English subtitles for clip: File:6-16-10- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:03,300 Mr. Gibbs: So we're going to do this in a little bit different order. 2 00:00:03,300 --> 00:00:08,100 We're going to start today with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner 3 00:00:08,100 --> 00:00:10,370 and Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial 4 00:00:10,367 --> 00:00:14,637 Intelligence Stuart Levey to announce a new round of Iran 5 00:00:14,633 --> 00:00:17,233 sanctions and designations. 6 00:00:17,233 --> 00:00:21,433 And for any of those that are interested, Stuart, 7 00:00:21,433 --> 00:00:23,003 and Bob Einhorn from the State Department, 8 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:27,800 will be doing a pen and pad briefing on this later this 9 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:33,270 afternoon at the Treasury Department. Mr. Secretary. 10 00:00:33,266 --> 00:00:34,066 Secretary Geithner: Thanks, Robert. 11 00:00:34,066 --> 00:00:36,796 Over the past year, President Obama has pursued a broad 12 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:41,370 international strategy to address the world's concerns 13 00:00:41,367 --> 00:00:43,367 over Iran's nuclear program. 14 00:00:43,367 --> 00:00:46,937 A critical step in that strategy came last week when the United 15 00:00:46,934 --> 00:00:50,204 Nations Security Council adopted the toughest sanctions 16 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:53,400 ever imposed on the Iranian government. 17 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:57,230 Today, the United States is taking our first steps to 18 00:00:57,233 --> 00:01:00,303 implement and build on that resolution. 19 00:01:00,300 --> 00:01:03,370 We are adding to our list of sanction entities a number of 20 00:01:03,367 --> 00:01:09,097 institutions and individuals who are helping Iran finance nuclear 21 00:01:09,100 --> 00:01:14,500 and missile programs and to evade international sanctions. 22 00:01:14,500 --> 00:01:17,900 Our actions today are designed to deter other governments and 23 00:01:17,900 --> 00:01:21,970 foreign financial institutions from dealing with these entities 24 00:01:21,967 --> 00:01:25,867 and thereby supporting Iran's illicit activities. 25 00:01:25,867 --> 00:01:28,997 Let me briefly describe each of these actions. 26 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,200 First, we are designating Iran's Post Bank for its 27 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:35,370 support of proliferation activities. 28 00:01:35,367 --> 00:01:37,797 This brings the number of Iranian-owned banks 29 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,900 on our list to 16. 30 00:01:40,900 --> 00:01:46,230 Second, we are adding five front companies and more than 90 ship 31 00:01:46,233 --> 00:01:50,633 names that Iran's national maritime carrier has been 32 00:01:50,633 --> 00:01:54,533 using to try to evade sanctions. 33 00:01:54,533 --> 00:01:58,763 Third, we are adding two individuals and 34 00:01:58,767 --> 00:02:01,637 four entities that are part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, 35 00:02:01,633 --> 00:02:06,033 which as you know, plays a key role in Iran's missile programs 36 00:02:06,033 --> 00:02:07,663 and its support for terrorism. 37 00:02:07,667 --> 00:02:10,937 Fourth, we are adding two individuals and two entities 38 00:02:10,934 --> 00:02:14,404 that are actively involved in Iran's 39 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:17,000 nuclear or missile programs. 40 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:22,000 And finally, we are identifying 22 petroleum, energy, 41 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:25,900 and insurance companies, located inside and outside Iran, 42 00:02:25,900 --> 00:02:29,370 which are owned or controlled by the Iranian government. 43 00:02:29,367 --> 00:02:32,697 Now, shortly, Stuart Levey, who is Treasury's Under 44 00:02:32,700 --> 00:02:36,070 Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, 45 00:02:36,066 --> 00:02:38,636 is going to walk you through the details of these actions. 46 00:02:38,633 --> 00:02:40,833 Stuart Levey, as you know, has been the chief architect of our 47 00:02:40,834 --> 00:02:46,064 strategy to impose growing financial costs on Iran for its 48 00:02:46,066 --> 00:02:50,236 continued defiance, and he has played a major leadership role 49 00:02:50,233 --> 00:02:52,963 on this issue internationally. 50 00:02:52,967 --> 00:02:55,167 In the coming weeks, we will continue to increase the 51 00:02:55,166 --> 00:02:56,996 financial pressure on Iran. 52 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:59,230 We will continue to target Iran's support 53 00:02:59,233 --> 00:03:01,163 for terrorist organizations. 54 00:03:01,166 --> 00:03:04,636 We will continue to focus on Iran's Revolutionary Guard. 55 00:03:04,633 --> 00:03:06,563 We will continue to expose Iran's efforts to evade 56 00:03:06,567 --> 00:03:09,497 international sanctions. 57 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:13,170 Now, to be truly effective in ending Iran's proliferation 58 00:03:13,166 --> 00:03:15,666 activities and Iran's support for terrorism, 59 00:03:15,667 --> 00:03:17,897 we need to have in place a concerted 60 00:03:17,900 --> 00:03:19,400 international approach. 61 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:22,570 This is not something the United States can do alone. 62 00:03:22,567 --> 00:03:24,837 We need other countries to move with us. 63 00:03:24,834 --> 00:03:28,164 So alongside our efforts in the U.N. to build international 64 00:03:28,166 --> 00:03:32,096 support for sanctions, we have been working behind the scenes 65 00:03:32,100 --> 00:03:35,400 building support among finance ministries for 66 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,900 additional actions to prevent abuse of the global financial 67 00:03:37,900 --> 00:03:40,270 system by Iran. 68 00:03:40,266 --> 00:03:42,536 We expect to see additional actions announced by other 69 00:03:42,533 --> 00:03:45,333 governments soon. 70 00:03:45,333 --> 00:03:46,963 The types of steps we are taking today have 71 00:03:46,967 --> 00:03:49,537 been remarkably effective. 72 00:03:49,533 --> 00:03:52,163 When major financial institutions, 73 00:03:52,166 --> 00:03:55,266 companies around the world, discover they are actually 74 00:03:55,266 --> 00:03:59,966 working with Iranian companies that support Iran's nuclear or 75 00:03:59,967 --> 00:04:03,437 missile programs, they realize it's not worth the risk; 76 00:04:03,433 --> 00:04:05,233 they cut off their business. 77 00:04:05,233 --> 00:04:08,733 And over the years, these steps have made a major difference in 78 00:04:08,734 --> 00:04:12,904 limiting Iran's ability to use the global financial system to 79 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:16,300 finance, to pursue illicit activities. 80 00:04:16,300 --> 00:04:20,100 We made important progress, but we cannot stop here. 81 00:04:20,100 --> 00:04:24,030 Iran will never cease looking for ways to evade our sanctions, 82 00:04:24,033 --> 00:04:26,703 so our efforts must be ongoing and unrelenting. 83 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:29,630 And we will keep working on ways to intensify financial 84 00:04:29,633 --> 00:04:31,233 pressure on Iran. 85 00:04:31,233 --> 00:04:37,963 Thank you. I'm going to give you Stuart. 86 00:04:37,967 --> 00:04:39,997 Under Secretary Levey: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. 87 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,970 As Secretary Geithner said, we're taking a series of steps 88 00:04:42,967 --> 00:04:45,637 today to impose additional consequences on Iran for its 89 00:04:45,633 --> 00:04:49,533 continued failure to meet its international obligations. 90 00:04:49,533 --> 00:04:51,833 First, we're sanctioning an additional Iranian 91 00:04:51,834 --> 00:04:54,334 bank, Post Bank. 92 00:04:54,333 --> 00:04:57,463 At one time, Post Bank's business was conducted 93 00:04:57,467 --> 00:04:59,767 almost entirely within Iran. 94 00:04:59,767 --> 00:05:02,667 But when some of Iran's largest banks were exposed for financing 95 00:05:02,667 --> 00:05:06,637 proliferation, Iran began to use Post Bank to facilitate 96 00:05:06,633 --> 00:05:08,533 international trade. 97 00:05:08,533 --> 00:05:12,363 In fact, Post Bank stepped into the shoes of Bank Sepah, 98 00:05:12,367 --> 00:05:15,097 which is under United Nations sanctions, 99 00:05:15,100 --> 00:05:16,700 to carry out Bank Sepah's transactions 100 00:05:16,700 --> 00:05:18,130 and hide its identity. 101 00:05:18,133 --> 00:05:20,403 International banks that would never deal with Bank 102 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:23,430 Sepah have been handling these transactions that they think 103 00:05:23,433 --> 00:05:26,433 are really for Post Bank. 104 00:05:26,433 --> 00:05:29,103 Second, we're taking additional action today against Iran's 105 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:32,000 national maritime carrier, or IRISL. 106 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,330 Since we first sanctioned IRISL in 2008, 107 00:05:35,333 --> 00:05:38,263 it has desperately attempted to evade those sanctions -- setting 108 00:05:38,266 --> 00:05:41,436 up new front companies, renaming and reflagging and even 109 00:05:41,433 --> 00:05:45,863 repainting its vessels to hide their true ownership. 110 00:05:45,867 --> 00:05:49,037 Despite its deceptive maneuvers, IRISL has had to struggle to 111 00:05:49,033 --> 00:05:52,233 obtain insurance and other services that it needs. 112 00:05:52,233 --> 00:05:54,463 It has also been caught violating U.N. 113 00:05:54,467 --> 00:05:56,067 Security Council sanctions. 114 00:05:56,066 --> 00:05:59,936 Our actions today expose IRISL's deception and make it more 115 00:05:59,934 --> 00:06:03,634 difficult for IRISL to carry out illegal activities. 116 00:06:03,633 --> 00:06:06,563 Third, we're taking further action against the IRGC, 117 00:06:06,567 --> 00:06:08,967 or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 118 00:06:08,967 --> 00:06:12,597 The IRGC, as the Secretary said, plays a key role in Iran's 119 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:14,900 missile program and its support for terrorism, 120 00:06:14,900 --> 00:06:18,370 and it has also taken over broad portions of the Iranian economy 121 00:06:18,367 --> 00:06:21,467 to the detriment of the Iranian people. 122 00:06:21,467 --> 00:06:24,467 With today's designations, we have now sanctions 26 123 00:06:24,467 --> 00:06:27,637 entities and individuals connected to the IRGC, 124 00:06:27,633 --> 00:06:29,603 and we will continue to do so. 125 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,700 No IRGC entity should have any place in the world's 126 00:06:32,700 --> 00:06:35,470 legitimate financial system. 127 00:06:35,467 --> 00:06:38,297 Fourth, we're sanctioning two individuals and two entities for 128 00:06:38,300 --> 00:06:42,170 proliferation, including a key Iranian broker used 129 00:06:42,166 --> 00:06:46,566 to procure a variety of nuclear-related equipment. 130 00:06:46,567 --> 00:06:50,467 And finally, we're identifying 22 petroleum, energy, 131 00:06:50,467 --> 00:06:52,497 and insurance companies that are owned and controlled by 132 00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:54,430 the government of Iran. 133 00:06:54,433 --> 00:06:57,303 Many of them, though -- 17, in fact -- are located outside of 134 00:06:57,300 --> 00:07:00,570 Iran and may not be easily identifiable as being Iranian. 135 00:07:00,567 --> 00:07:05,667 Americans have long been forbidden from doing business 136 00:07:05,667 --> 00:07:09,097 with Iranian entities, but increasingly companies around 137 00:07:09,100 --> 00:07:13,000 the world are deciding not to do business with the government of 138 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,500 Iran because of its wide range of illicit conduct, and because, 139 00:07:16,500 --> 00:07:18,530 as President Obama said last week, 140 00:07:18,533 --> 00:07:21,063 it is a government that has brutally suppressed dissent and 141 00:07:21,066 --> 00:07:23,096 murdered the innocent. 142 00:07:23,100 --> 00:07:25,270 The United Nations has also highlighted proliferation 143 00:07:25,266 --> 00:07:27,996 concerns surrounding Iran's energy sector, 144 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,530 and all companies must be conscious of the implications 145 00:07:30,533 --> 00:07:34,703 of any trade that they conduct with Iran's energy companies. 146 00:07:34,700 --> 00:07:37,230 We know that officials in Iran have been anxious about this 147 00:07:37,233 --> 00:07:39,503 new round of sanctions. 148 00:07:39,500 --> 00:07:41,800 If the Iranian government holds true to form, 149 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:43,600 it will scramble to identify work-arounds, 150 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:47,130 hiding behind front companies, doctoring wire transfers, 151 00:07:47,133 --> 00:07:49,363 falsifying shipping documents. 152 00:07:49,367 --> 00:07:53,167 We will continue to expose this deception, as we are today, 153 00:07:53,166 --> 00:07:56,366 and thereby reinforce the very reasons why the private sector 154 00:07:56,367 --> 00:08:00,337 around the world is increasingly shunning Iran. 155 00:08:00,333 --> 00:08:02,133 We will also work to ensure that international sanctions 156 00:08:02,133 --> 00:08:03,503 are enforced. 157 00:08:03,500 --> 00:08:05,870 In this regard, the State Department has dedicated a 158 00:08:05,867 --> 00:08:09,167 senior official, Bob Einhorn, to ensure that we accomplish this 159 00:08:09,166 --> 00:08:12,496 in cooperation with our friends and partners around the world. 160 00:08:12,500 --> 00:08:14,930 We are very fortunate to have someone of Bob's stature and 161 00:08:14,934 --> 00:08:17,904 experience working on this issue. 162 00:08:17,900 --> 00:08:20,200 The overall result of these efforts is that Iran's choice 163 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:23,000 will be increasingly clear -- to choose the path offered by 164 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,100 President Obama and the international community, 165 00:08:25,100 --> 00:08:27,970 or to remain on a course that leads to further isolation. 166 00:08:27,967 --> 00:08:29,197 Thank you very much. 167 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:33,770 Mr. Gibbs: Stuart has got time for a couple of questions on Iran sanctions. 168 00:08:33,767 --> 00:08:38,867 The Press: Sir, the general sense in some -- in terms of the government of 169 00:08:38,867 --> 00:08:41,537 Iran is that these sanctions are targeting the people. 170 00:08:41,533 --> 00:08:45,903 What assurances can you give the people of Iran that what you're 171 00:08:45,900 --> 00:08:47,900 rolling out today and what you've done at the U.N. 172 00:08:47,900 --> 00:08:50,230 and other places is not targeting the people? 