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(music playing)
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Mr. Carney: Now, that is
some good rock and roll.
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(laughter)
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As if you didn't know.
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Well, thank you for that.
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That was pretty awesome, a
Guided by Voices introduction.
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I appreciate that.
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Let me say -- I got a few
things at the top of this,
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my last briefing
from the podium.
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First is a bit of
official business.
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Today, the President hosted
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the first-ever White
House Maker Faire
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to celebrate a nation of makers
and help empower America's
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students and entrepreneurs
to invent the future.
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America has always been
a nation of tinkerers,
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inventors and entrepreneurs.
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The President believes that
the rise of the maker movement
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represents a huge opportunity
for the United States.
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Nationwide, new tools for
democratized production
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are boosting innovation
and entrepreneurship
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in manufacturing in the same
way that the Internet and cloud
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computing have lowered the
barriers to entry for digital
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startups, creating the
foundation for new products
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and processes that can
help
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to revitalize American manufacturing.
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The White House Maker
Faire features makers,
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innovators and entrepreneurs
of all ages who are using
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cutting-edge tools
such as 3D printers,
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laser cutters and easy-to-use
design software to bring
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their ideas to life.
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Some of these may very
well create industries
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and jobs of the future.
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As part of this Year of Action
and this week's focus on efforts
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that will expand opportunity
by spurring manufacturing,
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innovation and entrepreneurship,
the President also announced new
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steps the administration and its
partners are taking to increase
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the ability of more
Americans, young and old,
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to have access to these
tools and techniques.
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That's my official topper.
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Then, I wanted to mention that
some of you may remember last
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week I came out with an Oakland
A's hat and it wasn't really
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an Oakland A's hat.
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It was the A's hat that my son's
team wore when they won the
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championship in their Little
League, their baseball league.
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Well, on Saturday, my
daughter's team -- which
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was visited by the President, and
after that visit went
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on a substantial run of wins
-- won its championship.
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And while I don't
have a Royals
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hat, although I'm trusting that
Josh Earnest will bring
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one as a KC Royals fan, I
wanted to say thank
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you to the Northwest Little
League Triple A champions,
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the Kansas City Royals.
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I know the President was glad
to hear yesterday that they
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had won their championship.
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And for any of you with
more than one child,
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you know you love
them all equally.
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(laughter)
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So finally, I just
want to say thank you
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to all of you here.
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This has been an
extraordinary experience.
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And I have loved every
minute of every day,
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even the many minutes of many
days I've spent in this room,
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as I think most of you now
understand and believe.
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It's always a pleasure no matter
how hard it can get in here,
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how hot it can sometimes be and
contentious it sometimes is.
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The President, to many of us,
said that of the jobs that we
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have here in the White House,
that most of us will never
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be in a position to do more
good for more people as we are
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in right now, and we should
take advantage of it.
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And that is something that I
think we all here take to heart.
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And I don't ever expect to be in
a position again to be a part
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of something that has at least
the potential to do more
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good for more people,
and that has been
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a very special thing, indeed.
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I loved my years as a
reporter, but as you better
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than anyone else understand,
reporting sometimes
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can be an autonomous exercise.
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It's your story,
it's your byline.
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What was so different about this
experience for me is that it was
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all about a team effort and all
about a goal that had nothing
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to do with any individual,
not even the President.
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And that's been extraordinarily
gratifying to be a part of.
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What I won't do --
although if provoked,
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I will later -- is go through
a list of all the things,
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the very many good things that
have been accomplished by this
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President, this administration
in my time here that I believe
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represent doing a lot of good
for a lot of people in this
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country and around the world.
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But I think that record is a
good one and one I'm proud of.
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I guess with that,
I'll go to questions.
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At the end, I'd like to
opportunity to say thanks
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to my colleagues.
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You know what, I'm
going to do that now,
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because I have a feeling it
could get lost a little bit.
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First of all, to the President
and the Vice President,
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the First Lady and Dr.
Biden, my deep thanks
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for this opportunity.
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The Vice President
took a chance on me.
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Two years later, the President
took a chance on me.
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And I hope I didn't give
either of them any regrets.
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The Chiefs of Staff that I
served -- Denis McDonough,
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Jack Lew, Bill
Daley, Rahm Emanuel,
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Valerie Jarrett and Pete Rouse;
David Plouffe -- a key advisor,
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and friend and mentor; Dan
Pfieffer, Jen Palmieri,
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Alyssa Mastromonaco, Nancy-Ann
DeParle, Rob Nabors,
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Kathy Ruemmler, Amy Brundage,
Jen Psaki, Katie Beirne Fallon,
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Anita, Danielle, Tom, Susan
-- just the list goes on,
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Tony Blinken.
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These are extraordinary people.
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Ron Klain, Ben Rhodes, Jeff
Tiller, Marissa Hopkins,
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Howli Ledbetter.
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All superb individuals with
whom I've had a great privilege
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to serve and have some
good times with.
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I thank them all.
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Marvin and Pete, I think I
probably owe you some money,
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but thank you as well.
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And everyone else here -- I
know I've forgotten a lot.
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The Uniformed and Presidential
Protective Division Secret
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Service agents are extraordinary
people who serve their country
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and the President
and others so well.
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The folks who work in this
building and who work
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on Air Force One, I'd
like to thank them.
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And then finally, I'd
like to thank you.
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I think some of you may
remember Ben Feller,
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who was sitting in that chair,
asked me on my first day
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as my first question about
how I viewed this job.
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And I said, first of all,
we all are here to serve
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the President and the country.
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We work for him.
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But the press secretary is in a
unique position within a White
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House, and not just because I'm
a former journalist -- because
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I think every press secretary
understood this and understands
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it -- we work to promote
what the President is doing
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and the message he's trying to
convey to the American people,
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but I also work with the press
to try to help you do your jobs,
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to help you cover the
White House, cover
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the administration, and report
on what we're doing here.
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And that is what
I've tried to do.
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And you will be the judge of
my success, at least in part.
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Finally, I want to say
thanks to my deputy, Josh,
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soon-to-be White
House Press Secretary.
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No one has been more
ready to do this.
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I want to say thanks
to Eric and Shawn.
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You guys are in good
hands with them.
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Any questions?
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The Press: Thanks, Jay.
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On behalf of my colleagues,
congratulations on making
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it to your last briefing, and
I wish you the best of luck
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in post-White House endeavors.
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Mr. Carney: Thank you.
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The Press: If we
can get to Iraq.
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The President is meeting with
lawmakers here this afternoon.
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Is he going to be in a
position to tell those
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lawmakers his decisions?
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And if he's not
in that position,
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how much longer can he afford to
wait to provide the Iraqis with
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assistance given what officials
here have said is the urgency
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and the gravity
of that situation?
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Mr. Carney: First of all,
the President, as you noted,
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will meet today at 3:00 p.m.
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with Senate Majority
Leader Reid,
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Senate Minority Leader
McConnell, Speaker Boehner,
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and Democratic Leader Pelosi
at the White House as part
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of his ongoing consultations
with congressional leadership
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on foreign policy issues,
including here obviously
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the situation in Iraq as part
of our ongoing consultations
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with Congress on this issue.
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When it comes to the options
that the President is
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considering, first of all, I
want to make clear the President
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has ruled out only sending U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq.
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Ultimately, the solution that
is needed is an Iraqi one,
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and any U.S. action, including any possible military action,
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would be in support of a
strategy to build the capacity
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of the Iraqis to effectively
and sustainably counter
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the threat posed by extremists.
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We have been clear about the
elements that we are reviewing.
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First, how to most effectively
deal with the urgent and
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imminent threat from ISIL; how
to build the capacity of the
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Iraqi security forces to fight
this threat in both the short
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and long term; and how to
encourage Iraq's leaders to put
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aside their differences and
to facilitate non-sectarian
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cooperative governance.
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Military action is a
component of the options
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the President is considering.
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But to reiterate what
we have been saying,
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this is not primarily
a military challenge.
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Iraq needs help to break the
momentum of extremist groups
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and bolster the capabilities
of Iraq security forces,
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but there is no military
solution that will sustainably
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solve Iraq's problems.
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And any consideration of
military action must be informed
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by the situation on the
ground and the objectives
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to be obtained, as well as
the consequences of its use.
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So the meeting today will
be part of a process
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of consultation with Congress.
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The President obviously will
inform him of some of -- inform
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the leaders of his thinking
on some of these issues,
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but we'll also want to
hear about their thinking.
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We, here in Washington,
obviously -- and this includes
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the leaders who will be visiting
-- have spent a lot of time over
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the past decade thinking
about and understanding Iraq
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and the complexities there.
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So the President looks forward
to having this meeting.
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The Press: It sounds like you're
saying he has not made any
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decisions, and so I'm wondering
do those decisions get harder,
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though -- does that situation
on the ground get harder
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the longer it takes for
the U.S. to provide some
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type of assistance?
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Mr. Carney: Well, I would
say a couple of things.
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The right way to go about this
is to assess -- is to develop
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an approach that is inclusive
of the three elements
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I just mentioned.
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It cannot just be about
what direct action we may
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or may not take.
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And it also has to be one
that keeps in mind what
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our objectives are.
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The ultimate objective here is
to protect the national security
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interests of the United States,
to prevent portions of Iraq,
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portions of the region from
becoming a safe haven for ISIL
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-- extremists who may ultimately
pose a threat to the United
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States or to our interests
abroad and our allies.
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And that is the lens through
which the President approaches
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these matters and
these decisions,
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and that obviously especially
includes any contemplation
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of direct action.
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Ultimately, Iraq has to
take responsibility
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for its own security.
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We in this country spent more
than eight years, nine years,
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and spent a lot in both blood
and treasure in an effort
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to give Iraq the opportunity
to move forward democratically
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as a sovereign nation, and
we are still obviously
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very much in support of Iraq
and the Iraqi government.
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But ultimately, they have
to make some key political
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decisions about governing in
a non-sectarian way and an
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inclusive way, because only
that will create the kind
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of stability that Iraq
needs to move forward
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and protect its sovereignty.
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The Press: I know the President
has ruled out putting
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combat troops on the
ground in Afghanistan,
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but he has notified Congress
that up to 275 American forces
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are going to -- I'm
sorry, going to Iraq.
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Officials have said that he
is considering Special Forces
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to do training missions there.
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What does that say about his
willingness to put Americans
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00:12:51,900 --> 00:12:54,934
on the ground in a deteriorating
security situation
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00:12:54,934 --> 00:12:57,300
even if they are not there
specifically for combat?
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00:12:57,300 --> 00:13:01,699
Mr. Carney: Well, first of all,
we have had -- certainly prior
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to this circumstance -- many
situations in which military
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00:13:05,467 --> 00:13:11,699
personnel have been used and
their numbers reinforced when
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it became necessary to
protect embassy personnel.
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And as you know, the
decision over the weekend
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to send a number of teams
totaling approximately 170
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00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:27,166
U.S. personnel to Baghdad
from within the U.S.
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00:13:27,166 --> 00:13:28,900
Central Command area
of responsibility
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00:13:28,900 --> 00:13:31,600
is about providing
security assistance for
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00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:33,600
embassy personnel inside Iraq.
