英语新闻阅读：奥巴马宣布3万3000名美军撤离阿富汗

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　　U.S. President Barack Obama has announced the beginning of the end of the
country's 10-year war in Afghanistan, ordering the withdrawal of 33,000 American
troops by the end of 2012.In a White House address Wednesday, President Obama
told the American people "the tide of war is receding." He said the first 10,000
American troops will pull out by the end of this year.The remaining troops from
the surge announced in December of 2009 will come home next year, with U.S.
forces continuing their withdrawal at a "steady pace" as Afghan forces take the
lead.
        　　Some 100,000 American troops are serving in Afghanistan.The Afghan war has
become increasingly unpopular with the American public. With a trillion dollars
spent on wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in the last decade, President Obama
acknowledged it was time to focus on "nation-building at home."The president
said that by 2014, the process of transition in Afghanistan will be complete,
with Afghans taking responsibility for their own security.His announcement
Wednesday on troop levels is seen as more aggressive than a slower drawdown
called for by some military commanders. Still, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert
Gates said he supported the president's decision.
        　　In his 13-minute speech, President Obama noted that al-Qaida is under more
pressure than at any time since the September 11 terrorist attacks and is on a
"path to defeat." U.S. special forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in
Pakistan on May 2.In Afghanistan, the president said U.S. forces have inflicted
losses on the Taliban and taken a number of the insurgent group's
strongholds.Mr. Obama acknowledged that the war in Afghanistan can not end
without some kind of political settlement. He expressed support for Afghan-led
reconciliation talks with members of the Taliban who are willing to break from
al-Qaida, abandon violence, and abide by the Afghan constitution.The Taliban
called Mr. Obama's troop withdrawal plan "only a symbolic step" that will not
satisfy "the war-weary international community or the American people."