English subtitles for clip: File:3-19-13- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:01,467 --> 00:00:06,500 Mr. Carney: Top of the morning to everyone. 2 00:00:06,500 --> 00:00:09,734 I have to thank Cody Keenan, my fellow Irish American, 3 00:00:09,734 --> 00:00:10,934 for loaning me his tie. 4 00:00:10,934 --> 00:00:11,966 (laughter) 5 00:00:11,967 --> 00:00:12,734 Because I was a little thrown off -- 6 00:00:12,734 --> 00:00:15,166 I had corned beef and cabbage on Sunday, 7 00:00:15,166 --> 00:00:18,934 and I forgot that today is the day that we are officially 8 00:00:18,934 --> 00:00:21,734 celebrating Saint Patrick's Day here in Washington. 9 00:00:21,734 --> 00:00:25,233 As you know, the President has a bilateral meeting with the 10 00:00:25,233 --> 00:00:27,667 Taoiseach, Enda Kenny of Ireland, 11 00:00:27,667 --> 00:00:29,633 a meeting with the Northern Ireland delegation. 12 00:00:29,633 --> 00:00:32,200 He is attending also the Friends of Ireland luncheon on Capitol 13 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,967 Hill, and there is a Saint Patrick's Day reception in the 14 00:00:35,967 --> 00:00:41,667 East Room later today. 15 00:00:41,667 --> 00:00:44,467 I also want to note that, because of those remarks, 16 00:00:44,467 --> 00:00:46,967 we need to have a hard stop at 12:00 noon today. 17 00:00:46,967 --> 00:00:48,567 With that, I'll go to the Associated Press. 18 00:00:48,567 --> 00:00:50,000 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 19 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,300 There are reports out of Damascus by state-run media that 20 00:00:53,300 --> 00:00:56,266 rebels have mounted a chemical attack that killed 25 people. 21 00:00:56,266 --> 00:00:59,833 The Russian Foreign Ministry is backing up those claims, 22 00:00:59,834 --> 00:01:03,934 saying that there also -- I'm wondering if -- 23 00:01:03,934 --> 00:01:08,300 what the administration has on that report. 24 00:01:08,300 --> 00:01:11,366 Mr. Carney: Jim, as you know, we have been very clear about our concern 25 00:01:11,367 --> 00:01:14,467 that as the Assad regime is increasingly beleaguered and 26 00:01:14,467 --> 00:01:17,633 finds its escalation of violence through conventional means 27 00:01:17,633 --> 00:01:21,667 inadequate, including the barbaric use of Scud missiles 28 00:01:21,667 --> 00:01:24,567 against population centers, that it will consider the use of 29 00:01:24,567 --> 00:01:27,032 chemical weapons against the Syrian people. 30 00:01:27,033 --> 00:01:29,700 This is a serious concern. 31 00:01:29,700 --> 00:01:31,567 I am not going to discuss intelligence, 32 00:01:31,567 --> 00:01:34,433 but it is important that as fighting in Syria intensifies 33 00:01:34,433 --> 00:01:36,834 and the regime becomes more desperate, 34 00:01:36,834 --> 00:01:38,767 that the United States and the international community make 35 00:01:38,767 --> 00:01:43,033 absolutely clear to Assad that the use of chemical weapons 36 00:01:43,033 --> 00:01:45,500 would be totally unacceptable. 37 00:01:45,500 --> 00:01:47,633 The President was clear when he said that if Assad and those 38 00:01:47,633 --> 00:01:50,100 under his command make the mistake of using chemical 39 00:01:50,100 --> 00:01:53,532 weapons or fail to meet their obligations to secure them, 40 00:01:53,533 --> 00:01:55,066 then there will be consequences and they will be 41 00:01:55,066 --> 00:01:56,734 held accountable. 42 00:01:56,734 --> 00:01:58,833 The international community is united on this issue and the 43 00:01:58,834 --> 00:02:01,600 message to the Assad regime has been very clear. 44 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:04,899 The Press: Does that mean that you have confirmation that there was 45 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:09,200 indeed a chemical attack, no matter who it came from? 46 00:02:09,199 --> 00:02:11,533 Mr. Carney: We are looking carefully at the information as it comes in. 47 00:02:11,533 --> 00:02:16,232 I'm not going to discuss intelligence processes. 48 00:02:16,233 --> 00:02:20,667 All I can tell you is that this is an issue that has been made 49 00:02:20,667 --> 00:02:23,734 very clear by the President to be of great concern to us. 50 00:02:23,734 --> 00:02:26,066 The Press: There were some initial reports that this may have 51 00:02:26,066 --> 00:02:27,400 been propaganda. 52 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:30,400 You're not saying that that is propaganda on the part of 53 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:31,867 the Assad. 54 00:02:31,867 --> 00:02:34,700 Mr. Carney: Again, I can tell you that we're looking carefully at allegations 55 00:02:34,700 --> 00:02:37,833 of CW use, chemical weapons use. 56 00:02:37,834 --> 00:02:40,967 We're evaluating them, but I have no further assessment to 57 00:02:40,967 --> 00:02:42,600 provide to you from here. 58 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:45,900 The Press: On the point that -- it does raise the question, however, 59 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:49,600 about how secure chemical weapons stockpiles are. 60 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:53,266 Secretary Kerry warned recently about the ability of extremists 61 00:02:53,266 --> 00:02:57,533 getting access to those weapons. 62 00:02:57,533 --> 00:03:00,065 I was wondering if the administration, 63 00:03:00,066 --> 00:03:02,700 if the President is starting to think that arming rebels, 64 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:07,132 like the French and the British are doing -- 65 00:03:07,133 --> 00:03:11,400 arming friendly rebels, whether that would help our ability to 66 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:15,333 make sure that those stockpiles remain secure. 67 00:03:15,333 --> 00:03:20,633 Mr. Carney: Well, I wouldn't -- I would separate those two issues, 68 00:03:20,633 --> 00:03:25,600 first, to say that the issue of the possibility of chemical 69 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:28,667 weapons use remains a grave concern. 70 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:30,633 You heard the President, from this podium, 71 00:03:30,633 --> 00:03:34,133 express his position when he said, 72 00:03:34,133 --> 00:03:37,333 "The use of chemical weapons is and would be totally 73 00:03:37,333 --> 00:03:40,567 "unacceptable," and his warning to the Syrian regime that, 74 00:03:40,567 --> 00:03:43,633 "There will be consequences and you will be held accountable," 75 00:03:43,633 --> 00:03:45,433 if the regime were to use chemical weapons. 76 00:03:45,433 --> 00:03:46,433 That's the first point. 77 00:03:46,433 --> 00:03:52,533 The second point is we are constantly assessing our 78 00:03:52,533 --> 00:03:55,666 programs of assistance to the Syrian people and to the 79 00:03:55,667 --> 00:03:56,667 Syrian opposition. 80 00:03:56,667 --> 00:04:02,567 And we evaluate them and the options available based on what 81 00:04:02,567 --> 00:04:06,800 we think will best serve our policy, 82 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,834 and that is to help bring about a future where Syria is rid of 83 00:04:10,834 --> 00:04:15,400 Assad and that Syrians have the opportunity to build a country 84 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,367 that is more democratic, more prosperous, 85 00:04:18,367 --> 00:04:22,500 and a stable country within the region. 86 00:04:22,500 --> 00:04:24,033 And that process continues. 87 00:04:24,033 --> 00:04:26,867 Our position is and remains that we will not -- 88 00:04:26,867 --> 00:04:30,600 or we are not supplying lethal assistance to the opposition, 89 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,734 but we are of course, as you would expect, 90 00:04:33,734 --> 00:04:39,265 constantly evaluating and assessing our various 91 00:04:39,266 --> 00:04:41,600 assistance programs. 92 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:42,500 Yes. 93 00:04:42,500 --> 00:04:47,300 The Press: If it's opposition or rebel groups that have used chemical 94 00:04:47,300 --> 00:04:52,266 weapons, as the Russian -- as Russia has said -- alleged -- 95 00:04:52,266 --> 00:04:55,667 how will -- I mean, but how -- you've just said that the United 96 00:04:55,667 --> 00:04:57,799 States wants to hold Assad accountable for this. 97 00:04:57,800 --> 00:04:59,266 And what -- 98 00:04:59,266 --> 00:05:02,367 Mr. Carney: I appreciate it, and I should have made clear in my answer to 99 00:05:02,367 --> 00:05:07,734 Jim that on that specific allegation we have no evidence 100 00:05:07,734 --> 00:05:10,332 to substantiate the charge that the opposition has used 101 00:05:10,333 --> 00:05:11,333 chemical weapons. 102 00:05:11,333 --> 00:05:13,767 We are deeply skeptical of a regime that has lost all 103 00:05:13,767 --> 00:05:16,900 credibility, and we would also warn the regime against making 104 00:05:16,900 --> 00:05:21,032 these kinds of charges as any kind of pretext or cover for its 105 00:05:21,033 --> 00:05:22,433 use of chemical weapons. 