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00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:41,300
They will engage in efforts to
temporarily relocate some of our
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00:13:41,300 --> 00:13:45,300
staff from the embassy to
U.S. consulates in Basra
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00:13:45,300 --> 00:13:48,834
and Erbil and to the Iraq
Support Unit in Amman.
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00:13:50,834 --> 00:13:53,433
Now, there have been a number of
times when we have filed similar
261
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war power resolution letters
when we have needed to augment
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existing security
at our embassies,
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00:13:57,567 --> 00:14:00,333
and this is
consistent with that.
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00:14:00,333 --> 00:14:02,800
The military has also moved
approximately 100 personnel
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00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,132
into the region to provide
airfield management security
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and logistic support if
required.
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But we are not -- that is a very
discreet and distinct mission.
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00:14:11,734 --> 00:14:13,633
We are not, as the
President has made clear,
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contemplating a return of U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq.
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The Press: But you are putting
Americans into a country that
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00:14:21,300 --> 00:14:24,699
has a crumbling security
situation, are you not?
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00:14:24,700 --> 00:14:26,967
Mr. Carney: Well, again, for
this absolutely important
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00:14:26,967 --> 00:14:31,000
mission, which is to ensure
the security of our personnel
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who are there -- and
we have obviously,
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although we have reduced the
number of personnel and have
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relocated and are relocating
the ones that I mentioned,
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we do have a number
of Americans there,
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and it's the right thing
to do to make sure
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00:14:41,567 --> 00:14:45,600
we have the personnel necessary
there to provide them
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00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:47,967
the security they need.
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00:14:47,967 --> 00:14:48,667
Jeff.
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00:14:48,667 --> 00:14:49,734
The Press: Jay,
congratulations and good luck.
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00:14:49,734 --> 00:14:51,700
Mr. Carney: Thank you.
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00:14:51,700 --> 00:14:52,233
Is that it?
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00:14:52,233 --> 00:14:53,867
(laughter)
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00:14:55,934 --> 00:14:57,699
The Press: Is the
President leaning one way
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00:14:57,700 --> 00:14:59,867
or another on airstrikes?
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00:14:59,867 --> 00:15:05,800
Mr. Carney: If you read the news
today you might be confused,
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00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:11,099
and I think that that just
reflects that the fact
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00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:13,333
is the President is assessing
the options available,
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00:15:13,333 --> 00:15:18,165
and he is approaching this
with the three objectives
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00:15:18,166 --> 00:15:20,834
that I mentioned in mind.
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00:15:20,834 --> 00:15:26,199
And the one that involves
contemplating direct action
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00:15:30,066 --> 00:15:33,734
is part of the whole,
the three objectives.
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00:15:36,033 --> 00:15:40,734
Ultimately, we can't be in
a situation where we are --
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00:15:40,734 --> 00:15:43,233
the United States and
our military forces
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00:15:43,233 --> 00:15:47,834
are the sole guarantor
of stability in Iraq.
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00:15:47,834 --> 00:15:54,333
And I dare say that is a view
held by a vast majority of
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00:15:54,333 --> 00:15:57,800
people around the country
and here in Washington.
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What we can do is engage
in an effort to make clear
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00:16:02,900 --> 00:16:06,834
to the Iraqi government
and leaders in Iraq that
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00:16:06,834 --> 00:16:11,132
it is absolutely necessary for
them, for their own medium
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00:16:11,133 --> 00:16:15,100
and long-term security and the
cohesion of their country,
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00:16:15,100 --> 00:16:20,433
to take steps to govern
not in a sectarian way,
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00:16:20,433 --> 00:16:23,266
but in a non-sectarian
way, in an inclusive way,
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00:16:23,266 --> 00:16:26,467
and to make clear that
that is their objective.
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00:16:26,467 --> 00:16:33,734
And one of the reasons why we
have seen the instability in
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00:16:33,734 --> 00:16:40,633
portions of the country and
the ability of ISIL personnel
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00:16:40,633 --> 00:16:44,800
to make the gains that they
have is because of the failures
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00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:47,500
of the Iraqi government to
govern in an inclusive way
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00:16:47,500 --> 00:16:52,133
and to make it clear to all
sectors of society in Iraq
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00:16:52,133 --> 00:16:55,967
that the government represents
and defends all of them.
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00:16:55,967 --> 00:16:58,199
And it is essential that the
Iraqi leadership take steps
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00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,300
to repair that situation.
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00:17:01,300 --> 00:17:05,934
That is an important element in
our approach to Iraq right now.
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00:17:05,934 --> 00:17:09,066
Any action that he might
contemplate when it comes to
317
00:17:09,066 --> 00:17:14,667
direct military -- the use of
military force would be to deal
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00:17:14,666 --> 00:17:17,132
with the immediate and
medium-term threat posed
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00:17:17,133 --> 00:17:24,300
by ISIL, and to make sure that
our first and foremost objective
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00:17:24,300 --> 00:17:28,966
in the region -- which is to
deny extremists a safe haven
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00:17:28,967 --> 00:17:34,266
is pursued and achieved -- those
are the -- that's the clear-eyed
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00:17:34,266 --> 00:17:35,867
approach the President has
when it comes to what
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00:17:35,867 --> 00:17:38,033
our objectives are in Iraq.
324
00:17:38,033 --> 00:17:39,966
The Press: Can you give us a
sense of a timetable on when
325
00:17:39,967 --> 00:17:41,400
that decision will be made?
326
00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:45,233
Mr. Carney: I would not be
able to do that for you.
327
00:17:45,233 --> 00:17:49,000
I think that it is absolutely
appropriate for the President
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00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:55,166
to continue to both consult with
Congress and to move forward,
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00:17:55,166 --> 00:17:57,066
and when he has any
announcements to make,
330
00:17:57,066 --> 00:17:58,667
he'll make them.
331
00:17:58,667 --> 00:17:59,433
The Press: Just
one last question.
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00:17:59,433 --> 00:18:02,300
Sunni militants attacked
the largest oil refinery
333
00:18:02,300 --> 00:18:04,433
in Iraq today.
334
00:18:04,433 --> 00:18:07,734
Is the White House concerned
about oil disruptions?
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00:18:07,734 --> 00:18:12,632
And as Jason Furman
referred to yesterday,
336
00:18:12,633 --> 00:18:14,767
are you considering
tapping the SPR to deal
337
00:18:14,767 --> 00:18:15,700
with those disruptions?
338
00:18:15,700 --> 00:18:18,700
Mr. Carney: I think there was
some inaccurate reporting
339
00:18:18,700 --> 00:18:21,567
about what Jason said.
340
00:18:21,567 --> 00:18:24,600
As you said, I don't comment
on that specifically except
341
00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,766
to say that we monitor the
situation, we continue
342
00:18:26,767 --> 00:18:28,166
to monitor the situation.
343
00:18:28,166 --> 00:18:29,633
When it comes to the question
about concern over the price
344
00:18:29,633 --> 00:18:37,367
of oil and any effect that
the circumstances in Iraq
345
00:18:37,367 --> 00:18:40,600
might have on that, we are
monitoring continuously
346
00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:42,800
the global oil supply and
the demand situation.
347
00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:45,667
And my understanding is
that at this point we have
348
00:18:45,667 --> 00:18:50,100
not seen major disruptions
in oil supplies in Iraq.
349
00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:52,100
On the refinery
that you mentioned,
350
00:18:54,900 --> 00:18:56,934
my understanding is that we
have not seen, as I said,
351
00:18:56,934 --> 00:18:58,800
major disruptions in
oil supplies from Iraq.
352
00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:03,133
And the refinery itself produces
for domestic Iraqi consumption
353
00:19:03,133 --> 00:19:06,033
and had stopped production
already several days ago.
354
00:19:06,033 --> 00:19:08,065
But this is obviously something
that we monitor regularly,
355
00:19:08,066 --> 00:19:14,233
both localized in Iraq
and any effect or impact
356
00:19:14,233 --> 00:19:14,966
on global supply.
357
00:19:14,967 --> 00:19:16,967
The Press: Did markets
misinterpret what Jason
358
00:19:16,967 --> 00:19:18,266
said about the SPR?
359
00:19:18,266 --> 00:19:20,567
Mr. Carney: I'm not going
to comment on markets.
360
00:19:20,567 --> 00:19:21,533
Michelle.
361
00:19:21,533 --> 00:19:24,300
The Press: So the Iraqis at
least twice now have asked
362
00:19:24,300 --> 00:19:26,066
for air strikes.
363
00:19:26,066 --> 00:19:28,266
Obviously, the administration
doesn't feel like now
364
00:19:28,266 --> 00:19:30,467
is the time; they
feel it's the time.
365
00:19:30,467 --> 00:19:34,133
So why doesn't the President
feel like now is the time
366
00:19:34,133 --> 00:19:36,066
to do something like that?
367
00:19:36,066 --> 00:19:39,100
Mr. Carney: Michelle, I think
that it's important, again,
368
00:19:39,100 --> 00:19:43,300
to look at the approach the
President is taking here and
369
00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:46,265
understand that it is not -- the
options that he is considering
370
00:19:46,266 --> 00:19:48,967
and the approach that he
is pursuing is not one
371
00:19:48,967 --> 00:19:54,633
that is delineated solely by
questions around the potential
372
00:19:54,633 --> 00:19:59,033
use of direct military action.
373
00:19:59,033 --> 00:20:01,199
The only thing the President
has ruled out -- and I want
374
00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:04,700
to be clear here -- is
sending U.S. troops back into
375
00:20:04,700 --> 00:20:07,500
combat in Iraq.
376
00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:11,066
But he continues to
consider other options.
377
00:20:11,066 --> 00:20:18,300
And obviously, work is being
done that will help us see with
378
00:20:18,300 --> 00:20:23,399
more clarity what the options
available to the President are
379
00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:28,600
as part of a cohesive strategy
that includes working with the
380
00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:35,466
Iraqis and urging them to take
action to demonstrate to all
381
00:20:35,467 --> 00:20:41,700
of the people of Iraq that the
government is representing all
382
00:20:41,700 --> 00:20:46,333
of them, and that the
security forces are engaged
383
00:20:46,333 --> 00:20:49,567
in an effort to fight a common
threat to all Iraqis --
384
00:20:49,567 --> 00:20:55,934
which is what ISIL represents.
385
00:20:55,934 --> 00:20:59,966
ISIL does not have the interest
of any Iraqis at heart.
386
00:20:59,967 --> 00:21:06,200
It is a brutal, extremist
organization that seeks to --
387
00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:11,266
as we have seen in recent days
-- capitalize on instability
388
00:21:11,266 --> 00:21:18,633
to terrorize the residents of
Iraq and elsewhere for its own
389
00:21:18,633 --> 00:21:26,433
ideological purposes, again,
that have no shared objectives
390
00:21:26,433 --> 00:21:30,567
with any of the
citizens of Iraq.
391
00:21:30,567 --> 00:21:32,333
And I think that the
government, in our view,
392
00:21:32,333 --> 00:21:36,200
needs to move forward in a way
that recognizes that there's
393
00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:42,200
a shared interest in all of
Iraq's peoples joining together
394
00:21:45,333 --> 00:21:48,633
in the effort to combat the
threat posed by ISIL.
