English subtitles for clip: File:1-13-14- White House Press Briefing.webm

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>> Mr. Carney:
Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.

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I hope you had a fine weekend.

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Before I take your questions,

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I have a couple
of things to announce.

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First, tomorrow, Maria Shriver
will present the President

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with a copy of the latest
Shriver report,

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"A Woman's Nation Pushes
Back from the Brink."

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The report focuses
on the millions of women

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who are working hard but are
consistently on the brink

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of poverty, and highlights the
need for the nation to address

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women's role -- dual roles as
caregivers and breadwinners,

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and the specific
challenges they face.

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As the President knows well,
investing in and supporting

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women over their lifetimes is
one of the best ways to tackle

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income inequality and achieve
greater social mobility,

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and he looks forward to
learning about the findings

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of the report.

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The second topper is that the
President is looking forward to

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traveling to Toluca, Mexico on
February 19th to participate

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in the North American
Leaders Summit.

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At the summit, the President
looks forward to discussing with

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Mexican President PeĂąa Nieto and
Canadian Prime Minister Harper

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a range of issues important
to the daily lives

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of all of
North America's people,

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including
economic competitiveness,

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entrepreneurship,
trade and investment,

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and citizen security.

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>> The Press:
Overnight?

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>> Mr. Carney:
What I have here is
that he will be traveling

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to Toluca, Mexico
on February 19.

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We'll have more
details for you later.

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Questions -- Nedra.

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>> The Press:
Thanks, Jay.

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I wanted to ask you on the Iran
nuclear agreement if you're

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at all concerned that Congress
could hurt this deal in any way.

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Have you been hearing from
lawmakers that the deal

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has encouraged skeptics to stop
their push for new sanctions or

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have any impact on that debate?

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>> Mr. Carney:
I appreciate the
question, Nedra.

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As you know, the
administration, the White House,

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from the highest levels, have
been engaged with Congress

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on this issue for some time.

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And it is always important
to note that the Congress has

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been a strong partner with the
administration in implementing

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and enforcing the most effective
sanctions regime against Iran

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that's ever been created, that
was built up for the purpose

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of testing whether Iran's
behavior would change,

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testing whether Iran could be
compelled through effective

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comprehensive sanctions
to come to the table

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and negotiate in good faith.

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And what the agreement
on the implementation phase

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of the Joint Plan
of Action tells us is that Iran

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has responded to that pressure,

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to that effective and
comprehensive sanctions regime

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in the way that we had hoped.

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Now, this is the first stage
and it requires Iran

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to take significant steps
in terms of halting progress

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on its program and even rolling
back its program in some areas,

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and in return, the P5-plus-1
provides moderate relief.

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On the matter of further
congressional action

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at this time, we have made
our case clear both in public

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and in conversations with
lawmakers on this issue,

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and we believe that we
have the opportunity to test

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whether or not
this can be resolved

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between the international
community and Iran peacefully,

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which is the preferred way
that it would be resolved.

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What Congress has always done
effectively has been to act

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on new sanctions when doing
so would have an impact,

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and in this case
a positive impact,

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which is what Congress could
do if it holds in abeyance any

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further action if Iran were to
fail to fulfill its obligations

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under the agreement
on the Joint Plan of Action

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or implementation of it,

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or fail to reach a
comprehensive resolution

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with the P5-plus-1
in the coming months.

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So our views on further action
right now and on legislation

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that has been considered
are well known.

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We're constantly consulting
with members of Congress

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on this matter.

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We think that the fact that we
are now at the implementation

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stage of the Joint Plan
of Action demonstrates that,

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at the very least, testing
whether or not Iran is serious

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is the right thing to do.

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>> The Press:
But does this agreement
seem to be changing

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any minds, or are your
critics still dug in --

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>> Mr. Carney: Well, I wouldn't
want to speak for any members.

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I think that some have spoken on
this and others obviously

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will choose to or not.

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We think it makes clearer why
it's so important to refrain

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from taking action on further
sanctions now and to rather hold

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in abeyance that action
if and when it's necessary

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and can be very effective.

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>> The Press:
On one other topic,

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Senator Ayotte is saying that
the Pentagon has told her that

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last month's budget agreement
will cut the cost of living

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increases for survivor benefits.

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So I'm wondering if it's
acceptable to the President that

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this agreement could affect
war widows this way

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or military widows.

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>> Mr. Carney:
I'm not familiar with
that specific item in the

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agreement so I'll
have to take the question

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and get back to you.

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Yes.

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>> The Press:
Thanks, Jay.

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On the Iran issue, why doesn't
the President release the text

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of the agreement?

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Members of Congress
are eager to see it.

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>> Mr. Carney:
Well, I'll say
a couple of things.

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First of all, it's an agreement
not just involving the United

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States but the P5-plus-1.

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And the technical understandings
reached as part of the

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implementation plan are being
transmitted to the IAEA.

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In tandem with this action, we
are working with the P5-plus-1,

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the EU and the IAEA on releasing
as much information to the

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public as we can about the
technical arrangements.

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We fully expect to be able to
share the text of the plan with

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Congress and are working with
our international partners on

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how much and when we can share
the information publicly

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and in what format.

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So we'll continue that effort,
but I just wanted to make clear

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from the outset that
we will absolutely be able

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to share the text with Congress.

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>> The Press:
On a different topic,

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the Supreme Court is today
hearing arguments on recess

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appointments, and early
indications are that a number

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of Justices are skeptical of the
administration's case on that.

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Why wouldn't the Senate be
the place to determine whether

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they're in recess or not?

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And more broadly, what's
at stake in this matter?

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>> Mr. Carney:
Well, we are confident
that the President's

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authority to make
recess appointments

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will be upheld by the courts.

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And when it comes to
our legal arguments,

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rather than reciting them today,
I would refer you back to a blog

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in which we laid them out --
a blog item on whitehouse.gov --

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and we can,
if you are interested,

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we can make sure
we recirculate that.

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But in our view, we're confident
that the courts will uphold

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the President's authority
and look forward to resolution

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of this matter.

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>> The Press:
On a separate topic,

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Governor Christie is apparently
facing some investigation

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about whether he misused
some $2 million

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in Superstorm
Sandy relief funds.

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His office is
apparently saying that

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that "Stronger
than the Storm" ad

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was part of an action plan
approved by the administration.

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Is that accurate?

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Can you comment on that?

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>> Mr. Carney:
My understanding is
this is something that was

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under review by the HUD IG
and I would refer you HUD for

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information on that.

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>> The Press:
And lastly, can you
provide any details about

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the President's meeting
with Senate Democrats

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later this afternoon?

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What are the topics?

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>> Mr. Carney:
I believe it's
Wednesday evening,

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and I can confirm that he will
meet with Senate Democrats

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to discuss their shared
priorities for 2014.

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Major.

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>> The Press:
Jay, where are we on
unemployment insurance

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extension negotiations?

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Are you still looking for the
three-month or are you willing

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to skip over that and just
go straight to a year-long

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extension if there is a
pay-for that can be resolved

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with the amendment process
or private negotiations?

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>> Mr. Carney:
Well, we want action
as soon as possible,

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because the 1.3 million
Americans and their families

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who have been without benefits
now for many days need

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that assistance
as soon as possible.

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We strongly supported
and support action

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on the three-month extension.

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We have noted that the Majority
Leader has taken considerable

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actions to accommodate the
concerns of Senate Republicans

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when it came to --
when it comes to offsets,

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and as I understand it,
following it from here,

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when it comes to the
issue of amendments.

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So I would point you to the
Senate Majority Leader's office

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on next steps, but we certainly
look forward to speedy action

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by the Senate on this important
issue and hope that they move

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quickly so that the
benefits can begin flowing

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to those families who need them.

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>> The Press:
And working out
the details for --

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starting the time clock January
20th on the six-month deal,

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what has the President learned
about Iran's ability and

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willingness to fulfill
what it notionally committed

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to a couple of months ago and
now apparently has put to paper?