106 00:05:22,433 --> 00:05:25,367 The Press: So just so I'm clear, you don't think that -- 107 00:05:25,367 --> 00:05:27,200 the United States does not think it's the opposition? 108 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:30,567 Mr. Carney: Again, we are evaluating the charges that are being made and 109 00:05:30,567 --> 00:05:33,667 the allegations, consulting closely with our partners in the 110 00:05:33,667 --> 00:05:35,433 region and in the international community. 111 00:05:35,433 --> 00:05:37,667 But we have no evidence to substantiate that charge, 112 00:05:37,667 --> 00:05:40,667 that the opposition has used chemical weapons. 113 00:05:40,667 --> 00:05:43,532 The Press: And this is coming as the President is heading to the 114 00:05:43,533 --> 00:05:44,533 Middle East. 115 00:05:44,533 --> 00:05:49,867 How much of his time during talks with leaders there do you 116 00:05:49,867 --> 00:05:54,166 expect will be devoted to this threat specifically? 117 00:05:54,166 --> 00:05:58,332 Mr. Carney: Well, there's no question that the President will discuss, 118 00:05:58,333 --> 00:06:02,900 with the leaders of the region on this trip, Syria. 119 00:06:02,900 --> 00:06:08,900 It is a high priority for the region and for the United States 120 00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:11,032 and our allies around the world. 121 00:06:11,033 --> 00:06:13,633 So that was always going to be, I think, 122 00:06:13,633 --> 00:06:16,900 a significant topic of conversation. 123 00:06:16,900 --> 00:06:19,767 I have no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu and the 124 00:06:19,767 --> 00:06:22,933 President will discuss it, President Shimon Peres and the 125 00:06:22,934 --> 00:06:25,867 President will discuss it as well, and it will be a topic, 126 00:06:25,867 --> 00:06:29,400 I'm sure, in discussions with other leaders -- 127 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,667 the King of Jordan, as well as the Palestinian leader, 128 00:06:32,667 --> 00:06:34,900 at least probably so. 129 00:06:34,900 --> 00:06:38,700 It's hard to assess, in light of these reports and allegations, 130 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:44,400 at this point, how that will affect the breakdown of 131 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:49,834 conversations in coming days, but it was already going to be 132 00:06:49,834 --> 00:06:50,834 a topic. 133 00:06:50,834 --> 00:06:51,834 Yes. 134 00:06:51,834 --> 00:06:55,400 The Press: Staying on Syria quickly, you talk about consequences if the 135 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:57,933 Assad government is found to be using chemical weapons. 136 00:06:57,934 --> 00:07:00,066 What kind of consequences do you mean? 137 00:07:00,066 --> 00:07:02,900 Sanctions, or some other kind of escalation? 138 00:07:02,900 --> 00:07:06,767 Mr. Carney: Well, I wouldn't care to speculate about what 139 00:07:06,767 --> 00:07:13,633 consequences would take place if it were to be found that the 140 00:07:13,633 --> 00:07:15,200 regime had used chemical weapons. 141 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,166 I would simply point you to what the President said from this 142 00:07:17,166 --> 00:07:20,900 podium about this issue -- language that I just quoted. 143 00:07:20,900 --> 00:07:23,834 This is a very serious matter. 144 00:07:23,834 --> 00:07:26,500 And with regards to today's reports, 145 00:07:26,500 --> 00:07:30,000 I want to stress that we are evaluating them and consulting 146 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,066 with our allies about them. 147 00:07:32,066 --> 00:07:36,099 But on the general principle, the President made very clear 148 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:39,800 that the use of chemical weapons -- and I quote -- 149 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:43,767 "is and would be entirely --" or "totally," 150 00:07:43,767 --> 00:07:45,633 rather, "unacceptable." 151 00:07:45,633 --> 00:07:48,433 And he warned the Syrian regime, in particular, that, 152 00:07:48,433 --> 00:07:50,767 "There will be consequences, and you will be held accountable." 153 00:07:50,767 --> 00:07:51,767 The Press: Separate topic. 154 00:07:51,767 --> 00:07:55,033 When can we expect to see the President's March 155 00:07:55,033 --> 00:07:56,233 Madness bracket? 156 00:07:56,233 --> 00:07:57,233 (laughter) 157 00:07:57,233 --> 00:08:00,100 Mr. Carney: Well, I appreciate the question. 158 00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:05,100 The President, as you know, has traditionally filled one out, 159 00:08:05,100 --> 00:08:08,500 and I don't expect this year will be any different. 160 00:08:08,500 --> 00:08:11,066 But as would be the case if, say, 161 00:08:11,066 --> 00:08:13,200 CNN were having an interview with the President, 162 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,400 I wouldn't preview it for your colleagues here, 163 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:17,834 so I won't do that for any other news organization. 164 00:08:17,834 --> 00:08:19,300 The Press: And last thing, on the Easter Egg Roll. 165 00:08:19,300 --> 00:08:22,200 You said earlier this month that the plan is for that event to go 166 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,599 on, go forward as planned, but we know that the ticket 167 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:28,533 confirmations have a disclaimer that it could be canceled. 168 00:08:28,533 --> 00:08:29,533 Where do things stand now? 169 00:08:29,533 --> 00:08:30,533 Which is it going to be? 170 00:08:30,533 --> 00:08:31,533 What do you expect? 171 00:08:31,533 --> 00:08:35,300 Mr. Carney: Well, I appreciate the question, and I've noted just substantial 172 00:08:35,299 --> 00:08:38,500 interest; it must be the very top news story among the 173 00:08:38,500 --> 00:08:40,567 Washington press corps today just based on the 174 00:08:40,567 --> 00:08:42,133 incoming inquiries. 175 00:08:42,133 --> 00:08:47,500 And I just want to be clear that we are currently planning to 176 00:08:47,500 --> 00:08:50,300 proceed with the Easter Egg Roll. 177 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:53,433 Because we distributed tickets to the Easter Egg Roll far in 178 00:08:53,433 --> 00:08:57,133 advance of the actual event, we alerted all ticket holders that 179 00:08:57,133 --> 00:09:00,100 this event is subject to cancellation due to funding 180 00:09:00,100 --> 00:09:01,834 uncertainty, including the possibility of a 181 00:09:01,834 --> 00:09:03,165 government shutdown. 182 00:09:03,166 --> 00:09:08,600 Again, the language that got attention on the Hill and was 183 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:14,367 reported duly by the press was prepared well in advance, 184 00:09:14,367 --> 00:09:17,000 and it had to do with the potential for at least the 185 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:20,767 possibility of a government shutdown should there not be a 186 00:09:20,767 --> 00:09:23,600 resolution on the continuing resolution. 187 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:26,867 It was not about sequester principally. 188 00:09:26,867 --> 00:09:32,099 So having said that, I want to be clear that because it 189 00:09:32,100 --> 00:09:34,000 certainly looks like there is progress being made, 190 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,367 and nobody expects a government shutdown, 191 00:09:36,367 --> 00:09:39,567 that we have every expectation that the Easter Egg Roll will 192 00:09:39,567 --> 00:09:42,333 proceed as planned. 193 00:09:42,333 --> 00:09:43,834 I hope that settles the matter. 194 00:09:43,834 --> 00:09:45,632 The Press: And lastly, on brackets, you won't tell us whether we should 195 00:09:45,633 --> 00:09:47,734 expect it before the President leaves tonight or -- 196 00:09:47,734 --> 00:09:51,367 Mr. Carney: Again, I don't think it's -- it certainly won't be two months 197 00:09:51,367 --> 00:09:55,099 from now -- if he does it at all. 198 00:09:55,100 --> 00:09:59,266 But I don't want to scoop another news outlet. 199 00:09:59,266 --> 00:10:00,733 Yes. 200 00:10:00,734 --> 00:10:04,133 The Press: Was the President briefed on the Marine accident? 201 00:10:04,133 --> 00:10:06,000 Mr. Carney: Yes, he was. 202 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:09,100 The Press: And what can we learn from that? 203 00:10:09,100 --> 00:10:12,367 Mr. Carney: Well, the President's thoughts and prayers go to the families 204 00:10:12,367 --> 00:10:15,834 of those who were lost and to those who are injured. 205 00:10:15,834 --> 00:10:17,766 We're obviously in the early stages of assessing 206 00:10:17,767 --> 00:10:19,700 the incident. 207 00:10:19,700 --> 00:10:20,800 It's a tragedy, clearly. 