English subtitles for clip: File:4-3-14- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Carney: Good
afternoon,

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ladies and gentlemen.

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Thanks for being here.

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I apologize for the delay;
had some

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last-minute updates.

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As you know, the President
is hosting the U.S.

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Winter Olympic team today,
and I think some members

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are going to be outside in
about an hour,

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so we'll try to move briskly.

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And in that spirit, I
have

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no announcements. Nancy.

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The Press: Thanks, Jay.

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Can you tell me if the
White House was aware

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prior to 2014 of this
social media network that

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the AID engineered
in Cuba?

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Mr. Carney: Well, let me
say a couple

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of things about that.

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We've seen the story by
the AP this morning.

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The program referred to by
the Associated Press was a

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development program run by
the United States Agency

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for International
Development.

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And that program was
completed in 2012.

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As you know, USAID is a
development agency,

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not an intelligence agency.

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Suggestions that this
was a covert

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program are wrong.

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Congress funds democracy
programming for Cuba

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to help empower Cubans to
access more

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information and to strengthen
civil society.

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These appropriations are
public,

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unlike covert action.

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The money invested has
been debated in Congress.

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In addition, GAO reviewed
this program

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in detail in 2013 and found that
it was conducted

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in accordance with U.S.

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law and under appropriate
oversight controls.

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In implementing programs
in non-permissive

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environments, of course
the government

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has taken steps to be discreet.

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That's how you protect
the practitioners

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and the public.

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This is not
unique to Cuba.

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So more details about the
program are

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available at USAID.

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And I think that veterans
of this briefing room

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know that when I say a program
like this is not covert

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and then I talk about it,
that's how you know

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it's not covert -- because
I'm talking about it.

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So on the question of
the White House, our

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involvement would be the
same that

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it would have been in similar
development programs

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of this type.

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The President and his
administration support

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efforts to help Cuban
citizens communicate

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more easily with one another
and with

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the outside world.

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So I'm not aware of
individuals here

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who knew about it; this was part
of a development

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assistance program.

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The Press: Can you say
if Secretary Clinton

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was aware of it?

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Mr. Carney: I would
refer you to the

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State Department and
Secretary Clinton.

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The Press: And given the
enormous lengths that

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AID went to to keep this
quiet,

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how can you say it wasn't covert?

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Mr. Carney: It was
not a covert program.

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It was debated in
Congress;

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it was reviewed by the GAO.

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Those kinds of things
don't happen

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to covert programs.

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It was a development
assistance program about

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increasing the level of
information

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that the Cuban people have and
were able

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to discuss among themselves.

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And that's part of an
effort that

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we undertake not just in Cuba
but elsewhere.

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So again, when you have
a program like that

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in a non-permissive
environment,

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i.e. a place like Cuba, you're
discreet about how you implement

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it so that you protect the
practitioners,

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but that does not make it covert.

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The Press: Do you have
any updates on Fort Hood?

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Has the President been
briefed

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on it this morning?

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Any new information
you can share?

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Mr. Carney: On Fort Hood
-- well,

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let me review Fort Hood for you,
including

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some new information.

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First and foremost, the
President and

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First Lady's thoughts and
prayers go out to the families

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and friends of the killed
and wounded individuals.

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We commend the military
personnel,

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the first responders and the
medical staff who provided --

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who responded swiftly to
the horrific shooting.

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The President directed
his team to utilize

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every resource available to
fully

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investigate the shooting.

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The Department of Defense,
as you know, has

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the lead on the investigation
with support from federal

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partners, including the
FBI as well

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as state and local law
enforcement personnel.

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Last night, the President
convened a conference

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call with Department of Defense
and FBI leadership while

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aboard Air Force One.

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He received another update
this morning

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during the Presidential
daily briefing.

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The President will
continue to receive

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updates as new information
becomes available and has

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directed that his team
do everything it can to

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assist the families of
the lost and wounded.

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Yes.

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The Press: Thanks, Jay.

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Israel has called off the
release of Palestinian

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prisoners meant to advance
the peacemaking process

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in that region, and called
for review of the talks

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which are sponsored
by the U.S.

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Does that mean this
initiative is dead?

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And what's the
lesson from that?

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Mr. Carney: Well, I've
seen the reports that you

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mention but I can't

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independently confirm them.

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I think that was just
prior

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to my coming out here.

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I can certainly tell you
that the decision by the

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Israelis to delay the
release of the fourth

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tranche of prisoners
creates challenges.

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And there certainly is
currently no agreement

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on the release of
this tranche.

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More broadly, I can tell
you that the dialogue

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remains open, and there
has been progress

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in narrowing some of the
questions that have arisen

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as a result of the events
of the last few days.

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Our negotiating team met
with

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the Israelis and Palestinians
together last night.

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Neither side has indicated
that they want to walk

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away from the talks; they
both indicated

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they want to find a way
to move forward.

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So despite the fact that
there has been some

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progress, there is still a
gap, and the Israelis

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and Palestinians must decide
whether they will take

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the necessary steps
to close that gap.

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These are decisions and
steps that the

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United States cannot make; only
the parties themselves

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can make them.

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The United States cannot
impose an agreement

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on either side.

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I think the parties
understand what the

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choices are, and the fact
that neither the

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United States nor any other
country can make

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those choices for them.

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So we will continue
working with the parties

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to try to narrow the
gaps and seek a just

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and lasting resolution
to this issue.

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And if I could say more
broadly that we are doing

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that because it's the
right thing to do.

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It's certainly not
the easy thing to do.

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It's certainly not a path
you pursue because

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you know for sure it
will lead to success.

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In fact, history suggests
that getting to success

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on this particularly
difficult issue

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is very hard.

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But it is the
responsibility

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of the United States, the
President and

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Secretary Kerry believe, to
provide leadership

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in this instance to
see if the U.S.

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can help the parties
narrow the gaps and move

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forward towards a
comprehensive peace.

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The Press: I know Josh
talked yesterday about

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the Supreme Court decision,
but could you talk about

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the significance of that
and whether there's

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any silver lining in the sense
that

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it may give more power to party
chair people?

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Mr. Carney: That kind of
discussion is not one

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I'm going to engage in.

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I think Josh reflected our
views on it

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and I really don't have
anything to add.

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I wouldn't, again, want to
speculate about

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its impact beyond what Josh
said yesterday.

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The Press: And, briefly,
if I could ask about

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tonight's meeting with
congressional leaders,

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is Ukraine a chief topic
in that conversation?

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And what do you want
to talk to them about?

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Mr. Carney: The President
looks forward

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to the meeting this evening

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with the four leaders of Congress.

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He looks forward to
briefing the members

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on his recent trip to Europe,
where Ukraine

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and the challenges posed by
Russia's violation

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of Ukraine's
sovereignty pose.

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So that will be the
probably principal topic

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of the discussion.

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I'm sure he will also
brief the leaders on his

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meeting with the Pope,
which as you know was

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a major part of the trip.

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So those are the expected
topics of the meeting.

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Michelle.

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The Press: How would the
White House characterize

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I guess what progress came
out of that European trip?

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Because if this is going
to be the subject

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of the meeting tonight, so how
would the

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administration characterize what
came out of that trip?

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And also, what has the
tone been

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of the recent conversations with
Russia both at the White House

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level and the state level?

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I mean, is there any
progress

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at all there ever?

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Because it kind of always
seems to be one step

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forward, one step back.

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Mr. Carney: Well, let
me say a few things.

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First, on the trip, the
trip itself was very

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important because it
allowed for the President

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to meet with leaders of
our major European allies,

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as well as Japan, to
discuss the situation

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in Ukraine, and to reach a
consensus about

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our shared views and opposition
to Russia's actions,

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and to discuss measures that we
can take individually and

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collectively to make it
clear to Russia that

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the annexation of Crimea is
illegal and that

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we will not participate in any
discussion about Ukraine's

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future without
the Ukrainians.

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We will also work with our
partners,

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as our partners have made
abundantly clear,

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to impose further costs
on Russia should Russia

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take further action in violation of Ukraine's

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sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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As to the status of the
circumstances there now,

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while we have seen reports
and claims about drawing

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down of Russian forces on
the Ukrainian border,

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we have seen no evidence that
confirms

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those reports as of yet.

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And I would point you
to the comments

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by the Supreme Allied Commander,
General Breedlove.

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We, together with our
partners,

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have been taking action to
bolster and provide visible

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reassurance to our Central
and (Eastern) European

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allies to make clear that
NATO's commitment

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to Article 5 is unwavering.

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And we are, as you know,
in the aftermath

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of the President's phone call
from President Putin,

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continuing to engage in a
dialogue with Russia

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over moving down the road of
diplomatic resolution.

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Now, we have been clear
what our proposal

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is and we have been continuing
discussions

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with the Russians.

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But I can't report any
significant progress

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at this point.

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The elements of what has
to happen,

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in our view, are quite clear:
Russia needs to return

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its forces to pre-crisis
positions and levels.

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Russia needs to engage in
a direct dialogue

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with the Ukrainian government in
concert

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with international partners.

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And we need to move
forward

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00:11:23,867 --> 00:11:25,900
in a mode that de-escalates
attention there.

256
00:11:25,900 --> 00:11:27,533
The Press: And that
dialogue between Russia

257
00:11:27,533 --> 00:11:30,400
and Ukraine has not been
happening in your view,

258
00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:31,533
yes or no?

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00:11:31,533 --> 00:11:32,133
Mr. Carney: That's
correct, yes.

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00:11:32,133 --> 00:11:32,700
The Press: Okay.

261
00:11:32,700 --> 00:11:33,266
Thanks.

262
00:11:33,266 --> 00:11:35,199
Mr. Carney: Mr. Shear.

263
00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:37,166
The Press: On the torture
report,

264
00:11:37,166 --> 00:11:40,266
it looks like Congress is going
to vote today to send

265
00:11:40,266 --> 00:11:42,934
it to -- to release it, essentially,

266
00:11:42,934 --> 00:11:45,100
and sending it to the declassification process.

267
00:11:45,100 --> 00:11:47,633
What's the President
prepared to do to speed

268
00:11:47,633 --> 00:11:50,300
up that process so that it
can be released

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00:11:50,300 --> 00:11:51,266
to the public?

270
00:11:51,266 --> 00:11:52,065
Mr. Carney: Well,
let's be clear.

271
00:11:52,066 --> 00:11:52,667
The President has for a
long time been

272
00:11:52,667 --> 00:11:54,166
on the record that he wants
to see that report

273
00:11:54,166 --> 00:11:56,367
declassified, and he urged
Congress

274
00:11:56,367 --> 00:11:57,333
to move quickly to --

275
00:11:57,333 --> 00:11:58,266
The Press: So now they're going to move.

276
00:11:58,266 --> 00:11:59,233
So then the question is
what is he going

277
00:11:59,233 --> 00:12:00,967
to do to make clear that the
bureaucracy --

278
00:12:00,967 --> 00:12:03,467
and is there a time period that
he wants to put

279
00:12:03,467 --> 00:12:04,766
on it for release?