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>> Mr. Carney:
I'm not quite sure
I get what you're asking,

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except to say that the
President's approach through

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all of this has been to not take
Iran's word on any matter,

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but to verify and to engage
in negotiation on agreements

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that require verification
from Iran as to its compliance.

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And that's what the
Joint Plan of Action,

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and that's what any
comprehensive resolution

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of this matter would require.

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There would have
to be transparent,

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verifiable compliance by Iran
in keeping with its stated

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decision, if it comes to that,
and there is an agreement

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on a comprehensive
resolution to forsake

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its nuclear weapons program.

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>> The Press:
I guess what I'm driving
at is does this process

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of getting from the verbal
agreement to something that's on

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paper give the President any
more confidence that a final

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deal can be reached?

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>> Mr. Carney:
I think we have always
said that each stage of this

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would be difficult;
if it weren't,

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it would have been
resolved a long time ago.

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We obviously are gratified by
the progress that's been made

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by the P5-plus-1 thus far
on this matter with Iran,

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but there's no question,
and others have spoken to this,

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that reaching a comprehensive
resolution will not be easy.

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But it is absolutely the right
thing to do to pursue one,

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and for two basic reasons.

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One, peaceful
resolution to conflict,

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verifiable by the
international community,

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is always preferable
to military resolution,

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and that's doubly the case here
because we can be more sure that

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Iran is free of nuclear weapons
if it chooses to be free

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of nuclear weapons through
a comprehensive resolution

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to this problem.

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So throughout this process,
the President has made clear

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that he leaves
all options on the table.

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But the purpose of
the sanctions regime,

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the purpose of the approach
the President took

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when he took office in 2009,

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was to make clear
that the onus was on Iran

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to come clean and to come
into compliance with its

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international obligations.

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And we are taking steps
now, with our partners,

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to test whether in fact
Iran is willing to do that.

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>> The Press:
The Vice President
is in Israel,

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and this might just be --
I'm sure it's coincidental.

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I'm just curious if in his
meetings with Prime Minister

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Netanyahu and Shimon Peres he
is giving any updates on this

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particular agenda item
for both governments,

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the United States
and Israel, the --

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>> Mr. Carney:
Well, as you know,
Vice President Biden

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is in Israel leading
a high-level U.S. delegation

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to attend the state funeral

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for former
Prime Minister Sharon.

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He has also, as you noted,

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00:12:16,433 --> 00:12:18,603
he has met with
President Shimon Peres

243
00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:20,870
and will be attending
a working dinner

244
00:12:20,867 --> 00:12:24,867
with Prime Minister Netanyahu
where, in each case,

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00:12:24,867 --> 00:12:28,597
I'm sure the range of issues
that are frequently discussed

246
00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,730
between our two countries at
high levels will be discussed.

247
00:12:31,734 --> 00:12:34,534
I don't have a specific readout
of the meeting with President

248
00:12:34,533 --> 00:12:39,433
Peres, or I can't anticipate,
beyond what you would expect,

249
00:12:39,433 --> 00:12:41,463
what the contents of the
conversation would be

250
00:12:41,467 --> 00:12:42,767
over the working dinner.

251
00:12:42,767 --> 00:12:44,597
>> The Press:
In our conversations
last week about Iraq,

252
00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:46,400
I was sort of asking
about the al Qaeda element.

253
00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,430
I wanted to see if I can engage
you a little bit in a more

254
00:12:49,433 --> 00:12:50,733
nuanced sense of
what responsibility

255
00:12:50,734 --> 00:12:52,304
does the
United States government believe

256
00:12:52,300 --> 00:12:54,900
Prime Minister Maliki has for
fomenting some of the violence.

257
00:12:54,900 --> 00:12:58,030
There's a good deal of analysis
that his government has been far

258
00:12:58,033 --> 00:13:00,963
more repressive than the United
States would prefer in the last

259
00:13:00,967 --> 00:13:04,937
two years, and that some of the
Sunni violence is not altogether

260
00:13:04,934 --> 00:13:08,004
driven by al Qaeda; though
he labels it as such,

261
00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:11,070
it may be legitimate political
resistance to what they perceive

262
00:13:11,066 --> 00:13:14,136
to be either repressive tactics
or the manipulation of security

263
00:13:14,133 --> 00:13:16,603
forces and the denial
of their political rights

264
00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:18,570
within Iraq itself.

265
00:13:18,567 --> 00:13:20,737
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, our position
is that it is incumbent

266
00:13:20,734 --> 00:13:26,304
upon the leaders of Iraq,
including the Prime Minister and

267
00:13:26,300 --> 00:13:30,400
others representing different
parties and different factions,

268
00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:36,770
to pursue resolution of their
differences through political

269
00:13:36,767 --> 00:13:38,567
negotiation rather
than violence.

270
00:13:38,567 --> 00:13:40,237
It is not an
acceptable alternative

271
00:13:40,233 --> 00:13:42,033
to resort to violence.

272
00:13:42,033 --> 00:13:43,763
>> The Press:
How would you
rate Maliki on it?

273
00:13:43,767 --> 00:13:48,267
>> Mr. Carney:
And I would say that
we have conversations with

274
00:13:48,266 --> 00:13:50,566
the Prime Minister and other
Iraqi leaders about the need

275
00:13:50,567 --> 00:13:56,537
to pursue peaceful
political reconciliation.

276
00:13:56,533 --> 00:14:02,203
And throughout its very
difficult history in the last

277
00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:07,800
several years, leaders in Iraq
have taken that path and have

278
00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:11,930
made that choice, and they need
to return to that approach

279
00:14:11,934 --> 00:14:13,934
for the sake of
all of Iraq's citizens

280
00:14:13,934 --> 00:14:15,464
and the country's future.

281
00:14:15,467 --> 00:14:18,397
And that is the context of some
of the conversations that

282
00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:26,670
our leaders have had with Iraqi
leaders over the last several

283
00:14:26,667 --> 00:14:29,767
weeks and months, as you've
seen an increase in violence

284
00:14:29,767 --> 00:14:31,697
in the Anbar Province.

285
00:14:31,700 --> 00:14:33,370
And it's why it's
so important --

286
00:14:33,367 --> 00:14:36,167
>> The Press:
And not all that violence
is al Qaeda-driven.

287
00:14:36,166 --> 00:14:39,466
Some of it could
be of another --

288
00:14:39,467 --> 00:14:42,397
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, I wouldn't analyze
the specific violence

289
00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:44,230
from here except to
say that obviously al Qaeda

290
00:14:44,233 --> 00:14:47,333
has been driving a great
deal of it, if not all of it.

291
00:14:47,333 --> 00:14:52,333
And certainly al Qaeda
has a history of,

292
00:14:52,333 --> 00:14:56,463
in Iraq and elsewhere, trying
to take advantage of sectarian

293
00:14:56,467 --> 00:15:01,297
differences through violence,
to inflame passions

294
00:15:01,300 --> 00:15:04,470
and foster further
violence and instability.

295
00:15:04,467 --> 00:15:09,197
And that is certainly I believe
what is occurring in Anbar,

296
00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,470
in Iraq, and has been
for some time now.

297
00:15:11,467 --> 00:15:14,897
So what is positive,
in our view,

298
00:15:14,900 --> 00:15:18,400
about this is the steps that
Iraqi leaders have taken and

299
00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:22,270
pledged themselves to take a
unified approach to the need

300
00:15:22,266 --> 00:15:29,366
to expel al Qaeda from other
regions because Iraqi citizens

301
00:15:29,367 --> 00:15:33,467
regardless of their background
or their political allegiance

302
00:15:33,467 --> 00:15:35,697
overwhelmingly reject al Qaeda.

303
00:15:35,700 --> 00:15:36,700
So that work is ongoing.

