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The President: Good
evening, everybody.
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I want to begin by thanking
the people of Washington, D.C.
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for hosting us,
especially for putting
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up with more than
50 motorcades.
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And I will make one promise
to the people of this city
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-- I will not hold another
one of these summits in
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another six years.
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(laughter)
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I want to thank everyone who
participated in our meetings
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-- more than 50 leaders from
every region of the world
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and key international
organizations.
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As at our previous summits,
we didn't just come here
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to talk, but we
came here to act.
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I know that the very
technical nature of nuclear
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security doesn't always
make for flashy headlines.
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But over the past six years,
we have made significant,
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meaningful progress in
securing the world's
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nuclear material so that
it never falls into the
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hands of terrorists.
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And I want to take a few
moments to step back
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and lay out exactly what
we have accomplished.
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Together, we have removed
the world's most deadly
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materials from nuclear
facilities around the world.
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With Japan's
announcement today,
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we've now removed or secured
all the highly enriched
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uranium and plutonium from
more than 50 facilities
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in 30 countries --
more than 3.8 tons,
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which is more than enough to
create 150 nuclear weapons.
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That's material than
will never fall into
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the hands of terrorists.
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Fourteen nations and Taiwan
-- countries as diverse
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as Argentina and Chile,
to Libya and Turkey,
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to Serbia and Vietnam --
have now rid themselves
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entirely of highly enriched
uranium and plutonium.
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In particular, I want
to point out again that
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successfully removing all of
Ukraine's highly enriched
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uranium four years ago meant
that the very difficult
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situation in Ukraine over
the past two years was not
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made even more dangerous
by the presence
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of these materials.
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As of today, South America
-- an entire continent --
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is completely free of
these dangerous materials.
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When Poland completes
its removal this year,
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central Europe will be
free of them as well.
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When Indonesia completes
its work this year,
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so will all of
Southeast Asia.
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In other words, as
terrorists and criminal
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gangs and arms merchants
look around for deadly
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ingredients for a
nuclear device,
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vast regions of the world
are now off-limits.
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And that is a
remarkable achievement.
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We've made important
progress in the
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United States as well.
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In addition to the new steps
I announced this morning,
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we've improved nuclear
security and training.
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We've consolidated nuclear
materials at fewer
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facilities, eliminated some
138 tons of our surplus
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highly enriched uranium --
which would be enough
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for 5,500 nuclear weapons.
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Working with Russia, we're
on track to eliminate enough
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Russian highly enriched
uranium for about
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20,000 nuclear weapons,
which we are converting to
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electricity here in
the United States.
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More specifically, as a
result of these summits,
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every single one of the more
than 50 nations represented
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here have taken concrete
steps to enhance security
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at their nuclear facilities
and storage sites.
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And that includes improved
physical security,
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stronger regulations,
abiding by international
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guidelines, greater
transparency,
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and that includes
international peer reviews.
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Fifteen new centers have
been created around the
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world to promote nuclear
security technologies and
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training, to share
best practices.
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And as part of
our work today,
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we agreed to keep
strengthening our
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nuclear facilities' defenses
against cyber-attacks.
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We've bolstered
international efforts
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to disrupt nuclear
smuggling.
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The Proliferation Security
Initiative has grown to more
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than 100 nations, including
regular exercises to improve
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our collective ability
to interdict shipments.
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The United States and 36
partner countries have
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worked to install radiation
detection equipment at more
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than 300 international
border crossings,
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airports and ports.
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And we are developing
new mobile detection
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systems as well.
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And finally, as I
noted this morning,
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we've strengthened the
treaties and international
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partnerships that
are a foundation for
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so many of our efforts.
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So, again, we have made
significant progress.
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And everyone involved in
this work -- especially our
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teams, who have worked
tirelessly for years --
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can take enormous pride
in our achievements.
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Nevertheless, as
I said earlier,
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our work is by no
means finished.
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There's still a great deal
of nuclear and radioactive
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material around the world
that needs to be secured.
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Global stocks of
plutonium are growing.
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Nuclear arsenals are
expanding in some
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countries with more small,
tactical nuclear weapons,
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which could be at
greater risk of theft.
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And as a consequence, one of
the central goals of this
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summit was how do we build
on the work that has been
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done so that we have an
international architecture
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that can continue
the efforts,
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even though this is the last
formal leaders' summit.
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So even as this is the last
of those leader-level
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summits, today we agreed
to maintain a strong
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architecture, including
through the United Nations,
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the International Atomic
Energy Agency, and INTERPOL,
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to carry on this work and to
provide the resources and
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technical support
that is needed
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to continue this mission.
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And we are creating a new
nuclear security contact
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group -- senior-level
experts from more than 30
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of our countries -- who will
meet regularly to preserve
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the networks of
cooperation we've built,
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to institutionalize
this work,
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and to keep driving
progress for years to come.
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At our session on
ISIL this afternoon,
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there was widespread
agreement that defeating
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terrorist groups like
ISIL requires more
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information-sharing.
