English subtitles for clip: File:7-20-15- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,834 --> 00:00:02,474 Mr. Earnest: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:02,469 --> 00:00:04,969 A lively bunch today. 3 00:00:04,971 --> 00:00:06,041 Let me do two quick announcements, and then I'll 4 00:00:06,039 --> 00:00:08,039 go straight to your questions. 5 00:00:08,041 --> 00:00:10,481 The United States welcomes today's historic opening of 6 00:00:10,477 --> 00:00:12,447 the embassy of the United States of America in Havana, 7 00:00:12,445 --> 00:00:14,985 Cuba, and the opening of the Cuban embassy here in 8 00:00:14,981 --> 00:00:17,651 Washington, D.C. Today's openings are the result of 9 00:00:17,650 --> 00:00:19,790 respectful dialogue between the United States and the 10 00:00:19,786 --> 00:00:22,526 Republic of Cuba following the December 17th 11 00:00:22,522 --> 00:00:24,592 announcements by President Obama and President RaĂşl 12 00:00:24,591 --> 00:00:27,831 Castro to reestablish diplomatic relations between 13 00:00:27,827 --> 00:00:29,197 our two nations. 14 00:00:29,195 --> 00:00:31,165 This is yet another demonstration that we don't 15 00:00:31,164 --> 00:00:33,164 have to be imprisoned by the past. 16 00:00:33,166 --> 00:00:35,266 We look forward to working collaboratively to normalize 17 00:00:35,268 --> 00:00:37,268 relations with the Cuban government and the Cuban 18 00:00:37,270 --> 00:00:40,370 people after more than a half-century of discord. 19 00:00:40,373 --> 00:00:41,643 Beginning today, U.S. 20 00:00:41,641 --> 00:00:44,211 diplomats in Havana will have the ability to engage 21 00:00:44,210 --> 00:00:46,810 more broadly across the island of Cuba, with the 22 00:00:46,813 --> 00:00:50,213 Cuban government, Cuban civil society, and even 23 00:00:50,216 --> 00:00:52,156 ordinary Cuban citizens. 24 00:00:52,152 --> 00:00:54,152 We look forward to collaborating with the Cuban 25 00:00:54,154 --> 00:00:56,154 government on issues of common interest, including 26 00:00:56,156 --> 00:00:58,556 counterterrorism and disaster response, and we 27 00:00:58,558 --> 00:01:00,558 are confident that the best way to advance universal 28 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,100 values like freedom of speech and assembly is 29 00:01:03,096 --> 00:01:05,166 through more engagement with the Cuban people. 30 00:01:05,165 --> 00:01:07,835 Let me do one other one, and then we'll go to 31 00:01:07,834 --> 00:01:10,234 your questions. 32 00:01:10,236 --> 00:01:12,236 Over the course of the last week, we've been gratified 33 00:01:12,238 --> 00:01:14,238 by the support the Iran deal has garnered from many 34 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,810 different corners, both at home and abroad. 35 00:01:16,810 --> 00:01:19,450 On the world stage, you saw the United Nations Security 36 00:01:19,446 --> 00:01:21,446 Council this morning unanimously adopt a 37 00:01:21,448 --> 00:01:23,918 resolution endorsing the deal. 38 00:01:23,917 --> 00:01:26,257 Yesterday, you heard British Prime Minister David Cameron 39 00:01:26,252 --> 00:01:29,322 speak powerfully and unambiguously in favor of 40 00:01:29,322 --> 00:01:30,322 the deal. 41 00:01:30,323 --> 00:01:33,293 Closer to home, last week, you heard me mention a 42 00:01:33,293 --> 00:01:35,863 letter that some 100 former bipartisan U.S. 43 00:01:35,862 --> 00:01:38,702 ambassadors had signed in support of the landmark 44 00:01:38,698 --> 00:01:40,998 diplomatic agreement, as well as the outpouring of 45 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,000 support from some of this country's newspapers, both 46 00:01:44,003 --> 00:01:47,043 large and small, all across the country. 47 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,280 Today, some of you may have seen a letter in support of 48 00:01:49,275 --> 00:01:51,945 the deal signed by some 60 former senior U.S. 49 00:01:51,945 --> 00:01:54,145 government officials from both Democratic and 50 00:01:54,147 --> 00:01:56,017 Republican administrations. 51 00:01:56,015 --> 00:01:58,455 Among the signers were those who know Iran best, the 52 00:01:58,451 --> 00:02:00,451 mechanics of nonproliferation and the art 53 00:02:00,453 --> 00:02:01,523 of diplomacy. 54 00:02:01,521 --> 00:02:03,591 Included in this list are former national security 55 00:02:03,590 --> 00:02:09,400 advisors, Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski; 56 00:02:09,395 --> 00:02:12,465 former Secretary of Defense William Perry; former 57 00:02:12,465 --> 00:02:15,465 Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill; former Ambassador 58 00:02:15,468 --> 00:02:18,808 to Iraq, Syria and Pakistan, Ryan Crocker; former State 59 00:02:18,805 --> 00:02:21,275 Department officials, Nicholas Burns, Christopher 60 00:02:21,274 --> 00:02:24,374 Hill, and Les Gelb; as well as Lee Hamilton, the former 61 00:02:24,377 --> 00:02:27,317 chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 62 00:02:27,313 --> 00:02:29,313 We continue to urge members of Congress as well as the 63 00:02:29,315 --> 00:02:32,185 American public to judge the deal on its merits. 64 00:02:32,185 --> 00:02:34,185 We're confident that if they do they'll reach the same 65 00:02:34,187 --> 00:02:36,387 conclusion that so many of those who know these issues 66 00:02:36,389 --> 00:02:39,729 best already have. 67 00:02:39,726 --> 00:02:41,796 So if you have not seen that letter, we can make sure 68 00:02:41,794 --> 00:02:43,964 that we get you a full copy of it. 69 00:02:43,963 --> 00:02:45,133 So, with that, Julie, do you want to get us 70 00:02:45,131 --> 00:02:45,931 started today? 71 00:02:45,932 --> 00:02:46,502 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 72 00:02:46,499 --> 00:02:47,999 Actually, I had some follow-ups on those two topics. 73 00:02:48,001 --> 00:02:48,771 Mr. Earnest: Great. 74 00:02:48,768 --> 00:02:50,838 The Press: On Cuba, is the President going to be 75 00:02:50,837 --> 00:02:52,977 meeting with the Cuban foreign minister or any of 76 00:02:52,972 --> 00:02:54,642 the other Cuban officials who are in town for the 77 00:02:54,641 --> 00:02:55,941 embassy opening? 78 00:02:55,942 --> 00:02:57,282 Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware of any plans for the 79 00:02:57,277 --> 00:02:59,117 President to meet with Cuban officials. 80 00:02:59,112 --> 00:03:01,382 I know that Secretary of State Kerry, if he hasn't 81 00:03:01,381 --> 00:03:03,021 done so already, will be meeting with his Cuban 82 00:03:03,016 --> 00:03:03,946 counterpart later today. 83 00:03:03,950 --> 00:03:04,680 The Press: Okay. 84 00:03:04,684 --> 00:03:06,224 I'm not sure if we've gotten a straight answer to this -- 85 00:03:06,219 --> 00:03:09,689 is the President intending to actually nominate a U.S. 86 00:03:09,689 --> 00:03:11,729 ambassador to Cuba? 87 00:03:11,724 --> 00:03:12,824 Mr. Earnest: I don't have any personnel announcements 88 00:03:12,825 --> 00:03:16,765 at this point in terms of -- including the time frame 89 00:03:16,763 --> 00:03:17,593 for announcements. 