THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. These carefully targeted actions are designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations, and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime.

We are joined in this operation by our staunch friend, Great Britain. Other close friends, including Canada, Australia, Germany and France, have pledged forces as the operation unfolds. More than 40 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and across Asia have granted air transit or landing rights. Many more have shared intelligence. We are supported by the collective will of the world.

More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands: Close terrorist training camps; hand over leaders of the al Qaeda network; and return all foreign nationals, including American citizens, unjustly detained in your country. None of these demands were met. And now the Taliban will pay a price. By destroying camps and disrupting communications, we will make it more difficult for the terror network to train new recruits and coordinate their evil plans.

Initially, the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other entrenched hiding places. Our military action is also designed to clear the way for sustained, comprehensive and relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to justice.

At the same time, the oppressed people of Afghanistan will know the generosity of America and our allies. As we strike military targets, we'll also drop food, medicine and supplies to the starving and suffering men and women and children of Afghanistan.

The United States of America is a friend to the Afghan people, and we are the friends of almost a billion worldwide who practice the Islamic faith. The United States of America is an enemy of those who aid terrorists and of the barbaric criminals who profane a great religion by committing murder in its name.

This military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism, another front in a war that has already been joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of financial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38 countries. Given the nature and reach of our enemies, we will win this conflict by the patient accumulation of successes, by meeting a series of challenges with determination and will and purpose.

Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the battle is broader. Every nation has a choice to make. In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If any government sponsors the outlaws and killers of innocents, they have become outlaws and murderers, themselves. And they will take that lonely path at their own peril.

I'm speaking to you today from the Treaty Room of the White House, a place where American Presidents have worked for peace. We're a peaceful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a world of sudden terror. In the face of today's new threat, the only way to pursue peace is to pursue those who threaten it.

We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it. The name of today's military operation is Enduring Freedom. We defend not only our precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children free from fear.

I know many Americans feel fear today. And our government is taking strong precautions. All law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working aggressively around America, around the world and around the clock. At my request, many governors have activated the National Guard to strengthen airport security. We have called up Reserves to reinforce our military capability and strengthen the protection of our homeland.

In the months ahead, our patience will be one of our strengths -- patience with the long waits that will result from tighter security; patience and understanding that it will take time to achieve our goals; patience in all the sacrifices that may come.

Today, those sacrifices are being made by members of our Armed Forces who now defend us so far from home, and by their proud and worried families. A Commander-in-Chief sends America's sons and daughters into a battle in a foreign land only after the greatest care and a lot of prayer. We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform. We ask them to leave their loved ones, to travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. They are dedicated, they are honorable; they represent the best of our country. And we are grateful.

To all the men and women in our military -- every sailor, every soldier, every airman, every coastguardsman, every Marine -- I say this: Your mission is defined; your objectives are clear; your goal is just. You have my full confidence, and you will have every tool you need to carry out your duty.

I recently received a touching letter that says a lot about the state of America in these difficult times -- a letter from a 4th-grade girl, with a father in the military: "As much as I don't want my Dad to fight," she wrote, "I'm willing to give him to you."

This is a precious gift, the greatest she could give. This young girl knows what America is all about. Since September 11, an entire generation of young Americans has gained new understanding of the value of freedom, and its cost in duty and in sacrifice.

The battle is now joined on many fronts. We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail.

Thank you. May God continue to bless America.

　

 

按照我的指令，美军部队已开始向位于阿富汗境内的本·拉登恐怖组织训练营以及塔利班政权的军事设施实施军事打击。 这次经过精心准备的军事行动的目的，是为了让阿富汗不再成为恐怖组织的训练基地并削弱塔利班政权的军事实力。

美国最亲密的盟友英国也派遣部队参加了这次行动，别外包括加拿大、澳大利亚、德国和法国在内的其他盟国也已承诺随着打击行动的逐步展开，他们也将加入我们的行列。

中东地区、非洲、欧洲以及亚洲的40多个国家已同意向美军开放领空或是起降战机的机场，还有很多国家表示愿意与美国共享情报信息，显而易见，我们这次行动是得到了全世界的支持。

两个多星期以前，我已向塔利班政权领导人发出了一系列清晰而且明确的信号，要求他们关闭阿富汗境内的恐怖组织训练营，交出拉登恐怖组织的所有头目，释放包括被非法拘禁在阿富汗的美国公民在内的所有外国人质。但是，塔利班拒绝答应上述任何要求，现在，该是他们为此付出代价的时候了。

通过摧毁拉登恐怖组织的训练营和塔利班政权的通信设施，我们知道该组织再想训练新加入的恐怖分子以及协调他们的毒恶恐怖计划将更加困难。我们很清楚，战争一打响，恐怖分子就会躲到山洞里藏起来，但我们会能够持续、全面以及毫不手软的打击行动将他们逼出山洞、赶出阿富汗并最终绳之以法。

与些同时，饱受压迫的阿富汗民众将对美国政府及我们的盟国的慷概大度有更深的认识，在我们打击阿富汗境内军用设施的同时，我们还会向正遭受饥饿之苦的阿富汗民众空投食物、药品以及其他救援物资。

美国政府是阿富汗人民的朋友，而且我们了是全世界信仰伊斯兰教的近10亿教徒的朋友。美国是那些从事恐怖活动的个人及组织的敌人，这些人根本就不是伊斯兰教徒，他们只是打着伊斯兰教的幌子在从事谋杀活动。

这次针对塔利班政权的军事打击活动是我们反恐怖行动的一部分，在实施军事打击的同时，我们还对38个国家境内与恐怖组织有关联的个人及机构的资产进行了冻结。

我们相信，只要我们团结一致，目标统一，我们就一定能够赢得这场反恐怖战争的胜利。虽然今天我们打击的目标是阿富汗，但其具有更广泛的意义，尽管每个国家都有权做出自己的决定，但在反恐怖战场上没有任何中立立场可言。如果任何一个政府支持或庇护恐怖分子，它就会成为国际社会孤立和打击的对象，它最终的下场将与恐怖分子一样。

美国是一个渴望和平的国家，但我们在9月11日这一天突然意识到，如果恐怖主义不除，世界将永无宁日。在面临现今的恐怖主义威胁时，我们得到和平的唯一办法就是消灭那些带来恐怖威胁的人。美国并不想发动这场进攻，但我们被逼无奈，而且一定要取得胜利。

这次军事行动的代号是“持久自由行动”。通过这次行动，我们不仅将为美国民众带来宝贵的自由，而且还将为全世界的公众赢得自由，让他们的子孙后代远离战争。

我知道很多美国人今天会感到担心，不过请放心，美国政府已采取了最谨慎的防范措施，我们所有的执法机构以及情报部门都为此在一天24小时地工作着。

在未来几个月内，耐心将是我们最大的法宝，它将给那些在前线作战的士兵的家人和朋友带来希望和毅力。我们为这些士兵及其亲属做出的巨大牺牲感到自豪。这些到前线参战的武装人员是职业军人，他们值得我们尊敬，他们代表了美国民众当中最优秀的成员，我们为他们感到骄傲。

在这里，我要向参加这次行动的每位美国士兵说：“你们的行动是正义的，我们对你们充满信心。”

“9·11恐怖事件”让所有的美国人都更加懂得了自由的含义，深知赢得自由就需要付出代价和牺牲。现在，战争就在眼前，我们不会退缩也不会裹足，因为和平和自由终将战胜邪恶。

谢谢大家，愿上帝与美国同在。