395
00:21:48,633 --> 00:21:51,133
The Press: So it sounds like
what you're saying is you're
396
00:21:51,133 --> 00:21:54,300
waiting for the Iraqis to
show something or some kind
397
00:21:54,300 --> 00:21:56,934
of ability, either
politically or militarily.
398
00:21:56,934 --> 00:22:00,166
What does the administration
think of their ability
399
00:22:00,166 --> 00:22:01,332
to hold Baghdad?
400
00:22:01,333 --> 00:22:07,333
Mr. Carney: Well, I think that
-- I know that others don't let
401
00:22:09,500 --> 00:22:12,200
the lack of expertise get in
their way when they comment on
402
00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:16,433
the situation on the ground
and military capacities
403
00:22:16,433 --> 00:22:20,567
of Iraq security forces
or of ISIL forces.
404
00:22:20,567 --> 00:22:26,300
So I would urge you to
consult true experts on that.
405
00:22:26,300 --> 00:22:29,700
We are looking at
this through the lens
406
00:22:29,700 --> 00:22:32,367
of our national
security interests.
407
00:22:32,367 --> 00:22:35,700
And again, the President
has not ruled out anything,
408
00:22:35,700 --> 00:22:38,867
except for sending U.S.
combat troops into Iraq.
409
00:22:38,867 --> 00:22:43,700
And he has also maintained the
position that the United States
410
00:22:43,700 --> 00:22:46,467
retains the right to act in
defense of our national security
411
00:22:46,467 --> 00:22:51,767
interests when the
Commander-in-Chief views
412
00:22:51,767 --> 00:22:56,300
that as necessary, and
he retains that right
413
00:22:56,300 --> 00:22:59,500
in this case and in all cases.
414
00:22:59,500 --> 00:23:02,834
But again, taking direct
military action by the United
415
00:23:02,834 --> 00:23:08,667
States will not solve Iraq's
challenges, certainly not alone.
416
00:23:08,667 --> 00:23:11,699
Let me move up and back as I
-- why should I change now.
417
00:23:11,700 --> 00:23:12,533
Cheryl.
418
00:23:12,533 --> 00:23:13,699
The Press: Thank you, Jay.
419
00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:14,700
And congratulations.
420
00:23:14,700 --> 00:23:15,200
Mr. Carney: Thanks.
421
00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:18,867
The Press: Just so
you won't miss us,
422
00:23:18,867 --> 00:23:22,767
does the administration support
a repatriation tax holiday
423
00:23:22,767 --> 00:23:26,133
to pay for the depleted
Highway Trust Fund?
424
00:23:26,133 --> 00:23:28,500
Mr. Carney: Cheryl, I could
always count on you in changing
425
00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:29,834
the subject, and
I appreciate that.
426
00:23:29,834 --> 00:23:36,867
(laughter)
427
00:23:36,867 --> 00:23:38,633
The President does not
support and has never
428
00:23:38,633 --> 00:23:41,367
supported a voluntary
repatriation holiday because it
429
00:23:41,367 --> 00:23:44,265
would give large tax breaks to a
very small number of companies
430
00:23:44,266 --> 00:23:46,433
that have most aggressively
shifted profits and,
431
00:23:46,433 --> 00:23:49,233
in many cases, jobs overseas.
432
00:23:49,233 --> 00:23:55,066
In 2004, just 15 firms got more
than 50 percent of the benefits,
433
00:23:55,066 --> 00:23:58,433
with tax breaks worth billions
of dollars on average.
434
00:23:58,433 --> 00:24:01,133
The JCT -- as you know, Cheryl,
probably better than anyone
435
00:24:01,133 --> 00:24:05,734
in this room -- predicts that a
repeat of the 2004 repatriation
436
00:24:05,734 --> 00:24:11,734
holiday would cost nearly
$100 billion over 10 years.
437
00:24:11,734 --> 00:24:14,567
The President's
view is -- I mean,
438
00:24:14,567 --> 00:24:17,066
he's put forward a plan
for paying for the kind
439
00:24:17,066 --> 00:24:19,400
of infrastructure
investments that we need,
440
00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:22,633
and he believes that
that's the right plan.
441
00:24:22,633 --> 00:24:24,633
Justin.
442
00:24:24,633 --> 00:24:27,266
The Press: Congratulations, Jay.
443
00:24:27,266 --> 00:24:28,734
Mr. Carney: We can stipulate
that, if you guys want to.
444
00:24:28,734 --> 00:24:31,567
(laughter)
445
00:24:31,567 --> 00:24:33,033
The Press: I kind of wanted
to follow up on what
446
00:24:33,033 --> 00:24:37,399
I asked you last week, which was
both whether you guys feel like
447
00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:41,100
if you were to move ahead with
any type of military strike,
448
00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:44,934
if you feel like the existing
authorities kind of are there
449
00:24:44,934 --> 00:24:49,300
under maybe the authorization
to go into Iraq the first time,
450
00:24:49,300 --> 00:24:51,500
under a different authority.
451
00:24:51,500 --> 00:24:53,266
Some Senate Democrats
have said that they think
452
00:24:53,266 --> 00:24:55,400
that you do need to go
back to Congress.
453
00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:58,066
And even if you do think that
you do have that authority,
454
00:24:58,066 --> 00:25:02,734
whether the President feels in
Syria that the nation would
455
00:25:02,734 --> 00:25:07,132
be stronger if he consulted
Congress on this issue.
456
00:25:07,133 --> 00:25:08,967
Mr. Carney: Well, he is
consulting Congress,
457
00:25:08,967 --> 00:25:12,100
as you know, and we've
discussed already.
458
00:25:12,100 --> 00:25:17,100
When it comes to the AUMF that
you mentioned, the Iraq AUMF,
459
00:25:17,100 --> 00:25:19,934
the Authorization for the
Use of Military Force,
460
00:25:19,934 --> 00:25:23,700
the administration supports the
repeal of the Iraq AUMF since
461
00:25:23,700 --> 00:25:28,166
it no longer is used for any U.S. government activities.
462
00:25:28,166 --> 00:25:30,000
Now, we understand that some
in Congress are considering
463
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,834
legislation related
to the Iraq AUMF,
464
00:25:32,834 --> 00:25:34,900
and we look forward
to working with them.
465
00:25:34,900 --> 00:25:39,300
I'm not going to engage in
hypotheticals about action the
466
00:25:39,300 --> 00:25:42,300
President might take since,
as we discussed earlier,
467
00:25:42,300 --> 00:25:45,033
he is still reviewing his
options when it comes
468
00:25:45,033 --> 00:25:47,632
to direct action.
469
00:25:47,633 --> 00:25:51,467
So I think I would say we'll
cross that bridge when
470
00:25:51,467 --> 00:25:52,967
we get there, if we get there.
471
00:25:52,967 --> 00:25:53,900
Olivier.
472
00:25:53,900 --> 00:25:55,700
The Press: Thanks, Jay.
473
00:25:55,700 --> 00:25:58,467
In light of the performance or
the lack of performance
474
00:25:58,467 --> 00:26:01,767
of the Iraqi Armed Forces, is
the President taking a fresh
475
00:26:01,767 --> 00:26:06,300
look at readiness reports
coming out of Afghanistan?
476
00:26:06,300 --> 00:26:10,734
Mr. Carney: Well, I think
that the two countries
477
00:26:10,734 --> 00:26:11,966
are obviously different.
478
00:26:11,967 --> 00:26:18,400
And we look at assessments
of readiness in Iraq and
479
00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:23,133
Afghanistan in the context of
the situation in each country.
480
00:26:23,133 --> 00:26:26,633
We obviously have invested a lot
of resources and paid a heavy
481
00:26:26,633 --> 00:26:33,233
price in both countries as
part of our effort to allow
482
00:26:33,233 --> 00:26:35,667
governments in those countries
selected by their people
483
00:26:35,667 --> 00:26:41,632
to secure their nations and
produce for their people
484
00:26:45,533 --> 00:26:47,265
a better future.
485
00:26:47,266 --> 00:26:50,200
We have important
relationships in both nations
486
00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:53,300
that include security
assistance.
487
00:26:53,300 --> 00:26:55,500
Obviously, Afghanistan we
still have many troops there
488
00:26:55,500 --> 00:27:02,367
in an advise-and-assist
mission at this time.
489
00:27:02,367 --> 00:27:08,466
But I think it is important to
note that we as a country engage
490
00:27:08,467 --> 00:27:12,800
in an effort to help stand
up Iraqi security forces
491
00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:16,000
and train them and support them.
492
00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:17,066
We continue in that effort.
493
00:27:17,066 --> 00:27:22,934
We have missions even to
this day absent a presence
494
00:27:22,934 --> 00:27:26,934
of U.S. troops in Iraq
that still assist
495
00:27:26,934 --> 00:27:30,800
in the training and supporting
of Iraqi security forces.
496
00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:34,567
But ultimately, the challenges
that we have seen reflected
497
00:27:34,567 --> 00:27:37,133
in the the inability of
those security forces
498
00:27:37,133 --> 00:27:44,800
to control portions of the country reflect the failure
499
00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:50,466
of the government to govern effectively in a cohesive
500
00:27:50,467 --> 00:27:53,533
and inclusive,
non-sectarian way.
501
00:27:53,533 --> 00:28:01,233
And we can take steps to help
deal with -- help the Iraqi
502
00:28:01,233 --> 00:28:04,133
people and the Iraqi government
deal with the immediate threat
503
00:28:04,133 --> 00:28:07,500
posed by extremist
groups like ISIL.
504
00:28:07,500 --> 00:28:13,233
But in the medium and long term,
it absolutely has to be Iraqi
505
00:28:13,233 --> 00:28:16,066
leaders who take the steps
necessary to ensure that the
506
00:28:16,066 --> 00:28:21,500
security forces are up to the
task and will provide security
507
00:28:21,500 --> 00:28:25,967
for the whole country and for
all citizens of that country
508
00:28:25,967 --> 00:28:27,400
and all regions of the country.
509
00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:30,033
The Press: So no new look
at the Afghan approach?
510
00:28:30,033 --> 00:28:31,966
This isn't a cautionary
tale for the effort --
511
00:28:31,967 --> 00:28:35,400
Mr. Carney: I think that
we are constantly --
512
00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:42,266
our teams are evaluating the effort that continues to improve
513
00:28:42,266 --> 00:28:48,233
the capacities of the ANSF,
and that effort will continue.
514
00:28:50,734 --> 00:28:56,466
We obviously have a circumstance
in Iraq now that requires
515
00:28:56,467 --> 00:28:59,266
assisting Iraq in efforts to
deal with the immediate threat
516
00:28:59,266 --> 00:29:04,300
posed by extremists and
assisting them as they hopefully
517
00:29:04,300 --> 00:29:08,332
make the choices necessary to
succeed in the medium and long
518
00:29:08,333 --> 00:29:10,100
term in dealing with the
challenges they face.
519
00:29:10,100 --> 00:29:11,100
Jon.
520
00:29:11,100 --> 00:29:13,332
The Press: Jay, getting back to
this question of authorization
521
00:29:13,333 --> 00:29:17,700
-- when the President was
considering airstrikes against
522
00:29:17,700 --> 00:29:21,967
Syria, he made the decision that
he would first go to Congress
523
00:29:21,967 --> 00:29:26,433
to get authorization for
an attack on Syria.
