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Mr. Earnest: Good
afternoon, everybody.
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Let me start by speaking for all
of you when I say thank goodness
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it's Friday.
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(laughter)
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I don't have
any openings, so, Darlene,
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we can go straight
to your questions.
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The Press: Thank you.
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Obviously we saw the President's
statement this morning on
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Senator Harry Reid, saying that
he wasn't going to run
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for reelection.
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Is there any reaction to Senator
Reid coming out so quickly and
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endorsing Chuck
Schumer to succeed him?
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Mr. Earnest: I
saw those reports.
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Obviously it's the
responsibility of Democratic
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members of the Senate to decide
who the Senate Democratic leader
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should be.
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There was a point in time when
the President did participate in
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those kinds of discussions when
he himself was a member of the
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Senate Democrats,
but at this point,
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we'll leave that up
to them to decide.
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Obviously the President, as he's
indicated in his statement,
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has a deep appreciation for
Senator Reid and all that they
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accomplished in working together
over the last six years,
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and even before that, frankly.
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And the President is looking
forward to continuing to have
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Senator Reid as a close partner
with this White House over the
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remaining 22 months of this
President's tenure in office.
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The Press: It seems, though,
that the endorsement of Schumer
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comes at the expense
of Senator Durbin,
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who is close to the President.
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He's number two in the
Senate behind Reid.
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Does the White House or the
President have any thoughts on
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this apparent snub
of Senator Durbin?
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Mr. Earnest: I'm not
sure that -- well,
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I'll just say that the
President, obviously,
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has close relationships with a
substantial number of members of
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the Democratic
caucus in the Senate.
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That certainly includes the
close working relationship that
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we value with both Senator
Schumer and Senator Durbin.
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The President does not intend to
endorse either man in what may
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be a contested race for the
Senate leadership that will
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occur almost two years from now.
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So, at this point, we are
certainly looking forward to
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Senator Reid, the current leader
of the Senator Democrats,
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as the President makes the most
of his remaining time in office.
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The Press: One question on Iran.
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With the talks sort of heading
into this final weekend before
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the deadline, what is the
confidence level of the White
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House that a framework agreement
will be reached either this
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weekend or by March 31st?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, Darlene,
it's true that Secretary Kerry,
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Secretary Moniz, Under
Secretary Sherman,
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and others from the United
States negotiating team are
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continuing to meet with members
of the Iranian negotiating team
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in Switzerland.
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We do anticipate that some
representatives from the EU will
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join those meetings.
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Those meetings will continue
through the weekend and it's
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possible those meetings could
continue even into early
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next week.
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And as we've said in the
past, in recent weeks,
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that important
progress has been made,
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but this President is not
going to stop short of -- this
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President will not accept
an agreement that does not
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accomplish our goals, which is
to cut off every pathway that
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Iran has to acquiring
a nuclear weapon,
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and securing Iran's commitment
to cooperate with a set of
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intrusive inspections to verify
their compliance with
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the agreement.
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We've been very clear about what
those general guidelines are,
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but it will require Iran to make
substantial commitments and
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specific commitments.
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But I would say the odds of
success in this endeavor have
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not appreciably changed
over the last few weeks,
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because Iran will have to make
some very serious commitments in
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order to reach
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an agreement. Roberta.
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The Press: Just
following on that,
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does the President expect to be
talking to other leaders this
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weekend ahead of those deadlines
early next week on the
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Iran talks?
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Mr. Earnest: It's certainly
possible that the President
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could telephone world leaders
either over the course of today
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or even over the
course of the weekend.
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And if so, and if
we're able to do so,
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then we will let you know.
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The Press: On Yemen, I'm
wondering how concerned is the
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White House that, amid the
military action that's happening
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there right now and the
underlying conflict,
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that AQAP will sort of thrive
under those circumstances?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, Roberta,
we've been clear that we are
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always concerned when there are
nations like Yemen that are
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gripped by chaos.
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And we have seen in the past
that extremist groups that
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aspire to carry out acts of
violence against the West,
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including the United States,
often try to capitalize on those
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situations, establish a safe
haven and use them as a base to
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plot attacks against the West.
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We continue to be concerned
about that taking
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place in Yemen.
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The fact is we've been concerned
about those activities in Yemen
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for quite some time.
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And I've acknowledged over the
course of the last week or so
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that the instability in
Yemen does not enhance our
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counterterrorism
efforts in that country,
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but we continue to have
significant counterterrorism
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resources and
abilities in Yemen.
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And that means that
we are able to,
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based on resources that we have
in the region and based on
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relationships that we
have in the region,
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we are able to apply significant
pressure to the leaders of
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extremist organizations
that may be operating there.
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And that pressure has advanced
our efforts to keep the American
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people safe, and we're going to
continue to apply that pressure.
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The Press: Have you had to put
counterterrorism efforts on hold
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amidst the military operations
that are going on
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there right now?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't have
an update on the status of our
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counterterrorism operations at
this point other than to say
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that we continue to have
capabilities in the region that
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allow us to apply pressure
against extremist groups that
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are operating in Yemen and may
be plotting against the West.
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We continue to have
resources in the region,
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we continue to have
relationships in the region that
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are beneficial to those efforts. Michelle.
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The Press: With Saudi Arabia now
working ostensibly against Iran
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in Yemen, and the U.S.
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supporting Saudi Arabia,
does that affect the working
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relationship in regards to the
nuclear negotiations with Iran
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at all?
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Mr. Earnest: It shouldn't,
simply because we've been clear
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about the fact that the list
of grievances that the United
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States has with Iran are
lengthy -- is lengthy.
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And there are -- whether it's
Iran's destabilizing activities
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throughout the region, their
support for terror around the
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world and their unjust
detention of Americans,
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we've got a long list of
concerns with Iran's behavior.
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That concerning behavior
includes menacing our closest
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ally in the region, Israel.
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We have a long list of concerns,
and what we're focused on right
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now is trying to prevent Iran
from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
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And that's why we're engaged in
this diplomacy that's focused on
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achieving that goal.
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In fact, what we believe here at
the White House is that because
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of the long list of concerns
that we have with Iran,
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it makes it all that more
important that we prevent Iran
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from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
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The President believes -- and
there's ample evidence to
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indicate why this is so -- that
the best way for us to prevent
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Iran from obtaining a nuclear
weapon is to reach a
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diplomatic agreement.
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And that's what we're pursuing.
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And we are hopeful that that's
something we'll be able to do in
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advance of the deadline.
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But it will require, as
I mentioned to Darlene,
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Iran making very
serious commitments.
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And we'll see if they
are able to do that.
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The Press: But to have the U.S.
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and Iran working against
each other now in Yemen,
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which is a shambles, that
doesn't increase tensions at the
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negotiating table or put further
strain on what's going
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on at all?
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Mr. Earnest: Well,
again, Michelle,
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the list of grievances that I
have run through have existed
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for quite some time.
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They long pre-dated the
beginning of these diplomatic
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negotiations and so I would not
characterize as a significant
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Those tensions over those issues
have been in place for quite
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increase in those tensions.
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some time, and they are serious.
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And they are certainly tensions
that this administration
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takes seriously.
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In fact, they are part of what
makes it so important that we
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prevent Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon;
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that a nuclear-armed Iran would
be more dangerous when they
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menace Israel.
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A nuclear-armed Iran would make
it more dangerous when they
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support terrorism
around the globe.
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A nuclear-armed Iran, when
they engage in destabilizing
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activity, would only be
even more destabilizing.
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So that is why we have placed
such a premium on succeeding in
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preventing Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon.
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The Press: So the likelihood
of a deal being reached,
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is it still less than 50/50?
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Mr. Earnest: It's
still, at best, 50/50.
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That's the odds that I have
previously given to the
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likelihood of an agreement being
reached before the deadline,
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and those odds have not changed.
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The Press: Okay.
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And on Israel, we've seen
the ambassador to the U.S.
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meeting with some
Democrats, having dinner.
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We've heard the Israelis saying
things like things have been
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blown out of proportion.
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Is the administration looking
forward to a face-to-face
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meeting with someone high in
that administration
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sometime soon?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
have any meetings to announce.
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Obviously, the President
telephoned Prime Minister
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Netanyahu just last week,
where they had a conversation,
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and the President, in the
course of that telephone call,
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committed to keeping open the
lines of communication both
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between the two leaders but
also, just as importantly,
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between the national security
officials in both countries.
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That's for a couple of reasons.
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The first is, the U.S.
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commitment, under the
leadership of President Obama,
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to unprecedented security
cooperation between the U.S.
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and Israel remains.
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And the President, as Prime
Minister Netanyahu goes about
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the important work of forming a
coalition government inside of
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Israel, wants to keep open a
line of communication as that
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newly formed government begins
to make policy decisions that
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the Prime Minister believes are
in the best interest of Israel.
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The President has also made
clear that we're going to
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continue to coordinate and
communicate with Israel as the
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diplomatic progress with
Iran is made or not made,
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as the case may be.
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We're going to keep them
updated on the talks.
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That will require conversations.
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And those kinds of
communications are indicative of
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the close relationship between
the United States and
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our allies.
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And certainly, the alliance
between the United States and
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Israel is strong and a priority
for this administration.
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That's evidenced by our ongoing
security cooperation and our
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commitment to continued
cooperation on issues of
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mutual interest.
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The Press: So a high-level
with Dermer or with Netanyahu,
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you don't see that
happening anytime soon?
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Mr. Earnest: I'm just saying
that I don't have -- there's
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nothing like that that's been
scheduled at this point,
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but I wouldn't rule out
additional
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high-level conversations.
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Okay, let me move
around a little bit. Olivier.
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The Press: Thanks, Josh.
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At this point, with just a few
days left before the nominal
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deadline on the Iran political
framework agreement,
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would you characterize the
President's involvement
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day-to-day?
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How often is he being briefed?
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Is he being asked for input
on any of the core issues,
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anything like that?
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Mr. Earnest: I can tell you
that the President is receiving
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regular, at least daily, updates
on the status of ongoing
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negotiations in Switzerland.
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This is a priority for him.
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And that's why, again, I ran
through the list of people who
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00:11:47,273 --> 00:11:48,573
are participating
in these talks.
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We're talking about Secretary
Kerry; Secretary Moniz,
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00:11:51,277 --> 00:11:54,347
the Secretary of Energy; the
Under Secretary at the State
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00:11:54,346 --> 00:11:57,046
Department, Wendy Sherman -- so
there are a lot of
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00:11:57,049 --> 00:11:58,049
high-level U.S.
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officials who are engaged in
these conversations and the
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00:12:00,586 --> 00:12:03,556
President is being
regularly updated on them.
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The Press: Has he been asked to
make a ruling -- I'm not going
256
00:12:06,525 --> 00:12:09,065
to ask you what specific issue,
but has he been called upon to
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make a ruling on a
point of contention?
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00:12:11,764 --> 00:12:13,764
Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware
of anything like that.
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00:12:13,766 --> 00:12:16,866
I think that there is --
obviously those updates that he
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00:12:16,869 --> 00:12:20,639
receives are substantive and
there has been the occasion for
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00:12:20,639 --> 00:12:23,209
the President to communicate
with that team about his views
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00:12:23,209 --> 00:12:25,649
of the status of the talks.
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So there is a useful
back-and-forth, I guess,
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to the extent that these
conversations aren't just
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one way.
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So I would anticipate that that
will continue over the weekend
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as well.
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The Press: Last one for you.
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Timetable is still end of
March -- in other words,
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00:12:44,697 --> 00:12:47,767
Tuesday at midnight,
whichever time zone we're in?
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00:12:47,766 --> 00:12:50,766
Or are you -- Mr. Earnest: Are
you trying to set up a countdown
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clock or something?
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The Press: Yes, absolutely.
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Mr. Earnest: Those are
pretty in vogue these days.
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The Press: There all the rage.
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In all seriousness, as you get
down to these very hard -- some
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of these are very hard
issues to nail down.
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How open are you to extending
this one day, two day,
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00:13:05,084 --> 00:13:07,154
three day, and so on?
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00:13:07,153 --> 00:13:10,053
Mr. Earnest: Well, Olivier, I
wouldn't want to prejudge the
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outcome at this point.