208 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:23,733 And the President was briefed immediately on -- 209 00:10:23,734 --> 00:10:26,333 and made aware of it immediately and briefed on it, 210 00:10:26,333 --> 00:10:29,300 and we're monitoring the situation. 211 00:10:29,300 --> 00:10:30,599 The Press: Jay, on Syria. 212 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:35,400 Two questions, if I may, on Syria. 213 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:37,632 Your answers to the opening round of questions came in 214 00:10:37,633 --> 00:10:41,300 somewhat piecemeal fashion, and so I want to make sure I'm 215 00:10:41,300 --> 00:10:42,300 clear on this. 216 00:10:42,300 --> 00:10:44,065 You have told us that -- 217 00:10:44,066 --> 00:10:45,066 Mr. Carney: Is that theater criticism? 218 00:10:45,066 --> 00:10:46,066 (laughter) 219 00:10:46,066 --> 00:10:47,333 Or is it a -- 220 00:10:47,333 --> 00:10:48,766 The Press: It is a matter of craft, yes. 221 00:10:48,767 --> 00:10:54,633 You have told us that you have no evidence to believe that it 222 00:10:54,633 --> 00:10:57,300 was any elements among the rebels that used 223 00:10:57,300 --> 00:10:58,300 chemical weapons -- 224 00:10:58,300 --> 00:10:59,300 Mr. Carney: Right. 225 00:10:59,300 --> 00:11:01,199 The Press: -- but that you are still looking into the allegations. 226 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:02,166 Mr. Carney: Correct. 227 00:11:02,166 --> 00:11:04,233 The Press: What is it that prohibits you from telling us that you have no 228 00:11:04,233 --> 00:11:06,532 evidence that it was the government that used 229 00:11:06,533 --> 00:11:07,533 these weapons? 230 00:11:07,533 --> 00:11:10,033 Mr. Carney: Because we're still looking into the reports of the use of 231 00:11:10,033 --> 00:11:11,033 chemical weapons. 232 00:11:11,033 --> 00:11:13,867 The Press: If that's so, how can you eliminate so quickly the idea 233 00:11:13,867 --> 00:11:15,433 that it wasn't the rebels? 234 00:11:15,433 --> 00:11:18,165 Mr. Carney: I'm saying that at this time, we have no evidence to substantiate 235 00:11:18,166 --> 00:11:20,600 that charge, and that we are skeptical -- deeply -- 236 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,467 of a regime that might make that charge, 237 00:11:23,467 --> 00:11:26,533 given that the regime has lost all credibility in the eyes of 238 00:11:26,533 --> 00:11:28,734 the Syrian people and the world. 239 00:11:28,734 --> 00:11:32,867 Having said that, we are obviously assessing the reports. 240 00:11:32,867 --> 00:11:36,934 And without getting into intelligence matters and 241 00:11:36,934 --> 00:11:41,033 methods, I can tell you that we're making evaluations about 242 00:11:41,033 --> 00:11:42,100 the reports. 243 00:11:42,100 --> 00:11:46,700 The Press: It would not, it seems to me, betray any intelligence methods 244 00:11:46,700 --> 00:11:50,600 or sources for you to tell us whether in fact you even know 245 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,100 whether chemical weapons were used. 246 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:54,600 Mr. Carney: Again, I appreciate the question. 247 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:59,934 And I can tell you that we are assessing the reports about the 248 00:11:59,934 --> 00:12:01,533 possible use of chemical weapons, 249 00:12:01,533 --> 00:12:06,400 as well as the reports about the origins of the possible use of 250 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,400 chemical weapons in Syria. 251 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:12,600 And I have no further assessment to provide to you at this time 252 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:14,533 about our judgments on that. 253 00:12:14,533 --> 00:12:17,900 I can tell you that we're evaluating them. 254 00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:21,132 And I can tell you, obviously, about our disposition towards 255 00:12:21,133 --> 00:12:24,633 the potential for the use of chemical weapons. 256 00:12:24,633 --> 00:12:26,300 But at this time, we're simply -- 257 00:12:26,300 --> 00:12:30,199 as a matter of intelligence, I can't give you more information 258 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:31,567 about the assessments we're making. 259 00:12:31,567 --> 00:12:35,166 The Press: And you said repeatedly at the podium today that the President 260 00:12:35,166 --> 00:12:40,700 has been clear on this point; that the use of such weapons 261 00:12:40,700 --> 00:12:44,333 would constitute a red line for the United States, 262 00:12:44,333 --> 00:12:47,433 but I wonder how clear the administration's position on 263 00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:48,433 this has been. 264 00:12:48,433 --> 00:12:51,300 You quoted from the President's remarks to the National War 265 00:12:51,300 --> 00:12:55,266 College in December, in which he said that the use of chemical 266 00:12:55,266 --> 00:12:58,233 weapons is and would be totally unacceptable. 267 00:12:58,233 --> 00:13:01,900 But about three months prior to that, from this very podium, 268 00:13:01,900 --> 00:13:05,632 on August 20, the President said -- and I'm quoting now -- 269 00:13:05,633 --> 00:13:09,200 "a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical 270 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:12,533 "weapons moving around or being utilized." 271 00:13:12,533 --> 00:13:14,266 So what is the red line for the President? 272 00:13:14,266 --> 00:13:15,266 Is it moving around? 273 00:13:15,266 --> 00:13:16,266 Mr. Carney: Well, as we explained many times -- 274 00:13:16,266 --> 00:13:17,266 and I know you're not here often -- 275 00:13:17,266 --> 00:13:19,165 the President was talking about that -- 276 00:13:19,166 --> 00:13:21,166 moving around in terms of the proliferation, 277 00:13:21,166 --> 00:13:24,200 which is a very serious issue, the proliferation by the regime 278 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:30,200 to -- potential proliferation to the regime to other actors in 279 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,166 the region potentially of chemical weapons. 280 00:13:33,166 --> 00:13:36,300 So it's a fair question, but that was the distinction he 281 00:13:36,300 --> 00:13:37,300 was making. 282 00:13:37,300 --> 00:13:40,233 The utilization by the regime potentially of chemical weapons, 283 00:13:40,233 --> 00:13:43,934 we made very clear in our warnings how we would view that. 284 00:13:43,934 --> 00:13:48,233 We also consider a red line the proliferation of chemical 285 00:13:48,233 --> 00:13:50,934 weapons to other actors by the regime. 286 00:13:50,934 --> 00:13:53,567 The Press: Does either of those things appear to have happened today? 287 00:13:53,567 --> 00:13:56,600 Mr. Carney: Again, I have no -- the reports today are about the possible use 288 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:57,600 of chemical weapons. 289 00:13:57,600 --> 00:13:59,533 We are making assessments about those reports. 290 00:13:59,533 --> 00:14:02,567 I don't have any more information to provide you on 291 00:14:02,567 --> 00:14:05,967 those efforts, and I can't get into intelligence 292 00:14:05,967 --> 00:14:07,100 matters from here. 293 00:14:07,100 --> 00:14:11,800 But we are obviously treating this as a serious issue and 294 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:13,532 evaluating it accordingly. 295 00:14:13,533 --> 00:14:14,533 Yes, Kristen. 296 00:14:14,533 --> 00:14:17,767 The Press: Jay, as you evaluate, is the President also considering 297 00:14:17,767 --> 00:14:23,200 changing his policy towards Syria at this point? 298 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:24,200 Are those discussions underway? 299 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:29,033 Mr. Carney: As is always the case, we are evaluating our assistance 300 00:14:29,033 --> 00:14:30,800 programs to both the Syrian people and the 301 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:32,400 Syrian opposition. 302 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,132 We have stepped up our assistance programs in 303 00:14:35,133 --> 00:14:36,500 both cases. 304 00:14:36,500 --> 00:14:40,333 Substantial amounts of humanitarian assistance has been 305 00:14:40,333 --> 00:14:42,666 provided by the United States and will continue to be provided 306 00:14:42,667 --> 00:14:45,266 by the United States to the Syrian people. 307 00:14:45,266 --> 00:14:49,000 Substantial assistance has been and will continue to be provided 308 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,367 to the Syrian opposition. 309 00:14:50,367 --> 00:14:55,900 That assistance remains non-lethal with regards to the 310 00:14:55,900 --> 00:15:01,800 opposition, but we are evaluating our policies and 311 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:06,233 programs of assistance regularly to assess their effectiveness 312 00:15:06,233 --> 00:15:10,532 and to make judgments about what would best help bring about the 313 00:15:10,533 --> 00:15:14,500 policy objectives that we have and that we share with the 314 00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:16,867 Syrian people as well as our international partners. 