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Mr. Carney: Good
afternoon,
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ladies and gentlemen.
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Thank you for being here.
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As you can see, I have
some guests with me today
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-- Ambassador Susan Rice,
the President's
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National Security Advisor; Ben
Rhodes,
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the President's Deputy National
Security Advisor
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for Strategic Communications.
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They are here to brief
you
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on the President's upcoming trip to Asia.
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I think Susan will start.
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If you could --
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Ambassador Rice:
Ben will start.
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Mr. Carney: Oh, Ben will
start, sorry,
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and then Susan.
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And if you could address
the questions you have
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for them at the top of the
briefing,
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I will stick around for
questions on other subjects.
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But we want to try to get
through this by 2:00 p.m.
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because I know some of you
will want to cover
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the President's remarks
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at the Commander-in-Chief Trophy presentation.
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And with that, I
give you Ben Rhodes.
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Mr. Rhodes: Okay, I'l
just be very quick
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in going through the
President's schedule,
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for this is his fifth trip to
Asia, being able
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to go to Malaysia and the
Philippines,
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which he was not able to do
during the government shutdown
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last fall, as well as to two of
our closest allies,
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Japan and the Republic of Korea.
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We'll begin in the evening
of the 23rd, Wednesday,
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in Tokyo, where the President
will have a private dinner
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with Prime Minister Abe.
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Following that private
dinner,
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he'll be down for the night.
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The next morning he will
have an official
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arrival ceremony at the
Imperial Palace.
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This is a state visit that
the President
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is taking to Japan.
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That will be followed by
the bilateral meeting and
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joint press conference
with Prime Minister Abe.
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Following the press
conference,
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the President will head to the
Miraikan Science and Youth Event
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that we have set up, which
will involve a tour
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of an exposition, followed by
remarks by the President.
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Innovation is part of the
comparative strength
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of the U.S.-Japan
relationship economically,
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and we'll be able to lift
up some
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of that science and
technological cooperation
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and innovation through this event.
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Afterwards, the President
will have
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a cultural visit to a Meiji shrine.
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Then, later that
afternoon,
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he will attend a business
roundtable that we are doing
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with a variety of business
leaders in Japan,
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where he'll have an opportunity
to promote the SelectUSA
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Initiative that serves to
advance investment
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in the United States and job
creation
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in the United States.
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Then, that night, he will
attend
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a state dinner hosted by the Emperor.
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The next morning he'll
have a farewell greet
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with the Emperor of Japan, and
then
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he will leave for Seoul.
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The first thing he'll do
in Seoul
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is go to the National War
Memorial where there will
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be a wreath-laying ceremony.
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Then he will have a
cultural stop
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at the Gyeongbok Palace.
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Following that, he will
have a bilateral
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meeting with President Park of
the Republic of Korea
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and joint press
conference with her.
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And then, that evening,
the two leaders will
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have a working dinner.
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Again, this visit follows
on the trilateral meeting
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that we had with Japan
and the Republic of Korea
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during the Nuclear
Security Summit
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as we've been both investing in
these alliances but also
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the trilateral cooperation
in Northeast Asia.
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The next morning the
President will once
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again have a meeting with
business leaders
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to discuss the U.S.-Korea
economic relationship,
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both the SelectUSA
Initiative,
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also the implementation of
KORUS, our free trade agreement.
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Again, throughout this
visit the President
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will be making sure to have
these types
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of engagements with the business
community.
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Then he will head to the
Combined Forces Command,
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where he will have
a briefing from
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the commander on the ground
there about our efforts
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to be resolute in support of
our Korean ally
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and also in the face of North
Korean provocations.
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He will then have an
opportunity to give
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remarks at Yongsan
Garrison
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to an audience of U.S.
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servicemembers, as
well as embassy staff.
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And that will conclude
his time in Seoul.
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Then he will move on to
Malaysia, the first
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visit by a President of the
United States
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to Malaysia since Lyndon Johnson.
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After an arrival ceremony
upon arrival,
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he will attend a royal audience
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and state dinner that evening.
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On Sunday, the 27th, the
President will begin
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with a cultural visit to the
National Mosque
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in Kuala Lumpur.
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He will then have a
bilateral meeting
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with Prime Minister Najib,
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a working lunch and pressconference.
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Then the two leaders will
head to the Malaysian
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Global Innovation and
Creativity Center.
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Malaysia hosted the
Entrepreneurship Summit,
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which grew out
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of the President's initiative last year.
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They did an exceptional
job, and are following
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up with a number of
initiatives focused
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on entrepreneurship that can
help grow the Malaysian
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economy but also serve
economic growth
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in the Asia Pacific more broadly.
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Following that tour, the
President will head
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to Malaya University, where
he'll have a town hall
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with young leaders from
across Southeast Asia.
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So this is a particularly
interesting event in that
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we have invited young
people from all 10
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of the ASEAN countries to
come to this town hall.
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The President will be
speaking --
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giving a speech there, but also
engaging with
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the young people.
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We'll be launching a Young
Southeast Asian Leaders
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Initiative, somewhat
similar to the initiative
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we have in Africa, to
build relationships
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across Southeast Asia in
coordination
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with our broader strategy of
engaging the ASEAN
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countries -- again, not
just at a leader level,
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but at a young leader
level as well.
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Then, that evening, he
will also have
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a meeting with leaders in
Malaysian civil society.
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On Monday morning, the
President will leave
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for the Philippines, where
he will have
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a bilateral program with
President Aquino
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and a joint press conference.
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Then, that night, he will
attend
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a state dinner hosted by
President Aquino.
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And then finally, on
Tuesday, the 29th,
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he will begin his day by viewing
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a new electronic* vehicle, the
COMET.
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Those of you who have may
have spent time
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in Manila know that this is one
of the principal means
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of people getting around.
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There's a new electric
vehicle that's being
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supported by a technology
maker
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in the United States, and so
he'll have a chance
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to review progress on that project.
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Then he will go to Fort
Bonifacio,
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where he will give remarks to an
audience
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that will include U.S. and Filipino
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servicemembers and veterans
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to underscore our
deep security cooperation
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over the years, but also
our security cooperation
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in the current environment
in the Asia Pacific
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as we seek to build out and
advance
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the relationship between our militaries.
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Then he will have a
wreath-laying ceremony
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at the American Cemetery,
which holds such
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importance to those who
fought in World War II.
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And that will conclude his
visit and will return
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to the United States on
that Tuesday, the 29th.
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And with that, I'll
turn it over to Susan.
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Ambassador Rice: Thank
you, Ben,
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and good afternoon.
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The President's trip to
Asia is an important
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opportunity to underscore
our continued focus
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on the Asia Pacific region.
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President Obama has
pursued a strategy
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of rebalancing to the Asia
Pacific region given
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its stature as the world's
largest emerging region.
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Over the next five years,
nearly half of all growth
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outside the United States
is expected
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to come from Asia.
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Moreover, it's a region
that
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includes several important U.S.
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allies, developing
democracies,
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and emerging powers.
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So we increasingly see our
top priorities as tied
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to Asia, whether it's
accessing new markets
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or promoting exports, or
protecting
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our security interests and
promoting our core values.
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The countries that we're
visiting -- Japan, Korea,
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Malaysia and the
Philippines --
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intersect with our leading
priorities.
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And these are modernizing
our alliances,
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supporting democratic
development, advancing TPP
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and commercial ties, investing
in regional
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institutions like ASEAN, and
deepening cultural
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and people-to-people
exchanges.
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Unlike many of the
President's overseas
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trips particular to Asia, there
are no large
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summits involved, so the agenda
in each country
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can focus intensively on
energizing our bilateral
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relationships and
advancing
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the different elements of our
Asia strategy.
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And at a time of ongoing
regional tensions,
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particularly with regard
to North Korea
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and territorial disputes, the
trip offers a chance
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for the United States to
affirm our commitment
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to a rules-based order
in the region.
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There's a significant
demand for U.S.
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leadership in that region,
and our strategy
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of rebalancing to Asia
includes economic,
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political, security and
cultural interests
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in Northeast and
Southeast Asia.
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The different components
of our strategy will
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be on display throughout
the trip.
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No other nation other than
the United States
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has a network of alliances and
partnerships
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in Asia that match ours.
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And our alliances remain
the foundation
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of our strategy.
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We're focused on
modernizing these
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alliances to make them
more relevant
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to the 21st century and to our
security challenges,
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while building them into
platforms for cooperation
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on regional and
global challenges.
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Given its rapid economic
growth and political
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clout, Southeast Asia has
been another
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cornerstone of our strategy.
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And the President's
historic visit
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to Malaysia, as Ben said, the
first since
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Lyndon Baines Johnson, as well
as to the Philippines,
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will advance our engagement with
this critical region.
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Expanding American trade
and investment links
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with Asia is also fundamental
to our efforts
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to access new markets, create
American jobs,
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export more goods from here in
the United States
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to that very important region.