173 00:08:50,233 --> 00:08:53,933 And secondly, the Iranians knew that this was probably coming -- 174 00:08:53,934 --> 00:08:55,004 they knew that the U.N. 175 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:58,870 sanctions were coming, so they probably have taken steps. 176 00:08:58,867 --> 00:09:00,837 What are you doing in response to those steps? 177 00:09:00,834 --> 00:09:02,934 Does it make your job that much more difficult to make sure 178 00:09:02,934 --> 00:09:05,104 you're targeting the people you want to target, 179 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:06,300 as opposed to others? 180 00:09:06,300 --> 00:09:08,970 Under Secretary Levey: Excellent question. 181 00:09:08,967 --> 00:09:13,537 In fact, you're right; we have no problem or dispute 182 00:09:13,533 --> 00:09:14,663 with the people of Iran. 183 00:09:14,667 --> 00:09:15,637 Quite the contrary. 184 00:09:15,633 --> 00:09:17,903 It's the government of Iran and the decisions that they've made 185 00:09:17,900 --> 00:09:19,800 that we have a problem with. 186 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,170 And we do try to focus our sanctions 187 00:09:22,166 --> 00:09:23,966 on the decision-makers. 188 00:09:23,967 --> 00:09:28,137 We do this in two ways -- one by focusing on those engaged in the 189 00:09:28,133 --> 00:09:30,833 actual illicit activity, those -- part of the nuclear program, 190 00:09:30,834 --> 00:09:32,934 the missile program, support for terrorism. 191 00:09:32,934 --> 00:09:36,564 And secondly, our focus on the Revolutionary Guard I think is 192 00:09:36,567 --> 00:09:38,397 quite consistent with this. 193 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,470 The Revolutionary Guard, as you may know, 194 00:09:40,467 --> 00:09:42,367 not only is engaged in illicit activity, 195 00:09:42,367 --> 00:09:44,737 but it's taking economic opportunities from the 196 00:09:44,734 --> 00:09:46,264 people of Iran. 197 00:09:46,266 --> 00:09:48,536 We think that by focusing attention on the Revolutionary 198 00:09:48,533 --> 00:09:51,163 Guard, as we did at the United Nations, 199 00:09:51,166 --> 00:09:54,496 and as we have both unilaterally and with our partners around the 200 00:09:54,500 --> 00:09:57,370 world, that we're sending exactly the right message. 201 00:09:57,367 --> 00:10:00,367 We're going after the people who are oppressing the people 202 00:10:00,367 --> 00:10:05,337 of Iran, oppressing them politically and economically. 203 00:10:05,333 --> 00:10:06,203 The Press: And the second question, 204 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:08,370 they have obviously known that this was coming. 205 00:10:08,367 --> 00:10:08,867 Under Secretary Levey: Right. 206 00:10:08,867 --> 00:10:11,737 Well, in fact, they undoubtedly did. 207 00:10:11,734 --> 00:10:13,834 The whole world knew it was coming. 208 00:10:13,834 --> 00:10:17,364 The beauty of the kinds of measures that we've been taking 209 00:10:17,367 --> 00:10:21,797 is that when Iran engages in evasive conduct and deceptive 210 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:23,830 conduct, as they undoubtedly will, 211 00:10:23,834 --> 00:10:27,564 we use that our advantage by exposing the evasive conduct, 212 00:10:27,567 --> 00:10:30,267 the deceptive conduct, and then making that public for 213 00:10:30,266 --> 00:10:31,636 the whole world to see. 214 00:10:31,633 --> 00:10:36,003 When we do that, the private sector -- it reinforces this 215 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,230 dynamic where the private sector already doesn't want to do 216 00:10:38,233 --> 00:10:39,233 business with Iran. 217 00:10:39,233 --> 00:10:43,233 They then see that Iran is taking action that has a risk 218 00:10:43,233 --> 00:10:46,533 of bringing them into illicit activity and it reinforces this 219 00:10:46,533 --> 00:10:49,463 dynamic where they continue to shun Iran. 220 00:10:49,467 --> 00:10:53,237 So by structuring the sanctions the way we have, 221 00:10:53,233 --> 00:10:55,003 we think we can use their countermeasures 222 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,370 to our advantage. 223 00:10:58,367 --> 00:11:00,237 The Press: I'm wondering how -- the Europeans tomorrow are going 224 00:11:00,233 --> 00:11:01,063 to announce something a 225 00:11:01,066 --> 00:11:03,236 little more -- that goes beyond the U.N. 226 00:11:03,233 --> 00:11:04,363 Can you talk about how this relates to that, 227 00:11:04,367 --> 00:11:06,467 whether we're going to adopt some of the 228 00:11:06,467 --> 00:11:07,697 measures they're doing? 229 00:11:07,700 --> 00:11:11,130 And to what degree does this push Iran closer to China, 230 00:11:11,133 --> 00:11:14,233 which has been a straggler in terms of sanctions? 231 00:11:14,233 --> 00:11:16,663 Under Secretary Levey: Well, I don't want to comment exactly on what 232 00:11:16,667 --> 00:11:19,237 the Europeans might do tomorrow, but you're absolutely right that 233 00:11:19,233 --> 00:11:22,103 they're also considering measures that they can take 234 00:11:22,100 --> 00:11:24,700 to implement and build upon the resolution. 235 00:11:24,700 --> 00:11:27,730 We're actually partnering with them quite closely. 236 00:11:27,734 --> 00:11:32,604 And it was part of the overall effort from the beginning that 237 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,030 we would use this Security Council resolution -- which 238 00:11:35,033 --> 00:11:38,403 as you know, already sits on top of three prior sanctions 239 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,700 resolutions, so we have now four sanctions resolutions against 240 00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:44,200 Iran -- and with other countries around the world, 241 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:49,130 we will take measures that build upon the resolution, 242 00:11:49,133 --> 00:11:51,063 that are consistent with the resolution, 243 00:11:51,066 --> 00:11:53,496 and that draw upon those provisions of the resolution 244 00:11:53,500 --> 00:11:55,700 which are specifically intended to give countries the 245 00:11:55,700 --> 00:11:59,400 authority to do this. 246 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:06,130 In terms of China, as is obvious, China, of course, 247 00:12:06,133 --> 00:12:07,963 not only is a U.N. 248 00:12:07,967 --> 00:12:10,467 Security Council permanent member but also voted 249 00:12:10,467 --> 00:12:11,667 for this resolution. 250 00:12:11,667 --> 00:12:15,767 And there are significant obligations placed on China in 251 00:12:15,767 --> 00:12:18,137 this resolution, which we have every reason to believe that 252 00:12:18,133 --> 00:12:20,763 they will faithfully execute. 253 00:12:20,767 --> 00:12:23,897 The Press: Stuart, as you know, Congress is talking about its 254 00:12:23,900 --> 00:12:26,470 own unilateral sanctions package that would target countries that 255 00:12:26,467 --> 00:12:28,137 do business with Iran. 256 00:12:28,133 --> 00:12:30,633 How are you guys doing on getting them to sort of 257 00:12:30,633 --> 00:12:33,203 compromise on that so that there would be a waiver for countries 258 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:36,370 like China and Russia that help us, for instance? 259 00:12:36,367 --> 00:12:39,097 Secretary Levey: Well, we are working closely with the Congress. 260 00:12:39,100 --> 00:12:41,270 We share the same goal as the Congress does, 261 00:12:41,266 --> 00:12:44,836 which is to have an effective set of tools to bring pressure 262 00:12:44,834 --> 00:12:46,804 on Iran for its illicit activities. 263 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,970 We are in close consultation with them the try to have a bill 264 00:12:49,967 --> 00:12:53,537 that will be as effective as possible. 265 00:12:53,533 --> 00:12:56,563 It's still a work in progress, but it's something that we're in 266 00:12:56,567 --> 00:12:59,037 very close consultations with the Hill on a regular basis. 267 00:12:59,033 --> 00:13:01,163 The Press: But you are pushing on a waiver? 268 00:13:01,166 --> 00:13:03,566 Under Secretary Levey: We're working with them on the bill. 269 00:13:03,567 --> 00:13:06,267 Mr. Gibbs: One more here and then we'll let Stuart go. 270 00:13:06,266 --> 00:13:08,166 The Press: There were two countries at the U.N. 271 00:13:08,166 --> 00:13:11,466 Security Council that voted against the resolution. 272 00:13:11,467 --> 00:13:15,967 My question is has your administration talked to the 273 00:13:15,967 --> 00:13:18,337 Turkish administration and Brazil, 274 00:13:18,333 --> 00:13:26,163 and how much cooperation so far you have received? 275 00:13:26,166 --> 00:13:27,866 Has the Turkish administration stated that they are going to 276 00:13:27,867 --> 00:13:30,367 comply with the sanctions package? 277 00:13:30,367 --> 00:13:32,997 Under Secretary Levey: Well, again, as not only 278 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:35,870 Security Council members but also members of the 279 00:13:35,867 --> 00:13:39,067 United Nations, this is a binding resolution. 280 00:13:39,066 --> 00:13:41,336 We have every reason to believe that both Turkey and Brazil 281 00:13:41,333 --> 00:13:44,603 will, in spite of their vote on the resolution, 282 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,470 will comply with the resolution faithfully. 283 00:13:47,467 --> 00:13:48,167 Mr. Gibbs: Thank you, sir. 284 00:13:48,166 --> 00:13:49,096 Under Secretary Levey: Thank you. 285 00:13:49,100 --> 00:14:02,530 Mr. Gibbs: All right, now we've got more participants today. 286 00:14:02,533 --> 00:14:07,363 I'm bringing Admiral Allen and Carol Browner in -- come on up, 287 00:14:07,367 --> 00:14:12,837 guys, you're the next contestant -- to help us go through -- 288 00:14:12,834 --> 00:14:15,304 obviously Admiral Allen -- if you have operational questions 289 00:14:15,300 --> 00:14:17,830 about what's going on in the Gulf. 290 00:14:17,834 --> 00:14:24,364 Carol was involved in the meetings that were had today, 291 00:14:24,367 --> 00:14:28,367 so she and I can answer questions about that. 292 00:14:28,367 --> 00:14:30,997 So, Mr. Feller, take us away. 293 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:31,630 The Press: Okay, thanks. 294 00:14:31,633 --> 00:14:34,303 Some questions about the fund, oil spill fund. 295 00:14:34,300 --> 00:14:37,070 Was BP ordered to do this? 296 00:14:37,066 --> 00:14:38,996 Did they do this on its own? 297 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,930 How exactly did that come together? 298 00:14:41,934 --> 00:14:43,964 Ms. Browner: We reached an agreement with BP that they will 299 00:14:43,967 --> 00:14:48,867 establish an independent claims facility and an escrow account. 300 00:14:48,867 --> 00:14:50,937 And it was in the course of discussions that they've 301 00:14:50,934 --> 00:14:53,764 agreed to do all of this. 302 00:14:53,767 --> 00:14:55,667 The Press: So is it your feeling that the company would have 303 00:14:55,667 --> 00:14:57,497 done this on its own? 304 00:14:57,500 --> 00:14:58,670 Ms. Browner: No. 305 00:14:58,667 --> 00:15:00,497 The Press: So, okay, this is essentially a White 306 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:02,170 House-ordered agreement? 307 00:15:02,166 --> 00:15:04,736 Ms. Browner: It was a White House-driven agreement. 308 00:15:04,734 --> 00:15:09,134 They're now -- they will agree to set up this facility where 309 00:15:09,133 --> 00:15:13,833 claims can be expeditiously reviewed and decisions made 310 00:15:13,834 --> 00:15:15,504 about how to proceed. 311 00:15:15,500 --> 00:15:18,930 They'll set up an escrow account of $20 billion. 312 00:15:18,934 --> 00:15:21,604 They will also provide assets, U.S. 313 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,230 assets of $20 billion to back that up. 314 00:15:24,233 --> 00:15:25,433 Mr. Gibbs: I'll say this, Ben. 315 00:15:25,433 --> 00:15:29,933 Obviously the White House and other agencies of the government 316 00:15:29,934 --> 00:15:31,864 have been working over the past several days, 317 00:15:31,867 --> 00:15:33,997 and you heard the President speak last night, 318 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:40,400 about -- and others in the administration speak yesterday 319 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:44,730 -- about directing them to set up, as Carol said, 320 00:15:44,734 --> 00:15:48,534 an escrow account that would be independently administered 321 00:15:48,533 --> 00:15:51,103 for speedy claims. 322 00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:53,430 The Press: Is BP the only company paying in? 323 00:15:53,433 --> 00:15:56,363 And if so, what about the other companies that were involved in 324 00:15:56,367 --> 00:15:59,337 some way that may have an interest in the well or the rig 325 00:15:59,333 --> 00:16:01,333 -- are they liable at all? 326 00:16:01,333 --> 00:16:03,563 Ms. Browner: Well, BP is the responsible party. 327 00:16:03,567 --> 00:16:05,437 There may be other responsible parties. 328 00:16:05,433 --> 00:16:08,763 Obviously BP will be working to -- with those companies in 329 00:16:08,767 --> 00:16:11,697 whatever way is appropriate to secure funds. 330 00:16:11,700 --> 00:16:15,830 But what we have is an agreement for $20 billion in this fund. 331 00:16:15,834 --> 00:16:18,534 It is not a floor, it is not a ceiling, 332 00:16:18,533 --> 00:16:20,463 but what this gives us is the assurances so that we can make 333 00:16:20,467 --> 00:16:24,637 sure that the people, the small businesses that have been 334 00:16:24,633 --> 00:16:27,303 impacted can get their claims paid in a timely manner. 335 00:16:27,300 --> 00:16:29,630 It sets up a process. 336 00:16:29,633 --> 00:16:32,833 There will be Mr. Feinberg and then a 337 00:16:32,834 --> 00:16:35,064 three-person review panel. 338 00:16:35,066 --> 00:16:37,636 All of that can be done in an expedited manner. 339 00:16:37,633 --> 00:16:39,703 At which point the individuals' claims have been met, 340 00:16:39,700 --> 00:16:42,000 if the individual is not happy at that point, 341 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,700 they retain all of their legal rights. 342 00:16:44,700 --> 00:16:48,730 BP, however, can only seek an appeal of Mr. Feinberg's 343 00:16:48,734 --> 00:16:52,764 determination if the claim is in excess of $500,000 344 00:16:52,767 --> 00:16:57,297 that's been granted, or if Feinberg certifies a 345 00:16:57,300 --> 00:16:59,870 appeal is allowable. 346 00:16:59,867 --> 00:17:00,797 The Press: Why $20 billion? 347 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:02,670 Is that the figure that the White House thinks is enough 348 00:17:02,667 --> 00:17:04,267 to cover all the damage? 349 00:17:04,266 --> 00:17:06,336 Ms. Browner: Again, it's not a floor or a ceiling, right? 350 00:17:06,333 --> 00:17:07,603 The Press: But why the figure? 