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Everybody understands the
urgency in the wake of
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what's happened in Brussels
and Turkey, Pakistan,
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and so many other countries
around the world.
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As a consequence, our
Director of National
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Intelligence, Jim Clapper,
is continuing to engage with
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intelligence leaders from a
number of our European
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partners on deepening
our cooperation.
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And today, I invited all the
nations represented at this
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summit to join a broader
discussion among our
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intelligence and security
services on how we can
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improve information-sharing
within and among our nations
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to prevent all manner of
terrorist attacks,
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especially those that
might involve weapons
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of mass destruction.
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In closing, I just want to
say that preventing nuclear
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terrorism is one part of the
broader agenda that I
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outlined seven years ago in
Prague -- stopping the
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spread of nuclear
weapons and seeking
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a world without them.
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In recent days, there's been
no shortage of analysis
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on whether we've
achieved our vision,
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and I'm the first to
acknowledge the great deal
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of work that remains --
from negotiating further
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reductions with Russia to
dealing with North Korea's
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nuclear program.
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As I indicated in Prague,
realizing our vision will
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not happen quickly, and it
perhaps will not happen
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in my lifetime.
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But we've begun.
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The United States and
Russian nuclear arsenals
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are on track to be the
lowest that they have
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been in six decades.
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I've reduced the number and
role of nuclear weapons
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in our nuclear
security strategy.
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In a historic deal, we've
prevented the spread of
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nuclear weapons to Iran.
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An international fuel bank
is being built to promote
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civil nuclear cooperation.
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So I'm extremely proud of
our record across the board.
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And we're going to keep
pushing forward wherever
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we can, as I hope future
administrations do,
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to bring us closer to the
day when these nuclear
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dangers no longer hang over
the heads of our children
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and our grandchildren.
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With that, let me take
a few questions.
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And I'm going to start with
Roberta Rampton of Reuters.
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The Press: Thank you.
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I want to ask about Iran.
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And three weeks ago, Iran's
Supreme Leader complained
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that his country has not
been getting actual business
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deals since the
nuclear agreement.
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And non-U.S. companies
are saying that it's
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very hard, or sometimes
impossible, to do much
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business with Iran without
at some point accessing
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the U.S. financial system to
do U.S.-dollar-denominated
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transactions.
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So my question is, are
you considering allowing
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such transactions?
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And if so, is that not a
betrayal of your assurances
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that most U.S. sanctions
would stay in place?
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The President: That's not
actually the approach
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that we're taking.
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So let me say broadly that
so long as Iran is carrying
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out its end of the bargain,
we think it's important for
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the world community to carry
out our end of the bargain.
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They have, in fact, based on
the presentations that were
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made by the IAEA this
morning to the P5+1, have,
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in fact, followed the
implementation steps that
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were laid out.
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And as a consequence,
sanctions related to their
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nuclear program have
been brought down.
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Part of the challenge that
they face is that companies
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haven't been doing business
there for a long time,
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and they need to get
comfortable with the
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prospects of this
deal holding.
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One of the things that
Secretary Lew and his
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counterparts within the P5+1
and elsewhere are going to
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be doing is providing
clarity to businesses
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about what transactions
are, in fact, allowed.
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And it's going to take time
over the next several months
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for companies and their
legal departments to feel
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confident that, in fact,
there may not be risks
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of liability if they do
business with Iran.
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And so some of the concerns
that Iran has expressed
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we are going to work
with them to address.
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It is not necessary that
we take the approach
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of them going through
dollar-denominated
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transactions.
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It is possible for them
to work through European
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financial
institutions, as well.
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But there is going to
need to be continued
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clarification provided to
businesses in order to --
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for deal flows to begin.
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Now, what I would say is
also important is Iran's own
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behavior in generating
confidence that Iran
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is a safe place
to do business.
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In a deal like this,
my first priority,
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my first concern was making
sure that we got their
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nuclear program stopped, and
material that they already
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had that would give them
a very short breakout
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capacity, that that
was shipped out.
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That has happened.
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And I always said that I
could not promise that Iran
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would take advantage of this
opportunity and this window
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to reenter the
international community.
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Iran, so far, has followed
the letter of the agreement.
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But the spirit of the
agreement involves Iran also
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sending signals to the world
community and businesses
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that it is not going to be
engaging in a range of
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provocative actions that
might scare business off.
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When they launched ballistic
missiles with slogans
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calling for the destruction
of Israel that makes
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businesses nervous.
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There is some geopolitical
risk that is heightened when
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they see that taking place.
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If Iran continues to ship
missiles to Hezbollah,
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that gets
businesses nervous.
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And so part of what I hope
happens is we have a
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responsibility to provide
clarity about the rules that
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govern so that Iran
can, in fact, benefit,
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the Iranian people can
benefit from an improved
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economic situation.