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Throughout the trip, the
President will have
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the opportunity, as Ben said,
to meet with business
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leaders and to promote
initiatives
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like SelectUSA that support
investment in the United States.
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The TPP is a focal point
of our effort
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to establish high standards for
trade across the Asia Pacific
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and to ensure a level
playing field
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for U.S. businesses and workers.
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In visiting Japan and
Malaysia,
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two of the 12 key TPP partners,
the President
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will have the chance to continue
to make progress
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on this important agreement
while insisting
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that it meets America's objectives.
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The President will
reaffirm as well
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our steadfast commitment to
our allies and partners,
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which allow us to deter
threats
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and respond to disasters.
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On the trip, the President
will build
254
00:10:39,667 --> 00:10:41,734
on the progress of his recent trilateral
255
00:10:41,734 --> 00:10:44,400
meeting with Japan and Korea in The Hague,
256
00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,500
as we seek to advance trilateral
257
00:10:46,500 --> 00:10:48,633
defense cooperation
more broadly.
258
00:10:48,633 --> 00:10:51,400
It will allow us to
reaffirm our commitment to
259
00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:54,467
the peaceful resolution of
maritime and territorial
260
00:10:54,467 --> 00:10:58,433
disputes consistent
with international law.
261
00:10:58,433 --> 00:11:00,667
And it will allow us to
underscore our commitment
262
00:11:00,667 --> 00:11:03,500
to help respond to
humanitarian
263
00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:04,667
and other disasters.
264
00:11:05,367 --> 00:11:07,099
Our Asian partners
frequently look
265
00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:10,867
to the United States as a
partner of first choice given
266
00:11:10,867 --> 00:11:13,467
our significant and unique
capabilities,
267
00:11:13,467 --> 00:11:15,033
and our technical expertise.
268
00:11:15,033 --> 00:11:17,900
And indeed, in each of
the countries we will
269
00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:20,900
be visiting, we have seen
in the last few years
270
00:11:20,900 --> 00:11:24,500
tragedies of the sort that
have been exceedingly
271
00:11:24,500 --> 00:11:26,734
taxing and traumatic
for the people
272
00:11:26,734 --> 00:11:27,734
of those countries.
273
00:11:27,734 --> 00:11:29,400
And in each instance, the
United States
274
00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:33,467
has been able to lend prompt and
very effective support
275
00:11:33,467 --> 00:11:35,834
to our friends and partners
in support
276
00:11:35,834 --> 00:11:36,834
of their response.
277
00:11:38,233 --> 00:11:40,300
We have demonstrated
throughout --
278
00:11:40,300 --> 00:11:44,800
whether from the Japan
earthquake in 2011, the 2013
279
00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:49,532
typhoon in the Philippines, the
Malaysian Air flight
280
00:11:49,533 --> 00:11:54,767
370 tragedy, and now the ferry
disaster in South Korea --
281
00:11:54,767 --> 00:11:57,533
that we are there for our
friends and partners
282
00:11:57,533 --> 00:11:58,633
when they need us most.
283
00:11:59,066 --> 00:12:01,433
Ben and I are happy to
take a few questions.
284
00:12:01,433 --> 00:12:03,700
The Press: You're
obviously heading
285
00:12:03,700 --> 00:12:06,834
to Asia against the backdrop of
the situation in Ukraine.
286
00:12:06,834 --> 00:12:08,433
And I'm wondering what
your sense
287
00:12:08,433 --> 00:12:11,667
is of how that crisis is
impacting the way that some
288
00:12:11,667 --> 00:12:14,200
of these Asian leaders are
viewing their own territorial
289
00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:16,000
disputes with China and
the threat
290
00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:17,266
that they feel from Beijing.
291
00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:18,599
And while we have you
here, if you could
292
00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:21,567
just give us a sense of the
status of this
293
00:12:21,567 --> 00:12:24,166
agreement between Russia and
Ukraine, given that
294
00:12:24,166 --> 00:12:26,667
the pro-Russian forces in
eastern Ukraine have
295
00:12:26,667 --> 00:12:28,600
said that they have no plans
to leave
296
00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:29,500
the buildings they've occupied.
297
00:12:30,533 --> 00:12:31,767
Ambassador Rice: Well,
Julie, we've been
298
00:12:31,767 --> 00:12:33,367
in close communication, as you
can imagine,
299
00:12:33,367 --> 00:12:36,666
with our allies and partners
around the world, including
300
00:12:36,667 --> 00:12:40,367
in Asia, as it relates to what
is happening in Ukraine.
301
00:12:40,367 --> 00:12:43,266
And we have been talking
with them about
302
00:12:43,266 --> 00:12:45,533
the importance of a strong
international
303
00:12:45,533 --> 00:12:49,233
front to uphold principles that
they and we all hold dear:
304
00:12:49,233 --> 00:12:51,599
the sovereignty and
territorial integrity
305
00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,066
of nations, the need for
peaceful
306
00:12:54,066 --> 00:12:55,233
resolution of disputes.
307
00:12:55,233 --> 00:12:58,467
And we will continue to
have that
308
00:12:58,467 --> 00:13:02,000
discussion throughout each of
the stops on our trip.
309
00:13:02,433 --> 00:13:05,734
And I think it's fair to
say that Japan
310
00:13:05,734 --> 00:13:09,433
and South Korea, major global
economies, will --
311
00:13:09,433 --> 00:13:14,633
as we have had to -- continue to
reassess the implications
312
00:13:14,633 --> 00:13:17,500
of what has transpired in
Ukraine for their
313
00:13:17,500 --> 00:13:19,934
economic and diplomatic
relationships,
314
00:13:19,934 --> 00:13:21,766
and particularly with Russia.
315
00:13:21,767 --> 00:13:25,266
And we have coordinated
closely with Japan
316
00:13:25,266 --> 00:13:29,766
in the G7 context on our shared
responses to what has
317
00:13:29,767 --> 00:13:32,967
happened in Ukraine and
will continue to do so.
318
00:13:33,233 --> 00:13:35,433
But I think the countries
of the region clearly are
319
00:13:35,433 --> 00:13:37,467
watching this carefully
and are cognizant
320
00:13:37,467 --> 00:13:42,033
of the implications for the
larger international
321
00:13:42,033 --> 00:13:44,567
order, given the
importance and
322
00:13:44,567 --> 00:13:48,100
the unity of the international
community in insisting
323
00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:50,600
that Ukraine's sovereignty
be upheld
324
00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:55,567
and maintained and the global
condemnation of Russia's
325
00:13:55,567 --> 00:13:57,934
annexation of Crimea and
its efforts
326
00:13:57,934 --> 00:13:59,400
to destabilize Ukraine.
327
00:13:59,900 --> 00:14:01,165
These are countries that
are part
328
00:14:01,166 --> 00:14:02,166
of the United Nations.
329
00:14:02,166 --> 00:14:03,700
And you will have seen
that,
330
00:14:03,700 --> 00:14:07,567
a couple of weeks ago in the
General Assembly, there was
331
00:14:07,567 --> 00:14:09,700
an overwhelming vote of
condemnation
332
00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:11,066
of Russia's actions.
333
00:14:11,066 --> 00:14:14,367
And we all share a
commitment to,
334
00:14:14,367 --> 00:14:15,699
as I said, a rule-based order.
335
00:14:16,266 --> 00:14:18,500
With respect to what has
transpired since
336
00:14:18,500 --> 00:14:22,133
the agreement yesterday in
Geneva --
337
00:14:22,133 --> 00:14:25,734
which, as you know, committed
all the signatories
338
00:14:25,734 --> 00:14:28,133
of four countries, but
obviously, particularly Russia
339
00:14:28,133 --> 00:14:32,967
and Ukraine, to disarm the
irregular forces
340
00:14:32,967 --> 00:14:36,633
that are engaged in
destabilizing activities --
341
00:14:36,633 --> 00:14:41,066
to require that those forces
vacate the buildings
342
00:14:41,066 --> 00:14:46,400
and public spots that they are
occupying illegally;
343
00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:50,500
that there be an amnesty
granted to those that lay
344
00:14:50,500 --> 00:14:52,734
down their arms willingly
and peacefully;
345
00:14:52,734 --> 00:14:55,367
and that there be a
constitutional process,
346
00:14:55,367 --> 00:14:58,367
which is Ukraine's own
constitutional process,
347
00:14:58,367 --> 00:15:01,934
to resolve the issues that --
the political issues
348
00:15:01,934 --> 00:15:06,433
that are so critical to
Ukraine's future.
349
00:15:06,433 --> 00:15:12,200
Now, we expect, and we
will be watching whether
350
00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:16,533
Russia does or does not
uphold its responsibility
351
00:15:16,533 --> 00:15:18,767
to use its very
considerable influence
352
00:15:18,767 --> 00:15:27,533
to restrain and withdraw
those irregular militia
353
00:15:27,533 --> 00:15:29,433
from the buildings and
spaces
354
00:15:29,433 --> 00:15:30,433
that they've occupied.
