Bush Announces Start of Military Action Against Iraq (来源：专业英语学习网站 http://www.EnglishCN.com)

President Bush in a four-minute televised address from the White Houseat 0316 GMT March 20 announced that "American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people, and to defend the world from grave danger."

美国总统布什于美国东部时间十点十五分(巴格达时间二十日凌晨五点十五分)在白宫椭圆形办公室发表电视讲话，正式宣布打响对伊拉克的战争。

THE PRESIDENT:

My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm 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 naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense.

To all 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 liberate 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 civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military -- a final atrocity against his people.

I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping 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 gratitude 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 outlaw 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 fire fighters 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 peril 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.

布什总统：

　　我亲爱的美国国民，美国及其盟军正处于解除伊拉克武装，解放伊拉克人民，使世界远离危险的军事行动的初步阶段。在我的命令下，盟军已经有选择性的对一些重要的军事目标进行打击，以摧毁萨达姆的军事实力。这是一场涉及广泛、齐心协力战役的开始。35个国家已经给予美国重要的支持，允许美国使用他们的海军和空军基地，协助美国的情报机构以及后勤部门并部署军队。这个联盟的每一个国家都为了共同防御承担责任，并为此感到自豪。

　　对于美国在中东武装力量每一员来说，世界和平以及被压迫人民的希望都寄托在你们身上，你们面对的敌人将会领教你们的英勇和能力，你们所解放的民众将目睹美国军队光荣和良好的精神。

　　在这场战争中，美国面临了一个无视战争规则和道德规范的敌人。

　　萨达姆将伊拉克军队和军事装备部署在平民场所，企图将无辜百姓和儿童作为他们军队的挡箭牌。这是萨达姆对伊拉克人民最后的暴行。

　　我希望美国及全世界能了解，盟军将尽一切可能避免伤及无辜百姓，在一个和加利福尼亚一样大的充满险恶地形的国家进行战争意味着战争的时间比预想的要长，困难要大。 　　只有我们坚定不移的信念才能够帮助伊拉克建立一个团结的、稳定的、自由的国家。

　　我们怀着对伊拉克以及他们伟大人民和宗教信仰的尊敬来到伊拉克。我们在伊拉克没有任何的企图，我们只是想摧毁一个威胁，使伊拉克人民恢复对国家的控制。

　　我知道我们军队的家人正在为他们祈祷，希望他们能够尽快安全回国。数以万计的美国人在为你们深爱的家人的安全和保护无辜而祈祷。因为你们的牺牲，你们赢得了美国人民的感激和尊敬。我可以告诉你们，我们的军队将在完成他们的使命之后尽快回家。我们的国家自愿参与这场战争，我们的目的是明确的。美国及其盟国的人民不会让拥有大规模杀伤性武器的伊拉克当局的威胁继续存在下去。

　　我们的海军、陆军、空军以及海岸警卫队、海军陆战队现在去迎接威胁的挑战，就是为了今后消防队员、警察和医务人员在我们的城市里面不再面临威胁。

　　战争已经来临了，一支意志坚定的军队是缩短战期的唯一途径。我向你们保证这不会是一次半途而废的行动，我们可以接受的唯一结果是打败伊拉克。

　　我亲爱的国民，我们国家和全世界面临的危险将被消除。我们将度过这个危险的时刻，继续我们和平的事业。我们江保卫我们的国家，我们将为其他国家带去和平。我们一定会赢。

　　愿上帝保佑美国和所有保卫美国的人。