90 00:03:17,597 --> 00:03:18,727 The Press: I'm not asking for a name, I'm just asking 91 00:03:18,731 --> 00:03:19,901 if that actually is his intention. 92 00:03:19,899 --> 00:03:22,569 Is he going to nominate someone for that post? 93 00:03:22,569 --> 00:03:26,209 Mr. Earnest: Well, at this point, I don't have a 94 00:03:26,205 --> 00:03:29,475 specific commitment to share with you in terms of when 95 00:03:29,475 --> 00:03:31,945 this person would be announced or who that person 96 00:03:31,945 --> 00:03:32,975 would be. 97 00:03:32,979 --> 00:03:36,349 We certainly do believe that U.S. 98 00:03:36,349 --> 00:03:38,549 interests in Cuba would be best represented by somebody 99 00:03:38,551 --> 00:03:42,121 serving as the ambassador there. 100 00:03:42,121 --> 00:03:45,521 That said, the current Chief of Mission is a gentleman 101 00:03:45,525 --> 00:03:48,325 named Jeffrey DeLaurentis. 102 00:03:48,328 --> 00:03:50,268 He is somebody who had previously served as the 103 00:03:50,263 --> 00:03:52,333 Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of 104 00:03:52,332 --> 00:03:54,472 Western Hemisphere Affairs. 105 00:03:54,467 --> 00:03:58,267 He is somebody who has done two previous stints at the U.S. 106 00:03:58,271 --> 00:04:01,271 Interests Section in Havana, and somebody who has served 107 00:04:01,274 --> 00:04:03,544 in a wide variety of diplomatic roles, including 108 00:04:03,543 --> 00:04:05,543 as the political counselor to the U.S. 109 00:04:05,545 --> 00:04:07,685 Mission at the United Nations in Geneva, a 110 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:08,850 political counselor at the U.S. 111 00:04:08,848 --> 00:04:10,848 embassy in Bogota, even did a stint here at the White 112 00:04:10,850 --> 00:04:12,850 House at the National Security Council. 113 00:04:12,852 --> 00:04:14,852 So this is somebody representing the United 114 00:04:14,854 --> 00:04:17,394 States as the Chief of Mission of the U.S. 115 00:04:17,390 --> 00:04:19,230 embassy in Cuba. 116 00:04:19,225 --> 00:04:21,195 This is somebody with a wide range of experience in a 117 00:04:21,194 --> 00:04:23,694 variety of roles, and we've got a lot of confidence in 118 00:04:23,696 --> 00:04:26,436 the ability of Ambassador DeLaurentis to represent 119 00:04:26,432 --> 00:04:28,432 U.S. interests on the island in Cuba. 120 00:04:28,434 --> 00:04:30,434 But I certainly wouldn't rule out that the President 121 00:04:30,436 --> 00:04:35,706 would nominate somebody to serve at the rank of 122 00:04:35,708 --> 00:04:37,148 ambassador at the U.S. 123 00:04:37,143 --> 00:04:38,583 embassy in Cuba. 124 00:04:38,578 --> 00:04:39,448 The Press: You wouldn't rule it out, but you're not 125 00:04:39,445 --> 00:04:41,385 actually making a commitment that he definitely will 126 00:04:41,381 --> 00:04:42,751 nominate someone? 127 00:04:42,749 --> 00:04:44,319 Mr. Earnest: Well, only because I don't have a time 128 00:04:44,317 --> 00:04:46,757 frame or an individual to share with you at this point. 129 00:04:46,753 --> 00:04:47,553 The Press: Okay. 130 00:04:47,553 --> 00:04:51,353 And on Iran, I know that the President spoke briefly at 131 00:04:51,357 --> 00:04:54,027 the pool spray earlier on the Security Council 132 00:04:54,027 --> 00:04:56,597 resolution, and I know that you've said that that does 133 00:04:56,596 --> 00:04:59,666 not -- that would not trump any action by Congress. 134 00:04:59,666 --> 00:05:02,836 But what would you say to lawmakers who say that it 135 00:05:02,835 --> 00:05:05,005 appears as though the President is at least 136 00:05:05,004 --> 00:05:08,874 violating the spirit of what Congress passed to have this 137 00:05:08,875 --> 00:05:12,245 60-day review period and have a say on this? 138 00:05:12,245 --> 00:05:14,745 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'd strenuously disagree. 139 00:05:14,747 --> 00:05:17,347 The fact is there actually is an extraordinary 140 00:05:17,350 --> 00:05:20,750 provision included in the Security Council resolution 141 00:05:20,753 --> 00:05:23,323 that was adopted by the Security Council today, 142 00:05:23,322 --> 00:05:26,962 which is to ensure that the resolution adopted today 143 00:05:26,959 --> 00:05:30,199 doesn't actually go into effect for another 90 days. 144 00:05:30,196 --> 00:05:36,036 And that is specifically to allow Congress ample time to 145 00:05:36,035 --> 00:05:39,205 conduct their review of the agreement. 146 00:05:39,205 --> 00:05:41,975 And that does show, on the part of the international 147 00:05:41,974 --> 00:05:45,744 community, significant deference to the privileges 148 00:05:45,745 --> 00:05:48,215 of individual members of Congress. 149 00:05:48,214 --> 00:05:51,384 As I mentioned last week, I would just note that there 150 00:05:51,384 --> 00:05:54,884 is -- that the U.N. 151 00:05:54,887 --> 00:05:58,187 Security Council resolution that was passed today 152 00:05:58,191 --> 00:06:04,031 doesn't have an impact on the kind of sanctions that 153 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:06,930 are implemented bilaterally by the United States. 154 00:06:06,933 --> 00:06:09,503 That's the purview of the President of the United 155 00:06:09,502 --> 00:06:11,502 States and the United States Congress. 156 00:06:11,504 --> 00:06:15,204 And again, I think that also reflects the important role 157 00:06:15,208 --> 00:06:17,008 that Congress must play in this debate. 158 00:06:17,009 --> 00:06:18,549 The Press: And finally, can you give us any sense of 159 00:06:18,544 --> 00:06:21,014 what the President himself personally is doing behind 160 00:06:21,013 --> 00:06:23,483 the scenes to court lawmakers on this? 161 00:06:23,483 --> 00:06:26,253 And was his golf outing with three congressional 162 00:06:26,252 --> 00:06:28,692 Democrats yesterday part of this effort? 163 00:06:28,688 --> 00:06:31,088 We don't see him golf with lawmakers very often. 164 00:06:31,090 --> 00:06:33,630 Mr. Earnest: Well, Julie, I know the President did enjoy 165 00:06:33,626 --> 00:06:35,866 the opportunity to play golf yesterday. 166 00:06:35,862 --> 00:06:40,332 I would assure you that had the engagement been focused 167 00:06:40,333 --> 00:06:43,903 solely on the Iran agreement that the President would 168 00:06:43,903 --> 00:06:46,343 have chosen a location that benefited from 169 00:06:46,339 --> 00:06:49,039 air-conditioning to have that conversation yesterday. 170 00:06:49,041 --> 00:06:50,041 (laughter) 171 00:06:50,042 --> 00:06:52,042 So I know that most of their activities yesterday were 172 00:06:52,044 --> 00:06:53,044 focused on golf. 173 00:06:53,045 --> 00:06:55,045 The Press: And anything about what the President is 174 00:06:55,047 --> 00:06:57,047 doing on Iran to talk to lawmakers? 