355
00:15:30,433 --> 00:15:32,700
We'll look to see what
Russia says, what it does,
356
00:15:32,700 --> 00:15:37,066
and whether it supports
another critical aspect
357
00:15:37,066 --> 00:15:39,800
of the agreement, which was
the agreement
358
00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:44,800
that the OSCE will send in
monitors to those towns
359
00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:47,500
where they're most needed to
help to facilitate
360
00:15:47,500 --> 00:15:49,967
a peaceful resolution
of these standoffs.
361
00:15:50,133 --> 00:15:53,633
So we will see over the
coming days whether
362
00:15:53,633 --> 00:15:55,734
Russia upholds its agreement.
363
00:15:55,734 --> 00:15:57,767
We've already seen the
Ukrainian government
364
00:15:57,767 --> 00:16:00,700
begin to take steps to do its
part by beginning
365
00:16:00,700 --> 00:16:05,700
to take steps to implement an
amnesty law for those that
366
00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:08,033
do lay down their arms;
by the President
367
00:16:08,033 --> 00:16:11,266
and the Prime Minister making
very constructive public
368
00:16:11,266 --> 00:16:13,033
comments today about
constitutional
369
00:16:13,033 --> 00:16:15,100
reform and decentralization.
370
00:16:15,567 --> 00:16:18,967
If we don't see action
commensurate with
371
00:16:18,967 --> 00:16:22,633
the commitments that Russia
has made yesterday
372
00:16:22,633 --> 00:16:24,767
in Geneva, which we all
welcome,
373
00:16:24,767 --> 00:16:26,667
then obviously we've been very
clear that
374
00:16:26,667 --> 00:16:30,233
we and our European partners
remain ready to impose
375
00:16:30,233 --> 00:16:34,566
additional costs on Russia for
failing to adhere
376
00:16:34,567 --> 00:16:35,367
to its obligations.
377
00:16:35,367 --> 00:16:37,400
The Press: Did you give
Russia --
378
00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:39,733
did Secretary Kerry and others
in Geneva give Russia
379
00:16:39,734 --> 00:16:42,133
a firm deadline on when you
needed to see
380
00:16:42,133 --> 00:16:43,367
that progress happening by?
381
00:16:44,066 --> 00:16:46,800
Ambassador Rice: Secretary
Kerry had very direct
382
00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:48,632
discussions with Foreign
Minister Lavrov,
383
00:16:48,633 --> 00:16:51,734
both privately and in
the context of this
384
00:16:51,734 --> 00:16:54,100
quadrilateral meeting;
made very clear
385
00:16:54,100 --> 00:16:56,033
the United States' expectations.
386
00:16:56,033 --> 00:16:59,066
And we will be looking to
see in the coming days
387
00:16:59,066 --> 00:17:01,700
whether the agreement that
was reached is,
388
00:17:01,700 --> 00:17:02,700
in fact, implemented.
389
00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:07,066
It will be obvious
as events unfold.
390
00:17:07,066 --> 00:17:12,033
The Press: Susan, how do
you think the situation
391
00:17:12,032 --> 00:17:14,000
in Ukraine -- or do you think
at all it will influence
392
00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,867
the conversations you'll
have with South Korea
393
00:17:15,867 --> 00:17:18,066
and Japan about the air
defense identification
394
00:17:18,066 --> 00:17:19,900
zone that the Chinese
established;
395
00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:24,367
the concerns, as Julie brought
up, about disputes
396
00:17:24,367 --> 00:17:26,099
over territories in that region?
397
00:17:26,099 --> 00:17:29,033
And what are you trying to
accomplish with Japan
398
00:17:29,033 --> 00:17:33,699
and Korea on the question of
the IDIZ -- ADIZ, rather?
399
00:17:33,900 --> 00:17:35,166
Ambassador Rice: Well
Major, I expect that
400
00:17:35,166 --> 00:17:37,800
the issue of territorial
claims and disputes
401
00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:40,834
in the region will come up in
our discussions
402
00:17:40,834 --> 00:17:41,834
in both countries.
403
00:17:41,834 --> 00:17:44,066
The United States'
position has been very
404
00:17:44,066 --> 00:17:46,667
consistent and very clear:
We don't take a position
405
00:17:46,667 --> 00:17:50,132
on the sovereignty claims,
but we have insisted that
406
00:17:50,133 --> 00:17:53,300
these disputes be resolved
peacefully on the basis
407
00:17:53,300 --> 00:17:56,000
of international law and
through --
408
00:17:56,000 --> 00:18:00,333
without resort to coercion or
the threat or the use of force.
409
00:18:01,066 --> 00:18:05,400
That has been consistent,
and that is indeed
410
00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:07,367
the same principle that we
have applied
411
00:18:07,367 --> 00:18:08,700
to the situation in Ukraine.
412
00:18:08,700 --> 00:18:11,066
So I expect whether we're
talking about the ADIZ
413
00:18:11,066 --> 00:18:15,767
or other aspects of the
maritime and other
414
00:18:15,767 --> 00:18:18,767
territorial claims, that
we will continue
415
00:18:18,767 --> 00:18:20,967
to reinforce that
American perspective.
416
00:18:22,500 --> 00:18:25,567
The Press: Ambassador
Rice, back on Ukraine --
417
00:18:25,567 --> 00:18:28,667
it seemed as though
earlier in the week
418
00:18:28,667 --> 00:18:30,899
senior administration officials
were saying that
419
00:18:30,900 --> 00:18:33,867
sanctions -- new sanctions could
come immediately after
420
00:18:33,867 --> 00:18:35,667
the meeting if there
was no progress.
421
00:18:35,667 --> 00:18:38,132
And then Secretary Kerry
-- and apparently
422
00:18:38,133 --> 00:18:41,367
it seemed the President --
pushed that deadline
423
00:18:41,367 --> 00:18:43,066
back to past the weekend.
424
00:18:43,066 --> 00:18:44,734
Is that, in fact, a hard
deadline
425
00:18:44,734 --> 00:18:46,132
that the United States is looking at?
426
00:18:46,533 --> 00:18:47,265
Ambassador Rice: Well,
in fact,
427
00:18:47,266 --> 00:18:49,433
there was some progress in
Geneva yesterday.
428
00:18:49,433 --> 00:18:55,333
And while Geneva was a
document to which
429
00:18:55,333 --> 00:18:57,300
all sides committed, and it
was a document with
430
00:18:57,300 --> 00:19:00,934
some very positive commitments
in it, what
431
00:19:00,934 --> 00:19:04,166
we have said is it's not the
words, it's the actions.
432
00:19:04,166 --> 00:19:06,767
So we will be watching
very carefully over
433
00:19:06,767 --> 00:19:08,700
the coming days to see whether
the commitments
434
00:19:08,700 --> 00:19:11,200
that were made in Geneva --
which, if honored,
435
00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:14,667
would be a very positive set of
actions --
436
00:19:14,667 --> 00:19:15,667
are in fact honored.
437
00:19:15,667 --> 00:19:18,166
And if they're not, we
have been very clear
438
00:19:18,166 --> 00:19:20,899
that we are ready, along with
our partners,
439
00:19:20,900 --> 00:19:22,500
to impose additional costs.
440
00:19:23,166 --> 00:19:24,466
The Press: Just to be
clear, I'm saying that
441
00:19:24,467 --> 00:19:26,333
now that there has been
progress,
442
00:19:26,333 --> 00:19:28,300
would the period of time you're
watching,
443
00:19:28,300 --> 00:19:29,667
is that over the weekend?
444
00:19:29,667 --> 00:19:30,699
Ambassador Rice: It's
over the coming days.
445
00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:33,000
The Press: And then the
other thing I wanted
446
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,600
to ask you about is there's a
report out in The Times
447
00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:38,466
of London that the United
States is looking at
448
00:19:38,467 --> 00:19:42,100
actually putting sanctions
on President Putin's
449
00:19:42,100 --> 00:19:46,132
personal wealth in
Switzerland --
450
00:19:46,133 --> 00:19:48,367
in hidden accounts in Switzerland.
451
00:19:48,367 --> 00:19:50,367
Is the United States
looking at sanctioning
452
00:19:50,367 --> 00:19:53,000
the President of
Russia personally?
453
00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,100
Ambassador Rice: I'm
not going to get
454
00:19:54,100 --> 00:19:56,500
into foreshadowing particular
individuals
455
00:19:56,500 --> 00:19:59,266
or entities that the United
States may target.
456
00:19:59,266 --> 00:20:01,900
But let me just say we've
been clear that there
457
00:20:01,900 --> 00:20:05,834
are additional individuals,
officials,
458
00:20:05,834 --> 00:20:09,834
close associates of senior
leadership, oligarchs,
459
00:20:09,834 --> 00:20:11,934
and those entities that
they're associated
460
00:20:11,934 --> 00:20:19,700
with that remain very much
potential targets
461
00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:21,066
of additional sanctions.