304
00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:38,700
Ed.

305
00:15:40,467 --> 00:15:41,667
>> The Press:
Jay, on Iran, I
just want to follow.

306
00:15:41,667 --> 00:15:44,137
If the conditions are met
that you were talking about

307
00:15:44,133 --> 00:15:46,133
with Major, what safeguards
do you have in place for --

308
00:15:46,133 --> 00:15:49,333
when money starts flowing back
to the central bank of Iran,

309
00:15:49,333 --> 00:15:51,703
what safeguards will be in
place to make sure that money

310
00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:54,870
is not funneled to
terror groups by Iran?

311
00:15:54,867 --> 00:15:57,167
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, in terms of
the nature of the relief

312
00:15:57,166 --> 00:16:01,366
and how it is released
and the steps taken,

313
00:16:01,367 --> 00:16:04,467
I would refer you to
the Treasury Department.

314
00:16:04,467 --> 00:16:07,437
I think it's important to
note, Ed, as a general matter,

315
00:16:07,433 --> 00:16:10,363
rather than in response
to that specific question,

316
00:16:10,367 --> 00:16:17,797
that we have a series of
concerns about Iranian behavior.

317
00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:24,200
And these negotiations have to
do with their nuclear program.

318
00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:29,170
We continue to press on other
issues when it relates

319
00:16:29,166 --> 00:16:33,936
to support for Hezbollah
or other organizations,

320
00:16:33,934 --> 00:16:37,964
and pursue our national security
interests with regards to those

321
00:16:37,967 --> 00:16:45,897
issues as strongly today
as we always have and will --

322
00:16:45,900 --> 00:16:48,900
which is to say that we
have a specific interest

323
00:16:48,900 --> 00:16:50,400
with our P5-plus-1 partners

324
00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:54,730
in testing whether or not
Iran is serious about coming

325
00:16:54,734 --> 00:16:56,664
into compliance with its
international obligations,

326
00:16:56,667 --> 00:16:59,567
forsaking its nuclear
weapons program,

327
00:16:59,567 --> 00:17:01,167
and that is what
we are pursuing.

328
00:17:01,166 --> 00:17:03,066
>> The Press:
Second and last
topic: Gates book.

329
00:17:03,066 --> 00:17:05,036
Last week, when you were being
hit with questions on this,

330
00:17:05,033 --> 00:17:07,663
obviously -- in fairness, the
excerpts were being released;

331
00:17:07,667 --> 00:17:09,837
you said you had just
gotten a copy of it.

332
00:17:09,834 --> 00:17:12,004
I have a specific question,
but I wanted to ask you more

333
00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,330
generally -- have you had a
chance and others around here

334
00:17:14,333 --> 00:17:15,533
to read the book?

335
00:17:15,533 --> 00:17:17,633
And do you have a fuller
reaction now that you've been

336
00:17:17,633 --> 00:17:20,633
able perhaps to
see it in context?

337
00:17:20,633 --> 00:17:24,163
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, Ed, I confess
that I think it will be

338
00:17:24,166 --> 00:17:26,466
a long time before I have a
chance to read an 800-page book,

339
00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:30,230
so I have not read it.

340
00:17:30,233 --> 00:17:35,163
I think others have done
their best to look at it,

341
00:17:35,166 --> 00:17:36,996
and our reaction to
it has not changed.

342
00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:39,030
>> The Press:
Okay, specific thing
then as a last question.

343
00:17:39,033 --> 00:17:43,363
Secretary Gates in the book and
then elaborated on CBS yesterday

344
00:17:43,367 --> 00:17:48,167
that he's charging that he
saw a deep passion, he put it,

345
00:17:48,166 --> 00:17:50,936
in the President in terms
of -- for military matters.

346
00:17:50,934 --> 00:17:53,434
He said, other than
leaks to the media,

347
00:17:53,433 --> 00:17:55,933
the only deep passion
he saw was for repealing

348
00:17:55,934 --> 00:17:57,134
"don't ask, don't tell" --

349
00:17:57,133 --> 00:17:59,403
this is Secretary Gates's
claim -- and suggested that

350
00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:02,070
there was not a deep
passion to actually fulfill

351
00:18:02,066 --> 00:18:03,996
the mission in Afghanistan
and win the war.

352
00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,170
How do you react to that?

353
00:18:06,166 --> 00:18:08,596
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, I think the same
way I reacted last week,

354
00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:10,530
which is that the
commitment the President has

355
00:18:10,533 --> 00:18:14,503
to our men and women in
uniform is profound and deep.

356
00:18:14,500 --> 00:18:16,570
I think that was reflected
by Secretary Gates.

357
00:18:16,567 --> 00:18:18,997
And his commitment to the
mission that he has asked them

358
00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:22,330
to perform, and which they have
performed and are performing

359
00:18:22,333 --> 00:18:25,833
admirably and heroically
in Afghanistan,

360
00:18:25,834 --> 00:18:28,534
is passionate and deep.

361
00:18:28,533 --> 00:18:30,863
And that doesn't mean
it's not difficult.

362
00:18:30,867 --> 00:18:34,137
That doesn't mean that we
haven't encountered setbacks

363
00:18:34,133 --> 00:18:36,633
and challenges in the
implementation of that policy.

364
00:18:36,633 --> 00:18:40,103
But the fact of the matter is,
since he adopted it and moved

365
00:18:40,100 --> 00:18:45,770
forward and our troops and
civilian personnel have been

366
00:18:45,767 --> 00:18:49,467
executing that mission, we have
made enormous progress towards

367
00:18:49,467 --> 00:18:53,697
the very clear objectives that
the President laid out and which

368
00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:58,500
were very much at the heart
and very much for the purpose

369
00:18:58,500 --> 00:19:01,900
of refining a mission
and strategy in Afghanistan.

370
00:19:01,900 --> 00:19:05,630
And, first and foremost,
the objective was to disrupt,

371
00:19:05,633 --> 00:19:08,603
dismantle, and ultimately
to defeat core al Qaeda

372
00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:09,900
in the Af-Pak region.

373
00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:13,900
And that work continues, but
significant progress has been

374
00:19:13,900 --> 00:19:17,500
made thanks to the extraordinary
service of our men and women

375
00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:19,070
in uniform as well as others.

376
00:19:19,066 --> 00:19:20,836
Chuck.

377
00:19:20,834 --> 00:19:26,804
>> The Press:
Jay, you guys just issued
a travel warning in Mexico,

378
00:19:29,533 --> 00:19:32,203
not far from where the
President is going to be,

379
00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,830
about an hour or so drive.

380
00:19:33,834 --> 00:19:35,964
Did that impact at all
the President's decision?

381
00:19:35,967 --> 00:19:38,937
Or was there any hesitance about
going with the safety concerns,

382
00:19:38,934 --> 00:19:41,334
considering the drug
war that's going on down there

383
00:19:41,333 --> 00:19:44,303
and in that particular
region of the country?

384
00:19:44,300 --> 00:19:46,670
>> Mr. Carney:
Chuck, I have not had
a conversation of that

385
00:19:46,667 --> 00:19:50,537
nature, so when it comes to
travel advisories I'd refer you

386
00:19:50,533 --> 00:19:51,633
to the State Department.

387
00:19:51,633 --> 00:19:53,803
I know the President
looks forward to his trip.

388
00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:59,770
>> The Press:
On NSA, can you say
how much of what the President

389
00:20:04,133 --> 00:20:06,963
is going to announce
is going to need congressional

390
00:20:06,967 --> 00:20:10,397
action and how much
of it is going to be stuff

391
00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:12,600
he can do independently?

