(June 17,2006)
Good morning. Earlier this week, I traveled to Baghdad to
visit the capital of a free and democratic Iraq. It was an incredible feeling to
stand in the cockpit of Air Force
One and watch the pilot steer us in toward Baghdad.
After we landed, I had the pleasure of meeting with our dedicated embassy
staff and intelligence officers serving far from home under dangerous
circumstances. And I was honored to meet with some of our troops, including
those responsible for bringing justice to the terrorist Zarqawi. It was a
privilege to shake their hands, look them in the eye, and tell them how much the
American people appreciate their daily courage, and how much we appreciate the
sacrifices that they and their families are making.
On my trip, I also
met with the new Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki, and I was able to see firsthand
his strong character and his determination to succeed. We held a joint meeting
of our two Cabinets, with members of my Cabinet participating by video
teleconference from Camp David. The Prime Minister briefed us on his plan to
take immediate steps in three key areas: improving security, building up Iraq's
economy so Iraqis can see real progress in their lives, and reaching out to the
international community to secure support for Iraq's new government. Then we
discussed how my administration can help the Prime Minister accomplish these
vital objectives.
His top priority is securing Baghdad, so Coalition and Iraqi forces have
launched Operation Together Forward, a joint effort to restore security and the
rule of law to high-risk areas of the city. To help the Prime Minister improve
security, we will continue embedding Coalition transition teams in Iraqi army
and police units, and we will help the new Iraqi Ministers of Defense and
Interior improve their command and control, root out corruption, and investigate
and punish human rights violations. We will also support the Prime Minister as
he works to rein in illegal militias, build a judicial system that will provide
equal justice to all, and promote reconciliation among the Iraqi people.
To aid the Prime Minister in revitalizing Iraq's economy, we will send
additional experts to help the Iraqi government develop an economic framework
that will promote job creation and opportunity for all Iraqis. We will also help
the Prime Minister increase oil and electricity production by working together
on ways to protect key infrastructure from attacks, and to quickly restore oil
and electricity production when attacks do occur.
Finally, America will help the Prime Minister engage the international
community in Iraq's success. We will encourage other nations to fulfill the
monetary pledges they have already made to help the new Iraqi government
succeed. We will also support the Prime Minister's efforts to forge a new
international compact. Under this compact, Iraq will take a series of steps in
the political, economic, and security areas, and in return, the international
community will provide Iraq with more robust political and economic support.
During my trip, I was impressed with the Prime Minister, the team he has
assembled, and the plan he has set for his government. I appreciate his
determination, and the determination of his Cabinet, to make his agenda work. I
told them that the future of Iraq is in their hands. And I told them that
America is a nation that keeps its word, and America will stand with them as we
work toward our shared goal: a free Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself,
and defend itself. By seizing this moment of opportunity, we will defeat our
common enemies and build a lasting democracy in the heart of the Middle East,
and that will make Americans, Iraqis, and the world more secure.
I traveled to Baghdad to personally show our Nation's commitment to a free
Iraq, because it is vital for the Iraqi people to know with certainty that
America will not abandon them after we have come this far. The challenges that
remain in Iraq are serious. We face determined enemies who remain intent on
killing the innocent, and defeating these enemies will require more sacrifice
and the continued patience of our country. But our efforts in Iraq are well
worth it, the mission is necessary for the security of our country, and we will
succeed.
Thank you for listening.
cockpit
: 飞机座舱
(来源:http://www.weeklyradioaddress.com/
英语点津姗姗编辑)