在翻过这一页之际，我深知伊拉克战争在国内是一个备受争议的议题。在此同样到了该翻页的时候。今天下午，我与前总统乔治·W·布什通了话。众所周知，他从一开始便与我在战争问题上存在分歧。然而无人可以怀疑布什总统对我们部队的支持，无人可以怀疑他对国家的热爱和对我国安全的承诺。正如我曾说过的，有支持这场战争的爱国者，也有反对这场战争的爱国者。而我们所有人都怀着对男女军人的感激，以及对伊拉克人未来的期盼，团结在一起。
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. 我们民主制度的伟大之处，根植于我们超越分歧的能力，以及在面对未来诸多挑战时从经验中汲取教训的能力。而在所有挑战中，没有任何一项比打击基地组织更为关乎我们的安全。
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 regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. 美国各派政治力量都支持对9·11袭击者动用武力。如今，随着我们在阿富汗的作战迈入第十年，有人出于合理理由对我们的使命提出尖锐问题。但我们绝不能忽视其中的利害关系。此时此刻，基地组织仍在图谋袭击我们，其领导层仍盘踞在阿富汗与巴基斯坦的边境地区。
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. 我们将瓦解、拆解并击败基地组织，同时防止阿富汗再次沦为恐怖分子的巢穴。正因我们从伊拉克撤军，我们如今能够投入必要资源转入攻势。事实上，过去19个月里，近12名基地组织领导人——以及数百名基地组织的极端盟友——已在世界各地被击毙或俘获。
Within Afghanistan, I've 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 can't do for Afghans what they must ultimately do for themselves. 在阿富汗境内，我已下令增派部队，在戴维·彼得雷乌斯将军的指挥下奋力扭转塔利班的势头。正如伊拉克增兵一样，这些部队将驻留有限时间，为阿富汗人建设自身能力、保障自身未来腾出空间。但与伊拉克的情况相同，阿富汗人最终必须由自己完成的事，我们无法代劳。
That's why we're training Afghan Security Forces and supporting a political resolution to Afghanistan's problems. And next August, 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. 正因如此，我们正在训练阿富汗安全部队，并支持以政治方式解决阿富汗问题。明年八月，我们将开始向阿富汗方面移交责任。我们撤军的节奏将取决于当地局势，我们对阿富汗的支持将延续。但请勿误解：这一过渡必将启动——因为无止境的战争既不符合我们的利益，也不符合阿富汗人民的利益。
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's 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 possibilities of our time. 诚然，我们在伊拉克所作所为的教训之一便是：美国在世界各地的影响力并非仅靠军事力量。我们必须动用我国力量的所有要素——包括外交、经济实力以及美国榜样的力量——以维护自身利益、与盟友并肩。我们也必须展现一种既基于恐惧也基于希望的未来愿景——一种既承认世界上真实存在危险，也认清我们这个时代无限可能性的愿景。
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，昔日的对手已归于和平，新兴民主国家是潜在的伙伴。从亚洲到美洲，我国商品的市场不断拓展。明天，在此地将开启新一轮中东和平努力。数十亿年轻人渴望摆脱贫困与冲突的桎梏。作为自由世界的领袖，美国不仅要在战场上击败那些散播仇恨与毁灭的人，更要在愿意携手扩大全人类自由与机遇的人之中引领前行。
Now, 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 links 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. 如今，这一努力必须从我们国境之内起步。纵观历史，美国一向愿意承担在海外推动自由与人类尊严的重任，深知这与我们自身的自由和安全息息相关。但我们也明白，我国在国外的实力与影响力，必须牢牢扎根于国内的繁荣。而那份繁荣的基石，必须是不断壮大的中产阶级。
Unfortunately, over the last decade, we've not done what's necessary to shore up the foundations of our own prosperity. We spent 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. 遗憾的是，过去十年我们并未采取必要行动巩固自身繁荣的根基。我们在战争上花费了上万亿美元，其中很大一部分靠海外借贷支撑。这反过来削弱了对本国人民的投资，也加剧了创纪录的财政赤字。从制造业基础到能源政策再到教育改革，我们在太多棘手问题上久拖不决。结果是，太多中产家庭发现即便更加努力工作，收入却更少；而我国长期的竞争力也面临风险。
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's our turn. Now, it's 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. 因此，在这个我们结束伊拉克战争的时刻，我们必须以同样的精力、坚韧与共同使命感，去应对国内的种种挑战——一如我们在海外服役的男女军人那样。他们通过了所面临的每一次考验。现在，轮到我们了。我们有责任通过团结一致来向他们致敬——所有人齐心协力，捍卫那么多代人曾为之奋斗的梦想：一个只要肯努力、肯争取，更美好生活就在前方等待任何人的梦想。