315 00:15:16,867 --> 00:15:23,300 And that evaluation has been ongoing prior to the 316 00:15:23,300 --> 00:15:24,300 reports today. 317 00:15:24,300 --> 00:15:27,132 And I think I've answered questions about this similarly 318 00:15:27,133 --> 00:15:31,567 in the past when you and your colleagues have asked about 319 00:15:31,567 --> 00:15:35,400 whether we're considering changing our approach on lethal 320 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:37,433 versus non-lethal assistance, for example, 321 00:15:37,433 --> 00:15:40,467 and I've made the point that our position is that we are 322 00:15:40,467 --> 00:15:42,567 providing only non-lethal assistance but we are, 323 00:15:42,567 --> 00:15:46,500 obviously, constantly evaluating that aspect of our assistance as 324 00:15:46,500 --> 00:15:48,066 well as others. 325 00:15:48,066 --> 00:15:49,767 The Press: And going back to the CR for a moment, 326 00:15:49,767 --> 00:15:53,066 it sounds like you're confident that there will not be a 327 00:15:53,066 --> 00:15:54,066 government shutdown. 328 00:15:54,066 --> 00:15:57,400 Are you 100% confident that that won't happen? 329 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:01,066 Mr. Carney: Well, the process continues in Congress towards funding the 330 00:16:01,066 --> 00:16:06,266 government and avoiding another unnecessary self-inflicted wound 331 00:16:06,266 --> 00:16:07,632 on the economy. 332 00:16:07,633 --> 00:16:12,367 We take heart in the indications that we've had from both sides 333 00:16:12,367 --> 00:16:15,834 of the aisle and from the leaders in the Republican Party 334 00:16:15,834 --> 00:16:18,967 that it is their intent to move forward with passage of a CR. 335 00:16:18,967 --> 00:16:23,967 The President has made clear that he believes that we need to 336 00:16:23,967 --> 00:16:29,400 avoid another manufactured crisis and that we should move 337 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:34,000 forward with a continuing resolution that continues to 338 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,600 fund the government and does not allow for a government shutdown. 339 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:40,834 So the Easter Egg Roll is entirely likely to continue 340 00:16:40,834 --> 00:16:42,300 and proceed. 341 00:16:42,300 --> 00:16:46,199 The Press: It doesn't appear as though the CR discussions include stopping 342 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,767 the sequester or really mitigating it in a serious way. 343 00:16:49,767 --> 00:16:52,934 Should we assume at this point that the sequester will be in 344 00:16:52,934 --> 00:16:55,699 effect for several months if not for the duration -- 345 00:16:55,700 --> 00:17:01,767 Mr. Carney: Well, it's a great question, and I've talked about how the 346 00:17:01,767 --> 00:17:04,667 President has approached his engagement with lawmakers, 347 00:17:04,666 --> 00:17:07,032 for example -- Republican lawmakers -- 348 00:17:07,032 --> 00:17:10,233 within the context of the fact that a decision was made, 349 00:17:10,233 --> 00:17:12,633 regrettably, about imposition of the sequester; 350 00:17:12,633 --> 00:17:15,333 a decision was made by Republicans not to entertain the 351 00:17:15,333 --> 00:17:19,900 idea of a temporary delay in the sequester deadline that would 352 00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:24,033 have been purchased with a balanced plan much as had been 353 00:17:24,032 --> 00:17:27,132 at the end of 2012. 354 00:17:27,133 --> 00:17:28,767 That decision was made. 355 00:17:28,767 --> 00:17:31,133 We would obviously welcome a change of heart by Republicans, 356 00:17:31,133 --> 00:17:34,100 but there's no indication from Republicans that such a change 357 00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:36,699 of heart is forthcoming. 358 00:17:36,700 --> 00:17:39,934 Therefore, we are engaged in conversations about the 359 00:17:39,934 --> 00:17:44,200 possibility of moving forward on broader deficit reduction in a 360 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:49,200 balanced way that would both eliminate the sequester -- 361 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,834 if achieved -- but also, beyond that, 362 00:17:51,834 --> 00:17:56,133 further reduce our deficit and bring us past the $4 trillion 363 00:17:56,133 --> 00:18:02,066 over 10 years goal that so many have identified as what we need 364 00:18:02,066 --> 00:18:03,166 to achieve. 365 00:18:03,166 --> 00:18:07,200 And that's what the current discussions are about. 366 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:09,500 Now, the timeline for that, obviously, 367 00:18:09,500 --> 00:18:13,233 is a little prolonged because it involves regular order and the 368 00:18:13,233 --> 00:18:14,800 budget process underway in the Congress, 369 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:15,800 in both the House and the Senate, 370 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:20,466 as well as the conversations and meetings that the President has 371 00:18:20,467 --> 00:18:22,767 been having with lawmakers, and that lawmakers have been having 372 00:18:22,767 --> 00:18:24,400 among themselves. 373 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:29,066 So it certainly looks as though the sequester will remain 374 00:18:29,066 --> 00:18:33,700 imposed for some time unless Republicans have a change of 375 00:18:33,700 --> 00:18:36,633 heart about the decision to impose it. 376 00:18:36,633 --> 00:18:39,300 The Press: It doesn't seem like there was a lot of urgency to prevent it 377 00:18:39,300 --> 00:18:42,433 from going into effect, and it feels like there's less now. 378 00:18:42,433 --> 00:18:45,333 It doesn't feel like there are -- 379 00:18:45,333 --> 00:18:53,033 Mr. Carney: I think we made clear that we firmly oppose the imposition of 380 00:18:53,033 --> 00:18:54,000 the sequester. 381 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:59,600 We tried to warn about the real-world effects that 382 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:04,000 imposition of the sequester would have on middle-class 383 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:07,834 Americans across the country, on our defense industries and on 384 00:19:07,834 --> 00:19:14,600 our military posture, national security readiness. 385 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,466 And those effects are being felt. 386 00:19:18,467 --> 00:19:25,900 And we obviously implored Republicans to consider the 387 00:19:25,900 --> 00:19:28,667 option of doing what they had done just two months before, 388 00:19:28,667 --> 00:19:34,367 which was to pass a short-term delay of the sequester that was 389 00:19:34,367 --> 00:19:37,200 balanced, that asked everyone to chip in, if you will -- 390 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,467 not just seniors and middle-class Americans, 391 00:19:39,467 --> 00:19:42,300 but the well-off and well-connected. 392 00:19:42,300 --> 00:19:44,066 There was adamant refusal to do that. 393 00:19:44,066 --> 00:19:48,333 The sequester was imposed, and we're now seeing the effects -- 394 00:19:48,333 --> 00:19:52,166 including, I think, a story that I found particularly striking 395 00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:56,934 out of Indianapolis, an Associated Press story about one 396 00:19:56,934 --> 00:20:00,133 school district where a lottery had to be imposed on Head Start 397 00:20:00,133 --> 00:20:03,233 families, and if you lost the lottery, 398 00:20:03,233 --> 00:20:07,033 your child was withdrawn from the Head Start program almost 399 00:20:07,033 --> 00:20:11,132 immediately because of sequester. 400 00:20:11,133 --> 00:20:13,000 Roger. 401 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:14,400 The Press: Back to the CR for a moment. 402 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:17,533 Is there, as it stands today, and I know the process is not 403 00:20:17,533 --> 00:20:21,199 complete -- but does the White House see any objections to the 404 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:24,100 CR as it stands right now? 405 00:20:24,100 --> 00:20:25,800 Mr. Carney: We're monitoring it. 406 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:27,332 We're encouraged by the progress. 407 00:20:27,333 --> 00:20:31,266 I don't want to prejudge the final outcome. 408 00:20:31,266 --> 00:20:40,767 We believe that both sides seem inclined to avoid a shutdown, 409 00:20:40,767 --> 00:20:46,100 and that is a good thing, and to avoid using the CR to provoke a 410 00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:48,233 confrontation that could lead to a shutdown. 