351 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:09,300 Ms. Browner: Because what we wanted to make sure that there 352 00:17:09,300 --> 00:17:12,200 were adequate resources there for people to know that they 353 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:13,800 could have their claims met. 354 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:15,930 There were also claims -- the states, 355 00:17:15,934 --> 00:17:17,334 local governments may have claims, 356 00:17:17,333 --> 00:17:19,503 and so we wanted to start this with a fund that would be 357 00:17:19,500 --> 00:17:22,130 adequate to meet all of those expectations. 358 00:17:22,133 --> 00:17:24,363 Mr. Gibbs: And just to reiterate, 359 00:17:24,367 --> 00:17:28,367 this does not in any way limit or cap the economic damages that 360 00:17:28,367 --> 00:17:30,837 BP may be responsible for. 361 00:17:30,834 --> 00:17:31,904 Ms. Browner: Or natural resource damages. 362 00:17:31,900 --> 00:17:33,430 Mr. Gibbs: Or natural resource damages. 363 00:17:33,433 --> 00:17:36,903 So it is not a floor, not a cap. 364 00:17:36,900 --> 00:17:39,700 It does not limit in any way their responsibility. 365 00:17:39,700 --> 00:17:40,630 The Press: Just one last question. 366 00:17:40,633 --> 00:17:42,963 We didn't hear from Mr. Hayward outside. 367 00:17:42,967 --> 00:17:46,337 Did the President have anything specifically to say to him? 368 00:17:46,333 --> 00:17:50,063 Mr. Gibbs: The President spent 20 or so minutes at the very 369 00:17:50,066 --> 00:17:56,036 beginning of these meetings -- for several hours our group was 370 00:17:56,033 --> 00:18:00,503 in discussing the details of the framework agreement, 371 00:18:00,500 --> 00:18:07,570 and the President spent 25 minutes with the chair alone in 372 00:18:07,567 --> 00:18:10,037 the Oval Office. 373 00:18:10,033 --> 00:18:12,233 And I think you heard the President speak directly 374 00:18:12,233 --> 00:18:14,333 about that. 375 00:18:14,333 --> 00:18:17,503 The comments that he made at the opening of the meeting and to 376 00:18:17,500 --> 00:18:19,900 the chair were not directed at any one person but directed at 377 00:18:19,900 --> 00:18:26,430 the entire company, and underscore the responsibilities 378 00:18:26,433 --> 00:18:28,303 that they have as the responsible party 379 00:18:28,300 --> 00:18:29,630 for this disaster. 380 00:18:29,633 --> 00:18:32,333 Do you have anything you want to -- yes, ma'am. 381 00:18:32,333 --> 00:18:34,433 The Press: Can you bring us behind the scenes a little bit 382 00:18:34,433 --> 00:18:35,363 for the meeting? 383 00:18:35,367 --> 00:18:37,067 It was supposed to last a short time; 384 00:18:37,066 --> 00:18:40,396 it lasted several hours longer than it was on the schedule. 385 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:41,800 And I'm wondering if you can tell me a little bit about how 386 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:46,970 it played out and whether the apology that was made was 387 00:18:46,967 --> 00:18:49,767 something that you suggested that they do. 388 00:18:49,767 --> 00:18:53,797 Ms. Browner: They actually began the meeting with the President 389 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:57,930 in the Roosevelt Room with an apology from the chairman. 390 00:18:57,934 --> 00:19:00,504 It was not something we asked for. 391 00:19:00,500 --> 00:19:03,770 The meeting then turned to the President laying out the 392 00:19:03,767 --> 00:19:06,067 concerns we had, the things that we thought were very, 393 00:19:06,066 --> 00:19:07,496 very important to be addressed. 394 00:19:07,500 --> 00:19:10,270 We talked about the containment that's ongoing. 395 00:19:10,266 --> 00:19:13,496 He talked about the fact that every time he goes down to the 396 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:16,130 Gulf he visits with these individuals, 397 00:19:16,133 --> 00:19:19,163 he visits with small businesses who are feeling the impacts, 398 00:19:19,166 --> 00:19:22,466 the need to get that addressed. 399 00:19:22,467 --> 00:19:26,367 And the best way to move forward would be through a independent 400 00:19:26,367 --> 00:19:29,237 process, not run by the government, not run by BP, 401 00:19:29,233 --> 00:19:32,603 and an escrow account to ensure adequate funds 402 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:34,570 to meet the needs. 403 00:19:34,567 --> 00:19:37,337 And again, if they're not adequate, it's not a floor, 404 00:19:37,333 --> 00:19:38,303 it's not a ceiling. 405 00:19:38,300 --> 00:19:40,270 There will be -- BP remains liable. 406 00:19:40,266 --> 00:19:42,696 They remain liable for everything they were liable from 407 00:19:42,700 --> 00:19:45,630 the beginning -- which is they remain liable for the cleanup 408 00:19:45,633 --> 00:19:48,833 costs, and now what we have is this fund to honor 409 00:19:48,834 --> 00:19:51,534 the economic costs. 410 00:19:51,533 --> 00:19:55,033 The Press: And was the dividend something that you pressed them on? 411 00:19:55,033 --> 00:19:56,633 Ms. Browner: Well, I mean, the President has said publicly, 412 00:19:56,633 --> 00:19:58,863 going back almost two weeks ago now, 413 00:19:58,867 --> 00:20:01,097 that he understood they might have legal obligations, 414 00:20:01,100 --> 00:20:03,870 but he didn't want to be in a situation where the people of 415 00:20:03,867 --> 00:20:07,467 the Gulf of Mexico weren't getting their needs and their 416 00:20:07,467 --> 00:20:10,467 claims honored and dividends were moving forward. 417 00:20:10,467 --> 00:20:13,837 And so they agreed today not to proceed with the final 418 00:20:13,834 --> 00:20:15,404 dividends of this year. 419 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:16,700 The Press: So what was the atmosphere of the meeting? 420 00:20:16,700 --> 00:20:17,970 Why did it go on longer? 421 00:20:17,967 --> 00:20:20,037 What were the things -- there must have been 422 00:20:20,033 --> 00:20:21,033 sticking points that -- 423 00:20:21,033 --> 00:20:21,803 Ms. Browner: There were sticking points. 424 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:23,030 We did have to take breaks at times. 425 00:20:23,033 --> 00:20:24,663 And we had a number of people. 426 00:20:24,667 --> 00:20:27,537 They had -- there were six people I think representing BP, 427 00:20:27,533 --> 00:20:30,533 and we had in the room maybe six or seven. 428 00:20:30,533 --> 00:20:32,903 And there were -- at times, we needed to -- each side wanted to 429 00:20:32,900 --> 00:20:34,300 just talk among themselves. 430 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:38,730 We did take a break at one point to inform the President of the 431 00:20:38,734 --> 00:20:43,004 state of discussions and to seek his counsel. 432 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:46,600 And I guess from the outside it seems like it was a long time. 433 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,400 It was a pretty busy time, but there were breaks -- not for 434 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:52,730 lunch or anything like that, but for conversation among each of 435 00:20:52,734 --> 00:20:54,934 the parties alone. 436 00:20:54,934 --> 00:21:00,904 The Press: Quick follow-up -- did the President accept the apology? 437 00:21:00,900 --> 00:21:02,430 Mr. Gibbs: I assume so, yes. 438 00:21:02,433 --> 00:21:04,463 The Press: Can you tell us more about the sticking points? 439 00:21:04,467 --> 00:21:09,337 What exactly were those sticking points? 440 00:21:09,333 --> 00:21:10,663 Mr. Gibbs: To be honest with you, 441 00:21:10,667 --> 00:21:13,637 I think we'll be happy to get into what was agreed to. 442 00:21:13,633 --> 00:21:16,533 The Press: So you can't tell us what it is that you sort of 443 00:21:16,533 --> 00:21:17,733 bumped heads over? 444 00:21:17,734 --> 00:21:18,934 Ms. Browner: We've reached an agreement. 445 00:21:18,934 --> 00:21:20,634 It's a really important agreement for the people 446 00:21:20,633 --> 00:21:22,363 of the Gulf of Mexico. 447 00:21:22,367 --> 00:21:25,937 It gives the individuals and it gives the small businesses some 448 00:21:25,934 --> 00:21:27,764 certainty that their claims are going to be handled in an 449 00:21:27,767 --> 00:21:28,867 expedited manner. 450 00:21:28,867 --> 00:21:32,537 And I think this is a very positive step forward 451 00:21:32,533 --> 00:21:34,703 in what has been a very difficult situation. 452 00:21:34,700 --> 00:21:38,470 The Press: The $100 million fund for unemployed -- 453 00:21:38,467 --> 00:21:41,567 $100 million, right? 454 00:21:41,567 --> 00:21:42,797 Was that suggested by the White House, 455 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:44,230 or something that they volunteered? 456 00:21:44,233 --> 00:21:46,303 Ms. Browner: No, that was suggested by the White House. 457 00:21:46,300 --> 00:21:50,070 We are concerned, and we welcome the fact that they are making 458 00:21:50,066 --> 00:21:52,196 a voluntary contribution, $100 million, 459 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:58,900 to a foundation for unemployed rig workers as a result of the 460 00:21:58,900 --> 00:22:02,000 changes in the situation in the Gulf of Mexico. 461 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:05,470 And you should also know, we are continuing to pursue some 462 00:22:05,467 --> 00:22:09,837 legislative fixes that would allow individuals to apply for 463 00:22:09,834 --> 00:22:11,734 unemployment insurance. 464 00:22:11,734 --> 00:22:13,564 The Press: Can I follow on that? 465 00:22:13,567 --> 00:22:14,767 Mr. Gibbs: We're going to make our way our rounds. 466 00:22:14,767 --> 00:22:16,437 The Press: Can you -- just one more thing on sort of 467 00:22:16,433 --> 00:22:17,863 the tone of this meeting. 468 00:22:17,867 --> 00:22:23,037 As these various things were being brought up -- the $100 469 00:22:23,033 --> 00:22:27,203 million, the $20 billion -- what was the sense? 470 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,030 I mean, what were they doing? 471 00:22:29,033 --> 00:22:30,233 Were they pushing back? 472 00:22:30,233 --> 00:22:32,963 Did they -- can you give us some color as to how 473 00:22:32,967 --> 00:22:34,267 they were reacting? 474 00:22:34,266 --> 00:22:35,966 Ms. Browner: Negotiations are negotiations. 475 00:22:35,967 --> 00:22:37,897 People have ideas; they put them forward; they discuss them; 476 00:22:37,900 --> 00:22:39,370 they decide how to proceed. 477 00:22:39,367 --> 00:22:41,437 But we were very clear from the beginning -- the President was 478 00:22:41,433 --> 00:22:45,163 clear from the beginning that what we needed was some sort of 479 00:22:45,166 --> 00:22:47,366 independent claims process; we needed an escrow account. 480 00:22:47,367 --> 00:22:50,497 And we stayed focused on achieving the President's 481 00:22:50,500 --> 00:22:51,830 goals for the meeting. 482 00:22:51,834 --> 00:22:52,564 The Press: And one final thing. 483 00:22:52,567 --> 00:22:54,997 The $20 billion fund, when was that agreed to? 484 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:57,330 Was that yesterday and then just finalized today? 485 00:22:57,333 --> 00:23:00,063 Ms. Browner: It was agreed to today. 486 00:23:00,066 --> 00:23:00,896 The Press: Two questions. 487 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:03,330 The first is, it took a long time for this meeting 488 00:23:03,333 --> 00:23:05,303 to come to fruition. 489 00:23:05,300 --> 00:23:08,170 I mean, the President obviously almost waited two months before 490 00:23:08,166 --> 00:23:09,236 he saw Mr. Hayward face to face. 491 00:23:09,233 --> 00:23:11,203 Going forward, do you expect to have continued meetings 492 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:11,870 at this level? 493 00:23:11,867 --> 00:23:13,867 Or is this it? 494 00:23:13,867 --> 00:23:19,397 Mr. Gibbs: The President will meet at -- meet with whomever he 495 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:22,100 needs to meet with, whenever. 496 00:23:22,100 --> 00:23:26,900 Admiral Allen is in touch with BP, others are in touch with BP, 497 00:23:26,900 --> 00:23:29,000 and we have been throughout this process and we will 498 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:30,130 continue to be. 499 00:23:30,133 --> 00:23:32,333 The Press: But at this level, I mean do you expect this to happen again, 500 00:23:32,333 --> 00:23:34,163 or is it not -- 501 00:23:34,166 --> 00:23:36,666 Mr. Gibbs: Again, if more meetings are needed, 502 00:23:36,667 --> 00:23:38,537 more meetings will be had. 503 00:23:38,533 --> 00:23:40,263 The Press: Going back to what the President said yesterday -- 504 00:23:40,266 --> 00:23:43,336 this is probably more for Admiral Allen -- the President 505 00:23:43,333 --> 00:23:44,863 said yesterday that if something isn't working, 506 00:23:44,867 --> 00:23:47,367 we want to hear about it; if there are problems on the 507 00:23:47,367 --> 00:23:48,597 ground, we will fix them. 508 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,670 Are you confident that local authorities have the ability to 509 00:23:51,667 --> 00:23:53,167 communicate to the federal government when 510 00:23:53,166 --> 00:23:54,196 there are problems? 511 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:58,300 Because we have been reporting for a good deal on the Gulf and 512 00:23:58,300 --> 00:24:01,330 it seems like a lot of local officials feel like they are 513 00:24:01,333 --> 00:24:03,503 having to take steps on their own and kind of deal with the 514 00:24:03,500 --> 00:24:05,500 problems as they come up, as opposed to waiting for the 515 00:24:05,500 --> 00:24:06,930 federal government. 516 00:24:06,934 --> 00:24:08,964 Admiral Allen: No, there's a conduit into our incident commanders. 517 00:24:08,967 --> 00:24:11,437 But what we did do after the visit down there -- and I talked 518 00:24:11,433 --> 00:24:13,463 to the President about this yesterday -- we established 519 00:24:13,467 --> 00:24:16,237 specific deputies for the incident command post in Mobile 520 00:24:16,233 --> 00:24:19,303 for Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. 521 00:24:19,300 --> 00:24:21,930 We also guaranteed Governor Crist we'd put an incident 522 00:24:21,934 --> 00:24:23,904 management team -- this is a group of Coast Guard folks -- 523 00:24:23,900 --> 00:24:25,430 into their emergency operations center in Tallahassee. 524 00:24:25,433 --> 00:24:28,963 We're going to do the same thing in Mississippi, in Biloxi. 525 00:24:28,967 --> 00:24:32,097 So to the extent that they think there is a problem or there is a 526 00:24:32,100 --> 00:24:33,200 problem, it doesn't matter to us, 527 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:34,870 we got to reduce the cycle time, our ability to respond. 528 00:24:34,867 --> 00:24:36,167 We're going to do that by putting leadership closer to the 529 00:24:36,166 --> 00:24:38,466 states, and the ability to make decisions out there and put 530 00:24:38,467 --> 00:24:43,067 assets on target as soon as we can, and quicker. 