462
00:20:21,066 --> 00:20:23,467
We've also said that there
are other potential
463
00:20:23,467 --> 00:20:26,400
ways in the framework of our
executive orders
464
00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:30,533
that we could impose costs,
should that be necessary.
465
00:20:30,533 --> 00:20:35,233
In the event of a dramatic
escalation or significant
466
00:20:35,233 --> 00:20:36,899
escalation, including, as
we've said repeatedly,
467
00:20:36,900 --> 00:20:42,934
the potential for Russia to
move its own forces on the
468
00:20:42,934 --> 00:20:47,066
border inside of Ukraine,
that those costs
469
00:20:47,066 --> 00:20:51,567
and sanctions could even
include targeting very
470
00:20:51,567 --> 00:20:54,367
significant sectors of
the Russian economy.
471
00:20:54,367 --> 00:20:56,667
But beyond that, I'm not
going to be specific.
472
00:20:56,667 --> 00:21:00,367
The Press: Madam
Ambassador, are you saying
473
00:21:00,367 --> 00:21:03,966
given that one of the
leaders of the pro-Russian
474
00:21:03,967 --> 00:21:06,200
forces has already
rejected this
475
00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:08,467
agreement and claimed that the
current
476
00:21:08,467 --> 00:21:10,367
Ukrainian government is
illegitimate,
477
00:21:10,367 --> 00:21:13,133
are you saying that we hold
Moscow responsible
478
00:21:13,133 --> 00:21:16,734
for making sure that these
rebels, if you will,
479
00:21:16,734 --> 00:21:21,066
pro-Russian forces leave the
buildings they've occupied
480
00:21:21,066 --> 00:21:23,233
and the roads they've barricaded?
481
00:21:23,533 --> 00:21:24,332
Ambassador Rice: What
we're saying
482
00:21:24,333 --> 00:21:30,900
is that we believe that Russia
has considerable influence
483
00:21:30,900 --> 00:21:34,100
over the actions of those
who have been engaged
484
00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:38,065
in destabilizing activities
in eastern Ukraine.
485
00:21:38,066 --> 00:21:41,800
And we expect -- and
Russia, indeed,
486
00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:44,899
is committed to use that
influence
487
00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:47,300
to try to deescalate and
defuse the situation.
488
00:21:47,300 --> 00:21:50,100
And that includes vacating
the buildings,
489
00:21:50,100 --> 00:21:54,466
disarming, vacating those other
public spaces that are
490
00:21:54,467 --> 00:21:58,734
being illegally occupied,
allowing and cooperating
491
00:21:58,734 --> 00:22:01,632
with the OSCE monitors and
other steps,
492
00:22:01,633 --> 00:22:04,166
including public statements that
would signal
493
00:22:04,166 --> 00:22:07,000
a commitment to try to work
constructively
494
00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:08,500
to deescalate the situation.
495
00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:10,934
The Press: Ambassador
Rice, can you give
496
00:22:10,934 --> 00:22:13,433
us a better understanding of
the conversations that
497
00:22:13,433 --> 00:22:15,200
have taken place in
regards to reports,
498
00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,467
and now in fact confirmation
from members of the Jewish
499
00:22:17,467 --> 00:22:19,734
community in Donetsk
reporting that there
500
00:22:19,734 --> 00:22:22,500
were some pamphlets, perhaps
isolated, nonetheless
501
00:22:22,500 --> 00:22:24,600
outrageous -- as described
by the Secretary of State
502
00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,800
as "grotesque and beyond
unacceptable";
503
00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:30,300
what the President's thoughts
were when he heard about that,
504
00:22:30,300 --> 00:22:31,300
and what the
administration
505
00:22:31,300 --> 00:22:33,100
is committed to doing to
make sure that this
506
00:22:33,100 --> 00:22:34,699
isn't something more than
an isolated incident?
507
00:22:34,700 --> 00:22:36,533
Ambassador Rice: The
President expressed
508
00:22:36,533 --> 00:22:39,367
his disgust quite bluntly.
509
00:22:39,367 --> 00:22:43,533
I think we all found word
of those pamphlets
510
00:22:43,533 --> 00:22:45,166
to be utterly sickening.
511
00:22:45,166 --> 00:22:50,399
And they have no place
in the 21st century.
512
00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,367
And we have conveyed that
view very forcefully
513
00:22:53,367 --> 00:22:55,700
to all concerned.
514
00:22:55,700 --> 00:22:58,600
Secretary Kerry had that
conversation
515
00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:02,033
very plainly with Foreign
Minister Lavrov yesterday.
516
00:23:02,033 --> 00:23:04,033
And indeed, the joint
statement that
517
00:23:04,033 --> 00:23:08,332
was issued in Geneva made
reference to anti-Semitism
518
00:23:08,333 --> 00:23:13,533
and other forms of biased action
and behavior precisely
519
00:23:13,533 --> 00:23:17,132
for that reason, because we
were so outraged and alarmed
520
00:23:17,133 --> 00:23:20,967
by the surfacing
of such pamphlets.
521
00:23:20,967 --> 00:23:24,233
The Press: Ambassador,
you mentioned TPP.
522
00:23:24,233 --> 00:23:26,734
Would you describe that
now in the context
523
00:23:26,734 --> 00:23:28,367
of this trip as being
at a stalemate?
524
00:23:28,367 --> 00:23:31,332
And if you don't have any
deliverables on that,
525
00:23:31,333 --> 00:23:34,233
on this trip, will that make
it less of a success?
526
00:23:35,033 --> 00:23:37,332
And one follow-up to your
other comments about
527
00:23:37,333 --> 00:23:39,033
the trip -- some analysts are
calling this
528
00:23:39,033 --> 00:23:41,567
a "China containment tour."
529
00:23:41,567 --> 00:23:43,400
Do you view that
differently?
530
00:23:43,900 --> 00:23:45,967
Ambassador Rice: Well,
with respect to TPP,
531
00:23:45,967 --> 00:23:48,467
first of all, we have made a
great deal of progress
532
00:23:48,467 --> 00:23:50,967
over the last many months
in terms
533
00:23:50,967 --> 00:23:55,066
of achieving ultimately a
comprehensive,
534
00:23:55,066 --> 00:23:58,000
high-standards regional
trade agreement.
535
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,033
And we expect very much
that the President's
536
00:24:01,033 --> 00:24:03,699
travels and our continued
work in the
537
00:24:03,700 --> 00:24:07,033
coming weeks and months on TPP
will continue
538
00:24:07,033 --> 00:24:08,132
to yield progress.
539
00:24:08,133 --> 00:24:11,767
And we expect that as a
result of that
540
00:24:11,767 --> 00:24:13,467
we will be able to conclude
an agreement.
541
00:24:14,066 --> 00:24:15,700
So I think this is yet
another opportunity
542
00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:19,734
to advance our efforts, and
I believe that
543
00:24:19,734 --> 00:24:22,632
our TPP partners view it that way.
544
00:24:22,633 --> 00:24:24,400
And in the run-up to the
trip,
545
00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:27,367
some progress has been made and
we expect it to continue
546
00:24:27,367 --> 00:24:28,834
through and after the trip.
547
00:24:28,834 --> 00:24:33,867
So this remains a very
important aspect of our
548
00:24:33,867 --> 00:24:35,700
rebalance to the Asia
Pacific region,
549
00:24:35,700 --> 00:24:39,567
one that holds great promise for
the countries
550
00:24:39,567 --> 00:24:41,166
in the region as well as for
the United States.
551
00:24:41,166 --> 00:24:44,066
There has been some
outside estimates
552
00:24:44,066 --> 00:24:50,600
by experts that suggest that
as much as $123.5 billion
553
00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:52,934
in additional exports
annually from the
554
00:24:52,934 --> 00:24:57,033
United States could accrue from
a successful conclusion
555
00:24:57,033 --> 00:24:58,033
of the TPP.
556
00:24:58,033 --> 00:25:02,699
So we'll continue to work
towards that given
557
00:25:02,700 --> 00:25:05,200
its significance to
all concerned.