175 00:06:57,049 --> 00:06:59,889 Mr. Earnest: I don't have any additional specific 176 00:06:59,886 --> 00:07:01,886 conversations to tell you about, but there are a 177 00:07:01,888 --> 00:07:03,888 number of presidential conversations that have 178 00:07:03,890 --> 00:07:06,430 already occurred with leading members of Congress, 179 00:07:06,425 --> 00:07:07,925 both Democrats and Republicans. 180 00:07:07,927 --> 00:07:10,427 And I would expect those kinds of conversations 181 00:07:10,429 --> 00:07:11,599 to continue. 182 00:07:11,597 --> 00:07:14,437 There are some -- just to get this out of the way -- 183 00:07:14,433 --> 00:07:17,933 there are some details about the administration 184 00:07:17,937 --> 00:07:20,677 engagement with Congress that are coming up this week. 185 00:07:20,673 --> 00:07:23,973 On Wednesday, there will be separate classified 186 00:07:23,976 --> 00:07:27,316 briefings for all House members and all members of 187 00:07:27,313 --> 00:07:30,053 the Senate on Capitol Hill. 188 00:07:30,049 --> 00:07:32,089 This will take place on Wednesday, and this is a 189 00:07:32,084 --> 00:07:34,284 briefing that will be conducted by Secretary 190 00:07:34,287 --> 00:07:37,627 Kerry, Secretary Moniz, Secretary Lew, as well as a 191 00:07:37,623 --> 00:07:41,163 senior intelligence official. 192 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:44,460 Then there will be an open hearing on Thursday in front 193 00:07:44,463 --> 00:07:46,463 of the Senator Foreign Relations Committee with 194 00:07:46,465 --> 00:07:48,465 Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz, and Secretary Lew. 195 00:07:48,467 --> 00:07:51,107 And then a week from tomorrow, next Tuesday, 196 00:07:51,103 --> 00:07:53,703 before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, those 197 00:07:53,706 --> 00:07:55,706 three Cabinet Secretaries will testify in an open 198 00:07:55,708 --> 00:07:59,278 hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 199 00:07:59,278 --> 00:08:01,818 So that's an indication that the administration continues 200 00:08:01,814 --> 00:08:04,384 to be serious about the responsibility that we have 201 00:08:04,383 --> 00:08:08,283 to make sure that members of Congress have the 202 00:08:08,287 --> 00:08:10,287 information that they need to consider this agreement 203 00:08:10,289 --> 00:08:12,629 over the course of the next 60 days. 204 00:08:12,625 --> 00:08:13,625 Jeff. 205 00:08:13,626 --> 00:08:14,926 The Press: Josh, does the White House have any 206 00:08:14,927 --> 00:08:17,127 reaction to Donald Trump's comments about the 207 00:08:17,129 --> 00:08:21,199 President's former rival in 2008, Senator John McCain, 208 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:22,770 over the weekend? 209 00:08:22,768 --> 00:08:23,768 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jeff, I'll just tell you generally 210 00:08:23,769 --> 00:08:25,669 that, even in the midst of their competitive 2008 211 00:08:25,671 --> 00:08:28,141 campaign for the White House, that Senator Obama 212 00:08:28,140 --> 00:08:30,810 expressed his admiration and deep respect for Senator 213 00:08:30,810 --> 00:08:32,850 McCain's heroism. 214 00:08:32,845 --> 00:08:36,015 Their political differences between Senator McCain and 215 00:08:36,015 --> 00:08:38,715 President Obama have continued, even while 216 00:08:38,718 --> 00:08:41,818 President Obama has been in office, but those debates 217 00:08:41,821 --> 00:08:44,221 have not reduced his appreciation for Senator 218 00:08:44,223 --> 00:08:46,823 McCain's remarkable service to the country. 219 00:08:46,826 --> 00:08:52,266 The fact is the most notable comment in this episode came 220 00:08:52,265 --> 00:08:54,505 from Senator McCain himself, who I think pretty 221 00:08:54,500 --> 00:08:57,700 selflessly made clear that he didn't really care about 222 00:08:57,703 --> 00:09:02,173 an apology, but he did believe that our military 223 00:09:02,174 --> 00:09:03,744 veterans are entitled to one. 224 00:09:03,743 --> 00:09:06,543 The Press: It's probably hard for the President not 225 00:09:06,545 --> 00:09:08,515 to have heard about these comments. 226 00:09:08,514 --> 00:09:09,514 Did he have a reaction to them? 227 00:09:09,515 --> 00:09:11,515 Mr. Earnest: I haven't spoken to him about it. 228 00:09:11,517 --> 00:09:13,687 The Press: On a more policy-oriented question, 229 00:09:15,788 --> 00:09:17,658 there is some discussion in Congress, in both houses of 230 00:09:17,657 --> 00:09:21,327 Congress, about how to pay for the highway funds. 231 00:09:21,327 --> 00:09:25,167 One option that is being looked at is to sell oil 232 00:09:25,164 --> 00:09:26,364 from the SPR. 233 00:09:26,365 --> 00:09:29,135 Does the White House have a position on that? 234 00:09:29,135 --> 00:09:33,175 Mr. Earnest: Well, at the risk of unintentionally 235 00:09:33,172 --> 00:09:36,042 suggesting to some people who are closely watching the 236 00:09:36,042 --> 00:09:40,012 energy markets that this may be telegraphing a decision 237 00:09:40,012 --> 00:09:43,312 about a sale, I don't have a specific comment on that. 238 00:09:43,316 --> 00:09:47,116 I will just as a general matter that we have 239 00:09:47,119 --> 00:09:51,289 indicated in a written statement our support for 240 00:09:51,290 --> 00:09:55,030 the five-month extension that the House considered 241 00:09:55,027 --> 00:09:59,767 last week and approved, primarily as a mechanism for 242 00:09:59,765 --> 00:10:04,405 buying time to reach an agreement on a longer-term 243 00:10:04,403 --> 00:10:06,403 highway funding bill. 244 00:10:06,405 --> 00:10:11,415 We've expressed our frustration at the repeated 245 00:10:11,410 --> 00:10:14,880 short-term extensions that we believe are entirely 246 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,580 inconsistent with the best interests of our economy and 247 00:10:17,583 --> 00:10:19,583 the best interests of maintaining 248 00:10:19,585 --> 00:10:20,585 a modern infrastructure. 249 00:10:20,586 --> 00:10:23,356 So we believe that serious, long-term investment is 250 00:10:23,356 --> 00:10:25,056 needed in our infrastructure. 251 00:10:25,057 --> 00:10:27,057 The President has put forward his own specific 252 00:10:27,059 --> 00:10:29,529 proposal, the GROW AMERICA Act, that wouldn't just 253 00:10:29,528 --> 00:10:32,028 ensure that we are funding our infrastructure over the 254 00:10:32,031 --> 00:10:35,271 long term, it would make sure that we are funding our 255 00:10:35,267 --> 00:10:38,907 infrastructure over the long term over and above the 256 00:10:38,904 --> 00:10:43,914 current level, because there is so much built-up 257 00:10:43,909 --> 00:10:47,249 maintenance that's required of our infrastructure in 258 00:10:47,246 --> 00:10:48,246 this country. 259 00:10:48,247 --> 00:10:51,987 And we're hopeful that Congress will make a similar 260 00:10:51,984 --> 00:10:54,184 commitment -- a commitment similar to the one that we 261 00:10:54,186 --> 00:10:55,186 have proposed. 