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00:12:20,606 --> 00:12:23,176
But Iran has to understand
what every country in the
250
00:12:23,175 --> 00:12:27,015
world understands, which is
businesses want to go where
251
00:12:27,012 --> 00:12:31,152
they feel safe, where
they don't see massive
252
00:12:31,150 --> 00:12:36,960
controversy, where they
can be confident that
253
00:12:36,956 --> 00:12:42,096
transactions are going
to operate normally.
254
00:12:42,094 --> 00:12:44,764
And that's an adjustment
that Iran is going to have
255
00:12:44,763 --> 00:12:45,763
to make as well.
256
00:12:45,764 --> 00:12:48,064
And, frankly, within
Iran, I suspect there
257
00:12:48,067 --> 00:12:49,137
are different views.
258
00:12:49,135 --> 00:12:52,305
In the same way that there
are hardliners here in the
259
00:12:52,304 --> 00:12:57,314
United States who, even
after we certify that this
260
00:12:59,645 --> 00:13:02,945
deal is working, even after
our intelligence teams,
261
00:13:02,948 --> 00:13:05,488
Israeli intelligence
teams say this has been
262
00:13:05,484 --> 00:13:07,854
a game-changer, are still
opposed to the deal on
263
00:13:07,853 --> 00:13:11,593
principle, there are
hardliners inside of Iran
264
00:13:11,590 --> 00:13:18,200
who don't want to see Iran
open itself up to the
265
00:13:18,197 --> 00:13:21,997
broader world community
and are doing things to
266
00:13:22,001 --> 00:13:23,501
potentially
undermine the deal.
267
00:13:24,637 --> 00:13:27,837
And so those forces that
seek the benefits of the
268
00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:31,140
deal not just in narrow
terms but more broadly,
269
00:13:31,143 --> 00:13:37,253
we want to make sure
that, over time,
270
00:13:37,249 --> 00:13:41,119
they're in a position to
realize those benefits.
271
00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:42,120
David Nakamura.
272
00:13:42,121 --> 00:13:45,491
The Press: Thank
you, Mr. President.
273
00:13:45,491 --> 00:13:47,561
As you mentioned at the
beginning of your remarks,
274
00:13:47,560 --> 00:13:50,430
you just finished a working
session with 50 world
275
00:13:50,429 --> 00:13:53,429
leaders about combatting
terrorism and groups
276
00:13:53,432 --> 00:13:54,432
like the Islamic State.
277
00:13:54,433 --> 00:13:56,433
And I wanted to ask you
specifically about one
278
00:13:56,435 --> 00:13:58,435
of the strategies,
prime strategies your
279
00:13:58,437 --> 00:14:00,437
administration is using
in that effort.
280
00:14:00,439 --> 00:14:02,439
In the past several weeks,
your administration has
281
00:14:02,441 --> 00:14:05,741
killed well over 200 people
in airstrikes in Somalia,
282
00:14:05,744 --> 00:14:07,744
Libya, and Yemen,
according to the
283
00:14:07,746 --> 00:14:09,286
Department of Defense.
284
00:14:09,281 --> 00:14:12,381
How can you be certain that
all the people killed posed
285
00:14:12,384 --> 00:14:14,454
an imminent threat to
the United States?
286
00:14:14,453 --> 00:14:17,123
And why is the United States
now killing scores of people
287
00:14:17,122 --> 00:14:20,492
at a time, rather than
eliminating individuals
288
00:14:20,492 --> 00:14:21,862
in very targeted strikes?
289
00:14:21,860 --> 00:14:23,400
Thank you.
290
00:14:23,395 --> 00:14:33,435
The President: We have
constructed a fairly rigid
291
00:14:33,439 --> 00:14:38,109
and vigorous set of criteria
for us evaluating the
292
00:14:38,110 --> 00:14:40,810
intelligence that we
receive about ISIL,
293
00:14:40,813 --> 00:14:44,783
where it might be operating,
where al Qaeda is operating.
294
00:14:44,783 --> 00:14:48,253
These guidelines involve
a whole range of agencies
295
00:14:48,254 --> 00:14:53,264
consulting extensively,
and are then checked,
296
00:14:55,961 --> 00:14:58,931
double-checked,
triple-checked before
297
00:14:58,931 --> 00:15:00,061
kinetic actions are taken.
298
00:15:01,467 --> 00:15:08,207
And for the most part, our
actions are directed at
299
00:15:08,207 --> 00:15:11,547
high-value targets in the
countries that you just
300
00:15:11,543 --> 00:15:17,483
described, outside of the
theater of Iraq and Syria.
301
00:15:17,483 --> 00:15:22,023
In some cases, what we're
seeing are camps that after
302
00:15:22,021 --> 00:15:27,891
long periods of monitoring
becomes clear are involved
303
00:15:27,893 --> 00:15:34,203
in in directing plots that
could do the United States
304
00:15:34,199 --> 00:15:38,669
harm, or are supporting ISIL
activities or al Qaeda
305
00:15:38,671 --> 00:15:41,941
activities elsewhere
in the world.