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We've been clear that the end
of March is a firm deadline,
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and that's simply because these
negotiations have taken place
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00:13:19,198 --> 00:13:21,198
over the course of
more than a year;
285
00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,340
that should be ample opportunity
for us to reach an agreement.
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00:13:24,336 --> 00:13:28,676
We're talking about highly
complex, very difficult issues,
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00:13:28,674 --> 00:13:31,074
so I don't think it's a
particular surprise that we
288
00:13:31,076 --> 00:13:34,776
would expect these kinds of
negotiations to take some time.
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But surely more than a year
should be enough time to at
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00:13:37,750 --> 00:13:41,390
least reach a political
agreement whereby all of the
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00:13:41,387 --> 00:13:43,757
parties -- and
essentially, in this case,
292
00:13:43,756 --> 00:13:46,456
we're talking about Iran --
can make some pretty specific
293
00:13:46,458 --> 00:13:51,228
commitments about the framework
for a broader nuclear agreement.
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And we continue to be hopeful
that that's something that will
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occur, but the likelihood of
success hasn't
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00:13:58,671 --> 00:14:02,711
necessarily changed. Victoria.
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The Press: You used
the word, "specific."
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Is one of the key issues
here that the U.S.
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00:14:08,614 --> 00:14:13,054
and the other five powers are
wanting very specific language
300
00:14:13,052 --> 00:14:16,922
right now, and Iran is
looking for fuzziness?
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00:14:16,922 --> 00:14:20,022
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't want
to characterize the nature of
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00:14:20,025 --> 00:14:20,995
the conversations.
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But I will say as a general
matter that the United States
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and our P5+1 partners who are
participating -- and this
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00:14:26,899 --> 00:14:30,499
includes our allies in Europe,
it also includes countries like
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00:14:30,502 --> 00:14:36,012
China and Russia -- and what we
are all seeking are specific
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00:14:36,008 --> 00:14:40,448
commitments from Iran that would
shut down every pathway to a
308
00:14:40,446 --> 00:14:47,386
bomb that Iran has, and would
seek Iran's commitment to submit
309
00:14:47,386 --> 00:14:50,556
to intrusive inspections that
can verify their compliance
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with the agreement.
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00:14:52,091 --> 00:14:56,491
And that's what we're seeking
and we want those -- we intend
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00:14:56,495 --> 00:14:58,495
for those commitments
to be specific.
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00:14:58,497 --> 00:15:02,867
Now, at the same time, we've
also been clear that these
314
00:15:02,868 --> 00:15:04,868
conversations are
highly technical.
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00:15:04,870 --> 00:15:07,870
And to ensure that the
agreement is being fulfilled,
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00:15:07,873 --> 00:15:10,413
we're going to seek some very
specific technical commitments
317
00:15:10,409 --> 00:15:11,409
as well.
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00:15:11,410 --> 00:15:15,850
So after this completed -- if
a completed -- if a political
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00:15:15,848 --> 00:15:18,318
agreement can be
completed by the deadline,
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00:15:18,317 --> 00:15:21,587
that would essentially establish
a framework for the kinds of
321
00:15:21,587 --> 00:15:25,687
technical talks that will
require a few additional months.
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00:15:25,691 --> 00:15:29,061
And the deadline for those more
technical talks would be the end
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00:15:29,061 --> 00:15:30,661
of June.
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00:15:30,663 --> 00:15:33,163
But, again, this is a situation
where the devil is in the
325
00:15:33,165 --> 00:15:36,765
details, and being able to pin
down those details is important,
326
00:15:36,769 --> 00:15:40,909
but where we need to start is
with the outlines of a political
327
00:15:40,906 --> 00:15:44,376
agreement, and that's something
that we are aiming to achieve by
328
00:15:44,376 --> 00:15:45,846
the end of March.
329
00:15:45,844 --> 00:15:48,714
The Press: As a result of the
call yesterday from President
330
00:15:48,714 --> 00:15:51,754
Rouhani and the letter that he
wrote to the six world powers,
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00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:55,220
and the talks with
the foreign minister,
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00:15:55,220 --> 00:15:57,760
and what we've been hearing
from Ayatollah Khomeini,
333
00:15:57,756 --> 00:16:01,656
would you say that at this point
we're getting three messages
334
00:16:01,660 --> 00:16:06,070
that are the same, or are we
getting three different messages
335
00:16:06,065 --> 00:16:09,765
from Iran of what they
want in these talks?
336
00:16:09,768 --> 00:16:14,478
Mr. Earnest: Well, I wouldn't at
this point characterize any of
337
00:16:14,473 --> 00:16:18,873
the kinds of conversations
that we're getting from Iran.
338
00:16:18,877 --> 00:16:22,077
We have confirmed that a
letter was passed to the U.S.
339
00:16:22,081 --> 00:16:25,781
negotiating team that was
intended for President Obama and
340
00:16:25,784 --> 00:16:28,084
was sent by President Rouhani.
341
00:16:28,087 --> 00:16:31,027
I would confirm that that
letter was received by the U.S.
342
00:16:31,023 --> 00:16:35,893
negotiating team in Switzerland,
but I don't have any details to
343
00:16:35,894 --> 00:16:38,064
share with you about the
contents of that letter.
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00:16:38,063 --> 00:16:40,063
What I can confirm
for you, though,
345
00:16:40,065 --> 00:16:44,135
is that the P5+1 is united and
the P5+1 is certainly speaking
346
00:16:44,136 --> 00:16:46,876
with one voice about what our
expectations are about what a
347
00:16:46,872 --> 00:16:49,242
political agreement would look
like if it can be reached by the
348
00:16:49,241 --> 00:16:50,241
end of March.
349
00:16:50,242 --> 00:16:55,312
And that international unanimity
of opinion has been critical to
350
00:16:55,314 --> 00:16:58,984
our ability to apply pressure
to Iran and will actively
351
00:16:58,984 --> 00:17:02,424
contribute to the
likelihood of success here.
352
00:17:05,591 --> 00:17:08,461
We have succeeded in bringing
the international community
353
00:17:08,460 --> 00:17:12,430
together to pressure Iran and to
bring them to the negotiating
354
00:17:12,431 --> 00:17:16,131
table, and to engage in
constructive talks that will
355
00:17:16,135 --> 00:17:18,775
prevent them from
obtaining a nuclear weapon.
356
00:17:18,771 --> 00:17:19,941
That's no small feat.
357
00:17:19,938 --> 00:17:21,938
You'll recall that when
the President took office,
358
00:17:21,940 --> 00:17:25,140
the international community was
fractured over this issue and
359
00:17:25,144 --> 00:17:28,144
there was unanimity of opinion
inside of Iran about the
360
00:17:28,147 --> 00:17:31,687
benefits of pursuing a
weaponized nuclear program.
361
00:17:31,683 --> 00:17:35,653
Because of the leadership of
this President and the steady
362
00:17:35,654 --> 00:17:38,854
diplomacy of his team, we
have succeeded in uniting the
363
00:17:38,857 --> 00:17:42,697
international community around
the goal of preventing Iran from
364
00:17:42,694 --> 00:17:44,234
obtaining a nuclear weapon.
365
00:17:44,229 --> 00:17:47,429
We were able to compel Iran
to participate in serious
366
00:17:47,433 --> 00:17:51,373
negotiations because of the
way that we implemented a very
367
00:17:51,370 --> 00:17:56,280
stringent sanctions regime
against Iran that led to a lot
368
00:17:56,275 --> 00:17:59,245
of economic pressure
being applied on Iran.
369
00:18:01,346 --> 00:18:04,686
And that has caused a lot of
dissension within Iran about the
370
00:18:04,683 --> 00:18:08,423
wisdom of pursuing
a nuclear weapon.
371
00:18:08,420 --> 00:18:12,190
And that, I think, is a
pretty substantial reversal.
372
00:18:12,191 --> 00:18:14,191
It's a testament to the
leadership of this President.
373
00:18:14,193 --> 00:18:19,263
And it's the way that the
President views is the best way
374
00:18:19,264 --> 00:18:22,434
for us to try to resolve
this particular situation.
375
00:18:22,434 --> 00:18:24,674
The Press: So you wouldn't
characterize it as France having
376
00:18:24,670 --> 00:18:27,340
a tougher negotiating position
at this point than the
377
00:18:27,339 --> 00:18:28,779
United States?
378
00:18:28,774 --> 00:18:29,774
Mr. Earnest: I would not.
379
00:18:29,775 --> 00:18:31,745
And that's based on the
conversation that President
380
00:18:31,743 --> 00:18:33,743
Obama had with President
Hollande earlier this week in
381
00:18:33,745 --> 00:18:38,385
which they confirmed that they
are of similar views about how
382
00:18:38,383 --> 00:18:41,753
to ensure that we are cutting
off every pathway that Iran has
383
00:18:41,753 --> 00:18:45,323
to a nuclear weapon and to
ensure that Iran is making
384
00:18:45,324 --> 00:18:49,524
specific commitments about the
kinds of intrusive inspections
385
00:18:49,528 --> 00:18:51,698
that will be conducted to verify
their compliance with
386
00:18:51,697 --> 00:18:52,867
the agreement. Mark.
387
00:18:52,865 --> 00:18:58,975
The Press: Has the Rouhani
letter been received here?
388
00:18:58,971 --> 00:19:02,211
Mr. Earnest: What I will say is
I do feel confident that the
389
00:19:02,207 --> 00:19:04,207
team here at the White House is
aware of the contents
390
00:19:04,209 --> 00:19:05,379
of the letter.
391
00:19:05,377 --> 00:19:06,407
The Press: Including
the President?
392
00:19:06,411 --> 00:19:08,051
Mr. Earnest: Including
the President.
393
00:19:08,046 --> 00:19:09,216
The Press: How does that work
when they get a letter
394
00:19:09,214 --> 00:19:09,914
over there?
395
00:19:09,915 --> 00:19:11,885
Do they put it in
a diplomatic pouch?
396
00:19:11,884 --> 00:19:14,254
Do they open it up and email it?
397
00:19:14,253 --> 00:19:17,423
Is it in English?
398
00:19:17,422 --> 00:19:19,162
Mr. Earnest: It's an interesting
question, and I have no idea.
399
00:19:19,157 --> 00:19:20,827
(laughter)
400
00:19:20,826 --> 00:19:21,796
The Press:
Can you get back to me?
401
00:19:21,793 --> 00:19:23,663
Mr. Earnest: Maybe they
send it over via Morse Code.
402
00:19:23,662 --> 00:19:25,502
I have no idea.
403
00:19:25,497 --> 00:19:26,467
The Press: They could
it tweet it, too.
404
00:19:26,465 --> 00:19:27,395
Mr. Earnest: I guess
they could do that.
405
00:19:27,399 --> 00:19:28,269
The Press: Rouhani does tweet.
406
00:19:28,267 --> 00:19:29,497
Mr. Earnest: Direct message?
407
00:19:29,501 --> 00:19:32,171
Yes, it's possible that that's
-- I don't know the way that
408
00:19:32,170 --> 00:19:33,170
that letter is transmitted.
409
00:19:33,171 --> 00:19:35,271
But I can tell you that the
President is certainly aware of
410
00:19:35,274 --> 00:19:36,274
the contents of the letter.
411
00:19:36,275 --> 00:19:39,545
The Press: And on Ambassador
Rice's meeting yesterday with
412
00:19:39,545 --> 00:19:44,215
Stoltenberg, the NATO chief,
what did she tell him about the
413
00:19:44,216 --> 00:19:46,216
reason he couldn't
see the President?
414
00:19:46,218 --> 00:19:52,188
Mr. Earnest: Well, they had a
conversation about a number of
415
00:19:52,190 --> 00:19:54,860
policies that the United States
is working closely with NATO
416
00:19:54,860 --> 00:19:57,230
to pursue.
417
00:19:57,229 --> 00:19:59,099
It was a useful discussion --
we put out a readout of
418
00:19:59,097 --> 00:20:00,267
the discussion.