262 00:10:55,187 --> 00:10:57,727 And I would hasten to point out that the proposal that 263 00:10:57,723 --> 00:10:59,723 the administration put forward is one that's 264 00:10:59,725 --> 00:11:01,725 entirely paid for, so it's one that is 265 00:11:01,727 --> 00:11:02,727 fiscally responsible. 266 00:11:02,728 --> 00:11:03,728 Michelle. 267 00:11:03,729 --> 00:11:05,729 The Press: Yesterday, we heard Cuba asking that the 268 00:11:05,731 --> 00:11:08,671 embargo be lifted, saying that Gitmo needs to be returned. 269 00:11:08,667 --> 00:11:12,067 And Cuba's human rights continue to be a pretty 270 00:11:12,071 --> 00:11:13,271 bad example. 271 00:11:13,272 --> 00:11:17,042 Congress is also pushing back and saying that Cuba 272 00:11:17,043 --> 00:11:20,283 arrested thousands of people for political reasons just 273 00:11:20,279 --> 00:11:21,349 this year. 274 00:11:21,347 --> 00:11:25,317 So that all said, what kind of relationship really is 275 00:11:25,317 --> 00:11:28,457 this going be, with such big problems on each side? 276 00:11:28,454 --> 00:11:32,954 Mr. Earnest: Well, Michelle, I think what we will see is 277 00:11:32,958 --> 00:11:35,458 a change in policy that is consistent with the national 278 00:11:35,461 --> 00:11:37,531 security interests of the United States. 279 00:11:37,530 --> 00:11:39,800 And it certainly is consistent with the kinds of 280 00:11:39,799 --> 00:11:42,939 values that this President and that previous Presidents 281 00:11:42,935 --> 00:11:45,475 have aggressively advocated all around the world. 282 00:11:45,471 --> 00:11:48,171 Those values are the respect for the basic human rights 283 00:11:48,174 --> 00:11:50,174 that we hold dear in this country -- freedom of 284 00:11:50,176 --> 00:11:52,376 speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom 285 00:11:52,378 --> 00:11:54,218 of the press. 286 00:11:54,213 --> 00:11:57,813 It's clear that Cuba has significant progress to make 287 00:11:57,817 --> 00:11:59,687 in all of those areas. 288 00:11:59,685 --> 00:12:01,985 What's also clear is that the previous policy that had 289 00:12:01,987 --> 00:12:05,827 been in place, that had aimed to accomplish the same 290 00:12:05,825 --> 00:12:08,425 thing over the course of 55 years, didn't really make 291 00:12:08,427 --> 00:12:09,567 much progress. 292 00:12:09,562 --> 00:12:11,962 The President believed that a change was necessary. 293 00:12:11,964 --> 00:12:14,934 And we're hopeful that in the coming years we'll start 294 00:12:14,934 --> 00:12:20,344 to see the kind of respect for basic human rights on 295 00:12:20,339 --> 00:12:23,809 the island of Cuba that the United States has 296 00:12:23,809 --> 00:12:24,809 long advocated. 297 00:12:24,810 --> 00:12:29,680 I would just point out that it's not just the President 298 00:12:29,682 --> 00:12:34,892 and bipartisan leaders in Congress that share this 299 00:12:34,887 --> 00:12:38,927 view and share optimism about this strategy, it's 300 00:12:38,924 --> 00:12:40,364 actually the Cuban people. 301 00:12:40,359 --> 00:12:43,429 An overwhelming percentage of the Cuban people are 302 00:12:43,429 --> 00:12:46,329 supportive and optimistic about this change in policy 303 00:12:46,332 --> 00:12:49,172 because of a chance that is has to improve their 304 00:12:49,168 --> 00:12:51,708 prospects on the island nation of Cuba. 305 00:12:51,704 --> 00:12:55,644 So the President is looking forward to these kinds of 306 00:12:55,641 --> 00:12:58,841 changes taking effect and that the Cuban people and 307 00:12:58,844 --> 00:13:02,744 the Cuban government start to enjoy the benefits and 308 00:13:02,748 --> 00:13:04,988 see the results from greater engagement with the 309 00:13:04,984 --> 00:13:05,984 United States. 310 00:13:05,985 --> 00:13:07,985 The Press: Is there any indication, though, at this 311 00:13:07,987 --> 00:13:10,687 point that the Cuban government intends to allow 312 00:13:10,689 --> 00:13:13,759 more freedoms on the island or to stop arresting people 313 00:13:13,759 --> 00:13:15,629 for purely political reasons? 314 00:13:15,628 --> 00:13:16,858 Mr. Earnest: Well, Michelle, you'll recall that even in 315 00:13:16,862 --> 00:13:20,402 the days after this agreement was announced back 316 00:13:20,399 --> 00:13:24,539 in December, a substantial number of individuals who 317 00:13:24,537 --> 00:13:26,807 had previously been held by the Cuban government for 318 00:13:26,805 --> 00:13:29,645 their political views were released. 319 00:13:29,642 --> 00:13:32,842 And that's an indication that the Cuban government is 320 00:13:32,845 --> 00:13:37,555 trying to at least change their reputation when it 321 00:13:37,550 --> 00:13:39,520 comes to these issues. 322 00:13:39,518 --> 00:13:41,518 But we have got a long list of concerns. 323 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:43,720 I think the other thing that happens to be true is that 324 00:13:43,722 --> 00:13:44,922 for a long time the U.S. 325 00:13:44,924 --> 00:13:47,994 policy of trying to isolate Cuba became a source of 326 00:13:47,993 --> 00:13:51,093 irritation in the relationship between the 327 00:13:51,096 --> 00:13:52,266 United States and other countries in the 328 00:13:52,264 --> 00:13:53,964 Western Hemisphere. 329 00:13:53,966 --> 00:13:56,736 And by removing that source of irritation, the United 330 00:13:56,735 --> 00:13:59,705 States can now focus attention of not just the 331 00:13:59,705 --> 00:14:00,975 United States but other countries in the Western 332 00:14:00,973 --> 00:14:05,783 Hemisphere on the Cuban government's rather sordid 333 00:14:05,778 --> 00:14:07,218 human rights record. 334 00:14:07,213 --> 00:14:11,683 And again, that is part of the strategy for seeking to 335 00:14:11,684 --> 00:14:16,384 engage the Cuban people more effectively, and bring about 336 00:14:16,388 --> 00:14:18,458 the kind of change that we would like to see inside 337 00:14:18,457 --> 00:14:19,457 of Cuba. 338 00:14:19,458 --> 00:14:21,658 The Press: Quickly, with the meeting today with President 339 00:14:21,660 --> 00:14:24,260 Buhari, did the kidnapped girls come up at all? 340 00:14:24,263 --> 00:14:27,063 Was there any indication of any progress made there? 341 00:14:27,066 --> 00:14:29,406 And does the administration feel like this new 342 00:14:29,401 --> 00:14:32,201 administration there in Nigeria will have any 343 00:14:32,204 --> 00:14:35,344 greater effect on preventing those kinds of kidnappings 344 00:14:35,341 --> 00:14:38,881 and bringing that group back safely as well? 345 00:14:38,877 --> 00:14:40,977 Mr. Earnest: Well, Michelle, I don't have a detailed 346 00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:42,980 readout of the meeting to share with you. 347 00:14:42,982 --> 00:14:45,722 I can say that as a general matter the President -- 348 00:14:45,718 --> 00:14:47,718 President Obama did have the opportunity to discuss with 349 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:51,290 President Buhari the importance of the security 350 00:14:51,290 --> 00:14:53,290 cooperation between our two countries. 