558
00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:07,934
With respect to the trip
and whether it ought
559
00:25:07,934 --> 00:25:11,033
to be viewed as a containment of
China, I would say this
560
00:25:11,033 --> 00:25:14,367
trip has a very positive,
affirmative agenda
561
00:25:14,367 --> 00:25:16,133
and that's how we are looking
at it --
562
00:25:16,133 --> 00:25:20,867
as an opportunity to solidify
and modernize our alliances
563
00:25:20,867 --> 00:25:23,800
and partnerships; as an
opportunity to advance
564
00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:26,533
our economic agenda, including
TPP and our commercial
565
00:25:26,533 --> 00:25:30,265
interests; as an
opportunity to affirm
566
00:25:30,266 --> 00:25:32,467
our commitment to the region
and its security;
567
00:25:32,467 --> 00:25:35,266
and to show that the United
States is and will
568
00:25:35,266 --> 00:25:38,533
remain for the long term a major
security partner
569
00:25:38,533 --> 00:25:42,533
and a force for rule of law,
stability and democratic
570
00:25:42,533 --> 00:25:45,233
development; and also, as
I said, an opportunity
571
00:25:45,233 --> 00:25:47,500
to deepen our
people-to-people ties
572
00:25:47,500 --> 00:25:51,200
and relationships, hence the
Young South Asian Leaders
573
00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:53,266
Forum, which we're looking
very much forward
574
00:25:53,266 --> 00:25:55,367
to hosting the President's
opportunity to engage
575
00:25:55,367 --> 00:25:57,399
with civil society and young
576
00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:59,100
people throughout the region.
577
00:25:59,100 --> 00:26:02,332
So this is a positive trip
with a positive agenda
578
00:26:02,333 --> 00:26:04,166
that underscores that the
United States' commitment
579
00:26:04,166 --> 00:26:08,767
to this region is growing,
and is a cornerstone
580
00:26:08,767 --> 00:26:11,700
of our global engagement and
is going
581
00:26:11,700 --> 00:26:15,400
to be there for the long term.
582
00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:17,900
The Press: Ambassador
Rice, I know you've
583
00:26:17,900 --> 00:26:20,967
said repeatedly that you expect
the Russians to use their
584
00:26:20,967 --> 00:26:24,367
influence to rein in these
pro-Russian groups,
585
00:26:24,367 --> 00:26:26,033
but a day later, a day after
this agreement,
586
00:26:26,033 --> 00:26:28,166
have you seen any actual sign
that they're doing that?
587
00:26:28,166 --> 00:26:30,633
Ambassador Rice: We'll
continue to watch very
588
00:26:30,633 --> 00:26:32,400
carefully how they proceed
-- what they say,
589
00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:35,367
what they do, and how indeed
the OSCE monitors
590
00:26:35,367 --> 00:26:39,800
are allowed to operate when
they deploy,
591
00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,633
which we believe will begin
over the weekend.
592
00:26:42,633 --> 00:26:46,100
So I don't take the
statements
593
00:26:46,100 --> 00:26:49,399
of an individual rebel leader
here and there
594
00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:52,266
as dispositive or definitive
at this stage.
595
00:26:52,266 --> 00:26:53,734
But I do think over the
coming days,
596
00:26:53,734 --> 00:26:56,332
as I've said, we'll have the
opportunity to see what Russia
597
00:26:56,333 --> 00:26:59,500
can do and will do to uphold its
end of that agreement.
598
00:26:59,500 --> 00:27:03,734
The Press: Can you say
definitively whether
599
00:27:03,734 --> 00:27:06,000
or not Putin's assets
-- or whether
600
00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,600
you are considering sanctioning
his assets?
601
00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:09,166
Can you say --
602
00:27:09,166 --> 00:27:09,800
Ambassador Rice: I just
said I'm not going
603
00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:13,399
to get into naming individual
potential targets.
604
00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:14,567
The Press: But you're
willing to say that
605
00:27:14,567 --> 00:27:17,100
sectors are on the table.
606
00:27:17,100 --> 00:27:18,667
Ambassador Rice: We have
said from the outset --
607
00:27:18,667 --> 00:27:20,000
and if you read the
President's third
608
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,333
executive order -- that
there is a potential
609
00:27:22,333 --> 00:27:23,400
for sectoral sanctions.
610
00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:25,967
And we've even illustrated
in that executive
611
00:27:25,967 --> 00:27:28,600
order the range of
potential sectors.
612
00:27:28,600 --> 00:27:30,934
The Press: Why not knock
down, then,
613
00:27:30,934 --> 00:27:33,399
the idea that Putin --
614
00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:35,400
Ambassador Rice: I
just don't think
615
00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:36,400
it's constructive, as a
policymaker,
616
00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,133
as we make very complex and
difficult decisions,
617
00:27:39,133 --> 00:27:41,900
to start to get into naming
individuals that may
618
00:27:41,900 --> 00:27:42,934
be on our sanctions list.
619
00:27:42,934 --> 00:27:45,966
In fact, if you know how
sanctions enforcement
620
00:27:45,967 --> 00:27:48,567
works, to presage that
is counterproductive.
621
00:27:48,567 --> 00:27:52,667
The Press: China has
obviously been looking
622
00:27:52,667 --> 00:27:55,600
very carefully about how
the President talks about
623
00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:58,332
these maritime disputes in
the South
624
00:27:58,333 --> 00:28:00,233
and East China Sea.
625
00:28:00,233 --> 00:28:01,734
Is he going to use the
kind of language that
626
00:28:01,734 --> 00:28:04,132
Danny Russel used a while
ago which kind
627
00:28:04,133 --> 00:28:06,367
of angered China somewhat?
628
00:28:06,367 --> 00:28:08,500
And on a separate issue,
is the President going
629
00:28:08,500 --> 00:28:10,633
to meet Anwar Ibrahim in
Malaysia,
630
00:28:10,633 --> 00:28:12,834
or will anybody else from the delegation?
631
00:28:12,834 --> 00:28:16,233
Ambassador Rice: On the
question of territorial
632
00:28:16,233 --> 00:28:18,265
disputes, I mean, I
think you will hear
633
00:28:18,266 --> 00:28:21,166
the President say what has
been consistently
634
00:28:21,166 --> 00:28:24,233
U.S. policy, which is that
these disputes need
635
00:28:24,233 --> 00:28:26,000
to be resolved, ought to be
resolved through
636
00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:27,800
peaceful means, not through
coercion,
637
00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:30,899
not through threats, not through
anything
638
00:28:30,900 --> 00:28:34,767
other than peaceful diplomatic
means based on the rule
639
00:28:34,767 --> 00:28:37,233
of law -- and in this instance,
the international law,
640
00:28:37,233 --> 00:28:38,734
and particularly the
law of the sea.
641
00:28:38,734 --> 00:28:43,000
And that will continue to
be our strong view,
642
00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:47,300
and we have shared that in all
of our engagements
643
00:28:47,300 --> 00:28:49,633
with concerned parties,
including when the
644
00:28:49,633 --> 00:28:52,400
President had the
opportunity to meet
645
00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:54,734
with President Xi Jinping most
recently in The Hague.
646
00:28:55,500 --> 00:28:57,300
With respect to your
second question,
647
00:28:57,300 --> 00:29:02,332
I think that the President is
not likely to have
648
00:29:02,333 --> 00:29:03,567
that meeting, although there
may be other
649
00:29:03,567 --> 00:29:05,367
engagements at other levels.
650
00:29:05,367 --> 00:29:09,133
The Press: Ambassador
Rice,
651
00:29:09,133 --> 00:29:10,500
you mentioned that the U.S.
652
00:29:10,500 --> 00:29:13,033
has demonstrated to its
Asian allies that
653
00:29:13,033 --> 00:29:15,065
we've been there when they
needed it the most.
654
00:29:15,066 --> 00:29:17,734
Does the administration
feel any need
655
00:29:17,734 --> 00:29:19,132
to reassure them?
656
00:29:19,133 --> 00:29:21,867
Is there any
worrisome-ness
657
00:29:21,867 --> 00:29:23,533
from them about U.S.
658
00:29:23,533 --> 00:29:25,533
willingness to defend them
in terms
659
00:29:25,533 --> 00:29:27,033
of aggression in the region?
660
00:29:27,300 --> 00:29:29,367
Ambassador Rice: There
should be no question
661
00:29:29,367 --> 00:29:32,533
that where we have alliance
commitments and treaty
662
00:29:32,533 --> 00:29:35,166
obligations in the Asia
Pacific region or anywhere
663
00:29:35,166 --> 00:29:38,300
else in the world, we will
uphold those obligations
664
00:29:38,300 --> 00:29:42,500
willingly and
definitively.
665
00:29:43,100 --> 00:29:45,399
The Press: But has there
been
666
00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:46,633
any unease expressed from --
667
00:29:46,934 --> 00:29:47,700
Ambassador Rice: No,
I've not
668
00:29:47,700 --> 00:29:48,400
heard unease expressed.
669
00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:50,533
In fact, I think that we
go to the region
670
00:29:50,533 --> 00:29:55,265
at a time when our allies in the
region are very much
671
00:29:55,266 --> 00:29:58,600
appreciative of and
committed
672
00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:01,265
to our alliance relationships.
673
00:30:01,266 --> 00:30:03,667
And these alliances are
only strengthening
674
00:30:03,667 --> 00:30:04,667
in the context
675
00:30:04,667 --> 00:30:06,800
of a more uncertain security environment.
676
00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:08,633
Mr. Rhodes: We'll take one
more because Jay needs
677
00:30:08,633 --> 00:30:09,800
to to do domestic stuff.