524
00:29:26,433 --> 00:29:29,133
Is he considering anything
similar regarding Iraq?
525
00:29:29,133 --> 00:29:32,467
Does he believe that he would
need or would prefer to have
526
00:29:32,467 --> 00:29:35,500
congressional authorization
before launching
527
00:29:35,500 --> 00:29:36,734
airstrikes on Iraq?
528
00:29:36,734 --> 00:29:40,066
Mr. Carney: I'm not going to
engage in hypotheticals about
529
00:29:40,066 --> 00:29:44,200
decisions that the President may
or may not make with regards
530
00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:48,867
to the use of U.S.
military force in Iraq.
531
00:29:48,867 --> 00:29:53,033
I would note at least
for the sake of clarity,
532
00:29:53,033 --> 00:29:56,632
the differences you would
see in those circumstances,
533
00:29:56,633 --> 00:30:00,200
where in this case, as someone
noted in an earlier question,
534
00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:03,367
the sovereign government of
Iraq has requested assistance.
535
00:30:05,767 --> 00:30:08,066
But beyond that, I'm not
going to speculate --
536
00:30:08,066 --> 00:30:08,800
The Press: Does that make
a significant difference?
537
00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:10,233
Mr. Carney: Beyond that,
I'm not going to --
538
00:30:10,233 --> 00:30:12,834
well, I think it certainly
is a distinction
539
00:30:12,834 --> 00:30:13,834
and difference worth noting.
540
00:30:13,834 --> 00:30:17,400
I'm not going to
get into, again,
541
00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:22,400
hypotheticals about decisions
the President has not yet made.
542
00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:24,734
The Press: Just to -- why
would that make a difference?
543
00:30:24,734 --> 00:30:27,000
I understand on many levels why
it would make a difference,
544
00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:29,233
but in terms of
congressional authorization?
545
00:30:29,233 --> 00:30:31,800
Because Congress would be
authorizing the use of military
546
00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:34,700
force, not whether or
not the other government
547
00:30:34,700 --> 00:30:35,867
was inviting us, right?
548
00:30:35,867 --> 00:30:38,966
It's a question of whether
or not the President
549
00:30:38,967 --> 00:30:39,467
has that authority now.
550
00:30:39,467 --> 00:30:41,066
I'm just asking if the
White House believes
551
00:30:41,066 --> 00:30:42,066
he has the authority.
552
00:30:42,066 --> 00:30:43,066
Mr. Carney: Well, I know.
553
00:30:43,066 --> 00:30:44,066
And that question
was asked earlier,
554
00:30:44,066 --> 00:30:46,734
and I'm not going to speculate
about an issue that
555
00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:51,833
has not come to pass.
556
00:30:51,834 --> 00:30:52,200
The Press: Okay.
557
00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:59,166
And I'm sure you've had a chance
to -- or you've seen this op-ed
558
00:30:59,166 --> 00:31:03,133
piece that former Vice President
Dick Cheney has written in the
559
00:31:03,133 --> 00:31:07,834
Wall Street Journal and has a
rather critical tone to it,
560
00:31:07,834 --> 00:31:08,834
towards the White House.
561
00:31:08,834 --> 00:31:10,967
He says, "Rarely has a
U.S. President been
562
00:31:10,967 --> 00:31:15,033
so wrong about so much at
the expense of so many,"
563
00:31:15,033 --> 00:31:16,766
talking about the
situation in Iraq
564
00:31:16,767 --> 00:31:17,934
and in the Middle East
generally.
565
00:31:17,934 --> 00:31:19,233
Mr. Carney: Which President
was he talking about?
566
00:31:19,233 --> 00:31:21,734
(laughter)
567
00:31:22,500 --> 00:31:25,433
The Press: I believe he was
talking about President Obama.
568
00:31:25,433 --> 00:31:30,734
Mr. Carney: Look, it's obviously
always good to hear from former
569
00:31:30,734 --> 00:31:32,000
Vice President Cheney.
570
00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:34,967
You and I each know
him reasonably well.
571
00:31:34,967 --> 00:31:40,200
I think many others have said
that it's pretty clear that
572
00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:45,166
President Obama and our team
here have distinctly different
573
00:31:45,166 --> 00:31:51,600
views on Iraq from the team
that led the United States
574
00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:54,766
to invade Iraq back in 2003.
575
00:31:54,767 --> 00:31:56,333
So he's entitled to his opinion.
576
00:31:56,333 --> 00:31:57,834
The Press: Jay, can I
ask you in two specifics
577
00:31:57,834 --> 00:31:59,233
of what he says, though?
578
00:31:59,233 --> 00:32:04,399
On one he says that terrorists,
the group ISIS is taking over
579
00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:08,367
more territory and resources
than any terrorist group
580
00:32:08,367 --> 00:32:11,867
before in history, and the
President goes out golfing;
581
00:32:11,867 --> 00:32:15,767
that he seems blithely
unaware or indifferent
582
00:32:15,767 --> 00:32:20,133
to the fact the insurgent
al Qaeda threat poses
583
00:32:20,133 --> 00:32:23,066
a clear and present danger
to the United States.
584
00:32:23,066 --> 00:32:26,600
So your reaction to the Vice
President saying that the
585
00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:30,033
President is out golfing when he
should be paying attention
586
00:32:30,033 --> 00:32:31,833
to this, and he seems
unaware or unconcerned?
587
00:32:31,834 --> 00:32:33,100
Mr. Carney: I think it's pretty
clear the President has been
588
00:32:33,100 --> 00:32:35,800
paying close attention to this
and been engaging regularly
589
00:32:35,800 --> 00:32:37,033
with his national security team.
590
00:32:37,033 --> 00:32:39,399
It's also clear that the
President is being very
591
00:32:39,400 --> 00:32:41,800
deliberate about decisions
surrounding the question
592
00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:44,667
of the use of American
military force.
593
00:32:44,667 --> 00:32:48,100
And his belief is that we should
always be very deliberate in
594
00:32:48,100 --> 00:32:52,166
that kind of decision-making
process and that we should
595
00:32:52,166 --> 00:32:54,700
very carefully weigh
the consequences,
596
00:32:54,700 --> 00:32:59,600
both desired and undesired, that
can come from the use of U.S.
597
00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:03,132
military force, and we should
have a very clear focus in mind
598
00:33:03,133 --> 00:33:05,467
about what our national security
objectives are and what we,
599
00:33:05,467 --> 00:33:07,400
the United States, can achieve
through military force as
600
00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:10,900
opposed to what, in this case,
the sovereign nation of Iraq
601
00:33:10,900 --> 00:33:15,333
and its security forces can
and must achieve -- unless
602
00:33:15,333 --> 00:33:19,000
the proposition is, as some
in the past have suggested,
603
00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:25,000
the United States should have
had occupied Iraq in perpetuity.
604
00:33:27,300 --> 00:33:29,066
That's simply not the
President's view --
605
00:33:29,066 --> 00:33:31,367
President Obama's view.
606
00:33:31,367 --> 00:33:31,966
Kristen.
607
00:33:31,967 --> 00:33:33,433
The Press: Jay, thanks.
608
00:33:33,433 --> 00:33:36,133
Based on some of the latest
reporting that I have seen,
609
00:33:36,133 --> 00:33:39,300
the rebel forces are about
40 miles north of Baghdad.
610
00:33:39,300 --> 00:33:41,133
Is that consistent with
your understanding?
611
00:33:41,133 --> 00:33:43,567
And I know you don't want to
give a specific timeline,
612
00:33:43,567 --> 00:33:45,967
but can we still expect
the President to make
613
00:33:45,967 --> 00:33:49,033
a final determination in a
matter of days as opposed
614
00:33:49,033 --> 00:33:52,033
to weeks given that?
615
00:33:52,033 --> 00:33:55,699
Mr. Carney: There is a lot
of work that is ongoing
616
00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:58,033
at the direction of
the President around
617
00:33:58,033 --> 00:34:00,332
the situation in Iraq.
618
00:34:00,333 --> 00:34:04,467
He is continuing to
consider options consistent
619
00:34:04,467 --> 00:34:07,033
with the ongoing war,
and he has not ruled
620
00:34:07,033 --> 00:34:11,667
out any options beyond
deploying U.S. troops back
621
00:34:11,667 --> 00:34:14,500
into combat in Iraq.
622
00:34:14,500 --> 00:34:18,100
So beyond that, I'm not
going to get into timetables,
623
00:34:18,100 --> 00:34:21,967
except to say that a lot of work
is going on already around the
624
00:34:21,967 --> 00:34:24,333
general proposition that I laid
out in the beginning of this
625
00:34:24,333 --> 00:34:27,734
briefing and the three
objectives we have that have
626
00:34:27,734 --> 00:34:32,967
to govern an approach to Iraq
that has anything but
627
00:34:32,967 --> 00:34:35,867
the absolute short term in mind.
628
00:34:35,867 --> 00:34:38,900
So when it comes to assessments
of what's happening
629
00:34:38,900 --> 00:34:41,600
on the ground, again,
as I said earlier,
630
00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:44,667
I will refrain where others
have not and not pretend
631
00:34:44,667 --> 00:34:48,667
to be an expert on the
situation on the ground.
632
00:34:48,667 --> 00:34:51,400
I would refer you
to those who are.
633
00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:52,633
The Press: The President
has said that any action
634
00:34:52,632 --> 00:34:55,933
taken by the U.S. would
depend upon Nouri al-Maliki
635
00:34:55,934 --> 00:34:57,900
creating a more more
inclusive government.
636
00:34:57,900 --> 00:35:01,834
Have you seen any steps that he
has taken that you can point
637
00:35:01,834 --> 00:35:10,933
to Or is he hunkering down
as other people have said?
638
00:35:10,934 --> 00:35:15,367
Mr. Carney: Well, first of
all, it is absolutely I think
639
00:35:15,367 --> 00:35:20,500
self-evident that the future
of a nation like Iraq with its
640
00:35:20,500 --> 00:35:25,433
diverse population is
dependent upon the willingness
641
00:35:25,433 --> 00:35:29,033
of its leaders to govern
inclusively -- at least
642
00:35:29,033 --> 00:35:31,066
the cohesion of the nation
is dependent upon that.
643
00:35:31,066 --> 00:35:36,299
And that has been a proposition
that we have been discussing
644
00:35:36,300 --> 00:35:41,734
with Iraq's leaders for a long
time, and it remains true today.
645
00:35:41,734 --> 00:35:44,066
And there's no question that
not enough has been done
646
00:35:44,066 --> 00:35:46,600
by the government,
including the Prime
Minister,
647
00:35:46,600 --> 00:35:50,133
to govern inclusively and that
that has contributed to the
648
00:35:50,133 --> 00:35:55,100
situation and the crisis
that we have today in Iraq.
649
00:35:55,100 --> 00:35:57,734
And this is a democratically
elected government.
650
00:35:57,734 --> 00:36:03,734
It is a country that has just
undergone another election and
651
00:36:03,734 --> 00:36:10,133
which is in the process of the
formation of a new government.
652
00:36:10,133 --> 00:36:17,767
And what is obviously clear is
that Iraq and the people of Iraq
653
00:36:17,767 --> 00:36:24,433
choose their leaders, and we can
only be clear that all of Iraq's
654
00:36:24,433 --> 00:36:28,333
leaders must -- about what they
must do to unify the country
655
00:36:28,333 --> 00:36:30,767
and the people and effectively
confront this threat.
