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Prime Minister Rutte:
Good afternoon.
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Making the world safer
by preventing nuclear
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terrorism -- that was
President Obama's goal
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when he made nuclear
security an international
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priority in
Prague in 2009.
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We have taken a big
step in The Hague.
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I'm proud to present our
The Hague Nuclear Summit
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CommuniquĂŠ to you today.
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Building on the progress
we made earlier
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in Washington and Seoul, this
communiquĂŠ
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sets the bar even higher.
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We have taken major steps
towards meeting
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all three main objectives of
the NSS process.
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I'll say a few words
about each of them.
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The first objective is
to reduce the amount
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of dangerous nuclear
material in the world.
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The less dangerous nuclear
material there
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is and the better the nuclear
security, the smaller the
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chance that terrorists
will be able
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to get hold of it.
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It's that simple.
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That's why I am pleased
that the 53 countries
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and four international
organizations here have
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confirmed that commitment
to continue
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reducing stocks of dangerous
nuclear material --
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highly enriched uranium
and plutonium.
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A number of countries have
announced their intention
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to hand over their highly
enriched uranium
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to the U.S., where it
will be downgraded.
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As chair of this summit,
I naturally
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welcome this announcement.
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We are also making
progress on the second
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objective, improving the
security of nuclear
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and other radioactive
material.
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We have affirmed our
ambition to improve the
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security of materials
that can be used to make
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nuclear weapons and the
security of radiological
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sources that terrorists
could use
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to make dirty bombs.
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The commitment of the NSS
became more concrete
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in this matter.
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The skill of panic and
fear a dirty bomb
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would cause doesn't bear
thinking about,
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not to mention the possible
disruption to society.
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So I'm especially pleased
that we are widening
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the scope of the NSS process
to include this area.
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Furthermore, the NSS
countries have
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encouraged implementation of the
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IAEA nuclear security guidelines.
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A significant number of us
have decided to take
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this commitment even further.
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As chair of this summit,
I'm delighted
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to announce that two-thirds of
the NSS countries,
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on the initiative of the United
States, Korea
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and the Netherlands, have
pledged to incorporate these
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important IAEA
recommendations
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into their national legislation.
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This sends a very good
message
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and represents tangible progress.
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I can't stress enough
how important this is.
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And, fortunately, the
group of countries
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supporting this
initiative is growing.
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Our ultimate goal is,
of course, for all NSS
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countries to follow this
lead and set
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an example for other countries.
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I'm also pleased with the
growing awareness
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among NSS countries of the
importance of nuclear
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forensics, because if
nuclear material
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is misused or smuggled, it's
important to be able
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to determine the origin of
the material
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and trace the smugglers.
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The Netherlands Forensic
Institute is playing
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a prominent role and I
expect it will produce
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a lot of good work in this
field in the coming years.
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The third main objective
of the summit
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is to enhance international
cooperation.
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A substantial part of the
communiquĂŠ addresses
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this and we are making
good progress.
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The closing statement lays
the basis
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for an efficient and sustainable
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international security architecture.
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For the first time, there
will be a complete
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and coherent overview of the
international nuclear
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security architecture with
the IAEA taking the lead.
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There is still a lot of
work to be done
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in this area, too.
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I expect that we will be
able to finish
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off the details at the summit
in 2016 in the U.S.
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The final point I'd
like to address
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is the importance of improving
the working relationship
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between government and
the nuclear industry.
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This is an issue that is
very important
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to the Netherlands.
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We need industry with
us if we are
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to develop effective security
measures
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that don't cause needless harm
to the economy.
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That's why I applause the
worldwide nuclear sector
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for meeting the last few
days in Amsterdam
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to discuss this subject.
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Cooperation is now
very much on track.
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I don't want to close this
summit without expressing
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my admiration for the
thousands of people
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who made it possible -- your
organizers,
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the security staff who made sure
the summit proceeded safely
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and went off without a
hitch, the people
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who managed the traffic --
there are simply
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too many to mention.
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I know how hard everyone
worked, and I want
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to thank them all for their
dedication and effort.
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And I want to thank the
people
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of the Netherlands for their
patience and understanding.
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We have seen the
Netherlands at its best.
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I am proud of that.
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I conclude -- two days
ago, I used a football
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metaphor when I said
that the ball
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was on the penalty spot.
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As chair of this edition
of the NSS,
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I'm delighted that the NSS
countries and organizations have
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scored a goal and that we have
taken another step towards
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making the world safer.
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But we are not there yet.
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The NSS process will
continue and in two years
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we'll meet again to raise
the bar even higher
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in all our interests.
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The summit in 2016 will
be chaired by the man
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who initiated the NSS
process, President Obama.
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So now, Barack, I'm
pleased
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to give the floor to you.
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President Obama:
Thank you so much.
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Prime Minister Rutte, we
could not be more grateful
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for your leadership in
this entire process
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and so thank you so much.
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With your indulgence,
before I speak a little
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bit about this summit, I'd
like to say
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a few words about a tragedy that
recently took place back
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in the United States.
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Over the weekend, a
massive landslide swept
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through a tiny town called
Oso in Washington State.
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And while I won't get
ahead of the ongoing
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response and rescue
operations, we know that
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part of this tightly-knit
community has been lost.
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First responders have
acted bravely, despite
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still-dangerous
conditions.
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The American Red Cross has
opened multiple shelters.
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And the people of
Washington State have been
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quick to help and comfort
their fellow citizens.
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I just spoke to Governor
Inslee, who swiftly
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declared a state
of emergency.
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I signed that emergency
declaration to make sure
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he's got all the
resources that he needs.
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My administration is in
contact with them on an
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ongoing basis.
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FEMA and the Army Corps of
Engineers have also been
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on site to offer their
assistance and expertise.
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So I would just ask all
Americans to send their
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thoughts and prayers to
Washington State
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and the community of Oso, and
the families and friends
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of those who continue
to be missing.
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We hope for the best, but
we recognize
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this is a tough situation.
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Now, as for our work here
in the The Hague, I want
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to just repeat the
extraordinary work that
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Mark has done in helping
to organize this.
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King Willem-Alexander
and to the people
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of the Netherlands, your
hospitality has been
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remarkable, your
organization
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has been flawless.
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To all the people who were
involved in putting this
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together, including those
who were putting up with
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the traffic that I caused,
I want to say thank you.
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I'm told there's a Dutch
word that captures
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this spirit, which doesn't
translate
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exactly into English.
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But let me say that
my first visit
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to the Netherlands has
been truly gezellig.
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(Laughter.)
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I convened the first
Nuclear Security Summit
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in Washington four years ago
because I believed
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that we need a serious and
sustained global effort
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to deal with one of the
greatest threats
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to international security --
and that's the
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specter of nuclear terrorism.
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We made further progress
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at our second summit in Seoul.
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And under your Prime
Minister's stewardship,
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we've built on that
progress here.
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In keeping with the spirit
of these summits,
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this was not about vague
commitments;
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it was about taking tangible and
concrete steps to secure
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more of the world's
nuclear material
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so it never falls into the
hands of terrorists.
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And that's what
we've done.
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In particular, I want to
commend Belgium and Italy
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for completing the removal
of their excess supplies
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of highly enriched uranium
and plutonium so that
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those supplies
can be eliminated.
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In a major commitment,
Japan announced
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that it will work with the
United States to eliminate
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hundreds of kilograms of
weapons -- usable nuclear
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material from one of their
experimental reactors.