678
00:30:09,800 --> 00:30:12,332
The Press: Ambassador
Rice, can you inform
679
00:30:12,333 --> 00:30:14,333
us or give us any additional
information on the
680
00:30:14,333 --> 00:30:17,667
possibility of a joint
U.S.-NATO monitoring
681
00:30:17,667 --> 00:30:20,734
of the elections in Ukraine
coming up in May?
682
00:30:20,734 --> 00:30:22,466
Ambassador Rice: NATO
doesn't
683
00:30:22,467 --> 00:30:24,200
do election monitoring.
684
00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:24,500
The Press: Well, then U.S.
685
00:30:24,500 --> 00:30:27,567
-- is there any form of
monitoring that might
686
00:30:27,567 --> 00:30:28,767
be possible going on?
687
00:30:29,333 --> 00:30:30,600
Ambassador Rice: Well,
I expect that if the
688
00:30:30,600 --> 00:30:32,934
Ukrainian government
invites in outside
689
00:30:32,934 --> 00:30:36,600
monitors that they may be
forthcoming;
690
00:30:36,600 --> 00:30:39,065
whether they invite them from
non-governmental
691
00:30:39,066 --> 00:30:41,600
organizations, individual
friendly states,
692
00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:46,199
the EU, the OSCE, is their
choice, of course.
693
00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:48,200
But NATO is an alliance,
not
694
00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:51,633
an election-monitoring or political organization.
695
00:30:51,633 --> 00:30:52,600
Thank you all very much.
696
00:31:02,166 --> 00:31:02,800
Mr. Carney: Okay.
697
00:31:04,900 --> 00:31:06,166
Thank you all for that.
698
00:31:06,166 --> 00:31:10,332
And I've got a few minutes
for questions
699
00:31:10,333 --> 00:31:11,400
on other subjects.
700
00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:13,934
Victoria, in the back.
701
00:31:13,934 --> 00:31:15,466
The Press: Going back to
702
00:31:15,467 --> 00:31:19,266
the anti-Semitic flyers, does the U.S.
703
00:31:19,266 --> 00:31:22,967
have any knowledge of who
did put those flyers out?
704
00:31:22,967 --> 00:31:26,667
Mr. Carney: I think
Secretary Kerry
705
00:31:26,667 --> 00:31:29,966
and Ambassador Rice have
addressed our views
706
00:31:29,967 --> 00:31:33,200
on the existence of such flyers.
707
00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:35,800
I don't think that we
have specific,
708
00:31:35,800 --> 00:31:38,300
confirmed information about who
produced them,
709
00:31:38,300 --> 00:31:45,100
but their mere presence is
highly disturbing.
710
00:31:45,100 --> 00:31:47,433
And that view was
expressed
711
00:31:47,433 --> 00:31:51,367
by Secretary Kerry to Foreign
Minister Lavrov,
712
00:31:51,367 --> 00:31:58,265
and we expect that everyone in
Ukraine and the region should,
713
00:31:58,266 --> 00:32:02,166
if they haven't already, make
clear that they oppose
714
00:32:02,166 --> 00:32:08,466
that kind of really
disturbing
715
00:32:08,467 --> 00:32:09,934
and highly provocative action.
716
00:32:09,934 --> 00:32:13,300
The Press: I'd like to
stay with human rights.
717
00:32:13,300 --> 00:32:16,899
It's nearly a year now
since Hassan Rouhani
718
00:32:16,900 --> 00:32:21,333
was elected President of Iran,
and there have been
719
00:32:21,333 --> 00:32:25,266
over 500 executions in that
country since
720
00:32:25,266 --> 00:32:27,867
he was elected, many of them for
minor crimes --
721
00:32:27,867 --> 00:32:29,834
according to a new report
722
00:32:29,834 --> 00:32:32,467
by Britain's Foreign & Commonwealth Office --
723
00:32:32,467 --> 00:32:36,767
which is second only to China.
724
00:32:36,767 --> 00:32:41,300
And also, they report
that the persecution
725
00:32:41,300 --> 00:32:43,934
of religious minorities has
not gone
726
00:32:43,934 --> 00:32:45,767
down under him either.
727
00:32:45,767 --> 00:32:47,367
In fact, internal reports
indicate
728
00:32:47,367 --> 00:32:49,066
that they've gone up.
729
00:32:49,066 --> 00:32:53,734
Do you regard Hassan
Rouhani as a moderate
730
00:32:53,734 --> 00:32:56,433
one year into his presidency?
731
00:32:56,433 --> 00:32:58,367
Mr. Carney: We're not in
the business
732
00:32:58,367 --> 00:33:03,500
of assigning labels to leaders
of any country.
733
00:33:03,500 --> 00:33:06,400
We're in the business of
assessing how they lead
734
00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:08,500
and the actions they take.
735
00:33:08,500 --> 00:33:10,300
As you know, since his
election, we have
736
00:33:10,300 --> 00:33:14,800
been pursuing with Iran a very
a clear-eyed effort
737
00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:19,600
with our allies on the
P5-plus-1 to press Iran
738
00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:25,699
to forsake and give up its
nuclear weapons program.
739
00:33:25,700 --> 00:33:28,867
And we continue to
work on that effort.
740
00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:33,400
What we haven't done is
change our view
741
00:33:33,400 --> 00:33:39,900
of Iran's objectionable
practices in a whole range
742
00:33:39,900 --> 00:33:44,300
of areas, including its abuse of
human rights within
743
00:33:44,300 --> 00:33:47,867
Iran itself; including its
support
744
00:33:47,867 --> 00:33:51,800
for terrorist organizations;
including its support
745
00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,300
for the Assad regime.
746
00:33:54,300 --> 00:33:59,233
So that's our
overall view.
747
00:33:59,233 --> 00:34:01,066
But what is certainly the
truth is that
748
00:34:01,066 --> 00:34:07,100
in the wake of his election, an
opening appeared
749
00:34:07,100 --> 00:34:13,699
to see if we could in a
verifiable way produce
750
00:34:13,699 --> 00:34:17,232
an agreement with Iran for Iran
to forsake
751
00:34:17,233 --> 00:34:18,333
its nuclear weapons program.
752
00:34:18,333 --> 00:34:21,967
And it is in the interest
of the United States,
753
00:34:21,967 --> 00:34:23,000
the region, and the world
that
754
00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:24,033
we pursue that opportunity.
755
00:34:25,567 --> 00:34:26,300
The Press: Do you think
it's possible,
756
00:34:26,300 --> 00:34:31,300
or do you think it's not
practical to put pressure
757
00:34:31,300 --> 00:34:36,467
on Rouhani at the same time to
do more about his human
758
00:34:36,467 --> 00:34:39,367
rights record as it is
to work with him
759
00:34:39,367 --> 00:34:41,400
on the nuclear issue?
760
00:34:42,467 --> 00:34:45,200
Mr. Carney: Victoria,
again, our approach
761
00:34:45,199 --> 00:34:48,567
on the range of disagreements we
have with Iran has not
762
00:34:48,567 --> 00:34:53,800
changed, even as we pursue
a potential agreement
763
00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:57,066
with Iran with our P5-plus-1
partners over
764
00:34:57,065 --> 00:34:58,533
its nuclear weapons program.
765
00:34:58,533 --> 00:34:59,533
Michelle.
766
00:34:59,533 --> 00:35:01,033
The Press: The U.S.
767
00:35:01,033 --> 00:35:03,600
has said repeatedly that
we won't go
768
00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:07,700
to sectoral sanctions unless
Russia invades Ukraine.
769
00:35:07,700 --> 00:35:10,366
But in essence,
haven't they already?
770
00:35:10,367 --> 00:35:11,800
And isn't this -- it was
almost
771
00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:14,233
an invasion by invitation.
772
00:35:14,233 --> 00:35:17,867
Wouldn't you see it as
being an invasion already?
773
00:35:17,867 --> 00:35:21,066
And doesn't this set a
precedent for the future
774
00:35:21,066 --> 00:35:23,232
that this could happen
again, I mean,
775
00:35:23,233 --> 00:35:25,166
especially because we're going
on this trip --
776
00:35:25,367 --> 00:35:26,100
Mr. Carney: What we've
said, Michelle,
777
00:35:26,100 --> 00:35:28,667
is that the President has
authorities available
778
00:35:28,667 --> 00:35:35,734
to him to impose sanctions
that can escalate
779
00:35:35,734 --> 00:35:39,734
in breadth and severity
according to,
780
00:35:39,734 --> 00:35:43,033
or in response to actions taken
by Russia,
781
00:35:43,033 --> 00:35:47,799
or other individuals, entities,
groups that might
782
00:35:47,800 --> 00:35:50,533
take action that undermine
Ukraine's sovereignty
783
00:35:50,533 --> 00:35:51,600
or territorial integrity.