531 00:24:43,066 --> 00:24:45,196 The Press: Following up on I think it was Dan's question, 532 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:47,570 on the $100 million, you had been saying before that the oil 533 00:24:47,567 --> 00:24:49,797 rig workers that are put out of work would basically be treated 534 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:51,530 equally to other people. 535 00:24:51,533 --> 00:24:54,533 It now sounds like they're being put into a different category 536 00:24:54,533 --> 00:24:57,133 with a limited amount of money. 537 00:24:57,133 --> 00:25:00,233 Are they now not going to be treated as well as they would 538 00:25:00,233 --> 00:25:02,463 have if they could have applied just like everybody else 539 00:25:02,467 --> 00:25:04,167 for the $20 billion? 540 00:25:04,166 --> 00:25:06,796 Ms. Browner: I think there were some concerns about, under the law, 541 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:09,170 their ability to participate in the other fund, 542 00:25:09,166 --> 00:25:11,096 and we wanted to make sure that there were mechanisms 543 00:25:11,100 --> 00:25:14,230 to address their needs. 544 00:25:14,233 --> 00:25:17,803 And so the $100 million voluntary contribution by BP and 545 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:20,170 the work that we're doing in Congress we think is a 546 00:25:20,166 --> 00:25:23,536 significant step towards meeting their needs. 547 00:25:23,533 --> 00:25:24,563 Mr. Gibbs: And I would say this. 548 00:25:24,567 --> 00:25:28,797 You heard the President -- he said this in the Gulf probably 549 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:31,570 more than a week ago and reiterated in his speech last 550 00:25:31,567 --> 00:25:36,497 night that he understands the economic impact of the deepwater 551 00:25:36,500 --> 00:25:39,370 drilling moratorium, understanding that we do not yet 552 00:25:39,367 --> 00:25:42,167 know what caused the accident. 553 00:25:42,166 --> 00:25:45,336 And because of that, the President believed it was 554 00:25:45,333 --> 00:25:50,433 important to pause additional deepwater drilling, 555 00:25:50,433 --> 00:25:53,063 but has asked the national commission that will look into 556 00:25:53,066 --> 00:25:56,566 the regulatory framework that we must have going forward to 557 00:25:56,567 --> 00:26:02,397 ensure drilling is safe, that they can and should look at the 558 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:06,600 framework around deepwater drilling first and report back 559 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:08,700 to him as soon as they can. 560 00:26:08,700 --> 00:26:12,070 They do not have to wait for any set period of time. 561 00:26:12,066 --> 00:26:13,866 The Press: But it sounds like they're now kind of in a 562 00:26:13,867 --> 00:26:16,967 second-class here, having to rely on this separate fund. 563 00:26:16,967 --> 00:26:19,837 And you say going to Congress -- well, that's taxpayer money. 564 00:26:19,834 --> 00:26:22,064 So instead of -- so it sounds like taxpayers are going to be 565 00:26:22,066 --> 00:26:24,496 paying for some portion of this. 566 00:26:24,500 --> 00:26:26,230 Ms. Browner: It's for the unemployment insurance 567 00:26:26,233 --> 00:26:27,833 portion of it. 568 00:26:27,834 --> 00:26:29,164 That's what we're asking Congress. 569 00:26:29,166 --> 00:26:32,796 Some of the workers apparently would qualify under existing 570 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:34,070 law; some might not. 571 00:26:34,066 --> 00:26:37,036 So we're seeking to make sure that all of them clarify -- and 572 00:26:37,033 --> 00:26:39,633 now there is this additional fund that has been created. 573 00:26:39,633 --> 00:26:41,233 The Press: And one other area, Feinberg. 574 00:26:41,233 --> 00:26:43,633 I mean, knowing him, he'll get up and move in quickly. 575 00:26:43,633 --> 00:26:45,933 But he's got to set standards. 576 00:26:45,934 --> 00:26:48,904 I mean, there's a lot of bureaucracy and setting 577 00:26:48,900 --> 00:26:50,630 up an operation here. 578 00:26:50,633 --> 00:26:53,463 How quickly will he actually start handing money 579 00:26:53,467 --> 00:26:54,297 out to people? 580 00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:55,600 Ms. Browner: It's important to understand people can 581 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:57,200 continue to file claims. 582 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:58,730 This will be a seamless transition. 583 00:26:58,734 --> 00:27:01,834 As Feinberg's operation comes up, they will be shifted over. 584 00:27:01,834 --> 00:27:03,934 But there is a claims process today. 585 00:27:03,934 --> 00:27:05,404 We all realize it's not working the way we want it to work. 586 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:07,330 That's part of why we reached this agreement. 587 00:27:07,333 --> 00:27:09,163 The Press: People down there are saying that what they're getting 588 00:27:09,166 --> 00:27:10,096 is a drop in the bucket compared to what they -- 589 00:27:10,100 --> 00:27:11,130 Mr. Gibbs: Chip, that's why -- 590 00:27:11,133 --> 00:27:12,363 Ms. Browner: That's why we set this up. 591 00:27:12,367 --> 00:27:12,997 That's why we did this. 592 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:14,200 The Press: But when will they be getting the bucket rather 593 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:16,170 than the drop in the bucket? 594 00:27:16,166 --> 00:27:17,866 Mr. Gibbs: Well, we've asked Ken to set this up as quickly as he 595 00:27:17,867 --> 00:27:18,897 can and humanly possible. 596 00:27:18,900 --> 00:27:21,600 I think picking him, in somebody who has done this before, 597 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:24,630 understands, as you said, the bureaucracy and the standards 598 00:27:24,633 --> 00:27:26,133 that have to take place. 599 00:27:26,133 --> 00:27:29,833 I do think it is important to reiterate what Carol said, 600 00:27:29,834 --> 00:27:32,634 which is that if you were to file a claim yesterday or today, 601 00:27:32,633 --> 00:27:35,933 you still fall within a 90-day window to have that claim 602 00:27:35,934 --> 00:27:37,564 adjudicated. 603 00:27:37,567 --> 00:27:39,997 That will continue to be the case. 604 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:45,330 We believe that this will be handed off in a seamless way and 605 00:27:45,333 --> 00:27:48,663 that we now have additional backstops to ensure that claims 606 00:27:48,667 --> 00:27:52,167 are not just heard independently, 607 00:27:52,166 --> 00:27:57,596 but the appeals process beyond Ken Feinberg to a three-judge 608 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:02,370 panel and ultimately retaining their right under federal law if 609 00:28:02,367 --> 00:28:05,237 they're unsatisfied with even what the three-judge panel 610 00:28:05,233 --> 00:28:06,963 rules, that they can visit federal court. 611 00:28:06,967 --> 00:28:08,567 The Press: The President has said that these are people with 612 00:28:08,567 --> 00:28:11,097 mortgage payments, boat payments, families to feed. 613 00:28:11,100 --> 00:28:13,270 If they don't get this money in a week or two, 614 00:28:13,266 --> 00:28:14,936 they could be looking at food stamps. 615 00:28:14,934 --> 00:28:17,104 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, we are moving as expeditiously and as 616 00:28:17,100 --> 00:28:18,900 quickly as we humanly can. 617 00:28:18,900 --> 00:28:20,130 Ms. Browner: And there are claims being honored. 618 00:28:20,133 --> 00:28:22,303 I mean, there are claims, and we can get you the numbers; 619 00:28:22,300 --> 00:28:23,800 they're reported on a regular basis. 620 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:26,230 Mr. Gibbs: Should get them from I think BP did a claims call yesterday. 621 00:28:26,233 --> 00:28:26,963 I don't know if you guys were on that. 622 00:28:26,967 --> 00:28:29,367 Ms. Browner: And we have the numbers, Nick has the numbers. 623 00:28:29,367 --> 00:28:31,667 So we can get you the numbers -- the number of claims that have 624 00:28:31,667 --> 00:28:33,437 been responded to. 625 00:28:33,433 --> 00:28:37,433 But it's important; people should go into that process, 626 00:28:37,433 --> 00:28:38,933 if they have a claim to date. 627 00:28:38,934 --> 00:28:40,504 They will be moved over as this system is stood up. 628 00:28:40,500 --> 00:28:43,900 It's also important to understand that under -- if the 629 00:28:43,900 --> 00:28:45,670 federal government adjudicates the claims, 630 00:28:45,667 --> 00:28:47,897 that we make a one-time payment. 631 00:28:47,900 --> 00:28:52,000 Under this, people will be able to apply over and over again as 632 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:52,930 is necessary. 633 00:28:52,934 --> 00:28:54,634 So it won't be just a one-time payment. 634 00:28:54,633 --> 00:28:56,263 Mr. Gibbs: So in other words, if you're a fisherman in Grand 635 00:28:56,266 --> 00:28:59,536 Isle, you don't have to estimate -- because, quite frankly, 636 00:28:59,533 --> 00:29:01,733 I'm not sure anybody knows how long the Gulf is 637 00:29:01,734 --> 00:29:02,564 going to be closed. 638 00:29:02,567 --> 00:29:05,937 You don't have to extrapolate 12 or 24 months in advance and come 639 00:29:05,934 --> 00:29:07,634 up with the paperwork and what have you. 640 00:29:07,633 --> 00:29:09,363 You can file a claim now. 641 00:29:09,367 --> 00:29:12,397 If you're still not able to fish sufficiently -- 642 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:14,170 Ms. Browner: Two months from now. 643 00:29:14,166 --> 00:29:14,636 Mr. Gibbs: -- right, two months from now. 644 00:29:14,633 --> 00:29:16,963 Because there's still restrictions on fishing in 645 00:29:16,967 --> 00:29:19,437 certain parts of the Gulf, you can refile until 646 00:29:19,433 --> 00:29:20,703 you're made whole. 647 00:29:20,700 --> 00:29:23,330 That's a different process than if the -- as Carol said, 648 00:29:23,333 --> 00:29:25,033 if the federal government ran it, it's a one-time deal. 649 00:29:25,033 --> 00:29:28,133 The Press: But if I'm a fisherman and my boat payment is 650 00:29:28,133 --> 00:29:30,133 due in two or three weeks, am I going to get it, 651 00:29:30,133 --> 00:29:31,833 or is that just out of the question that it would 652 00:29:31,834 --> 00:29:33,004 move that quickly? 653 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:36,200 Mr. Gibbs: You will have your claim heard under the current 654 00:29:36,200 --> 00:29:38,800 process and seamlessly moved over to a new independent 655 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:44,100 process that we think gives the certainty of the funding, 656 00:29:44,100 --> 00:29:50,900 as well as the independence of a third party. 657 00:29:50,900 --> 00:29:52,270 Admiral Allen: This is the overall summary. 658 00:29:52,266 --> 00:29:54,436 We can give you a more detailed breakdown if you wish. 659 00:29:54,433 --> 00:29:59,833 But as of this morning, there were over 66,000 claims filed. 660 00:29:59,834 --> 00:30:02,434 Disbursed was over $81 million; they've already passed the $75 661 00:30:02,433 --> 00:30:03,503 million threshold -- 662 00:30:03,500 --> 00:30:04,430 Ms. Browner: That's paid. 663 00:30:04,433 --> 00:30:05,133 Admiral Allen: -- claims. 664 00:30:05,133 --> 00:30:07,903 And checks cut, 26,000. 665 00:30:07,900 --> 00:30:10,830 So those are the overall order of magnitude numbers. 666 00:30:10,834 --> 00:30:11,264 Mr. Gibbs: Chuck. 667 00:30:11,266 --> 00:30:13,336 The Press: Can you define a "dissatisfied claimant"? 668 00:30:13,333 --> 00:30:16,733 Is that people that received money and then in hindsight feel 669 00:30:16,734 --> 00:30:18,234 like, you know what, that wasn't a fair thing? 670 00:30:18,233 --> 00:30:20,603 Could you just define "dissatisfied claimants"? 671 00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:25,400 Ms. Browner: Let's do how the current system works and how it will work. 672 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:29,100 Right now, if you file a claim under the current system and you 673 00:30:29,100 --> 00:30:31,630 are dissatisfied with that claim, 674 00:30:31,633 --> 00:30:35,163 you have the right to go to the federal trust fund, 675 00:30:35,166 --> 00:30:41,766 the oil spill liability trust fund, or to go to court. 676 00:30:41,767 --> 00:30:44,767 What this sets up is you can file a claim; 677 00:30:44,767 --> 00:30:47,997 Mr. Feinberg will determine whether or not your claim should 678 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:49,300 be paid, how much should be paid. 679 00:30:49,300 --> 00:30:51,670 If you -- at that moment, you can take it. 680 00:30:51,667 --> 00:30:53,637 And if two months later, you're still not working, 681 00:30:53,633 --> 00:30:55,233 you can come back and file another claim. 682 00:30:55,233 --> 00:30:56,603 Mr. Gibbs: And BP is legally bound to pay that. 683 00:30:56,600 --> 00:30:58,230 Ms. Browner: They're legally bound to pay it. 684 00:30:58,233 --> 00:31:02,033 If you don't like what Mr. Feinberg decides, 685 00:31:02,033 --> 00:31:07,563 you can go to a three-person panel and have that reviewed. 686 00:31:07,567 --> 00:31:10,737 At the end of that panel, you could take that. 687 00:31:10,734 --> 00:31:10,864 If you still don't like that -- 688 00:31:10,867 --> 00:31:13,437 The Press: Can you take -- if you're dissatisfied and take the money? 689 00:31:13,433 --> 00:31:14,233 Ms. Browner: No. 690 00:31:14,233 --> 00:31:17,863 Well, if you're dissatisfied, what you do -- if you don't like 691 00:31:17,867 --> 00:31:19,937 what Feinberg does, you go to the three-person panel. 692 00:31:19,934 --> 00:31:21,834 If you don't like what the three-person panel does, 693 00:31:21,834 --> 00:31:23,334 you then have a choice. 694 00:31:23,333 --> 00:31:25,403 You can go to the federal trust fund, 695 00:31:25,400 --> 00:31:30,370 the oil spill liability trust fund, or you can go into court. 696 00:31:30,367 --> 00:31:34,067 The Press: But you can't take the money and be dissatisfied? 697 00:31:34,066 --> 00:31:35,696 Ms. Browner: You can't take the money and be dissatisfied. 698 00:31:35,700 --> 00:31:40,030 But the big thing here is that you will get a much more -- you 699 00:31:40,033 --> 00:31:43,103 will get a quicker answer, and you can file over and over 700 00:31:43,100 --> 00:31:45,500 again, because that was a real short -- 701 00:31:45,500 --> 00:31:47,270 The Press: You can file a lawsuit if you choose to -- 702 00:31:47,266 --> 00:31:47,696 Ms. Browner: If you choose -- 703 00:31:47,700 --> 00:31:48,300 The Press: -- not to take the money? 704 00:31:48,300 --> 00:31:49,070 Ms. Browner: Correct. 705 00:31:49,066 --> 00:31:49,736 The Press: Okay. 706 00:31:49,734 --> 00:31:50,904 Mr. Gibbs: I think it's also important to understand, 707 00:31:50,900 --> 00:31:55,230 the 90-day process, the three-person review panel is 708 00:31:55,233 --> 00:31:57,333 within the 90-day process. 709 00:31:57,333 --> 00:31:58,533 The Press: They have to within -- 710 00:31:58,533 --> 00:31:59,603 Ms. Browner: They all have to be done. 711 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:00,630 The Press: -- the 90 days? 712 00:32:00,633 --> 00:32:01,233 Ms. Browner: Right. 