351 00:14:53,292 --> 00:14:55,292 We know that there are extremists that are 352 00:14:55,294 --> 00:15:00,764 operating inside of Nigeria, and that is having a 353 00:15:00,766 --> 00:15:02,966 negative effect on the Nigerian population. 354 00:15:02,968 --> 00:15:05,038 And the United States is committed to working with 355 00:15:05,037 --> 00:15:07,777 the Nigerian government to help them counter those 356 00:15:07,773 --> 00:15:11,473 disruptive terrorist activities. 357 00:15:11,477 --> 00:15:13,477 We're also committed to working with the Nigerian 358 00:15:13,479 --> 00:15:15,849 government to helping those communities that have been 359 00:15:15,848 --> 00:15:18,718 plagued by violence recover. 360 00:15:18,717 --> 00:15:21,557 And that will require a sustained investment and a 361 00:15:21,553 --> 00:15:23,893 commitment on the part of the Nigerian government. 362 00:15:23,889 --> 00:15:25,889 It's also going to require the Nigerian government to 363 00:15:25,891 --> 00:15:28,231 improve their own human rights record as well, to 364 00:15:28,227 --> 00:15:30,467 make sure that even as they're carrying out 365 00:15:30,462 --> 00:15:34,462 counterterrorism raids and other security operations 366 00:15:34,466 --> 00:15:37,406 that they're mindful of the basic human rights of 367 00:15:37,403 --> 00:15:38,703 their people. 368 00:15:38,704 --> 00:15:41,104 And that was certainly an important part of the 369 00:15:41,106 --> 00:15:44,076 conversation that the President had today. 370 00:15:44,076 --> 00:15:45,076 Jon. 371 00:15:45,077 --> 00:15:47,077 The Press: Coming back to Donald Trump's comments. 372 00:15:47,079 --> 00:15:51,279 You cited approvingly John McCain's calling for Trump 373 00:15:51,283 --> 00:15:53,953 to apologize to veterans. 374 00:15:53,952 --> 00:15:54,952 Do you agree with that? 375 00:15:54,953 --> 00:15:56,953 Does Donald Trump owe veterans an apology? 376 00:15:56,955 --> 00:16:00,595 Mr. Earnest: Jon, I've resisted the temptation to 377 00:16:00,592 --> 00:16:03,932 weigh in even though I've had ample opportunity to do 378 00:16:03,929 --> 00:16:05,329 so on the -- 379 00:16:05,331 --> 00:16:07,571 The Press: Well, you were approving of what McCain did. 380 00:16:07,566 --> 00:16:08,566 Mr. Earnest: That's right. 381 00:16:08,567 --> 00:16:12,467 And I do think it warrants lifting up the selfless 382 00:16:12,471 --> 00:16:15,841 example that Senator McCain has established here today 383 00:16:15,841 --> 00:16:18,541 in terms of suggesting that he doesn't really care about 384 00:16:18,544 --> 00:16:19,844 an apology for himself. 385 00:16:19,845 --> 00:16:22,385 He suggested that as somebody who is in the 386 00:16:22,381 --> 00:16:24,381 political arena, he's taken his own fair share of 387 00:16:24,383 --> 00:16:25,723 criticism and he can handle it. 388 00:16:25,718 --> 00:16:28,788 But he's right when he says that our veterans are the 389 00:16:28,787 --> 00:16:30,787 ones who are entitled to an apology. 390 00:16:30,789 --> 00:16:32,789 The Press: So you agree that Trump should apologize to 391 00:16:32,791 --> 00:16:33,291 the veterans? 392 00:16:33,292 --> 00:16:34,932 Mr. Earnest: I agree with what Senator McCain had to say. 393 00:16:34,927 --> 00:16:35,757 The Press: Okay. 394 00:16:35,761 --> 00:16:38,101 And what do you make of -- I mean, obviously the 395 00:16:38,097 --> 00:16:40,197 President has got -- well, he's got history with both 396 00:16:40,199 --> 00:16:42,439 of these guys I guess, but particularly with Trump. 397 00:16:42,434 --> 00:16:44,604 You may recall there was that whole birth certificate 398 00:16:44,603 --> 00:16:47,543 question that Trump didn't seem to want to let go of. 399 00:16:47,539 --> 00:16:50,009 What does the President make of the fact that Donald 400 00:16:50,008 --> 00:16:54,478 Trump now in several polls is actually leading in the 401 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:56,620 battle for the Republican nomination? 402 00:16:56,615 --> 00:16:59,285 Mr. Earnest: Well, I haven't had a detailed conversation 403 00:16:59,284 --> 00:17:00,284 with the President about this. 404 00:17:00,285 --> 00:17:03,585 But obviously there's a spirited process that's 405 00:17:03,589 --> 00:17:06,689 underway on the Republican side and this will be a 406 00:17:06,692 --> 00:17:09,192 significant challenge for Republican candidates, but 407 00:17:09,194 --> 00:17:11,194 they'll ultimately have to navigate their way through 408 00:17:11,196 --> 00:17:12,196 this process. 409 00:17:12,197 --> 00:17:14,197 The Press: What was his reaction in the non-detailed 410 00:17:14,199 --> 00:17:15,139 conversation you had with him? 411 00:17:15,134 --> 00:17:16,634 (laughter) 412 00:17:16,635 --> 00:17:17,735 Mr. Earnest: I don't have more details of that 413 00:17:17,736 --> 00:17:18,436 conversation to share with you. 414 00:17:18,437 --> 00:17:19,037 The Press: Okay. 415 00:17:19,037 --> 00:17:20,037 And then just a clarification on your 416 00:17:20,038 --> 00:17:21,478 comments on the Ambassador. 417 00:17:21,473 --> 00:17:22,243 Mr. Earnest: Yes. 418 00:17:22,241 --> 00:17:23,241 The Press: It's a little odd to me. 419 00:17:23,242 --> 00:17:25,182 You said you wouldn't rule out the President would 420 00:17:25,177 --> 00:17:26,817 appoint an ambassador. 421 00:17:26,812 --> 00:17:27,842 I mean, we're opening the embassy. 422 00:17:27,846 --> 00:17:29,186 Why wouldn't he? 423 00:17:29,181 --> 00:17:31,121 I mean, we'll -- I'm not asking you about timing, I'm 424 00:17:31,116 --> 00:17:33,816 not asking about who it is, but an embassy is opening up 425 00:17:33,819 --> 00:17:35,459 in Havana. 426 00:17:35,454 --> 00:17:37,294 Will there be a United States ambassador appointed 427 00:17:37,289 --> 00:17:38,459 by this President? 428 00:17:38,457 --> 00:17:40,897 Mr. Earnest: Well, we know that there have been 429 00:17:40,893 --> 00:17:42,363 significant objections that have been raised by 430 00:17:42,361 --> 00:17:44,231 Republicans in Congress, so I don't know if they will 431 00:17:44,229 --> 00:17:46,369 fulfill their responsibilities to confirm 432 00:17:46,365 --> 00:17:49,435 an ambassador to Cuba. 433 00:17:49,435 --> 00:17:51,475 But again, I don't have a time frame -- 434 00:17:51,470 --> 00:17:53,740 The Press: But I'm asking about the President 435 00:17:53,739 --> 00:17:55,739 nominating -- not whether or not we will have a new 436 00:17:55,741 --> 00:17:57,741 ambassador, but will the President, even in the face 437 00:17:57,743 --> 00:17:59,743 of those Republican objections, will he 438 00:17:59,745 --> 00:18:00,745 nominate somebody? 439 00:18:00,746 --> 00:18:01,746 Just a yes or no. 440 00:18:01,747 --> 00:18:03,747 Mr. Earnest: At this point, I don't know who that would be. 441 00:18:03,749 --> 00:18:04,419 I don't know what the time frame would be, but I -- 442 00:18:04,416 --> 00:18:05,216 The Press: I'm not asking about the time frame. 