(单词翻译:单击)
Favorite My fellow citizens, at this hour American and coalition1 forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm2 Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.
"On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign. "
More than 35 countries are giving crucial support, from the use of naval3 and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment4 of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense5.
"To all of the men and women of the United States armed forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. "That trust is well placed.
"The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate6 will witness the honorable and decent spirit of the American military.
"In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian7 areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military; a final atrocity8 against his people. "I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians9 from harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain10 of a nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping11 Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.
"We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great civilization and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people. "I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon.
"Millions of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent. "For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude12 and respect of the American people and you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done. "Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly, yet our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw13 regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder.
"We will meet that threat now with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of firefighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities. "Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory.
"My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril14 and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others. And we will prevail.
"May God bless our country and all who defend her."
1 coalition | |
n.结合体,同盟,结合,联合 | |
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2 disarm | |
v.解除武装,回复平常的编制,缓和 | |
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3 naval | |
adj.海军的,军舰的,船的 | |
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4 deployment | |
n. 部署,展开 | |
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5 defense | |
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩 | |
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6 liberate | |
v.解放,使获得自由,释出,放出;vt.解放,使获自由 | |
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7 civilian | |
adj.平民的,民用的,民众的 | |
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8 atrocity | |
n.残暴,暴行 | |
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9 civilians | |
平民,百姓( civilian的名词复数 ); 老百姓 | |
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10 terrain | |
n.地面,地形,地图 | |
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11 helping | |
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的 | |
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12 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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13 outlaw | |
n.歹徒,亡命之徒;vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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14 peril | |
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物 | |
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