392
00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,400
>> Mr. Carney:
I think you can expect
that the President will

393
00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:17,930
make decisions about
and report on the outcome

394
00:20:17,934 --> 00:20:20,434
of his team's work that reflect,
broadly speaking,

395
00:20:20,433 --> 00:20:23,263
the areas that were reviewed
by the review group,

396
00:20:23,266 --> 00:20:26,296
reflected in their report,
and some of the recommendations,

397
00:20:26,300 --> 00:20:30,000
as I understand it, from what
I remember having looked at it,

398
00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:31,800
some of the actions
that were recommended there

399
00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:34,400
required legislative or
congressional activity

400
00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:35,600
and some of them did not.

401
00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:39,030
So I think it's fair to say
that that frame applies

402
00:20:39,033 --> 00:20:41,433
to the approach the
President is taking,

403
00:20:41,433 --> 00:20:45,603
but that's as far as I'll
go in terms of previewing --

404
00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:47,400
>> The Press:
It's possible he could
ask Congress to send him

405
00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:50,570
some of this -- some reforms
he'll announce that you guys

406
00:20:50,567 --> 00:20:52,297
are independent --
you're doing independently?

407
00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:54,800
>> Mr. Carney:
I think it's a fair
assumption to make

408
00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:59,730
based on the recommendations
that were released publicly

409
00:20:59,734 --> 00:21:06,164
by the review group that some
of these reforms and changes

410
00:21:06,166 --> 00:21:09,436
would require
congressional action.

411
00:21:09,433 --> 00:21:12,933
But I think it -- I'm saying
that it's simply safe

412
00:21:12,934 --> 00:21:15,204
to assume that.

413
00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:16,500
I wouldn't -- that the
universe looks like that

414
00:21:16,500 --> 00:21:18,630
as we're moving forward,

415
00:21:18,633 --> 00:21:23,833
but I don't want to
anticipate what the breakdown

416
00:21:23,834 --> 00:21:25,864
will be in terms of what the
President announces on Friday.

417
00:21:25,867 --> 00:21:27,897
Jon.

418
00:21:27,900 --> 00:21:31,000
>> The Press:
Jay, just a follow-up on Iran.

419
00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:34,400
As you know, the sanctions bill
the President has threatened

420
00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:37,670
to veto would impose those
sanctions six months from now,

421
00:21:37,667 --> 00:21:39,997
which is that period for
the interim agreement.

422
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,530
Can you just remind us --
what happens at the end

423
00:21:43,533 --> 00:21:44,763
of that six months?

424
00:21:44,767 --> 00:21:50,697
What does the administration
do if Iran has not been able

425
00:21:50,700 --> 00:21:55,030
to come to an agreement,
a long-term agreement?

426
00:21:55,033 --> 00:21:56,633
>> Mr. Carney:
That's an excellent question,

427
00:21:56,633 --> 00:22:01,433
and I think the answer is
reflected in how we explain our

428
00:22:01,433 --> 00:22:04,703
views on potential congressional
action now with regards

429
00:22:04,700 --> 00:22:09,000
to sanctions, and that is that
further congressional action

430
00:22:11,467 --> 00:22:15,437
and further international action
when it came to adding

431
00:22:15,433 --> 00:22:20,333
new sanctions and more sanctions
would best wait, in our view,

432
00:22:20,333 --> 00:22:27,003
if and until Iran fails to meet
its obligations or fails

433
00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:32,300
to reach a comprehensive
resolution with the P5-plus-1.

434
00:22:32,300 --> 00:22:38,630
That is when it could be most
effective and would I think

435
00:22:38,633 --> 00:22:43,463
reflect the result
of Iran's failure

436
00:22:43,467 --> 00:22:46,937
to make progress on this issue.

437
00:22:46,934 --> 00:22:50,704
So one of the things
I've said in the past,

438
00:22:50,700 --> 00:22:53,600
and it applies today when we
talk about potential legislation

439
00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:58,170
on sanctions in Congress that
would not be triggered until six

440
00:22:58,166 --> 00:23:01,736
months down the road, is that it
would have the negative effect

441
00:23:01,734 --> 00:23:06,204
of imposing sanctions now and
it would be wholly unnecessary

442
00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:09,400
because obviously if Iran
violated the terms of the

443
00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:13,970
agreement or failed to reach a
resolution with the P5-plus-1

444
00:23:13,967 --> 00:23:19,337
over the six-month period,
Congress, we're confident,

445
00:23:19,333 --> 00:23:22,603
could act very quickly in
response to that and pass new

446
00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:24,400
sanctions at that time that
could be implemented

447
00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:26,000
very quickly.

448
00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:30,070
>> The Press:
I guess another way I'm going
to ask is how determined --

449
00:23:30,066 --> 00:23:33,096
>> Mr. Carney:
I don't think Iran --
if I could just add --

450
00:23:33,100 --> 00:23:34,770
I don't think
Tehran doubts that.

451
00:23:34,767 --> 00:23:36,697
We're very confident Tehran
understands that failure

452
00:23:36,700 --> 00:23:41,330
to abide by its commitments in
the implementation agreement or

453
00:23:41,333 --> 00:23:47,163
failure to reach comprehensive
resolution would result in

454
00:23:47,166 --> 00:23:49,936
action by the United States and
by the international community.

455
00:23:49,934 --> 00:23:51,804
And the second
part is important,

456
00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:54,970
because one of the reasons
not to take action now,

457
00:23:54,967 --> 00:23:56,537
here in the United
States through Congress,

458
00:23:56,533 --> 00:24:00,203
is that it could threaten to
do harm to the international

459
00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:03,730
consensus that we have built,
and that international consensus

460
00:24:03,734 --> 00:24:06,534
is one of the foundations
behind the comprehensiveness and

461
00:24:06,533 --> 00:24:08,233
effectiveness of the
sanctions regime.

462
00:24:08,233 --> 00:24:11,933
The United States acting alone
can only do so much when it

463
00:24:11,934 --> 00:24:13,134
comes to sanctions.

464
00:24:13,133 --> 00:24:15,203
Working in consensus with
the international community,

465
00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:17,730
we can have quite an impact.

466
00:24:17,734 --> 00:24:18,964
>> The Press:
Under this agreement,

467
00:24:18,967 --> 00:24:21,467
of course the clock starts
ticking a week from today --

468
00:24:21,467 --> 00:24:24,067
another way, I guess, of
saying what I'm asking is,

469
00:24:24,066 --> 00:24:29,066
how determined is the
administration to imposing a new

470
00:24:29,066 --> 00:24:35,296
round of sanctions or taking
other measures if Iran fails to

471
00:24:35,300 --> 00:24:38,800
come to a long-term agreement
at the end of that six months?

472
00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:42,600
I mean, is there a real hammer
at the end of this thing?

473
00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:45,830
If this deal is not done
within six months is this

474
00:24:45,834 --> 00:24:49,034
administration going to take
strong action against Iran?

475
00:24:49,033 --> 00:24:51,363
>> Mr. Carney:
I think the best way
to answer that

476
00:24:51,367 --> 00:24:53,097
is to point at past actions.

477
00:24:53,100 --> 00:24:57,170
And the President's seriousness
about this matter can be

478
00:24:57,166 --> 00:25:01,636
measured by the fact that he
led the effort to build the most

479
00:25:01,633 --> 00:25:06,733
comprehensive and punitive
regime in history when it comes

480
00:25:06,734 --> 00:25:11,104
to sanctions, and that that
effort has resulted in forcing,

481
00:25:11,100 --> 00:25:13,830
compelling Iran to negotiate

482
00:25:13,834 --> 00:25:16,364
with the
international community.

483
00:25:16,367 --> 00:25:18,337
That was the purpose of
the sanctions regime;

484
00:25:18,333 --> 00:25:20,363
it remains the purpose
of the sanctions regime.

485
00:25:20,367 --> 00:25:24,297
And it's important to note in
reporting on this issue that

486
00:25:24,300 --> 00:25:28,670
even the implementation of the
Joint Plan of Action and the

487
00:25:28,667 --> 00:25:34,897
modest sanctions relief that
comes in stages with

488
00:25:34,900 --> 00:25:40,170
Iranian compliance in no
way affects the enforcement

489
00:25:40,166 --> 00:25:43,996
of the existing
sanctions regime.