656
00:36:32,934 --> 00:36:37,033
I would point out when it comes
to the steps the President can
657
00:36:37,033 --> 00:36:43,567
take or might consider, they
are part of a whole package.
658
00:36:43,567 --> 00:36:48,467
What is also true is that our
primary objective is to not
659
00:36:48,467 --> 00:36:53,467
permit extremist groups like
ISIL from establishing
660
00:36:53,467 --> 00:36:54,467
a safe haven.
661
00:36:54,467 --> 00:36:59,266
And the surest way to achieve
that is for the government
662
00:36:59,266 --> 00:37:02,500
of Iraq to govern in a
way that is inclusive,
663
00:37:02,500 --> 00:37:07,133
and that by being inclusive more
effectively establishes
664
00:37:07,133 --> 00:37:08,899
security and stability
throughout the country.
665
00:37:08,900 --> 00:37:10,967
The Press: If not enough
has been done, as you say,
666
00:37:10,967 --> 00:37:13,300
then should Maliki step down?
667
00:37:13,300 --> 00:37:17,000
Mr. Carney: That's not
obviously for us to decide.
668
00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:19,667
As I noted earlier,
this is a country that
669
00:37:19,667 --> 00:37:22,533
has had democratic elections.
670
00:37:22,533 --> 00:37:26,900
There was a recent election
that produced results
671
00:37:26,900 --> 00:37:30,734
that requires the formation
of a coalition government.
672
00:37:30,734 --> 00:37:33,533
That has, at least
in recent past,
673
00:37:33,533 --> 00:37:37,033
been a process that
takes some time.
674
00:37:37,033 --> 00:37:41,333
Given the circumstances, moving
expeditiously is obviously
675
00:37:41,333 --> 00:37:42,333
a good idea.
676
00:37:42,333 --> 00:37:44,066
But that is something for
the Iraqi people to decide,
677
00:37:44,066 --> 00:37:49,567
not for the United States or
any outside nation to decide.
678
00:37:49,567 --> 00:37:52,767
Regardless of the decision about
who is prime minister or what
679
00:37:52,767 --> 00:37:57,399
that government looks like, we
will make the case that Iraq's
680
00:37:57,400 --> 00:38:02,266
leaders need to proceed in
a way that is reflective
681
00:38:02,266 --> 00:38:07,133
of the interests of all of
Iraq's citizens and all regions
682
00:38:07,133 --> 00:38:13,133
of the country and all parties
and religious affiliations.
683
00:38:17,600 --> 00:38:20,866
That is the only way for a
nation like Iraq to succeed
684
00:38:20,867 --> 00:38:22,867
ultimately in the
medium and long term.
685
00:38:22,867 --> 00:38:24,533
The Press: And just one more on
a completely different topic.
686
00:38:24,533 --> 00:38:27,933
Does the President have
a reaction to the fact
687
00:38:27,934 --> 00:38:32,867
that the Redskins trademark
was cancelled today?
688
00:38:32,867 --> 00:38:37,467
Mr. Carney: I haven't spoken to
the President about that news,
689
00:38:37,467 --> 00:38:39,066
but I would note
that last October,
690
00:38:39,066 --> 00:38:41,299
in an interview with
the Associated Press,
691
00:38:41,300 --> 00:38:44,233
he was asked about the issue
of the team name and said,
692
00:38:44,233 --> 00:38:47,266
"If I were the owner of the
team and I knew that there was
693
00:38:47,266 --> 00:38:50,667
a name of my team, even if
it had a storied history,
694
00:38:50,667 --> 00:38:52,533
that was offending a
sizable group of people,
695
00:38:52,533 --> 00:38:54,900
I'd think about changing it."
696
00:38:54,900 --> 00:38:56,066
So that's the President's view.
697
00:38:56,066 --> 00:38:59,767
I have no new view of
his to provide to you.
698
00:38:59,767 --> 00:39:01,066
The decision today was made
699
00:39:01,066 --> 00:39:03,332
by the Trademark Trial
and Appeal Board.
700
00:39:03,333 --> 00:39:07,467
I think maybe Cheryl knew
that existed prior to this,
701
00:39:07,467 --> 00:39:08,900
but I bet most of you didn't.
702
00:39:08,900 --> 00:39:09,767
(laughter)
703
00:39:09,767 --> 00:39:11,633
And it's an independent
administrative tribunal
704
00:39:11,633 --> 00:39:13,299
within the Patent
and Trademark Office.
705
00:39:13,300 --> 00:39:15,400
The board is authorized to
determine a party's right
706
00:39:15,400 --> 00:39:17,433
to register a trademark with
the federal government,
707
00:39:17,433 --> 00:39:20,033
or if the party already
owns a registration,
708
00:39:20,033 --> 00:39:21,734
its right to maintain it.
709
00:39:21,734 --> 00:39:24,066
The board is not authorized to
determine whether a party
710
00:39:24,066 --> 00:39:26,466
has the right to use a
trademark, just whether
711
00:39:26,467 --> 00:39:28,767
it has the right to register it.
712
00:39:28,767 --> 00:39:32,567
So for more on this, I would
encourage you to contact
713
00:39:32,567 --> 00:39:36,467
the United States Patent
and Trademark Office.
714
00:39:36,133 --> 00:39:39,600
The Press: Jay, can you describe
the limits of the White House
0:39:36.467,1193:02:47.295
Major.
715
00:39:39,600 --> 00:39:41,667
willingness to cooperate
with Iran dealing with
716
00:39:41,667 --> 00:39:43,799
the crisis in Iraq?
717
00:39:43,800 --> 00:39:49,066
Mr. Carney: I can tell you that
we are open to engaging the
718
00:39:49,066 --> 00:39:52,533
Iranians, just as we are
engaging other regional players
719
00:39:52,533 --> 00:39:57,400
on the threat posed
by ISIL in Iraq.
720
00:39:57,400 --> 00:40:00,567
As you know, the issue did
come up briefly between Deputy
721
00:40:00,567 --> 00:40:03,567
Secretary of State Bill Burns
and Iran on the margins
722
00:40:03,567 --> 00:40:07,300
of the P5-plus-1 in
Vienna on Monday.
723
00:40:07,300 --> 00:40:10,266
There may be future discussions
at lower levels, Major,
724
00:40:10,266 --> 00:40:13,333
though we do not expect the
issue to be raised again during
725
00:40:13,333 --> 00:40:16,200
this round of P5-plus-1
nuclear discussions in Vienna.
726
00:40:16,200 --> 00:40:20,133
And to be clear, any discussion
about Iraq is separate
727
00:40:20,133 --> 00:40:24,100
and will be separate from
ongoing nuclear talks.
728
00:40:24,100 --> 00:40:27,500
On the broader question, in any
possible conversations with Iran
729
00:40:27,500 --> 00:40:30,333
we would encourage the Islamic
Republic of Iran to act in a
730
00:40:30,333 --> 00:40:34,600
responsible, non-sectarian way,
and to encourage the government
731
00:40:34,600 --> 00:40:38,967
or Iraq and all Iraqi
leaders to do the same.
732
00:40:38,967 --> 00:40:41,233
Iraq's sovereignty
must be respected,
733
00:40:41,233 --> 00:40:44,033
and the government of Iraq must
focus now on strengthening
734
00:40:44,033 --> 00:40:46,299
its internal political
and security institutions
735
00:40:46,300 --> 00:40:48,500
in a non-sectarian way.
736
00:40:48,500 --> 00:40:51,367
And the solution to Iraq's
security challenge does not
737
00:40:51,367 --> 00:40:54,500
involve militias, but the
strengthening of the Iraqi
738
00:40:54,500 --> 00:40:56,900
forces to combat threats.
739
00:40:56,900 --> 00:40:59,333
Any engagements we have with
the Iranians will not include
740
00:40:59,333 --> 00:41:01,600
discussion of military
coordination or strategic
741
00:41:01,600 --> 00:41:04,500
determination about Iraq's
future over the heads
742
00:41:04,500 --> 00:41:05,567
of the Iraqi people.
743
00:41:05,567 --> 00:41:07,266
The Press: Do you want the
Iranian government to rescind
744
00:41:07,266 --> 00:41:10,800
its general call for Shiite
militias to protect religious
745
00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:12,100
shrines in Iraq?
746
00:41:12,100 --> 00:41:15,767
Mr. Carney: I would say that
ISIL is clearly a threat,
747
00:41:15,767 --> 00:41:18,399
a common threat to the entire
region, including Iran,
748
00:41:18,400 --> 00:41:20,700
but Iraq will only successfully
overcome this threat
749
00:41:20,700 --> 00:41:23,100
by governing in a
non-sectarian manner,
750
00:41:23,100 --> 00:41:25,933
building and investing in the
capacity of Iraq's security
751
00:41:25,934 --> 00:41:28,033
forces and addressing
the legitimate concerns
752
00:41:28,033 --> 00:41:30,834
of Iraq's Sunni, Kurd
and Shia communities.
753
00:41:30,834 --> 00:41:34,232
Turning to Iran is not going to
accomplish these important
754
00:41:34,233 --> 00:41:36,333
steps and it won't solve
Iraq's problems.
755
00:41:38,367 --> 00:41:41,967
Iraq's leaders need to make
decisions that reinforce the
756
00:41:41,967 --> 00:41:44,967
idea for all of Iraq's
citizens that the government
757
00:41:44,967 --> 00:41:48,166
represents all of them
and defends all of them.
758
00:41:48,166 --> 00:41:52,233
And governing in a sectarian way
or reinforcing a perception
759
00:41:52,233 --> 00:41:58,133
that the central government is
pursuing sectarian interests
760
00:41:58,133 --> 00:42:01,366
is not a recipe for success
when it comes to dealing
761
00:42:01,367 --> 00:42:03,700
with the common threat
posed by ISIL.
762
00:42:03,700 --> 00:42:09,299
The Press: As the process to
form this coalition government
763
00:42:09,300 --> 00:42:12,934
plays itself out after
the most recent election,
764
00:42:12,934 --> 00:42:16,100
is Nouri al-Maliki the optimal
leader of that process?
765
00:42:16,100 --> 00:42:20,933
Would there not be a better
chance of it succeeding if he
766
00:42:20,934 --> 00:42:24,800
and those closest to him were
open to a possible alternative?
767
00:42:24,800 --> 00:42:28,400
And would the United States be
supportive of an alternative?
768
00:42:30,500 --> 00:42:35,300
Mr. Carney: We don't
choose Iraq's leaders.
769
00:42:35,300 --> 00:42:38,600
We encourage all of
the leaders of Iraq,
770
00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:42,366
in this government and in the
future government that has
771
00:42:42,367 --> 00:42:45,133
to be formed as a result of
the recent elections,
772
00:42:45,133 --> 00:42:50,366
to pursue non-sectarian
governance.
773
00:42:50,367 --> 00:42:56,533
That is the way that
Iraq can successfully
774
00:42:56,533 --> 00:42:57,200
maintain its security --
775
00:42:57,200 --> 00:42:58,500
The Press: Considering
his history,
776
00:42:58,500 --> 00:43:02,233
is Maliki the optimal
figure to do that?
