20181220 美國國防部長馬帝斯辭職信

【Comment】

It is an important resignation. 

Secretary Mattis mention the “common defense,” the allies and “pledge my full effort to a smooth transition,” which is not common.

Dear Mr. President: 親愛的總統先生

I have been privileged to serve as our country's 26th Secretary of Defense which has allowed me to serve alongside our men and women of the Department in defense of our citizens and our ideals.

我很榮幸能夠擔任我國的第26任國防部長，這讓我有機會與國防部的同仁們一同服務，保衛我們的國民與我們的理念。

I am proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years on some of the key goals articulated in our National Defense Strategy: putting the Department on a more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and reforming the Department's business practices for greater performance.  Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in conflict and sustain strong U.S. global influence.

對於過去兩年在重要國防政策目標上的進展，我感到非常自豪：包括了讓預算基礎更為健全，改善武力整備及殺傷力，國防部的運作經過改革後，表現也更為亮眼。我們部隊的戰力讓我們在衝突之中能夠得勝，並且繼續維持美國的全球影響力。

One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.

我始終抱持的一個核心信念，是我們的國力無可避免地與我們的盟邦與夥伴關係息息相關。當美國是自由世界中無可或缺的一份子，我們若不能維持一個強有力的同盟、並且好好尊重這些盟邦，我們就沒有辦法保護我們的利益，也沒有辦法好好扮演自己的角色。

Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world.  Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances.  NATO's 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America.  The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.

就像您一樣，我一開始就認為美軍不應該充當世界警察，我們必須運用美國所有的資源來進行共同防衛，包括對我們的盟邦提供有力的統御。北約的29個民主政體在911事件後，承諾與美國並肩作戰，便展現了共同防衛的力量。由74個國家所組成的反ISIS聯盟，則是一個更新的例子。

Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours.  It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model - gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions - to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies.  That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense.

同樣的，對於那些與我們的戰略利益日益緊張的國家，我們對待他們的態度必須堅定且毫不含糊。舉例來說，中國與俄羅斯想要以極權主義來形塑這個世界（亦即對於其他國家的經濟、外交、安全決策擁有否決的權威），這兩個國家以犧牲其鄰邦、美國與其盟國為代價，來保護他們自身的利益。這是為什麼我們必須運用美國的一切資源，來提供共同國防。

My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues.  We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.

對於盟邦給予尊重，對於那些同時扮演惡意行動者與戰略競爭者的勢力則保持清醒的洞察，我處理相關議題40多年，才得到上述觀點，並且堅定奉行至今。我們一定得盡其所能，維持一個對我們的安全、繁榮與價值最有利的國際秩序，在盟邦的團結之下，我們的努力更將事半功倍。

Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position.  The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department's interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February.  Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability Within the Department.

包括上述議題與其他政策，您都有權挑選一個跟您的立場更為相近的國防部長，我也相信，現在辭職對我來說是一個正確的選擇。我任期的最後一天是2019年2月28日，這個日期應該足以讓您提名繼任人選，確保國防部的運作不致受到影響，國會聽證會與明年2月的北約防長會議都得以順利進行。此外，在參謀首長聯席會議主席9月交接之前，將國防部長的職務進行交接，也能夠確保國防部本身的穩定。

I pledge my full effort to a smooth transition that ensures the needs and interests of the 2.15 million Service Members and 732,079 DoD civilians receive undistracted attention of the Department at all times so that they can fulfill their critical, round-the-clock mission to protect the American people.

我保證將盡我所能做到平順交接職務，以確保國防部對215萬美軍與其73萬2079位民間僱員的照顧不打折扣，讓這些人可以完成不分晝夜的艱難任務，保護美國人民的安全。

I very much appreciate this opportunity to serve the nation and our men and women in uniform.

我非常感激有這個機會為國家、為我們的袍澤效力。

James Mattis

詹姆斯・馬提斯