443 00:18:05,217 --> 00:18:05,917 Mr. Earnest: -- I would expect that he would do 444 00:18:05,918 --> 00:18:06,548 that, yes. 445 00:18:06,552 --> 00:18:07,082 The Press: Okay, thanks a lot. 446 00:18:07,085 --> 00:18:08,625 Mr. Earnest: Victoria. 447 00:18:08,620 --> 00:18:10,320 The Press: Yes. 448 00:18:10,322 --> 00:18:16,892 Given the corruption within the Nigerian military and 449 00:18:16,895 --> 00:18:21,405 the fact that it's been infiltrated by Boko Haram, 450 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:24,670 what is the extent to which you feel that you can 451 00:18:24,670 --> 00:18:27,540 assist Nigeria? 452 00:18:27,539 --> 00:18:29,579 Mr. Earnest: Well, Victoria, the U.S. 453 00:18:29,575 --> 00:18:33,145 military personnel have been in Nigeria for some time now 454 00:18:33,145 --> 00:18:36,445 to assist them in trying to counter this extremist 455 00:18:36,448 --> 00:18:39,018 threat that they face from Boko Haram. 456 00:18:39,017 --> 00:18:45,257 And I would anticipate that -- well, I will just say 457 00:18:45,257 --> 00:18:48,627 that we continue to believe that we can play a role in 458 00:18:48,627 --> 00:18:51,967 helping Nigerian security authorities deal with this 459 00:18:51,964 --> 00:18:53,234 threat in their country. 460 00:18:53,232 --> 00:18:57,572 And that involves not just carrying out security 461 00:18:57,569 --> 00:18:59,569 operations against Boko Haram, which is what 462 00:18:59,571 --> 00:19:03,241 Nigerian security officials have done, but the U.S. 463 00:19:03,242 --> 00:19:05,842 can provide some intelligence support 464 00:19:05,844 --> 00:19:06,884 for them. 465 00:19:06,879 --> 00:19:09,949 We can also support and encourage the Nigerian 466 00:19:09,948 --> 00:19:12,648 government as they assist those communities that have 467 00:19:12,651 --> 00:19:16,721 been the site of so much of this violence -- that one of 468 00:19:16,722 --> 00:19:21,732 the concerns that we have expressed is about how those 469 00:19:21,727 --> 00:19:25,197 communities are recovering after they've gone through 470 00:19:25,197 --> 00:19:27,297 having a significant Boko Haram presence in their 471 00:19:27,299 --> 00:19:29,299 community, they're driven out by Nigerian 472 00:19:29,301 --> 00:19:30,301 security forces. 473 00:19:30,302 --> 00:19:32,302 We want to make sure that those Nigerian security 474 00:19:32,304 --> 00:19:34,404 forces are first, respecting the basic human rights of 475 00:19:34,406 --> 00:19:36,376 the people who live in those communities, that they're 476 00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:38,375 taking steps to protect those basic human rights, 477 00:19:38,377 --> 00:19:40,377 but then also make the investments that are 478 00:19:40,379 --> 00:19:43,579 necessary in that community to help them recover from 479 00:19:43,582 --> 00:19:47,452 the traumatic presence of Boko Haram. 480 00:19:47,452 --> 00:19:48,452 Bill Press. 481 00:19:48,453 --> 00:19:51,293 The Press: Josh, I'd like to go back to what Julie was 482 00:19:51,290 --> 00:19:53,460 asking about, the golf game yesterday. 483 00:19:53,458 --> 00:19:56,398 I would defer to Mark Knoller, but I believe in 484 00:19:56,395 --> 00:19:59,195 six and a half years, this is certainly a rare moment 485 00:19:59,197 --> 00:20:01,437 when he has golfed with only members of Congress -- I 486 00:20:01,433 --> 00:20:03,873 think the only time that all three of his partners have 487 00:20:03,869 --> 00:20:05,369 been members of Congress. 488 00:20:05,370 --> 00:20:08,870 So are we wrong in assuming this is part of the 489 00:20:08,874 --> 00:20:10,474 full-court press on Iran? 490 00:20:10,475 --> 00:20:15,115 Mr. Earnest: With all due respect, yes. 491 00:20:15,113 --> 00:20:16,113 (laughter) 492 00:20:16,114 --> 00:20:21,154 This is a golf outing that has been in the works for 493 00:20:21,153 --> 00:20:23,353 quite some time, I can tell you that, for a number 494 00:20:23,355 --> 00:20:25,125 of months. 495 00:20:25,123 --> 00:20:27,163 Members of Congress aren't in Washington -- aren't 496 00:20:27,159 --> 00:20:29,159 often in Washington, D.C. over the weekend, so it 497 00:20:29,161 --> 00:20:33,031 took some extensive advanced planning in order to 498 00:20:33,031 --> 00:20:35,671 coordinate this weekend's round of golf. 499 00:20:35,667 --> 00:20:37,167 The Press: So we would also be wrong in assuming that in 500 00:20:37,169 --> 00:20:40,739 the next 60 days there will be more rounds of golf with 501 00:20:40,739 --> 00:20:41,739 members of Congress? 502 00:20:41,740 --> 00:20:43,280 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't have additional information 503 00:20:43,275 --> 00:20:44,475 about the President's golf partners. 504 00:20:44,476 --> 00:20:46,216 I'm confident that in the next 60 days, many members 505 00:20:46,211 --> 00:20:48,411 of Congress will be playing lots of golf - (laughter) 506 00:20:48,413 --> 00:20:50,953 -- which is why they wanted the extra 30 days to 507 00:20:50,949 --> 00:20:52,049 consider the agreement. 508 00:20:52,050 --> 00:20:54,650 The Press: Ooooh -- 509 00:20:54,653 --> 00:20:55,953 Mr. Earnest: Well, we all know the deal, right? 510 00:20:55,954 --> 00:20:57,324 They go on their August recess and so wanted to 511 00:20:57,322 --> 00:20:58,492 extend the period of time. 512 00:20:58,490 --> 00:21:00,860 That's not a criticism, it's just a fact. 513 00:21:00,859 --> 00:21:03,329 I'm confident the President will enjoy the opportunity 514 00:21:03,328 --> 00:21:05,598 to play some golf when he is on vacation as well. 515 00:21:05,597 --> 00:21:07,397 The Press: Is he looking for partners among the press corps? 516 00:21:07,399 --> 00:21:08,429 (laughter) 517 00:21:08,433 --> 00:21:09,873 Mr. Earnest: Not that I'm aware of. 518 00:21:09,868 --> 00:21:10,698 Peter. 519 00:21:10,702 --> 00:21:12,042 The Press: Josh, in the wake of the Chattanooga shooting, 520 00:21:12,037 --> 00:21:14,477 several states have changed the way business is done at 521 00:21:14,473 --> 00:21:17,043 the recruiting centers for servicemembers. 522 00:21:17,042 --> 00:21:19,312 Does the President believe, as some governors have said 523 00:21:19,311 --> 00:21:21,611 they believe, that there should either be armed 524 00:21:21,613 --> 00:21:24,413 guards stationed at those recruiting sites or that the 525 00:21:24,416 --> 00:21:26,786 servicemembers working there should be armed? 526 00:21:26,785 --> 00:21:29,255 Mr. Earnest: Well, Peter, there are a number of 527 00:21:29,254 --> 00:21:30,254 things here. 528 00:21:30,255 --> 00:21:32,255 The Department of Homeland Security has announced some 529 00:21:32,257 --> 00:21:34,257 additional security measures that they're taking to 530 00:21:34,259 --> 00:21:37,759 improve security at those facilities that they have 531 00:21:37,763 --> 00:21:39,233 jurisdiction over. 532 00:21:39,231 --> 00:21:41,431 The Department of Defense is actively considering some 533 00:21:41,433 --> 00:21:43,433 changes in the security posture. 