306
00:15:41,940 --> 00:15:45,240
So, if after a long
period of observation,
307
00:15:45,244 --> 00:15:49,884
we are seeing that, in fact,
explosive materials are
308
00:15:49,882 --> 00:15:54,082
being loaded onto trucks,
and individuals are engaging
309
00:15:54,086 --> 00:15:59,096
in training in small arms,
and there are some of those
310
00:16:01,527 --> 00:16:04,367
individuals who are
identified as couriers for
311
00:16:04,363 --> 00:16:08,803
ISIL or al Qaeda then,
based on those evaluations,
312
00:16:08,801 --> 00:16:13,101
a strike will be taken.
313
00:16:13,105 --> 00:16:17,605
But what we have been very
cautious about is making
314
00:16:17,609 --> 00:16:22,879
sure that we are not taking
strikes in situations where,
315
00:16:22,881 --> 00:16:25,351
for example, we think there
is the presence of women or
316
00:16:25,351 --> 00:16:29,251
children, or if it is in a
normally populated area.
317
00:16:29,254 --> 00:16:34,264
And recently we laid out
the criteria by which we're
318
00:16:37,296 --> 00:16:38,526
making these decisions.
319
00:16:38,530 --> 00:16:42,370
We declassified many
elements of this.
320
00:16:42,368 --> 00:16:45,968
We are going to be putting
forward and trying to
321
00:16:45,971 --> 00:16:50,311
institutionalize on a
regular basis how we make
322
00:16:50,309 --> 00:16:52,309
these evaluations
and these analyses.
323
00:16:53,412 --> 00:16:57,612
I think, in terms of the
broader debate that's taking
324
00:16:57,616 --> 00:17:02,326
place, David, I think
there's been in the past
325
00:17:02,321 --> 00:17:08,991
legitimate criticism that
the architecture,
326
00:17:08,994 --> 00:17:13,164
the legal architecture
around the use of drone
327
00:17:13,165 --> 00:17:16,865
strikes or other kinetic
strikes wasn't as precise
328
00:17:16,869 --> 00:17:20,039
as it should have been,
and there's no doubt that
329
00:17:20,038 --> 00:17:23,408
civilians were killed
that shouldn't have been.
330
00:17:23,409 --> 00:17:26,949
I think that over the
last several years,
331
00:17:26,945 --> 00:17:32,685
we have worked very hard
to avoid and prevent those
332
00:17:32,684 --> 00:17:35,954
kinds of tragedies
from taking place.
333
00:17:35,954 --> 00:17:40,964
In situations of war, we
have to take responsibility
334
00:17:45,898 --> 00:17:49,138
when we're not acting
appropriately,
335
00:17:49,134 --> 00:17:51,404
or where we've just made
mistakes even with the best
336
00:17:51,403 --> 00:17:52,743
of intentions.
337
00:17:52,738 --> 00:17:54,738
And that's what we're going
to continue to try to do.
338
00:17:54,740 --> 00:18:00,680
And what I can say with
great confidence is that our
339
00:18:00,679 --> 00:18:03,949
operating procedures are as
rigorous as they have ever
340
00:18:03,949 --> 00:18:08,689
been and that there is a
constant evaluation of
341
00:18:08,687 --> 00:18:11,557
precisely what we do.
342
00:18:11,557 --> 00:18:12,557
Carol Lee.
343
00:18:12,558 --> 00:18:15,858
The Press: Thank you,
Mr. President.
344
00:18:15,861 --> 00:18:19,761
You've spent seven years now
working on nonproliferation
345
00:18:19,765 --> 00:18:22,035
issues, and you said in your
opening remarks that you
346
00:18:22,034 --> 00:18:24,904
hope that future
administrations do the same
347
00:18:24,903 --> 00:18:26,773
and make it a priority.
348
00:18:26,772 --> 00:18:31,842
This week, the Republican
frontrunner to replace you
349
00:18:31,844 --> 00:18:37,584
said that perhaps South
Korea and Japan should have
350
00:18:37,583 --> 00:18:40,723
nuclear weapons, and
wouldn't rule out using
351
00:18:40,719 --> 00:18:41,989
nuclear weapons in Europe.
352
00:18:41,987 --> 00:18:44,157
Did that come up
at this summit?
353
00:18:44,156 --> 00:18:47,126
And just generally, what
message does it send when a
354
00:18:47,125 --> 00:18:50,065
major-party candidate
is articulating such
355
00:18:50,062 --> 00:18:51,662
a reversal in U.S.
356
00:18:51,663 --> 00:18:53,163
foreign policy?
357
00:18:53,165 --> 00:18:56,735
And also, who did you vote
for in the Democratic primary?
358
00:18:56,735 --> 00:18:58,135
(laughter)
359
00:18:59,838 --> 00:19:00,438
The President:
Well, first of all,
360
00:19:00,439 --> 00:19:02,139
it's a secret ballot,
isn't it, Carol?
361
00:19:02,140 --> 00:19:02,770
Okay.
362
00:19:02,774 --> 00:19:03,744
(laughter)
363
00:19:03,742 --> 00:19:07,312
No, I'm not going
to tell you now.