411 00:20:48,233 --> 00:20:54,500 But the work is not done, and so I will not make a final 412 00:20:54,500 --> 00:20:55,500 assessment about it. 413 00:20:55,500 --> 00:21:01,934 But we remain hopeful that members and leaders of Congress 414 00:21:01,934 --> 00:21:04,700 agree with the President, or are like-minded, 415 00:21:04,700 --> 00:21:07,300 in that they do not believe that this is a place where we should 416 00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:10,734 have another manufactured crisis that negatively affects our 417 00:21:10,734 --> 00:21:12,600 economy and the middle class. 418 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:13,632 The Press: And one other one. 419 00:21:13,633 --> 00:21:15,700 The leaders, in the pool spray this morning, 420 00:21:15,700 --> 00:21:19,333 both made a reference to the proposed U.S. transatlantic 421 00:21:19,333 --> 00:21:22,734 trade and cap negotiations. 422 00:21:22,734 --> 00:21:27,800 Does the White House have to notify Congress of its intent to 423 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:29,734 start such negotiations? 424 00:21:29,734 --> 00:21:33,600 And if I have my memory, have you done that yet? 425 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:34,800 Mr. Carney: I will have to check, Roger. 426 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,033 I confess I do not know the answer to that question and will 427 00:21:38,033 --> 00:21:39,600 not venture to guess. 428 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:40,833 Ari, how are you? 429 00:21:40,834 --> 00:21:42,200 The Press: Fine, thanks. 430 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:44,233 Any reflections from the White House on the 10th anniversary of 431 00:21:44,233 --> 00:21:46,867 the Iraq invasion? 432 00:21:46,867 --> 00:21:53,533 Mr. Carney: I would simply note that over the past 10 years, 433 00:21:53,533 --> 00:21:57,466 or certainly leading up to the final withdrawal of U.S. troops 434 00:21:57,467 --> 00:22:01,333 from Iraq, our men and women in uniform, 435 00:22:01,333 --> 00:22:05,266 as well as our civilian personnel, 436 00:22:05,266 --> 00:22:11,700 sacrificed on our behalf enormously and fulfilled every 437 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:16,200 mission that was assigned to them bravely and courageously -- 438 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:17,800 well, bravely and heroically. 439 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:23,466 And the President is enormously appreciative of the service of 440 00:22:23,467 --> 00:22:30,266 those who went to Iraq, the heroism that they demonstrated, 441 00:22:30,266 --> 00:22:36,934 and the sacrifice that they made. 442 00:22:36,934 --> 00:22:38,700 It's not a mystery, obviously, that the President, 443 00:22:38,700 --> 00:22:40,834 as a Senate candidate and then a Senator, 444 00:22:40,834 --> 00:22:44,500 opposed the invasion of Iraq, opposed the Iraq war, 445 00:22:44,500 --> 00:22:47,967 and as a candidate in 2008 promised to end the Iraq war. 446 00:22:47,967 --> 00:22:51,200 And he has fulfilled that promise. 447 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:58,900 And he fulfilled that promise in a way that allowed Iraq to have 448 00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:03,533 the best possible chance to -- provided to them by the service 449 00:23:03,533 --> 00:23:09,000 and sacrifice of Americans in uniform as well as civilians, 450 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:10,066 for a better future. 451 00:23:10,066 --> 00:23:14,433 And the situation in Iraq continues to be a challenge, 452 00:23:14,433 --> 00:23:17,767 but there is an elected government, 453 00:23:17,767 --> 00:23:23,567 there is a growing economy, and there is certainly the potential 454 00:23:23,567 --> 00:23:26,800 and prospect for Iraq to have a much better future than its 455 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:32,934 past, and that is due to, in significant measure, 456 00:23:32,934 --> 00:23:35,700 the sacrifice and service of Americans. 457 00:23:35,700 --> 00:23:37,000 Peter. 458 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,300 The Press: Jay, on that subject, I mean, is the President planning to do 459 00:23:39,300 --> 00:23:41,100 anything to mark the occasion? 460 00:23:41,100 --> 00:23:42,399 He put out a statement the other day on the Anfal, 461 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:44,967 the anniversary of the Anfal massacre. 462 00:23:44,967 --> 00:23:46,033 Is he going to put out a statement? 463 00:23:46,033 --> 00:23:47,433 Is he -- is this -- 464 00:23:47,433 --> 00:23:48,600 Mr. Carney: I think we will have a statement, Peter, 465 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,632 but I wouldn't expect more than that. 466 00:23:51,633 --> 00:23:54,033 The Press: Does he have reflections on the lessons that people should be 467 00:23:54,033 --> 00:23:55,899 thinking about 10 years later? 468 00:23:55,900 --> 00:23:58,400 Mr. Carney: I haven't discussed this with him recently. 469 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:00,100 I think that -- well, you know the President's position as a 470 00:24:00,100 --> 00:24:05,734 candidate for the Senate and a candidate for this office, 471 00:24:05,734 --> 00:24:12,966 about this particular military policy. 472 00:24:12,967 --> 00:24:16,266 And I think he said at the time, as a candidate for the Senate, 473 00:24:16,266 --> 00:24:22,734 that war is necessary sometimes, but not all wars are necessary, 474 00:24:22,734 --> 00:24:27,100 to paraphrase, and that this one in his view was not. 475 00:24:27,100 --> 00:24:32,966 But that in no way should take away from his extremely strongly 476 00:24:32,967 --> 00:24:39,400 held view that the Americans who were sent over to serve their 477 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:45,800 country in Iraq performed heroically and at a level of 478 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,433 professionalism that has never been seen before. 479 00:24:48,433 --> 00:24:52,266 And it is because of their service that Iraq has the 480 00:24:52,266 --> 00:24:54,567 chance, and the Iraqi people have the chance, 481 00:24:54,567 --> 00:24:57,000 for a better future. 482 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:00,800 And he's enormously grateful for that service. 483 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:01,934 The Press: Last question on this. 484 00:25:01,934 --> 00:25:04,899 Do you think the administration is doing enough right now to 485 00:25:04,900 --> 00:25:06,100 ensure that future? 486 00:25:06,100 --> 00:25:10,399 A lot of people in Iraq feel like America has abandoned them 487 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:13,867 or not paid attention, or not been active enough in the 488 00:25:13,867 --> 00:25:14,899 last two years. 489 00:25:14,900 --> 00:25:16,367 Mr. Carney: Well, President Obama, as he promised, 490 00:25:16,367 --> 00:25:18,767 ended the war in Iraq and we have withdrawn all U.S. 491 00:25:18,767 --> 00:25:20,867 military personnel from Iraq. 492 00:25:20,867 --> 00:25:22,834 We still have an enormously important relationship 493 00:25:22,834 --> 00:25:24,633 with Iraq. 494 00:25:24,633 --> 00:25:28,300 We have an extremely large diplomatic presence in Iraq, 495 00:25:28,300 --> 00:25:35,200 and connections on issues at all levels with the Iraqi government 496 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:37,900 and the Iraqi people, both economic, cultural, 497 00:25:37,900 --> 00:25:39,133 geopolitical, regional. 498 00:25:39,133 --> 00:25:44,333 So this is a relationship that we consider very important, 499 00:25:44,333 --> 00:25:48,066 and we continue to work with the Iraqis on a whole host of 500 00:25:48,066 --> 00:25:52,600 issues, and continue to assist the Iraqi people and the Iraqi 501 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:55,433 government in their efforts to build on the progress 502 00:25:55,433 --> 00:25:56,834 they have made. 503 00:25:56,834 --> 00:25:59,967 But there is no question that the President made a commitment 504 00:25:59,967 --> 00:26:02,033 to end that war, and he ended it. 505 00:26:02,033 --> 00:26:03,667 The Press: Do you mind a follow-up on this subject? 506 00:26:03,667 --> 00:26:04,500 Mr. Carney: David. 507 00:26:04,500 --> 00:26:05,400 I'll come back to you in a second. 508 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:06,300 The Press: I've got a couple. 509 00:26:06,300 --> 00:26:08,166 First, on Iraq. 510 00:26:08,166 --> 00:26:10,966 A decade later, is Iraq better off? 511 00:26:10,967 --> 00:26:12,867 Mr. Carney: I think historians have to make the judgment. 