280
00:12:04,767 --> 00:12:08,333
Mr. Carney: He would
expect that the actions

281
00:12:08,333 --> 00:12:11,567
that are necessary to
declassify a document

282
00:12:11,567 --> 00:12:17,600
like that be conducted in all
due haste, and I think he

283
00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:21,800
would make that clear to
the agencies involved

284
00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:23,766
in that effort and the
individuals involved

285
00:12:23,767 --> 00:12:24,767
in that effort.

286
00:12:24,767 --> 00:12:25,767
The Press: Do you have any
sense of what

287
00:12:25,767 --> 00:12:26,767
"all due haste" means?

288
00:12:26,767 --> 00:12:28,033
Is that a week or --

289
00:12:28,033 --> 00:12:30,066
Mr. Carney: I don't have a deadline for you because

290
00:12:30,066 --> 00:12:31,133
the action you're premising the
question

291
00:12:31,133 --> 00:12:32,400
on has yet to take place.

292
00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:33,400
Jon.

293
00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,033
The Press: Jay, I don't
know if you had a chance

294
00:12:36,033 --> 00:12:38,567
to see the comments by
Robert Gibbs -- used

295
00:12:38,567 --> 00:12:39,567
to stand up there.

296
00:12:39,567 --> 00:12:44,734
(laughter) He said, "I
don't think the employer

297
00:12:44,734 --> 00:12:46,200
mandate will
go into effect.

298
00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:47,867
It's a small
part of the law.

299
00:12:47,867 --> 00:12:50,333
I think it will be one of
the first things to go."

300
00:12:50,333 --> 00:12:51,632
Just a couple
questions on that.

301
00:12:51,633 --> 00:12:53,667
Do you agree with
Mr. Gibbs that

302
00:12:53,667 --> 00:12:55,567
the employer mandate is
something -- we've already

303
00:12:55,567 --> 00:12:57,767
seen in delayed twice --
is something that

304
00:12:57,767 --> 00:12:59,767
will ultimately never
be put in place?

305
00:12:59,767 --> 00:13:01,266
Mr. Carney: I don't.

306
00:13:01,266 --> 00:13:04,533
As the final rules put out
in February made clear,

307
00:13:04,533 --> 00:13:06,967
this will be phased in
starting next year.

308
00:13:06,967 --> 00:13:09,766
This requirement ensures
that larger employers

309
00:13:09,767 --> 00:13:12,233
either offer quality,
affordable coverage to

310
00:13:12,233 --> 00:13:14,900
their employees or help
offset the cost to

311
00:13:14,900 --> 00:13:17,367
taxpayers of these
uncovered employees

312
00:13:17,367 --> 00:13:18,699
getting tax credits
through the health

313
00:13:18,700 --> 00:13:20,367
insurance marketplace.

314
00:13:20,367 --> 00:13:22,165
This phase-in approach
is similar to how the

315
00:13:22,166 --> 00:13:24,300
individual responsibility
requirements

316
00:13:24,300 --> 00:13:25,934
are already structured.

317
00:13:25,934 --> 00:13:28,199
They start this year and
then gradually increase to

318
00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,633
2016, when they
are in full effect.

319
00:13:31,633 --> 00:13:35,333
I know, having spent time
on the -- at the pundit's

320
00:13:35,333 --> 00:13:38,367
table prior to my life
here, you can make

321
00:13:38,367 --> 00:13:39,967
predictions all the time
that turn out not to be

322
00:13:39,967 --> 00:13:40,967
true.

323
00:13:40,967 --> 00:13:42,000
The Press: So let's
just be crystal clear.

324
00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,166
I think you were, but let
me just clarify -- you're

325
00:13:44,166 --> 00:13:47,834
saying that the employer
mandate which requires

326
00:13:47,834 --> 00:13:51,400
companies to provide
health insurance for their

327
00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:53,834
employees will go into
effect as scheduled.

328
00:13:53,834 --> 00:13:55,699
There will be no
further delays.

329
00:13:55,700 --> 00:13:56,900
Mr. Carney:
That's correct.

330
00:13:56,900 --> 00:14:00,333
The final rules were put
out in February and this

331
00:14:00,333 --> 00:14:02,967
will be phased in starting
next year in accordance

332
00:14:02,967 --> 00:14:03,967
with the final rules.

333
00:14:03,967 --> 00:14:05,165
The Press: Are you open to
any of the changes that

334
00:14:05,166 --> 00:14:08,200
have been proposed by
Democrats in Congress to

335
00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:09,333
adjust the mandate at all?

336
00:14:09,333 --> 00:14:12,065
Or do you think this is
the final word that we're

337
00:14:12,066 --> 00:14:14,333
-- Mr. Carney: Well, you
would have to ask me more

338
00:14:14,333 --> 00:14:16,000
specifically in terms of,
which requirement

339
00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:17,467
you're talking about, which
mandate

340
00:14:17,467 --> 00:14:19,533
you're talking about.

341
00:14:19,533 --> 00:14:23,400
Secondly, what we
have seen is this

342
00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:24,967
administration act very
comprehensively to make

343
00:14:24,967 --> 00:14:30,967
sure that the transition
into the marketplaces that

344
00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,834
has been taking effect can
be done as smoothly as

345
00:14:35,834 --> 00:14:38,500
possible, making
adjustments as necessary

346
00:14:38,500 --> 00:14:41,300
to ensure that can happen.

347
00:14:41,300 --> 00:14:44,632
What I think we saw just
the other day is that

348
00:14:46,700 --> 00:14:49,133
despite the problems with
the initial rollout

349
00:14:49,133 --> 00:14:52,133
of the website, despite some of
the other challenges

350
00:14:52,133 --> 00:14:57,667
that arose in the rollout of
the marketplaces,

351
00:14:57,667 --> 00:15:00,367
a huge number of Americans
responded to the

352
00:15:00,367 --> 00:15:02,199
availability of
affordable, quality health

353
00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,300
insurance by signing up.

354
00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:12,099
And contrary to all the
predictions and the clear

355
00:15:12,100 --> 00:15:13,800
promises of failure,
especially from

356
00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:18,333
Republicans, we not only
met but exceeded the goal

357
00:15:18,333 --> 00:15:20,433
set by outside independent
experts, which was

358
00:15:20,433 --> 00:15:23,867
7 million signups
by March 31st.

359
00:15:23,867 --> 00:15:24,867
So the work continues.

360
00:15:24,867 --> 00:15:30,766
As you know, there's a not
insignificant population

361
00:15:30,767 --> 00:15:34,467
of Americans who had begun
the process -- were either

362
00:15:34,467 --> 00:15:41,133
in line physically or via
the website in an effort

363
00:15:41,133 --> 00:15:42,967
to sign up -- who did not
complete that process

364
00:15:42,967 --> 00:15:43,967
by the deadline.

365
00:15:43,967 --> 00:15:48,834
And CMS is evaluating that
population now and moving

366
00:15:48,834 --> 00:15:52,132
them through the system
so that they can get

367
00:15:52,133 --> 00:15:53,567
the insurance that they began
the process

368
00:15:53,567 --> 00:15:54,567
to sign up for.

369
00:15:54,567 --> 00:15:57,600
So we're going to continue
to implement the law.

370
00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:59,467
The Press: Do you have a
sense of how many

371
00:15:59,467 --> 00:16:00,533
more are in queue?

372
00:16:00,533 --> 00:16:02,300
Mr. Carney: I don't.

373
00:16:02,300 --> 00:16:04,599
And as of yet they're
working through it.

374
00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:08,200
And I think to explain why
that would be the case,

375
00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:11,400
there could be people who
went online,

376
00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:13,567
were having trouble completing
the process, left a phone

377
00:16:13,567 --> 00:16:16,700
a number -- or an email,
rather --

378
00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:19,633
but also called and left information.

379
00:16:19,633 --> 00:16:23,166
So there's work going on
to make sure what exactly

380
00:16:23,166 --> 00:16:24,934
the population is, how
many people there are,

381
00:16:24,934 --> 00:16:28,500
and making sure that each
individual

382
00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:31,133
is able to get processed through
the system.

383
00:16:31,133 --> 00:16:33,567
The Press: And then one
more from Robert Gibbs.

384
00:16:33,567 --> 00:16:35,834
He also was suggesting
that there should

385
00:16:35,834 --> 00:16:38,266
be an additional layer of
coverage cheaper

386
00:16:38,266 --> 00:16:40,233
than the plans already
being offered.

387
00:16:40,233 --> 00:16:42,766
Is that something that is
under consideration here?

388
00:16:42,767 --> 00:16:44,867
And I ask because he was
-- day after day,

389
00:16:44,867 --> 00:16:46,433
while this law was being passed,
Robert Gibbs was

390
00:16:46,433 --> 00:16:49,200
up there making the case for
it, defending it.

391
00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:51,500
I mean, obviously he was
here --

392
00:16:51,500 --> 00:16:58,433
Mr. Carney: Again, I mean, there
are all sorts of possible

393
00:16:58,433 --> 00:17:00,700
improvements that you
could put

394
00:17:00,700 --> 00:17:01,967
out on the table.

395
00:17:01,967 --> 00:17:03,900
And what the President has
always said is that

396
00:17:03,900 --> 00:17:08,666
he would absolutely entertain
specific measures

397
00:17:08,666 --> 00:17:11,500
that were designed to
improve the law.

398
00:17:11,500 --> 00:17:16,367
I mean, I can't, as a
spokesman and not a health

399
00:17:16,367 --> 00:17:19,466
care policy expert,
examine each proposal

400
00:17:19,467 --> 00:17:20,467
here from the podium.

401
00:17:20,467 --> 00:17:21,600
What I can tell you is
that the President

402
00:17:21,599 --> 00:17:27,632
has made clear he's open to
considering proposals

403
00:17:27,633 --> 00:17:29,967
that are designed to
improve the law.

404
00:17:29,967 --> 00:17:33,767
What we've seen from
Republicans have

405
00:17:33,767 --> 00:17:40,900
been either all-out repeal
efforts, or alterations --

406
00:17:40,900 --> 00:17:42,400
basically repeal efforts
in the guise

407
00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:47,166
of small changes or medium-sized
changes, when the purpose,

408
00:17:47,166 --> 00:17:48,966
as they state themselves
repeatedly,

409
00:17:48,967 --> 00:17:52,533
is to repeal the law so that
those 7 million people --

410
00:17:52,533 --> 00:17:54,833
the 3 million young adults who
have insurance

411
00:17:54,834 --> 00:17:58,600
through their parents' plans and
the many millions

412
00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:00,265
more who have gotten insurance
through Medicaid

413
00:18:00,266 --> 00:18:03,266
expansion -- are all out of
luck, and the insurance

414
00:18:03,266 --> 00:18:06,667
companies are
back in control.

415
00:18:06,667 --> 00:18:07,667
Yes, sir.

416
00:18:07,667 --> 00:18:08,667
The Press: Thank you, Jay.

417
00:18:08,667 --> 00:18:10,899
On Ukraine again, this
morning,

418
00:18:10,900 --> 00:18:16,333
Deputy Russian Prime Minister
Rogozin mocks the sanctions that

419
00:18:16,333 --> 00:18:19,133
were adopted by the
U.S., Canada and the EU.