534 00:21:43,435 --> 00:21:45,435 I'd refer you to them for any announcements that they 535 00:21:45,437 --> 00:21:46,437 may make on this. 536 00:21:46,438 --> 00:21:47,438 The Press: And no position -- 537 00:21:47,439 --> 00:21:49,439 Mr. Earnest: Well, and I know that there are some who 538 00:21:49,441 --> 00:21:52,911 suggest that the policy as it relates to whether or not 539 00:21:52,911 --> 00:21:57,951 members of the Armed Forces should carry weapons when 540 00:21:57,949 --> 00:21:59,589 they're on duty. 541 00:21:59,584 --> 00:22:01,584 That's a policy decision that should be made by the 542 00:22:01,586 --> 00:22:03,856 Department of Defense and I don't know if that's 543 00:22:03,855 --> 00:22:05,855 something that they're reconsidering at this point. 544 00:22:05,857 --> 00:22:08,097 It's the President's view that that decision should be 545 00:22:08,093 --> 00:22:11,663 made with solely the safety and security of our men and 546 00:22:11,663 --> 00:22:17,233 women in uniform in mind, and not as the subject of a 547 00:22:17,235 --> 00:22:18,305 political argument. 548 00:22:18,303 --> 00:22:20,303 The Press: Following Newtown, following the 549 00:22:20,305 --> 00:22:22,305 Boston bombing, following the massacre at Fort Hood, 550 00:22:22,307 --> 00:22:24,447 the President ordered the flags be lowered to 551 00:22:24,443 --> 00:22:25,443 half-staff. 552 00:22:25,444 --> 00:22:27,444 There have been questions raised about why the 553 00:22:27,446 --> 00:22:28,716 President hasn't done the same following the 554 00:22:28,714 --> 00:22:29,544 Chattanooga shooting. 555 00:22:29,548 --> 00:22:31,448 The White House's response to those questions is? 556 00:22:31,450 --> 00:22:34,450 Mr. Earnest: Well, Peter, you've heard the President 557 00:22:34,453 --> 00:22:36,953 talk about this issue once last week where he offered 558 00:22:36,955 --> 00:22:40,795 his sincere condolences to the families of those who 559 00:22:40,792 --> 00:22:42,992 were killed in this attack. 560 00:22:42,994 --> 00:22:44,994 I would anticipate that you'll hear the President 561 00:22:44,996 --> 00:22:47,096 discuss this a little bit more in his remarks to the 562 00:22:47,099 --> 00:22:48,329 VFW tomorrow. 563 00:22:48,333 --> 00:22:50,603 I don't have more information about the status 564 00:22:50,602 --> 00:22:52,602 of the flag over the White House. 565 00:22:52,604 --> 00:22:54,604 The Press: Without being specific to Donald Trump or 566 00:22:54,606 --> 00:22:56,606 to John McCain, broadly, does the President believe 567 00:22:56,608 --> 00:22:58,608 that everybody who served representing this country 568 00:22:58,610 --> 00:23:00,610 should qualify -- should be considered a hero? 569 00:23:00,612 --> 00:23:03,452 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think the point that many people 570 00:23:03,448 --> 00:23:07,018 have made in discussing Senator McCain's service to 571 00:23:07,018 --> 00:23:12,958 this country is that the courage that he showed as a 572 00:23:12,958 --> 00:23:17,598 POW is extraordinary; that this is an individual who 573 00:23:17,596 --> 00:23:23,436 was confined for many years, and for many of those years 574 00:23:23,435 --> 00:23:26,835 had the opportunity to walk out because his captors 575 00:23:26,838 --> 00:23:29,378 recognized that there was a propaganda victory in the 576 00:23:29,374 --> 00:23:33,914 offing, and he declined the opportunity to be released 577 00:23:33,912 --> 00:23:37,282 from the terrible conditions in that prison because of 578 00:23:37,282 --> 00:23:41,282 the code and the respect that he had for his 579 00:23:41,286 --> 00:23:43,126 fellow prisoners. 580 00:23:43,121 --> 00:23:46,761 And I don't think I would be willing to render a judgment 581 00:23:46,758 --> 00:23:49,128 on every single individual who has put on the uniform 582 00:23:49,127 --> 00:23:50,467 of the United States military. 583 00:23:50,462 --> 00:23:55,832 Certainly we owe them a lot of respect for their service 584 00:23:55,834 --> 00:23:56,904 to the country. 585 00:23:56,902 --> 00:23:59,402 But there's no denying that Senator McCain's service to 586 00:23:59,404 --> 00:24:01,674 the country is extraordinary and qualified him as a hero. 587 00:24:01,673 --> 00:24:03,673 The Press: So just by serving, you're not 588 00:24:03,675 --> 00:24:04,675 necessarily a hero? 589 00:24:04,676 --> 00:24:06,646 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, Peter, I'm not going to 590 00:24:06,645 --> 00:24:08,645 render judgment on the service of the millions of 591 00:24:08,647 --> 00:24:10,647 Americans who have bravely put on the uniform of 592 00:24:10,649 --> 00:24:11,649 this country. 593 00:24:11,650 --> 00:24:13,650 We certainly are indebted to them for their service to 594 00:24:13,652 --> 00:24:16,222 the country, but there's no denying that Senator 595 00:24:16,221 --> 00:24:18,221 McCain's service to this country is extraordinary. 596 00:24:18,223 --> 00:24:20,223 The Press: Was Bowe Bergdahl a hero? 597 00:24:20,225 --> 00:24:22,695 Mr. Earnest: Again, Peter, I'm not going to get into 598 00:24:22,694 --> 00:24:24,694 those kinds of classifications. 599 00:24:24,696 --> 00:24:25,666 Kevin. 600 00:24:25,664 --> 00:24:26,664 The Press: Josh, thanks. 601 00:24:26,665 --> 00:24:28,665 I just want to clarify something that we talked 602 00:24:28,667 --> 00:24:29,967 about a little bit. 603 00:24:29,968 --> 00:24:35,138 Back in April, Ben Rhodes said in an interview about 604 00:24:35,140 --> 00:24:37,810 the deal that it would provide anytime, anywhere 605 00:24:37,809 --> 00:24:40,909 access to Iran nuclear sites. 606 00:24:40,912 --> 00:24:43,182 And so I'm just trying to make sure that that's still 607 00:24:43,181 --> 00:24:46,521 the case from his understanding, because based 608 00:24:46,518 --> 00:24:48,858 on what I've read and based on what Secretary Kerry is 609 00:24:48,854 --> 00:24:51,824 now saying, it's not anytime, anywhere; it's more 610 00:24:51,823 --> 00:24:58,363 of anywhere in a reasonable time and fashion. 611 00:24:58,363 --> 00:25:00,103 Can you help make sense of the difference? 612 00:25:00,098 --> 00:25:01,398 Mr. Earnest: I'd be happy to. 613 00:25:01,399 --> 00:25:05,099 Let me give you credit for quoting Ben correctly in 614 00:25:05,103 --> 00:25:06,403 that April interview. 615 00:25:06,404 --> 00:25:08,404 He did say there would be anytime, anywhere access to 616 00:25:08,406 --> 00:25:11,276 Iran's nuclear facilities. 617 00:25:11,276 --> 00:25:12,276 That's true. 618 00:25:12,277 --> 00:25:15,747 We're going to have 24/7 continuous monitoring of 619 00:25:15,747 --> 00:25:17,087 Iran's nuclear facilities. 620 00:25:17,082 --> 00:25:19,082 That's what was envisioned in the agreement and that's 621 00:25:19,084 --> 00:25:20,254 what was completed in the final agreement. 622 00:25:20,252 --> 00:25:22,292 The Press: So you're talking about electronic 623 00:25:22,287 --> 00:25:25,157 surveillance and that sort of thing. 