364
00:19:07,312 --> 00:19:10,112
What do the statements you
mentioned tell us?
365
00:19:10,115 --> 00:19:15,455
They tell us that the person
who made the statements
366
00:19:15,454 --> 00:19:18,024
doesn't know much
about foreign policy,
367
00:19:18,023 --> 00:19:22,193
or nuclear policy, or
the Korean Peninsula,
368
00:19:22,194 --> 00:19:23,894
or the world generally.
369
00:19:26,198 --> 00:19:27,668
It came up on the sidelines.
370
00:19:27,666 --> 00:19:31,166
I've said before that
people pay attention
371
00:19:31,169 --> 00:19:33,169
to American elections.
372
00:19:35,574 --> 00:19:37,574
What we do is really
important to the rest
373
00:19:37,576 --> 00:19:39,076
of the world.
374
00:19:39,077 --> 00:19:44,087
And even in those countries
that are used to a carnival
375
00:19:51,223 --> 00:19:55,723
atmosphere in their own
politics want sobriety and
376
00:19:57,863 --> 00:20:01,663
clarity when it comes
to U.S. elections because
377
00:20:01,667 --> 00:20:04,207
they understand the President
of the United States
378
00:20:04,202 --> 00:20:06,202
needs to know what's
going on around
379
00:20:06,204 --> 00:20:10,174
the world and has to put in
place the kinds of policies
380
00:20:10,175 --> 00:20:16,015
that lead not only to our
security and prosperity,
381
00:20:16,014 --> 00:20:19,554
but will have an impact on
everybody else's security
382
00:20:19,551 --> 00:20:20,551
and prosperity.
383
00:20:23,589 --> 00:20:30,299
Our alliance with Japan and
the Republic of Korea is one
384
00:20:30,295 --> 00:20:36,305
of the foundations, one of
the cornerstones of our
385
00:20:36,301 --> 00:20:38,301
presence in the Asia
Pacific region.
386
00:20:38,303 --> 00:20:42,173
It has underwritten the
peace and prosperity
387
00:20:42,174 --> 00:20:44,274
of that region.
388
00:20:44,276 --> 00:20:49,286
It has been an enormous
buoy to American commerce
389
00:20:52,684 --> 00:20:56,124
and America influence.
390
00:20:56,121 --> 00:21:01,531
And it has prevented the
possibilities of a nuclear
391
00:21:01,526 --> 00:21:05,126
escalation and conflict
between countries that,
392
00:21:05,130 --> 00:21:07,500
in the past and
throughout history,
393
00:21:07,499 --> 00:21:14,239
have been engaged in
hugely destructive
394
00:21:14,239 --> 00:21:15,609
conflicts and
controversies.
395
00:21:15,607 --> 00:21:21,817
So you don't
mess with that.
396
00:21:21,813 --> 00:21:27,283
It is an investment that
rests on the sacrifices that
397
00:21:27,285 --> 00:21:31,185
our men and women made back
in World War II when they
398
00:21:31,189 --> 00:21:33,689
were fighting
throughout the Pacific.
399
00:21:33,692 --> 00:21:36,792
It is because of their
sacrifices and the wisdom
400
00:21:36,795 --> 00:21:43,465
that American foreign
policymakers showed after
401
00:21:43,468 --> 00:21:47,038
World War II that we've
been able to avoid
402
00:21:47,039 --> 00:21:48,739
catastrophe in
those regions.
403
00:21:48,740 --> 00:21:54,280
And we don't want somebody
in the Oval Office who
404
00:21:54,279 --> 00:21:56,849
doesn't recognize how
important that is.
405
00:21:59,317 --> 00:22:00,317
Andrew Beatty.
406
00:22:00,318 --> 00:22:03,158
The Press: Thank you,
Mr. President.
407
00:22:03,155 --> 00:22:05,825
Yesterday you met with
President Erdogan of Turkey
408
00:22:05,824 --> 00:22:08,494
hours after some
fairly ugly scenes
409
00:22:08,493 --> 00:22:09,633
at the Brookings
Institution.
410
00:22:09,628 --> 00:22:12,328
I was wondering, do
you consider him an
411
00:22:12,330 --> 00:22:13,330
authoritarian?
412
00:22:13,331 --> 00:22:17,941
The President: Turkey
is a NATO ally.
413
00:22:17,936 --> 00:22:20,976
It is an extraordinarily
important partner
414
00:22:20,972 --> 00:22:22,372
in our fight
against ISIL.
415
00:22:22,374 --> 00:22:27,344
It is a country with whom we
have a long and strategic
416
00:22:31,583 --> 00:22:32,823
relationship with.
417
00:22:32,818 --> 00:22:36,118
And President Erdogan is
someone who I've dealt with
418
00:22:36,121 --> 00:22:39,591
since I came into office,
and in a whole range of
419
00:22:39,591 --> 00:22:44,601
areas, we've had a
productive partnership.