420
00:18:19,133 --> 00:18:21,734
What concrete evidence has
the White House

421
00:18:21,734 --> 00:18:27,466
that these sanctions really have
an impact on Russia,

422
00:18:27,467 --> 00:18:29,867
especially since nothing
has happened in Crimea?

423
00:18:29,867 --> 00:18:32,600
Mr. Carney: I think there
have been reports that

424
00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:34,132
bear out the fact that
there has been

425
00:18:34,133 --> 00:18:36,367
an impact on the Russian economy
as well as on Russian

426
00:18:36,367 --> 00:18:39,567
individuals, as well as on
Bank Rossiya,

427
00:18:39,567 --> 00:18:44,200
which was the institution that
was identified in one

428
00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:48,300
of the sanctions put forward
by the United States.

429
00:18:48,300 --> 00:18:51,100
We've also made clear that
should Russia engage

430
00:18:51,100 --> 00:18:53,233
in further provocations, take
more actions that

431
00:18:53,233 --> 00:18:57,033
violate Ukraine's territorial
integrity, sovereignty,

432
00:18:57,033 --> 00:18:59,833
that there would be more
consequences, more costs.

433
00:18:59,834 --> 00:19:03,367
And those would include
potentially sanctions

434
00:19:03,367 --> 00:19:05,399
aimed at sectors of
the Russian economy.

435
00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:08,734
The President made clear
when he signed the

436
00:19:08,734 --> 00:19:11,066
executive order
authorizing those actions

437
00:19:11,066 --> 00:19:15,700
that implementing such
sanctions are not our

438
00:19:15,700 --> 00:19:20,900
preferred course of action
because implementation

439
00:19:20,900 --> 00:19:23,800
of those sanctions would
result in some negative

440
00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,133
impact on the global
economy,

441
00:19:25,133 --> 00:19:26,700
on the U.S. economy, on the
economies

442
00:19:26,700 --> 00:19:28,100
of our allies and partners.

443
00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:30,033
But as you saw last week
when the President

444
00:19:30,033 --> 00:19:32,166
was in the Netherlands and Belgium,

445
00:19:32,166 --> 00:19:37,000
there is consensus and unanimity
among our partners

446
00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:39,166
that that action would need to
be taken should

447
00:19:39,166 --> 00:19:41,399
Russia engage in further
provocations.

448
00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:43,533
I think that Russian
officials

449
00:19:43,533 --> 00:19:45,867
can say what they like.

450
00:19:45,867 --> 00:19:51,166
The fact is individuals
targeted are and will

451
00:19:51,166 --> 00:19:53,767
feel consequences from
these sanctions.

452
00:19:53,767 --> 00:19:58,800
And certainly if more
consequential sanctions

453
00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:01,233
are levied -- or leveled,
rather,

454
00:20:01,233 --> 00:20:05,233
because of actions by the
Russian government,

455
00:20:05,233 --> 00:20:07,433
those consequences will be felt very keenly.

456
00:20:07,433 --> 00:20:10,567
The Press: Do we
understand that

457
00:20:10,567 --> 00:20:12,266
fundamentally the White
House expects

458
00:20:12,266 --> 00:20:18,200
the Russian authorities to
engage in a dialogue with

459
00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,867
the Ukrainian authorities, and
that would be the main

460
00:20:21,867 --> 00:20:27,466
fundamental, a step to --
for the White House

461
00:20:27,467 --> 00:20:31,700
to accept the process
to go further?

462
00:20:31,700 --> 00:20:35,166
Mr. Carney: There are a
series of conditions

463
00:20:35,166 --> 00:20:39,000
that we've made clear are
necessary for Russia

464
00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:40,967
to adopt in order for
progress to be made

465
00:20:40,967 --> 00:20:45,133
on the diplomatic side of this,
and one is pulling back

466
00:20:45,133 --> 00:20:50,300
forces to pre-crisis
positions and levels; two,

467
00:20:50,300 --> 00:20:52,300
yes, is engaging in a
direct dialogue

468
00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:53,734
with the Ukrainian government.

469
00:20:53,734 --> 00:21:00,399
No decisions can be made
and will certainly --

470
00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:01,834
and no decisions will enjoy
the support

471
00:21:01,834 --> 00:21:03,967
of the United States or the
international community

472
00:21:03,967 --> 00:21:06,300
about Ukraine's future
without the Ukrainian

473
00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:08,899
government participating,
the Ukrainian people

474
00:21:08,900 --> 00:21:11,200
being represented at the table.

475
00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:14,934
That kind of attitude,
the suggestion that those

476
00:21:14,934 --> 00:21:16,934
kinds of decisions can be
made absent

477
00:21:16,934 --> 00:21:20,600
representation by Ukraine,
harkens back not just

478
00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:22,966
to the 20th century but the 19th
century in its thinking.

479
00:21:22,967 --> 00:21:25,500
The U.S. won't participate in that,

480
00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:28,467
and neither will our allies

481
00:21:28,467 --> 00:21:31,033
and partners on the
G7 and more

482
00:21:31,033 --> 00:21:32,033
broadly in Europe.

483
00:21:32,033 --> 00:21:34,433
So I think Russia
understands that.

484
00:21:34,433 --> 00:21:39,333
And there is an open
dialogue taking place

485
00:21:39,333 --> 00:21:41,567
between the United States
and Russia,

486
00:21:41,567 --> 00:21:46,433
and I think we've made clear
what the path forward here is.

487
00:21:46,433 --> 00:21:47,867
There's an opportunity
that Russia has

488
00:21:47,867 --> 00:21:53,834
to embrace that path forward
which also allows

489
00:21:53,834 --> 00:21:57,133
for Russian participation in
conversations

490
00:21:57,133 --> 00:22:01,533
about disputes that it may have
with Russia,

491
00:22:01,533 --> 00:22:03,100
concerns that -- I mean with
Ukraine --

492
00:22:03,100 --> 00:22:06,833
concerns that it may have about
ethnic Russians in Ukraine.

493
00:22:06,834 --> 00:22:08,800
But they need to play by
the rules of the road.

494
00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:14,767
They need to engage with
the Ukrainian government,

495
00:22:18,266 --> 00:22:21,567
and do so in a manner that
accepts and recognizes

496
00:22:21,567 --> 00:22:25,200
that Ukraine is a
sovereign state;

497
00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:30,300
it enjoys the rights of all
sovereign states under

498
00:22:30,300 --> 00:22:34,133
the United Nations Charters;
and it should not have

499
00:22:34,133 --> 00:22:41,233
its territory violated against
the law and in violation

500
00:22:41,233 --> 00:22:42,600
of specific agreements
that the Russian

501
00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:44,966
government is party to.

502
00:22:44,967 --> 00:22:45,967
Mara, yes.

503
00:22:45,967 --> 00:22:48,066
The Press: You said that
if further provocation

504
00:22:48,066 --> 00:22:50,400
happens we'd see sanctions
would be implemented,

505
00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,133
and you've also said that
the sanctions that have

506
00:22:53,133 --> 00:22:54,367
already been in place
aren't going

507
00:22:54,367 --> 00:22:58,399
to be lifted until Crimea is annexed.

508
00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:03,200
What I'm wondering is,
you've always talked

509
00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:05,633
about the Crimea sanctions as
giving you flexibility,

510
00:23:05,633 --> 00:23:08,100
giving the President
flexibility.

511
00:23:08,100 --> 00:23:10,600
Do you anticipate a
ratcheting-up

512
00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,734
of those sanctions, the
sanctions that have already been

513
00:23:12,734 --> 00:23:16,199
put on Russia because of
Crimea, or are we pretty

514
00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:17,400
much finished with those?

515
00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:19,967
In other words, the price
has been paid and

516
00:23:19,967 --> 00:23:22,266
now we're just talking about
sanctions that would

517
00:23:22,266 --> 00:23:23,433
be put in place if Russia
does something more?

518
00:23:23,433 --> 00:23:25,633
Mr. Carney: I think you
mean that the executive

519
00:23:25,633 --> 00:23:28,567
order, the first one
--

520
00:23:28,567 --> 00:23:28,834
The Press: Right.

521
00:23:28,834 --> 00:23:29,667
Mr. Carney: -- well, both
of them give the

522
00:23:29,667 --> 00:23:32,265
President and the United
States flexibility.

523
00:23:32,266 --> 00:23:36,800
The actions that we've
taken in terms

524
00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:42,800
of sanctions have to do with
Russia's violation already

525
00:23:46,033 --> 00:23:49,399
of Ukraine's territorial
integrity and sovereignty.

526
00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:52,066
Now, those authorities
exist and I'm not going

527
00:23:52,066 --> 00:23:55,767
to preclude any further
action as a consequence

528
00:23:55,767 --> 00:23:57,867
of what Russia has
already done.

529
00:23:57,867 --> 00:24:01,367
The executive orders
provide additional

530
00:24:01,367 --> 00:24:02,966
authorities to the
President,

531
00:24:02,967 --> 00:24:07,166
to the administration, to impose
further sanctions,

532
00:24:07,166 --> 00:24:08,200
as you know.

533
00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:10,367
And the President made
clear in his statements

534
00:24:10,367 --> 00:24:15,332
that he would avail
himself of that authority

535
00:24:15,333 --> 00:24:19,233
and those options should
Russia further violate

536
00:24:19,233 --> 00:24:20,899
Ukraine's sovereignty.

537
00:24:20,900 --> 00:24:23,200
So, I mean, the answer is
I'm not going

538
00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:27,533
to rule out further actions in
response to what Russia

539
00:24:27,533 --> 00:24:28,966
has already done.

540
00:24:28,967 --> 00:24:31,066
I'm going to make clear,
as the President did,

541
00:24:31,066 --> 00:24:36,033
that the broader authorities
created under

542
00:24:36,033 --> 00:24:40,265
the second executive order in
particular are available

543
00:24:40,266 --> 00:24:44,467
should Russia take more
action against Ukraine.

544
00:24:44,467 --> 00:24:45,467
The Press: Right,
I get that.

545
00:24:45,467 --> 00:24:46,934
But you're saying it's
also possible that they

546
00:24:46,934 --> 00:24:48,100
could pay a higher price

547
00:24:48,100 --> 00:24:49,265
for what they've already done.

548
00:24:49,266 --> 00:24:50,066
Mr. Carney: I certainly
wouldn't rule it out.

549
00:24:50,066 --> 00:24:52,166
Yes, Roger, and then Ed.

550
00:24:52,166 --> 00:24:53,166
The Press: Thanks.

551
00:24:53,166 --> 00:24:54,133
A related question.

552
00:24:54,133 --> 00:24:56,233
Do you have any comment
or response --

553
00:24:56,233 --> 00:25:02,033
Russia has imposed a 26 percent
increase in the cost

554
00:25:02,033 --> 00:25:03,934
of natural gas to Ukraine.

555
00:25:03,934 --> 00:25:08,367
I guess it was
done yesterday.

556
00:25:08,367 --> 00:25:09,700
That doesn't seize land or
anything,

557
00:25:09,700 --> 00:25:11,800
but is that the kind of
provocation that would warrant

558
00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,332
some sort of response either
from the U.S.

559
00:25:14,333 --> 00:25:15,667
or from the allies?