713 00:32:01,233 --> 00:32:02,833 The Press: What did you guys agree -- can you share with us 714 00:32:02,834 --> 00:32:05,934 the details of -- what is the procedure to go back to BP and 715 00:32:05,934 --> 00:32:07,334 say, you know what, $20 billion isn't enough? 716 00:32:07,333 --> 00:32:09,803 Is there a specific procedure you guys agreed upon when you go 717 00:32:09,800 --> 00:32:12,770 back and say -- if you need -- you say it's not a floor, 718 00:32:12,767 --> 00:32:15,167 not a ceiling -- that you go back and say, 719 00:32:15,166 --> 00:32:17,466 we need more money, is there a specific procedure you guys 720 00:32:17,467 --> 00:32:18,197 agreed upon? 721 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,830 Ms. Browner: BP retains all of its liability. 722 00:32:20,834 --> 00:32:22,304 Nothing in that has changed. 723 00:32:22,300 --> 00:32:24,970 So if there wasn't money available, let's say, 724 00:32:24,967 --> 00:32:29,437 you can go right back -- okay, you could go straight to BP and 725 00:32:29,433 --> 00:32:30,803 say, I have this claim. 726 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,570 So all of the rights of the claimants have been preserved, 727 00:32:33,567 --> 00:32:34,037 right? 728 00:32:34,033 --> 00:32:36,733 Right now, this new escrow account, 729 00:32:36,734 --> 00:32:39,804 this new claims facility, will stand in its place. 730 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:41,970 But if for some reason there wasn't money in that, 731 00:32:41,967 --> 00:32:44,937 you have all of your rights to go right back at BP and 732 00:32:44,934 --> 00:32:47,304 ask for the payment. 733 00:32:47,300 --> 00:32:48,770 The Press: And that's the -- okay. 734 00:32:48,767 --> 00:32:50,697 And then, last night's speech -- 735 00:32:50,700 --> 00:32:53,730 Ms. Browner: The only people who have limited their rights here is BP. 736 00:32:53,734 --> 00:32:56,364 I think that's really, really important to understand. 737 00:32:56,367 --> 00:32:57,537 The Press: And if you accept the money you have limited some 738 00:32:57,533 --> 00:32:58,803 of your rights. 739 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:00,930 Ms. Browner: Right, but that was true under the existing situation. 740 00:33:00,934 --> 00:33:03,604 We've given you a better scenario now. 741 00:33:03,600 --> 00:33:05,830 The Press: Last night's speech when the President talked about 742 00:33:05,834 --> 00:33:08,304 energy legislation, he did not specifically talk about 743 00:33:08,300 --> 00:33:13,630 pricing carbon, cap and trade, et cetera. 744 00:33:13,633 --> 00:33:18,833 Is it -- what is the President's -- does he -- will he accept a 745 00:33:18,834 --> 00:33:20,004 bill out of the U.S. 746 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:21,570 Senate that doesn't have this if he likes -- I mean, 747 00:33:21,567 --> 00:33:22,767 can you just walk us through that? 748 00:33:22,767 --> 00:33:25,637 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let me just say this. 749 00:33:25,633 --> 00:33:31,503 You've heard the President for three and half years now talk 750 00:33:31,500 --> 00:33:34,970 about his approach to comprehensive energy reform. 751 00:33:34,967 --> 00:33:39,297 I don't think he's -- I don't think that's been unclear. 752 00:33:39,300 --> 00:33:44,730 He reiterated a call last night and said that the greatest price 753 00:33:44,734 --> 00:33:48,234 we pay is the price of inaction. 754 00:33:48,233 --> 00:33:53,633 This morning the President spoke with Senator Kerry and with 755 00:33:53,633 --> 00:33:58,933 Senator Lugar, each of whom have energy legislation that the 756 00:33:58,934 --> 00:34:03,404 Senate is likely to take up in the next several weeks. 757 00:34:03,400 --> 00:34:09,070 We announced that next Wednesday we'll have a bipartisan group of 758 00:34:09,066 --> 00:34:12,466 senators to the White House to discuss the process that the 759 00:34:12,467 --> 00:34:14,867 Senate will use moving forward. 760 00:34:14,867 --> 00:34:20,837 I think it is safe to say that the President's direction on 761 00:34:20,834 --> 00:34:24,964 energy is very similar to the direction that is in the 762 00:34:24,967 --> 00:34:30,397 Kerry-Lieberman bill, and that the President feels strongly 763 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:34,830 that including a component to deal with climate is important 764 00:34:34,834 --> 00:34:36,864 in comprehensive energy reform. 765 00:34:36,867 --> 00:34:38,397 Now, let me just say this. 766 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:39,900 There are a number of proposals. 767 00:34:39,900 --> 00:34:44,370 That's why Senator Lugar and Senator Kerry both got calls. 768 00:34:44,367 --> 00:34:47,567 There have been ideas about increasing energy-efficiency 769 00:34:47,567 --> 00:34:50,667 standards in buildings much as Carol has worked tirelessly to 770 00:34:50,667 --> 00:34:55,067 do with cars, light trucks and heavy duty trucks for 771 00:34:55,066 --> 00:34:55,596 the very first time. 772 00:34:55,600 --> 00:34:58,430 We met with -- the President met with business executives at the 773 00:34:58,433 --> 00:35:05,033 White House last week, which -- one of their questions was why 774 00:35:05,033 --> 00:35:07,133 more money isn't spent on R&D when they're spending 775 00:35:07,133 --> 00:35:08,463 a ton of money on R&D. 776 00:35:08,467 --> 00:35:10,967 There are a lot of ways to get to this. 777 00:35:10,967 --> 00:35:15,237 The President is going to have a meeting next week here to work 778 00:35:15,233 --> 00:35:17,003 through that process going forward. 779 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:19,570 The Press: Are comparisons to the public option fair, 780 00:35:19,567 --> 00:35:22,267 where this was something -- the President supported the public 781 00:35:22,266 --> 00:35:26,166 option, but he got 90 percent of what he wanted and he'd rather 782 00:35:26,166 --> 00:35:27,196 sign 90 percent -- 783 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:29,430 Mr. Gibbs: You know, I don't know why at this point it would 784 00:35:29,433 --> 00:35:32,833 be pertinent to get into hypotheticals. 785 00:35:32,834 --> 00:35:38,004 Again, I think the President -- go back to what he said at 786 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:40,900 Pittsburgh a week and a half ago. 787 00:35:40,900 --> 00:35:44,330 Go back to what he said in 2006 as a U.S. senator. 788 00:35:44,333 --> 00:35:51,163 I think his position on how to approach our energy policy 789 00:35:51,166 --> 00:35:54,336 comprehensively is fairly well known. 790 00:35:54,333 --> 00:35:56,503 Yes, sir. 791 00:35:56,500 --> 00:35:57,470 The Press: Two questions. 792 00:35:57,467 --> 00:36:00,767 One is, what is BP getting as a result of this agreement? 793 00:36:00,767 --> 00:36:04,067 Are they getting any agreement that they won't be found 794 00:36:04,066 --> 00:36:07,296 negligent at all? 795 00:36:07,300 --> 00:36:08,470 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of, no. 796 00:36:08,467 --> 00:36:09,367 Ms. Browner: No. 797 00:36:09,367 --> 00:36:10,597 The Press: And then, Ms. Browner, 798 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:15,200 you had said that I guess BP would I guess fund the fund with 799 00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:16,030 U.S. assets, so is it not cash? 800 00:36:16,033 --> 00:36:16,633 Or is it -- 801 00:36:16,633 --> 00:36:20,203 Ms. Browner: No, they will make payments over a four-year period 802 00:36:20,200 --> 00:36:22,330 of $5 billion a year. 803 00:36:22,333 --> 00:36:26,833 But they will provide assurance for those commitments by setting 804 00:36:26,834 --> 00:36:27,504 aside $20 billion in 805 00:36:27,500 --> 00:36:28,300 U.S. assets. 806 00:36:28,300 --> 00:36:30,670 It's like an insurance policy. 807 00:36:30,667 --> 00:36:33,297 It's not 20 and 20. 808 00:36:33,300 --> 00:36:35,930 It's they've committed to $20 [billion], 809 00:36:35,934 --> 00:36:39,834 but we will have -- I want to use the right legal word here -- 810 00:36:39,834 --> 00:36:45,704 that they will provide assurance by setting aside assets. 811 00:36:45,700 --> 00:36:49,900 So as the fund grows up, as the fund grows in size, 812 00:36:49,900 --> 00:36:52,870 the assets could be reduced. 813 00:36:52,867 --> 00:36:54,497 It's just -- it's an insurance policy. 814 00:36:54,500 --> 00:36:55,330 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 815 00:36:55,333 --> 00:36:56,903 The Press: And what did -- what is BP getting out 816 00:36:56,900 --> 00:36:57,830 of this agreement? 817 00:36:57,834 --> 00:36:59,034 I mean what -- 818 00:36:59,033 --> 00:37:02,533 Mr. Gibbs: I would ask BP. 819 00:37:02,533 --> 00:37:06,133 They may have -- I think they'd have a better way of reading out 820 00:37:06,133 --> 00:37:08,703 what they did and why they did this. 821 00:37:08,700 --> 00:37:10,900 I think the President's objectives in this was -- 822 00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:13,600 objectives were clear. 823 00:37:13,600 --> 00:37:17,370 This provides certainty and peace of mind for those in the 824 00:37:17,367 --> 00:37:21,737 Gulf if there was any wonder or concern that they would not be 825 00:37:21,734 --> 00:37:24,934 made whole for the disaster they didn't cause. 826 00:37:24,934 --> 00:37:29,764 That assurance we have today. 827 00:37:29,767 --> 00:37:34,237 And I think -- Carol mentioned this briefly -- the story that 828 00:37:34,233 --> 00:37:37,363 the President spoke of with the chair at the end of their 829 00:37:37,367 --> 00:37:43,467 meeting in the Oval Office was that when -- the President asked 830 00:37:43,467 --> 00:37:47,037 the chair when when they're talking about what's happening 831 00:37:47,033 --> 00:37:49,333 in the Gulf, when they're talking and discussing these 832 00:37:49,333 --> 00:37:51,433 parameters with the board and with other executives, 833 00:37:51,433 --> 00:37:57,233 it's the people that he's met in his four trips -- the people in 834 00:37:57,233 --> 00:37:59,703 Grand Isle, the people in Pensacola, the people in -- 835 00:37:59,700 --> 00:38:02,100 Ms. Browner: On Dauphin Island. 836 00:38:02,100 --> 00:38:08,000 Mr. Gibbs: Dauphin Island -- who for four generations have fished 837 00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:10,630 on these waters to make a living, 838 00:38:10,633 --> 00:38:14,433 who have invested their hard-earned money and their 839 00:38:14,433 --> 00:38:17,863 sweat in building their business -- those are the people that the 840 00:38:17,867 --> 00:38:21,837 President has been focused on throughout this process and 841 00:38:21,834 --> 00:38:24,534 believes -- he believes that that's what BP should be focused 842 00:38:24,533 --> 00:38:26,263 on as they're discussing these. 843 00:38:26,266 --> 00:38:27,096 Mark. 844 00:38:27,100 --> 00:38:28,670 The Press: Robert, on that point, 845 00:38:28,667 --> 00:38:32,697 is there a danger President Obama is over-promising when he 846 00:38:32,700 --> 00:38:37,500 says, we'll make you whole and make the Gulf Coast even better 847 00:38:37,500 --> 00:38:38,870 than it was before? 848 00:38:38,867 --> 00:38:40,567 I mean, people's lives have been changed and it looks like it's 849 00:38:40,567 --> 00:38:45,337 going to get worse a long time before it gets better. 850 00:38:45,333 --> 00:38:49,333 Mr. Gibbs: Well, and the responsible party has committed 851 00:38:49,333 --> 00:38:57,233 today through an escrow account that starts at $20 billion to 852 00:38:57,233 --> 00:38:59,633 make them whole. 853 00:38:59,633 --> 00:39:02,663 Mark, if you're a fisherman or you're a shrimper and your 854 00:39:02,667 --> 00:39:06,597 livelihood has been changed because you're in what would 855 00:39:06,600 --> 00:39:10,500 traditionally be the heart of the season where you made almost 856 00:39:10,500 --> 00:39:12,670 all of your income, you'll be compensated for that. 857 00:39:12,667 --> 00:39:18,397 We've set out a process that is -- that provides independence 858 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:21,800 from the company that caused that disaster with the assurance 859 00:39:21,800 --> 00:39:24,370 that the funding will be there. 860 00:39:24,367 --> 00:39:25,367 That's important. 861 00:39:25,367 --> 00:39:29,897 In terms of Gulf Coast restoration, 862 00:39:29,900 --> 00:39:33,970 the President was concerned about the region environmentally 863 00:39:33,967 --> 00:39:35,967 long before this disaster. 864 00:39:35,967 --> 00:39:42,567 And you've -- whether it was manmade or a natural disaster -- 865 00:39:42,567 --> 00:39:48,467 Katrina coming to mind -- that has seen the wetlands and the 866 00:39:48,467 --> 00:39:54,867 marsh erode and become degraded for many, many years, 867 00:39:54,867 --> 00:39:58,267 this President believes that we have an obligation to return 868 00:39:58,266 --> 00:40:02,866 that valuable ecosystem and environment to a place better 869 00:40:02,867 --> 00:40:07,797 than it was before this accident happened. 870 00:40:07,800 --> 00:40:13,800 BP, as Carol said, is liable for the environmental degradation 871 00:40:13,800 --> 00:40:17,130 through natural resource damage assessments. 872 00:40:17,133 --> 00:40:20,933 Those will be assessed and that bill will be provided to BP. 873 00:40:20,934 --> 00:40:26,464 And I believe the basis of that will help restore the 874 00:40:26,467 --> 00:40:29,437 environmental vitality of that region. 875 00:40:29,433 --> 00:40:31,033 The Press: And are we right in assuming, 876 00:40:31,033 --> 00:40:34,363 based on what President Obama said today, 877 00:40:34,367 --> 00:40:37,737 that no ass-kicking was required at today's sessions? 878 00:40:37,734 --> 00:40:43,934 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I think the President was clear about what 879 00:40:43,934 --> 00:40:50,764 he thought BP was responsible for and obligated to do. 880 00:40:50,767 --> 00:40:55,067 We came with that in mind and left, importantly, 881 00:40:55,066 --> 00:40:58,266 with an agreement that is substantive, 882 00:40:58,266 --> 00:41:01,296 providing the assurance, providing the independence, 883 00:41:01,300 --> 00:41:09,730 providing the funding that I'm sure people in the Gulf went to 884 00:41:09,734 --> 00:41:13,104 bed last night wondering whether that was going to be possible. 885 00:41:13,100 --> 00:41:15,330 They'll go to sleep tonight knowing that there's a process 886 00:41:15,333 --> 00:41:20,003 in place to do this quickly, efficiently, transparently, 887 00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:23,470 and independently. 888 00:41:23,467 --> 00:41:26,237 And I think they will -- they'll sleep better because of it. 889 00:41:26,233 --> 00:41:27,363 The Press: If there wasn't an ass-kicking, 890 00:41:27,367 --> 00:41:28,767 was there a tense tone? 891 00:41:28,767 --> 00:41:30,037 Were there raised voices? 892 00:41:30,033 --> 00:41:31,533 Was it confrontational? 893 00:41:31,533 --> 00:41:33,203 Ms. Browner: It was a business meeting. 