512 00:26:12,867 --> 00:26:17,600 I think that ridding the world of Saddam Hussein was a welcome 513 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:21,632 development for the world and for Iraq, but again, 514 00:26:21,633 --> 00:26:24,967 the President opposed the policy, as a candidate, 515 00:26:24,967 --> 00:26:32,000 of invading Iraq, and as a candidate for President as well. 516 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,400 But he made a commitment, as a candidate, 517 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:42,567 to end that war in a manner more responsible than the manner in 518 00:26:42,567 --> 00:26:43,567 which we entered it. 519 00:26:43,567 --> 00:26:48,667 And he has fulfilled that promise. 520 00:26:48,667 --> 00:26:52,199 The Iraqi people are a proud and capable people, 521 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:58,100 and they have an enormous potential for building a future 522 00:26:58,100 --> 00:27:01,600 for that country with the assistance of friends and 523 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:06,433 partners in the international community that is far brighter, 524 00:27:06,433 --> 00:27:08,033 not just in the past, but even the present. 525 00:27:08,033 --> 00:27:11,000 And we remain committed to that relationship and to assisting 526 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:12,934 Iraq in that effort. 527 00:27:12,934 --> 00:27:16,834 But it was entirely the right thing to do to wind down and 528 00:27:16,834 --> 00:27:18,734 end that war. 529 00:27:18,734 --> 00:27:20,132 The Press: A money question. 530 00:27:20,133 --> 00:27:24,033 GAO recently issued a report about federal buildings that are 531 00:27:24,033 --> 00:27:29,166 unused or underused -- 77,000 of the buildings that they 532 00:27:29,166 --> 00:27:30,433 actually track. 533 00:27:30,433 --> 00:27:33,967 And it costs taxpayers more than a billion and a half dollars 534 00:27:33,967 --> 00:27:36,900 every year just to operate these buildings. 535 00:27:36,900 --> 00:27:39,300 Why are we spending a billion and a half to operate buildings 536 00:27:39,300 --> 00:27:40,332 we don't need? 537 00:27:40,333 --> 00:27:42,600 Mr. Carney: It's an excellent question, which is why in 2010, 538 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:46,065 President Obama set up -- set an ambitious goal for his 539 00:27:46,066 --> 00:27:49,767 administration, and that was to eliminate $8 billion in real 540 00:27:49,767 --> 00:27:53,867 estate costs by 2012, and federal agencies have beaten 541 00:27:53,867 --> 00:27:56,000 both of these goals. 542 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:59,066 In other words, they eliminated more than $8 billion prior to 543 00:27:59,066 --> 00:28:00,867 the completion of 2012. 544 00:28:00,867 --> 00:28:03,966 The administration has also put forward an aggressive proposal 545 00:28:03,967 --> 00:28:06,500 that would further these efforts by expediting the process to 546 00:28:06,500 --> 00:28:09,633 dispose of additional high-value assets. 547 00:28:09,633 --> 00:28:12,967 And OMB has done a lot of work on this and I would refer you to 548 00:28:12,967 --> 00:28:13,967 them for more details. 549 00:28:13,967 --> 00:28:14,967 But it's an excellent question. 550 00:28:14,967 --> 00:28:19,967 And we have aggressively approached this challenge of 551 00:28:19,967 --> 00:28:24,333 disposing of unused federal property because the cost of 552 00:28:24,333 --> 00:28:27,066 maintaining it are unnecessary and we have -- 553 00:28:27,066 --> 00:28:28,066 The Press: But we're still spending -- 554 00:28:28,066 --> 00:28:31,367 Mr. Carney: Well, the project is not done, but we have made extreme -- 555 00:28:31,367 --> 00:28:34,433 exceptional amount of progress since the President set that 556 00:28:34,433 --> 00:28:38,934 goal, and we continue to work on it. 557 00:28:38,934 --> 00:28:41,266 And we need to be as efficient as we can, 558 00:28:41,266 --> 00:28:44,433 and this is one of the reasons why the President set that goal. 559 00:28:44,433 --> 00:28:47,200 It's one of the reasons the Office of Management and Budget 560 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:49,166 has continued to work on it. 561 00:28:49,166 --> 00:28:50,734 It's not an issue that gets a lot of attention, 562 00:28:50,734 --> 00:28:54,833 and I appreciate the question because it's a worthwhile effort 563 00:28:54,834 --> 00:28:57,567 as part of the President's overall approach to making 564 00:28:57,567 --> 00:29:00,834 government more efficient and finding savings where he can. 565 00:29:00,834 --> 00:29:03,233 Jon-Christopher -- and sorry, James, I did say I'd come 566 00:29:03,233 --> 00:29:04,200 back to you. 567 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:05,400 Did you have something? 568 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:06,400 The Press: Yes. 569 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:08,166 Just to follow up on the discussion of the Iraq war, 570 00:29:08,166 --> 00:29:11,567 none of us wants to plunge ourselves into counterfactual 571 00:29:11,567 --> 00:29:13,367 histories about what if. 572 00:29:13,367 --> 00:29:16,834 And so all we have is the record of what did occur. 573 00:29:16,834 --> 00:29:20,133 And when you stand here and tell us that Iraq today now has the 574 00:29:20,133 --> 00:29:26,400 option for a chance for a much better future than her past, 575 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:28,533 that is, as a matter of factual history, 576 00:29:28,533 --> 00:29:32,833 only possible because President Bush decided to launch this war 577 00:29:32,834 --> 00:29:36,300 and send all these heroic servicemen and women into 578 00:29:36,300 --> 00:29:37,433 this mission. 579 00:29:37,433 --> 00:29:40,567 And so if credit is due to those servicemen and women, 580 00:29:40,567 --> 00:29:43,967 it seems to me a matter of logic that some credit would also be 581 00:29:43,967 --> 00:29:46,033 due to President Bush and his advisors. 582 00:29:46,033 --> 00:29:49,699 And that on this occasion, do you not see it that way? 583 00:29:49,700 --> 00:29:53,033 Mr. Carney: James, I would simply take up your first proposition that 584 00:29:53,033 --> 00:29:55,934 engaging in counterfactuals about what might have happened 585 00:29:55,934 --> 00:29:59,300 had we not gone to war in search of weapons of mass destruction 586 00:29:59,300 --> 00:30:02,700 that didn't exist, what would have happened. 587 00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:05,800 There is no question, as I made clear in several answers, 588 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:10,466 that the President believes that Iraq has the potential for a 589 00:30:10,467 --> 00:30:14,066 better future today because of the remarkable sacrifice and 590 00:30:14,066 --> 00:30:17,066 service of American men and women in uniform as well as 591 00:30:17,066 --> 00:30:21,133 civilian American men and women who served in Iraq. 592 00:30:21,133 --> 00:30:23,633 And that is without question and without doubt. 593 00:30:23,633 --> 00:30:25,900 It is impossible to know, obviously, 594 00:30:25,900 --> 00:30:30,367 what course would have occurred in Iraq had the inspections 595 00:30:30,367 --> 00:30:33,133 regime continued, had different choices been made. 596 00:30:33,133 --> 00:30:36,734 That was not obviously the world that the President inherited 597 00:30:36,734 --> 00:30:39,699 when he took office in January of 2009. 598 00:30:39,700 --> 00:30:44,367 The world he inherited was one that included America at war in 599 00:30:44,367 --> 00:30:48,332 two places, in two countries, with, I believe, 600 00:30:48,333 --> 00:30:53,533 an excess of 130,000 troops in combination -- 601 00:30:53,533 --> 00:30:55,399 Iraq and Afghanistan. 602 00:30:55,400 --> 00:30:59,700 And he set in motion policy objectives that included winding 603 00:30:59,700 --> 00:31:02,433 down responsibly the war in Iraq; 604 00:31:02,433 --> 00:31:06,066 refocusing our attention on the war in Afghanistan, which, 605 00:31:06,066 --> 00:31:09,433 after all, was the war that we launched because we were 606 00:31:09,433 --> 00:31:14,800 attacked on September 11, 2001. 607 00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:15,800 He did both. 608 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:18,800 And he is now, having ended the war in Iraq, 609 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:21,567 winding down the war in Afghanistan. 610 00:31:21,567 --> 00:31:24,633 So it really is -- all these questions are very interesting, 611 00:31:24,633 --> 00:31:26,867 and I think the anniversary is an appropriate time to begin 612 00:31:26,867 --> 00:31:27,800 asking them. 613 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:31,667 But I think historians will make the assessments about the policy 614 00:31:31,667 --> 00:31:33,533 judgments made by the administration that was in power 615 00:31:33,533 --> 00:31:35,466 at the time. 616 00:31:35,467 --> 00:31:39,000 The President had very clearly stated views as a candidate for 617 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:41,834 Senate and very clearly stated views as a candidate for 618 00:31:41,834 --> 00:31:44,066 President that were judged and evaluated by the 619 00:31:44,066 --> 00:31:45,300 American people. 