420
00:22:45,363 --> 00:22:47,763
What is also true, and I
have expressed this to him
421
00:22:47,766 --> 00:22:52,776
directly, so it's no secret
that there are some trends
422
00:22:56,975 --> 00:23:00,415
within Turkey that I've
been troubled with.
423
00:23:00,412 --> 00:23:05,182
I am a strong believer
in freedom of the press.
424
00:23:05,183 --> 00:23:07,253
I'm a strong believer
in freedom of religion.
425
00:23:07,252 --> 00:23:13,892
I'm a strong believer in
rule of law and democracy.
426
00:23:13,892 --> 00:23:20,062
And there is no doubt that
President Erdogan has
427
00:23:20,065 --> 00:23:22,465
repeatedly been elected
through a democratic
428
00:23:22,467 --> 00:23:27,607
process, but I think the
approach that they've been
429
00:23:27,606 --> 00:23:33,546
taking towards the press is
one that could lead Turkey
430
00:23:33,545 --> 00:23:37,885
down a path that would
be very troubling.
431
00:23:40,051 --> 00:23:45,121
And we are going to continue
to advise them -- and I've
432
00:23:45,123 --> 00:23:49,023
said to President Erdogan,
remind him that he came into
433
00:23:49,027 --> 00:23:52,827
office with a promise
of democracy.
434
00:23:52,831 --> 00:23:59,741
And Turkey has historically
been a country in which deep
435
00:23:59,738 --> 00:24:04,748
Islamic faith has lived side
by side with modernity and
436
00:24:08,180 --> 00:24:10,680
an increasing openness.
437
00:24:10,682 --> 00:24:14,452
And that's the legacy
that he should pursue,
438
00:24:14,452 --> 00:24:18,522
rather than a strategy that
involves repression of
439
00:24:18,523 --> 00:24:23,533
information and shutting
down democratic debate.
440
00:24:25,931 --> 00:24:29,371
Having said that, I want
to emphasize the degree to
441
00:24:29,367 --> 00:24:32,607
which their cooperation has
been critical on a whole
442
00:24:32,604 --> 00:24:36,744
range of international
and regional issues,
443
00:24:36,741 --> 00:24:39,081
and will continue to be.
444
00:24:39,077 --> 00:24:44,487
And so as is true with a lot
of our friends and partners,
445
00:24:44,482 --> 00:24:48,592
we work with them, we
cooperate with them.
446
00:24:48,587 --> 00:24:53,057
We are appreciative
of their efforts.
447
00:24:53,058 --> 00:24:55,058
And there are going to
be some differences.
448
00:24:55,060 --> 00:25:00,630
And where there are
differences, we will say so.
449
00:25:00,632 --> 00:25:02,832
And that's what I've
tried to do here.
450
00:25:02,834 --> 00:25:04,834
I'll take one
last question.
451
00:25:07,472 --> 00:25:11,842
This young lady
right there.
452
00:25:11,843 --> 00:25:13,983
The Press: Thank
you, President.
453
00:25:13,979 --> 00:25:16,649
Mr. President, what
do you think --
454
00:25:16,648 --> 00:25:17,678
The President: Where are
you from, by the way?
455
00:25:17,682 --> 00:25:21,122
The Press: I am
from Azerbaijan.
456
00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:30,399
How can Azerbaijan support
in nuclear security issue?
457
00:25:30,395 --> 00:25:32,235
The President:
Well, Azerbaijan,
458
00:25:32,230 --> 00:25:35,470
like many countries
that participated,
459
00:25:35,467 --> 00:25:38,307
have already taken
a number of steps.
460
00:25:38,303 --> 00:25:40,303
And each country
has put forward a
461
00:25:40,305 --> 00:25:42,305
national action plan.
462
00:25:42,307 --> 00:25:46,207
There are some countries
that had stockpiles of
463
00:25:46,211 --> 00:25:49,711
highly enriched uranium that
they agreed to get rid of.
464
00:25:49,714 --> 00:25:52,714
There are other countries
that have civilian nuclear
465
00:25:52,717 --> 00:25:55,917
facilities but don't
necessarily have the best
466
00:25:55,921 --> 00:25:58,861
security practices, and so
they have adopted better
467
00:25:58,857 --> 00:26:01,197
security practices.
468
00:26:01,192 --> 00:26:05,092
There are countries that
could potentially be transit
469
00:26:05,096 --> 00:26:10,036
points for the smuggling
of nuclear materials,
470
00:26:10,035 --> 00:26:13,275
and so they've worked
with us on border
471
00:26:13,271 --> 00:26:14,471
controls and detection.
472
00:26:14,472 --> 00:26:19,012
And because of
Azerbaijan's location,
473
00:26:19,010 --> 00:26:25,450
it's a critical partner
in this process.