777
00:43:02,233 --> 00:43:05,834
Mr. Carney: Again, it's not
for us to make that decision
778
00:43:05,834 --> 00:43:08,567
on behalf of the Iraqi people.
779
00:43:08,567 --> 00:43:09,133
The Press: Do we
have an opinion?
780
00:43:09,133 --> 00:43:15,200
Mr. Carney: The Iraqi people
will have to decide the makeup
781
00:43:15,200 --> 00:43:19,066
of the next coalition government
and who is the prime minister.
782
00:43:19,066 --> 00:43:22,966
Whether it's the current prime
minister or another leader,
783
00:43:22,967 --> 00:43:28,967
we will aggressively attempt
to impress upon that leader
784
00:43:31,033 --> 00:43:36,734
the absolute necessity of
rejecting sectarian governance,
785
00:43:36,734 --> 00:43:42,299
rejecting an approach to Iraq's
security that has sectarian
786
00:43:42,300 --> 00:43:49,333
goals in mind, but rather
governing and pursuing security
787
00:43:49,333 --> 00:43:51,333
in an inclusive,
non-sectarian way.
788
00:43:53,300 --> 00:44:00,967
That's the only way the
divisions within Iraq are
789
00:44:00,967 --> 00:44:06,934
managed and healed in a manner
that will allow for Iraq to
790
00:44:09,133 --> 00:44:10,799
prosper in the future.
791
00:44:10,800 --> 00:44:12,300
That has always been the case.
792
00:44:12,300 --> 00:44:18,300
And we have, as a country,
expended a lot of our most
793
00:44:24,166 --> 00:44:30,433
precious resources in an effort
to give Iraq the opportunity
794
00:44:30,433 --> 00:44:37,066
to govern itself as a sovereign
nation and a democratic nation,
795
00:44:37,066 --> 00:44:43,066
and to take responsibility for
the security of the nation.
796
00:44:45,166 --> 00:44:47,734
We continue to have an important
assistance relationship with
797
00:44:47,734 --> 00:44:50,567
Iraq, and we always in a
circumstance like this continue
798
00:44:50,567 --> 00:44:52,834
to be focused on our
national security interests
799
00:44:52,834 --> 00:44:54,966
and potential threats
against the United States,
800
00:44:57,166 --> 00:44:59,934
and our people and our allies.
801
00:44:59,934 --> 00:45:07,033
But ultimately, the Iraqi people
have to decide their future.
802
00:45:07,033 --> 00:45:10,866
We're there as a partner and a
friend, but they have to decide.
803
00:45:10,867 --> 00:45:11,800
The Press: Last question.
804
00:45:11,800 --> 00:45:14,233
It's clear the President would
like many questions answered;
805
00:45:14,233 --> 00:45:18,600
among them are these:
Can you give me reliable,
806
00:45:18,600 --> 00:45:21,000
target information
on the ground?
807
00:45:21,000 --> 00:45:25,567
And the absence of that is in
part related to the lack of
808
00:45:25,567 --> 00:45:32,767
U.S. eyeballs on the ground to
provide not only the target but
809
00:45:32,767 --> 00:45:36,100
the assessment of what would be
successful or not successful.
810
00:45:36,100 --> 00:45:39,165
Other things you would like to
have answered is an assessment
811
00:45:39,166 --> 00:45:44,133
of the fighting will and
capacity of those security
812
00:45:44,133 --> 00:45:45,799
forces in and around Baghdad.
813
00:45:45,800 --> 00:45:49,533
Does the President's declaration
that there will be no combat
814
00:45:49,533 --> 00:45:53,533
forces prevent him from sending
those who might be best skilled
815
00:45:53,533 --> 00:45:57,200
at answering those questions to
Iraq to find out those answers
816
00:45:57,200 --> 00:45:59,899
to give him better options?
817
00:45:59,900 --> 00:46:01,266
Mr. Carney: The
President has been clear,
818
00:46:01,266 --> 00:46:04,000
as I have again today,
that that is not an option
819
00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:05,233
he is considering.
820
00:46:05,233 --> 00:46:09,300
We are not sending U.S. troops
back into combat in Iraq.
821
00:46:09,300 --> 00:46:11,400
But that's the only
option he's ruled out.
822
00:46:11,400 --> 00:46:15,600
We are obviously assessing a
variety of different options.
823
00:46:15,600 --> 00:46:20,734
We're pursuing an approach that
has as only one component
824
00:46:20,734 --> 00:46:24,600
the contemplation of direct
action we could take.
825
00:46:24,600 --> 00:46:28,767
The questions you asked at
the beginning about fully
826
00:46:28,767 --> 00:46:33,600
understanding the objectives
that could be achieved
827
00:46:33,600 --> 00:46:38,967
by direct action is
absolutely appropriate.
828
00:46:38,967 --> 00:46:45,000
But as I mentioned earlier, a
whole lot of work is being done
829
00:46:45,000 --> 00:46:50,033
as part of the President's
approach to this challenge.
830
00:46:50,033 --> 00:46:56,967
And when he has any decisions to
announce, he'll announce them.
831
00:46:56,967 --> 00:47:01,433
And in the meantime, I think you
can be sure that we are taking
832
00:47:01,433 --> 00:47:07,100
an approach to Iraq that is
governed by our view of what not
833
00:47:07,100 --> 00:47:09,366
only we can do to assist
Iraq, but what Iraq must
834
00:47:09,367 --> 00:47:10,667
do to assist itself.
835
00:47:10,667 --> 00:47:11,967
The Press: Just to
make sure I understand,
836
00:47:11,967 --> 00:47:13,967
sending people to try to
answer those questions
837
00:47:13,967 --> 00:47:15,900
would constitute
sending combat forces?
838
00:47:15,900 --> 00:47:19,300
Mr. Carney: No -- I'm not going
to get into hypotheticals about
839
00:47:19,300 --> 00:47:26,000
how we make assessments about
the situation on the ground.
840
00:47:26,000 --> 00:47:31,133
What I have made clear is that
the President is ruling
841
00:47:31,133 --> 00:47:33,332
out sending U.S. troops
back into combat.
842
00:47:36,066 --> 00:47:39,834
We obviously have a lot of
efforts underway that allow us
843
00:47:39,834 --> 00:47:43,366
to assess the situation, allow
the President and his team
844
00:47:43,367 --> 00:47:45,600
to assess options.
845
00:47:45,600 --> 00:47:46,866
Ed.
846
00:47:46,867 --> 00:47:47,633
The Press: Jay, Congratulations.
847
00:47:47,633 --> 00:47:48,466
Mr. Carney: Thanks.
848
00:47:48,467 --> 00:47:50,333
The Press: Ahead of
this important meeting
849
00:47:50,333 --> 00:47:51,800
at three o'clock with
congressional leaders,
850
00:47:51,800 --> 00:47:54,567
some of the Republican leaders
are saying ahead of that that
851
00:47:54,567 --> 00:47:56,900
they think the worst
option would be for there
852
00:47:56,900 --> 00:47:58,767
to be no U.S. action.
853
00:47:58,767 --> 00:48:00,332
But from some of your
earlier comments,
854
00:48:00,333 --> 00:48:04,533
you seem to suggest that, as the
President once delivered here,
855
00:48:04,533 --> 00:48:07,433
that if he has a decision to
announce, he'll announce it.
856
00:48:07,433 --> 00:48:09,800
Does that suggest that
one option on the table
857
00:48:09,800 --> 00:48:12,166
is no U.S. military action?
858
00:48:12,166 --> 00:48:18,166
Mr. Carney: Again, I think
it's -- any time you say,
859
00:48:20,266 --> 00:48:23,834
as the President has
on many occasions,
860
00:48:23,834 --> 00:48:27,265
that he's not ruling
out, and never does,
861
00:48:27,266 --> 00:48:30,934
the use of military force
in a circumstance like this,
862
00:48:30,934 --> 00:48:36,734
that's not ruling in or
saying there is a certain
863
00:48:36,734 --> 00:48:37,467
use of military force.
864
00:48:37,467 --> 00:48:38,200
The Press: I just
want to be clear.
865
00:48:38,200 --> 00:48:39,966
So it's not a foregone
conclusion that there
866
00:48:39,967 --> 00:48:41,400
will be U.S. military action.
867
00:48:41,400 --> 00:48:44,300
He may decide that the Iraqis
do not have a strategy,
868
00:48:44,300 --> 00:48:47,367
and he might not feel
like using U.S. military
869
00:48:47,367 --> 00:48:48,300
force makes sense.
870
00:48:48,300 --> 00:48:49,133
Is that right?
871
00:48:49,133 --> 00:48:52,000
Mr. Carney: Well, the President
will make decisions based on his
872
00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:54,600
view of what's in the best
interest of the United States
873
00:48:54,600 --> 00:48:56,834
and our national security.
874
00:48:56,834 --> 00:49:00,466
We obviously have, as the
President said last Friday,
875
00:49:00,467 --> 00:49:05,000
a keen interest in the region
because of the potential threat
876
00:49:05,000 --> 00:49:10,100
that a safe haven for an
extremist group like ISIL could
877
00:49:10,100 --> 00:49:12,133
pose to the United States.
878
00:49:12,133 --> 00:49:16,567
That is why the
President is considering
879
00:49:16,567 --> 00:49:17,767
a variety of options.
880
00:49:17,767 --> 00:49:19,066
That's part of an
approach, again,
881
00:49:19,066 --> 00:49:21,033
that is not limited to --
although it gets the most
882
00:49:21,033 --> 00:49:24,400
attention -- not limited
to this consideration.
883
00:49:24,400 --> 00:49:27,900
The Press: When you talk about
ISIL and their influence,
884
00:49:27,900 --> 00:49:30,033
one thing that former Vice
President Cheney mentioned
885
00:49:30,033 --> 00:49:32,567
in that op-ed that was talked
about before is the President's
886
00:49:32,567 --> 00:49:35,166
recent New Yorker interview
where he talked about how
887
00:49:35,166 --> 00:49:37,533
there's a big difference between
al Qaeda central,
888
00:49:37,533 --> 00:49:39,967
bin Laden having a network
that's trying to launch attacks
889
00:49:39,967 --> 00:49:41,266
against U.S. homeland.
890
00:49:41,266 --> 00:49:43,600
And then you've got these
splinter groups like an ISIL,
891
00:49:43,600 --> 00:49:47,967
or ISIS as some call it,
that might not be able
892
00:49:47,967 --> 00:49:49,166
to launch terror attacks.
893
00:49:49,166 --> 00:49:50,500
But now people are saying,
well, wait a second,
894
00:49:50,500 --> 00:49:53,633
maybe they can take over
an Islamic state and turn
895
00:49:53,633 --> 00:49:55,866
it into an Islamic state
and launch attacks.
896
00:49:55,867 --> 00:49:57,967
And the President said in that
interview with the New Yorker,
897
00:49:57,967 --> 00:50:00,433
"If a JV team puts
on Lakers uniforms,
898
00:50:00,433 --> 00:50:02,533
that doesn't make
them Kobe Bryant."
899
00:50:02,533 --> 00:50:05,165
Did the President misjudge the
influence of some of these
900
00:50:05,166 --> 00:50:07,967
al Qaeda offshoots that maybe
they could launch terror attacks
901
00:50:07,967 --> 00:50:08,533
against the U.S.?