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That's enough for a dozen
--
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for dozens of nuclear weapons.
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Dozens of other nations
have agreed to take
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specific steps towards
improving nuclear security
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in their own countries
and to support
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our global efforts.
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Some have pledged to
convert their research
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reactors to low-enriched
uranium, which cannot
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be used to make a bomb.
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We've set new goals for
implementing our nuclear
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security measures,
including sharing more
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information to show that
we're all living
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up to our commitments.
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I've made it clear that
the United States will
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continue to do
our part as well.
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Our nuclear regulator will
develop new guidelines
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to strengthen cybersecurity
at our nuclear power plants.
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And we've pledged to
pursue the production
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of a key medical isotope used
to treat illnesses like
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cancer without relying on
weapons-usable material.
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We're also going to work
with our partners around
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the world to install
more radiation detection
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equipment at ports and
transit sites in order
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to combat nuclear smuggling.
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And all of this builds
on our previous efforts.
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Twelve countries and two
dozen nuclear facilities
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around the world have now
rid themselves entirely
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of highly enriched
uranium and plutonium.
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Dozens of nations have
boosted security
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at their nuclear storage sites,
or built their own
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counter-smuggling teams,
or created new centers
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to improve nuclear
security and training.
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The International Atomic
Energy Agency,
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or the IAEA, is now stronger
and more countries have
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ratified the treaties and
international
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partnerships at the heart
of our efforts.
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So we've seen a
fundamental shift in our
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approach to
nuclear security.
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But as Mark indicated, we
still have a lot more work
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to do to fulfill the
ambitious goals
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we set four years ago to fully
secure all nuclear and
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radiological material,
civilian and military,
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so that it can no longer
pose a risk
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to any of our citizens.
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I believe this is
essential to the security
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of the entire world, and
given the catastrophic
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consequences of even a
single attack,
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we cannot be complacent.
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I'll close by reminding
everyone that
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one of the achievements of our
first summit in 2010
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was Ukraine's decision to
remove all its highly
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enriched uranium from
its nuclear fuel sites.
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Had that not happened,
those dangerous
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nuclear materials would still
be there now
255
00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,000
and the difficult situation
we're dealing with in Ukraine
256
00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:59,730
today would involve yet
another level of concern.
257
00:10:59,734 --> 00:11:02,404
So it's a vivid reminder
that the more of this
258
00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,030
material we can secure the
safer
259
00:11:05,033 --> 00:11:07,203
all of our countries will be.
260
00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:08,770
We've made progress.
261
00:11:08,767 --> 00:11:09,767
We've got more to do.
262
00:11:09,767 --> 00:11:11,597
We're going to continue
our work,
263
00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,800
and I look forward to
hosting the fourth
264
00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,070
Nuclear Security Summit in the
United States in two years.
265
00:11:16,066 --> 00:11:19,266
So thank you again, Mark,
and all your team
266
00:11:19,266 --> 00:11:20,536
as well as the people of the
Netherlands
267
00:11:20,533 --> 00:11:21,533
for this outstanding summit.
268
00:11:21,533 --> 00:11:27,533
The Press: Thank you,
Mr. President.
269
00:11:35,567 --> 00:11:37,567
You've been criticized
during this dispute with
270
00:11:37,567 --> 00:11:39,697
Russia as not
understanding President
271
00:11:39,700 --> 00:11:40,700
Putin's motivations.
272
00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:44,430
As recently as last month,
you and others in your
273
00:11:44,433 --> 00:11:46,803
administration said
you thought Putin was
274
00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,670
reflecting or pausing his
incursion into Crimea.
275
00:11:49,667 --> 00:11:51,397
Did you misread
Putin's intentions?
276
00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:54,170
And what do you think
his motivations are now?
277
00:11:54,166 --> 00:11:56,666
And if I could just
quickly ask on NSA, when
278
00:11:56,667 --> 00:11:59,337
you spoke about the NSA
review in January you said
279
00:11:59,333 --> 00:12:01,233
you weren't sold on the
option of having phone
280
00:12:01,233 --> 00:12:03,733
companies hold metadata
and you thought it raised
281
00:12:03,734 --> 00:12:05,504
additional
privacy concerns.
282
00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:07,700
What has changed for you
on that matter since that
283
00:12:07,700 --> 00:12:09,930
time, and do you think
Congress will pass the
284
00:12:09,934 --> 00:12:11,064
legislation
you're seeking?
285
00:12:11,066 --> 00:12:13,636
And, Mr. Prime Minister,
there are leaders
286
00:12:13,633 --> 00:12:16,563
in Europe who have concerns
about the sector sanction
287
00:12:16,567 --> 00:12:19,397
the President has proposed
on Russia's economy.
288
00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:22,270
Do you think any of those
leaders have had their
289
00:12:22,266 --> 00:12:23,896
concerns alleviated during
their talks
290
00:12:23,900 --> 00:12:26,230
with the President over
the past few days?
291
00:12:26,233 --> 00:12:27,233
Thank you.
292
00:12:27,233 --> 00:12:28,863
The President: All
right, let me see
293
00:12:28,867 --> 00:12:30,197
if I can remember all these.
294
00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:31,770
(Laughter.)
295
00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:32,970
Prime Minister Rutte: I
have only one question.
296
00:12:32,967 --> 00:12:33,167
(Laughter.)
297
00:12:34,066 --> 00:12:38,366
The President: With
respect to President
298
00:12:38,367 --> 00:12:39,797
Putin's motivation, I
think there's been
299
00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:40,930
a lot of speculation.
300
00:12:40,934 --> 00:12:43,664
I'm less interested in
motivation and more
301
00:12:43,667 --> 00:12:48,367
interested in the facts
and the principles
302
00:12:48,367 --> 00:12:52,367
that not only the United
States but the entire
303
00:12:52,367 --> 00:12:55,467
international community
are looking to uphold.
304
00:12:55,467 --> 00:13:00,397
I don't think that any of
us have been under
305
00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:05,800
any illusion that Russia has
been very interested
306
00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,300
in controlling what
happens to Ukraine.
307
00:13:08,300 --> 00:13:09,300
That's not new.
308
00:13:09,300 --> 00:13:12,500
That's been the
case for years now.
309
00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:13,800
That's been the case
dating back
310
00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:15,300
to the Orange Revolution.
311
00:13:18,033 --> 00:13:21,003
But what we have said
consistently throughout
312
00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:25,600
this process is that it is
up to the Ukrainian people
313
00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:29,000
to make their own
decisions about
314
00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:35,170
how they organize themselves and
who they interact with.
315
00:13:35,166 --> 00:13:38,736
And it's always been our
belief that Ukraine
316
00:13:38,734 --> 00:13:41,034
is going to have a
relationship to Russia --
317
00:13:41,033 --> 00:13:44,403
there is a strong historic
bond between
318
00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:48,270
the two countries -- but that
that does not justify Russia
319
00:13:48,266 --> 00:13:51,796
encroaching on Ukraine's
territorial
320
00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:52,970
integrity or sovereignty.
321
00:13:54,066 --> 00:13:56,036
That's exactly
what's happened.
322
00:13:56,033 --> 00:14:00,403
And I said very early on
that should Russia
323
00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,870
do so, there would be
consequences.
324
00:14:03,867 --> 00:14:06,337
And working with our
European partners
325
00:14:06,333 --> 00:14:08,833
and our international partners,
we have put in place
326
00:14:08,834 --> 00:14:12,764
sanctions that have
already had some impact
327
00:14:12,767 --> 00:14:14,337
on the Russian economy.
