Gates: New Afghanistan Strategy a High Priority
盖茨称评估阿富汗战略为当务之急

　 
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says a new strategy for fighting Islamic extremists in Afghanistan will be a high priority for the administration of President-elect Barack Obama. Gates, who has served as Defense secretary under President George Bush, has been chosen by Mr. Obama to remain in the post.

美国国防部长盖茨说，制定一个打击阿富汗伊斯兰极端分子的新战略将是当选总统奥巴马的优先任务。盖茨是布什政府的国防部长，奥巴马选择让他留任。

Secretary Gates told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that one of his first priorities in the new administration, which begins on January 20, will be to re-evaluate U.S. strategy in Afghanistan.

盖茨部长星期二在国防部对记者说，他在明年1月20号开始执政的新政府中的首要工作之一是重新评估美国在阿富汗的战略。

"It is very important for us to do everything we can to make sure that the Afghans understand this is their fight, and they have to be out front in this fight," he said. "That is why I am such a strong supporter of accelerating the expansion of the Afghan army."

盖茨说：“我们要尽最大的努力，确保阿富汗人明白，这是他们的战争，他们必须站在第一线。这一点非常重要。这也是我为什么坚决支持加快阿富汗扩军的速度。”

The Bush administration is reviewing the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, and the Obama administration is expected to do the same.

布什政府正在审议美国在阿富汗的战略，预计奥巴马政府也将这样做。

Gates said U.S. officials are greatly concerned about terrorist safe havens on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, which Mr. Obama has called the number one threat to the security of Americans. Gates said the United States and Afghanistan will increase their efforts to close safe havens on the Afghan side of the border, and he said Washington will emphasize a similar partnership with Pakistan's government to shut down the enclaves on its side.

盖茨说，美国官员非常关注在阿富汗和巴基斯坦边界两侧恐怖主义分子的藏身之处。奥巴马称这是对美国人安全的头号威胁。盖茨表示，美国和阿富汗将加大行动力度，清除恐怖分子在边境地带阿富汗一侧的藏身地，同时华盛顿将强调同巴基斯坦政府间一种类似的伙伴关系，敦促巴基斯坦在边界本方一侧采取同样的行动。

"We are prepared to move as quickly as the Pakistanis are," he said. "I know they are uneasy about the American footprint in Pakistan, and I think we have to be sensitive to their political concerns. At the same time, we cannot do this on our own."

盖茨说：“我们会和巴基斯坦人一样迅速行动。我知道，他们对美国人在巴基斯坦感到不安，我想我们必须十分注意他们的政治关切。与此同时，我们不能独自做这件事。”

Secretary Gates also said another high priority will be to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba, where more than 250 detainees suspected of terrorism are being held. Gates said closing the controversial facility will require help from Capitol Hill.

盖茨还谈到，另外一项重要工作是关闭古巴关塔纳摩湾的拘留中心，现在那里还关押着250多名恐怖分子嫌疑人。盖茨指出，关闭这个有争议的设施需要国会的帮助。

"I think it is possible to close it," he said. "I think it does require a joint effort with the Congress. I think some legislation probably is needed as a part of it. I think trying to move forward on that, at least from my standpoint, should be a high priority."

他说：“我认为有可能把它关闭，不过这确实需要国会的合作，可能需要通过一些立法。至少从我的立场来看，我认为努力推动这件事应当是首先要考虑的一个问题。”

The defense secretary commended India for its restraint in responding to last week's deadly attacks in Mumbai. He said the killings were clearly the act of an extremist group trying to target Americans and Britons. But he acknowledged that most of those who died were Indians.

Gates is the only Bush administration cabinet member who has been asked to stay on in the Obama administration.

盖茨是布什内阁中唯一一位被要求在奥巴马政府中留任的官员。