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 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 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 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 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."

(Agencies)

同胞们，我们已经开始了对伊拉克的军事行动，我们要解除伊拉克的武装，解放伊拉克的人民，避免世界陷入危险。

我已经下达命令，联军已经开始对固定的目标进行选择性打击，彻底销毁萨达姆威胁这个世界的能力，这将是一次大规模的袭击，这只是一个初始的阶段。

至少35个国家向我们提供重要帮助，包括使用他们的基地、分享情报、提供后勤支援。所有参加这场战争的国家将和我们共同承担这份责任、分享共同联手的荣誉。

那些驻扎在中东地区的美国士兵们，那里的和平和人民现在就要靠你们了。

你们将不负这些信任。

你们的敌人将尝到你们的勇敢和出色，被你们解放的人民将会见证美国军队勇往的精神，见证美国人的精神。

在这场战斗中，美国所面对的敌人无视战争规则和道德准则。萨达姆将伊拉克军队设在了平民区，企图将无辜的妇女、儿童、男人作为保护自己军队的盾牌，这是他对自己人民最后的暴行。

我希望所有的美国人、全世界的人民都知道，盟军将尽一切努力保证避免伤害无辜人民，这可能会使我们的战争比预期更加艰难，时间更长。我们要帮助伊拉克人民实现一个团结、稳定、自由的国度，这需要我们做出持久的承诺。

我们到伊拉克去，我们尊重伊拉克人民，并且尊重伊拉克人民伟大的文明和宗教信仰，我们对伊拉克并没有野心，我们只是去解除威胁，将管理国家的权力重新归还给伊拉克人民。

我知道，美国军队的家属都在为士兵们祈祷，希望他们能够尽早安全返回。

成千上万的美国人正在祈祷亲人安全，祈祷无辜人民能够受到保护。

你们的牺牲将换来美国人民的尊重，一旦任务完成，你们将尽快回家。 美国并不愿意这场冲突发生，然而我们的目标是明确的，美国人民、我们的盟友不会对一个非法的政权心慈手软，这个政权正使用大规模杀伤性武器威胁世界和平。

我们的陆军、海军、空军现在正直面这些威胁，这是为了避免以后我们的消防员、警察和医生在我们自己的城市街道上面对这样的威胁。

现在战争已经开始，速战速决的唯一方法就是坚决打击。我向大家保证，这不会是一场半途而废的战争，除非胜利，我们不会罢休。

我们的国家和世界面临的危险将被解除，我们将度过危险时期，继续和平事业，我们将保卫我们的自由，也将把自由带给其他人。我们一定会成功。

上帝保佑我们的国家，保佑我们的战士们。

（中国日报网站译）