560
00:25:15,667 --> 00:25:17,867
Mr. Carney: Well, we
believe, Roger,

561
00:25:17,867 --> 00:25:20,367
that markets should determine
energy prices

562
00:25:20,367 --> 00:25:24,000
and that countries should not
use supply and pricing terms

563
00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,667
as tools of coercion to
interfere

564
00:25:25,667 --> 00:25:26,899
in Ukraine or anywhere else.

565
00:25:26,900 --> 00:25:29,567
The U.S. is taking immediate steps,

566
00:25:29,567 --> 00:25:30,567
as you know,

567
00:25:30,567 --> 00:25:33,433
to assist Ukraine, including the
provision of emergency

568
00:25:33,433 --> 00:25:35,834
finance and technical
assistance in the areas

569
00:25:35,834 --> 00:25:38,467
of energy security, energy
efficiency

570
00:25:38,467 --> 00:25:41,033
and energy sector reform.

571
00:25:41,033 --> 00:25:43,399
And we're also working
with our allies on

572
00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:45,367
Ukraine's western borders
to encourage them

573
00:25:45,367 --> 00:25:48,166
to prepare to reverse natural
gas flows in some

574
00:25:48,166 --> 00:25:51,133
of its pipelines so that Ukraine
can access additional

575
00:25:51,133 --> 00:25:53,166
gas supplies if needed.

576
00:25:53,166 --> 00:25:56,332
Yesterday, Secretary Kerry
and DOE Deputy Secretary

577
00:25:56,333 --> 00:25:58,166
Poneman were in Brussels

578
00:25:58,166 --> 00:26:00,966
for the U.S.-EU Energy Council meeting.

579
00:26:00,967 --> 00:26:03,467
And together with our
partners in Europe,

580
00:26:03,467 --> 00:26:05,600
we made clear that energy
security not just

581
00:26:05,600 --> 00:26:08,033
for Ukraine, but for all of
Europe is a priority

582
00:26:08,033 --> 00:26:11,065
and will require a significant
amount of transatlantic

583
00:26:11,066 --> 00:26:13,467
cooperation and
leadership.

584
00:26:13,467 --> 00:26:15,166
So this is something we
monitor very closely.

585
00:26:15,166 --> 00:26:16,734
We've made clear, as our
partners have,

586
00:26:16,734 --> 00:26:20,433
that that kind of action taken
coercively against

587
00:26:20,433 --> 00:26:26,367
Ukraine is something we oppose,
and we're working

588
00:26:26,367 --> 00:26:29,966
with our European partners to
assist Ukraine

589
00:26:29,967 --> 00:26:31,867
in its efforts to deal with it.

590
00:26:31,867 --> 00:26:32,867
Ed.

591
00:26:32,867 --> 00:26:35,066
The Press: On Russia,
NASA has said that it's

592
00:26:35,066 --> 00:26:37,367
suspending most contact
with

593
00:26:37,367 --> 00:26:38,000
the Russian Space Agency.

594
00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:39,433
Can you talk about the
impact of a move like

595
00:26:39,433 --> 00:26:41,133
that, which is something
we've cooperated

596
00:26:41,133 --> 00:26:42,500
with them on for some time?

597
00:26:42,500 --> 00:26:44,800
And there have been
reports about

598
00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:47,767
how some U.S. spy satellites are Russian-made.

599
00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:49,133
There are probably other
contracts

600
00:26:49,133 --> 00:26:51,433
out there that are impacted.

601
00:26:51,433 --> 00:26:52,967
Are those under
review as well?

602
00:26:52,967 --> 00:26:55,133
After we see an action
from NASA,

603
00:26:55,133 --> 00:26:56,500
is there a broader look?

604
00:26:56,500 --> 00:26:59,066
Mr. Carney: Well, let me
tell you about NASA --

605
00:26:59,066 --> 00:27:00,133
that given Russia's
ongoing violations

606
00:27:00,133 --> 00:27:01,133
of Ukraine's sovereignty and

607
00:27:01,133 --> 00:27:03,500
territorial integrity, the U.S. government

608
00:27:03,500 --> 00:27:05,166
is taking a
number of actions

609
00:27:05,166 --> 00:27:07,033
to include curtailing
official

610
00:27:07,033 --> 00:27:09,399
government-to-government
contacts and meetings

611
00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,233
with the Russian Federation
on a case-by-case basis

612
00:27:12,233 --> 00:27:14,300
consistent with U.S. national interests.

613
00:27:14,300 --> 00:27:16,533
We've talked about this
previously,

614
00:27:16,533 --> 00:27:18,934
and as we've already said, we
have suspended bilateral

615
00:27:18,934 --> 00:27:21,433
discussions with Russia on
trade and investment;

616
00:27:21,433 --> 00:27:23,567
we have suspended other
bilateral meetings

617
00:27:23,567 --> 00:27:26,400
on a case-by-case basis and
put on hold U.S.-Russia

618
00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:28,533
military-to-military
engagement,

619
00:27:28,533 --> 00:27:30,500
including exercises, bilateral
meetings,

620
00:27:30,500 --> 00:27:32,600
port visits and planning conferences.

621
00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:36,033
We also will not meet with
sanctioned individuals.

622
00:27:36,033 --> 00:27:37,300
We have informed the
Russian government

623
00:27:37,300 --> 00:27:38,867
of those meetings that have
been suspended,

624
00:27:38,867 --> 00:27:42,500
as you know.

625
00:27:42,500 --> 00:27:45,633
And in terms of the
specific case-by-case

626
00:27:45,633 --> 00:27:47,567
decisions that are made in
response

627
00:27:47,567 --> 00:27:50,200
to this broader directive, I
would have

628
00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:51,600
to refer you to each agency.

629
00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,065
In the case of NASA, there
are some actions being

630
00:27:54,066 --> 00:27:56,433
taken, but obviously with
the space station,

631
00:27:56,433 --> 00:28:01,333
in particular, that program
and the engagement with

632
00:28:01,333 --> 00:28:03,000
Russia on that
program continues.

633
00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:04,567
The Press: I want to go
back to Fort Hood,

634
00:28:04,567 --> 00:28:06,533
and I realize we can't -- we
don't know all the facts,

635
00:28:06,533 --> 00:28:07,734
so we can't prejudge
anything

636
00:28:07,734 --> 00:28:09,433
and we can't speculate.

637
00:28:09,433 --> 00:28:12,700
But to take a step back,
it's been well documented

638
00:28:12,700 --> 00:28:14,066
and talked about by this
administration,

639
00:28:14,066 --> 00:28:16,500
many in the media, stress on
the military,

640
00:28:16,500 --> 00:28:20,033
stress on veterans, alarming
amount of suicides

641
00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:21,500
among returning veterans.

642
00:28:21,500 --> 00:28:23,633
Do you think this
administration,

643
00:28:23,633 --> 00:28:26,734
the previous administration,
Congress, both parties

644
00:28:26,734 --> 00:28:28,800
can look the American people
in the eye and say enough

645
00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:31,500
has been done to figure
this out,

646
00:28:31,500 --> 00:28:34,000
to get to the bottom of it?

647
00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:35,200
How do you address that
issue,

648
00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:36,934
which is a very tough one to deal with?

649
00:28:36,934 --> 00:28:38,700
Mr. Carney: I think the
issue itself

650
00:28:38,700 --> 00:28:44,834
is absolutely worthy of the
questions you've asked.

651
00:28:44,834 --> 00:28:47,133
I want to separate those
questions

652
00:28:47,133 --> 00:28:49,433
from the particular case which
is being investigated,

653
00:28:49,433 --> 00:28:52,600
because I don't want to
prejudge what happened

654
00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:54,300
or why it happened
at Fort Hood.

655
00:28:54,300 --> 00:28:55,734
But I can tell you that
the President,

656
00:28:55,734 --> 00:28:58,899
Secretary Shinseki and the
Department of Veterans

657
00:28:58,900 --> 00:29:01,400
Affairs care deeply for
every veteran

658
00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:04,734
we are privileged to serve and
that is certainly true

659
00:29:04,734 --> 00:29:07,265
of Secretary Hagel and
the uniformed

660
00:29:07,266 --> 00:29:10,200
military leadership at the
Pentagon when it comes

661
00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:12,600
to active duty personnel.

662
00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:14,065
This administration
has been committed

663
00:29:14,066 --> 00:29:16,867
to upholding our sacred trust
with America's veterans,

664
00:29:16,867 --> 00:29:20,466
its wounded warriors
and their families.

665
00:29:20,467 --> 00:29:23,000
To go to your question
about is there more

666
00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,700
to be done -- absolutely, there
is work

667
00:29:25,700 --> 00:29:26,700
that remains to be done.

668
00:29:26,700 --> 00:29:27,867
And the President is
taking key steps

669
00:29:27,867 --> 00:29:30,767
to ensure that our veterans
receive the best health care,

670
00:29:30,767 --> 00:29:33,433
get the benefits they have
earned, and have access

671
00:29:33,433 --> 00:29:35,467
to the education and training
they need

672
00:29:35,467 --> 00:29:36,700
to reenter the workforce.

673
00:29:36,700 --> 00:29:38,867
He has provided historic
levels of support

674
00:29:38,867 --> 00:29:39,966
to veterans and their
families

675
00:29:39,967 --> 00:29:41,800
in his budget requests.

676
00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:45,600
And I can list for you
the initiatives

677
00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:49,533
that this administration has
undertaken

678
00:29:49,533 --> 00:29:53,466
in the last five and a half
years that go right at the issue

679
00:29:53,467 --> 00:29:58,033
of what we need to do as
a country to honor the

680
00:29:58,033 --> 00:30:01,699
service of our veterans by
making sure

681
00:30:01,700 --> 00:30:04,367
that they have our full support.

682
00:30:04,367 --> 00:30:07,399
And you've seen that
through the VA;

683
00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:10,667
you've seen that in actions
that the First Lady

684
00:30:10,667 --> 00:30:13,600
and Dr. Biden have led
through Joining Forces.

685
00:30:16,500 --> 00:30:19,266
And it reflects the fact
that after a decade

686
00:30:19,266 --> 00:30:22,200
of war, we need to be very
mindful

687
00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:26,867
in this country that even as
those wars end,

688
00:30:26,867 --> 00:30:34,200
what we owe our veterans does not end.

689
00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:38,867
And the President is
personally very mindful

690
00:30:38,867 --> 00:30:42,466
of this and has made clear to
his administration

691
00:30:42,467 --> 00:30:44,633
and his team here at the White
House that this

692
00:30:44,633 --> 00:30:46,133
is a high-priority issue.

693
00:30:46,133 --> 00:30:48,834
The Press: Jay, I want
to go back

694
00:30:48,834 --> 00:30:50,467
to the Cuban Twitter account.

695
00:30:50,467 --> 00:30:53,367
You said that the program
wasn't covert,

696
00:30:53,367 --> 00:30:56,667
and yet one document obtained by
the Associated Press said that

697
00:30:56,667 --> 00:30:58,966
the program should be kept
under the radar,

698
00:30:58,967 --> 00:30:59,934
to keep it a secret.