419
00:20:00,265 --> 00:20:02,935
In the context of
that discussion,
420
00:20:02,935 --> 00:20:05,535
the National Security Advisor
extended an invitation for the
421
00:20:05,537 --> 00:20:08,777
Secretary General to return to
Washington in May to have a
422
00:20:08,774 --> 00:20:10,614
meeting with the President
of the United States.
423
00:20:10,609 --> 00:20:12,609
I would also point out that
the Secretary General had the
424
00:20:12,611 --> 00:20:16,011
opportunity to meet with new
Defense Secretary
425
00:20:16,014 --> 00:20:17,554
Ash Carter, yesterday.
426
00:20:17,549 --> 00:20:21,019
And I think that's a testament
to the kind of intensive
427
00:20:21,019 --> 00:20:23,089
coordination that exists between
the United States and our
428
00:20:23,088 --> 00:20:25,558
NATO partners. Chris.
429
00:20:25,557 --> 00:20:29,927
The Press: We do know from some
of the things that have been
430
00:20:29,928 --> 00:20:32,128
released and the phone
calls, apparently,
431
00:20:32,130 --> 00:20:35,630
that Rouhani made that one of
the things he wants is a quick
432
00:20:35,634 --> 00:20:38,174
removal of what he calls
the "unjust sanctions."
433
00:20:38,170 --> 00:20:40,970
And I know that the President
has said on multiple occasions
434
00:20:40,973 --> 00:20:43,673
that it would be a much more
gradual removal of
435
00:20:43,675 --> 00:20:44,505
those sanctions.
436
00:20:44,509 --> 00:20:44,979
Mr. Earnest: That's right.
437
00:20:44,977 --> 00:20:46,847
The Press: Is there any
wiggle room in that?
438
00:20:46,845 --> 00:20:49,185
Is there any consideration
of changing that position?
439
00:20:49,181 --> 00:20:53,381
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I
don't want to be in a position
440
00:20:53,385 --> 00:20:55,755
of negotiating this
agreement from here.
441
00:20:55,754 --> 00:20:59,724
But I will just say as a general
matter that what you said about
442
00:20:59,725 --> 00:21:02,365
our negotiating
position is accurate.
443
00:21:02,361 --> 00:21:07,671
The President does believe
that it would be unwise to,
444
00:21:07,666 --> 00:21:10,806
on the first day of an
agreement with the Iranians,
445
00:21:10,802 --> 00:21:12,802
to take away all of the
sanctions that have been in
446
00:21:12,804 --> 00:21:14,104
place for such a long time.
447
00:21:14,106 --> 00:21:20,476
What the President envisions
is a phased waiving of
448
00:21:20,479 --> 00:21:21,479
the sanctions.
449
00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,620
And there are sanctions that
come from a variety of places.
450
00:21:23,615 --> 00:21:25,655
There are sanctions
from the U.N,
451
00:21:25,651 --> 00:21:27,991
executive sanctions that
have been put in place, and,
452
00:21:27,986 --> 00:21:31,326
of course, the very onerous
statutory sanctions that
453
00:21:31,323 --> 00:21:33,123
Congress has put in place.
454
00:21:33,125 --> 00:21:38,235
And the President believes
that we need to verify Iran's
455
00:21:38,230 --> 00:21:40,770
compliance with the agreement
not just over the course of a
456
00:21:40,766 --> 00:21:43,306
few days, not just over
the course of a few weeks,
457
00:21:43,301 --> 00:21:45,401
and not just over the
course of a few months,
458
00:21:45,404 --> 00:21:48,804
but we need to see sustained,
long-range compliance with the
459
00:21:48,807 --> 00:21:54,617
agreement before we start having
a conversation about removing
460
00:21:54,613 --> 00:21:57,053
things like the statutory
sanctions that have been so
461
00:21:57,049 --> 00:22:00,119
critically important
to our success here.
462
00:22:00,118 --> 00:22:03,358
What is built into that
sanctions regime is the ability
463
00:22:03,355 --> 00:22:07,625
of the President to waive
some of those sanctions.
464
00:22:07,626 --> 00:22:10,896
So there is a way for us to do
this in a phased fashion over
465
00:22:10,896 --> 00:22:11,896
the course of time.
466
00:22:11,897 --> 00:22:19,167
But the benefit of that approach
is that if we detect any sort of
467
00:22:19,171 --> 00:22:22,771
variance in terms of Iran's
compliance with the agreement,
468
00:22:22,774 --> 00:22:25,774
then we can snap those sanctions
right back into place.
469
00:22:25,777 --> 00:22:29,017
And the President believes that
we need to keep that framework
470
00:22:29,014 --> 00:22:34,084
for sanctions that Congress
passed in place for a
471
00:22:34,086 --> 00:22:36,456
substantial period of time
before Congress votes to
472
00:22:36,455 --> 00:22:38,255
remove them.
473
00:22:38,256 --> 00:22:40,356
The Press: And if I can ask you
just about the Middle East and
474
00:22:40,358 --> 00:22:43,158
the sharp rise in
oil prices yesterday.
475
00:22:43,161 --> 00:22:45,901
Most analysts -- obviously,
Yemen is not a big producer,
476
00:22:45,897 --> 00:22:49,897
but they're a kind of small
producer -- but there is some
477
00:22:49,901 --> 00:22:54,271
concern that long term, and the
impact of instability in that
478
00:22:54,272 --> 00:22:58,072
region and the rising tensions
could mean problems for
479
00:22:58,076 --> 00:22:59,076
oil prices.
480
00:22:59,077 --> 00:23:00,947
And I wonder what the assessment
or concern is at the
481
00:23:00,946 --> 00:23:02,546
White House.
482
00:23:02,547 --> 00:23:04,887
Mr. Earnest: Well, I wouldn't be
well-positioned to give you a
483
00:23:04,883 --> 00:23:09,753
sophisticated analysis of the
impact of the Middle East's
484
00:23:09,755 --> 00:23:11,995
stability on the
global oil markets.
485
00:23:11,990 --> 00:23:14,990
There might be some people who
would want to take that role,
486
00:23:14,993 --> 00:23:17,293
but I wouldn't want to
be in that position.
487
00:23:17,295 --> 00:23:20,195
I will point out that we're
keenly aware of this kind
488
00:23:20,198 --> 00:23:21,068
of volatility.
489
00:23:21,066 --> 00:23:23,106
In fact, we've seen a lot of
volatility over the course of
490
00:23:23,101 --> 00:23:26,901
the last year that has prompted
the price of oil on the global
491
00:23:26,905 --> 00:23:31,105
market to fall some 50 percent.
492
00:23:31,109 --> 00:23:35,779
But this is obviously -- we're
mindful of the impact that this
493
00:23:35,781 --> 00:23:40,281
kind of instability has on --
could have on the oil market,
494
00:23:40,285 --> 00:23:42,825
and we're aware of that.
495
00:23:42,821 --> 00:23:46,261
It's one of the reasons that
this President has worked hard
496
00:23:46,258 --> 00:23:49,758
to pursue an approach here in
this country that diversifies
497
00:23:49,761 --> 00:23:54,101
our sources of energy, both in
terms of our domestic production
498
00:23:54,099 --> 00:23:56,539
of oil and gas, which
is at an all-time high.
499
00:23:56,535 --> 00:23:59,175
We have, over the President's
tenure in office,
500
00:23:59,171 --> 00:24:05,181
increased the amount of energy
that's produced by solar by
501
00:24:05,177 --> 00:24:06,447
10 times.
502
00:24:06,444 --> 00:24:10,184
We've tripled the amount of
energy that's produced by wind.
503
00:24:10,182 --> 00:24:13,982
And we have made a concerted
effort to improve energy
504
00:24:13,985 --> 00:24:18,895
efficiency in this country, all
of which helps to make the U.S.
505
00:24:18,890 --> 00:24:23,300
and our economy less susceptible
to that kind of volatility in
506
00:24:23,295 --> 00:24:24,695
the global oil market.
507
00:24:24,696 --> 00:24:26,696
But it's something that we
continue to be mindful
508
00:24:26,698 --> 00:24:27,698
of nonetheless.
509
00:24:27,699 --> 00:24:31,639
The Press: French Foreign
Minister Laurent Fabius today
510
00:24:31,636 --> 00:24:32,636
announced at the U.N.
511
00:24:32,637 --> 00:24:36,137
that France would launch a new
push for an Israel-Palestinian
512
00:24:36,141 --> 00:24:38,011
resolution that would,
among other things,
513
00:24:38,009 --> 00:24:40,249
mentioned a two-state solution.
514
00:24:40,245 --> 00:24:43,315
You've said a week ago at
this podium that the U.S.
515
00:24:43,315 --> 00:24:45,755
would reevaluate its
position at the U.N.
516
00:24:45,750 --> 00:24:48,320
Would you be ready to support
the French resolution on a
517
00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,550
two-state solution?
518
00:24:49,554 --> 00:24:52,154
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jerome, the
thing I can say is that we're
519
00:24:52,157 --> 00:24:55,127
obviously aware of the
foreign minister's comments.
520
00:24:55,126 --> 00:24:58,226
He was talking about his
intention to move forward with a
521
00:24:58,230 --> 00:25:01,000
strategy at the U.N.
522
00:25:00,999 --> 00:25:03,699
But we have not yet actually
seen the text of a resolution,
523
00:25:03,702 --> 00:25:07,872
so I'd reserve comment on a
hypothetical resolution at
524
00:25:07,873 --> 00:25:11,473
this point. Byron.
525
00:25:11,476 --> 00:25:12,306
The Press: Thanks, Josh.
526
00:25:12,310 --> 00:25:15,080
Why was there no inspector
general at the State Department
527
00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:17,550
during Hillary
Clinton's tenure there?
528
00:25:17,549 --> 00:25:20,019
Mr. Earnest: Well, Byron, I know
that at least one reporter at
529
00:25:20,018 --> 00:25:24,118
the Wall Street Journal has
covered this issue closely.
530
00:25:24,122 --> 00:25:29,762
What I can tell you is -- that I
don't have much insight to share
531
00:25:29,761 --> 00:25:33,461
with you in terms of nominations
that were considered or
532
00:25:33,465 --> 00:25:34,795
not considered.
533
00:25:34,799 --> 00:25:38,299
What I can tell you is that
there was a functioning and even
534
00:25:38,303 --> 00:25:43,543
active inspector general
operation in place at the State
535
00:25:43,541 --> 00:25:47,311
Department during Secretary
Clinton's tenure there;
536
00:25:47,312 --> 00:25:51,712
that there were, as I recall,
more than 400 inspector general
537
00:25:51,716 --> 00:25:54,416
reports that were issued
during her time in office.
538
00:25:54,419 --> 00:25:56,789
And I think that is an
indication that there was an
539
00:25:56,788 --> 00:26:01,858
active, functioning Office of
the Inspector General that was
540
00:26:01,860 --> 00:26:05,600
open and doing its important
work while Secretary Clinton was
541
00:26:05,597 --> 00:26:06,597
leading the department.
542
00:26:06,598 --> 00:26:08,598
The Press: There were also
questions raised by independent
543
00:26:08,600 --> 00:26:11,400
groups as well as members of
Congress about the independence
544
00:26:11,403 --> 00:26:13,773
of that inspector general and
his relationship with State
545
00:26:13,772 --> 00:26:15,202
Department leadership.
546
00:26:15,206 --> 00:26:18,876
Does that White House maintain
that that was adequate enough
547
00:26:18,877 --> 00:26:21,277
oversight of the State
Department at the time?
548
00:26:21,279 --> 00:26:25,019
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, based
on the fact that we saw hundreds
549
00:26:25,016 --> 00:26:27,856
of reports generated by the
Office of Inspector General,
550
00:26:27,852 --> 00:26:31,822
I think that we can reasonably
assess that there was a vibrant
551
00:26:31,823 --> 00:26:34,663
inspector general's office
that was operating there.
552
00:26:34,659 --> 00:26:40,029
And so whether that's -- there
obviously are staff in that
553
00:26:40,031 --> 00:26:42,431
office that take very seriously
their responsibility to be a
554
00:26:42,434 --> 00:26:45,804
good watchdog and to act
independent of that
555
00:26:45,804 --> 00:26:46,804
agency's leadership.
556
00:26:46,805 --> 00:26:49,045
That's their mandate; that's
their responsibility.