490
00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,630
That remains very important and
I think that you've seen

491
00:25:46,633 --> 00:25:48,063
that we're serious
about that as well.

492
00:25:48,066 --> 00:25:52,996
So I think there can be no doubt
about the seriousness with which

493
00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:57,630
the President would approach
a decision by Iran to either

494
00:25:57,633 --> 00:26:01,933
not comply with its agreements
and its obligations under the

495
00:26:01,934 --> 00:26:05,664
implementation agreement or to
walk away from negotiations

496
00:26:05,667 --> 00:26:06,837
with the P5-plus-1.

497
00:26:06,834 --> 00:26:08,434
>> The Press:
And that would
be more actions --

498
00:26:08,433 --> 00:26:13,333
>> Mr. Carney:
I think that we would,
as we always have,

499
00:26:13,333 --> 00:26:15,403
retain every option
on the table,

500
00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:19,430
and one of those options
has been and certainly would

501
00:26:19,433 --> 00:26:22,433
likely be further
sanctions action.

502
00:26:22,433 --> 00:26:24,563
>> The Press:
Okay, a quick follow-up
on Chris Christie

503
00:26:24,567 --> 00:26:26,767
and the HUD IG report.

504
00:26:26,767 --> 00:26:31,867
I know you don't manage that,
but what do you say to those

505
00:26:31,867 --> 00:26:33,267
who look at the timing of this?

506
00:26:33,266 --> 00:26:35,936
I mean, here you have this
investigation of Christie

507
00:26:35,934 --> 00:26:38,604
just announced kind of kicking
the guy while he's down.

508
00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:41,530
Suddenly just as this
bridge scandal has erupted,

509
00:26:41,533 --> 00:26:43,663
the headlines out
of Washington is:

510
00:26:43,667 --> 00:26:45,397
Federal Investigation
Into Sandy Funds.

511
00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:46,430
Suspicious at all?

512
00:26:46,433 --> 00:26:49,533
I mean, any kind of --

513
00:26:49,533 --> 00:26:52,663
>> Mr. Carney:
Again, Jon, I would
refer you to the IG.

514
00:26:52,667 --> 00:26:56,437
We do not involve ourselves
in IG reports by the agencies.

515
00:26:56,433 --> 00:26:57,833
Brianna.

516
00:26:57,834 --> 00:26:59,164
>> The Press:
Thanks, Jay.

517
00:26:59,166 --> 00:27:02,366
Are the President's decisions
on the NSA reforms that he'll

518
00:27:02,367 --> 00:27:06,367
be outlining on Friday, where
is he at in that process?

519
00:27:06,367 --> 00:27:08,697
Are those decisions complete?

520
00:27:08,700 --> 00:27:11,470
>> Mr. Carney:
They are near completion.

521
00:27:11,467 --> 00:27:15,437
He is finishing his
work and will be doing so

522
00:27:15,433 --> 00:27:19,633
for the next several days
in anticipation of speaking

523
00:27:19,633 --> 00:27:22,303
about that work on Friday.

524
00:27:22,300 --> 00:27:26,170
So we're not quite concluded
yet in that process,

525
00:27:26,166 --> 00:27:28,236
but coming close.

526
00:27:28,233 --> 00:27:30,433
>> The Press:
Any more meetings?

527
00:27:30,433 --> 00:27:32,733
>> Mr. Carney:
I have none to preview for you.

528
00:27:32,734 --> 00:27:35,604
I certainly expect that over the
course of the next several days

529
00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:41,430
he'll be finalizing his work
and the decisions he'll make.

530
00:27:41,433 --> 00:27:44,703
But I don't have any meetings
of the nature that you saw

531
00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:47,570
in recent days to predict
or preview for you.

532
00:27:47,567 --> 00:27:49,937
>> The Press:
Any further word on the venue?

533
00:27:49,934 --> 00:27:50,934
>> Mr. Carney:
I believe it's been reported,

534
00:27:50,934 --> 00:27:53,234
and I can confirm
that it will take place

535
00:27:53,233 --> 00:27:55,633
at the Department of Justice.

536
00:27:55,633 --> 00:27:58,433
>> The Press:
And President Obama's meeting
with the King of Spain --

537
00:27:58,433 --> 00:28:01,003
or with the leader
of Spain today,

538
00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:05,400
Spain is one of several European
countries outraged by reports

539
00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:08,970
that the NSA monitored phone
call activities of its citizens,

540
00:28:08,967 --> 00:28:10,837
as well as its leaders.

541
00:28:10,834 --> 00:28:14,264
As President Obama prepares
to detail changes on Friday,

542
00:28:14,266 --> 00:28:17,436
what assurances is he
giving President Brey?

543
00:28:17,433 --> 00:28:23,463
>> Mr. Carney:
The President and other
high-level officials

544
00:28:23,467 --> 00:28:28,567
in the administration have
maintained regular dialogue with

545
00:28:28,567 --> 00:28:32,397
leaders of those nations
where the disclosures

546
00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:37,600
have been an issue,
and that has been true

547
00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:40,030
with regards to
a number of countries,

548
00:28:40,033 --> 00:28:42,033
including Mexico --
including Spain --

549
00:28:42,033 --> 00:28:44,203
obviously including Mexico
as well, and Germany and others.

550
00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:49,270
And those conversations
continue and we engage

551
00:28:49,266 --> 00:28:52,036
through normal diplomatic
channels on these issues.

552
00:28:52,033 --> 00:28:57,963
I don't have any conversations
with the president

553
00:28:57,967 --> 00:29:00,497
of the government of Spain,
President Rajoy,

554
00:29:00,500 --> 00:29:02,730
to read out to you or preview.

555
00:29:02,734 --> 00:29:04,234
As you know,
the bilateral meeting

556
00:29:04,233 --> 00:29:06,563
is taking place this afternoon.

557
00:29:06,567 --> 00:29:08,797
>> The Press:
And just last question
on aid to Egypt.

558
00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:15,370
Is the White House pushing
for language that would give --

559
00:29:15,367 --> 00:29:22,937
in this omnibus spending bill
that would give the President

560
00:29:22,934 --> 00:29:26,734
the tools that would allow
him to restore aid to Egypt?

561
00:29:26,734 --> 00:29:29,804
>> Mr. Carney:
When it comes to some of the
nitty-gritty of the omnibus,

562
00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:32,770
I would have to urge
you to wait --

563
00:29:32,767 --> 00:29:34,467
or either take those
questions to the Hill

564
00:29:34,467 --> 00:29:37,737
or wait for the progress
that has been made thus far

565
00:29:37,734 --> 00:29:39,604
to come to completion.

566
00:29:39,600 --> 00:29:44,430
I just don't have an answer for
you on that specific question.

567
00:29:44,433 --> 00:29:46,133
>> The Press:
We have talked to
some of those sources.

568
00:29:46,133 --> 00:29:48,133
They say that the
administration helped

569
00:29:48,133 --> 00:29:51,663
draft the language to do this.

570
00:29:51,667 --> 00:29:53,637
>> Mr. Carney:
I'm not aware of that.

571
00:29:53,633 --> 00:29:55,563
I'm not saying one
way or the other

572
00:29:55,567 --> 00:29:56,567
because I just don't know.

573
00:29:56,567 --> 00:29:57,637
Mara.

574
00:29:57,633 --> 00:30:00,733
>> The Press:
Just to follow up on the NSA,

575
00:30:00,734 --> 00:30:04,404
where does the White House or
the President feel the public is

576
00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:05,500
on these issues now?

577
00:30:05,500 --> 00:30:09,130
I mean, they haven't been
in the news for a while.