474
00:26:25,450 --> 00:26:28,350
I should point
out, by the way,
475
00:26:28,353 --> 00:26:33,793
that although the focus of
these summits has been on
476
00:26:33,792 --> 00:26:36,392
securing nuclear materials
and making sure they don't
477
00:26:36,394 --> 00:26:38,664
fall into the hands
of terrorists,
478
00:26:38,663 --> 00:26:41,103
the relationships, the
information-sharing,
479
00:26:43,668 --> 00:26:50,078
the stitching together of
domestic law enforcement,
480
00:26:50,075 --> 00:26:54,545
international law
enforcement, intelligence,
481
00:26:54,546 --> 00:26:58,886
military agencies, both
within countries and between
482
00:26:58,883 --> 00:27:03,653
countries -- this set
of relationships
483
00:27:03,655 --> 00:27:08,495
internationally will be
useful not just for nuclear
484
00:27:08,493 --> 00:27:11,163
material, but it is
useful in preventing
485
00:27:11,162 --> 00:27:12,662
terrorism generally.
486
00:27:12,664 --> 00:27:19,004
It's useful in identifying
threats of chemical weapons
487
00:27:19,004 --> 00:27:22,444
or biological weapons.
488
00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:29,410
One of the clear messages
coming out of this summit
489
00:27:29,414 --> 00:27:32,914
and our experiences over
the last seven years is an
490
00:27:32,917 --> 00:27:35,687
increasing awareness that
some of the most important
491
00:27:35,687 --> 00:27:39,057
threats that we face are
transnational threats.
492
00:27:39,057 --> 00:27:43,227
And so we are slowly
developing a web of
493
00:27:43,228 --> 00:27:47,198
relationships around the
world that allow us to
494
00:27:47,198 --> 00:27:52,208
match and keep up with the
transnational organizations
495
00:27:52,203 --> 00:27:55,503
that all too often are
involved in terrorist
496
00:27:55,507 --> 00:27:58,947
activity, criminal activity,
human trafficking,
497
00:27:58,943 --> 00:28:03,913
a whole range of issues
that can ultimately
498
00:28:05,917 --> 00:28:08,887
do our citizens harms.
499
00:28:08,887 --> 00:28:12,527
And seeing the strengthening
of these institutions I
500
00:28:12,524 --> 00:28:15,094
think will be one of the
most important legacies
501
00:28:15,093 --> 00:28:16,893
of this entire process.
502
00:28:16,895 --> 00:28:18,895
Mark Landler, since
you had your hand up,
503
00:28:18,897 --> 00:28:19,897
I'll call on you.
504
00:28:19,898 --> 00:28:20,898
One last question.
505
00:28:20,899 --> 00:28:22,899
The Press: Thank
you, Mr. President.
506
00:28:22,901 --> 00:28:25,771
I wanted to ask a question
about nuclear policy.
507
00:28:25,770 --> 00:28:29,210
Through these past seven
years when you've pushed
508
00:28:29,207 --> 00:28:32,947
to rid the world of nuclear
materials and fissile
509
00:28:32,944 --> 00:28:36,484
material, the U.S. nuclear
industry has actually
510
00:28:36,481 --> 00:28:40,481
worked to improve miniaturization of warheads.
511
00:28:40,485 --> 00:28:43,325
And while it has not
developed new classes of
512
00:28:43,321 --> 00:28:45,321
cruise missiles or warheads,
it's worked to improve
513
00:28:45,323 --> 00:28:46,323
the technology.
514
00:28:46,324 --> 00:28:49,364
And that's prompted some in
China and Russia to say,
515
00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:51,500
well, gee, we
need to keep up.
516
00:28:51,496 --> 00:28:54,166
Are you concerned that the
technological advances in
517
00:28:54,165 --> 00:28:57,005
the United States have had
the effect of sort of
518
00:28:57,001 --> 00:28:59,971
undermining some of the
progress you've made on
519
00:28:59,971 --> 00:29:01,171
the prevention side?
520
00:29:01,172 --> 00:29:03,772
The President: I think it's
a legitimate question,
521
00:29:03,775 --> 00:29:06,015
and I am concerned.
522
00:29:06,010 --> 00:29:08,380
Here's the balance that
we've had to strike.
523
00:29:12,050 --> 00:29:15,290
We have a nuclear stockpile
that we have to make sure
524
00:29:15,286 --> 00:29:17,286
is safe and make
sure is reliable.
525
00:29:17,288 --> 00:29:19,728
And after the START II
Treaty that we entered into
526
00:29:19,724 --> 00:29:24,734
with Russia, we have brought
down significantly the
527
00:29:30,935 --> 00:29:35,275
number of weapons
that are active.
528
00:29:35,273 --> 00:29:39,743
But we also have to make
sure that they're up to
529
00:29:39,744 --> 00:29:45,884
date; that their command and
control systems that might
530
00:29:45,884 --> 00:29:50,954
have been developed a
while ago are up to snuff,
531
00:29:50,955 --> 00:29:53,795
given all the technology
that has changed
532
00:29:53,791 --> 00:29:57,361
since that time.
533
00:29:57,362 --> 00:30:00,962
And we have to make sure
that our deterrence
534
00:30:00,965 --> 00:30:02,035
continues to work.