328
00:14:15,300 --> 00:14:21,230
Now, moving forward, we
have said -- and I want
329
00:14:21,233 --> 00:14:24,563
to be very clear about this
-- we're not recognizing
330
00:14:24,567 --> 00:14:25,797
what has happened
in Crimea.
331
00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:31,300
The notion that a
referendum sloppily
332
00:14:31,300 --> 00:14:34,600
organized over the course
of two weeks would
333
00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:38,530
somehow justify the breaking
off of Crimea
334
00:14:38,533 --> 00:14:40,903
and the annexation by Russia --
that somehow that would
335
00:14:40,900 --> 00:14:46,570
be a valid process I think
the overwhelming
336
00:14:46,567 --> 00:14:49,567
majority of the world rejects.
337
00:14:49,567 --> 00:14:51,367
But we are also concerned
about the
338
00:14:51,367 --> 00:14:54,397
further encroachment by
Russia into Ukraine.
339
00:14:54,433 --> 00:14:59,133
So what I announced and
what the European Council
340
00:14:59,133 --> 00:15:02,133
announced was that we were
consulting and putting
341
00:15:02,133 --> 00:15:04,663
in place the framework,
the architecture
342
00:15:04,667 --> 00:15:09,437
for additional sanctions,
additional costs should
343
00:15:09,433 --> 00:15:11,233
Russia take
this next step.
344
00:15:11,233 --> 00:15:14,503
What we also said, and
will continue to say,
345
00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:18,000
is that there is another
path available to Russia.
346
00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,300
The Ukrainian government
has said it is prepared
347
00:15:20,300 --> 00:15:26,470
to negotiate with Russia;
that it is prepared
348
00:15:26,467 --> 00:15:30,597
to recognize its
international obligations.
349
00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:32,300
And the international
community has been
350
00:15:32,300 --> 00:15:37,700
supportive of a diplomatic
process that would allow
351
00:15:37,700 --> 00:15:43,970
a de-escalation of tensions,
a moving back of Russian
352
00:15:43,967 --> 00:15:47,537
troops from Ukraine's
borders,
353
00:15:47,533 --> 00:15:53,603
and rapidly organized elections
that allow the Ukrainian people
354
00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:56,100
to choose their
leadership.
355
00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:58,400
And my expectation is,
is that if the Ukrainian
356
00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:01,700
people are allowed to make
their own decisions,
357
00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:04,000
their decision will be that
they want to have
358
00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,030
a relationship with Europe
and they want to have
359
00:16:06,033 --> 00:16:08,333
a relationship with Russia,
and that this
360
00:16:08,333 --> 00:16:09,503
is not a zero-sum game.
361
00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,330
And I think that Prime
Minister Yatsenyuk
362
00:16:15,333 --> 00:16:19,263
and the current government have
shown remarkable restraint
363
00:16:19,266 --> 00:16:22,666
and are prepared to go
down that diplomatic path.
364
00:16:22,667 --> 00:16:26,797
It is now up to Russia to
act responsibly
365
00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:31,670
and show itself to be once again
willing to abide
366
00:16:31,667 --> 00:16:34,597
by international rules and
international norms.
367
00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:36,770
And if it chooses to do
so, I think that
368
00:16:36,767 --> 00:16:38,767
there can be a better outcome.
369
00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,000
If it fails to do so,
370
00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,000
there will be additional costs.
371
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,500
And those will have some
disruption, in fact, to
372
00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:49,700
the global economy, but
they'll have the greatest
373
00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:51,530
impact on Russia.
374
00:16:51,533 --> 00:16:53,803
So I think that will be a
bad choice for President
375
00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:56,630
Putin to make, but
ultimately he's the
376
00:16:56,633 --> 00:16:58,963
President of Russia and
he's the one who's
377
00:16:58,967 --> 00:17:00,997
going to be making
that decision.
378
00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,330
He just has to understand
that there's
379
00:17:02,333 --> 00:17:08,333
a choice to be made here.
380
00:17:08,533 --> 00:17:10,563
With respect -- even
though this was directed
381
00:17:10,567 --> 00:17:12,597
at Mark, I just want to
address this issue
382
00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:15,270
of sectoral sanctions.
383
00:17:15,266 --> 00:17:16,766
So far what we've done
is we've put
384
00:17:16,767 --> 00:17:19,597
in place sanctions that impact
individuals,
385
00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:24,130
restricts visas being issued to
them,
386
00:17:24,133 --> 00:17:26,463
freezes their assets.
387
00:17:26,467 --> 00:17:29,237
We have identified one
bank in particular
388
00:17:29,233 --> 00:17:34,663
in Russia that was well known
to be the bank of choice
389
00:17:34,667 --> 00:17:40,397
for many of the persons
who support
390
00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:44,630
and facilitate Russian officials
from carrying
391
00:17:44,633 --> 00:17:46,263
out some of these activities.
392
00:17:46,266 --> 00:17:50,436
But what we've held off
on are more broad-based
393
00:17:50,433 --> 00:17:53,863
sanctions that would
impact entire sectors
394
00:17:53,867 --> 00:17:56,097
of the Russian economy.
395
00:17:56,133 --> 00:17:59,103
It has not just been my
suggestion but it has also
396
00:17:59,100 --> 00:18:01,930
been the European
Council's suggestion
397
00:18:01,934 --> 00:18:09,334
that should Russia go further,
such sectoral sanctions
398
00:18:09,333 --> 00:18:11,603
would be appropriate.
399
00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:14,330
And that would include
areas potentially like
400
00:18:14,333 --> 00:18:21,203
energy, or finance, or
arm sales, or trade
401
00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,000
that exists between Europe and
402
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,270
the United States and Russia.
403
00:18:26,300 --> 00:18:29,270
And what we're doing now
is, at a very technical
404
00:18:29,266 --> 00:18:31,466
level, examining the
impacts
405
00:18:31,467 --> 00:18:33,737
of each of these sanctions.
406
00:18:33,734 --> 00:18:38,434
Some particular sanctions
would hurt some countries
407
00:18:38,133 --> 00:18:44,133
up for a core principle that
lies at the heart
408
00:18:38,433 --> 00:18:39,733
more than others.
0:18:39.734,1193:02:47.295
But all of us recognize
that we have to stand
409
00:18:47,834 --> 00:18:53,934
of the international order and
that facilitated European
410
00:18:53,934 --> 00:18:57,264
union and the incredible
prosperity
411
00:18:57,266 --> 00:19:01,196
and peace that Europe has
enjoyed now for decades.
412
00:19:02,133 --> 00:19:05,363
And so, although it could
cause some disruptions
413
00:19:05,367 --> 00:19:08,337
to each of our economies or
certain industries,
414
00:19:08,333 --> 00:19:14,263
what I've been encouraged by
is the firmness and the
415
00:19:14,266 --> 00:19:17,436
willingness on the part of
all countries to look
416
00:19:17,433 --> 00:19:20,803
at ways in which they can
participate
417
00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:22,200
in this process.
418
00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,500
Our preference throughout
will be to resolve
419
00:19:24,500 --> 00:19:28,300
this diplomatically, but I
think we're prepared --
420
00:19:28,300 --> 00:19:31,230
as we've already shown -- to
take the next step
421
00:19:31,233 --> 00:19:33,403
if the situation gets worse.