578
00:30:09,133 --> 00:30:11,333
>> Mr. Carney:
Look, I think this
is an important issue

579
00:30:11,333 --> 00:30:12,463
and I think that,

580
00:30:12,467 --> 00:30:13,897
as the President has said
on a number of occasions,

581
00:30:13,900 --> 00:30:19,930
that this is an important
debate in which entirely valid

582
00:30:19,934 --> 00:30:21,864
and worthwhile questions
have been asked

583
00:30:21,867 --> 00:30:27,997
and are being examined and
answered by the administration,

584
00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:30,530
by Congress, and by others.

585
00:30:30,533 --> 00:30:36,533
The public, in the President's
view, should hope for,

586
00:30:39,100 --> 00:30:44,770
and he hopes will get, steps
from the government that makes

587
00:30:44,767 --> 00:30:51,097
our signals intelligence
gathering more transparent

588
00:30:51,100 --> 00:30:56,130
in the programs that
represent that effort,

589
00:30:56,133 --> 00:31:00,703
and reforms that give
them more confidence --

590
00:31:00,700 --> 00:31:04,700
give members of the public
more confidence in the programs

591
00:31:04,700 --> 00:31:08,330
and the fact that
they are pursued in a way

592
00:31:08,333 --> 00:31:10,833
that meets the standard
the President set,

593
00:31:10,834 --> 00:31:14,604
which is that we do what we
should do in order to keep

594
00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:16,300
the American people
safe and the country safe

595
00:31:16,300 --> 00:31:18,930
and our allies safe,

596
00:31:18,934 --> 00:31:20,104
not just what we can do

597
00:31:20,100 --> 00:31:22,470
because we have
the capacity to do it.

598
00:31:22,467 --> 00:31:26,697
So that is a layman's way
of looking at the approach

599
00:31:26,700 --> 00:31:31,030
that the President has taken
as he's looked at the various

600
00:31:31,033 --> 00:31:33,863
recommendations and carefully
considered the options available

601
00:31:33,867 --> 00:31:40,597
to him when it comes to making
changes and making reforms.

602
00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:43,430
>> The Press:
But why should intelligence
be transparent?

603
00:31:43,433 --> 00:31:45,533
Isn't the whole idea that
it shouldn't be transparent?

604
00:31:45,533 --> 00:31:46,833
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, it's an excellent
question because

605
00:31:46,834 --> 00:31:48,164
obviously there's a balance
that has to be achieved here.

606
00:31:48,166 --> 00:31:50,096
Transparent to the extent it
can be and as much as possible,

607
00:31:50,100 --> 00:31:55,170
but we are talking about
intelligence-gathering and there

608
00:31:55,166 --> 00:31:57,366
are, almost by definition,

609
00:31:57,367 --> 00:32:01,897
aspects of it that
have to remain secret

610
00:32:01,900 --> 00:32:03,400
in order to be effective.

611
00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:05,500
But there should be,
in the President's view,

612
00:32:05,500 --> 00:32:11,500
steps that we can take to build
confidence about the way these

613
00:32:11,500 --> 00:32:14,730
programs are administered,
and he looks forward to speaking

614
00:32:14,734 --> 00:32:17,004
about these issues on Friday.

615
00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:18,300
Carol.

616
00:32:18,300 --> 00:32:19,630
>> The Press:
I just want to clarify
something on Iran.

617
00:32:19,633 --> 00:32:23,803
Is it the White House's position
that any action from Congress

618
00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:27,200
would be harmful to the interim
agreement even if the President

619
00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:29,970
is successfully able to veto it?

620
00:32:29,967 --> 00:32:32,137
>> Mr. Carney:
I mean, that's a series
of hypotheticals.

621
00:32:32,133 --> 00:32:35,533
I think that we've made clear
that we would veto legislation

622
00:32:35,533 --> 00:32:38,633
if it were to pass, but --

623
00:32:38,633 --> 00:32:40,803
>> The Press:
Right, but are
you guys saying --

624
00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:43,870
is your argument that even
if he could veto something,

625
00:32:43,867 --> 00:32:47,537
that even the act
of Congress voting --

626
00:32:47,533 --> 00:32:49,533
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't think
we take an approach

627
00:32:49,533 --> 00:32:52,233
in opposition to specific
legislation on the theory

628
00:32:52,233 --> 00:32:56,503
that just because he can veto
it, we shouldn't oppose it.

629
00:32:56,500 --> 00:32:58,600
I think that the point
of the matter is,

630
00:32:58,600 --> 00:33:02,570
is that Congress has been
a very effective partner

631
00:33:02,567 --> 00:33:04,297
with the administration

632
00:33:04,300 --> 00:33:06,200
in helping build
this sanctions regime,

633
00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:08,300
helping enforce it
and implement it,

634
00:33:08,300 --> 00:33:11,400
and the President wants
to and looks forward to working

635
00:33:11,400 --> 00:33:16,200
with Congress to take further
action should it be required in

636
00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:20,030
response to failure by Iran to
comply with its obligations

637
00:33:20,033 --> 00:33:24,463
or to reach an agreement --
a comprehensive resolution

638
00:33:24,467 --> 00:33:26,397
in this six-month period.

639
00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:29,330
Our view is that trying
to impose new sanctions now,

640
00:33:29,333 --> 00:33:33,963
even if they have a delayed
trigger or some other mechanism,

641
00:33:33,967 --> 00:33:37,597
could do harm to the effort
that's underway to try

642
00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:40,970
to resolve this conflict between
Iran and the international

643
00:33:40,967 --> 00:33:42,897
community peacefully.

644
00:33:42,900 --> 00:33:45,930
And we share -- again,
this is not about supporting

645
00:33:45,934 --> 00:33:47,264
or not supporting sanctions.

646
00:33:47,266 --> 00:33:53,336
This President has led an effort
to build the most punitive,

647
00:33:53,333 --> 00:33:56,963
comprehensive sanctions regime
against Iran in history.

648
00:33:56,967 --> 00:34:04,897
It's merely a question of timing
and using Congress's authority

649
00:34:04,900 --> 00:34:07,500
and power here most effectively.

650
00:34:07,500 --> 00:34:09,530
>> The Press:
So just to be clear,

651
00:34:09,533 --> 00:34:13,363
so as long as the President can
stop sanctions that Congress

652
00:34:13,367 --> 00:34:15,867
would pass from
going into effect,

653
00:34:15,867 --> 00:34:20,137
then it's not harmful
to the agreement?

654
00:34:20,133 --> 00:34:22,303
>> Mr. Carney:
No, I think our point
is that passing new

655
00:34:22,300 --> 00:34:25,070
sanctions now is
counterproductive.

656
00:34:25,066 --> 00:34:28,266
>> The Press: Are you guys
worried that the new sanctions

657
00:34:28,266 --> 00:34:31,866
legislation is gaining enough
support in Congress that it

658
00:34:31,867 --> 00:34:36,267
could override the President's
-- a presidential veto?

659
00:34:36,266 --> 00:34:41,796
>> Mr. Carney:
Again, we remain of the
view that it's important

660
00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:46,270
for Congress to reserve action
on new sanctions for the

661
00:34:46,266 --> 00:34:48,636
appropriate time
if that time arrives.

662
00:34:48,633 --> 00:34:54,103
And we're not gaming this out in
the way that you described it.

663
00:34:54,100 --> 00:34:56,900
Our position is our position
because we think it has merit.

664
00:34:56,900 --> 00:34:57,970
>> The Press:
Isn't that your goal,

665
00:34:57,967 --> 00:34:59,297
to game that out in
the way I described it?

666
00:34:59,300 --> 00:35:01,000
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, I'm just saying
that our position is our

667
00:35:01,000 --> 00:35:03,430
position because our
position has merit.

668
00:35:03,433 --> 00:35:05,303
Congress has been an excellent
partner in building this

669
00:35:05,300 --> 00:35:06,630
sanctions regime.

