据美国媒体6月7日报道，美国国防部长盖茨日前表示，他们将对阿富汗境内的塔利班进行“决定性的一击”。

今年67岁的盖茨将在本月30日正式退休，结束4年半的国防部长生涯。前几日，盖茨前往阿富汗最边远、最危险的战事前线，看望驻扎在那里的士兵和海军陆战队员，向他们告别并表达的感谢之情。

面对官兵盖茨表示，虽然本·拉登已死，但阿富汗战事不能松懈下来，在塔利班觉得有必要讲和之前，还要对他们施加更多的军事压力。

（来源：中国日报网 梁杉 编辑：）

In a last farewell to US and international forces in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says they are on track to deliver a decisive blow against the Taliban.

He was wrapping up a four-day tour of the war front highlighted by visits to US troop bases in remote parts of southern and eastern Afghanistan.

Just days from retirement, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was bidding a final farewell on Monday to front-line U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

He flew from the Afghan capital, Kabul, to a troop base in one of the more remote and dangerous parts of the country, in Paktika province, which borders Pakistan.

On Sunday, he visited two troop bases in southern Afghanistan to say goodbye and thank soldiers and Marines for their service in the fight against the Taliban.

Gates, 67, is retiring June 30, ending a 4 1/2 year tenure as Pentagon chief. One of his last major issues will be to recommend to President Barack Obama how to begin and carry out a U.S. troop withdrawal starting in July.

In a session with soldiers of the 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Gates said that despite eliminating Osama bin Laden, it was still too soon to wind down the Afghan war. He said more military pressure must be applied to the Taliban before they are likely to feel it necessary to talk peace.