557
00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:51,180
And based on the fact they
issued hundreds of reports while
558
00:26:51,176 --> 00:26:53,646
Secretary Clinton was in
office, it's apparent that they
559
00:26:53,645 --> 00:26:55,245
fulfilled that duty.
560
00:26:55,246 --> 00:26:57,816
What's also true is that
Congress in previous scenarios,
561
00:26:57,816 --> 00:26:59,816
even involving the
State Department,
562
00:26:59,818 --> 00:27:05,128
has not been particularly -- has
not taken particularly seriously
563
00:27:05,123 --> 00:27:08,163
the conclusions of genuinely
independent investigations that
564
00:27:08,159 --> 00:27:09,359
have been conducted.
565
00:27:09,361 --> 00:27:11,361
So I would remind you of
the conclusions of the
566
00:27:11,363 --> 00:27:14,333
Accountability Review Board --
where you had somebody like
567
00:27:14,332 --> 00:27:18,332
Thomas Pickering, a very
well-respected diplomatic,
568
00:27:18,336 --> 00:27:20,606
and Mike Mullen, who served as
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
569
00:27:20,605 --> 00:27:23,645
of Staff and was nominated to
that job by President Bush --
570
00:27:23,641 --> 00:27:26,281
who conducted a review of that
department in light of the
571
00:27:26,277 --> 00:27:30,687
attacks in Benghazi -- that was
a review that was criticized,
572
00:27:30,682 --> 00:27:35,222
and I think taken
pretty lightly,
573
00:27:35,220 --> 00:27:36,450
by congressional Republicans.
574
00:27:36,454 --> 00:27:40,394
So I guess my point is, even
if there had been an inspector
575
00:27:40,392 --> 00:27:43,432
general leading that
particular office,
576
00:27:43,428 --> 00:27:45,698
I don't think there's a lot of
confidence we can have that that
577
00:27:45,697 --> 00:27:49,237
individual would have been
respected by members of Congress
578
00:27:49,234 --> 00:27:50,364
in the Republican Party.
579
00:27:50,368 --> 00:27:53,538
That's why I'm a little
skeptical of the notion that
580
00:27:53,538 --> 00:27:55,538
congressional Republicans are
particularly concerned by
581
00:27:55,540 --> 00:27:56,640
that absence.
582
00:27:56,641 --> 00:27:57,541
The Press: One more.
583
00:27:57,542 --> 00:28:00,042
Was Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton or any other State
584
00:28:00,045 --> 00:28:03,845
Department leadership official
involved in any way in the
585
00:28:03,848 --> 00:28:07,018
decision not to put forward
a nominee for five years?
586
00:28:07,018 --> 00:28:09,958
Mr. Earnest: Again, you'd have
to ask Secretary Clinton about
587
00:28:09,954 --> 00:28:12,724
her views on that. April.
588
00:28:12,724 --> 00:28:16,194
The Press: Josh, I want to go
back to an issue on the Hill and
589
00:28:16,194 --> 00:28:19,594
Harry Reid stepping down.
590
00:28:19,597 --> 00:28:23,237
I want to ask you what is this
White House hopeful for and in
591
00:28:23,234 --> 00:28:28,974
need of when it comes to a
replacement for Harry Reid?
592
00:28:28,973 --> 00:28:29,673
The Press: Majority.
593
00:28:29,674 --> 00:28:31,544
(laughter)
594
00:28:31,543 --> 00:28:34,343
The Press:
That was a good one.
595
00:28:34,345 --> 00:28:37,515
Mr. Earnest: White House
spokesman Mark Knoller,
596
00:28:37,515 --> 00:28:37,945
everybody.
597
00:28:37,949 --> 00:28:40,619
(laughter)
598
00:28:40,618 --> 00:28:46,888
The Press:
Another softball.
599
00:28:46,891 --> 00:28:49,091
Mr. Earnest: There's no doubt
that this White House would like
600
00:28:49,094 --> 00:28:50,694
to see a majority of Democrats
in the United States Senate.
601
00:28:50,695 --> 00:28:55,565
(laughter)
602
00:28:55,567 --> 00:28:57,737
What's also true
is that Harry Reid has been a
603
00:28:57,735 --> 00:28:59,735
distinguished leader of
the United States Senate.
604
00:28:59,737 --> 00:29:02,207
I understand that he's one of
the longest-serving Democratic
605
00:29:02,207 --> 00:29:06,107
leaders in the history
of that legislative body.
606
00:29:06,111 --> 00:29:08,111
He is obviously somebody
who served with
607
00:29:08,113 --> 00:29:09,113
remarkable distinction.
608
00:29:09,114 --> 00:29:11,814
You've heard me say in the
past that so much of what this
609
00:29:11,816 --> 00:29:14,416
President has
accomplished in Congress,
610
00:29:14,419 --> 00:29:16,659
particularly during his
first two years in office,
611
00:29:16,654 --> 00:29:21,094
would not have been possible
without the skilled leadership
612
00:29:21,092 --> 00:29:22,092
of Harry Reid.
613
00:29:22,093 --> 00:29:26,333
And that is one of the reasons
that when Harry Reid does
614
00:29:26,331 --> 00:29:29,701
eventually leave office
at the end of 2016,
615
00:29:29,701 --> 00:29:32,641
he will have a very long list of
accomplishments that he will be
616
00:29:32,637 --> 00:29:33,637
able to point to.
617
00:29:33,638 --> 00:29:40,008
And he should be justifiably
proud of those accomplishments.
618
00:29:40,011 --> 00:29:42,011
In terms of the next
Democratic leader,
619
00:29:42,013 --> 00:29:44,853
that will be a decision for the
Democrats in the United States
620
00:29:44,849 --> 00:29:49,419
Senate and hopefully -- to
paraphrase White House spokesman
621
00:29:49,420 --> 00:29:50,420
Mark Knoller
622
00:29:50,421 --> 00:29:51,421
-- (laughter) --
623
00:29:51,422 --> 00:29:53,422
hopefully they'll have a Democratic President
624
00:29:53,424 --> 00:29:54,594
to work with, too.
625
00:29:54,592 --> 00:29:56,432
The Press: Well,
let me ask you this.
626
00:29:56,427 --> 00:29:59,527
In the past when the White House
has somewhat from the sidelines
627
00:29:59,531 --> 00:30:02,671
chimed in and said what they
were looking for in the next
628
00:30:02,667 --> 00:30:06,707
leader on the Hill
for whatever position,
629
00:30:06,704 --> 00:30:09,474
they've looked for someone
with strength to fight.
630
00:30:09,474 --> 00:30:12,444
Is that someone that's needed in
the Senate right now and in this
631
00:30:12,443 --> 00:30:14,113
climate -- this
political climate?
632
00:30:14,112 --> 00:30:16,752
Someone who has the fortitude
and the strength to fight
633
00:30:16,748 --> 00:30:18,078
against the GOP?
634
00:30:18,082 --> 00:30:19,582
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
I think if you look at the
635
00:30:19,584 --> 00:30:22,754
President's statement about
Senator Reid that we issued
636
00:30:22,754 --> 00:30:25,254
earlier today, that was the
first line in the statement,
637
00:30:25,256 --> 00:30:27,196
was that Harry
Reid is a fighter.
638
00:30:27,192 --> 00:30:32,502
And there is no doubt that
his tenacity and his skills
639
00:30:32,497 --> 00:30:35,137
benefited the country when he
served in that position -- and
640
00:30:35,133 --> 00:30:37,273
as he has served
in that position.
641
00:30:37,268 --> 00:30:39,268
And over the course
of the next 22 months,
642
00:30:39,270 --> 00:30:41,870
when both men continue to serve
out the remainder of their
643
00:30:41,873 --> 00:30:44,513
terms, I'm confident that
they'll work closely together to
644
00:30:44,509 --> 00:30:46,509
advance the interests of
middle-class families all across
645
00:30:46,511 --> 00:30:47,511
the country.
646
00:30:47,512 --> 00:30:50,412
And I'm confident that Senator
Reid's willingness to fight for
647
00:30:50,415 --> 00:30:53,215
his values and to fight for
those priorities will benefit
648
00:30:53,218 --> 00:30:54,218
the country.
649
00:30:54,219 --> 00:30:56,219
The Press: And lastly,
I have to ask you this.
650
00:30:56,221 --> 00:30:57,221
Loretta Lynch, anything there?
651
00:30:57,222 --> 00:30:58,622
Mr. Earnest: Unfortunately, no.
652
00:30:58,623 --> 00:31:00,663
I think we're up
to 139 days now.
653
00:31:00,658 --> 00:31:03,958
And again, that represents and
unconscionable delay on the part
654
00:31:03,962 --> 00:31:07,502
of Republicans who previously
promised to consider her
655
00:31:07,498 --> 00:31:10,498
nomination in a timely fashion
and to treat her fairly.
656
00:31:10,501 --> 00:31:12,501
And on both those counts, I
think that promise has
657
00:31:12,503 --> 00:31:14,203
been broken.
658
00:31:14,205 --> 00:31:15,245
All right. Major.
659
00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:17,680
The Press: Since you brought
up the Senate majority,
660
00:31:17,675 --> 00:31:19,845
you have a lame duck President
and now a lame duck Senate
661
00:31:19,844 --> 00:31:21,484
minority leader.
662
00:31:21,479 --> 00:31:23,949
To what effect will that have on
the party's ability to regain
663
00:31:23,948 --> 00:31:25,748
the majority in the Senate?
664
00:31:25,750 --> 00:31:28,020
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I'll
leave the election analysis to
665
00:31:28,019 --> 00:31:29,149
you guys.
666
00:31:29,153 --> 00:31:32,023
I think that what we have seen,
at least over the last several
667
00:31:32,023 --> 00:31:35,363
months, is a President who has
really taken control of the
668
00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:39,660
United States Capitol and I
think has been in a position
669
00:31:39,664 --> 00:31:41,934
where we have been driving
the agenda in this town.
670
00:31:41,933 --> 00:31:45,503
And everything that we see from
congressional Republicans is
671
00:31:45,503 --> 00:31:49,573
largely a response to actions
that this President has taken to
672
00:31:49,574 --> 00:31:50,904
move the country forward.
673
00:31:50,908 --> 00:31:53,508
And I think that speaks to
the power that is still being
674
00:31:53,511 --> 00:31:55,751
wielded by this President.
675
00:31:55,747 --> 00:31:57,547
The Press: How much time will
the President devote in his
676
00:31:57,548 --> 00:32:00,188
remaining years to creating a
Senate Democratic majority?
677
00:32:00,184 --> 00:32:02,984
Mr. Earnest: Well, obviously
the President is interested in
678
00:32:02,987 --> 00:32:05,557
seeing a Democratic majority,
he's interested in seeing a
679
00:32:05,556 --> 00:32:06,556
Democratic President.
680
00:32:06,557 --> 00:32:08,997
But those elections
are quite a ways off,
681
00:32:08,993 --> 00:32:13,563
and so we'll have plenty of
time to speculate about that.
682
00:32:13,564 --> 00:32:15,564
The Press: On Tuesday, the
President described his
683
00:32:15,566 --> 00:32:18,306
relationship with Benjamin
Netanyahu as businesslike.
684
00:32:18,303 --> 00:32:19,273
Did he mean that?
685
00:32:19,270 --> 00:32:20,340
Did he misspeak?
686
00:32:20,338 --> 00:32:22,238
Mr. Earnest: No, not
that I'm aware of.
687
00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:23,570
The Press: The only reason I ask
is because the only other person
688
00:32:23,574 --> 00:32:25,874
he describes a businesslike
relationship with is
689
00:32:25,877 --> 00:32:26,807
Vladimir Putin.
690
00:32:26,811 --> 00:32:31,381
And I'm seriously asking you if
the President views Benjamin
691
00:32:31,382 --> 00:32:34,852
Netanyahu in the same light
that he views Vladimir Putin?
692
00:32:34,852 --> 00:32:37,552
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I'm
not going to be in a position to
693
00:32:37,555 --> 00:32:44,725
try to dissect the relationship
between the leaders of the
694
00:32:44,729 --> 00:32:45,999
United States and Israel.