670
00:35:06,633 --> 00:35:13,403
Congress, in our view, should
hold in abeyance action on

671
00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:19,700
further sanctions pending
progress or the lack of progress

672
00:35:19,700 --> 00:35:22,830
in the implementation
of the joint plan

673
00:35:22,834 --> 00:35:27,264
or in the negotiations for
a comprehensive resolution,

674
00:35:27,266 --> 00:35:29,696
because in that way they can be
most effective towards achieving

675
00:35:29,700 --> 00:35:32,100
the goal that we all share,
which is to deprive Iran

676
00:35:36,133 --> 00:35:37,133
of a nuclear weapon.

677
00:35:37,133 --> 00:35:39,533
And that's the goal.

678
00:35:39,533 --> 00:35:41,663
And the President takes nothing
off the table when it comes

679
00:35:41,667 --> 00:35:45,367
to achieving that goal, but
achieving that goal peacefully

680
00:35:45,367 --> 00:35:47,097
or at least attempting
to achieve it peacefully

681
00:35:47,100 --> 00:35:48,370
is absolutely the
right thing to do.

682
00:35:48,367 --> 00:35:55,037
And one of the arguments in
favor of the initial agreement

683
00:35:55,033 --> 00:35:58,633
is that it essentially puts time
on the clock by halting progress

684
00:35:58,633 --> 00:36:04,633
on the program and rolling
back aspects of it while the

685
00:36:04,633 --> 00:36:07,233
P5-plus-1 tests whether or not
Iran is serious about reaching

686
00:36:07,233 --> 00:36:09,063
a comprehensive resolution.

687
00:36:09,066 --> 00:36:11,596
>> The Press:
And then, just
quickly, on the NSA,

688
00:36:11,600 --> 00:36:14,100
can you describe
the thinking behind choosing

689
00:36:14,100 --> 00:36:16,670
to do this speech at
the Justice Department,

690
00:36:16,667 --> 00:36:20,197
which you know the President
gave a speech at the State

691
00:36:20,200 --> 00:36:22,130
Department and that was
intentionally designed

692
00:36:22,133 --> 00:36:25,333
to send the message that the
administration wanted to move

693
00:36:25,333 --> 00:36:28,233
away from military conflict
and talk more about diplomacy,

694
00:36:28,233 --> 00:36:30,463
and so in choosing
the Justice Department

695
00:36:30,467 --> 00:36:32,397
as the venue for this speech,

696
00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:35,600
what should people
take away from that?

697
00:36:35,600 --> 00:36:38,570
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, I think that we
obviously look at a variety

698
00:36:38,567 --> 00:36:40,497
of options when
it comes to venues.

699
00:36:40,500 --> 00:36:44,400
I wouldn't read too much
into the choice here except

700
00:36:44,400 --> 00:36:47,170
that it's an appropriate
choice, given the matters

701
00:36:47,166 --> 00:36:49,236
that the President
will be discussing.

702
00:36:49,233 --> 00:36:50,603
Mark.

703
00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:52,330
>> The Press:
On Iran, if I could,

704
00:36:52,333 --> 00:36:56,463
there have been a couple of
reports in the last few days

705
00:36:56,467 --> 00:36:58,897
assessing the state
of the Iranian economy.

706
00:36:58,900 --> 00:37:02,730
There's been some reports about
a decline in the inflation rate;

707
00:37:02,734 --> 00:37:05,834
the economy, which contracted
by 6 percent in 2012,

708
00:37:05,834 --> 00:37:09,304
may actually grow
by 1 or 1.5 percent this year.

709
00:37:09,300 --> 00:37:12,400
And it has been,
as I'm sure you know,

710
00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:15,500
an argument of critics of the
administration on sanctions

711
00:37:15,500 --> 00:37:18,600
relief that merely extending
the offer of sanctions relief

712
00:37:18,600 --> 00:37:22,400
is enough to cause a fairly
perceptible shift in the economy

713
00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:24,830
because of expectations
that there's more where

714
00:37:24,834 --> 00:37:25,864
that came from.

715
00:37:25,867 --> 00:37:28,367
Are you looking
at these numbers?

716
00:37:28,367 --> 00:37:30,967
Do you agree with the contention
that there is actually

717
00:37:30,967 --> 00:37:33,067
an improvement in
the Iranian economy?

718
00:37:33,066 --> 00:37:37,196
And does it worry you that
even if the sanctions relief --

719
00:37:37,200 --> 00:37:39,970
and this plan is,
in fact, modest --

720
00:37:39,967 --> 00:37:42,367
that there's sort
of a disproportionate effect

721
00:37:42,367 --> 00:37:44,797
on people's feelings
and sentiment in Iran

722
00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:47,530
that could lift the
pressure on the regime

723
00:37:47,533 --> 00:37:50,303
by a good bit more?

724
00:37:50,300 --> 00:37:52,030
>> Mr. Carney:
These are all
excellent questions.

725
00:37:52,033 --> 00:37:54,463
I haven't seen in-house
or administration analysis

726
00:37:54,467 --> 00:37:59,537
of Iranian economic
growth or contraction.

727
00:37:59,533 --> 00:38:02,463
I think as a general fact
it's been established

728
00:38:02,467 --> 00:38:04,337
that the Iranian economy

729
00:38:04,333 --> 00:38:07,033
has suffered under
the sanctions regime

730
00:38:07,033 --> 00:38:09,033
and that includes the currency.

731
00:38:12,266 --> 00:38:16,196
The test here is not whether
Iranian leaders

732
00:38:16,200 --> 00:38:20,100
would be satisfied with
1 percent growth and whether

733
00:38:20,100 --> 00:38:23,830
that would relieve
enough pressure on them

734
00:38:23,834 --> 00:38:27,134
for them to decide
not to pursue resolution

735
00:38:27,133 --> 00:38:28,263
with the international
community.

736
00:38:28,266 --> 00:38:30,736
The question is do
they resolve their differences

737
00:38:30,734 --> 00:38:32,334
with the
international community?

738
00:38:32,333 --> 00:38:37,063
And if they do it in a
transparent, verifiable way,

739
00:38:37,066 --> 00:38:41,266
that would be good for the
international community,

740
00:38:41,266 --> 00:38:44,596
for regional stability.

741
00:38:44,600 --> 00:38:49,300
If they do not, as has been the
case leading up to this point,

742
00:38:49,300 --> 00:38:54,870
there will be consequences
because Iran needs to abide by

743
00:38:54,867 --> 00:38:56,037
its international obligations.

744
00:38:56,033 --> 00:39:02,833
And you're talking about
a window here of six months.

745
00:39:02,834 --> 00:39:05,064
And should there
not be compliance

746
00:39:05,066 --> 00:39:06,136
with the interim agreement,

747
00:39:06,133 --> 00:39:10,103
should there
not be resolution,

748
00:39:12,367 --> 00:39:16,537
then I'm sure that not just the
United States but many of our

749
00:39:16,533 --> 00:39:20,963
allies and partners in this
effort will judge what actions

750
00:39:20,967 --> 00:39:23,467
are necessary to take because
the objective will not

751
00:39:23,467 --> 00:39:25,937
have been achieved,
which is to ensure that Iran

752
00:39:25,934 --> 00:39:28,504
does not acquire
a nuclear weapon.

753
00:39:28,500 --> 00:39:34,500
But all of this is anticipating
a negative outcome --

754
00:39:36,667 --> 00:39:38,837
and that could be what happens.

755
00:39:38,834 --> 00:39:41,834
It is the President's
responsibility,

756
00:39:41,834 --> 00:39:43,604
in keeping with the whole
purpose of building

757
00:39:43,600 --> 00:39:49,130
the sanctions regime, to test
whether or not Iran will reach

758
00:39:49,133 --> 00:39:51,503
an agreement with the
international community that's

759
00:39:51,500 --> 00:39:56,800
transparent and verifiable and
that will result in Iran coming

760
00:39:56,800 --> 00:39:59,130
into compliance with its
international obligations.