894 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:36,430 It was a focused business meeting. 895 00:41:36,433 --> 00:41:38,403 We came to get something done. 896 00:41:38,400 --> 00:41:40,530 We were successful in doing what we thought was important for the 897 00:41:40,533 --> 00:41:42,263 people of the Gulf. 898 00:41:42,266 --> 00:41:44,566 The Press: -- BP said that the President was frustrated. 899 00:41:44,567 --> 00:41:45,837 He clearly said at the stakeout that the 900 00:41:45,834 --> 00:41:47,264 President was frustrated. 901 00:41:47,266 --> 00:41:50,096 Could you explain why, give us some color about that? 902 00:41:50,100 --> 00:41:51,400 Mr. Gibbs: Why he was frustrated? 903 00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:53,970 The Press: I mean, what perpetuated the frustration -- 904 00:41:53,967 --> 00:41:54,897 Mr. Gibbs: The last 58 days. 905 00:41:54,900 --> 00:41:56,330 The Press: How did he express it? 906 00:41:56,333 --> 00:41:57,163 The Press: Yes, how did he express it? 907 00:41:57,166 --> 00:41:59,266 What about tensions? 908 00:41:59,266 --> 00:42:02,496 Mr. Gibbs: Look, again, the parts of the meeting that I were 909 00:42:02,500 --> 00:42:05,430 in were as Carol described them. 910 00:42:05,433 --> 00:42:08,303 I think when the President sat down in the beginning of the 911 00:42:08,300 --> 00:42:15,530 meeting, it is fair to say he outlined his viewpoint and the 912 00:42:15,533 --> 00:42:18,863 stories that he'd heard and that we've all seen over the past 913 00:42:18,867 --> 00:42:25,867 eight-plus weeks -- the livelihoods of 914 00:42:25,867 --> 00:42:29,167 generations interrupted. 915 00:42:29,166 --> 00:42:31,166 As you heard the President say, and you've heard this story a 916 00:42:31,166 --> 00:42:35,296 couple of times -- we were talking about Dauphin Island in 917 00:42:35,300 --> 00:42:38,930 Alabama, a place that was just beginning to recover 918 00:42:38,934 --> 00:42:39,834 after Katrina. 919 00:42:39,834 --> 00:42:44,604 This was to be the first season, post-Katrina, 920 00:42:44,600 --> 00:42:47,730 where they thought the economy was getting better. 921 00:42:47,734 --> 00:42:53,904 They had rebuilt after watching a hurricane -- one of the 922 00:42:53,900 --> 00:42:56,730 reasons you take that ferry is because that island doesn't -- 923 00:42:56,734 --> 00:43:01,734 that's two islands now. 924 00:43:01,734 --> 00:43:08,304 So this was to be the season for tourism or for fishing that this 925 00:43:08,300 --> 00:43:11,170 region was going to get back up on its feet. 926 00:43:11,166 --> 00:43:13,266 And I think the President opened the meeting by discussing 927 00:43:13,266 --> 00:43:14,196 those stories. 928 00:43:14,200 --> 00:43:16,030 And he ended his time with the chair discussing 929 00:43:16,033 --> 00:43:19,733 those stories again. 930 00:43:19,734 --> 00:43:26,404 I don't think anybody from BP would walk away from the last 58 931 00:43:26,400 --> 00:43:31,270 days or the meeting here not knowing that the President, 932 00:43:31,266 --> 00:43:34,796 all of those involved in the response and the recovery, 933 00:43:34,800 --> 00:43:35,900 have been frustrated. 934 00:43:35,900 --> 00:43:37,070 The Press: What I'm asking is, again, 935 00:43:37,066 --> 00:43:39,666 I'm going to try to go back and get something out to make you 936 00:43:39,667 --> 00:43:41,097 understand what I'm saying. 937 00:43:41,100 --> 00:43:42,470 Were there clenched-teeth moments? 938 00:43:42,467 --> 00:43:45,167 Were there moments when he struck the table with his fist 939 00:43:45,166 --> 00:43:47,266 to show his frustration, anger -- 940 00:43:47,266 --> 00:43:50,036 Mr. Gibbs: I think his frustration was exhibited in the 941 00:43:50,033 --> 00:43:54,363 stories that he told, the stories that he's heard from the 942 00:43:54,367 --> 00:43:58,037 Gulf and the stories that he took back to speak with the 943 00:43:58,033 --> 00:44:01,033 executives in the company that are going to make the decisions 944 00:44:01,033 --> 00:44:05,203 that resulted today in the knowledge that the people of the 945 00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:08,270 Gulf will indeed be made whole. 946 00:44:08,266 --> 00:44:09,166 I'm sorry, Roger. 947 00:44:09,166 --> 00:44:12,766 The Press: Yes, I want to go to BP's financial condition, 948 00:44:12,767 --> 00:44:14,397 if you could shed a little light on that. 949 00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:17,600 Its bonds were trading at distressed levels today, 950 00:44:17,600 --> 00:44:21,330 indicating a mounting concern whether it can pay debts. 951 00:44:21,333 --> 00:44:25,803 And some people were saying that there's about a 40 percent 952 00:44:25,800 --> 00:44:27,900 chance of default in the next five years, 953 00:44:27,900 --> 00:44:31,970 based on its credit -- can you take us behind -- and what was 954 00:44:31,967 --> 00:44:35,937 said by the company or the White House's own financial analysis 955 00:44:35,934 --> 00:44:40,264 that says the company will not default? 956 00:44:40,266 --> 00:44:45,936 Ms. Browner: Well, we did not discuss with BP today their financial -- what's 957 00:44:45,934 --> 00:44:47,364 happening in the market. 958 00:44:47,367 --> 00:44:50,467 We obviously have had analysts look at this situation. 959 00:44:50,467 --> 00:44:53,997 We believe that the company has strong assets. 960 00:44:54,000 --> 00:44:58,100 They have a lot of assets that they can -- they will continue 961 00:44:58,100 --> 00:45:02,370 to operate, continue to be a viable company, 962 00:45:02,367 --> 00:45:05,467 and that they will be able to honor the claims associated with 963 00:45:05,467 --> 00:45:07,337 this dreadful disaster. 964 00:45:07,333 --> 00:45:10,633 The Press: Did they have any - make any suggestions about debts at all? 965 00:45:10,633 --> 00:45:12,263 Ms. Browner: No. 966 00:45:12,266 --> 00:45:15,266 Mr. Gibbs: Wendell. 967 00:45:15,266 --> 00:45:19,796 The Press: Have you removed the possibility of punitive damages 968 00:45:19,800 --> 00:45:20,570 from this equation? 969 00:45:20,567 --> 00:45:22,467 Ms. Browner: Nothing was taken off the table with respect to 970 00:45:22,467 --> 00:45:26,667 enforcement of the laws, whether it be the Oil Pollution Act, 971 00:45:26,667 --> 00:45:29,937 the Clean Water Act, and that was made clear. 972 00:45:29,934 --> 00:45:31,004 Nothing has been taken -- 973 00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:32,770 The Press: But in terms of government -- 974 00:45:32,767 --> 00:45:33,367 Ms. Browner: In terms of punitive -- 975 00:45:33,367 --> 00:45:34,237 The Press: -- seeking punitive damages. 976 00:45:34,233 --> 00:45:36,003 Ms. Browner: Nothing has been taken off the table in terms of 977 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:38,200 the Justice Department's work. 978 00:45:38,200 --> 00:45:40,100 The Press: Admiral Allen, as I understand it, 979 00:45:40,100 --> 00:45:44,730 even if everything works optimally, 980 00:45:44,734 --> 00:45:47,364 10 percent of the oil will still be leaking into the water 981 00:45:47,367 --> 00:45:48,737 at the end of July. 982 00:45:48,734 --> 00:45:51,434 Is the President satisfied with that pace? 983 00:45:51,433 --> 00:45:53,463 Admiral Allen: Well, we hope by the end of July we will have a 984 00:45:53,467 --> 00:45:56,067 new capping system and a new production system that will give 985 00:45:56,066 --> 00:45:58,436 us up to 80,000 production capability a day, 986 00:45:58,433 --> 00:46:01,103 and at that point, we're pretty well assured there should be a 987 00:46:01,100 --> 00:46:03,600 minimal leakage around that wellhead. 988 00:46:03,600 --> 00:46:06,770 Obviously the ultimate solution is to drill the relief well, 989 00:46:06,767 --> 00:46:09,497 which we're looking for the first two weeks of August. 990 00:46:09,500 --> 00:46:12,800 But based on the proposal we got from BP last week and our second 991 00:46:12,800 --> 00:46:15,900 letter to them, they have come in with counterproposals that 992 00:46:15,900 --> 00:46:19,000 have increased the production capacity there that should have 993 00:46:19,000 --> 00:46:23,130 us, by the end of next week, up to about 28,000 barrels a day, 994 00:46:23,133 --> 00:46:25,263 and then by the end of June, 53,000 barrels. 995 00:46:25,266 --> 00:46:27,766 We're going to have to shift from the containment cap we have 996 00:46:27,767 --> 00:46:30,397 now and put a harder cap on with a device that will allow us to 997 00:46:30,400 --> 00:46:32,670 produce more oil that will get up to 80,000. 998 00:46:32,667 --> 00:46:35,567 But the plan is to get us to 80,000 by end July. 999 00:46:35,567 --> 00:46:38,637 The Press: And that's 90 percent containment -- we're talking 1000 00:46:38,633 --> 00:46:39,463 about the same thing? 1001 00:46:39,467 --> 00:46:40,967 Admiral Allen: We're going to be shifting from a containment 1002 00:46:40,967 --> 00:46:44,267 device to an actual cap that will require us at some point to 1003 00:46:44,266 --> 00:46:47,666 literally unbolt the flange on which that lower marine riser 1004 00:46:47,667 --> 00:46:50,697 pipe was on that was cut and replace it with a new flange or 1005 00:46:50,700 --> 00:46:53,070 -- there's three different options they have to do that. 1006 00:46:53,066 --> 00:46:55,166 That will -- we'll have to do that to be able to jump from 1007 00:46:55,166 --> 00:46:56,766 53,000 to 80,000 barrels a day. 1008 00:46:56,767 --> 00:47:00,767 The Press: There will still be substantial oil offshore. 1009 00:47:00,767 --> 00:47:01,297 Admiral Allen: Yes. 1010 00:47:01,300 --> 00:47:07,430 The Press: At this time, are any foreign-flagged skimmers headed 1011 00:47:07,433 --> 00:47:08,933 to this country -- not just the skimming equipment we put 1012 00:47:08,934 --> 00:47:10,804 on our own boats? 1013 00:47:10,800 --> 00:47:13,400 Admiral Allen: We have foreign-flagged vessels that are operating out there, 1014 00:47:13,400 --> 00:47:14,300 they're on the way. 1015 00:47:14,300 --> 00:47:16,000 We will not turn down any offer that's viable that we can use 1016 00:47:16,000 --> 00:47:17,800 the equipment for. 1017 00:47:17,800 --> 00:47:19,670 The Press: It's my understanding offers of these things were made 1018 00:47:19,667 --> 00:47:22,897 early on and were turned down. 1019 00:47:22,900 --> 00:47:27,870 Admiral Allen: We have an exhaustive list of when it was received and how we 1020 00:47:27,867 --> 00:47:28,467 acted upon with that. 1021 00:47:28,467 --> 00:47:29,667 We're glad to make that public. 1022 00:47:29,667 --> 00:47:30,437 The Press: So there are foreign-flagged skimmers on the way? 1023 00:47:30,433 --> 00:47:32,233 Admiral Allen: Foreign-flagged vessels are operating out there. 1024 00:47:32,233 --> 00:47:34,203 There's a difference between skimmers and skimming equipment. 1025 00:47:34,200 --> 00:47:36,070 Mr. Gibbs: There are foreign-flagged -- 1026 00:47:36,066 --> 00:47:36,866 The Press: I'm trying to be specific. 1027 00:47:36,867 --> 00:47:39,637 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, I understand, but I want -- you guys have been 1028 00:47:39,633 --> 00:47:43,063 focused on this now for several days and I just want you to hear 1029 00:47:43,066 --> 00:47:44,066 what Admiral Allen said. 1030 00:47:44,066 --> 00:47:48,266 There are foreign vessels operating as we all speak in the 1031 00:47:48,266 --> 00:47:49,766 Gulf right now. 1032 00:47:49,767 --> 00:47:52,067 Admiral Allen: We haven't got to a condition yet where they would 1033 00:47:52,066 --> 00:47:53,666 need a Jones Act waiver to operate because they're 1034 00:47:53,667 --> 00:47:55,467 operating outside of state waters. 1035 00:47:55,467 --> 00:47:59,597 BP has also gone out and purchased from Canada, Mexico, 1036 00:47:59,600 --> 00:48:01,730 the Netherlands, and Norway -- wherever they can find a source 1037 00:48:01,734 --> 00:48:03,864 of supply, they are seeking it. 1038 00:48:03,867 --> 00:48:04,937 Mr. Gibbs: David, did you have a follow? 1039 00:48:04,934 --> 00:48:06,634 The Press: Yes, to followon the containment issue. 1040 00:48:06,633 --> 00:48:10,033 Was there any reason that the President or anyone else in the 1041 00:48:10,033 --> 00:48:13,433 meeting today had to pressure BP to do anything else on the 1042 00:48:13,433 --> 00:48:14,803 containment front? 1043 00:48:14,800 --> 00:48:18,530 Or are you completely satisfied with the course of action that 1044 00:48:18,533 --> 00:48:21,133 they laid out in the letter as they're proceeding? 1045 00:48:21,133 --> 00:48:22,803 I mean, was that not part of the -- 1046 00:48:22,800 --> 00:48:24,200 Admiral Allen: Well, as we briefed over the last couple of 1047 00:48:24,200 --> 00:48:26,000 weeks, there's been a very significant iterative process. 1048 00:48:26,000 --> 00:48:27,600 We said, give us a plan; we said, not enough capacity, 1049 00:48:27,600 --> 00:48:31,070 not enough redundancy, not soon enough -- and they came back, 1050 00:48:31,066 --> 00:48:32,396 they gave us another plan. 1051 00:48:32,400 --> 00:48:35,400 They've gone to some pretty extraordinary lengths to bring 1052 00:48:35,400 --> 00:48:37,800 in these shuttle tankers that are not normally used 1053 00:48:37,800 --> 00:48:39,100 in the Gulf of Mexico. 1054 00:48:39,100 --> 00:48:41,230 These are vessels that are dynamically positioned so they 1055 00:48:41,233 --> 00:48:44,533 don't move, hooked to a flexible hose to the production platform 1056 00:48:44,533 --> 00:48:46,263 that would allow us to ramp up between 53,000 and 1057 00:48:46,266 --> 00:48:47,966 80, 000 barrels a day. 1058 00:48:47,967 --> 00:48:50,237 We've given them the stretch goals. 1059 00:48:50,233 --> 00:48:51,303 They've come in and told us how they're going to do it. 1060 00:48:51,300 --> 00:48:52,870 We need to monitor that now. 1061 00:48:52,867 --> 00:48:55,737 Ms. Browner: And what we did -- we should point out -- we did at 1062 00:48:55,734 --> 00:48:58,064 the beginning of the meeting, after the President left the 1063 00:48:58,066 --> 00:49:01,766 room, we did spend some time going through these containment 1064 00:49:01,767 --> 00:49:04,397 plans, making sure that every single thing was being 1065 00:49:04,400 --> 00:49:05,670 done to expedite. 1066 00:49:05,667 --> 00:49:07,697 They walked through the different production schedules, 1067 00:49:07,700 --> 00:49:09,330 where different parts are coming from, 1068 00:49:09,333 --> 00:49:09,403 where vessels are coming from. 1069 00:49:09,400 --> 00:49:11,100 Where vessels are coming from. 1070 00:49:11,100 --> 00:49:15,330 And as the Admiral said, we have to obviously remain vigilant to 1071 00:49:15,333 --> 00:49:19,063 ensure that all those -- they're actually -- in the case of 1072 00:49:19,066 --> 00:49:21,436 getting something on the order of 50, 000 1073 00:49:21,433 --> 00:49:22,803 barrels per day by the end of this month, 1074 00:49:22,800 --> 00:49:25,170 they're actually manufacturing a riser. 1075 00:49:25,166 --> 00:49:28,096 There's not one in the world that would work for this 1076 00:49:28,100 --> 00:49:30,830 particular application because it's never been done before. 