422
00:19:35,967 --> 00:19:37,067
Finally, on Ukraine, I
think
423
00:19:37,066 --> 00:19:42,666
it's very important that
we spend as much effort on
424
00:19:42,667 --> 00:19:46,467
bolstering the economy inside of
Ukraine and making sure
425
00:19:46,467 --> 00:19:50,337
that the elections proceed in
an orderly fashion.
426
00:19:50,333 --> 00:19:54,003
And so my hope is that the
IMF is able to complete
427
00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,230
a package for Ukraine
rapidly to stabilize
428
00:19:57,233 --> 00:19:59,663
their finances and
their economy.
429
00:19:59,667 --> 00:20:01,297
The OSCE, other
international
430
00:20:01,300 --> 00:20:02,300
organizations, are sending
in observers
431
00:20:02,300 --> 00:20:08,770
and monitors and are providing
technical assistance
432
00:20:08,767 --> 00:20:09,967
to make sure that the
elections
433
00:20:09,967 --> 00:20:11,297
are free and fair.
434
00:20:11,300 --> 00:20:13,470
The sooner those elections
take place,
435
00:20:13,467 --> 00:20:15,767
the sooner the economy is
stabilized,
436
00:20:15,767 --> 00:20:20,367
the better positioned the Ukrainian people will
437
00:20:20,367 --> 00:20:22,967
be in terms of managing what
438
00:20:22,967 --> 00:20:25,497
is a very challenging situation.
439
00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:27,500
With respect to the NSA --
and I'll be just brief
440
00:20:27,500 --> 00:20:33,130
on this -- I said several
months ago that
441
00:20:33,133 --> 00:20:38,263
I was assigning our various
agencies in the IC --
442
00:20:38,266 --> 00:20:43,396
the intelligence community --
to bring me new options
443
00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:45,670
with respect to the
444
00:20:45,667 --> 00:20:47,467
telephone database program.
445
00:20:47,467 --> 00:20:49,437
They have presented me
now with an option that
446
00:20:49,433 --> 00:20:50,933
I think is workable.
447
00:20:50,934 --> 00:20:53,404
And it addresses the two
core concerns that people
448
00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,800
have -- number one, the
idea of government
449
00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:59,200
storing bulk data generally.
450
00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:01,630
This ensures that the
government
451
00:21:01,633 --> 00:21:04,103
is not in position of
that bulk data.
452
00:21:04,100 --> 00:21:06,470
I want to emphasize once
again that some
453
00:21:06,467 --> 00:21:12,067
of the dangers that people
hypothesized when
454
00:21:12,066 --> 00:21:16,636
it came to bulk data there were
clear safeguards against.
455
00:21:16,633 --> 00:21:18,163
But I recognize that
people were concerned
456
00:21:18,166 --> 00:21:20,936
about what might happen in
the future
457
00:21:20,934 --> 00:21:23,264
with that bulk data.
458
00:21:23,266 --> 00:21:25,036
This proposal that's been
presented
459
00:21:25,033 --> 00:21:27,603
to me would eliminate that concern.
460
00:21:28,367 --> 00:21:30,267
The second thing that
people were concerned
461
00:21:30,266 --> 00:21:33,666
about is making sure
that not only is a judge
462
00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:35,037
overseeing the overall
program,
463
00:21:35,033 --> 00:21:39,903
but also that a judge is looking
at each individual inquiry
464
00:21:39,900 --> 00:21:42,530
that's made into a database.
465
00:21:42,533 --> 00:21:47,163
And this new plan that's
been presented
466
00:21:47,166 --> 00:21:48,566
to me does that.
467
00:21:48,567 --> 00:21:51,767
So overall, I'm confident
that it allows
468
00:21:51,767 --> 00:21:56,397
us to do what is necessary in
order to deal with the dangers
469
00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:58,870
of a terrorist attack,
but does so in a way that
470
00:21:58,867 --> 00:22:00,497
addresses some of the
concerns
471
00:22:00,500 --> 00:22:02,470
that people have raised.
472
00:22:02,467 --> 00:22:04,997
And I'm looking forward to
working with Congress
473
00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:08,870
to make sure that we go ahead
and pass
474
00:22:08,867 --> 00:22:12,167
the enabling legislation quickly
so that we can get on with
475
00:22:12,166 --> 00:22:16,736
the business of effective
law enforcement.
476
00:22:17,867 --> 00:22:19,097
Prime Minister Rutte: On
Ukraine, let me make
477
00:22:19,100 --> 00:22:23,300
it absolutely clear that the
European Union and U.S.,
478
00:22:23,300 --> 00:22:26,630
and yesterday, we saw
alignment within the G7 --
479
00:22:26,633 --> 00:22:28,403
we are working very
closely together,
480
00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:35,830
and I can fully support all the
answers which
481
00:22:35,834 --> 00:22:38,604
you just gave on the question
you were asked.
482
00:22:39,233 --> 00:22:43,763
Maybe I can add one thing,
which is the fact that the
483
00:22:43,767 --> 00:22:48,367
Russian economy is
very much gas and oil
484
00:22:48,367 --> 00:22:51,097
dependent, and that means
that economic sanctions,
485
00:22:51,100 --> 00:22:53,800
if they will be necessary
-- and we are not there
486
00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,670
yet -- if economic
sanctions will
487
00:22:56,667 --> 00:23:01,537
be necessary because the
conflict would escalate
488
00:23:01,533 --> 00:23:04,633
to a next stage, if this were
to happen,
489
00:23:04,633 --> 00:23:07,603
these sanctions would hit Russia
very badly.
490
00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,000
And, obviously, you can
never guarantee
491
00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,800
that the people in Europe, in
Canada, in the U.S.
492
00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:15,300
would not be hurt.
493
00:23:15,300 --> 00:23:17,530
But obviously, we will
make sure that we will
494
00:23:17,533 --> 00:23:20,263
design these sanctions in
such a way that they
495
00:23:20,266 --> 00:23:23,396
will have maximum impact on the
Russian economy
496
00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,400
and not on the European, the
Canadian, the Japanese,
497
00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:28,470
or the American economy.
498
00:23:28,467 --> 00:23:29,767
That is our way.
499
00:23:29,767 --> 00:23:32,997
But we worked very closely
together and we see total
500
00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,000
alignment on this issue.
501
00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:40,000
The Press: President Obama, on
Ukraine, reportedly there
502
00:23:43,834 --> 00:23:46,134
are about 30,000 Russian
troops
503
00:23:46,133 --> 00:23:48,163
on the border with Ukraine.
504
00:23:48,166 --> 00:23:51,196
What guarantees can you
give to the people
505
00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:54,600
of Eastern Ukraine, to the
people in the Baltic
506
00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:57,430
States -- Moldova, other
countries --
507
00:23:57,433 --> 00:24:01,303
that they will not be next when
it comes to the Russian
508
00:24:01,300 --> 00:24:02,700
politics of annexation?
509
00:24:02,700 --> 00:24:06,770
And with regard to that
also, is this a done deal?
510
00:24:06,767 --> 00:24:11,097
Is there any doubt in
your mind that Putin will
511
00:24:11,100 --> 00:24:13,770
return Crimea to where it
belongs,
512
00:24:13,767 --> 00:24:15,337
according to the West?
513
00:24:15,333 --> 00:24:18,703
Or is this diplomatic show
of force basically just
514
00:24:18,700 --> 00:24:22,830
to prevent another land
grab somewhere else?