695
00:32:45,997 --> 00:32:49,667
And I know that there is
a lot of interest in this,
696
00:32:49,667 --> 00:32:53,707
in the media, and you guys are
certainly welcome to
697
00:32:53,705 --> 00:32:54,705
consider that.
698
00:32:54,706 --> 00:32:56,706
I think the President, when he
talked about this on Tuesday,
699
00:32:56,708 --> 00:32:59,348
was pretty clear that he
believed that the relationship
700
00:32:59,344 --> 00:33:02,314
between our two countries
was even more important.
701
00:33:02,313 --> 00:33:05,213
And that relationship is
characterized by open
702
00:33:05,216 --> 00:33:08,756
communication; it's
characterized by very close
703
00:33:08,753 --> 00:33:13,663
security cooperation; and it's
characterized by a commitment to
704
00:33:13,658 --> 00:33:17,828
shared values and ties between
the people in our two countries
705
00:33:17,829 --> 00:33:20,529
that make Israel our most
important ally in the
706
00:33:20,531 --> 00:33:21,531
Middle East.
707
00:33:21,532 --> 00:33:24,632
The Press: Well, I'm just using
the President's own words.
708
00:33:24,635 --> 00:33:28,375
And you often admonish us to
take the President's words
709
00:33:28,373 --> 00:33:31,843
seriously and pay careful
attention to them,
710
00:33:31,843 --> 00:33:33,583
and that's why I asked
you the question.
711
00:33:33,578 --> 00:33:36,918
Because his relationship with
Putin has been strained,
712
00:33:36,914 --> 00:33:40,484
is strained, and is colored by
an assessment of what Russia has
713
00:33:40,485 --> 00:33:41,985
done on the world stage.
714
00:33:41,986 --> 00:33:44,486
And for the first time on
Tuesday he used that exact same
715
00:33:44,489 --> 00:33:47,589
phraseology to describe the
reelected Prime Minster
716
00:33:47,592 --> 00:33:48,592
of Israel.
717
00:33:48,593 --> 00:33:50,593
So I'm just asking you
if he equates the two,
718
00:33:50,595 --> 00:33:53,195
views them the same, views
the relationship the same,
719
00:33:53,197 --> 00:33:54,867
because those are
his words, not mine.
720
00:33:54,866 --> 00:33:56,866
Mr. Earnest: Right,
I understand.
721
00:33:56,868 --> 00:33:59,168
And the point that I'm making is
all you have to do is examine
722
00:33:59,170 --> 00:34:01,170
the relationship between
our two countries.
723
00:34:01,172 --> 00:34:03,172
The United States, as
I just went through,
724
00:34:03,174 --> 00:34:05,174
has a very strong relationship
with Israel because they are our
725
00:34:05,176 --> 00:34:07,446
closest ally in the Middle East,
because we are committed to the
726
00:34:07,445 --> 00:34:10,945
kind of security cooperation
that's essential to the security
727
00:34:10,948 --> 00:34:12,218
of the Israeli people.
728
00:34:12,216 --> 00:34:15,286
Our relationship with Russia is
much different and in many ways
729
00:34:15,286 --> 00:34:16,656
much more complicated.
730
00:34:16,654 --> 00:34:19,954
We have serious concerns
about the way that Russia has
731
00:34:19,957 --> 00:34:22,927
conducted themselves
in Ukraine, but yet,
732
00:34:22,927 --> 00:34:27,767
we are working closely with
Russia to hold Iran accountable
733
00:34:27,765 --> 00:34:32,275
and to ensure that Iran does
not obtain a nuclear weapon.
734
00:34:32,270 --> 00:34:38,210
So there's a lot of interesting
consideration of the kind of
735
00:34:38,209 --> 00:34:41,809
relationship that
we have with Russia.
736
00:34:41,813 --> 00:34:43,283
But I guess I would make the
case to you that that's much
737
00:34:43,281 --> 00:34:49,351
more important than the -- or
even more important at least
738
00:34:49,353 --> 00:34:52,353
than the relationship between
President Obama and
739
00:34:52,356 --> 00:34:55,396
President Putin.
740
00:34:55,393 --> 00:34:58,063
So, again, I can understand
sort of the interest in that.
741
00:34:58,062 --> 00:35:00,862
But I think what we've been
very clear about is when the
742
00:35:00,865 --> 00:35:03,105
President is having these kinds
of conversations with world
743
00:35:03,100 --> 00:35:05,900
leaders, he's doing so to
advance the interests of the
744
00:35:05,903 --> 00:35:09,373
United States as it relates
to our relations with
745
00:35:09,373 --> 00:35:10,713
these countries.
746
00:35:10,708 --> 00:35:14,448
And that's what our
primary focus is on.
747
00:35:14,445 --> 00:35:17,945
The Press: Shifting to Iran, not
in pursuit of a countdown clock
748
00:35:17,949 --> 00:35:19,589
but simply clarity.
749
00:35:19,584 --> 00:35:23,454
Is March 31st the absolute
deadline, after which,
750
00:35:23,454 --> 00:35:26,154
if no agreement on a political
framework is reached,
751
00:35:26,157 --> 00:35:28,657
all activity, all
conversations cease?
752
00:35:28,659 --> 00:35:33,269
Mr. Earnest: Well, we have not
talked at this point about what
753
00:35:33,264 --> 00:35:37,904
would happen if no agreement
is reached after March 31st.
754
00:35:37,902 --> 00:35:42,272
The President has talked a lot
about how if it is clear that
755
00:35:42,273 --> 00:35:47,943
Iran is unwilling to reach a
specific agreement that he would
756
00:35:47,945 --> 00:35:51,085
certainly consider additional
sanctions being placed on Iran.
757
00:35:51,082 --> 00:35:54,222
But all of that is going to
require additional consultation
758
00:35:54,218 --> 00:35:56,418
with our P5+1 partners.
759
00:35:56,420 --> 00:35:58,690
It's going to require a
consultation with our partners
760
00:35:58,689 --> 00:36:01,089
in the region and with
our allies in the region.
761
00:36:01,092 --> 00:36:03,762
And it will require some
consultation with Congress, too,
762
00:36:03,761 --> 00:36:08,401
about what the approach
moving forward will be.
763
00:36:08,399 --> 00:36:11,699
So at this point I'm not going
to speculate on that other than
764
00:36:11,702 --> 00:36:15,572
to say that these negotiations
have been going on for more than
765
00:36:15,573 --> 00:36:20,513
a year, and while the terms of
this discussion are complicated
766
00:36:20,511 --> 00:36:24,881
and important, that surely this
is a political agreement that if
767
00:36:24,882 --> 00:36:27,552
we can reach one is one that we
should be able to reach by the
768
00:36:27,552 --> 00:36:28,552
end of March.
769
00:36:28,553 --> 00:36:30,993
The Press: You helpfully
described the three definitions
770
00:36:30,988 --> 00:36:31,988
of sanctions.
771
00:36:31,989 --> 00:36:33,329
You have U.N., you
have executive,
772
00:36:33,324 --> 00:36:34,994
and you have congressional.
773
00:36:34,992 --> 00:36:37,692
Is it this administration's
positions that if you achieve a
774
00:36:37,695 --> 00:36:41,435
political framework none of
those sanctions ought to be
775
00:36:41,432 --> 00:36:44,832
lifted until after the technical
conversations have reached their
776
00:36:44,835 --> 00:36:45,535
conclusion at the end of June?
777
00:36:45,536 --> 00:36:47,536
Mr. Earnest: It's my
understanding that the way that
778
00:36:47,538 --> 00:36:51,038
this is structured is that the
Joint Plan of Action would
779
00:36:51,042 --> 00:36:56,052
remain in place even if a
political agreement is reached
780
00:36:56,047 --> 00:36:59,347
until the technical annexes can
be finalized by the end of June.
781
00:36:59,350 --> 00:37:01,750
The Press: So no sanctions of
any kind would be lifted until
782
00:37:01,752 --> 00:37:02,452
after that?
783
00:37:02,453 --> 00:37:03,793
Mr. Earnest: That's correct.
784
00:37:03,788 --> 00:37:05,858
Because what we would be talking
about is just keeping in place
785
00:37:05,856 --> 00:37:07,396
the Joint Plan of Action.
786
00:37:07,391 --> 00:37:09,561
And the reason I'm saying this
is because there are some
787
00:37:09,560 --> 00:37:11,600
sanctions that are waived under
the Joint Plan of Action -- a
788
00:37:11,596 --> 00:37:14,936
very small amount -- but there
are certain commitments that
789
00:37:14,932 --> 00:37:18,432
Iran has made in conjunction
with that Joint Plan of Action.
790
00:37:18,436 --> 00:37:22,106
That agreement would remain
in place -- if a political
791
00:37:22,106 --> 00:37:24,106
agreement is reached
at the end of March,
792
00:37:24,108 --> 00:37:26,448
the Joint Plan of Action would
remain in place until the
793
00:37:26,444 --> 00:37:28,614
technical annexes
can be negotiated.
794
00:37:28,613 --> 00:37:31,553
And we would anticipate that
those technical negotiations
795
00:37:31,549 --> 00:37:33,849
would be resolved
by the end of June. Mary.
796
00:37:33,851 --> 00:37:36,721
The Press: I'm going to
try this one more time.
797
00:37:36,721 --> 00:37:38,491
Is March 31st a hard deadline?
798
00:37:38,489 --> 00:37:39,419
Yes or no?
799
00:37:39,423 --> 00:37:41,423
Because it certainly sounds
like you're not ruling out the
800
00:37:41,425 --> 00:37:43,025
possibility of an extension.
801
00:37:43,027 --> 00:37:45,027
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
mean to leave you with
802
00:37:45,029 --> 00:37:46,029
that impression.
803
00:37:46,030 --> 00:37:48,330
We are in a place where we
believe that after more than a
804
00:37:48,332 --> 00:37:52,942
year of very difficult, complex
negotiations, that agreement,
805
00:37:52,937 --> 00:37:55,077
if it can be reached, is one
that should be reached by
806
00:37:55,072 --> 00:37:56,072
March 31st.
807
00:37:56,073 --> 00:37:58,073
The Press: And
earlier in the week,
808
00:37:58,075 --> 00:38:00,445
you were pretty firm in saying
that Yemen remains a successful
809
00:38:00,444 --> 00:38:02,214
model for counterterrorism.
810
00:38:02,213 --> 00:38:03,543
Given the developments
over the past few days,
811
00:38:03,547 --> 00:38:04,647
do you still believe that?
812
00:38:04,649 --> 00:38:06,519
Any revision to your comments?
813
00:38:06,517 --> 00:38:09,417
Mr. Earnest: No, no
revision to my comments.
814
00:38:09,420 --> 00:38:12,220
And let's talk about why.
815
00:38:12,223 --> 00:38:14,263
The strategy that the
administration has pursued in
816
00:38:14,258 --> 00:38:16,428
Yemen is not a
nation-building strategy,
817
00:38:16,427 --> 00:38:18,427
it's a counterterrorism
strategy.
818
00:38:18,429 --> 00:38:22,129
And if you evaluate that
strategy over the last several
819
00:38:22,133 --> 00:38:25,503
years, you will see that because
of the strategy that we have
820
00:38:25,503 --> 00:38:28,943
pursued, we succeeded in
taking Anwar al-Awlaki off the
821
00:38:28,939 --> 00:38:30,479
battlefield in Yemen.
822
00:38:30,474 --> 00:38:34,944
There are a whole host of other
extremist leaders who are
823
00:38:34,945 --> 00:38:37,915
actively plotting against the
West or the United States that
824
00:38:37,915 --> 00:38:41,355
are less famous --
or less infamous,
825
00:38:41,352 --> 00:38:44,252
but yet have also been taken off
the battlefield because of the
826
00:38:44,255 --> 00:38:46,495
efforts of the
Yemeni government,
827
00:38:46,490 --> 00:38:49,390
because of the efforts of the
United States and our partners
828
00:38:49,393 --> 00:38:50,393
in the region.
829
00:38:50,394 --> 00:38:53,634
There have also been a number of
reports about plots that have
830
00:38:53,631 --> 00:38:54,631
been disrupted.