761
00:39:59,133 --> 00:40:03,333
If they decide not to,
for whatever reason,

762
00:40:03,333 --> 00:40:07,203
that decision will not be met
kindly by the United States

763
00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:10,730
or any of our allies and
partners in this endeavor.

764
00:40:10,734 --> 00:40:17,464
And what is unique I think about
what that populace looks like is

765
00:40:17,467 --> 00:40:23,467
that it is broad because of the
steps that President Obama took

766
00:40:25,700 --> 00:40:30,330
in 2009 to make clear that the
obstacle to progress on this

767
00:40:30,333 --> 00:40:31,733
issue was
not the United States,

768
00:40:31,734 --> 00:40:34,704
it was not U.S.
allies, it was Iran.

769
00:40:34,700 --> 00:40:39,400
And we are now where we are
because of that regime and its

770
00:40:39,400 --> 00:40:42,630
effectiveness, and
we will test whether or not

771
00:40:42,633 --> 00:40:43,703
a resolution is possible.

772
00:40:43,700 --> 00:40:45,170
Olivier.

773
00:40:45,166 --> 00:40:46,196
>> The Press:
Jay, staying on Iran,

774
00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:48,900
I just want to be
clear about something.

775
00:40:48,900 --> 00:40:53,330
The interim agreement allows
for the talks to be extended

776
00:40:53,333 --> 00:40:54,563
by mutual consent.

777
00:40:54,567 --> 00:40:56,467
Are you saying that you guys
would drop your opposition

778
00:40:56,467 --> 00:40:58,597
to new sanctions at
the six-month mark --

779
00:40:58,600 --> 00:41:00,200
>> Mr. Carney:
No, no, no --

780
00:41:00,200 --> 00:41:01,930
>> The Press:
-- or is it over
the life of the --

781
00:41:01,934 --> 00:41:03,664
I just want to be clear
because you mentioned

782
00:41:03,667 --> 00:41:04,997
the six-month mark
a couple times --

783
00:41:05,000 --> 00:41:06,930
over the life of
the negotiations, right?

784
00:41:06,934 --> 00:41:08,304
>> Mr. Carney:
I'm not going to
anticipate how these

785
00:41:08,300 --> 00:41:09,830
negotiations play out,
they haven't even begun yet.

786
00:41:09,834 --> 00:41:12,004
What I will --
on the six-month piece.

787
00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:17,530
What I will say is that if Iran
fails to reach an agreement --

788
00:41:17,533 --> 00:41:21,403
and when that happens is hard
to predict if it does happen --

789
00:41:21,400 --> 00:41:23,870
obviously, we'd prefer
and our partners prefer

790
00:41:23,867 --> 00:41:26,367
that this is
resolved peacefully.

791
00:41:26,367 --> 00:41:30,767
What I was saying and will
repeat is that failure

792
00:41:30,767 --> 00:41:34,497
to comply with its obligations
will, I think,

793
00:41:34,500 --> 00:41:39,570
be met by a reaction from the
United States and our partners.

794
00:41:39,567 --> 00:41:42,167
I'm not predicting that.

795
00:41:42,166 --> 00:41:43,966
I'm simply making the
point that when it comes

796
00:41:43,967 --> 00:41:51,197
to congressional action --
as we've said in the past --

797
00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:53,470
passing legislation that
would impose new sanctions

798
00:41:53,467 --> 00:41:55,467
would best wait for,

799
00:41:57,333 --> 00:42:02,603
as a matter of timing, a failure
by Iran to either comply with

800
00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:08,100
its agreements under the Joint
Plan of Action or a failure

801
00:42:08,100 --> 00:42:11,270
to come to resolution with
the international community

802
00:42:11,266 --> 00:42:13,796
on the comprehensive agreement.

803
00:42:13,800 --> 00:42:15,270
>> The Press:
But it's the second
part of that --

804
00:42:15,266 --> 00:42:16,896
obviously, if they
violate the interim agreement

805
00:42:16,900 --> 00:42:18,800
then you've got
one cause for action. But --

806
00:42:18,800 --> 00:42:20,470
>> Mr. Carney:
You're asking me what
would constitute a failure?

807
00:42:20,467 --> 00:42:22,067
I think that that obviously
will have to wait

808
00:42:22,066 --> 00:42:23,236
for the negotiations.

809
00:42:23,233 --> 00:42:24,133
>> The Press:
No, I'm asking
for the timetable,

810
00:42:24,133 --> 00:42:25,433
not what would constitute --

811
00:42:25,433 --> 00:42:26,003
>> Mr. Carney:
Well, I would point
you to the agreement

812
00:42:26,000 --> 00:42:29,100
as you described it.

813
00:42:29,100 --> 00:42:30,430
Mike.

814
00:42:30,433 --> 00:42:31,703
>> The Press:
Is there sort of --
on Iran -- a good cop,

815
00:42:31,700 --> 00:42:33,670
bad cop dynamic going on here

816
00:42:33,667 --> 00:42:35,297
with the administration
and Congress?

817
00:42:35,300 --> 00:42:37,670
I mean, the President had
phone calls, he had meetings,

818
00:42:37,667 --> 00:42:40,397
putting pressure on members of
Congress not to go forward

819
00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:43,700
with sanctions, and yet
at least 59 of them are signing

820
00:42:43,700 --> 00:42:45,770
on to a sanctions resolution.

821
00:42:45,767 --> 00:42:47,237
Is it useful as
a saber to rattle

822
00:42:47,233 --> 00:42:50,503
when you sit down with Iran?

823
00:42:50,500 --> 00:42:56,970
>> Mr. Carney:
Look, I think that -- I
wouldn't analyze it that way.

824
00:42:56,967 --> 00:43:00,767
I think that our view -- I
mean, we're being pretty clear,

825
00:43:00,767 --> 00:43:04,437
I think, in our view that
further sanctions legislation

826
00:43:04,433 --> 00:43:11,533
now would potentially result
in the opposite of the desired

827
00:43:11,533 --> 00:43:15,963
impact; that it could undermine
the existing sanctions regime,

828
00:43:15,967 --> 00:43:18,767
it could undermine the
consensus that we've built,

829
00:43:18,767 --> 00:43:22,897
and it could undermine the
progress that's been made

830
00:43:22,900 --> 00:43:27,230
through the P5-plus-1
in negotiations with Iran.

831
00:43:27,233 --> 00:43:29,933
Better for Congress,
in our view,

832
00:43:29,934 --> 00:43:34,034
to wait to take action
until it's necessary,

833
00:43:34,033 --> 00:43:36,003
if it's necessary,
because of Iran's failure

834
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:39,770
to comply if that comes about.

835
00:43:39,767 --> 00:43:40,967
Jared.

836
00:43:40,967 --> 00:43:42,537
>> The Press:
Jay, without getting
into the content

837
00:43:42,533 --> 00:43:45,333
of the Health and Human
Services conference call,

838
00:43:45,333 --> 00:43:48,733
which is still under embargo
for another 87 minutes or so --

839
00:43:48,734 --> 00:43:49,964
[laughter]

840
00:43:49,967 --> 00:43:52,067
-- what's the President's
reaction to the December report?

841
00:43:52,066 --> 00:43:53,596
Is he happy?

842
00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:54,600
Is he sad?

843
00:43:54,600 --> 00:43:57,670
Is he angry?

844
00:43:57,667 --> 00:43:59,367
>> The Press:
Gleeful?

845
00:43:59,367 --> 00:44:02,237
>> Mr. Carney:
You can come back
to me later in the day.

846
00:44:02,233 --> 00:44:03,303
Thanks very much.

847
00:44:03,300 --> 00:44:04,930
>> The Press:
Will you get back to us, though?

848
00:44:04,934 --> 00:44:06,264
>> Mr. Carney:
You know my number.