784
00:35:53,033 --> 00:35:59,299
And our very clear
explanation
785
00:35:59,300 --> 00:36:03,266
of the executive orders the
President signed
786
00:36:03,266 --> 00:36:06,533
says that we now have the
flexibility essentially
787
00:36:06,533 --> 00:36:10,700
to escalate the consequences
to Russia
788
00:36:10,700 --> 00:36:12,399
as Russia escalates.
789
00:36:12,433 --> 00:36:16,233
So I think your question
reflects the fact that
790
00:36:16,233 --> 00:36:20,967
there are things short
of an armed invasion
791
00:36:20,967 --> 00:36:27,367
by Russian army battalions
that Russia can
792
00:36:27,367 --> 00:36:32,834
do and has done, especially with
regards to Crimea,
793
00:36:32,834 --> 00:36:34,866
that represents a violation of
Ukraine's sovereignty
794
00:36:34,867 --> 00:36:35,934
and territorial integrity.
795
00:36:35,934 --> 00:36:39,567
And we have a number of
tools at our disposal
796
00:36:39,567 --> 00:36:45,166
to respond to actions short
of a full-scale
797
00:36:45,166 --> 00:36:46,400
armed intervention by Russia.
798
00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:47,400
David.
799
00:36:47,400 --> 00:36:50,100
The Press: Jay, on
immigration,
800
00:36:50,100 --> 00:36:53,700
the Wall Street Journal reported
today that Speaker Boehner
801
00:36:53,700 --> 00:36:55,700
appears to be telling
Republican donors
802
00:36:55,700 --> 00:36:58,799
that he's hellbent on passing
immigration reform.
803
00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:00,800
Then, his spokesman -- the
Speaker's spokesman
804
00:37:00,800 --> 00:37:02,233
came out and said nothing has
changed on their position.
805
00:37:02,233 --> 00:37:04,500
The other day, the
President called
806
00:37:04,500 --> 00:37:06,734
Eric Cantor; there seemed to
be a sense that
807
00:37:06,734 --> 00:37:09,467
their conversation went well
from the White House,
808
00:37:09,467 --> 00:37:12,100
but Cantor put out a statement
immediately denouncing
809
00:37:12,100 --> 00:37:15,734
the President's sort of
demagoguery
810
00:37:15,734 --> 00:37:17,266
of Republicans on immigration.
811
00:37:17,266 --> 00:37:19,533
Does the White House think
that the Republicans
812
00:37:19,533 --> 00:37:21,200
are purposely sending two
different messages
813
00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:23,399
here as some sort of endgame?
814
00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:25,433
Or what motive might
they have here about
815
00:37:25,433 --> 00:37:26,633
why they're doing that?
816
00:37:26,633 --> 00:37:29,200
Mr. Carney: I think your
question reflects
817
00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:31,767
a reality, which is there is
a great deal
818
00:37:31,767 --> 00:37:35,232
of internal conflict within the
Republican Party
819
00:37:35,233 --> 00:37:38,500
on this issue -- the President
said as much yesterday.
820
00:37:38,500 --> 00:37:41,900
The politics of this are
hard for the
821
00:37:41,900 --> 00:37:46,767
GOP because of opposition within
the Republican base
822
00:37:46,767 --> 00:37:47,767
to immigration reform.
823
00:37:51,133 --> 00:37:53,866
There is also great
support among
824
00:37:53,867 --> 00:37:57,667
some Republicans for
immigration reform,
825
00:37:57,667 --> 00:37:59,734
comprehensive immigration
reform,
826
00:37:59,734 --> 00:38:02,834
here in Washington and around
the country, and great support
827
00:38:02,834 --> 00:38:07,899
for comprehensive immigration
reform from groups
828
00:38:07,900 --> 00:38:09,400
and organizations and
individuals
829
00:38:09,400 --> 00:38:11,900
who traditionally support
the Republican Party.
830
00:38:11,900 --> 00:38:17,000
The President is aware
of these countervailing
831
00:38:17,000 --> 00:38:21,934
pressures, but he
hopes that,
832
00:38:21,934 --> 00:38:26,734
as he said yesterday, the wisdom
of passing comprehensive
833
00:38:26,734 --> 00:38:32,266
immigration reform will
overcome the resistance
834
00:38:32,266 --> 00:38:35,066
to doing so within the
Republican Party
835
00:38:35,066 --> 00:38:39,133
in the House, and that we can
get this done for our economy,
836
00:38:39,133 --> 00:38:41,799
for our security,
for our future.
837
00:38:41,800 --> 00:38:42,934
The Press: But do you
read the signals that
838
00:38:42,934 --> 00:38:45,734
the Republicans have that
define -- their leadership
839
00:38:45,734 --> 00:38:47,400
has a defined strategy
here, and that's
840
00:38:47,400 --> 00:38:49,867
what's going on, or that there
is this sense that
841
00:38:49,867 --> 00:38:51,266
they have to play both sides?
842
00:38:51,266 --> 00:38:53,133
Mr. Carney: I think there
is a certain
843
00:38:53,133 --> 00:38:57,799
amount of probably not
deliberate confusion about
844
00:38:57,800 --> 00:39:00,300
the approach House Republicans
are going to take
845
00:39:00,300 --> 00:39:04,333
and have taken, because we have
seen over a number
846
00:39:04,333 --> 00:39:07,467
of months now, since the
passage in the Senate of
847
00:39:07,467 --> 00:39:12,000
comprehensive immigration
reform, a variety
848
00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:14,200
of indications and
counter-indications
849
00:39:14,200 --> 00:39:15,600
from within the House
leadership
850
00:39:15,600 --> 00:39:20,433
itself as to what its intentions are.
851
00:39:20,467 --> 00:39:23,200
The President is focused
on making clear the
852
00:39:23,200 --> 00:39:26,433
advantages; focused on
making clear that there is
853
00:39:26,433 --> 00:39:29,967
overwhelming support in
the country, bipartisan
854
00:39:29,967 --> 00:39:35,834
support for doing this --
overwhelming support among
855
00:39:35,834 --> 00:39:41,033
very disparate elements
within our nation.
856
00:39:41,033 --> 00:39:44,133
Business leaders large
and small, labor,
857
00:39:44,133 --> 00:39:46,433
law enforcement, evangelicals
--
858
00:39:46,433 --> 00:39:51,033
they all support comprehensive
immigration reform.
859
00:39:51,033 --> 00:39:53,200
There is an island of
opposition within
860
00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:56,332
the House Republican
conference
861
00:39:56,333 --> 00:40:02,300
to pursuing this, and that is
unfortunate given
862
00:40:02,300 --> 00:40:04,567
the kind of coalition that's
been assembled here
863
00:40:04,567 --> 00:40:06,600
on behalf of reform.
864
00:40:07,367 --> 00:40:08,934
But the President
believes there remains
865
00:40:08,934 --> 00:40:11,600
an opportunity here for the
House to act,
866
00:40:11,600 --> 00:40:12,834
and hopes that it does.
867
00:40:12,834 --> 00:40:13,799
Alexis.
868
00:40:15,233 --> 00:40:16,066
The Press: Jay, can I
just follow
869
00:40:16,066 --> 00:40:17,033
on David's question?
870
00:40:17,033 --> 00:40:19,066
Because the President has
spoken personally
871
00:40:19,066 --> 00:40:22,933
to the Speaker and to
Congressman Cantor himself,
872
00:40:22,934 --> 00:40:26,834
does the President take his cues
about what
873
00:40:26,834 --> 00:40:29,734
the intention may be at the
House conference
874
00:40:29,734 --> 00:40:32,266
from the Speaker himself and
from Cantor,
875
00:40:32,266 --> 00:40:35,233
from those conversations,
separate and apart from what
876
00:40:35,233 --> 00:40:38,300
David is highlighting as the
external public confusion?
877
00:40:38,867 --> 00:40:39,667
Mr. Carney: Are you
asking -- sorry --
878
00:40:39,867 --> 00:40:40,967
The Press: Is the
President taking
879
00:40:40,967 --> 00:40:43,900
his cues about what the desire
and the direction
880
00:40:43,900 --> 00:40:47,266
of the Speaker and the Majority
Leader
881
00:40:47,266 --> 00:40:50,333
may be directly from them in the
conversations that he has?
882
00:40:51,000 --> 00:40:51,767
Mr. Carney: Well, since he
speaks with them,
883
00:40:51,767 --> 00:40:53,066
or has spoken with
them directly --
884
00:40:53,300 --> 00:40:54,800
The Press: So he trusts
they're telling him?
885
00:40:55,033 --> 00:40:57,033
Mr. Carney: Well, he
believes that Speaker
886
00:40:57,033 --> 00:41:04,900
Boehner sincerely supports
the idea
887
00:41:05,166 --> 00:41:08,834
of getting immigration reform done.