699
00:30:59,934 --> 00:31:02,734
Another memo written
in 2010 by one of the

700
00:31:02,734 --> 00:31:05,100
project's creators said,
"There will

701
00:31:05,100 --> 00:31:06,699
be absolutely no mention of the

702
00:31:06,700 --> 00:31:08,333
United States government involvement."

703
00:31:08,333 --> 00:31:11,934
So if it wasn't covert, do
you acknowledge that

704
00:31:11,934 --> 00:31:13,533
it wasn't exactly
above board?

705
00:31:13,533 --> 00:31:16,367
Mr. Carney: Well, "above
board" is a loaded term.

706
00:31:16,367 --> 00:31:20,200
This was a program that
had been invested

707
00:31:19,233 --> 00:31:25,200
and these are the kinds of
environments where a program

708
00:31:20,200 --> 00:31:23,700
in and debated by and
debated in Congress.

709
00:31:23,700 --> 00:31:26,767
The GAO has reviewed this
program in detail

710
00:31:26,767 --> 00:31:29,667
less than two years ago
and found

711
00:31:29,667 --> 00:31:31,199
that it was conducted in
accordance with

712
00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:33,333
U.S. law and under appropriate
oversight controls.

713
00:31:33,333 --> 00:31:37,166
When it goes to the
question of being

714
00:31:37,166 --> 00:31:39,367
very discreet, I don't know if
you've been to Cuba --
0:31:39.367,1193:02:47.295
I have, a long time ago as a
reporter --

715
00:31:46,867 --> 00:31:48,633
like this and its association
with the U.S.

716
00:31:48,633 --> 00:31:53,767
government can create
problems for practitioners

717
00:31:53,767 --> 00:31:54,767
and members of the public.

718
00:31:54,767 --> 00:31:57,433
So appropriate discretion
is engaged

719
00:31:57,433 --> 00:32:00,700
in for that reason, but not
because it's covert,

720
00:32:00,700 --> 00:32:02,133
not because it's an intelligence
program,

721
00:32:02,133 --> 00:32:05,600
because it is neither covert,
nor an intelligence program.

722
00:32:05,600 --> 00:32:10,500
And, again, you guys know,
because

723
00:32:10,500 --> 00:32:12,967
you ask me about covert
operations and covert programs

724
00:32:12,967 --> 00:32:15,000
on occasion and you know what
my standard response

725
00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:16,233
is when I'm asked,

726
00:32:16,233 --> 00:32:18,600
which is to say I can't discuss those things.

727
00:32:18,600 --> 00:32:19,934
I'm happy to discuss this.

728
00:32:19,934 --> 00:32:22,899
The Press: Given that it
was roping in Cubans,

729
00:32:22,900 --> 00:32:25,333
many unwittingly, is there
something

730
00:32:25,333 --> 00:32:27,200
unethical about it?

731
00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:30,000
Mr. Carney:
Whoa, whoa, wait.

732
00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:31,300
This is a program that
provided a platform

733
00:32:31,300 --> 00:32:32,300
for Cuban citizens

734
00:32:32,300 --> 00:32:33,300
to share information amongst themselves.

735
00:32:33,300 --> 00:32:34,734
That's not being roped
into --

736
00:32:34,734 --> 00:32:36,734
The Press: What is not
collecting their personal data?

737
00:32:36,734 --> 00:32:38,000
Mr. Carney: For details of
how the program works

738
00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:39,967
I would refer you to USAID
and the State Department.

739
00:32:39,967 --> 00:32:40,767
The Press: Was it not
collecting their personal data?

740
00:32:41,233 --> 00:32:43,399
Mr. Carney: Again, for
details about how it works

741
00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:46,633
I would point you to the
agency that developed

742
00:32:46,633 --> 00:32:47,900
it and implemented it.

743
00:32:47,900 --> 00:32:49,667
But I think you ought to
be careful about how

744
00:32:49,667 --> 00:32:50,667
you describe it.

745
00:32:50,667 --> 00:32:52,399
Again, this was not an
intelligence program.

746
00:32:52,400 --> 00:32:56,567
This was an effort, one of
a variety of efforts that

747
00:32:56,567 --> 00:32:59,033
the United States engages
in as part of its

748
00:32:59,033 --> 00:33:00,466
development mission, to
promote the flow of free

749
00:33:00,467 --> 00:33:08,266
information, to promote
engagement by citizens of

750
00:33:08,266 --> 00:33:09,867
countries especially
in societies that are

751
00:33:09,867 --> 00:33:14,166
non-permissive, because we
believe that is part of

752
00:33:14,166 --> 00:33:19,200
the essential right of
every individual on Earth.

753
00:33:19,200 --> 00:33:21,667
And that's something that
this administration,

754
00:33:21,667 --> 00:33:26,265
past administrations have
been quite proud

755
00:33:26,266 --> 00:33:27,467
of and acknowledge fully.

756
00:33:27,467 --> 00:33:29,667
In the implementation of a
program like this, because

757
00:33:29,667 --> 00:33:31,466
of the non-permissive
nature of the environment

758
00:33:31,467 --> 00:33:37,166
in a country like Cuba,
things are handled in a

759
00:33:37,166 --> 00:33:40,200
discreet manner, again, to
protect practitioners

760
00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:40,700
and the public.

761
00:33:40,700 --> 00:33:42,900
The Press: Does this not
harm the reputation

762
00:33:42,900 --> 00:33:45,300
of USAID around the world?

763
00:33:45,300 --> 00:33:46,066
Mr. Carney: You mean the
publication

764
00:33:46,066 --> 00:33:46,700
by the AP of it?

765
00:33:46,700 --> 00:33:46,967
Or the --

766
00:33:46,967 --> 00:33:48,667
The Press: The revelations about this program.

767
00:33:48,667 --> 00:33:49,567
Mr. Carney: I think that,
again,

768
00:33:49,567 --> 00:33:50,600
this was not a covert program.

769
00:33:50,600 --> 00:33:53,100
It's a program
that has ended.

770
00:33:53,100 --> 00:33:56,000
It's a program that was
designed to provide

771
00:33:56,000 --> 00:33:59,233
a platform to citizens
of that country

772
00:33:59,233 --> 00:34:03,265
to communicate among
themselves and to have

773
00:34:03,266 --> 00:34:09,367
access to information that
in societies like

774
00:34:09,367 --> 00:34:11,266
that sometimes they don't have
access to,

775
00:34:11,266 --> 00:34:12,600
or often they don't have access to.

776
00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:16,199
The Press: And one
more on the shooting.

777
00:34:16,199 --> 00:34:18,299
In the wake of the Navy
Yard shootings,

778
00:34:18,300 --> 00:34:22,133
Secretary of Defense Hagel
ordered a series of reviews

779
00:34:22,132 --> 00:34:24,899
of the security measures at
military installations.

780
00:34:24,900 --> 00:34:27,367
Does there need to
be another review?

781
00:34:27,367 --> 00:34:30,567
Will there be in the wake
of this latest incident?

782
00:34:30,567 --> 00:34:33,600
Mr. Carney: Well, we're
less than 24 hours since

783
00:34:33,600 --> 00:34:40,132
this tragic incident,
and there is an active

784
00:34:40,132 --> 00:34:41,734
investigation underway
being led

785
00:34:41,734 --> 00:34:44,699
by the Department of Defense,
assisted by the FBI

786
00:34:44,699 --> 00:34:46,899
as well as state and local
law enforcement personnel.

787
00:34:46,900 --> 00:34:53,200
So I would urge you to
wait until a little more

788
00:34:53,199 --> 00:34:55,100
time has passed as we're
dealing with the immediate

789
00:34:55,100 --> 00:34:58,500
circumstances of this
incident before

790
00:34:58,500 --> 00:35:00,767
we can make judgments about that.

791
00:35:00,767 --> 00:35:01,767
Carol.

792
00:35:01,767 --> 00:35:02,265
I'm sorry, Bill.

793
00:35:02,266 --> 00:35:04,433
Carol, then Bill.

794
00:35:04,433 --> 00:35:06,166
The Press: Does the
President plan

795
00:35:06,166 --> 00:35:08,166
to travel to Fort Hood?

796
00:35:08,166 --> 00:35:10,166
Mr. Carney: I don't have
any travel updates

797
00:35:10,166 --> 00:35:10,667
for you today.

798
00:35:10,667 --> 00:35:11,467
The Press: Is it possible
that he would

799
00:35:11,467 --> 00:35:13,300
do that while he's in
Texas next week?

800
00:35:13,300 --> 00:35:16,333
Mr. Carney: I just don't
have -- I wouldn't

801
00:35:16,333 --> 00:35:17,967
speculate about future
travel at this point.

802
00:35:17,967 --> 00:35:22,300
The Press: Can you say how
he first learned about

803
00:35:22,300 --> 00:35:24,867
the shooting and give us a
sense

804
00:35:24,867 --> 00:35:25,734
of what his reaction was?

805
00:35:25,734 --> 00:35:26,700
Mr. Carney: Sure.

806
00:35:26,700 --> 00:35:31,200
The President was informed
of the shooting during the

807
00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:33,899
event by his Deputy Chief
of Staff Rob Nabors,

808
00:35:33,900 --> 00:35:36,433
during the event that he
was participating

809
00:35:36,433 --> 00:35:39,266
in at the time in Chicago, and
was in contact with his

810
00:35:39,266 --> 00:35:42,333
Homeland Security Advisor
Lisa Monaco about details

811
00:35:42,333 --> 00:35:44,700
of the event and its
aftermath

812
00:35:44,700 --> 00:35:46,332
as we learned of them -- I'm
sorry, during the event.

813
00:35:46,333 --> 00:35:48,066
It was ongoing and the
President was informed

814
00:35:48,066 --> 00:35:49,700
of it by Rob Nabors.

815
00:35:49,700 --> 00:35:52,734
His traveling National
Security Council staffer,

816
00:35:52,734 --> 00:35:56,933
Liz Sherwood-Randall, also
kept him well informed.

817
00:35:56,934 --> 00:35:59,100
Prior to speaking to the
press last evening --

818
00:35:59,100 --> 00:36:06,100
in which I think, Carol, he
very clearly conveyed

819
00:36:06,100 --> 00:36:09,567
how he felt about the event
and what his reaction

820
00:36:09,567 --> 00:36:15,433
was to it -- he was briefed by
Vice Chairman

821
00:36:15,433 --> 00:36:18,967
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Winnefeld.

822
00:36:18,967 --> 00:36:20,467
Last night on the way
home, as I mentioned

823
00:36:20,467 --> 00:36:23,000
earlier, aboard Air Force
One, he was briefed by

824
00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:25,600
phone by members of his
national security team

825
00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:27,933
from the White House,
DOD and the FBI.

826
00:36:27,934 --> 00:36:29,700
And then this morning he
was briefed

827
00:36:29,700 --> 00:36:32,133
again during his PDB.

828
00:36:32,133 --> 00:36:33,834
But I think that, again,
if you look at what the

829
00:36:33,834 --> 00:36:36,966
President said as this --
right after this event had

830
00:36:36,967 --> 00:36:41,133
happened, I think you can
assess

831
00:36:41,133 --> 00:36:43,767
how he felt about it.