515
00:24:22,834 --> 00:24:26,804
The President: On the
second question first,
516
00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:30,670
on the issue of Crimea, it's
not a done deal
517
00:24:30,667 --> 00:24:32,337
in the sense that the
international community
518
00:24:32,333 --> 00:24:35,203
by and large is not
recognizing
519
00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:37,930
the annexation of Crimea.
520
00:24:37,934 --> 00:24:40,004
Obviously, the facts on
the ground
521
00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:43,270
are that the Russian military
controls Crimea.
522
00:24:43,266 --> 00:24:49,866
There are a number of
individuals inside
523
00:24:49,867 --> 00:24:52,197
of Crimea that are supportive
of that process.
524
00:24:54,266 --> 00:24:55,636
There's no expectation
that they will
525
00:24:55,633 --> 00:24:58,603
be dislodged by force.
526
00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:03,930
And so what we can bring
to bear are the
527
00:25:03,934 --> 00:25:06,504
legal arguments, the diplomatic
arguments, the political
528
00:25:06,500 --> 00:25:08,430
pressure, the economic
sanctions that are already
529
00:25:08,433 --> 00:25:11,363
in place to try to make
sure that there's
530
00:25:11,367 --> 00:25:12,767
a cost to that process.
531
00:25:12,767 --> 00:25:19,497
But I think it would be
dishonest to suggest that
532
00:25:19,500 --> 00:25:23,870
there's a simple solution
to resolving what
533
00:25:23,867 --> 00:25:27,097
has already taken
place in Crimea.
534
00:25:27,100 --> 00:25:31,130
Although, history has a
funny way of moving
535
00:25:31,133 --> 00:25:36,903
in twists and turns, and not
just in a straight line,
536
00:25:36,900 --> 00:25:41,600
so how the situation in
Crimea evolves
537
00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:44,230
in part depends on making sure
that the international
538
00:25:44,233 --> 00:25:49,363
community stays unified in
indicating that this
539
00:25:49,367 --> 00:25:54,467
was an illegal action on
the part of Russia.
540
00:25:54,467 --> 00:25:57,537
With respect to the
Russian troops that
541
00:25:57,533 --> 00:26:01,003
are along the border of
Ukraine at the moment,
542
00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:02,400
right now they are
on Russian soil.
543
00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:08,370
And if they stay on
Russian soil,
544
00:26:08,367 --> 00:26:15,737
we oppose what appears to be an
effort in intimidation,
545
00:26:15,734 --> 00:26:22,104
but Russia has a right
legally to have
546
00:26:22,100 --> 00:26:26,730
its troops on its own soil.
547
00:26:26,734 --> 00:26:28,464
I don't think it's a done
deal, and I think that
548
00:26:28,467 --> 00:26:30,697
Russia is still making a
series of calculations.
549
00:26:30,700 --> 00:26:34,600
And, again, those
calculations will
550
00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:38,070
be impacted in part by how
unified the United States
551
00:26:38,066 --> 00:26:41,036
and Europe are and the
international community
552
00:26:41,033 --> 00:26:44,603
is in saying to Russia that
this is not how
553
00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:47,330
in the 21st century we
resolve disputes.
554
00:26:47,333 --> 00:26:50,803
I think it's particularly
important for all
555
00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:56,970
of us to dismiss this notion
that somehow Russian speakers
556
00:26:56,967 --> 00:26:59,737
or Russian nationals
inside of Ukraine
557
00:26:59,734 --> 00:27:02,204
are threatened and that
somehow that
558
00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:05,130
would justify Russian action.
559
00:27:05,133 --> 00:27:11,733
There has been no evidence
that Russian speakers
560
00:27:11,734 --> 00:27:16,104
have been in any way
threatened.
561
00:27:16,100 --> 00:27:19,300
If anything, what we've
seen are provocateurs
562
00:27:19,300 --> 00:27:25,870
who have created scuffles
inside of Ukraine.
563
00:27:25,867 --> 00:27:29,337
But when I hear analogies,
for example,
564
00:27:29,333 --> 00:27:33,033
to Kosovo, where you had
thousands of people who were
565
00:27:33,033 --> 00:27:38,303
being slaughtered by their
government,
566
00:27:38,300 --> 00:27:41,000
it's a comparison that makes
absolutely no sense.
567
00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,470
And I think it's important
for everybody to be clear
568
00:27:44,467 --> 00:27:47,337
and strip away some of the
possible excuses
569
00:27:47,333 --> 00:27:49,033
for a potential Russian action.
570
00:27:49,934 --> 00:27:52,904
With respect to the
broader issue of states
571
00:27:52,900 --> 00:27:56,470
that are bordering Russia
and what assurances
572
00:27:56,467 --> 00:28:01,297
do they have about future
land grabs, as you put
573
00:28:01,300 --> 00:28:05,700
it, obviously some of those
countries
574
00:28:05,700 --> 00:28:06,770
are NATO countries.
575
00:28:06,767 --> 00:28:11,467
And as NATO allies,
we believe
576
00:28:11,467 --> 00:28:15,897
that the cornerstone of our
security is making sure
577
00:28:15,900 --> 00:28:17,770
that all of us, including
the United States,
578
00:28:17,767 --> 00:28:20,637
are abiding by Article 5 and
the notion
579
00:28:20,633 --> 00:28:22,833
of collective defense.
580
00:28:22,834 --> 00:28:29,304
And what we are now doing
is organizing even more
581
00:28:29,300 --> 00:28:33,870
intensively to make sure
that we have contingency
582
00:28:33,867 --> 00:28:36,797
plans, and that every one
of our NATO
583
00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:41,730
allies has assurances that we
will act in their defense
584
00:28:41,734 --> 00:28:42,964
against any threats.
585
00:28:42,967 --> 00:28:45,737
That's what NATO is all
about, and that's
586
00:28:45,734 --> 00:28:50,264
been the cornerstone of peace in
the transatlantic region
587
00:28:50,266 --> 00:28:52,936
now for several
generations.
588
00:28:52,934 --> 00:28:54,964
So we will uphold that.
589
00:28:54,967 --> 00:28:57,697
And there will be a series
of NATO consultations.
590
00:28:57,700 --> 00:29:00,070
A NATO ministerial is
going to be coming
591
00:29:00,066 --> 00:29:03,336
up in which we further develop
and deepen those plans.
592
00:29:03,333 --> 00:29:08,163
But I have not seen any
NATO members who have not
593
00:29:08,166 --> 00:29:11,836
expressed a firm
determination with respect
594
00:29:11,834 --> 00:29:12,834
to NATO members.
595
00:29:13,100 --> 00:29:17,230
Now, those countries --
border countries that
596
00:29:17,233 --> 00:29:21,363
are outside of NATO, what we
can do is what we're doing
597
00:29:21,367 --> 00:29:23,167
with Ukraine, which is
trying to make sure
598
00:29:23,166 --> 00:29:24,866
that there is sufficient
international pressure
599
00:29:25,567 --> 00:29:29,437
and a spotlight shined on the
situation in some of these
600
00:29:29,433 --> 00:29:31,463
countries, and that we're
also doing everything
601
00:29:31,467 --> 00:29:34,997
we can to bolster their
economies, make sure
602
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:38,500
that through various diplomatic
and economic
603
00:29:38,500 --> 00:29:41,130
initiatives that they feel
supported and that they know
604
00:29:41,133 --> 00:29:42,333
that we stand by them.