888
00:41:08,834 --> 00:41:12,332
Now, he's not suggesting
that they would
889
00:41:12,333 --> 00:41:15,266
each write a comprehensive
immigration reform
890
00:41:15,266 --> 00:41:17,734
bill word for word in the same
way, but that the
891
00:41:17,734 --> 00:41:22,299
Speaker believes it's necessary
to move forward
892
00:41:22,300 --> 00:41:24,900
and get it done.
893
00:41:24,900 --> 00:41:31,066
But as we have seen more
than once in recent years,
894
00:41:31,066 --> 00:41:32,834
that doesn't always mean
the House will act.
895
00:41:34,033 --> 00:41:38,467
And what we're trying to
do is make clear that
896
00:41:38,467 --> 00:41:40,033
this isn't about President
Obama,
897
00:41:40,033 --> 00:41:42,866
it isn't about the Democratic Party.
898
00:41:42,867 --> 00:41:45,433
This is an opportunity for
Washington
899
00:41:45,433 --> 00:41:48,967
to demonstrate to a broad,
diverse, bipartisan coalition
900
00:41:48,967 --> 00:41:51,000
that it can get things done on
behalf of the country
901
00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:54,066
that can benefit our economy
and our security.
902
00:41:55,867 --> 00:42:00,166
So that's the approach
that we've taken.
903
00:42:00,166 --> 00:42:04,967
The fact that there is
internal disagreement
904
00:42:04,967 --> 00:42:06,700
and conflict within the
Republican Party
905
00:42:06,700 --> 00:42:08,899
on this issue isn't new.
906
00:42:08,900 --> 00:42:13,400
But what is new, at least
in the last year or so,
907
00:42:13,400 --> 00:42:16,367
is that there have been some
indications
908
00:42:16,367 --> 00:42:19,000
at various times that the House
Republicans
909
00:42:19,000 --> 00:42:21,100
are serious about pursuing this.
910
00:42:21,100 --> 00:42:23,467
But they ought to get
around to doing it.
911
00:42:23,467 --> 00:42:25,233
The Press: Just
to follow up --
912
00:42:25,233 --> 00:42:26,333
Mr. Carney: I think we can
do one more
913
00:42:26,333 --> 00:42:28,200
because POTUS is about to speak.
914
00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:31,466
The Press: To follow on
immigration quickly,
915
00:42:31,467 --> 00:42:33,734
it now appears that many who
are pro-immigration
916
00:42:33,734 --> 00:42:36,066
reform are, in fact, turning
on the White House.
917
00:42:36,066 --> 00:42:39,899
Today FAIR said that
together, both Congress
918
00:42:39,900 --> 00:42:42,300
and the administration
have manufactured
919
00:42:42,300 --> 00:42:44,734
a painful moral crisis
in our communities.
920
00:42:44,734 --> 00:42:46,266
Of course, what they're
talking about
921
00:42:46,266 --> 00:42:47,367
is the deportations.
922
00:42:47,367 --> 00:42:50,400
What is the situation as
far as the White House
923
00:42:50,400 --> 00:42:50,967
is concerned?
924
00:42:50,967 --> 00:42:52,633
If you were -- if the
White House were to,
925
00:42:52,633 --> 00:42:55,734
as they're being asked by
your allies, in fact,
926
00:42:55,734 --> 00:42:58,834
to limit deportations even
further,
927
00:42:58,834 --> 00:43:01,399
what's the downside of that?
928
00:43:01,400 --> 00:43:02,266
Why won't you do that?
929
00:43:03,433 --> 00:43:04,834
Mr. Carney: Well, this
question has been
930
00:43:04,834 --> 00:43:06,799
addressed numerous times
by the President,
931
00:43:06,800 --> 00:43:10,200
by others, by me in terms of
the fact that you can't --
932
00:43:10,200 --> 00:43:12,700
you cannot solve
this problem through
933
00:43:12,700 --> 00:43:15,332
administrative action, the
broader problem that
934
00:43:15,333 --> 00:43:18,266
a broken immigration
system represents.
935
00:43:18,266 --> 00:43:21,734
What the President has
asked his new Homeland
936
00:43:21,734 --> 00:43:26,366
Security Secretary to
do is review procedures
937
00:43:26,367 --> 00:43:30,300
pursued by DHS when it
comes to deportations,
938
00:43:30,300 --> 00:43:35,533
and to do so with an eye
towards the pain caused
939
00:43:35,533 --> 00:43:37,200
for families when there
are separations,
940
00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:41,767
and to make sure that we
are following the
941
00:43:41,767 --> 00:43:45,500
prosecutorial discretion
guidelines that have been
942
00:43:45,500 --> 00:43:50,200
in place that are aimed at
making sure that the focus
943
00:43:50,200 --> 00:43:53,033
is on those with criminal
records
944
00:43:53,033 --> 00:43:54,567
and similar situations.
945
00:43:54,567 --> 00:43:56,166
Now, I think it's
important,
946
00:43:56,166 --> 00:43:58,467
and it has been noted of late in
the last 48 hours --
947
00:43:58,467 --> 00:44:00,233
I think there was a story in The
New York Times yesterday
948
00:44:00,233 --> 00:44:05,800
about the fact that that effort
to more carefully follow
949
00:44:05,800 --> 00:44:09,100
these guidelines has
caused a reduction
950
00:44:09,100 --> 00:44:13,700
in deportations and more of
a focus on the priorities
951
00:44:13,700 --> 00:44:16,866
that DHS has laid out
and that
952
00:44:16,867 --> 00:44:17,934
the President supports.
953
00:44:19,200 --> 00:44:22,466
I also think, when you go
back to the top
954
00:44:22,467 --> 00:44:25,166
of your question, that some of
the comments that
955
00:44:25,166 --> 00:44:29,767
we've seen of late have been
clarifying
956
00:44:29,767 --> 00:44:34,066
for the advocacy groups about
what the problem is here
957
00:44:34,066 --> 00:44:35,799
and where the obstacle is
when it comes
958
00:44:35,800 --> 00:44:37,533
to getting comprehensive
immigration reform done.
959
00:44:37,533 --> 00:44:43,600
And I think that some of
the groups have
960
00:44:43,600 --> 00:44:47,366
seen the comments as clarifying
for that reason.
961
00:44:47,967 --> 00:44:50,333
Our focus, again, is on --
in addition to what
962
00:44:50,333 --> 00:44:54,166
the President has asked
Secretary Johnson to do --
963
00:44:54,166 --> 00:44:57,400
trying to get House
Republicans to "yes,"
964
00:44:57,400 --> 00:45:02,200
trying to get the Congress
to respond to the will
965
00:45:02,200 --> 00:45:05,265
of this broad coalition and
diverse coalition
966
00:45:05,266 --> 00:45:06,567
of interests that support
967
00:45:06,567 --> 00:45:07,934
comprehensive immigration reform.
968
00:45:07,934 --> 00:45:09,033
And that's what we're
going to keep at.
969
00:45:09,033 --> 00:45:13,266
If I may, Ben laid out the
President's schedule
970
00:45:13,266 --> 00:45:14,900
on the Asia trip, so I just
wanted to,
971
00:45:14,900 --> 00:45:18,066
in the week ahead, alert you to
the news that
972
00:45:18,066 --> 00:45:21,133
the President and First Family
will participate on Monday,
973
00:45:21,133 --> 00:45:25,265
April 21st, in the White
House Easter Egg Roll.
974
00:45:25,266 --> 00:45:28,400
The event will feature
live music, sports courts,
975
00:45:28,400 --> 00:45:30,033
cooking stations,
storytelling
976
00:45:30,033 --> 00:45:32,232
and Easter egg-rolling.
977
00:45:32,233 --> 00:45:34,400
On Tuesday, the President
will travel to Oso,
978
00:45:34,400 --> 00:45:36,934
Washington, to view the
devastation from
979
00:45:36,934 --> 00:45:39,066
the recent mudslide and
to meet with families
980
00:45:39,066 --> 00:45:41,933
affected by this disaster,
as well as first
981
00:45:41,934 --> 00:45:44,467
responders and
recovery workers.
982
00:45:44,467 --> 00:45:46,800
Following his visit to
Oso, the President will
983
00:45:46,800 --> 00:45:49,200
travel to Tokyo, Japan,
where he will begin
984
00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:52,633
his four-nation trip to Asia.
985
00:45:53,433 --> 00:45:57,533
And with that, I'll end
today's daily briefing.
986
00:45:59,967 --> 00:46:02,533
For some reason, some of
you might expect that
987
00:46:02,533 --> 00:46:05,165
I have bounteous brunches at
my house sometimes
988
00:46:05,166 --> 00:46:06,266
on the weekends.
989
00:46:06,266 --> 00:46:08,166
But I assure you if I were
to invite you this
990
00:46:08,166 --> 00:46:10,900
weekend you'd find some cereal
boxes and maybe
991
00:46:10,900 --> 00:46:11,600
a couple of eggs.
992
00:46:11,600 --> 00:46:12,299
(laughter)
993
00:46:12,500 --> 00:46:13,100
Anyway, thanks very much.