620 00:31:45,300 --> 00:31:50,265 He had very clear policy positions that he promised to 621 00:31:50,266 --> 00:31:53,467 implement if he were elected, and he has done so. 622 00:31:53,467 --> 00:31:56,734 The Press: But it sounds to me listening to you that for what you call the 623 00:31:56,734 --> 00:32:00,399 "welcome development" of Saddam Hussein being gone, 624 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:03,934 you are unwilling to accord President George W. Bush even a 625 00:32:03,934 --> 00:32:06,033 single iota of credit for that development. 626 00:32:06,033 --> 00:32:08,699 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm happy to do that, James. 627 00:32:08,700 --> 00:32:14,467 I think the focus on doing that is unique here in this briefing. 628 00:32:14,467 --> 00:32:18,033 But there is no question that Saddam Hussein was removed from 629 00:32:18,033 --> 00:32:21,632 power thanks to the military efforts of U.S. armed forces, 630 00:32:21,633 --> 00:32:23,834 and they were sent to Iraq by President Bush. 631 00:32:23,834 --> 00:32:25,867 So, obviously, there is a causal relationship. 632 00:32:25,867 --> 00:32:27,966 And to the extent that credit is due, 633 00:32:27,967 --> 00:32:30,166 credit is due to him for that. 634 00:32:30,166 --> 00:32:33,833 That does not change, I think, assessments made by this 635 00:32:33,834 --> 00:32:37,500 President as a candidate or by many others on this day, 636 00:32:37,500 --> 00:32:43,834 10 years after, about the judgments made to go to war in 637 00:32:43,834 --> 00:32:46,200 Iraq and to invade the country. 638 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:49,100 And Americans obviously will continue to have different views 639 00:32:49,100 --> 00:32:51,433 on this, appropriately so. 640 00:32:51,433 --> 00:32:55,834 And this will be a matter of discussion and debate for a long 641 00:32:55,834 --> 00:33:02,367 time, I expect, in Washington as well as in classrooms and 642 00:33:02,367 --> 00:33:06,399 among historians. 643 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:08,767 But the President's views as a candidate and as President are 644 00:33:08,767 --> 00:33:10,033 very clear. 645 00:33:10,033 --> 00:33:12,000 His commitments, when it comes to policy, 646 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:16,266 have been very clear and they have been followed through on. 647 00:33:16,266 --> 00:33:21,700 And he believes that when he promised the American people to 648 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:30,834 end the war in Iraq, he owed them to fulfill that promise, 649 00:33:30,834 --> 00:33:31,867 and he has. 650 00:33:31,867 --> 00:33:33,265 Yes, April. 651 00:33:33,266 --> 00:33:37,033 The Press: Jay, the most recent recession is blamed in part on the 652 00:33:37,033 --> 00:33:39,265 financing of the war in Iraq. 653 00:33:39,266 --> 00:33:43,767 Is there any tentacle from the financing of the Iraq war that 654 00:33:43,767 --> 00:33:46,800 affects this current economic situation that this 655 00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:48,767 country was in? 656 00:33:48,767 --> 00:33:50,467 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not sure. 657 00:33:50,467 --> 00:33:53,300 Just to be clear, I think the deficits -- 658 00:33:53,300 --> 00:33:55,899 the record deficits that President Obama inherited were 659 00:33:55,900 --> 00:33:59,867 in part due to the unpaid-for wars that he inherited. 660 00:33:59,867 --> 00:34:02,233 I'm not sure that the recession itself -- 661 00:34:02,233 --> 00:34:03,734 economists would have a better assessment -- 662 00:34:03,734 --> 00:34:07,833 was caused by the spending on those wars. 663 00:34:07,834 --> 00:34:14,066 There is no question that the -- to go back to my first point -- 664 00:34:14,065 --> 00:34:16,799 that the record deficits that President Obama inherited when 665 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:19,100 he took office in the midst of a financial collapse, 666 00:34:19,100 --> 00:34:23,667 and what would become the Great Recession and threaten to become 667 00:34:23,667 --> 00:34:29,199 a depression, contribute to our fiscal challenges today -- 668 00:34:29,199 --> 00:34:32,100 no question. 669 00:34:32,100 --> 00:34:35,500 And the President said back in his campaign in 2008 and many 670 00:34:35,500 --> 00:34:40,833 times I'm sure since, that that put us -- 671 00:34:40,833 --> 00:34:43,466 tax cuts, two massive tax cuts that were unpaid for, 672 00:34:43,467 --> 00:34:46,467 two wars that were unpaid for -- everything put on a credit card 673 00:34:46,467 --> 00:34:54,066 -- led to a situation where the United States had a -- 674 00:34:54,065 --> 00:34:57,533 a country that had a budget surplus and surpluses as far as 675 00:34:57,533 --> 00:35:02,933 the eye could see in January of 2001, just eight years later, 676 00:35:02,934 --> 00:35:07,100 was a country that had the largest deficits in its history. 677 00:35:07,100 --> 00:35:12,567 So again, much as an answer to James's question, 678 00:35:12,567 --> 00:35:17,166 the President took office and these were the facts that he had 679 00:35:17,166 --> 00:35:19,567 to deal with both in terms of the financial crisis, 680 00:35:19,567 --> 00:35:23,166 the deficits he inherited, and the wars that were ongoing when 681 00:35:23,166 --> 00:35:24,166 he took office. 682 00:35:24,166 --> 00:35:28,900 And he applied his best judgments in dealing with all of 683 00:35:28,900 --> 00:35:31,166 the challenges that this country faced. 684 00:35:31,166 --> 00:35:35,133 And the American people obviously will and have made 685 00:35:35,133 --> 00:35:36,899 their assessments about those decisions, 686 00:35:36,900 --> 00:35:39,200 and historians will make assessments into the future, 687 00:35:39,200 --> 00:35:40,265 as will journalists. 688 00:35:40,266 --> 00:35:40,967 The Press: Right. 689 00:35:40,967 --> 00:35:42,700 So let me clarify, because I'm hearing things but I'm not 690 00:35:42,700 --> 00:35:43,600 getting an answer. 691 00:35:43,600 --> 00:35:44,834 I'm sorry. 692 00:35:44,834 --> 00:35:45,966 (laughter) 693 00:35:45,967 --> 00:35:46,834 Mr. Carney: Really? 694 00:35:46,834 --> 00:35:47,899 The Press: I'm sorry. 695 00:35:47,900 --> 00:35:50,166 Mr. Carney: I thought it was pretty good, right? 696 00:35:50,166 --> 00:35:51,166 The Press: It was pretty good for you. 697 00:35:51,166 --> 00:35:52,100 The Press: That's a matter of craft. 698 00:35:52,100 --> 00:35:53,165 Mr. Carney: That's -- craft. 699 00:35:53,166 --> 00:35:54,166 It was clearer than the Syria answer, right? 700 00:35:54,166 --> 00:35:55,133 (laughter) 701 00:35:55,133 --> 00:35:56,433 The Press: Oh, so you recognize that you were just giving -- 702 00:35:56,433 --> 00:35:57,567 Mr. Carney: No, no, I'm just having some fun here. 703 00:35:57,567 --> 00:35:58,800 (laughter) 704 00:35:58,800 --> 00:36:00,300 The Press: All right. 705 00:36:00,300 --> 00:36:04,066 So you're saying indirectly that the President is dealing with 706 00:36:04,066 --> 00:36:05,332 deficits now -- 707 00:36:05,333 --> 00:36:06,500 Mr. Carney: I'm simply -- I apologize. 708 00:36:06,500 --> 00:36:09,066 I just wanted to make clear that the -- 709 00:36:09,066 --> 00:36:11,667 I'm not sure economists would agree that the recession was 710 00:36:11,667 --> 00:36:13,633 caused by the profligate spending in the 711 00:36:13,633 --> 00:36:14,567 previous administration -- 712 00:36:14,567 --> 00:36:15,300 The Press: I said in part, though. 713 00:36:15,300 --> 00:36:16,133 I said in part. 714 00:36:16,133 --> 00:36:18,500 Mr. Carney: Well, again, that would be for economists to decide. 715 00:36:18,500 --> 00:36:20,367 There is no question that the deficits the President 716 00:36:20,367 --> 00:36:22,700 inherited, which have exacerbated the fiscal 717 00:36:22,700 --> 00:36:26,799 challenges that we face, were due to, in part, 718 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:30,333 the unpaid-for spending on the war in Iraq as well as the war 719 00:36:30,333 --> 00:36:31,166 in Afghanistan. 720 00:36:31,166 --> 00:36:33,133 The Press: So I'm talking about now -- so you're that the deficits -- 721 00:36:33,133 --> 00:36:33,966 Mr. Carney: No question. 722 00:36:33,967 --> 00:36:34,867 The Press: Okay, thank you. 723 00:36:34,867 --> 00:36:37,333 Mr. Carney: Donovan and then Jon-Christopher. 724 00:36:37,333 --> 00:36:38,266 Yes. 725 00:36:38,266 --> 00:36:39,166 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 726 00:36:39,166 --> 00:36:40,200 Two quick things. 727 00:36:40,200 --> 00:36:42,033 Another clarification, if I could on Iraq. 728 00:36:42,033 --> 00:36:46,200 Are you saying that Iraq is better off now thanks to the 729 00:36:46,200 --> 00:36:48,533 war, but you're going to leave the judgment about whether it 730 00:36:48,533 --> 00:36:52,333 was a good idea to make them better off to historians? 