832
00:36:43,767 --> 00:36:45,466
It is heartbreaking when
an incident

833
00:36:45,467 --> 00:36:47,100
like this happens.

834
00:36:47,100 --> 00:36:51,533
And we're obviously in the
very early stages

835
00:36:51,533 --> 00:36:56,333
of an investigation, so we can't
reach conclusions about

836
00:36:56,333 --> 00:36:57,333
the hows and whys.

837
00:36:57,333 --> 00:37:01,500
But there are families now
who have lost loved ones

838
00:37:01,500 --> 00:37:08,066
and whose loved ones have
been injured, and the

839
00:37:08,066 --> 00:37:09,866
President's thoughts and
prayers, the First Lady's

840
00:37:09,867 --> 00:37:12,033
thoughts and prayers, and
the thoughts and prayers

841
00:37:12,033 --> 00:37:14,100
of all of us here go
out to those families.

842
00:37:14,100 --> 00:37:16,200
Bill.

843
00:37:16,200 --> 00:37:17,100
The Press: The discussion
over the last couple of

844
00:37:17,100 --> 00:37:21,734
days of Jonathan Pollard
and Israeli-Palestinian

845
00:37:21,734 --> 00:37:23,165
negotiations, you
suggested that that

846
00:37:23,166 --> 00:37:26,266
is something that the
Israelis always bring up.

847
00:37:26,266 --> 00:37:28,767
But there are also
suggestions that the

848
00:37:28,767 --> 00:37:32,700
U.S. offered this as a way to
get the negotiations

849
00:37:32,700 --> 00:37:34,066
back on track.

850
00:37:34,066 --> 00:37:35,899
Is that the case?

851
00:37:35,900 --> 00:37:39,433
Mr. Carney: Bill, what I
can affirm to you

852
00:37:39,433 --> 00:37:43,800
is that the issue of Jonathan
Pollard and his

853
00:37:43,800 --> 00:37:46,900
disposition is something
that has been frequently

854
00:37:46,900 --> 00:37:49,433
raised by Israeli
officials.

855
00:37:49,433 --> 00:37:52,133
And all I can tell you is
that the President

856
00:37:52,133 --> 00:37:55,200
has not made a decision to
release Mr. Pollard,

857
00:37:55,200 --> 00:37:59,232
and that he is continuing to
serve his sentence having

858
00:37:59,233 --> 00:38:00,600
been convicted of espionage.

859
00:38:00,600 --> 00:38:02,333
The Press: Was his release
something that

860
00:38:02,333 --> 00:38:04,734
the United States suggested in
order to move forward --

861
00:38:04,734 --> 00:38:06,066
Mr. Carney: Again, it
would be hard

862
00:38:06,066 --> 00:38:08,500
for us to suggest something that
is raised with some frequency

863
00:38:08,500 --> 00:38:11,066
by the Israelis.

864
00:38:11,066 --> 00:38:11,866
The Press: No,
it wouldn't.

865
00:38:11,867 --> 00:38:13,033
All you have to
do is raise it.

866
00:38:13,033 --> 00:38:14,000
Mr. Carney: Well, again,
it has been raised

867
00:38:14,000 --> 00:38:15,433
frequently -- and I don't
think anybody who

868
00:38:15,433 --> 00:38:19,133
covers these issues would
dispute that -- by the Israelis.

869
00:38:19,133 --> 00:38:21,500
So having said that, I'm
not going to get

870
00:38:21,500 --> 00:38:24,533
into the conversations and
discussions and

871
00:38:24,533 --> 00:38:26,266
negotiations that
Secretary Kerry

872
00:38:26,266 --> 00:38:28,133
has had with the parties.

873
00:38:28,133 --> 00:38:32,033
The Press: Do you --
not you, but has the

874
00:38:32,033 --> 00:38:34,165
administration asked
Samsung Corporation

875
00:38:34,166 --> 00:38:36,700
to stop tweeting that selfie?

876
00:38:36,700 --> 00:38:42,200
Mr. Carney: Without
getting into counsel's

877
00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:44,265
discussions, I can tell
you that as a rule the

878
00:38:44,266 --> 00:38:46,867
White House objects to
attempts to use the

879
00:38:46,867 --> 00:38:49,400
President's likeness for
commercial purposes.

880
00:38:49,400 --> 00:38:51,400
And we certainly
object in this case.

881
00:38:51,400 --> 00:38:55,000
The Press: Why wouldn't
you say that yesterday?

882
00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:57,633
Mr. Carney: Look, it does
stand to

883
00:38:57,633 --> 00:38:59,265
reason we have objected in the past.

884
00:38:59,266 --> 00:39:00,333
We object now.

885
00:39:00,333 --> 00:39:02,133
But I'm not going to
get into the manner

886
00:39:02,133 --> 00:39:04,799
of objection, except for the
manner

887
00:39:04,800 --> 00:39:06,700
I just delivered it.

888
00:39:06,700 --> 00:39:07,700
Yes, Mark.

889
00:39:07,700 --> 00:39:08,700
The Press: Jay, are you
saying the

890
00:39:08,700 --> 00:39:10,899
White House counsel is in
touch with Samsung?

891
00:39:10,900 --> 00:39:12,533
Mr. Carney: Well, I think
I just said, Mark,

892
00:39:12,533 --> 00:39:15,667
that I'm not going to get into
the counsel's discussions.

893
00:39:15,667 --> 00:39:18,000
But I will tell you that
as a rule --

894
00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:20,033
The Press: It is covert?

895
00:39:20,033 --> 00:39:21,366
(laughter) Mr. Carney:
It's discreet.

896
00:39:21,367 --> 00:39:23,000
It's discreet.

897
00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:24,533
(laughter) As a rule, the
White House objects

898
00:39:24,533 --> 00:39:26,333
to attempts to use the
President's

899
00:39:26,333 --> 00:39:27,900
likeness for commercial purposes.

900
00:39:27,900 --> 00:39:29,734
The Press: And when
you speak of releasing

901
00:39:29,734 --> 00:39:31,299
Pollard, you mean
commutation

902
00:39:31,300 --> 00:39:32,300
of sentence, right?

903
00:39:32,300 --> 00:39:33,433
You don't mean a pardon.

904
00:39:33,433 --> 00:39:35,500
Mr. Carney: I'd refer
you to the

905
00:39:35,500 --> 00:39:36,767
Department of Justice for his status.

906
00:39:36,767 --> 00:39:40,433
And I'm not going to
get into the

907
00:39:40,433 --> 00:39:42,633
details of conversations that
Secretary Kerry

908
00:39:42,633 --> 00:39:44,600
has had with the parties.

909
00:39:45,633 --> 00:39:46,633
Yes, sir.

910
00:39:46,633 --> 00:39:48,332
The Press: Jay, you said
earlier that the

911
00:39:48,333 --> 00:39:51,734
President would do whatever he
can to see that the Senate

912
00:39:51,734 --> 00:39:53,700
Intelligence Committee's
report about enhanced

913
00:39:53,700 --> 00:39:56,366
interrogation gets out to
the public, if you will.

914
00:39:56,367 --> 00:39:58,200
How unequivocal
though is that?

915
00:39:58,200 --> 00:39:59,567
He's the President.

916
00:39:59,567 --> 00:40:04,166
Is he willing to tell the
agencies to stop resisting

917
00:40:04,166 --> 00:40:06,633
the release of this kind
of information,

918
00:40:06,633 --> 00:40:09,667
other than going obviously over
the report line by line?

919
00:40:09,667 --> 00:40:13,500
Mr. Carney: Well, again,
the President I think

920
00:40:13,500 --> 00:40:16,567
stood before you and made
very clear --

921
00:40:16,567 --> 00:40:22,600
as I and others had already done
-- that he wants this work

922
00:40:22,600 --> 00:40:23,900
by Congress to be completed.

923
00:40:23,900 --> 00:40:25,667
He wants the report
to be submitted

924
00:40:25,667 --> 00:40:28,366
for declassification, for
that request to be made.

925
00:40:28,367 --> 00:40:29,367
And he will ensure that
the administration acts

926
00:40:29,367 --> 00:40:35,367
responsibly in the
obviously sometimes

927
00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:42,000
complicated work of
declassifying these kinds

928
00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:43,934
of documents, but
with dispatch.

929
00:40:43,934 --> 00:40:49,300
So, I mean, I can't --
again, there's a process

930
00:40:49,300 --> 00:40:51,266
in place here and you're
jumping ahead three steps.

931
00:40:51,266 --> 00:40:53,633
We need to see Congress
finish its work and make a

932
00:40:53,633 --> 00:40:55,667
request for
declassification.

933
00:40:55,667 --> 00:41:00,366
The President has made
clear, as have I and

934
00:41:00,367 --> 00:41:02,834
others, that he wants to
see that done, and he

935
00:41:02,834 --> 00:41:07,966
wants the report
declassified so that the

936
00:41:07,967 --> 00:41:08,967
public can see it.

937
00:41:08,967 --> 00:41:10,300
The Press: Let me jump
back one step, then.

938
00:41:10,300 --> 00:41:12,500
Is he interested in seeing
this report himself?

939
00:41:12,500 --> 00:41:16,133
Mr. Carney: Yes, sure.

940
00:41:16,133 --> 00:41:17,100
The answer is yes.

941
00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:17,933
The Press: Has
he not seen it?

942
00:41:17,934 --> 00:41:19,700
Mr. Carney: I don't think
that we have seen the

943
00:41:19,700 --> 00:41:20,299
report.

944
00:41:20,300 --> 00:41:23,633
There was an early -- I
would refer you to the

945
00:41:23,633 --> 00:41:26,600
processes up there, but we
have not seen

946
00:41:26,600 --> 00:41:27,834
the final report, certainly.

947
00:41:27,834 --> 00:41:32,433
Tommy, then Lesley.

948
00:41:32,433 --> 00:41:32,967
The Press: Thank you, Jay.

949
00:41:32,967 --> 00:41:36,967
It's kind of a broad
question, but here we have

950
00:41:36,967 --> 00:41:43,567
another mass shooting --
what would you say to

951
00:41:43,567 --> 00:41:47,367
people who are just
demoralized at the

952
00:41:47,367 --> 00:41:49,734
prospect that anything
will ever be done at the

953
00:41:49,734 --> 00:41:51,799
federal level to
fight gun violence?

954
00:41:51,800 --> 00:41:55,500
After each one of these
mass shootings, after all

955
00:41:55,500 --> 00:41:58,800
the effort that went into
even passing background

956
00:41:58,800 --> 00:42:01,567
checks that 80, 90 percent
support from the American

957
00:42:01,567 --> 00:42:05,734
people and nothing got
done, here we are again.

958
00:42:05,734 --> 00:42:07,834
What do you say to people
who are

959
00:42:07,834 --> 00:42:08,633
just demoralized by that?

960
00:42:08,633 --> 00:42:10,767
Mr. Carney: Well, Tommy,
as I said earlier in

961
00:42:10,767 --> 00:42:13,734
answers to questions about
this, I want to separate

962
00:42:13,734 --> 00:42:16,734
out this specific incident
and the circumstances

963
00:42:16,734 --> 00:42:20,200
around it because we don't
know the facts yet --

964
00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:22,232
certainly don't know
all the facts yet.