831
00:38:54,632 --> 00:38:57,802
There's at least one plot that
emanated from Yemen to use the
832
00:38:57,802 --> 00:39:01,142
international air cargo system
to carry out attacks on
833
00:39:01,138 --> 00:39:02,608
the U.S. homeland.
834
00:39:02,606 --> 00:39:05,246
Because of the efforts of the
United States and our partners
835
00:39:05,242 --> 00:39:08,142
and the Yemenis, that
plot was disrupted.
836
00:39:08,145 --> 00:39:10,715
Because of the efforts
of the United States,
837
00:39:10,715 --> 00:39:13,485
our allies and the Yemenis,
there was another plot that was
838
00:39:13,484 --> 00:39:17,624
related to the sophisticated
bomb-making techniques of AQAP
839
00:39:17,621 --> 00:39:21,621
that was also famously
thwarted in Yemen.
840
00:39:21,625 --> 00:39:24,225
And I feel confident in saying
to you that there are other
841
00:39:24,228 --> 00:39:27,298
plots that have not been
reported that have also been
842
00:39:27,298 --> 00:39:30,898
disrupted because of the success
of the strategy that this
843
00:39:30,901 --> 00:39:34,501
administration has
put in place in Yemen.
844
00:39:34,505 --> 00:39:41,175
That all said, what I also said
earlier this week is that the
845
00:39:41,178 --> 00:39:45,318
significantly weakened state of
the central government in Yemen
846
00:39:45,316 --> 00:39:48,256
does not enhance our
counterterrorism efforts.
847
00:39:48,252 --> 00:39:53,122
And that is why the United
States is supportive of the
848
00:39:53,124 --> 00:39:58,364
U.N.-led effort to try to bring
all of the sides who are in
849
00:39:58,362 --> 00:40:01,132
pretty stark disagreement in
Yemen around the negotiating
850
00:40:01,132 --> 00:40:03,602
table to try to stabilize the
situation in that country.
851
00:40:03,601 --> 00:40:07,141
And that's also why, or part of
the reason why the United States
852
00:40:07,138 --> 00:40:10,208
has been supportive of Saudi
Arabia and other Persian Gulf
853
00:40:10,207 --> 00:40:14,047
countries who have taken
military action to try to bring
854
00:40:14,044 --> 00:40:16,044
the violence to an end in Yemen.
855
00:40:16,046 --> 00:40:18,946
But Yemen has been a chaotic
place for a long time,
856
00:40:18,949 --> 00:40:21,649
including in that situation
where our counterterrorism
857
00:40:21,652 --> 00:40:24,922
strategy was being pursued that
did succeed in taking any number
858
00:40:24,922 --> 00:40:27,692
of extremists off the
battlefield and thwarting any
859
00:40:27,691 --> 00:40:32,001
number of plots that were
planned in Yemen with an attempt
860
00:40:31,996 --> 00:40:33,996
to strike against the United
States and our interests around
861
00:40:33,998 --> 00:40:35,838
the globe. Ed.
862
00:40:35,833 --> 00:40:37,833
The Press: How do you respond,
though, on that point,
863
00:40:37,835 --> 00:40:40,635
to John McCain and others who
yesterday said that this is an
864
00:40:40,638 --> 00:40:43,338
example of the Saudis
taking a lead and the U.S.
865
00:40:43,340 --> 00:40:44,980
leading from behind?
866
00:40:44,975 --> 00:40:45,815
Mr. Earnest: Ed, the U.S.
867
00:40:45,810 --> 00:40:48,310
involvement in the ongoing
military operation that is being
868
00:40:48,312 --> 00:40:54,222
led by Saudi Arabia and their
Gulf Coast -- or the Persian
869
00:40:54,218 --> 00:40:58,388
Gulf partners is a contribution
that we're making at the
870
00:40:58,389 --> 00:41:01,329
specific request of the Saudis.
871
00:41:01,325 --> 00:41:04,295
And the Saudis have a clear,
vested interest there because
872
00:41:04,295 --> 00:41:06,595
they share a long border
in the south with Yemen.
873
00:41:06,597 --> 00:41:09,137
They're concerned about the
security around that border,
874
00:41:09,133 --> 00:41:11,133
and they're taking action
to protect their border.
875
00:41:11,135 --> 00:41:13,675
And the United States, because
of our close relationship with
876
00:41:13,671 --> 00:41:18,441
Saudi Arabia, is responding to a
specific request to offer some
877
00:41:18,442 --> 00:41:19,442
assistance in that effort.
878
00:41:19,443 --> 00:41:21,443
The Press: Earlier,
I think to Michelle,
879
00:41:21,445 --> 00:41:24,485
you had suggested that there
was no connection between Iran
880
00:41:24,481 --> 00:41:28,051
backing the Houthi rebels in
Yemen and their position there,
881
00:41:28,052 --> 00:41:29,552
and the nuclear talks.
882
00:41:29,553 --> 00:41:32,693
If I'm quoting you right, you
were saying that you have a long
883
00:41:32,690 --> 00:41:35,760
list of grievances against Iran
and you're not going to let them
884
00:41:35,759 --> 00:41:36,359
off the hook.
885
00:41:36,360 --> 00:41:38,760
But today, at those
nuclear talks, Zarif,
886
00:41:38,762 --> 00:41:40,962
the Iranian Foreign Minister
said, among other things,
887
00:41:40,965 --> 00:41:43,265
"We have condemned
them" -- Saudi Arabia.
888
00:41:43,267 --> 00:41:46,837
"We believe they will only
cause the loss of new life.
889
00:41:46,837 --> 00:41:49,077
They have to stop."
890
00:41:49,073 --> 00:41:52,843
So he's saying this at
the nuclear talks, Zarif.
891
00:41:52,843 --> 00:41:57,653
Does that not suggest that the
Iranians are tying the U.S.
892
00:41:57,648 --> 00:41:59,648
not getting more
involved in Yemen,
893
00:41:59,650 --> 00:42:01,650
not pushing the
Houthi rebels out?
894
00:42:01,652 --> 00:42:05,652
He's tying that directly to the
nuclear deal -- don't push us
895
00:42:05,656 --> 00:42:07,656
here or you're going
to spike the deal?
896
00:42:07,658 --> 00:42:10,158
Mr. Earnest: That's not the way
that I perceive his remarks.
897
00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:12,160
But again, we have been
negotiating for more
898
00:42:12,162 --> 00:42:13,162
than a year.
899
00:42:13,163 --> 00:42:16,903
And if Iran is serious about
making these commitments,
900
00:42:16,901 --> 00:42:19,101
then we'll be able to reach an
agreement by the end of March.
901
00:42:19,103 --> 00:42:21,243
And if they're not serious
about making those kinds of
902
00:42:21,238 --> 00:42:22,778
agreements, then we won't.
903
00:42:22,773 --> 00:42:26,813
And the President continues to
believe that resolving this
904
00:42:26,810 --> 00:42:31,420
situation through diplomacy --
diplomacy that would result in
905
00:42:31,415 --> 00:42:35,115
Iran not acquiring a nuclear
weapon -- is clearly in the best
906
00:42:35,119 --> 00:42:37,089
interest of the United States.
907
00:42:37,087 --> 00:42:40,057
It's clearly in the best
interest of our closest ally in
908
00:42:40,057 --> 00:42:41,057
the Middle East, Israel.
909
00:42:41,058 --> 00:42:42,428
And it happens to be in the best
interest of our other partners
910
00:42:42,426 --> 00:42:45,066
in the region,
including Saudi Arabia.
911
00:42:45,062 --> 00:42:47,062
The President believes that the
best way for us to prevent Iran
912
00:42:47,064 --> 00:42:49,064
from obtaining a nuclear
weapon is through diplomacy,
913
00:42:49,066 --> 00:42:51,336
and that's why we've been so
serious about pursuing this
914
00:42:51,335 --> 00:42:53,605
diplomacy over the
course of the last year.
915
00:42:53,604 --> 00:42:57,244
The Press: Do you still believe
that Bowe Bergdahl served with
916
00:42:57,241 --> 00:42:58,241
honor and distinction?
917
00:42:58,242 --> 00:43:03,282
Mr. Earnest: Ed, I don't want to
be in a position of commenting
918
00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:06,320
on an ongoing military
justice investigation.
919
00:43:06,317 --> 00:43:09,717
There are obviously complicated
issues related to the chain of
920
00:43:09,720 --> 00:43:11,720
command because I'm a
representative of the
921
00:43:11,722 --> 00:43:12,722
Commander-in-Chief.
922
00:43:12,723 --> 00:43:15,023
So I'm not going to speculate on
the ongoing investigation
923
00:43:15,025 --> 00:43:16,025
that's underway.
924
00:43:16,026 --> 00:43:17,666
The Press: Susan Rice is
also -- she reports to the
925
00:43:17,661 --> 00:43:18,591
Commander-in-Chief here at the
White House as
926
00:43:18,595 --> 00:43:21,035
National Security Advisor.
927
00:43:21,031 --> 00:43:23,201
And some months ago she went out
and said he served with honor
928
00:43:23,200 --> 00:43:24,200
and distinction.
929
00:43:24,201 --> 00:43:25,201
So was that a mistake?
930
00:43:25,202 --> 00:43:28,802
Mr. Earnest: Ed, she was
obviously commenting before any
931
00:43:28,806 --> 00:43:31,006
sort of military investigation
had been conducted -- The Press:
932
00:43:31,008 --> 00:43:32,278
There were allegations that he
was a deserter at that time.
933
00:43:32,276 --> 00:43:33,946
Mr. Earnest: And
so at this point,
934
00:43:33,944 --> 00:43:36,284
now that there is an ongoing
military investigation into this
935
00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:38,550
matter, I'm just not
going to comment on it.
936
00:43:38,549 --> 00:43:40,249
The Press: Also, in some of your
comments over the last couple
937
00:43:40,250 --> 00:43:42,120
days, you've said obviously
a key principle -- and the
938
00:43:42,119 --> 00:43:44,689
President said this months ago
at various news conferences --
939
00:43:44,688 --> 00:43:46,588
is not leaving an American
soldier behind
940
00:43:46,590 --> 00:43:47,420
on the battlefield.
941
00:43:47,424 --> 00:43:50,194
That's clearly true.
942
00:43:50,194 --> 00:43:52,364
What do you say, though, to
the families of at least six
943
00:43:52,363 --> 00:43:57,003
American soldiers who are
believed to have died -- who
944
00:43:57,001 --> 00:44:00,671
were killed trying to find
someone who's now accused of
945
00:44:00,671 --> 00:44:01,601
being a deserter?
946
00:44:01,605 --> 00:44:03,845
What do you say
to their families?
947
00:44:03,841 --> 00:44:05,841
Mr. Earnest: Well, I would say
the same thing to them that I
948
00:44:05,843 --> 00:44:09,343
would say to all of the families
across the country that paid
949
00:44:09,346 --> 00:44:11,546
such a dear price for the
service of their loved ones in
950
00:44:11,548 --> 00:44:14,618
Afghanistan, which is that we
deeply value their service and
951
00:44:14,618 --> 00:44:16,618
their commitment
to this country.
952
00:44:16,620 --> 00:44:18,660
They serve as an inspiration to
all of us -- their willingness
953
00:44:18,655 --> 00:44:21,695
to put their lives on the line
for their country and for
954
00:44:21,692 --> 00:44:25,262
their comrade.
955
00:44:25,262 --> 00:44:28,302
And that is something that
is worthy of our honor.
956
00:44:28,298 --> 00:44:31,768
It is worthy of our
deep appreciation.
957
00:44:31,769 --> 00:44:33,939
And they certainly have that
deep appreciation from everybody
958
00:44:33,937 --> 00:44:36,477
here at the White House. Jordan.
959
00:44:36,473 --> 00:44:39,343
The Press: Thanks, Josh
-- just one question.
960
00:44:39,343 --> 00:44:42,513
Senator Rubio and Congressman
Jordan offered a bill that would
961
00:44:42,513 --> 00:44:45,483
roll back much of the District
of Columbia's gun laws.
962
00:44:45,482 --> 00:44:47,482
If that bill reaches
the President's desk,
963
00:44:47,484 --> 00:44:48,484
would he veto it?