731 00:36:52,333 --> 00:36:58,333 Mr. Carney: Well, the President -- no, that's a slightly altered way of 732 00:36:58,333 --> 00:36:59,333 explaining what I said. 733 00:36:59,333 --> 00:37:02,100 The President's position on whether or not the United States 734 00:37:02,100 --> 00:37:07,266 made a wise decision to invade Iraq 10 years ago was clear and 735 00:37:07,266 --> 00:37:10,033 remains clear. 736 00:37:10,033 --> 00:37:12,400 He does not believe that was the right choice. 737 00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:16,667 Did not believe then, and his position has changed. 738 00:37:16,667 --> 00:37:20,967 What is absolutely the case is that our men and women in 739 00:37:20,967 --> 00:37:24,066 uniform, the most professional military the world has ever 740 00:37:24,066 --> 00:37:27,866 known, when given an assignment -- 741 00:37:27,867 --> 00:37:30,500 regardless of whether the assignment was the right policy 742 00:37:30,500 --> 00:37:34,633 choice or not -- fulfill their mission and do it heroically 743 00:37:34,633 --> 00:37:35,633 and professionally. 744 00:37:35,633 --> 00:37:38,667 And that is the case with regards to Iraq, 745 00:37:38,667 --> 00:37:40,933 and it is certainly the case with regards to Afghanistan. 746 00:37:40,934 --> 00:37:42,033 That is the point that I'm making. 747 00:37:42,033 --> 00:37:45,333 So the fact that Iraq is in a place, 748 00:37:45,333 --> 00:37:48,033 as difficult as its challenges remain, 749 00:37:48,033 --> 00:37:52,667 where it has the potential for a better future is due in no small 750 00:37:52,667 --> 00:37:55,900 measure to the sacrifice and service of American men 751 00:37:55,900 --> 00:37:56,900 and women. 752 00:37:56,900 --> 00:37:59,800 It is also obviously due to the courage and perseverance of the 753 00:37:59,800 --> 00:38:03,333 Iraqi people, and we should note that. 754 00:38:03,333 --> 00:38:09,600 But my point was the President has made his judgments clear 755 00:38:09,600 --> 00:38:12,933 about the invasion. 756 00:38:12,934 --> 00:38:15,900 Historians will and the American people will, over the years, 757 00:38:15,900 --> 00:38:18,967 make their own judgments. 758 00:38:18,967 --> 00:38:22,934 As President, he entered office when there was still an enormous 759 00:38:22,934 --> 00:38:27,333 number of troops in Iraq, and he set about ensuring that we 760 00:38:27,333 --> 00:38:29,734 gradually wound down our presence there, 761 00:38:29,734 --> 00:38:37,066 our military presence in a way that made the sacrifice that had 762 00:38:37,066 --> 00:38:43,066 been given there -- that that sacrifice was honored by the way 763 00:38:47,200 --> 00:38:49,734 that we wound down the war and the position that we left Iraq 764 00:38:49,734 --> 00:38:53,100 in to make its own future -- to make its own future without our 765 00:38:53,100 --> 00:38:57,299 military assistance, but obviously with our continued 766 00:38:57,300 --> 00:39:00,633 civilian presence and the assistance of the United States 767 00:39:00,633 --> 00:39:02,533 and international partners moving forward. 768 00:39:02,533 --> 00:39:03,333 The Press: Thanks. 769 00:39:03,333 --> 00:39:06,000 And finally, on Sylvia Matthews Burwell. 770 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:09,200 The President has asked Jeffrey Zients -- Zients? 771 00:39:09,200 --> 00:39:10,700 Mr. Carney: Jeff Zients. 772 00:39:10,700 --> 00:39:13,033 The Press: -- to stay on until she's confirmed. 773 00:39:13,033 --> 00:39:15,200 And she was nominated a few weeks ago. 774 00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:18,033 Does he anticipate any issues with her confirmation? 775 00:39:18,033 --> 00:39:20,299 Or does the White House -- 776 00:39:20,300 --> 00:39:21,367 Mr. Carney: No, we don't. 777 00:39:21,367 --> 00:39:26,767 We believe that Sylvia Burwell is enormously qualified and will 778 00:39:26,767 --> 00:39:30,633 be confirmed by the Senate without a problem, 779 00:39:30,633 --> 00:39:32,433 although that's what we believe. 780 00:39:32,433 --> 00:39:35,934 It's the Senate to decide, and I defer to the Senate. 781 00:39:35,934 --> 00:39:38,900 But it is the case that confirmations take a certain 782 00:39:38,900 --> 00:39:40,400 amount of time, even when they're smooth. 783 00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:43,266 And this is an enormously important agency, 784 00:39:43,266 --> 00:39:44,900 especially at this time. 785 00:39:44,900 --> 00:39:49,266 And the President has asked Jeff Zients to continue as Acting 786 00:39:49,266 --> 00:39:50,567 Director of OMB. 787 00:39:50,567 --> 00:39:55,900 He has been just an enormously valuable player on the 788 00:39:55,900 --> 00:39:58,100 President's economic team. 789 00:39:58,100 --> 00:40:01,700 He has served twice as Acting Director of OMB. 790 00:40:01,700 --> 00:40:03,100 He has served as deputy director, 791 00:40:03,100 --> 00:40:06,333 and his first job in the administration was as chief 792 00:40:06,333 --> 00:40:08,200 performance officer. 793 00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:13,200 He brings a unique set of talents and wisdom to this job, 794 00:40:13,200 --> 00:40:15,899 and the President appreciates his service and his willingness 795 00:40:15,900 --> 00:40:19,500 to continue as acting director very much indeed. 796 00:40:19,500 --> 00:40:20,266 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 797 00:40:20,266 --> 00:40:21,066 Mr. Carney: Jon-Christopher. 798 00:40:21,066 --> 00:40:23,000 I owe Jon-Christopher, and then we've got -- 799 00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:24,934 The Press: It's kind of a 10th anniversary-sequester 800 00:40:24,934 --> 00:40:26,867 combo question. 801 00:40:26,867 --> 00:40:27,734 How concerned is -- 802 00:40:27,734 --> 00:40:28,567 Mr. Carney: Combination platter. 803 00:40:28,567 --> 00:40:29,500 The Press: Yes, combination. 804 00:40:29,500 --> 00:40:32,834 How concerned is the President that 600,000 Iraqi and Afghan 805 00:40:32,834 --> 00:40:36,399 War vets have been waiting more than 25 days for their 806 00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:38,166 backlog benefits? 807 00:40:38,166 --> 00:40:41,934 Mr. Carney: This issue is of enormous concern to the President. 808 00:40:41,934 --> 00:40:46,734 He has made clear to Secretary Shinseki that he wants this 809 00:40:46,734 --> 00:40:48,165 problem addressed. 810 00:40:48,166 --> 00:40:51,633 I think it's important to step back and look at the issue of 811 00:40:51,633 --> 00:40:55,033 the backlog and acknowledge that one of the -- 812 00:40:55,033 --> 00:40:58,000 there are a number of contributing factors to it. 813 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:01,266 The ending of two wars has increased our veteran population 814 00:41:01,266 --> 00:41:04,700 and increased the population of those who depend on VA services. 815 00:41:04,700 --> 00:41:08,933 The President obviously believes that ending these two wars is 816 00:41:08,934 --> 00:41:09,934 the right policy. 817 00:41:09,934 --> 00:41:13,367 It is also true that decisions made by this administration to 818 00:41:13,367 --> 00:41:19,133 expand the universe of people whose afflictions are covered by 819 00:41:19,133 --> 00:41:22,133 VA services was absolutely the right thing to do for our 820 00:41:22,133 --> 00:41:25,799 veterans, and that includes Gulf War syndrome and exposure to 821 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:29,734 Agent Orange, as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 822 00:41:29,734 --> 00:41:38,834 And the fact that in expanding the realm of services and the 823 00:41:38,834 --> 00:41:42,734 number of people for whom those services are available -- 824 00:41:42,734 --> 00:41:44,834 that fact has obviously contributed to the backlog. 825 00:41:44,834 --> 00:41:46,933 However, it is absolutely the President's position that we 826 00:41:46,934 --> 00:41:50,767 need to aggressively address this problem, 827 00:41:50,767 --> 00:41:55,232 and he has made clear to Secretary Shinseki that he wants 828 00:41:55,233 --> 00:41:56,233 this addressed. 829 00:41:56,233 --> 00:42:00,800 He is getting weekly updates on the backlog and progress made on 830 00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:06,166 the backlog because he believes it is absolutely our 831 00:42:06,166 --> 00:42:09,467 responsibility as a nation to make sure that we're doing right 832 00:42:09,467 --> 00:42:10,633 by our veterans. 833 00:42:10,633 --> 00:42:12,000 The Press: Jay, one more before you go? 834 00:42:12,000 --> 00:42:12,734 Mr. Carney: I got to run. 835 00:42:12,734 --> 00:42:13,799 It's 12:00 p.m. 836 00:42:13,800 --> 00:42:14,667 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 837 00:42:14,667 --> 00:42:16,767 Mr. Carney: Thank you, guys. 838 00:42:16,767 --> 00:42:19,767 Those who are traveling with us, we'll see you there. 839 00:42:19,767 --> 00:42:20,767 Thanks.