902
00:50:08,533 --> 00:50:09,467
Mr. Carney: The President
has been very clear,
903
00:50:09,467 --> 00:50:11,867
as have the senior members of
his national security team,
904
00:50:11,867 --> 00:50:16,133
that our principal concern
has been for some time those
905
00:50:16,133 --> 00:50:20,265
al Qaeda affiliates that have
demonstrated that they pose,
906
00:50:20,266 --> 00:50:22,333
at least potentially,
the most direct threat
907
00:50:22,333 --> 00:50:24,700
to the United States or people
in our interest.
908
00:50:24,700 --> 00:50:26,332
That would obviously
include AQAP,
909
00:50:26,333 --> 00:50:29,400
and it could potentially
include ISIL.
910
00:50:29,400 --> 00:50:36,767
And so we have been very focused
on these regional affiliates
911
00:50:36,767 --> 00:50:40,332
and the threat that they
pose as core al Qaeda
912
00:50:40,333 --> 00:50:42,233
has been diminished.
913
00:50:42,233 --> 00:50:47,400
It was certainly the right thing
to do to diminish core al Qaeda,
914
00:50:47,400 --> 00:50:50,934
to go after the central
governing authority and
915
00:50:50,934 --> 00:50:54,433
decision-makers who perpetrated
a catastrophic attack
916
00:50:54,433 --> 00:50:56,834
against the United States
on September 11th, 2001.
917
00:50:56,834 --> 00:51:02,200
I hope senior members of the
previous administration would
918
00:51:02,200 --> 00:51:06,066
agree with that and the
objective that was pursued
919
00:51:06,066 --> 00:51:09,500
and has in substantial
measure been achieved.
920
00:51:09,500 --> 00:51:10,934
That doesn't mean
that we don't oppose
921
00:51:10,934 --> 00:51:12,066
other substantial threats.
922
00:51:12,066 --> 00:51:14,866
The President and every member
of his national security team
923
00:51:14,867 --> 00:51:17,934
has been very clear about that.
924
00:51:17,934 --> 00:51:20,900
And we have -- as you have
seen, as a nation -- in our
925
00:51:20,900 --> 00:51:24,500
collaborative relationships with
other nations as well as acting
926
00:51:24,500 --> 00:51:28,900
on our own -- taken action where
we can mitigate the threat
927
00:51:28,900 --> 00:51:31,600
posed by extremist groups
to the United States.
928
00:51:31,600 --> 00:51:32,967
And we'll continue to do that.
929
00:51:32,967 --> 00:51:33,967
The Press: And to
deal with this threat,
930
00:51:33,967 --> 00:51:35,133
you were telling
Major how important
931
00:51:35,133 --> 00:51:38,466
it is to press Prime
Minister Maliki to reform.
932
00:51:38,467 --> 00:51:41,033
If that's the case, why did the
President have Vice President
933
00:51:41,033 --> 00:51:43,232
Biden call Maliki last week?
934
00:51:43,233 --> 00:51:45,667
Why hasn't the President
called Maliki directly
935
00:51:45,667 --> 00:51:47,500
to make this case?
936
00:51:47,500 --> 00:51:48,633
Mr. Carney: I think
the President's views
937
00:51:48,633 --> 00:51:49,232
are very clear.
938
00:51:49,233 --> 00:51:51,600
The President has had
conversations with
939
00:51:51,600 --> 00:51:54,200
Prime Minister Maliki
in the past that
940
00:51:54,200 --> 00:51:54,933
include this very issue.
941
00:51:54,934 --> 00:51:56,567
The Press: When was the
last time they spoke?
942
00:51:56,567 --> 00:51:59,967
Mr. Carney: The Vice President
of the United States has
943
00:51:59,967 --> 00:52:07,533
obviously keen expertise and
very deep relationships in Iraq
944
00:52:07,533 --> 00:52:09,667
among all of the leaders there.
945
00:52:09,667 --> 00:52:12,967
In the two years that I served
as his communications director,
946
00:52:12,967 --> 00:52:15,066
I believe we went
there seven times.
947
00:52:15,066 --> 00:52:20,700
And he has certainly been
there often since then.
948
00:52:20,700 --> 00:52:22,799
And it's entirely appropriate
that the Vice President
949
00:52:22,800 --> 00:52:26,633
of the United States speak
directly with leaders
950
00:52:26,633 --> 00:52:30,066
in Iraq, as he has consistently
for so many years.
951
00:52:30,066 --> 00:52:31,100
The Press: One other
topic before you go.
952
00:52:31,100 --> 00:52:33,667
What happened to Lois
Lerner's e-mails?
953
00:52:35,400 --> 00:52:37,266
Mr. Carney: Ed, I would
refer you to the IRS,
954
00:52:37,266 --> 00:52:40,300
and they've answered
this question.
955
00:52:40,300 --> 00:52:42,166
They can answer it again.
956
00:52:42,166 --> 00:52:44,133
The Press: Given the fact that
they were requested I think
957
00:52:44,133 --> 00:52:48,433
about 10 months ago and it was
just Friday when Congress
958
00:52:48,433 --> 00:52:52,100
was informed that they've
apparently been missing,
959
00:52:52,100 --> 00:52:56,700
will the White House pledge at
least to guarantee that you will
960
00:52:56,700 --> 00:53:01,100
work to find them -- since
previous officials at the IRS
961
00:53:01,100 --> 00:53:03,600
have testified to Congress under
oath that there's backups
962
00:53:03,600 --> 00:53:04,700
of these e-mails?
963
00:53:04,700 --> 00:53:06,933
So do you think -- you've
previously said you'll cooperate
964
00:53:06,934 --> 00:53:08,500
with legitimate oversight.
965
00:53:08,500 --> 00:53:11,300
Is it legitimate to
find these e-mails?
966
00:53:11,300 --> 00:53:15,667
Mr. Carney: As the IRS has said,
Ed, they are producing 67,000
967
00:53:15,667 --> 00:53:17,633
e-mails sent or received
from Lois Lerner.
968
00:53:17,633 --> 00:53:20,834
This is part of their
production of 750,000
969
00:53:20,834 --> 00:53:23,033
pages of
documents to Congress.
970
00:53:23,033 --> 00:53:25,400
As the IRS said, IT
professionals worked
971
00:53:25,400 --> 00:53:29,066
to restore Lerner's hard drive
but were unable to do so.
972
00:53:29,066 --> 00:53:32,265
Nonetheless, the IRS
has or will produce 24,000
973
00:53:32,266 --> 00:53:36,300
Lerner e-mails from this
2009-2011 time period largely
974
00:53:36,300 --> 00:53:38,967
from the files of the
other 82 individuals.
975
00:53:38,967 --> 00:53:41,500
So I think that answers your
question that they are engaging
976
00:53:41,500 --> 00:53:46,166
in an effort to find e-mails in
the absence of being able to
977
00:53:46,166 --> 00:53:47,367
restore the hard drive.
978
00:53:47,367 --> 00:53:49,734
The Press: So the White House
will make sure that as many
979
00:53:49,734 --> 00:53:52,133
as possible that can be
recovered will be recovered?
980
00:53:52,133 --> 00:53:55,500
Mr. Carney: The IRS obviously
is taking action that I just
981
00:53:55,500 --> 00:54:00,767
described to you to supply, in
addition to the 750,000 pages
982
00:54:00,767 --> 00:54:02,433
of documents to Congress
they've already
983
00:54:02,433 --> 00:54:06,734
supplied, additional e-mails
as they can be recovered.
984
00:54:06,734 --> 00:54:08,600
Chairman Camp, as you
know, requested e-mails
985
00:54:08,600 --> 00:54:10,600
to and from the White House.
986
00:54:10,600 --> 00:54:12,734
We were asked if we would
produce them; we did, in fact,
987
00:54:12,734 --> 00:54:15,400
do a search for all
communications between Lois
988
00:54:15,400 --> 00:54:17,633
Lerner and any person
within the Executive Office
989
00:54:17,633 --> 00:54:19,734
of the President for
this period.
990
00:54:19,734 --> 00:54:22,967
We found zero e-mails -- sorry
to disappoint -- between
991
00:54:22,967 --> 00:54:25,667
Lois Lerner and anyone within
the EOP during this period.
992
00:54:25,667 --> 00:54:28,767
We found three e-mails where
a third party e-mailed
993
00:54:28,767 --> 00:54:31,366
both Lois Lerner and
officials within the EOP.
994
00:54:31,367 --> 00:54:34,333
One was a spam e-mail and two
others were from a person
995
00:54:34,333 --> 00:54:35,867
seeking tax assistance.
996
00:54:35,867 --> 00:54:38,467
Each of these e-mails has
been produced to Congress.
997
00:54:38,467 --> 00:54:39,934
The Press: -- Were also trying
to seek her e-mails with members
998
00:54:39,934 --> 00:54:41,900
of Congress and staff on
the Hill, I believe, right?
999
00:54:41,900 --> 00:54:45,734
Mr. Carney: Again, I think
the IRS is demonstrating that
1000
00:54:45,734 --> 00:54:48,200
it is undertaking this effort.
1001
00:54:48,200 --> 00:54:50,667
Mara.
1002
00:54:50,667 --> 00:54:52,533
The Press: Thank you for
a hard job well done.
1003
00:54:52,533 --> 00:54:53,266
Congratulations.
1004
00:54:53,266 --> 00:54:54,734
Mr. Carney: Thank you, Mara.
1005
00:54:54,734 --> 00:54:56,734
The Press: A question -- if
the primary national security
1006
00:54:56,734 --> 00:55:00,200
objective of the U.S. is to
deny extremists a safe haven,
1007
00:55:00,200 --> 00:55:03,533
and the most efficient way is
for Malaki to form -- govern
1008
00:55:03,533 --> 00:55:07,100
in a non-sectarian manner,
has the President come
1009
00:55:07,100 --> 00:55:09,967
to any conclusions about
whether that is the only way?
1010
00:55:09,967 --> 00:55:12,300
In other words,
barring those reforms,
1011
00:55:12,300 --> 00:55:14,600
is there anything that
we can do on our own,
1012
00:55:14,600 --> 00:55:18,200
short of occupying Iraq,
to achieve that objective?
1013
00:55:18,200 --> 00:55:19,466
I'm not asking what
he has decided to do,
1014
00:55:19,467 --> 00:55:22,033
just whether he thinks
it's even possible.
1015
00:55:24,367 --> 00:55:27,033
Mr. Carney: There are several
levels of hypotheses to that,
1016
00:55:27,033 --> 00:55:29,734
but I'll try to
tackle it this way.
1017
00:55:28,200 --> 00:55:34,165
And that is why it is important
to be clear about the three
1018
00:55:29,734 --> 00:55:37,433
It is certainly the best way to
ensure that an extremist group
0:55:37.433,1193:02:47.295
cannot establish a safe haven
in Iraq and this region.
1019
00:55:51,367 --> 00:55:54,600
pieces, the elements that I
talked about: How to deal with
1020
00:55:54,600 --> 00:55:57,734
the urgent threat from ISIL; how
to help build the capacity of
1021
00:55:57,734 --> 00:56:01,066
the Iraqi security forces to
fight this threat in both the
1022
00:56:01,066 --> 00:56:03,734
short and long term; and how
to encourage Iraq's leaders
1023
00:56:03,734 --> 00:56:05,600
to put aside their differences
1024
00:56:05,600 --> 00:56:10,866
and facilitate non-sectarian cooperative governance.