605
00:29:42,333 --> 00:29:46,063
But when it comes to
a potential military
606
00:29:46,066 --> 00:29:50,266
response, that is defined
by NATO membership;
607
00:29:50,266 --> 00:29:52,166
that's what NATO is about.
608
00:29:59,133 --> 00:29:59,933
The Press: Mr. President,
thank you.
609
00:29:59,934 --> 00:30:04,334
In China, in Syria, in
Egypt and now in Russia,
610
00:30:04,333 --> 00:30:06,963
we've seen you make strong
statements, issue warnings
611
00:30:06,967 --> 00:30:08,037
that have been ignored.
612
00:30:08,033 --> 00:30:11,103
Are you concerned that
America's influence
613
00:30:11,100 --> 00:30:13,030
in the world, your influence
in the world,
614
00:30:13,033 --> 00:30:14,433
is on the decline?
615
00:30:14,433 --> 00:30:17,033
And in the light of recent
developments,
616
00:30:17,033 --> 00:30:21,003
do you think Mitt Romney had a
point when he said that Russia
617
00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:24,270
is America's biggest
geopolitical foe?
618
00:30:24,266 --> 00:30:26,166
If not Russia, who?
619
00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:29,430
And, Mr. Prime Minister,
do you think these
620
00:30:29,433 --> 00:30:32,663
sanctions will change
Vladimir Putin's
621
00:30:32,667 --> 00:30:35,067
calculation or cause
him to back down?
622
00:30:35,066 --> 00:30:37,266
And do you see there's
a -- where do you
623
00:30:37,266 --> 00:30:40,766
see a Russian red line, where if
they go any further,
624
00:30:40,767 --> 00:30:43,437
if they go into Eastern
Ukraine, into Moldova,
625
00:30:43,433 --> 00:30:45,403
where options beyond
sanctions
626
00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:46,400
have to be considered?
627
00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:49,930
The President: Well, Jonathan, I think
628
00:30:49,934 --> 00:30:55,934
if the premise of the question
is that whenever the
629
00:30:58,934 --> 00:31:04,364
United States objects to an
action and other countries
630
00:31:04,367 --> 00:31:09,367
don't immediately do
exactly what we want,
631
00:31:09,367 --> 00:31:12,437
that that's been the norm, that
would pretty much erase
632
00:31:12,433 --> 00:31:14,633
most of the 20th
century history.
633
00:31:14,633 --> 00:31:17,903
I think that there's a
distinction between
634
00:31:17,900 --> 00:31:20,700
us being very clear about
what we think
635
00:31:20,700 --> 00:31:23,370
is an appropriate action,
what we stand for,
636
00:31:23,367 --> 00:31:27,967
what principles we believe in
versus what is I guess
637
00:31:27,967 --> 00:31:30,937
implied in the question
that we should engage
638
00:31:30,934 --> 00:31:31,934
in some sort of military
639
00:31:31,934 --> 00:31:34,964
action to prevent something.
640
00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:37,630
The truth of the matter
is, is that the world
641
00:31:37,633 --> 00:31:39,603
has always been messy.
642
00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:45,470
And what the United States
has consistently been able
643
00:31:45,467 --> 00:31:47,837
to do -- and we continue
to be able to do --
644
00:31:47,834 --> 00:31:50,364
is to mobilize the international
community around a set
645
00:31:50,367 --> 00:31:52,667
of principles and norms.
646
00:31:52,667 --> 00:31:57,367
And where our own
self-defense may not
647
00:31:57,367 --> 00:32:02,337
be involved, we may not act
militarily, that does not
648
00:32:02,333 --> 00:32:05,903
mean that we don't
steadily push against
649
00:32:05,900 --> 00:32:07,770
those forces that would
violate those
650
00:32:07,767 --> 00:32:10,837
principles and ideals that
we care about.
651
00:32:11,100 --> 00:32:16,470
So, yes, you're right, the
Syrian civil war is not
652
00:32:16,467 --> 00:32:18,797
solved -- and yet Syria
653
00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:20,470
has never been more isolated.
654
00:32:21,934 --> 00:32:27,164
With respect to the
situation in Ukraine,
655
00:32:27,166 --> 00:32:28,736
we have not gone to
war with Russia.
656
00:32:28,734 --> 00:32:32,164
I think there's a
significant precedent
657
00:32:32,166 --> 00:32:34,566
to that in the past.
658
00:32:34,567 --> 00:32:37,797
That does not mean that
Russia is not isolated.
659
00:32:37,800 --> 00:32:40,400
In fact, Russia is far
more isolated in this
660
00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:42,670
instance than it was five
years ago with respect
661
00:32:42,667 --> 00:32:45,997
to Georgia, and more isolated
than it was certainly
662
00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:48,400
during most of the 20th
century when
663
00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:50,800
it was part of the Soviet Union.
664
00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:54,230
The point is that there
are always going
665
00:32:54,233 --> 00:32:56,903
to be bad things that happen
around the world.
666
00:32:56,900 --> 00:32:59,900
And the United States is
the most powerful
667
00:32:59,900 --> 00:33:01,430
nation in the world.
668
00:33:01,433 --> 00:33:04,933
Understandably, it is
looked to for solutions
669
00:33:04,934 --> 00:33:05,934
to those problems.
670
00:33:05,934 --> 00:33:09,364
And what we have to make
sure we're doing is that
671
00:33:09,367 --> 00:33:13,967
we are putting all
elements of our power
672
00:33:13,967 --> 00:33:16,137
behind finding solutions,
working with our
673
00:33:16,133 --> 00:33:18,833
international partners,
standing up for those
674
00:33:18,834 --> 00:33:21,634
principles and ideals
in a clear way.
675
00:33:21,633 --> 00:33:25,733
There are going to be
moments where military
676
00:33:25,734 --> 00:33:26,804
action is appropriate.
677
00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:29,870
There are going to be some
times where that's
678
00:33:29,867 --> 00:33:32,067
not in the interests, national
security interests
679
00:33:32,066 --> 00:33:35,296
of the United States or of some
of our partners,
680
00:33:35,300 --> 00:33:36,870
but that doesn't mean that we're
not going to continue
681
00:33:36,867 --> 00:33:38,767
to make the effort or speak
clearly about what
682
00:33:38,767 --> 00:33:39,937
we think is right and wrong.
683
00:33:39,934 --> 00:33:40,934
And that's what
we've done.
684
00:33:41,867 --> 00:33:44,337
With respect to Mr.
Romney's assertion
685
00:33:44,333 --> 00:33:47,763
that Russia is our
number-one geopolitical
686
00:33:47,767 --> 00:33:52,367
foe, the truth of the
matter is that America
687
00:33:52,367 --> 00:33:55,337
has got a whole lot
of challenges.
688
00:33:55,333 --> 00:34:02,103
Russia is a region of
power that is threatening
689
00:34:02,100 --> 00:34:04,100
some of its immediate
neighbors
690
00:34:06,467 --> 00:34:10,537
not out of strength, but
out of weakness.
691
00:34:10,533 --> 00:34:13,203
Ukraine has been a country
in which Russia
692
00:34:13,200 --> 00:34:17,700
had enormous influence for
decades, since the breakup
693
00:34:17,700 --> 00:34:20,100
of the Soviet Union.
694
00:34:20,100 --> 00:34:23,470
And we have considerable
influence
695
00:34:23,467 --> 00:34:24,467
on our neighbors.
696
00:34:24,467 --> 00:34:26,737
We generally don't need to
invade them in order
697
00:34:26,734 --> 00:34:30,904
to have a strong, cooperative
relationship with them.