535
00:30:03,168 --> 00:30:07,868
And so even as we've brought
down the number of weapons
536
00:30:07,872 --> 00:30:13,482
that we have, I've wanted to
make sure that what we do
537
00:30:13,478 --> 00:30:19,148
retain functions -- that it
is not subject to a cyber
538
00:30:19,150 --> 00:30:25,320
intrusion; that there's
sufficient confidence in the
539
00:30:25,323 --> 00:30:28,993
system that we don't create
destabilizing activity.
540
00:30:30,328 --> 00:30:36,698
My preference would be to
bring down further our
541
00:30:36,701 --> 00:30:38,241
nuclear arsenal.
542
00:30:38,236 --> 00:30:41,706
And after we
completed START II,
543
00:30:41,706 --> 00:30:45,246
I approached the Russians --
our team approached the
544
00:30:45,243 --> 00:30:48,143
Russians in terms of
looking at a next phase
545
00:30:48,146 --> 00:30:52,086
for arms reductions.
546
00:30:52,083 --> 00:30:55,753
Because Mr. Putin
came into power,
547
00:30:55,753 --> 00:31:01,023
or returned to his
office as President,
548
00:31:01,025 --> 00:31:06,035
and because of the vision
that he's been pursuing of
549
00:31:08,633 --> 00:31:13,133
emphasizing military might
over development inside of
550
00:31:13,137 --> 00:31:15,837
Russia and diversifying
the economy,
551
00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:19,140
we have not seen the kind of
progress that I would have
552
00:31:19,143 --> 00:31:20,713
hoped for with Russia.
553
00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:26,280
The good news is that
the possibilities
554
00:31:26,284 --> 00:31:29,384
of progress remain.
555
00:31:29,387 --> 00:31:32,057
We are abiding by START II.
556
00:31:32,056 --> 00:31:35,226
We're seeing implementation.
557
00:31:35,226 --> 00:31:39,866
And although we are not
likely to see further
558
00:31:39,864 --> 00:31:43,134
reductions during my
presidency, my hope is,
559
00:31:43,134 --> 00:31:48,404
is that we have built the
mechanisms and systems of
560
00:31:48,406 --> 00:31:51,546
verification and so forth
that will allow us to
561
00:31:51,542 --> 00:31:53,542
continue to reduce
them in the future.
562
00:31:53,645 --> 00:31:59,315
We do have to guard
against, in the interim,
563
00:31:59,317 --> 00:32:04,327
ramping up new and more
deadly and more effective
564
00:32:06,691 --> 00:32:10,731
systems that end up leading
to a whole new escalation
565
00:32:10,728 --> 00:32:11,728
of the arms race.
566
00:32:11,729 --> 00:32:14,869
And in our
modernization plan,
567
00:32:14,866 --> 00:32:17,066
I've tried to strike
the proper balance,
568
00:32:17,068 --> 00:32:21,508
making sure that the triad
and our systems work
569
00:32:21,506 --> 00:32:24,306
properly, that
they're effective,
570
00:32:24,309 --> 00:32:27,609
but also to make sure that
we are leaving the door open
571
00:32:27,612 --> 00:32:31,682
to further reductions
in the future.
572
00:32:33,584 --> 00:32:35,924
But one of the challenges
that we're going to have
573
00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:40,930
here is that it is very
difficult to see huge
574
00:32:42,927 --> 00:32:46,067
reductions in our nuclear
arsenal unless the United
575
00:32:46,064 --> 00:32:48,864
States and Russia, as the
two largest possessors of
576
00:32:48,866 --> 00:32:52,736
nuclear weapons, are
prepared to lead the way.
577
00:32:54,906 --> 00:32:58,176
The other area where I think
we'd need to see progress is
578
00:32:58,176 --> 00:33:01,416
Pakistan and India,
that subcontinent,
579
00:33:01,412 --> 00:33:05,952
making sure that as they
develop military doctrines,
580
00:33:05,950 --> 00:33:09,190
that they are not
continually moving
581
00:33:09,187 --> 00:33:10,187
in the wrong direction.
582
00:33:11,155 --> 00:33:14,025
And we have to take a look
at the Korean Peninsula,
583
00:33:14,025 --> 00:33:17,365
because the DPRK,
North Korea,
584
00:33:17,362 --> 00:33:23,332
is in a whole different
category and poses the most
585
00:33:23,334 --> 00:33:26,334
immediate set of
concerns for all of us,
586
00:33:26,337 --> 00:33:31,347
one that we are working
internationally to focus on.
587
00:33:31,342 --> 00:33:33,342
And that's one of the
reasons why we had the
588
00:33:33,344 --> 00:33:36,014
trilateral meeting with
Japan and Korea,
589
00:33:36,013 --> 00:33:38,013
and it was a major topic
of discussion with
590
00:33:38,015 --> 00:33:39,015
President Xi, as well.
591
00:33:40,551 --> 00:33:41,791
Thank you very much,
everybody.
592
00:33:41,786 --> 00:33:42,786
Have a good weekend.