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. 我们最紧迫的任务是复苏经济，让数以百万计失业的美国人重返工作岗位。要壮大我们的中产阶级，我们必须让所有孩子得到他们应得的教育，让所有劳动者掌握在全球经济中竞争所需的技能。我们必须重振能够创造就业的产业，并终结对外国石油的依赖。
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. 我们必须释放创新活力，让新产品源源不断地从生产线下线，并培育出自我国企业家头脑的种种构想。这将十分艰难。但在未来的日子里，这必须是我们作为一个民族的核心使命，也是我作为总统的核心责任。
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 we will do whatever it takes to serve our veterans as well as they have served us. This is a sacred trust. 这项责任的一部分，是确保我们兑现对那些英勇报国者的承诺。只要我担任总统，我们将维持世界上有史以来最精锐的作战力量，并将竭尽所能像他们服务国家那样去服务我们的退伍军人。这是一份神圣的信任。
That's why we've already made one of the largest increases in funding for veterans in decades. We're treating the signature wounds of today's wars -- post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury -- while providing the health care and benefits that all of our veterans have earned. And we're funding a Post-9/11 GI Bill that helps our veterans and their families pursue the dream of a college education. 正因如此，我们已实现了数十年来最大规模的退伍军人经费增长之一。我们正在治疗当代战争的特征性创伤——创伤后应激障碍和创伤性脑损伤——同时提供所有退伍军人应得的医疗保健和福利。我们也在资助"9·11后退伍军人权利法案"，帮助退伍军人及其家庭追求大学教育的梦想。
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. 正如当年的《退伍军人权利法案》帮助二战老兵——包括我的外祖父——成为美国中产阶级的脊梁，今天的男女军人也必须有机会运用自身才华来拓展美国经济。因为负责任地结束一场战争的一部分，就是与那些为之战斗过的人并肩而立。
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，美国驻伊最后一支作战旅——陆军第四"斯特瑞克"旅——在黎明前的黑暗中踏上归途。数千名士兵与数百辆车辆从巴格达启程，最后一批于清晨时分驶入科威特。七个多月前，美军和盟军曾沿着相似的高速公路一路厮杀推进；而这一次，未发一枪一弹。那只是一支勇敢的美国人的车队，正踏上回家的路。
Of course, the soldiers left much behind. Some were teenagers when the war began. Many have served multiple tours of duty, far from 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, 55 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，士兵们也留下了许多。战争开始时，有些人还只是十几岁的少年。许多人多次出征，远离的家人同样承受了英雄般的重担，忍受着缺少丈夫拥抱或母亲亲吻的时光。最令人痛心的是，自战争爆发以来，第四"斯特瑞克"旅有55名官兵献出了生命——他们是伊拉克战场上4400多名捐躯美国人的一部分。正如一位上士所说："我知道，对那些曾并肩作战并献出生命的兄弟们而言，这一天恐怕意义重大。"
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. 这些美国人献出生命，是为我们人民心中已延续两个多世纪的价值观。与近150万名曾在伊拉克服役的美国人一道，他们为素未谋面的人在遥远之地奋战。他们直面人类最黑暗的造物——战争——并帮助伊拉克人民追寻和平的光明。
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. 在一个没有投降仪式的时代，我们必须通过伙伴的成功和本国自身的力量来赢得胜利。每一位服役的美国人，都加入了一条从未中断的英雄谱系——从列克星敦到葛底斯堡，从硫磺岛到仁川，从溪山到坎大哈——这些美国人之所以奋战，是为了让我们的子女过上比我们更好的生活。我们的军队是我们国家之船的钢铁。尽管我们的国家可能正穿行于惊涛骇浪之中，他们让我们坚信航向正确，并让我们相信：在黎明前的黑暗之后，更美好的日子就在前方。
Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America, and all who serve her. 谢谢大家。愿上帝保佑你们。愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国，以及所有为她效劳的人。