965
00:42:22,233 --> 00:42:25,433
So I don't want to have
comments I make about the

966
00:42:25,433 --> 00:42:29,533
broader subject be
suggestive of anything

967
00:42:29,533 --> 00:42:31,200
specific about
that incident.

968
00:42:31,200 --> 00:42:33,866
What I can say is that the
President made abundantly

969
00:42:33,867 --> 00:42:36,867
clear his disappointment
and frustration with

970
00:42:36,867 --> 00:42:40,000
Congress and its failure
to listen to the

971
00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:42,667
overwhelming majority of
the American people when

972
00:42:42,667 --> 00:42:44,834
they made clear they
wanted to see the

973
00:42:44,834 --> 00:42:47,500
background check system
made more effective and

974
00:42:47,500 --> 00:42:49,100
expanded.

975
00:42:49,100 --> 00:42:52,033
That was a proposition
that in no way violated

976
00:42:52,033 --> 00:42:54,165
our Second Amendment
rights, rights which the

977
00:42:54,166 --> 00:42:56,433
President supports.

978
00:42:56,433 --> 00:43:03,767
And the President also
made clear at the time

979
00:43:03,767 --> 00:43:09,767
that he would continue
executing on the broader

980
00:43:12,333 --> 00:43:14,533
plan that the Vice
President and he developed

981
00:43:14,533 --> 00:43:18,967
to reduce gun violence in
America, which included,

982
00:43:18,967 --> 00:43:21,000
in addition to pushing
that specific piece of

983
00:43:21,000 --> 00:43:23,700
legislation, a number --
more than 20 -- executive

984
00:43:23,700 --> 00:43:26,667
actions that the
administration could take,

985
00:43:26,667 --> 00:43:29,200
and there has been action
on all of them as well as

986
00:43:29,200 --> 00:43:30,200
some additional ones.

987
00:43:30,200 --> 00:43:33,133
So I think that there is
certainly reason to be

988
00:43:33,133 --> 00:43:35,033
frustrated, as the
President was and is, by

989
00:43:35,033 --> 00:43:37,734
the failure of Congress to
act on something

990
00:43:37,734 --> 00:43:38,734
so common sense.

991
00:43:38,734 --> 00:43:43,700
But that doesn't mean you
give up on efforts that

992
00:43:43,700 --> 00:43:44,700
remain possible, and
that's why the President

993
00:43:44,700 --> 00:43:50,200
has taken the steps he's
taken and will continue to

994
00:43:50,200 --> 00:43:55,033
look for ways to implement
common-sense solutions to

995
00:43:55,033 --> 00:43:56,533
this very
challenging problem.

996
00:43:56,533 --> 00:43:57,866
Lesley.

997
00:43:57,867 --> 00:44:00,800
The Press: Jay, you said
the USAID-Cuba program was

998
00:44:01,066 --> 00:44:04,332
run discreetly, not
covertly, but now that

999
00:44:04,333 --> 00:44:08,967
it's sort of out there
publicly, are there

1000
00:44:08,967 --> 00:44:11,400
other concerns about how
this will affect efforts

1001
00:44:11,400 --> 00:44:12,800
to get Alan
Gross released?

1002
00:44:12,800 --> 00:44:14,333
And can you talk about
whether or not he was

1003
00:44:14,333 --> 00:44:19,834
involved in any --

1004
00:44:19,834 --> 00:44:21,966
Mr. Carney: Let me make clear: Alan Gross

1005
00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:23,633
Mr. Gross has been
imprisoned by Cuban
0:44:21.967,1193:02:47.295
was in no way affiliated with this program.

1006
00:44:23,633 --> 00:44:26,133
authorities for more than
four years for doing

1007
00:44:26,133 --> 00:44:28,899
nothing more than helping
Cuban citizens gain access

1008
00:44:28,900 --> 00:44:30,300
to the Internet.

1009
00:44:30,300 --> 00:44:33,166
We continue to work to
secure his release.

1010
00:44:33,166 --> 00:44:36,834
Mr. Gross is a 64-year-old
husband, father, and

1011
00:44:36,834 --> 00:44:39,100
dedicated professional
with a long history of

1012
00:44:39,100 --> 00:44:41,533
providing aid to
underserved communities in

1013
00:44:41,533 --> 00:44:43,133
more than 50 countries.

1014
00:44:43,133 --> 00:44:46,600
We reiterate our call on
the Cuban government to

1015
00:44:46,600 --> 00:44:48,400
release Alan Gross.

1016
00:44:48,400 --> 00:44:51,333
His detention remains
an impediment to more

1017
00:44:51,333 --> 00:44:53,300
constructive relations
between the U.S.

1018
00:44:53,300 --> 00:44:54,633
and Cuba.

1019
00:44:54,633 --> 00:44:56,633
So we're continuing
our efforts.

1020
00:44:56,633 --> 00:44:59,299
The Press: Is this
complicated, though, by

1021
00:44:59,300 --> 00:45:01,233
this being in
the headlines?

1022
00:45:01,233 --> 00:45:03,100
Mr. Carney: It
certainly should not.

1023
00:45:03,100 --> 00:45:04,734
He was in no way
affiliated

1024
00:45:04,734 --> 00:45:05,734
with this program.

1025
00:45:05,734 --> 00:45:07,700
This program, again, was
debated in Congress,

1026
00:45:07,700 --> 00:45:12,767
reviewed by the GAO,
not covert, not an

1027
00:45:12,767 --> 00:45:20,734
intelligence program, and
then Alan Gross was not

1028
00:45:20,734 --> 00:45:23,165
even affiliated with it.

1029
00:45:23,166 --> 00:45:26,900
He should be released, and
the failure of the Cuban

1030
00:45:26,900 --> 00:45:29,600
government to release him
thus far has -- continues

1031
00:45:29,600 --> 00:45:32,767
to be an impediment
towards improved relations

1032
00:45:32,767 --> 00:45:33,767
between the U.S.

1033
00:45:33,767 --> 00:45:34,767
and Cuba.

1034
00:45:34,767 --> 00:45:35,767
Jessica.

1035
00:45:35,767 --> 00:45:38,500
The Press: A follow on
the detention -- I'm just

1036
00:45:38,500 --> 00:45:43,834
wondering, amongst the
President's support on

1037
00:45:43,834 --> 00:45:47,033
that, what are his
thoughts about how --

1038
00:45:47,033 --> 00:45:47,799
Mr. Carney: On
which, I'm sorry?

1039
00:45:47,800 --> 00:45:50,967
The Press: Sorry, the
CIA report released --

1040
00:45:50,967 --> 00:45:51,800
declassification.

1041
00:45:51,800 --> 00:45:55,767
As part of his thinking on
that, does he have a sense

1042
00:45:55,767 --> 00:45:58,200
that by releasing and
declassifying parts of

1043
00:45:58,200 --> 00:46:00,332
that report could have
a positive impact on

1044
00:46:00,333 --> 00:46:02,467
international relations
with countries that have

1045
00:46:02,467 --> 00:46:05,867
been particularly critical
of the policies of Gitmo

1046
00:46:05,867 --> 00:46:09,533
detention, CIA
interrogation?

1047
00:46:09,533 --> 00:46:12,933
Mr. Carney: Jessica,
I haven't had that

1048
00:46:12,934 --> 00:46:15,734
conversation, at least
from that angle, with him.

1049
00:46:15,734 --> 00:46:17,734
He believes that the
American people should

1050
00:46:19,767 --> 00:46:23,100
know as much as possible
about these practices,

1051
00:46:23,100 --> 00:46:27,133
which, it's very important
to note, he ended

1052
00:46:27,133 --> 00:46:29,133
immediately upon
taking office.

1053
00:46:31,500 --> 00:46:36,100
So he's more focused on
the importance of the

1054
00:46:36,100 --> 00:46:39,100
American people having
access to this report once

1055
00:46:39,100 --> 00:46:41,866
it's been appropriately
declassified.

1056
00:46:41,867 --> 00:46:45,233
But I think that the
fact that he ended these

1057
00:46:45,233 --> 00:46:48,800
programs, the fact that he
has fought and continues

1058
00:46:48,800 --> 00:46:56,166
to fight to close the
Gitmo facility, I think

1059
00:46:56,166 --> 00:46:58,600
around the world his
administration's policies

1060
00:46:58,600 --> 00:47:02,400
and his efforts are pretty
well-understood in this

1061
00:47:02,400 --> 00:47:03,467
regard.

1062
00:47:03,467 --> 00:47:06,867
So the focus here is on
making sure the American

1063
00:47:06,867 --> 00:47:09,266
people are able to see the
report

1064
00:47:09,266 --> 00:47:11,233
in a declassified fashion.

1065
00:47:11,233 --> 00:47:12,900
Jared.

1066
00:47:12,900 --> 00:47:15,600
The Press: Jay, Josh said
yesterday in the gaggle

1067
00:47:15,867 --> 00:47:18,533
that you guys were
disappointed by the

1068
00:47:18,533 --> 00:47:19,467
McCutcheon decision.

1069
00:47:19,467 --> 00:47:22,100
Will the President solicit
donations from people who

1070
00:47:22,100 --> 00:47:25,834
have already given
$123,200 in this cycle?

1071
00:47:25,834 --> 00:47:28,299
Mr. Carney: I'd refer you
for questions like that

1072
00:47:28,300 --> 00:47:29,100
to the DNC.

1073
00:47:29,100 --> 00:47:33,266
The disappointment that
Josh expressed yesterday

1074
00:47:33,266 --> 00:47:34,300
still stands.

1075
00:47:34,300 --> 00:47:36,000
I just don't have an
answer to the question.

1076
00:47:36,000 --> 00:47:38,367
The Press: Will the
President encourage other

1077
00:47:38,367 --> 00:47:40,166
Democrats to donate or to
--

1078
00:47:40,166 --> 00:47:40,867
Mr. Carney: I don't have
anything for you on that.

1079
00:47:40,867 --> 00:47:42,433
The Press: -- solicit
those donations?

1080
00:47:42,433 --> 00:47:45,100
Mr. Carney: Sorry, I would
refer you to the DNC.

1081
00:47:45,100 --> 00:47:46,933
The Press: After the
Priorities USA super PAC,

1082
00:47:46,934 --> 00:47:48,967
after the President turned
that decision around two

1083
00:47:48,967 --> 00:47:51,300
years ago, the
justification given in the

1084
00:47:51,300 --> 00:47:55,467
2012 cycle was that --
this wasn't a quote, but

1085
00:47:55,467 --> 00:47:58,500
to not do so would be
bringing a knife

1086
00:47:58,500 --> 00:47:58,934
to a gun fight.

1087
00:47:58,934 --> 00:48:01,767
Does the President feel
like by not soliciting

1088
00:48:01,767 --> 00:48:04,299
contributions he would be
--

1089
00:48:04,300 --> 00:48:06,066
Mr. Carney: Jared, I appreciate
all the questions, and there are

1090
00:48:06,066 --> 00:48:08,966
people who are in a
position to answer them.