1077 00:49:30,834 --> 00:49:35,004 So it's actually in a foundry being made. 1078 00:49:35,000 --> 00:49:36,930 The Press: On the $100 million fund, 1079 00:49:36,934 --> 00:49:41,564 does that effectively limit BP's responsibility for any worker 1080 00:49:41,567 --> 00:49:44,367 moratorium layoffs? 1081 00:49:44,367 --> 00:49:46,637 Ms. Browner: Well, as we said, there were significant questions 1082 00:49:46,633 --> 00:49:51,203 about whether or not those individuals would be eligible 1083 00:49:51,200 --> 00:49:55,170 for -- what's the word I want to use -- under the 1084 00:49:55,166 --> 00:49:57,466 Oil Pollution Act. 1085 00:49:57,467 --> 00:49:59,397 And so what we wanted to do -- that's why we had already asked 1086 00:49:59,400 --> 00:50:06,030 Congress to look at changing the unemployment compensation for 1087 00:50:06,033 --> 00:50:07,263 a disaster situation. 1088 00:50:07,266 --> 00:50:15,196 And now BP has made a commitment of $100 million to a foundation 1089 00:50:15,200 --> 00:50:16,430 to address the needs of these workers. 1090 00:50:16,433 --> 00:50:18,063 The Press: And as far as the government is concerned, 1091 00:50:18,066 --> 00:50:21,336 that settles the issue of BP's liability for workers 1092 00:50:21,333 --> 00:50:22,363 who were laid off? 1093 00:50:22,367 --> 00:50:24,337 Ms. Browner: The point I'm trying to make is there's a very significant legal 1094 00:50:24,333 --> 00:50:26,203 question about their liability. 1095 00:50:26,200 --> 00:50:28,230 And so this was a way for us to address the needs 1096 00:50:28,233 --> 00:50:30,263 of these workers. 1097 00:50:30,266 --> 00:50:32,596 The Press: Who is going to administer that, and how? 1098 00:50:32,600 --> 00:50:35,670 And will it include people who are not just rig workers 1099 00:50:35,667 --> 00:50:39,167 explicitly but also people who are part of that deepwater who 1100 00:50:39,166 --> 00:50:41,096 are going to be just as affected but aren't literally 1101 00:50:41,100 --> 00:50:41,970 rig workers? 1102 00:50:41,967 --> 00:50:45,197 Ms. Browner: So it's important to understand that today we 1103 00:50:45,200 --> 00:50:47,570 reached a very extensive framework. 1104 00:50:47,567 --> 00:50:49,397 We covered an awful lot of issues. 1105 00:50:49,400 --> 00:50:54,500 Obviously there were some details to be further fleshed 1106 00:50:54,500 --> 00:50:56,770 out with lawyers, et cetera. 1107 00:50:56,767 --> 00:50:58,697 So, for example, you've asked a question about foundation; 1108 00:50:58,700 --> 00:51:02,930 that's a detail to be fleshed out. 1109 00:51:02,934 --> 00:51:04,764 The Press: Is it just rig workers explicitly, 1110 00:51:04,767 --> 00:51:06,337 or is it people who are part of that larger economy that are 1111 00:51:06,333 --> 00:51:07,103 affected by the moratorium? 1112 00:51:07,100 --> 00:51:09,630 Ms. Browner: It's focused on oil rig workers. 1113 00:51:09,633 --> 00:51:10,403 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 1114 00:51:10,400 --> 00:51:13,070 During the campaign, the President made a big point of 1115 00:51:13,066 --> 00:51:15,566 saying he would let science guide his decisions. 1116 00:51:15,567 --> 00:51:18,497 But a majority of the scientists consulted by Interior said they 1117 00:51:18,500 --> 00:51:21,400 never signed off on a blanket deepwater drilling moratorium 1118 00:51:21,400 --> 00:51:22,700 and actually say that's a bad way to go. 1119 00:51:22,700 --> 00:51:24,770 So why isn't the President following their 1120 00:51:24,767 --> 00:51:26,067 recommendations on that? 1121 00:51:26,066 --> 00:51:28,966 Ms. Browner: At the time of the accident, 1122 00:51:28,967 --> 00:51:31,997 the President asked Ken Salazar at the Department of Interior to 1123 00:51:32,000 --> 00:51:34,230 undertake a 30-day review. 1124 00:51:34,233 --> 00:51:36,463 They reached out, they talked to a lot of experts, 1125 00:51:36,467 --> 00:51:38,937 they got a lot of input. 1126 00:51:38,934 --> 00:51:44,364 Some of the people who provided input did not -- let me say it 1127 00:51:44,367 --> 00:51:46,637 this way -- then policy decisions were made based on 1128 00:51:46,633 --> 00:51:49,103 those recommendations. 1129 00:51:49,100 --> 00:51:52,870 Mr. Salazar made a decision to recommend a moratorium; 1130 00:51:52,867 --> 00:51:54,437 that was a policy decision. 1131 00:51:54,433 --> 00:51:58,033 But the experts were providing their expert advice, 1132 00:51:58,033 --> 00:52:01,033 but not the policy decisions that were obviously under the 1133 00:52:01,033 --> 00:52:02,903 purview of the Secretary of Interior. 1134 00:52:02,900 --> 00:52:05,370 Mr. Gibbs: And I will say this again -- I know the President 1135 00:52:05,367 --> 00:52:13,797 said this last night -- we do not know what happened. 1136 00:52:13,800 --> 00:52:18,100 Thirty-three additional wells were being drilled at 1137 00:52:18,100 --> 00:52:22,130 deepwater depths. 1138 00:52:22,133 --> 00:52:24,863 As we now know, the largest environmental disaster in our 1139 00:52:24,867 --> 00:52:27,067 country was taking place. 1140 00:52:27,066 --> 00:52:33,296 The President did not think it made sense to continue those 1141 00:52:33,300 --> 00:52:37,530 drilling activities as we were dealing with this without 1142 00:52:37,533 --> 00:52:39,463 knowing what was going on. 1143 00:52:39,467 --> 00:52:43,567 And I've said this before and I'll say it again, 1144 00:52:43,567 --> 00:52:46,937 the President has told Governor Jindal and others, 1145 00:52:46,934 --> 00:52:51,964 you can't sit here and tell me we can't trust BP to do 1146 00:52:51,967 --> 00:52:57,567 anything, but we're going to take their word for it on the 1147 00:52:57,567 --> 00:53:02,797 four permits that they had drilling in deep water, 1148 00:53:02,800 --> 00:53:04,830 even as we were dealing with BP's disaster in the Gulf. 1149 00:53:04,834 --> 00:53:07,964 The President just wasn't willing to take that chance. 1150 00:53:07,967 --> 00:53:11,197 We had a long discussion about it because we understood and he 1151 00:53:11,200 --> 00:53:15,470 understood that this was not a decision that didn't come 1152 00:53:15,467 --> 00:53:18,267 without some displacement. 1153 00:53:18,266 --> 00:53:25,236 But that was superseded by not knowing what had happened and 1154 00:53:25,233 --> 00:53:30,333 what could potentially happen if this happened again. 1155 00:53:30,333 --> 00:53:35,263 I daresay the resources that would be necessary to deal with 1156 00:53:35,266 --> 00:53:42,066 this happening a second time in that region would be hard to 1157 00:53:42,066 --> 00:53:43,436 describe in words, and the President believed it just 1158 00:53:43,433 --> 00:53:47,703 wasn't a chance that he wanted to take. 1159 00:53:47,700 --> 00:53:51,200 The Press: Robert, there's a criminal investigation going on; 1160 00:53:51,200 --> 00:53:52,870 Justice is looking at the actions of some of 1161 00:53:52,867 --> 00:53:55,067 the parties here. 1162 00:53:55,066 --> 00:53:57,596 BP executives were in a meeting at the White House today talking 1163 00:53:57,600 --> 00:53:58,770 to the President. 1164 00:53:58,767 --> 00:54:01,397 Might the administration look at any claims they made, 1165 00:54:01,400 --> 00:54:03,700 representations they made, things they said, 1166 00:54:03,700 --> 00:54:07,570 with a view towards whether these might -- with respect to 1167 00:54:07,567 --> 00:54:09,267 their own liability in this? 1168 00:54:09,266 --> 00:54:11,966 I mean, there's an ongoing investigation. 1169 00:54:11,967 --> 00:54:14,267 Ms. Browner: There was no discussion about any -- at any 1170 00:54:14,266 --> 00:54:20,666 time in the meeting, there was no discussion of any activities 1171 00:54:20,667 --> 00:54:24,497 related to the Department of Justice investigation. 1172 00:54:24,500 --> 00:54:26,330 The Press: So they didn't ask for immunity? 1173 00:54:26,333 --> 00:54:27,063 Ms. Browner: No -- 1174 00:54:27,066 --> 00:54:27,766 The Press: Was there a transcript of the conversation? 1175 00:54:27,767 --> 00:54:29,697 Ms. Browner: No, there was no request for immunity. 1176 00:54:29,700 --> 00:54:30,500 The Press: Okay, a quick follow-up. 1177 00:54:30,500 --> 00:54:31,800 Ms. Browner: Nor would one have been granted. 1178 00:54:31,800 --> 00:54:33,770 The Press: Okay, a quick follow-up, 1179 00:54:33,767 --> 00:54:36,037 if we could get a flavor of the meeting and how it went in the 1180 00:54:36,033 --> 00:54:39,033 sense of -- the amount of money, for example, 1181 00:54:39,033 --> 00:54:41,263 the $20 billion that was set aside, 1182 00:54:41,266 --> 00:54:43,166 did BP want to put less into that fund? 1183 00:54:43,166 --> 00:54:44,996 Did they want the payments stretched out over more than 1184 00:54:45,000 --> 00:54:46,030 four years? 1185 00:54:46,033 --> 00:54:48,503 Did they want to put nothing -- did they not want to create a 1186 00:54:48,500 --> 00:54:49,370 fund at all? 1187 00:54:49,367 --> 00:54:51,967 Did the President threaten to use his legal authority in the 1188 00:54:51,967 --> 00:54:55,167 1990 act to go to court if necessary? 1189 00:54:55,166 --> 00:54:57,566 I mean can you give us some sense of this? 1190 00:54:57,567 --> 00:55:00,597 Ms. Browner: As we said, it was a very focused, 1191 00:55:00,600 --> 00:55:02,800 businesslike discussion. 1192 00:55:02,800 --> 00:55:05,770 The President had said what he wanted to accomplish. 1193 00:55:05,767 --> 00:55:08,597 We then worked -- a group of us worked with a group from BP, 1194 00:55:08,600 --> 00:55:11,530 including the chairman, Mr. Hayward and others 1195 00:55:11,533 --> 00:55:13,703 to make that happen. 1196 00:55:13,700 --> 00:55:17,470 And like any time there's a negotiation or discussion, 1197 00:55:17,467 --> 00:55:19,467 there are sticking points and they get worked through. 1198 00:55:19,467 --> 00:55:22,437 And what we have now is the product of that discussion. 1199 00:55:22,433 --> 00:55:26,303 And it is an incredibly important and historic agreement 1200 00:55:26,300 --> 00:55:28,870 that we have achieved for the people of the Gulf of Mexico. 1201 00:55:28,867 --> 00:55:30,297 Mr. Gibbs: And I'd say this, Peter, 1202 00:55:30,300 --> 00:55:35,930 the reason the President had this meeting was to come out 1203 00:55:35,934 --> 00:55:39,704 with an agreement like this. 1204 00:55:39,700 --> 00:55:45,270 That -- his goal has been to do what we have to do to take care 1205 00:55:45,266 --> 00:55:48,566 of the people of the Gulf that have been hurt environmentally 1206 00:55:48,567 --> 00:55:50,537 and economically. 1207 00:55:50,533 --> 00:55:55,533 Today, we come out with the assurance through funding and 1208 00:55:55,533 --> 00:55:59,003 through an independent process that that will take place. 1209 00:55:59,000 --> 00:56:02,900 That's what's driven his actions this entire time. 1210 00:56:02,900 --> 00:56:06,030 This is a tangible and substantive achievement that 1211 00:56:06,033 --> 00:56:08,733 goes a long way to a big part of the speech that he talked 1212 00:56:08,734 --> 00:56:11,434 about last night. 1213 00:56:11,433 --> 00:56:12,503 The Press: I believe Carol said at the beginning of the meeting, 1214 00:56:12,500 --> 00:56:15,830 though, this is something BP was not going to do on its own. 1215 00:56:15,834 --> 00:56:18,204 I mean the President had to push -- 1216 00:56:18,200 --> 00:56:21,200 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think that's -- I think that is a push that's 1217 00:56:21,200 --> 00:56:23,770 been happening over the past many days. 1218 00:56:23,767 --> 00:56:25,767 Ms. Browner: Right, right. 1219 00:56:25,767 --> 00:56:33,637 Mr. Gibbs: And you'd have to ask them when they came to some 1220 00:56:33,633 --> 00:56:38,803 conclusion in their mind, we have had -- we've had folks 1221 00:56:38,800 --> 00:56:45,130 looking at this for many days beyond yesterday and today. 1222 00:56:45,133 --> 00:56:46,303 The Press: I apologize, Robert, I have to ask a question for a 1223 00:56:46,300 --> 00:56:50,900 colleague too on General Petreus today played down the idea of a 1224 00:56:50,900 --> 00:56:54,530 December review of progress in Afghanistan, 1225 00:56:54,533 --> 00:56:57,433 saying too much should not be made of that review, 1226 00:56:57,433 --> 00:56:59,563 can you give us a sense of the December review? 1227 00:56:59,567 --> 00:57:02,437 Do you still believe it's a key point for evaluating progress 1228 00:57:02,433 --> 00:57:03,633 in Afghanistan? 1229 00:57:03,633 --> 00:57:04,903 Mr. Gibbs: Well, there's no question that the December 1230 00:57:04,900 --> 00:57:09,400 review is important, but without having seen either the question 1231 00:57:09,400 --> 00:57:12,400 or General Petreus' exact answer, 1232 00:57:12,400 --> 00:57:18,330 it's not as if -- it's not as if that review isn't ongoing on a 1233 00:57:18,333 --> 00:57:20,933 daily, weekly and monthly basis. 1234 00:57:20,934 --> 00:57:25,064 Again, I'm happy to look through the exact transcript, 1235 00:57:25,066 --> 00:57:30,296 but I think for some reason to believe that that review process 1236 00:57:30,300 --> 00:57:34,670 would not exist until December might be what he was 1237 00:57:34,667 --> 00:57:36,297 pushing back on. 1238 00:57:36,300 --> 00:57:39,470 Obviously, those theater commanders provide the President 1239 00:57:39,467 --> 00:57:46,037 with written weekly updates that are quite thick. 1240 00:57:46,033 --> 00:57:50,103 This is both Afghanistan and Iraq. 1241 00:57:50,100 --> 00:57:55,400 As you know there are monthly Situation Room meetings with the 1242 00:57:55,400 --> 00:57:58,430 Cabinet -- relevant Cabinet members, 1243 00:57:58,433 --> 00:58:00,963 the President and the Vice President. 1244 00:58:00,967 --> 00:58:04,167 And this review is ongoing in nature. 1245 00:58:04,166 --> 00:58:04,936 April. 1246 00:58:04,934 --> 00:58:06,234 The Press: Robert, two things. 1247 00:58:06,233 --> 00:58:09,003 Van Jones says of disperse-ments -- disperse-ments, 1248 00:58:09,000 --> 00:58:13,700 not disappearance, what happens to the disperse-ments now? 1249 00:58:13,700 --> 00:58:15,730 You're talking about the capturing of the oil -- the 1250 00:58:15,734 --> 00:58:16,264 President talked -- 1251 00:58:16,266 --> 00:58:18,036 Mr. Gibbs: Just -- I'm sorry, let's make sure -- dispersants, 1252 00:58:18,033 --> 00:58:20,003 which is the liquid? 1253 00:58:20,000 --> 00:58:21,070 The Press: Dispersants. 1254 00:58:21,066 --> 00:58:22,366 Mr. Gibbs: Or a disbursement which is the payment? 1255 00:58:22,367 --> 00:58:24,367 The Press: Not -- I'm sorry dispersants -- 1256 00:58:24,367 --> 00:58:25,337 Mr. Gibbs: Okay. 1257 00:58:25,333 --> 00:58:26,933 The Press: Okay. 1258 00:58:26,934 --> 00:58:30,004 On top of the oil -- he says, the dispersants push the oil -- 1259 00:58:30,000 --> 00:58:31,900 it's all about optics -- they push the oil from the surface 1260 00:58:31,900 --> 00:58:35,430 down to the bottom of the ocean where it kills shrimp -- the 1261 00:58:35,433 --> 00:58:37,533 marine life and things of that nature, 1262 00:58:37,533 --> 00:58:42,003 so you're talking a capturing 90 percent of the oil, 1263 00:58:42,000 --> 00:58:44,700 but what happens to the dispersant -- the oil that has 1264 00:58:44,700 --> 00:58:47,830 been pushed down with the dispersants? 