964
00:44:48,485 --> 00:44:50,685
Mr. Earnest: I haven't seen the
details of the legislation.
965
00:44:50,687 --> 00:44:54,457
The President has been very
clear about how he believes it's
966
00:44:54,458 --> 00:44:59,128
possible for us to take a number
of steps that would put in place
967
00:45:01,165 --> 00:45:03,835
measures that would prevent
individuals who shouldn't obtain
968
00:45:03,834 --> 00:45:05,834
a gun from being
able to get one,
969
00:45:05,836 --> 00:45:08,536
while at the same time making
sure that we're protecting the
970
00:45:08,539 --> 00:45:10,809
Second Amendment rights
of law-abiding Americans.
971
00:45:10,808 --> 00:45:14,278
And that is what the
President is committed to,
972
00:45:14,278 --> 00:45:16,878
and the President is willing
to work with anybody of either
973
00:45:16,880 --> 00:45:20,380
party who is willing to
move in that direction.
974
00:45:20,384 --> 00:45:22,984
We have not, over the course
of the last couple years,
975
00:45:22,986 --> 00:45:24,986
been able to make a lot of
progress in that regard.
976
00:45:24,988 --> 00:45:27,788
And that is, I think as the
President has indicated on a
977
00:45:27,791 --> 00:45:30,631
number of occasions, a source of
some disappointment here at the
978
00:45:30,627 --> 00:45:33,467
White House, because this should
be a pretty common-sense step
979
00:45:33,464 --> 00:45:35,364
that we believe we can take.
980
00:45:35,365 --> 00:45:40,435
But unfortunately there's a
majority of -- or at least a
981
00:45:40,437 --> 00:45:42,437
large number of members of
Congress who don't agree.
982
00:45:42,439 --> 00:45:45,039
The Press: The District has some
of the strictest gun laws in the
983
00:45:45,042 --> 00:45:47,542
country, and this proposal would
allow things like
984
00:45:47,544 --> 00:45:48,374
concealed carry.
985
00:45:48,378 --> 00:45:51,148
Would the White House support
any changes to the District's
986
00:45:51,148 --> 00:45:52,348
gun laws?
987
00:45:52,349 --> 00:45:54,349
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, gun
laws that are made by the
988
00:45:54,351 --> 00:45:56,451
District of Columbia should be
made by the District government.
989
00:45:56,453 --> 00:45:59,393
And again, that's what we
believe -- this is another
990
00:45:59,389 --> 00:46:02,159
principle that applies here, is
that the home rule is important.
991
00:46:02,159 --> 00:46:05,099
And in this case, we believe the
District of Columbia should be
992
00:46:05,095 --> 00:46:08,065
able to make their own laws.
993
00:46:08,065 --> 00:46:13,305
The Press: The President is
going to be meeting with
994
00:46:13,303 --> 00:46:14,703
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.
995
00:46:14,705 --> 00:46:16,605
Do you have sort of a preview of
what they're going to be talking
996
00:46:16,607 --> 00:46:17,607
about today?
997
00:46:17,608 --> 00:46:19,608
Mr. Earnest: I don't, but we'll
see if we can get you some more
998
00:46:19,610 --> 00:46:21,610
details about their
conversation.
999
00:46:21,612 --> 00:46:24,512
The Press: Secretary Lew is
going to be going to Beijing on
1000
00:46:24,515 --> 00:46:27,255
Monday to meet with
Chinese officials.
1001
00:46:27,251 --> 00:46:32,051
The Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank is an issue
1002
00:46:32,055 --> 00:46:33,895
that's sort of isolated the U.S.
1003
00:46:33,891 --> 00:46:36,891
from a lot of major partners
that are joining the bank.
1004
00:46:36,894 --> 00:46:38,564
Is there a sense that the U.S.
1005
00:46:38,562 --> 00:46:40,432
might shift its position
and maybe reconsider?
1006
00:46:40,430 --> 00:46:42,770
Mr. Earnest: I don't have any
change in our position at
1007
00:46:42,766 --> 00:46:43,766
this point.
1008
00:46:43,767 --> 00:46:45,767
But for more in
Secretary Lew's trip,
1009
00:46:45,769 --> 00:46:48,109
I'd encourage you to contact
the Secretary of the Treasury.
1010
00:46:48,105 --> 00:46:50,045
The Press: And another
question on Cuba.
1011
00:46:50,040 --> 00:46:53,810
At the upcoming Americas Summit
there's going to be several
1012
00:46:53,810 --> 00:46:56,550
dissidents that are
going to be there.
1013
00:46:56,547 --> 00:46:59,687
There's the expectation that the
President is going to meet with
1014
00:46:59,683 --> 00:47:01,253
or at least see Raul Castro.
1015
00:47:01,251 --> 00:47:03,521
Is there any chance that he may
also meet with some of these
1016
00:47:03,520 --> 00:47:05,760
dissidents and civil society
members who are going to
1017
00:47:05,756 --> 00:47:06,586
be there?
1018
00:47:06,590 --> 00:47:09,360
Mr. Earnest: I am aware that
some of those dissidents are
1019
00:47:09,359 --> 00:47:11,759
planning to attend and
participate in some of the
1020
00:47:11,762 --> 00:47:13,532
conversations around the
Summit of the Americas.
1021
00:47:13,530 --> 00:47:15,430
At this point, I don't have any
details about the President's
1022
00:47:15,432 --> 00:47:17,132
schedule to share
with you, though.
1023
00:47:17,134 --> 00:47:19,074
But in advance of the trip,
we'll see if we can get you some
1024
00:47:19,069 --> 00:47:20,469
more details on that.
1025
00:47:20,470 --> 00:47:21,370
The Press: Last one.
1026
00:47:21,371 --> 00:47:24,271
Nigeria is going to be holding
their elections tomorrow.
1027
00:47:24,274 --> 00:47:28,214
Boko Haram is threatening
to disrupt the polls.
1028
00:47:28,212 --> 00:47:31,552
The polls have already
been postponed once.
1029
00:47:31,548 --> 00:47:34,848
I was wondering if the President
has a plan for what might happen
1030
00:47:34,851 --> 00:47:38,191
if, worst case scenario, there
is violence that breaks out.
1031
00:47:38,188 --> 00:47:41,158
Mr. Earnest: Well, let me just
tell you that as Nigeria looks
1032
00:47:41,158 --> 00:47:43,328
ahead to presidential elections
tomorrow and gubernatorial
1033
00:47:43,327 --> 00:47:46,667
elections on April 11th, the
United States reiterates our
1034
00:47:46,663 --> 00:47:50,033
support for a credible,
peaceful electoral process,
1035
00:47:50,033 --> 00:47:54,373
the results of which reflect the
will of the Nigerian people.
1036
00:47:54,371 --> 00:47:56,971
We have been pleased to see
the renewed agreement between
1037
00:47:56,974 --> 00:48:00,374
President Jonathan and his
primary challenger pledging not
1038
00:48:00,377 --> 00:48:02,547
to resort to violence and
to respect the outcome of a
1039
00:48:02,546 --> 00:48:03,946
credible process.
1040
00:48:03,947 --> 00:48:06,487
This agreement reiterates
the agreement they signed in
1041
00:48:06,483 --> 00:48:09,083
mid-January at the urging
of the United States,
1042
00:48:09,086 --> 00:48:11,526
our international partners
and the Nigerian people.
1043
00:48:11,521 --> 00:48:14,691
It is very much in the spirit of
the message that President Obama
1044
00:48:14,691 --> 00:48:16,991
issued earlier this week
to the Nigerian people,
1045
00:48:16,994 --> 00:48:19,664
whom he called upon to express
their views peacefully and to
1046
00:48:19,663 --> 00:48:23,033
reject the voices of those
advocating violence.
1047
00:48:23,033 --> 00:48:26,503
So we certainly continue to
be gratified that Nigeria's
1048
00:48:26,503 --> 00:48:29,603
political leadership is
encouraging the citizens of that
1049
00:48:29,606 --> 00:48:31,606
country to participate in the
election without
1050
00:48:31,608 --> 00:48:32,608
resorting to violence.
1051
00:48:32,609 --> 00:48:34,649
We hope that's what they'll do. JC.
1052
00:48:34,645 --> 00:48:36,645
The Press: Back to the
Arabian Peninsula, Josh.
1053
00:48:36,647 --> 00:48:37,917
I have two questions.
1054
00:48:37,914 --> 00:48:42,154
Yesterday, the Saudi Ambassador
to Washington, Adel al-Jubeir,
1055
00:48:42,152 --> 00:48:45,252
told reporters that there was
evidence that the Iranian
1056
00:48:45,255 --> 00:48:47,955
Revolutionary Guard operatives
and Hezbollah fighters had
1057
00:48:47,958 --> 00:48:50,458
embedded with Houthi
rebels in Yemen.
1058
00:48:50,460 --> 00:48:53,600
If this in fact is true, is
this administration concerned?
1059
00:48:53,597 --> 00:48:57,167
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't have
an updated assessment about the
1060
00:48:57,167 --> 00:48:59,237
situation on the
ground in Yemen.
1061
00:48:59,236 --> 00:49:02,706
We've expressed our previous
concerns about the destabilizing
1062
00:49:02,706 --> 00:49:05,546
impact that Iran is having on
this particular situation.
1063
00:49:05,542 --> 00:49:07,542
We continue to have
those concerns.
1064
00:49:07,544 --> 00:49:08,544
The Press: And just one more.
1065
00:49:08,545 --> 00:49:10,545
How pleased is this
administration,
1066
00:49:10,547 --> 00:49:13,017
and the President specifically,
that there is in fact coming
1067
00:49:13,016 --> 00:49:15,986
together a coalition
of the willing,
1068
00:49:15,986 --> 00:49:19,726
Arab nations --
Saudi Arabia, Qatar,
1069
00:49:19,723 --> 00:49:24,693
UAE -- who are very focused now
on fighting the extremism and
1070
00:49:24,695 --> 00:49:28,065
the crisis in the
Arabian Peninsula area,
1071
00:49:28,065 --> 00:49:28,465
especially Yemen?
1072
00:49:28,465 --> 00:49:32,605
Mr. Earnest: Well, JC, what we
are pleased -- or at least we
1073
00:49:32,602 --> 00:49:38,542
understand, is that Saudi Arabia
is taking this action because of
1074
00:49:38,542 --> 00:49:40,682
the instability that's
along their border,
1075
00:49:40,677 --> 00:49:42,677
that that poses a threat
to their security.
1076
00:49:42,679 --> 00:49:44,679
And it certainly makes sense
that they would want to take
1077
00:49:44,681 --> 00:49:48,321
action to try to enhance the
security along their border.
1078
00:49:48,318 --> 00:49:50,788
As a close partner
of the United States,
1079
00:49:50,787 --> 00:49:55,557
they have asked for our support
for that mission in light of
1080
00:49:55,559 --> 00:49:57,699
unique capabilities that the
United States can leverage in
1081
00:49:57,694 --> 00:49:59,394
situations like this.
1082
00:49:59,396 --> 00:50:01,636
The President agreed
to that request,
1083
00:50:01,631 --> 00:50:04,071
and there is some assistance
that we're providing that's both
1084
00:50:04,067 --> 00:50:07,607
logistical in nature but
also relates to providing
1085
00:50:07,604 --> 00:50:10,844
intelligence and giving them
access to intelligence that
1086
00:50:10,841 --> 00:50:12,071
might benefit their efforts.
1087
00:50:12,075 --> 00:50:15,715
The Press: And Egypt, as well,
is now putting ships into the
1088
00:50:15,712 --> 00:50:18,052
Gulf of Aden, as well.
1089
00:50:18,048 --> 00:50:20,518
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, there
are a lot of Persian Gulf
1090
00:50:20,517 --> 00:50:22,957
countries that are very mindful
of the situation there.
1091
00:50:22,953 --> 00:50:25,653
And the United States is
offering the support that's been
1092
00:50:25,655 --> 00:50:28,095
requested by the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bob.
1093
00:50:28,091 --> 00:50:31,731
The Press: Josh, let me try to
take a line of questioning with
1094
00:50:31,728 --> 00:50:33,828
some high-tech
graphics, if you will.