1091
00:48:08,967 --> 00:48:11,033
And certainly, we're
talking about a ruling

1092
00:48:11,033 --> 00:48:11,799
that came down yesterday.

1093
00:48:11,800 --> 00:48:15,066
And I think that our folks
are digesting it,

1094
00:48:15,066 --> 00:48:17,500
so I just don't have any new
information along --

1095
00:48:17,500 --> 00:48:20,867
or new positions along those
lines to raise with you

1096
00:48:20,867 --> 00:48:21,867
today.

1097
00:48:21,867 --> 00:48:22,867
The Press: But the
disappointment that was

1098
00:48:22,867 --> 00:48:27,967
expressed will not be
expressed in a promise not

1099
00:48:27,967 --> 00:48:29,367
to solicit those funds?

1100
00:48:29,367 --> 00:48:30,734
Mr. Carney: I don't know
how many times I can tell

1101
00:48:30,734 --> 00:48:32,066
you, I just don't have
anything new

1102
00:48:32,066 --> 00:48:33,232
for you on it.

1103
00:48:33,233 --> 00:48:35,200
It's been a very short
time since

1104
00:48:35,200 --> 00:48:36,600
the decision came down.

1105
00:48:36,600 --> 00:48:38,000
We've expressed our
disappointment with the

1106
00:48:38,000 --> 00:48:40,600
decision, but I don't have
anything beyond that for

1107
00:48:40,600 --> 00:48:41,600
you.

1108
00:48:41,600 --> 00:48:42,600
Chris.

1109
00:48:42,600 --> 00:48:43,600
The Press: Thanks, Jay.

1110
00:48:43,600 --> 00:48:44,967
The Mississippi
legislature approved this

1111
00:48:44,967 --> 00:48:47,967
week a bill that critics
say would enable

1112
00:48:47,967 --> 00:48:51,500
discrimination or allow
people who refuse services

1113
00:48:51,500 --> 00:48:53,000
to LGBT people on
religious grounds

1114
00:48:53,000 --> 00:48:54,000
in that state.

1115
00:48:54,000 --> 00:48:56,000
It's along the lines of
the controversial Arizona

1116
00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:57,567
bill that was vetoed
by Jan Brewer.

1117
00:48:57,567 --> 00:48:59,200
Does the President want
to see a veto of this

1118
00:48:59,200 --> 00:48:59,966
legislation?

1119
00:48:59,967 --> 00:49:05,033
Mr. Carney: I haven't seen
a lot of detail on that

1120
00:49:05,033 --> 00:49:08,567
situation, so I would
not be able to comment

1121
00:49:08,567 --> 00:49:09,567
directly on it.

1122
00:49:09,567 --> 00:49:12,133
We certainly thought that
the Governor of Arizona

1123
00:49:12,133 --> 00:49:13,533
did the right thing
by vetoing that bill.

1124
00:49:13,533 --> 00:49:15,567
But I don't know the
particulars

1125
00:49:15,567 --> 00:49:16,433
of this particular action.

1126
00:49:16,433 --> 00:49:18,667
The Press: And development
on that contemplated

1127
00:49:18,667 --> 00:49:21,433
executive order
barring LGBT workplace

1128
00:49:21,433 --> 00:49:22,967
discrimination, Democratic
National Committee

1129
00:49:22,967 --> 00:49:25,867
Treasurer Andy Tobias said
in an email to LGBT donors

1130
00:49:25,867 --> 00:49:29,000
that he agrees that it
should be signed and that

1131
00:49:29,000 --> 00:49:31,500
its absence is
frustrating.

1132
00:49:31,500 --> 00:49:33,533
If those are the words
coming from the Democratic

1133
00:49:33,533 --> 00:49:34,667
National Committee
Treasurer at a time when

1134
00:49:34,667 --> 00:49:36,200
he's trying to raise money
to keep the President's

1135
00:49:36,200 --> 00:49:37,866
party in power in the
midterm elections,

1136
00:49:37,867 --> 00:49:38,700
is there a problem?

1137
00:49:38,700 --> 00:49:41,332
Mr. Carney: I think
that there are a lot

1138
00:49:41,333 --> 00:49:42,734
of strongly held views
on these matters.

1139
00:49:42,734 --> 00:49:44,767
The President believes
very strongly

1140
00:49:44,767 --> 00:49:45,933
in employment
non-discrimination.

1141
00:49:45,934 --> 00:49:49,300
That's why he has urged
Congress to act on the

1142
00:49:49,300 --> 00:49:50,734
ENDA legislation.

1143
00:49:50,734 --> 00:49:52,600
We've seen some progress
on that;

1144
00:49:52,600 --> 00:49:54,299
it needs to be completed.

1145
00:49:54,300 --> 00:49:56,800
Those who oppose it are
standing in the way of

1146
00:49:56,800 --> 00:50:02,734
history and will look
foolish in the future as

1147
00:50:02,734 --> 00:50:04,667
future generations look
back at that stance and

1148
00:50:04,667 --> 00:50:06,200
recognize it
for what it is.

1149
00:50:06,200 --> 00:50:08,332
I just don't have any
updates for you

1150
00:50:08,333 --> 00:50:14,233
on the EO that you mention.

1151
00:50:14,233 --> 00:50:15,900
The Press: Let's say that
ENDA does become law, that

1152
00:50:15,900 --> 00:50:18,834
Congress approves it and
the President signs it --

1153
00:50:18,834 --> 00:50:20,600
would that change the
President's thinking on

1154
00:50:20,600 --> 00:50:21,467
signing an
executive order?

1155
00:50:21,467 --> 00:50:23,333
Mr. Carney: I think
the employment

1156
00:50:23,333 --> 00:50:25,100
non-discrimination
legislation,

1157
00:50:25,100 --> 00:50:26,667
the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act,

1158
00:50:26,667 --> 00:50:27,734
would broadly apply.

1159
00:50:27,734 --> 00:50:31,533
And that's one of the
reasons why we support it,

1160
00:50:31,533 --> 00:50:35,366
because it's a broad
solution to the problem

1161
00:50:35,367 --> 00:50:39,300
and it ought to be
passed by Congress.

1162
00:50:39,300 --> 00:50:40,700
You're sort of scrunching
your face as it the law

1163
00:50:40,700 --> 00:50:42,066
wouldn't apply
to some citizens.

1164
00:50:42,066 --> 00:50:42,667
It would apply.

1165
00:50:42,667 --> 00:50:43,900
The Press: I'm just
curious,

1166
00:50:43,900 --> 00:50:45,533
because there's an argument --

1167
00:50:45,533 --> 00:50:46,232
Mr. Carney: I think if the law passed --

1168
00:50:46,233 --> 00:50:49,567
now, I'm not
a lawyer and I'm not --

1169
00:50:49,567 --> 00:50:51,800
I haven't read every
sentence of the law,

1170
00:50:51,800 --> 00:50:55,100
but I think if the law passed
that broadly banned this

1171
00:50:55,100 --> 00:50:59,734
kind of employment
discrimination, it would

1172
00:50:59,734 --> 00:51:03,165
make redundant an
executive order.

1173
00:51:03,166 --> 00:51:04,333
The Press: But there are
some instances where that

1174
00:51:04,333 --> 00:51:05,266
would not be the case,
because the executive order --

1175
00:51:05,266 --> 00:51:06,333
Mr. Carney:
Well, that could be

1176
00:51:06,333 --> 00:51:08,133
hypothetically, but I
think we'd like to see the

1177
00:51:08,133 --> 00:51:10,633
legislation passed and
that would be a good

1178
00:51:10,633 --> 00:51:11,700
thing.

1179
00:51:11,700 --> 00:51:12,799
Fred.

1180
00:51:12,800 --> 00:51:15,967
I think we're going to --
this has got to be the

1181
00:51:15,967 --> 00:51:18,266
last one, because I want
to make sure you all get

1182
00:51:18,266 --> 00:51:19,100
the Olympians.

1183
00:51:19,100 --> 00:51:21,734
The Press: The situation
with Iran and the U.N.

1184
00:51:21,734 --> 00:51:23,533
ambassador, the
appointments there -- I

1185
00:51:23,533 --> 00:51:26,567
want to ask the White
House's view on that and

1186
00:51:26,567 --> 00:51:28,533
also if it's going to
affect the nuclear

1187
00:51:28,533 --> 00:51:29,967
negotiations at all.

1188
00:51:29,967 --> 00:51:32,867
Mr. Carney: Well, on the
P5-plus-1 negotiations,

1189
00:51:32,867 --> 00:51:37,200
they are focused on a very
specific task, which is to

1190
00:51:37,200 --> 00:51:40,165
see if we can resolve
diplomatically the

1191
00:51:40,166 --> 00:51:42,967
challenge posed by
Iran's nuclear program.

1192
00:51:45,033 --> 00:51:46,667
That is in the interest
of the United States,

1193
00:51:46,667 --> 00:51:49,433
the interest of the region
and our allies

1194
00:51:49,433 --> 00:51:50,433
around the world.

1195
00:51:50,433 --> 00:51:54,200
And we will continue
to pursue that.

1196
00:51:54,200 --> 00:51:58,165
Any resolution of that
diplomatically would have

1197
00:51:58,166 --> 00:52:01,734
to be one that provides
transparency and

1198
00:52:01,734 --> 00:52:06,232
validation to the
necessary commitment by

1199
00:52:06,233 --> 00:52:09,400
Iran to forsake nuclear
weapons and the

1200
00:52:09,400 --> 00:52:11,100
development of
nuclear weapons.

1201
00:52:11,100 --> 00:52:13,834
So as has been the case
when we have talked about

1202
00:52:13,834 --> 00:52:17,232
other issues with which we
have great disagreements

1203
00:52:17,233 --> 00:52:20,166
with Iran -- like Syria
and its sponsorship of

1204
00:52:20,166 --> 00:52:24,633
terrorist organizations --
we do not let up on Iran

1205
00:52:24,633 --> 00:52:26,734
in terms of the pressure
we place on it,

1206
00:52:26,734 --> 00:52:27,900
on those matters.

1207
00:52:27,900 --> 00:52:29,367
On the issue -- I think
I've addressed the

1208
00:52:29,367 --> 00:52:35,000
question of the individual
and the ambassador -- the

1209
00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:37,200
appointment of an
ambassador to the United

1210
00:52:37,200 --> 00:52:38,667
Nations -- I don't have
anything to add on that.

1211
00:52:38,667 --> 00:52:42,299
But on the issue of
P5-plus-1, we continue to

1212
00:52:42,300 --> 00:52:44,333
pursue that with
our partners.

1213
00:52:44,333 --> 00:52:47,633
And, no, that
does not change.

1214
00:52:47,633 --> 00:52:48,899
The Press: -- totally
separate --

1215
00:52:48,900 --> 00:52:50,767
Mr. Carney: I think I made that clear.

1216
00:52:50,767 --> 00:52:51,799
Thanks very much.

1217
00:52:51,800 --> 00:52:52,934
The Press: Can I get a
quick one on the U.S.

1218
00:52:52,934 --> 00:52:53,500
ambassador to India?

1219
00:52:53,500 --> 00:52:54,166
Mr. Carney: I don't
have anything for you.