1265 00:58:47,834 --> 00:58:50,804 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, do you want to do this? 1266 00:58:50,800 --> 00:58:52,900 Admiral Allen: The purpose of dispersants is to separate the 1267 00:58:52,900 --> 00:58:57,030 oil into smaller particles so they biodegrade quicker. 1268 00:58:57,033 --> 00:58:59,303 Oil will ultimately biodegrade at some weight -- there's a 1269 00:58:59,300 --> 00:59:02,530 metabolic rate for absorbing oil into the Earth's oceans. 1270 00:59:02,533 --> 00:59:05,163 The dispersants accelerate that somewhat. 1271 00:59:05,166 --> 00:59:07,766 And we are applying -- have applied dispersants on the 1272 00:59:07,767 --> 00:59:10,237 surface and are applying them subsea at the source 1273 00:59:10,233 --> 00:59:11,163 of the leak. 1274 00:59:11,166 --> 00:59:13,366 We have, because of the extensive amounts of dispersants 1275 00:59:13,367 --> 00:59:15,997 that have been applied, have limited to very particular 1276 00:59:16,000 --> 00:59:18,630 situations the dispersants that are used on the surface, 1277 00:59:18,633 --> 00:59:20,603 just because of the unknown factors associated with how much 1278 00:59:20,600 --> 00:59:22,100 we've had to use so far. 1279 00:59:22,100 --> 00:59:25,230 The most effective application of dispersants is at the leak 1280 00:59:25,233 --> 00:59:27,633 site down at the bottom where they could be most effective in 1281 00:59:27,633 --> 00:59:28,833 dispersing the oil. 1282 00:59:28,834 --> 00:59:32,664 The Press: So but -- okay, with that, 1283 00:59:32,667 --> 00:59:34,597 that is a poison that pushes the oil down. 1284 00:59:34,600 --> 00:59:35,670 What happens to that that? 1285 00:59:35,667 --> 00:59:37,597 You are pushing it down -- what happens? 1286 00:59:37,600 --> 00:59:39,400 Admiral Allen: The oil ultimately biodegrades. 1287 00:59:39,400 --> 00:59:41,400 It is suspended for a while and then it biodegrades. 1288 00:59:41,400 --> 00:59:43,930 All oil will ultimately weather and biodegrade. 1289 00:59:43,934 --> 00:59:45,734 Dispersants accelerate that. 1290 00:59:45,734 --> 00:59:47,864 And we know there is some toxicity with dispersants, 1291 00:59:47,867 --> 00:59:50,767 but it is far less than the toxicity of the oil. 1292 00:59:50,767 --> 00:59:52,267 The Press: How long is it going to take the biodegrading 1293 00:59:52,266 --> 00:59:54,536 to happen? 1294 00:59:54,533 --> 00:59:56,333 Admiral Allen: I would -- we can check with NOAA and give the exact -- 1295 00:59:56,333 --> 00:59:59,563 Ms. Browner: I'm going to give you a way to think about this maybe. 1296 00:59:59,567 --> 01:00:03,267 If you have a oily pan and you go to wash it, 1297 01:00:03,266 --> 01:00:05,296 you squirt some Dawn in, right? 1298 01:00:05,300 --> 01:00:05,930 And what -- 1299 01:00:05,934 --> 01:00:06,204 The Press: 1300 01:00:06,200 --> 01:00:06,630 (inaudible) 1301 01:00:06,633 --> 01:00:07,263 Ms. Browner: Dawn. 1302 01:00:07,266 --> 01:00:07,936 And what happens? 1303 01:00:07,934 --> 01:00:09,734 It starts to -- Dawn, right. 1304 01:00:09,734 --> 01:00:12,634 Okay, Joy, but actually Dawn is the preferred. 1305 01:00:12,633 --> 01:00:15,533 And it starts -- that's how they wash the animals, in Dawn. 1306 01:00:15,533 --> 01:00:17,303 They actually use Dawn for the animals. 1307 01:00:17,300 --> 01:00:20,530 And it starts -- you know, so in your kitchen sink, 1308 01:00:20,533 --> 01:00:23,133 you have the oil starting to break up and you're seeing that 1309 01:00:23,133 --> 01:00:25,233 biodegrading process right in front of you. 1310 01:00:25,233 --> 01:00:26,363 That's what happens. 1311 01:00:26,367 --> 01:00:27,337 The Press: Okay and also -- 1312 01:00:27,333 --> 01:00:28,333 Mr. Gibbs: I don't do dishes so I can't 1313 01:00:28,333 --> 01:00:29,633 The Press: Ooh! 1314 01:00:29,633 --> 01:00:36,033 (laughter) 1315 01:00:36,033 --> 01:00:38,103 Ms. Browner: I bet he's doing some dishes tonight. 1316 01:00:38,100 --> 01:00:42,700 (laughter) 1317 01:00:42,700 --> 01:00:44,630 The Press: Oh, I reached your home, didn't I? 1318 01:00:44,633 --> 01:00:45,863 Mr. Gibbs: Yes -- or my sink, yes. 1319 01:00:45,867 --> 01:00:46,937 The Press: Right. 1320 01:00:46,934 --> 01:00:50,264 On another subject, and not to make light of this, 1321 01:00:50,266 --> 01:00:55,166 but there is a preconception already about big oil versus 1322 01:00:55,166 --> 01:00:56,666 average America. 1323 01:00:56,667 --> 01:00:59,897 And when the chairman of the board was at stakeout, 1324 01:00:59,900 --> 01:01:01,570 and I'm quite sure you heard it -- did you all 1325 01:01:01,567 --> 01:01:02,897 hear the stakeout? 1326 01:01:02,900 --> 01:01:04,370 Mr. Gibbs: We were in my office getting ready. 1327 01:01:04,367 --> 01:01:05,937 I think we -- I heard parts of it, yes. 1328 01:01:05,934 --> 01:01:07,934 The Press: Did you hear at the end when he said -- talked about 1329 01:01:07,934 --> 01:01:10,734 the President's frustration, and then he said, you know, 1330 01:01:10,734 --> 01:01:13,004 the President is concerned about the small people, 1331 01:01:13,000 --> 01:01:14,770 we're concerned about the small people. 1332 01:01:14,767 --> 01:01:20,367 Those words kind of rang very strong on television. 1333 01:01:20,367 --> 01:01:24,067 Talk to me, do you think it's just the wrong terminology? 1334 01:01:24,066 --> 01:01:25,796 Do you think that there was an arrogance? 1335 01:01:25,800 --> 01:01:27,370 I mean, because I'm listening -- you guys said, 1336 01:01:27,367 --> 01:01:29,297 we're the ones who had to push this forward, 1337 01:01:29,300 --> 01:01:31,300 we had to push the $20 million, we had to push this, 1338 01:01:31,300 --> 01:01:32,900 and it was all on the White House side. 1339 01:01:32,900 --> 01:01:34,400 And what did they offer? 1340 01:01:34,400 --> 01:01:37,670 Were they worried about the average American who are -- 1341 01:01:37,667 --> 01:01:40,267 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I'll let Carol talk about what's in the meeting. 1342 01:01:40,266 --> 01:01:45,366 Obviously, as I said before, in meeting with both the chair and 1343 01:01:45,367 --> 01:01:47,737 meeting with the group of executives, 1344 01:01:47,734 --> 01:01:53,604 as the President came in, it's the people of the Gulf that the 1345 01:01:53,600 --> 01:01:58,170 President has had in mind throughout this process as those 1346 01:01:58,166 --> 01:02:01,566 that he's fighting for. 1347 01:02:01,567 --> 01:02:06,197 Again, whether it's a mom-and-pop restaurant that he 1348 01:02:06,200 --> 01:02:09,000 visited on this trip, whether it's a shrimper, 1349 01:02:09,000 --> 01:02:14,330 whether it's a mayor who represents constituents that 1350 01:02:14,333 --> 01:02:17,663 earn their living on the water or through tourism or something 1351 01:02:17,667 --> 01:02:20,567 like that, that's -- those are the people that the President 1352 01:02:20,567 --> 01:02:24,467 has had in mind throughout this entire time. 1353 01:02:24,467 --> 01:02:25,367 The Press: Wrong terminology, maybe -- 1354 01:02:25,367 --> 01:02:27,137 Ms. Browner: And let me say -- I mean, again, 1355 01:02:27,133 --> 01:02:29,633 we began in the Roosevelt Room; we began with the President, 1356 01:02:29,633 --> 01:02:32,833 the Cabinet, and the BP representatives. 1357 01:02:32,834 --> 01:02:35,304 And when the chairman of the company spoke, 1358 01:02:35,300 --> 01:02:36,730 he did begin with an apology. 1359 01:02:36,734 --> 01:02:38,864 So I think Robert's point is exactly right. 1360 01:02:38,867 --> 01:02:41,737 When the President spoke, he spoke about the people he's met. 1361 01:02:41,734 --> 01:02:45,904 He spoke about his trips to Louisiana and across Alabama and 1362 01:02:45,900 --> 01:02:46,800 Mississippi and Florida. 1363 01:02:46,800 --> 01:02:49,370 The Press: Wrong terminology on behalf of BP? 1364 01:02:49,367 --> 01:02:50,837 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 1365 01:02:50,834 --> 01:02:54,064 The Press: Robert, you said before that -- and I just want 1366 01:02:54,066 --> 01:02:56,936 you to clarify -- with regard to Kerry-Lieberman, 1367 01:02:56,934 --> 01:02:59,804 you seem to indicate that that would be sort of the basis from 1368 01:02:59,800 --> 01:03:01,300 which the President would move forward. 1369 01:03:01,300 --> 01:03:03,270 Is he committed to having that be the starting point? 1370 01:03:03,266 --> 01:03:05,296 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, what I said was I think that the 1371 01:03:05,300 --> 01:03:07,270 principles enlisted in Kerry-Lieberman are consistent 1372 01:03:07,266 --> 01:03:14,796 with the principles that the President has outlined on 1373 01:03:14,800 --> 01:03:17,900 countless occasions dating back -- I would say dating back to 1374 01:03:17,900 --> 01:03:21,200 the campaign but likely dating back to his service in the 1375 01:03:21,200 --> 01:03:22,270 U.S. Senate. 1376 01:03:22,266 --> 01:03:23,736 The Press: Well, one of those occasions was last night, 1377 01:03:23,734 --> 01:03:24,964 and he didn't mention it explicitly. 1378 01:03:24,967 --> 01:03:28,367 And a lot of folks on the Hill interpreted the ambiguity that 1379 01:03:28,367 --> 01:03:30,137 he left in terms of the legislation -- 1380 01:03:30,133 --> 01:03:35,033 Mr. Gibbs: You know, I'd focus on what the President said and 1381 01:03:35,033 --> 01:03:36,963 has said on any number of occasions -- 1382 01:03:36,967 --> 01:03:38,067 The Press: But Robert, with all due respect, 1383 01:03:38,066 --> 01:03:39,336 they have to pass this thing on the Hill, 1384 01:03:39,333 --> 01:03:40,303 and there is a sense that -- 1385 01:03:40,300 --> 01:03:42,100 Mr. Gibbs: With all due respect, I understand the 1386 01:03:42,100 --> 01:03:42,730 legislative process. 1387 01:03:42,734 --> 01:03:44,464 (laughter) 1388 01:03:44,467 --> 01:03:44,967 The Press: There is a -- 1389 01:03:44,967 --> 01:03:46,237 Mr. Gibbs: Thanks, I've seen how a bill becomes a law. 1390 01:03:46,233 --> 01:03:47,703 The Press: I know. 1391 01:03:47,700 --> 01:03:49,630 I could play it for you. 1392 01:03:49,633 --> 01:03:52,003 No, but there is a sense that the President's omission of 1393 01:03:52,000 --> 01:03:53,800 Kerry-Lieberman has given -- 1394 01:03:53,800 --> 01:03:57,600 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, again, I don't know how I can be more clear, 1395 01:03:57,600 --> 01:03:59,600 I don't know how the President can be more clear than to look 1396 01:03:59,600 --> 01:04:01,770 at what he said in Pittsburgh. 1397 01:04:01,767 --> 01:04:03,337 The Press: Well, is he committed to having Kerry-Lieberman be the 1398 01:04:03,333 --> 01:04:04,403 basis for this deal? 1399 01:04:04,400 --> 01:04:06,470 Mr. Gibbs: He is committed to exactly what he said in 1400 01:04:06,467 --> 01:04:08,297 Pittsburgh and what he's said on countless occasions and what I 1401 01:04:08,300 --> 01:04:12,200 said here today, that climate should be -- that climate has to 1402 01:04:12,200 --> 01:04:15,530 be a component of a comprehensive energy plan. 1403 01:04:15,533 --> 01:04:17,233 The Press: Why didn't he mention carbon caps in the speech if 1404 01:04:17,233 --> 01:04:18,233 he's committed -- 1405 01:04:18,233 --> 01:04:22,463 Mr. Gibbs: You know, I'd love to play "seek a word" with you. 1406 01:04:22,467 --> 01:04:25,837 I think the President -- I understand you've got 1407 01:04:25,834 --> 01:04:27,004 to write a story. 1408 01:04:27,000 --> 01:04:30,900 Go back and look at -- and I could email it to you, 1409 01:04:30,900 --> 01:04:34,400 it would crash your computer -- all the times the President has 1410 01:04:34,400 --> 01:04:36,770 talked about a comprehensive strategy. 1411 01:04:36,767 --> 01:04:37,367 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 1412 01:04:37,367 --> 01:04:39,497 I have two quick questions. 1413 01:04:39,500 --> 01:04:45,570 First, last week there were reports that BP was considering 1414 01:04:45,567 --> 01:04:48,367 suspending one of their dividend payments and that they wanted to 1415 01:04:48,367 --> 01:04:51,467 get a cooling of the rhetoric from the White House. 1416 01:04:51,467 --> 01:04:55,097 And it looks like now today you got three dividend 1417 01:04:55,100 --> 01:04:56,870 payments suspended. 1418 01:04:56,867 --> 01:04:59,337 Was there any giveback -- was there any talk at all about 1419 01:04:59,333 --> 01:05:02,503 cooling the anti-BP rhetoric in the meeting? 1420 01:05:02,500 --> 01:05:03,200 Mr. Gibbs: None that I know of, no. 1421 01:05:03,200 --> 01:05:04,500 Ms. Browner: No. 1422 01:05:04,500 --> 01:05:06,900 The Press: And my second question, 1423 01:05:06,900 --> 01:05:09,370 both -- Jon Stewart last week and this week has been very 1424 01:05:09,367 --> 01:05:10,637 critical of the President. 1425 01:05:10,633 --> 01:05:13,303 Keith Olbermann last night really badly trashed the 1426 01:05:13,300 --> 01:05:15,100 President's speech. 1427 01:05:15,100 --> 01:05:17,330 Is the President or the White House concerned at all about 1428 01:05:17,333 --> 01:05:19,863 losing two such influential allies in the media? 1429 01:05:19,867 --> 01:05:21,467 Mr. Gibbs: No. No. Ken. 1430 01:05:21,467 --> 01:05:23,367 The Press: Robert, this is non-BP -- 1431 01:05:23,367 --> 01:05:27,997 Mr. Gibbs: I will say this -- can I say this? 1432 01:05:28,000 --> 01:05:31,270 I've said this before; I'll reiterate it -- if the President 1433 01:05:31,266 --> 01:05:34,366 had decided to run for President based on what the pundits were 1434 01:05:34,367 --> 01:05:38,297 saying in December of 2006 and January of 2007, 1435 01:05:38,300 --> 01:05:39,430 he'd be in the Senate. 1436 01:05:39,433 --> 01:05:41,633 No, no, hold on. 1437 01:05:41,633 --> 01:05:47,263 I appreciate the pulse -- the hand on the pulse of America by 1438 01:05:47,266 --> 01:05:50,296 those that live on cable TV. 1439 01:05:50,300 --> 01:05:56,200 I don't actually think that's where all of real America lives. 1440 01:05:56,200 --> 01:05:58,300 The Press: Okay. 1441 01:05:58,300 --> 01:05:59,370 Non-BP-related. 1442 01:05:59,367 --> 01:06:02,967 Right before this, Dan Pfeiffer put out a statement urging the 1443 01:06:02,967 --> 01:06:05,567 passage of the DISCLOSE Act. 1444 01:06:05,567 --> 01:06:07,797 One of the things that some of the good-government groups have 1445 01:06:07,800 --> 01:06:11,400 complained about is this deal that was cut for the NRA in 1446 01:06:11,400 --> 01:06:14,970 terms of moving around disclosure requirements. 1447 01:06:14,967 --> 01:06:17,337 Can you talk specifically whether/why the President 1448 01:06:17,333 --> 01:06:20,163 objects to that deal and why that -- 1449 01:06:20,166 --> 01:06:22,496 Mr. Gibbs: Tim, I have been -- I've been out here while that 1450 01:06:22,500 --> 01:06:22,970 must have gone up. 1451 01:06:22,967 --> 01:06:29,197 I'll be happy to go look at what was put out and give a sense of 1452 01:06:29,200 --> 01:06:30,270 what's in that agreement. 1453 01:06:30,266 --> 01:06:30,866 Thanks, guys.