698
00:34:30,900 --> 00:34:33,670
The fact that Russia
felt compelled
699
00:34:33,667 --> 00:34:38,067
to go in militarily and lay bare
these violations
700
00:34:38,066 --> 00:34:41,966
of international law
indicates
701
00:34:41,967 --> 00:34:43,137
less influence, not more.
702
00:34:44,567 --> 00:34:49,567
And so my response to them
continues to be what
703
00:34:49,567 --> 00:34:53,297
I believe today, which is
Russia's actions
704
00:34:53,300 --> 00:34:54,570
are a problem.
705
00:34:54,567 --> 00:34:57,037
They don't pose the
number-one national
706
00:34:57,033 --> 00:34:59,933
security threat to
the United States.
707
00:34:59,934 --> 00:35:02,604
I continue to be much more
concerned when it comes
708
00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:07,900
to our security with the
prospect of a nuclear
709
00:35:07,900 --> 00:35:10,500
weapon going off in
Manhattan, which
710
00:35:10,500 --> 00:35:13,870
is part of the reason why
the United States,
711
00:35:13,867 --> 00:35:17,797
showing its continued
international leadership,
712
00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:21,430
has organized a forum over the
last several years that's been
713
00:35:21,433 --> 00:35:23,963
able to help eliminate
that threat
714
00:35:23,967 --> 00:35:25,497
in a consistent way.
715
00:35:25,500 --> 00:35:30,300
Prime Minister Rutte:
There is no geopolitical
716
00:35:30,300 --> 00:35:32,730
conflict which can be
solved without
717
00:35:32,734 --> 00:35:34,664
the United States.
718
00:35:34,667 --> 00:35:40,537
And therefore, I applaud
the fact that President
719
00:35:40,533 --> 00:35:44,463
Obama's administration is
active in every arena --
720
00:35:44,467 --> 00:35:48,837
Ukraine, Iran, Syria, the
Middle East peace process,
721
00:35:48,834 --> 00:35:50,604
and so many other parts
of the world -- and takes
722
00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:53,530
initiatives Secretary of
State Kerry is taking now
723
00:35:53,533 --> 00:35:55,433
in the Middle East
peace process.
724
00:35:55,433 --> 00:35:57,403
I was, in December, in the
region and I spoke with
725
00:35:57,400 --> 00:35:58,800
senior leaders both in
Israel
726
00:35:58,800 --> 00:36:01,870
and the Palestinian Territories.
727
00:36:01,867 --> 00:36:04,297
They are extremely
grateful for the fact that
728
00:36:04,300 --> 00:36:05,800
America is providing
that leadership.
729
00:36:05,800 --> 00:36:06,800
This is a difficult
issue;
730
00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:08,270
it can't be solved overnight.
731
00:36:08,266 --> 00:36:11,536
There is no magic wand
which can handle this.
732
00:36:11,533 --> 00:36:13,033
But progress
is being made.
733
00:36:13,033 --> 00:36:14,233
Take Iran.
734
00:36:14,233 --> 00:36:16,303
I spoke with President
Rouhani in Davos at the
735
00:36:16,300 --> 00:36:18,830
World Economic
Forum in January.
736
00:36:18,834 --> 00:36:19,904
We have now
interim accords.
737
00:36:19,900 --> 00:36:22,330
The fact that I was able
-- the first Dutch leader
738
00:36:22,333 --> 00:36:26,303
in over 30, 40 years who
spoke with an Iranian
739
00:36:26,300 --> 00:36:29,270
leader, President Rouhani
-- was possible because
740
00:36:29,266 --> 00:36:30,396
of the interim accords,
and
741
00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:32,730
it seems that it is holding.
742
00:36:32,734 --> 00:36:34,904
America provides
leadership there.
743
00:36:34,900 --> 00:36:37,270
So I really applaud
President Obama's
744
00:36:37,266 --> 00:36:39,296
role in all these major issues.
745
00:36:39,300 --> 00:36:41,970
And it is necessary
because the United States
746
00:36:41,967 --> 00:36:43,797
is leader of the free
world and needs to provide
747
00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:45,370
that leadership, and
he is doing that.
748
00:36:45,367 --> 00:36:47,967
Then, on your question
about President Putin,
749
00:36:47,967 --> 00:36:51,437
I cannot -- it would be
difficult to exactly judge
750
00:36:51,433 --> 00:36:52,903
what is happening in the
senior leadership
751
00:36:52,900 --> 00:36:55,000
in Moscow, in Russia,
at this moment.
752
00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:58,430
But as I said earlier,
a highly undiversified
753
00:36:58,433 --> 00:37:00,763
economy, like the Russian
economy,
754
00:37:00,767 --> 00:37:03,797
which is so much oil and
gas-dependent, which has not
755
00:37:03,800 --> 00:37:06,300
invested in infrastructure,
invested in other areas
756
00:37:06,300 --> 00:37:09,700
of its economy -- it will be
worried if there is a risk
757
00:37:09,700 --> 00:37:11,470
in the financial sector,
or in weapons,
758
00:37:11,467 --> 00:37:16,837
or in trade, or indeed
in energy.
759
00:37:16,834 --> 00:37:18,934
There could be potential
sanctions;
760
00:37:18,934 --> 00:37:19,934
it will hurt them.
761
00:37:19,934 --> 00:37:21,264
And as I said earlier, we
have to design them
762
00:37:21,266 --> 00:37:24,366
in such a way that they will
particularly hit Russia
763
00:37:24,367 --> 00:37:27,497
and not Europe, the
U.S., Canada or Japan.
764
00:37:27,500 --> 00:37:28,530
That is what we are
working
765
00:37:28,533 --> 00:37:29,703
on and we hope we won't need them.
766
00:37:30,633 --> 00:37:32,703
And then, on a red line,
I cannot envision this
767
00:37:32,700 --> 00:37:35,370
conflict ending up in
a military conflict.
768
00:37:35,367 --> 00:37:36,597
I don't think
that is likely.
769
00:37:36,600 --> 00:37:39,000
I don't think
anybody wants it.
770
00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:41,070
And at the same time,
I totally agree with
771
00:37:41,066 --> 00:37:44,366
President Obama's answer
on Article 5, when this
772
00:37:44,367 --> 00:37:45,767
conflict will be taken to
the borders
773
00:37:45,767 --> 00:37:47,597
of one of the NATO countries.
774
00:37:47,600 --> 00:37:50,870
But, luckily, that is at
this moment not the case.
775
00:37:50,867 --> 00:37:56,837
The Press: Mr. President, you
met a lot of leaders here;
776
00:38:01,033 --> 00:38:03,903
many many were angry about
the NSA story.
777
00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:06,500
Have you fixed the
relationships
778
00:38:06,500 --> 00:38:07,500
with these leaders?
779
00:38:07,500 --> 00:38:10,870
And the second question
is, many are shocked
780
00:38:10,867 --> 00:38:15,997
by the extent of which the
NSA collects private data.
781
00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:17,830
Today we heard in The New
York Times
782
00:38:17,834 --> 00:38:20,734
that you plan to end the
systematic collection
783
00:38:20,734 --> 00:38:23,204
of data of Americans.
784
00:38:23,200 --> 00:38:25,670
But can you address the
concerns of the Dutch
785
00:38:25,667 --> 00:38:27,697
and the rest of the world
about their privacy?