1025
00:56:10,867 --> 00:56:13,800
It is always the case that
when it comes to threats
1026
00:56:13,800 --> 00:56:16,500
to the United States,
the American people,
1027
00:56:16,500 --> 00:56:22,567
our interests and our allies, we
and the President, obviously,
1028
00:56:22,567 --> 00:56:26,834
as Commander-in-Chief, take
action as he sees fit.
1029
00:56:31,467 --> 00:56:33,433
I think that's the best way
I can answer your question.
1030
00:56:33,433 --> 00:56:40,033
But ultimately, setting aside
assistance we are providing
1031
00:56:40,033 --> 00:56:42,866
and other assistance we
might provide in the effort
1032
00:56:42,867 --> 00:56:49,667
to deal with the urgent
threat posed by ISIL,
1033
00:56:49,667 --> 00:56:52,600
Iraq's leaders need to take the
steps that we've discussed.
1034
00:56:52,600 --> 00:56:55,900
And that is the surest and best
way -- as it has ever been --
1035
00:56:55,900 --> 00:56:59,667
short of a permanent occupation
by the United States,
1036
00:56:59,667 --> 00:57:05,734
short of that -- of assuring
that Iraq is a sovereign,
1037
00:57:05,734 --> 00:57:09,100
secure nation that doesn't
provide a safe haven
1038
00:57:09,100 --> 00:57:10,633
to these extremist groups.
1039
00:57:10,633 --> 00:57:13,567
The Press: But two of those
three goals that you mentioned
1040
00:57:13,567 --> 00:57:16,700
-- building the capacity of the
Iraqi military and facilitating
1041
00:57:16,700 --> 00:57:19,165
non-sectarian governance --
those were our goals
1042
00:57:19,166 --> 00:57:23,233
before 2011, before we left.
1043
00:57:23,233 --> 00:57:24,400
We had more leverage then.
1044
00:57:24,400 --> 00:57:27,800
Now that we're gone, how do we
achieve those goals when we're
1045
00:57:27,800 --> 00:57:29,800
not there and we couldn't
achieve them when we were there?
1046
00:57:29,800 --> 00:57:31,033
Mr. Carney: Well, first of all,
we still have a very important
1047
00:57:31,033 --> 00:57:32,667
and substantial relationship,
including an assistance
1048
00:57:32,667 --> 00:57:35,266
relationship with Iraq.
1049
00:57:35,266 --> 00:57:38,834
But I think your question in
many ways provides the answer,
1050
00:57:38,834 --> 00:57:42,834
which is that it has always
been and will always
1051
00:57:42,834 --> 00:57:49,033
be the case that Iraq
must take responsibility
1052
00:57:49,033 --> 00:57:50,933
for its own security,
ultimately.
1053
00:57:50,934 --> 00:57:55,500
They will have and do have in
the United States a partner
1054
00:57:55,500 --> 00:58:03,367
in that effort, but Iraq
is a sovereign nation
1055
00:58:03,367 --> 00:58:06,033
with a democratically
elected government,
1056
00:58:06,033 --> 00:58:11,066
and they need to act and make
decisions at the political level
1057
00:58:11,066 --> 00:58:17,100
to ensure that we
have in that country,
1058
00:58:17,100 --> 00:58:18,933
for the sake of
the Iraqi people,
1059
00:58:18,934 --> 00:58:21,300
the potential for
a better future.
1060
00:58:24,633 --> 00:58:25,933
Juliet, then Connie.
1061
00:58:25,934 --> 00:58:28,500
The Press: Since a couple former
Vice Presidents are weighing
1062
00:58:28,500 --> 00:58:32,500
in on public policy matters, Al
Gore wrote today that the
1063
00:58:32,500 --> 00:58:35,200
President has signaled he
is likely to reject
1064
00:58:35,200 --> 00:58:38,700
the presidential permit for
the Keystone pipeline.
1065
00:58:38,700 --> 00:58:42,399
Can you share -- has there been
any private discussion between
1066
00:58:42,400 --> 00:58:44,266
the former Vice President and
the President that would
1067
00:58:44,266 --> 00:58:46,967
lead him to this conclusion?
1068
00:58:46,967 --> 00:58:48,000
Mr. Carney: The
President's position,
1069
00:58:48,000 --> 00:58:52,200
our position on the
pipeline has not changed.
1070
00:58:52,200 --> 00:58:56,899
The process that is housed at
the State Department continues.
1071
00:58:56,900 --> 00:58:59,900
And I've seen that report,
but I don't have any light
1072
00:58:59,900 --> 00:59:02,433
to shed on it.
1073
00:59:02,433 --> 00:59:04,400
The process continues.
1074
00:59:04,400 --> 00:59:06,367
It's being run by the State
Department in keeping with past
1075
00:59:06,367 --> 00:59:08,333
practice of administrations
of both parties.
1076
00:59:08,333 --> 00:59:09,033
Connie.
1077
00:59:09,033 --> 00:59:09,467
The Press: Thank you.
1078
00:59:09,467 --> 00:59:13,166
Just to wrap up -- are
Americans any safer now because
1079
00:59:13,166 --> 00:59:15,166
of what happened in Iraq
and Afghanistan?
1080
00:59:15,166 --> 00:59:17,367
And secondly, shall we
keep one of the seats warm
1081
00:59:17,367 --> 00:59:18,433
for you in the press room?
1082
00:59:18,433 --> 00:59:20,000
(laughter)
1083
00:59:20,000 --> 00:59:20,967
Mr. Carney: I can
definitively answer one
1084
00:59:20,967 --> 00:59:21,834
of those questions.
1085
00:59:21,834 --> 00:59:24,834
(laughter)
1086
00:59:24,834 --> 00:59:28,966
Connie, I think that our
men and women in uniform,
1087
00:59:28,967 --> 00:59:33,233
principally; their
families, principally;
1088
00:59:33,233 --> 00:59:38,834
our civilian Americans
who served in harm's way
1089
00:59:38,834 --> 00:59:42,033
in those countries provided
extraordinary service,
1090
00:59:42,033 --> 00:59:48,734
and in doing so have
made our country safer.
1091
00:59:48,734 --> 00:59:54,866
There are, obviously, issues
around the decision which
1092
00:59:54,867 --> 00:59:58,033
then-state senator Obama opposed
to invade Iraq that historians
1093
00:59:58,033 --> 01:00:00,700
will chew over for a long time.
1094
01:00:00,700 --> 01:00:03,133
But there is no question and no
debate about the extraordinary
1095
01:00:03,133 --> 01:00:08,600
service provided by our
men and women in uniform,
1096
01:00:08,600 --> 01:00:14,600
and by those who supported
them, and that we all benefit
1097
01:00:14,600 --> 01:00:17,533
from that and we are
all grateful for that,
1098
01:00:17,533 --> 01:00:20,799
from the Commander-in-Chief
on down.
1099
01:00:20,800 --> 01:00:23,700
But this is not, when it comes
to the safety and security of
1100
01:00:23,700 --> 01:00:26,567
the United States and the
threats posed by those who would
1101
01:00:26,567 --> 01:00:29,567
do us harm, this is an
ongoing proposition,
1102
01:00:29,567 --> 01:00:35,300
and it's one that the
Commander-in-Chief
1103
01:00:35,300 --> 01:00:39,934
and his successors will
always be vigilant about.
1104
01:00:39,934 --> 01:00:41,567
And that is why, as
we discussed earlier,
1105
01:00:41,567 --> 01:00:47,000
we keep our eyes on emerging
threats even as we deal with
1106
01:00:47,000 --> 01:00:51,934
the threats that were
present when we got here.
1107
01:00:51,934 --> 01:00:56,800
And that will continue to be
the case, I am very confident,
1108
01:00:56,800 --> 01:01:00,200
even as I step away from this
podium, which I'm about to do.
1109
01:01:00,200 --> 01:01:00,933
The Press: Thanks, Jay.
1110
01:01:00,934 --> 01:01:01,633
Mr. Carney: Thank
you all very much.
1111
01:01:01,633 --> 01:01:02,700
(applause)
1112
01:01:02,700 --> 01:01:04,533
Mr. McDonough: Jay,
before you go, I just
1113
01:01:04,533 --> 01:01:06,834
wanted to come and say in
front of all your close friends
1114
01:01:06,834 --> 01:01:10,265
here -- on behalf of
your team and on behalf
1115
01:01:10,266 --> 01:01:11,633
of the President, thank you.
1116
01:01:11,633 --> 01:01:13,533
I want to say thank you to you.
1117
01:01:13,533 --> 01:01:14,967
I want to say thank
you to Claire.
1118
01:01:14,967 --> 01:01:16,734
I want to say thank you to Hugo.
1119
01:01:16,734 --> 01:01:19,232
And I want to say
thank you to Della.
1120
01:01:19,233 --> 01:01:23,967
We are going to miss you dearly.
1121
01:01:23,967 --> 01:01:28,200
You have done unrelenting good
work and unrelenting good
1122
01:01:28,200 --> 01:01:31,834
service for us, and we're deeply
appreciative in how you deal
1123
01:01:31,834 --> 01:01:33,734
with our partners
here in the press.
1124
01:01:33,734 --> 01:01:35,500
So, Jay, thank you very much.
1125
01:01:35,500 --> 01:01:36,500
We're going to miss you dearly.
1126
01:01:36,500 --> 01:01:37,100
Mr. Carney: Thanks.
1127
01:01:37,100 --> 01:01:40,000
(applause)
1128
01:01:40,000 --> 01:01:41,166
Thank you all very much.
1129
01:01:41,166 --> 01:01:43,800
I'm sure we'll see
each other again.
1130
01:01:43,800 --> 01:01:44,433
Take care.
1131
01:01:44,433 --> 01:01:45,633
The Press: Jay, is
this your last day?
1132
01:01:45,633 --> 01:01:47,232
(laughter)
1133
01:01:47,233 --> 01:01:48,133
Mr. Carney: Yes.
1134
01:01:48,133 --> 01:01:49,466
Oh, no, not at the
White House, sorry.
1135
01:01:49,467 --> 01:01:50,333
My last briefing.
1136
01:01:50,333 --> 01:01:51,033
A couple more days here.
1137
01:01:51,033 --> 01:01:52,165
The Press: You can
take the question.
1138
01:01:52,166 --> 01:01:52,967
Mr. Carney: I'll
take that question.
1139
01:01:52,967 --> 01:01:54,667
The Press: So when do
you give Josh the launch
1140
01:01:54,667 --> 01:01:55,866
codes and everything?
1141
01:01:55,867 --> 01:01:57,900
Mr. Carney: Oh, I couldn't
possibly reveal that.
1142
01:01:57,900 --> 01:01:59,700
(laughter)
1143
01:01:59,700 --> 01:02:00,633
Thank you all.
1144
01:02:00,633 --> 01:02:01,866
The Press: Jay, I
wish you all the best.
1145
01:02:01,867 --> 01:02:02,500
Mr. Carney: Thank you, sir.
1146
01:02:02,500 --> 01:02:03,100
Bye-bye.