1095
00:50:33,830 --> 00:50:34,900
Mr. Earnest: Okay.
1096
00:50:34,898 --> 00:50:38,238
The Press: If you're this close
to an agreement with Iran --
1097
00:50:38,235 --> 00:50:40,035
(laughter)
1098
00:50:40,036 --> 00:50:42,936
-- versus this close,
wouldn't you want that deadline
1099
00:50:42,939 --> 00:50:46,039
to slide, especially since
the Senate, I believe,
1100
00:50:46,042 --> 00:50:48,112
is going to be out of town
for a couple of weeks,
1101
00:50:48,111 --> 00:50:50,611
and of course the critics are
going to be scattered all over
1102
00:50:50,614 --> 00:50:52,684
the country?
1103
00:50:52,682 --> 00:50:56,282
Mr. Earnest: Well, Bob, I don't
envision a -- as I mentioned a
1104
00:50:56,286 --> 00:50:57,956
couple of times now, we've been
negotiating for more than
1105
00:50:57,954 --> 00:50:59,694
a year.
1106
00:50:59,689 --> 00:51:03,289
And the United States and our
partners all believe that if an
1107
00:51:03,293 --> 00:51:05,993
agreement is able to be reached,
it's certainly one that we
1108
00:51:05,996 --> 00:51:08,366
should be able to reach
at the end of the month.
1109
00:51:08,365 --> 00:51:10,365
And that continues
to be our goal.
1110
00:51:10,367 --> 00:51:12,367
It will require Iran to
make some substantial,
1111
00:51:12,369 --> 00:51:17,279
serious commitments in the
context of those negotiations.
1112
00:51:17,274 --> 00:51:19,274
And we're waiting to see if
that's what they're willing
1113
00:51:19,276 --> 00:51:20,246
to do.
1114
00:51:20,243 --> 00:51:21,243
The Press: But the Senate
is going to be away.
1115
00:51:21,244 --> 00:51:24,044
You won't have to worry about
suddenly people trying to slam
1116
00:51:24,047 --> 00:51:26,647
new sanctions through quickly.
1117
00:51:26,650 --> 00:51:29,350
Mr. Earnest: Well, that's true,
that the Senate will not
1118
00:51:29,352 --> 00:51:30,352
be in session.
1119
00:51:30,353 --> 00:51:31,083
The Press: Does it
give you some buffer?
1120
00:51:31,087 --> 00:51:32,827
Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry?
1121
00:51:32,823 --> 00:51:33,853
The Press: Does it give you some
buffer, if you will, to slide?
1122
00:51:33,857 --> 00:51:34,727
Mr. Earnest: I don't
know if it does or not,
1123
00:51:34,724 --> 00:51:39,734
but it's our intention to hold
all of the parties who are
1124
00:51:39,729 --> 00:51:43,199
negotiating this agreement to
the end-of-March deadline that
1125
00:51:43,200 --> 00:51:44,430
we've set.
1126
00:51:44,434 --> 00:51:46,434
Jared, I'll give
you the last one.
1127
00:51:46,436 --> 00:51:48,436
The Press: Josh, what's the
President's reaction to the law
1128
00:51:48,438 --> 00:51:51,838
signed by Governor Mike
Pence in Indiana yesterday,
1129
00:51:51,842 --> 00:51:54,612
the religious freedom law
that was signed yesterday?
1130
00:51:54,611 --> 00:52:00,951
Mr. Earnest: Well, I have seen
that there are a number of
1131
00:52:00,951 --> 00:52:04,551
private businesses and
non-profit organizations that
1132
00:52:04,554 --> 00:52:08,454
have said that the signing
of this law prompts them to
1133
00:52:08,458 --> 00:52:10,858
reconsider doing business
in the state of Indiana.
1134
00:52:10,861 --> 00:52:12,131
The Press: Including the
Final Four next week?
1135
00:52:12,128 --> 00:52:14,568
Mr. Earnest: Yes, including the
NCAA that isn't just hosting the
1136
00:52:14,564 --> 00:52:16,034
Final Four in Indianapolis, but
actually has their headquarters
1137
00:52:16,032 --> 00:52:19,872
in Indianapolis.
1138
00:52:19,870 --> 00:52:21,870
All of those businesses and some
of those who are considering
1139
00:52:21,872 --> 00:52:24,672
having conventions in Indiana
have raised concerns about
1140
00:52:24,674 --> 00:52:26,744
whether or not all of their
employees can count on being
1141
00:52:26,743 --> 00:52:28,543
treated fairly in Indiana.
1142
00:52:28,545 --> 00:52:32,685
And so I think that is a
testament to the kind of
1143
00:52:32,682 --> 00:52:34,682
reaction I think a lot of people
all across the country had,
1144
00:52:34,684 --> 00:52:39,394
which is that this step
certainly doesn't seem like it's
1145
00:52:39,389 --> 00:52:40,659
-- the signing of this bill
doesn't seem like it's a step in
1146
00:52:40,657 --> 00:52:44,297
the direction of equality and
justice and liberty for
1147
00:52:44,294 --> 00:52:45,294
all Americans.
1148
00:52:45,295 --> 00:52:47,665
And again, that's not just the
view of the administration;
1149
00:52:47,664 --> 00:52:51,104
I know that's the view of the
Republican mayor of Indianapolis
1150
00:52:51,101 --> 00:52:56,641
and a whole host of non-profit
and private sector companies who
1151
00:52:56,640 --> 00:52:59,710
have legitimate concerns about
the impact of this legislation.
1152
00:52:59,709 --> 00:53:00,809
The Press: Does the
President have a reaction?
1153
00:53:00,810 --> 00:53:02,150
Mr. Earnest: I haven't
spoken to him about it.
1154
00:53:02,145 --> 00:53:04,845
The Press: What about the
proposed ballot initiative in
1155
00:53:04,848 --> 00:53:07,888
California, Josh, that would
allow the execution of a
1156
00:53:07,884 --> 00:53:09,384
homosexual person?
1157
00:53:09,386 --> 00:53:11,456
This is -- again, this is
something that's definitely not
1158
00:53:11,454 --> 00:53:13,824
going to be constitutional, and
it looks like Attorney General
1159
00:53:13,823 --> 00:53:15,993
Harris is going
to be against it.
1160
00:53:15,992 --> 00:53:17,562
But has the President
been made aware of this?
1161
00:53:17,561 --> 00:53:19,631
Is it something that
he has a reaction to?
1162
00:53:19,629 --> 00:53:20,899
Mr. Earnest: This is the
first I'm hearing of it,
1163
00:53:20,897 --> 00:53:22,437
so I'm not aware of it.
1164
00:53:22,432 --> 00:53:23,972
The Press: One last thing, Josh.
1165
00:53:23,967 --> 00:53:27,607
This afternoon, Scott Kelly and
a couple other cosmonauts are
1166
00:53:27,604 --> 00:53:29,044
going up in space for a year.
1167
00:53:29,039 --> 00:53:31,639
Is the President -- I mean,
he's meeting with science and
1168
00:53:31,641 --> 00:53:34,011
technology people today, but
I know this is usually the
1169
00:53:34,010 --> 00:53:37,610
opportunity for the President to
talk about science education.
1170
00:53:37,614 --> 00:53:39,614
And is there anything like that?
1171
00:53:39,616 --> 00:53:41,016
Is the President going to
be watching the launch?
1172
00:53:41,017 --> 00:53:44,787
Is he going to be following as
Commander Kelly spends the next
1173
00:53:44,788 --> 00:53:45,988
year in space?
1174
00:53:45,989 --> 00:53:47,529
Mr. Earnest: Well, the President
-- this is obviously a subject
1175
00:53:47,524 --> 00:53:49,694
that the President has
been very interested in,
1176
00:53:49,693 --> 00:53:51,263
particular this mission.
1177
00:53:51,261 --> 00:53:53,261
You'll recall that Commander
Kelly actually sat in the First
1178
00:53:53,263 --> 00:53:55,733
Lady's box during the
State of the Union.
1179
00:53:55,732 --> 00:53:57,832
And the President had the
opportunity in the context of
1180
00:53:57,834 --> 00:54:00,834
the State of the Union address
to salute the heroism and
1181
00:54:00,837 --> 00:54:05,607
courage of every
member of this mission.
1182
00:54:05,609 --> 00:54:08,509
So the President is obviously
very interested in this mission
1183
00:54:08,511 --> 00:54:10,611
and their success.
1184
00:54:10,614 --> 00:54:13,454
He's proud of the
accomplishments of these brave
1185
00:54:13,450 --> 00:54:18,360
Americans who are
engaged in this effort.
1186
00:54:18,355 --> 00:54:20,325
I don't know if the President
will have an opportunity to
1187
00:54:20,323 --> 00:54:23,693
watch the launch, but he
certainly is aware of it and
1188
00:54:23,693 --> 00:54:26,263
will be following the mission
over the course of
1189
00:54:26,262 --> 00:54:28,102
the next year.
1190
00:54:28,098 --> 00:54:30,568
This is an interesting
opportunity for us to gain some
1191
00:54:30,567 --> 00:54:34,707
new knowledge about the impact
of prolonged space exploration
1192
00:54:34,704 --> 00:54:36,504
on the human body.
1193
00:54:36,506 --> 00:54:39,206
And this is -- that's just one
of the many things that they're
1194
00:54:39,209 --> 00:54:42,249
looking at in the
context of this mission,
1195
00:54:42,245 --> 00:54:43,245
and it should be interesting.
1196
00:54:43,246 --> 00:54:45,446
And the President will certainly
be following along like many
1197
00:54:45,448 --> 00:54:46,848
Americans, I think.
1198
00:54:46,850 --> 00:54:49,690
Let me just do a quick week
ahead and then we'll call
1199
00:54:48,685 --> 00:54:52,685
The Press: Can I ask -- Mr.
Earnest: I'm sorry, Connie,
1200
00:54:49,686 --> 00:54:51,686
it a week.
1201
00:54:52,689 --> 00:54:54,689
I'm just going to
do the week ahead,
1202
00:54:54,691 --> 00:54:56,691
which is that the
-- on Saturday,
1203
00:54:56,693 --> 00:54:59,163
the President will be
traveling to Florida.
1204
00:54:59,162 --> 00:55:01,162
He'll spend the
weekend in Florida.
1205
00:55:01,164 --> 00:55:04,304
I do not anticipate that the
President has the expectation of
1206
00:55:04,300 --> 00:55:06,470
making any news while
he's down there.
1207
00:55:06,469 --> 00:55:08,469
He will be accompanied
by the pool.
1208
00:55:08,471 --> 00:55:11,841
And if news does occur, there
will be colleagues of yours
1209
00:55:11,841 --> 00:55:13,341
there to cover it.
1210
00:55:13,343 --> 00:55:16,383
The President will return to
Washington on Sunday evening.
1211
00:55:16,379 --> 00:55:18,619
On Monday, I think most of you
know the President is planning
1212
00:55:18,615 --> 00:55:23,425
to travel to Boston, where he'll
participate in the institute
1213
00:55:23,420 --> 00:55:26,690
that's being established in
Boston in honor of Secretary --
1214
00:55:26,690 --> 00:55:29,430
I'm sorry, Senator
Edward Kennedy.
1215
00:55:29,426 --> 00:55:31,896
The President is looking
forward to the events there.
1216
00:55:31,895 --> 00:55:34,265
He'll have the opportunity to
deliver some remarks
1217
00:55:34,264 --> 00:55:35,664
at that event.
1218
00:55:35,665 --> 00:55:38,005
The President's schedule for
the rest of the week actually
1219
00:55:38,001 --> 00:55:39,071
remains pretty fluid.
1220
00:55:39,069 --> 00:55:43,309
So as we get some more details
updated on that early next week,
1221
00:55:43,306 --> 00:55:44,276
we'll get you those details.
1222
00:55:44,274 --> 00:55:46,944
The Press: (inaudible) Mr.
Earnest: Just because we've
1223
00:55:46,943 --> 00:55:49,813
got some more details on
the schedule to hammer out.
1224
00:55:49,813 --> 00:55:51,813
Have a great weekend, everybody.