786
00:38:27,700 --> 00:38:32,770
The President: Well,
first of all,
787
00:38:32,767 --> 00:38:40,437
we have had a consistent,
unbreakable bond between
788
00:38:40,433 --> 00:38:44,033
the leaders of Europe over the
last several decades,
789
00:38:44,033 --> 00:38:47,863
and it's across many dimensions
-- economic,
790
00:38:47,867 --> 00:38:53,397
military, counterterrorism,
cultural.
791
00:38:53,400 --> 00:38:57,100
And so any one issue can
be an irritant in the
792
00:38:57,100 --> 00:38:58,500
relationship between the
countries,
793
00:38:58,500 --> 00:39:01,730
but it doesn't define those
relationships.
794
00:39:01,734 --> 00:39:03,004
And that continues to be
the case
795
00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:05,000
and that has been the case
throughout
796
00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:06,830
the last couple of years.
797
00:39:06,834 --> 00:39:08,964
As I said in a speech that
I gave earlier this year,
798
00:39:11,367 --> 00:39:15,037
the United States is very
proud of its record
799
00:39:15,033 --> 00:39:18,263
of working with countries
around the world
800
00:39:18,266 --> 00:39:20,896
to prevent terrorism or
nuclear proliferation,
801
00:39:20,900 --> 00:39:23,630
or human trafficking, or a
whole host of issues
802
00:39:23,633 --> 00:39:26,603
that all of us I think would
be concerned about.
803
00:39:26,600 --> 00:39:28,000
Intelligence plays a
critical
804
00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:29,170
role in that process.
805
00:39:30,767 --> 00:39:35,697
What we've seen is that as
technology has evolved,
806
00:39:35,700 --> 00:39:42,030
the guidelines and
structures that constrain
807
00:39:42,033 --> 00:39:45,733
how our intelligence
agencies operate have not
808
00:39:45,734 --> 00:39:49,804
kept pace with these
advances in technology.
809
00:39:49,800 --> 00:39:55,600
And although having
examined over the last
810
00:39:55,600 --> 00:40:01,630
year, year and a half
what's been done,
811
00:40:01,633 --> 00:40:04,463
I'm confident that everybody
in our intelligence
812
00:40:04,467 --> 00:40:06,767
agencies operates in the
best of intentions
813
00:40:06,767 --> 00:40:12,867
and is not snooping into the
privacy of ordinary Dutch,
814
00:40:12,867 --> 00:40:16,697
German, French, or
American citizens.
815
00:40:16,700 --> 00:40:19,400
What is true is, is that
there is a danger because
816
00:40:19,400 --> 00:40:21,200
of these new technologies
that at some point
817
00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:22,630
it could be abused.
818
00:40:22,633 --> 00:40:25,463
And that's why I initiated
a broad-based review
819
00:40:25,467 --> 00:40:26,737
of what we
could do.
820
00:40:26,734 --> 00:40:27,734
There are a couple of
things that
821
00:40:27,734 --> 00:40:29,864
we did that are unprecedented.
822
00:40:29,867 --> 00:40:34,467
In my speech I announced
that, for the first time,
823
00:40:34,467 --> 00:40:38,537
under my direction, that
we are going to treat
824
00:40:38,533 --> 00:40:41,303
the privacy concerns
of non-U.S.
825
00:40:41,300 --> 00:40:48,070
persons as seriously as we
are the constraints
826
00:40:48,066 --> 00:40:49,266
that already
exist
827
00:40:49,266 --> 00:40:52,096
by law on U.S. persons.
828
00:40:52,100 --> 00:40:53,600
We're doing that not
because we're bound
829
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:56,700
by international law, but
because ultimately
830
00:40:56,700 --> 00:40:57,700
it's the right thing to do.
831
00:40:57,700 --> 00:41:03,300
With respect to some
of the aspects of data
832
00:41:03,300 --> 00:41:05,830
collection, what I've been
very clear about is,
833
00:41:05,834 --> 00:41:08,234
is that there has to be a
narrow purpose to it,
834
00:41:08,233 --> 00:41:11,863
not a broad-based purpose; but
it's rather based
835
00:41:11,867 --> 00:41:15,437
on a specific concern
around terrorism
836
00:41:15,433 --> 00:41:19,703
or counter-proliferation,
or human trafficking,
837
00:41:19,700 --> 00:41:25,870
or something that I think all
of us would say
838
00:41:25,867 --> 00:41:28,337
has to be pursued.
839
00:41:30,433 --> 00:41:33,263
And so what I've tried to
do then is to make sure
840
00:41:33,266 --> 00:41:36,136
that my intelligence
teams are consulting very
841
00:41:36,133 --> 00:41:40,203
closely at each stage with
their counterparts
842
00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:42,530
in other nations so
that there's greater
843
00:41:42,533 --> 00:41:44,863
transparency in terms of
what exactly we're doing,
844
00:41:44,867 --> 00:41:46,797
what we're not doing.
845
00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:50,230
Some of the reporting here
in Europe,
846
00:41:50,233 --> 00:41:51,603
as well as in the United States,
frankly,
847
00:41:51,600 --> 00:41:56,900
has been pretty sensationalized.
848
00:41:56,900 --> 00:42:00,900
I think the fears about
our privacy in this age
849
00:42:00,900 --> 00:42:07,430
of the Internet and big
data are justified.
850
00:42:07,433 --> 00:42:13,063
I think the actual facts
-- people would have
851
00:42:13,066 --> 00:42:17,796
an assurance that if you are
just the ordinary
852
00:42:17,800 --> 00:42:21,670
citizen in any of these
countries, that your privacy,
853
00:42:21,667 --> 00:42:23,497
in fact, is not
being invaded on.
854
00:42:23,500 --> 00:42:25,600
But I recognize that
because of these
855
00:42:25,600 --> 00:42:29,730
revelations, that there's
a process that's taking
856
00:42:29,734 --> 00:42:32,404
place where we have to win
back the trust not just
857
00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:34,130
of governments but, more
importantly,
858
00:42:34,133 --> 00:42:35,833
of ordinary citizens.
859
00:42:35,834 --> 00:42:37,734
And that's not going to
happen overnight,
860
00:42:37,734 --> 00:42:40,564
because I think that there's a
tendency to be skeptical
861
00:42:40,567 --> 00:42:45,697
of government and to be
skeptical
862
00:42:44,934 --> 00:42:52,064
And so it's going to be
necessary for us --
863
00:42:45,700 --> 00:42:47,470
in particular of U.S.
0:42:47.467,1193:02:47.295
intelligence services.
864
00:42:52,066 --> 00:42:56,296
the step we took that was
announced today I think
865
00:42:56,300 --> 00:42:59,670
is an example of us slowly,
systematically
866
00:42:59,667 --> 00:43:03,737
putting in more checks,
balances, legal processes.
867
00:43:03,734 --> 00:43:08,364
The good news is that I'm
very confident that
868
00:43:08,367 --> 00:43:12,137
it can be achieved, and I'm also
confident that the core
869
00:43:12,133 --> 00:43:16,263
values that America has
always believed in,
870
00:43:16,266 --> 00:43:21,266
in terms of privacy, rule of
law, individual rights,
871
00:43:21,266 --> 00:43:26,936
that that has guided the
United States
872
00:43:26,934 --> 00:43:28,804
for many years and it will
continue to guide
873
00:43:28,800 --> 00:43:29,800
us into the future.
874
00:43:29,800 --> 00:43:34,900
Thank you very
much, everybody.
875
00:43:34,900 --> 00:43:35,900
Thank you again.