624 00:25:25,156 --> 00:25:27,826 Not necessarily, hey, you can make a phone call and we 625 00:25:27,826 --> 00:25:30,526 can put people in the room at any point? 626 00:25:30,528 --> 00:25:32,528 Mr. Earnest: Well, I certainly wouldn't rule 627 00:25:32,530 --> 00:25:33,530 that out. 628 00:25:33,531 --> 00:25:35,801 When it comes to Iran's declared nuclear facilities, 629 00:25:35,800 --> 00:25:39,640 international investigators will have 24/7, continuous 630 00:25:39,638 --> 00:25:42,738 access to those facilities to verify Iran's compliance 631 00:25:42,741 --> 00:25:43,741 with the agreement. 632 00:25:43,742 --> 00:25:46,812 The Press: But is that the same as saying 24 days later 633 00:25:46,811 --> 00:25:47,951 they can allow you in? 634 00:25:47,946 --> 00:25:50,046 Or you're saying, at any point, you don't have that 635 00:25:50,048 --> 00:25:51,048 sort of delay? 636 00:25:51,049 --> 00:25:53,049 Mr. Earnest: I'm saying that that delay doesn't come in 637 00:25:53,051 --> 00:25:55,051 when we're talking about Iran's declared 638 00:25:55,053 --> 00:25:56,053 nuclear facilities. 639 00:25:56,054 --> 00:25:58,354 We have 24/7, continued monitoring of Iran's 640 00:25:58,356 --> 00:25:59,996 declared nuclear facilities. 641 00:25:59,991 --> 00:26:01,991 That's what was promised; that's exactly what was 642 00:26:01,993 --> 00:26:03,993 delivered in this final agreement. 643 00:26:03,995 --> 00:26:05,965 The Press: Let me ask you about guns. 644 00:26:05,964 --> 00:26:07,964 There's an interesting report in The Los Angeles 645 00:26:07,966 --> 00:26:10,266 Times today that suggests that those who are on some 646 00:26:10,268 --> 00:26:13,968 sort of managed care, Social Security, would have more 647 00:26:13,972 --> 00:26:17,312 restrictions by a proposal from the administration to 648 00:26:17,309 --> 00:26:20,009 access to -- the ability to access guns. 649 00:26:20,011 --> 00:26:21,251 Can you explain that? 650 00:26:21,246 --> 00:26:23,246 Mr. Earnest: I haven't seen that report, Kevin. 651 00:26:23,248 --> 00:26:26,488 I know that the central tenet when it comes to 652 00:26:26,484 --> 00:26:30,484 policymaking here in the administration as it relates 653 00:26:30,488 --> 00:26:35,698 to gun safety is that there are a number of steps that 654 00:26:35,694 --> 00:26:40,664 we have been able to take that prevent guns from 655 00:26:40,665 --> 00:26:43,005 falling into the hands of those who shouldn't have them. 656 00:26:43,001 --> 00:26:46,071 These are people like criminals, people with 657 00:26:46,071 --> 00:26:47,911 documented mental problems. 658 00:26:47,906 --> 00:26:50,606 And we can implement those policies without in any way 659 00:26:50,608 --> 00:26:53,648 undermining the constitutional rights of 660 00:26:53,645 --> 00:26:55,885 law-abiding Americans, and yet, what we believe we can 661 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:58,280 do is make the country a little bit safer. 662 00:26:58,283 --> 00:27:00,283 That's not going to prevent every act of violence. 663 00:27:00,285 --> 00:27:02,255 It's certainly not going to prevent every act of 664 00:27:02,253 --> 00:27:03,323 gun violence. 665 00:27:03,321 --> 00:27:07,691 But it is a common-sense way for us to try to improve 666 00:27:07,692 --> 00:27:09,162 public safety. 667 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:11,160 There's actually more that Congress can do in this 668 00:27:11,162 --> 00:27:13,302 regard, and we're going to continue to advocate that 669 00:27:13,298 --> 00:27:13,968 they do so. 670 00:27:13,965 --> 00:27:14,795 The Press: A couple more. 671 00:27:14,799 --> 00:27:17,299 Puerto Rico -- they're obviously going through the 672 00:27:17,302 --> 00:27:20,972 massive economic issues down there, and some people have 673 00:27:20,972 --> 00:27:23,242 suggested it's our Greece. 674 00:27:23,241 --> 00:27:24,541 We've seen pushback on that. 675 00:27:24,542 --> 00:27:28,642 If Puerto Rico were a state, would that ameliorate some 676 00:27:28,646 --> 00:27:30,646 of the problems financially that they're having? 677 00:27:30,648 --> 00:27:32,648 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'd refer you to the Treasury 678 00:27:32,650 --> 00:27:34,650 Department for that kind of accounting. 679 00:27:34,652 --> 00:27:35,892 Obviously, that would be a decision for the people of 680 00:27:35,887 --> 00:27:36,787 Puerto Rico to make. 681 00:27:36,788 --> 00:27:37,358 The Press: Okay. 682 00:27:37,355 --> 00:27:38,555 And lastly, a lighter one. 683 00:27:38,556 --> 00:27:42,396 Did the President see the video of the shark attack on 684 00:27:42,394 --> 00:27:43,624 the surfer? 685 00:27:43,628 --> 00:27:45,898 And if he did, what did he say about that to you? 686 00:27:45,897 --> 00:27:47,897 Mr. Earnest: I don't know if he's seen that video. 687 00:27:47,899 --> 00:27:49,939 I haven't actually seen the video itself. 688 00:27:49,934 --> 00:27:51,934 I've seen some of the news reports about it. 689 00:27:51,936 --> 00:27:55,476 It seems like quite an interesting confrontation. 690 00:27:55,473 --> 00:27:56,473 Byron. 691 00:27:56,474 --> 00:27:57,474 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 692 00:27:57,475 --> 00:27:59,775 Does the White House have any reaction to what appears 693 00:27:59,778 --> 00:28:02,318 to be the first ISIS bombing in Turkey? 694 00:28:02,313 --> 00:28:04,183 Mr. Earnest: I do. 695 00:28:04,182 --> 00:28:05,082 Give me just a second. 696 00:28:05,083 --> 00:28:10,623 I can tell you that the United States strongly 697 00:28:10,622 --> 00:28:13,722 condemns the heinous terrorist attack that 698 00:28:13,725 --> 00:28:15,725 occurred in southern Turkey. 699 00:28:15,727 --> 00:28:17,927 Our condolences go out to the families of the victims, 700 00:28:17,929 --> 00:28:20,969 many of whom had come to that community to assist in 701 00:28:20,965 --> 00:28:23,035 reconstruction efforts in Kobani. 702 00:28:23,034 --> 00:28:25,704 We express our solidarity with the Turkish government 703 00:28:25,703 --> 00:28:28,573 and the Turkish people, and reaffirm our undeterred 704 00:28:28,573 --> 00:28:31,273 resolve to the fight against the shared threat of terrorism. 705 00:28:31,276 --> 00:28:35,316 The Press: Is there concern that the Islamic State seems 706 00:28:35,313 --> 00:28:37,313 to be expanding into new countries? 707 00:28:37,315 --> 00:28:41,085 Mr. Earnest: Well, Byron, I think in this case we have 708 00:28:41,086 --> 00:28:43,856 talked quite a bit about the important progress that's 709 00:28:43,855 --> 00:28:48,525 been made against ISIL in this region of Syria. 710 00:28:48,526 --> 00:28:54,396 And obviously we condemn this act of violence against 711 00:28:54,399 --> 00:28:57,069 individuals who are actually seeking to go and engage in 712 00:28:57,068 --> 00:29:00,438 some humanitarian efforts on the other side of the 713 00:29:00,438 --> 00:29:01,878 Syrian border. 714 00:29:01,873 --> 00:29:05,443 We continue to be mindful of the destabilizing impact 715 00:29:05,443 --> 00:29:09,243 that extremist groups like ISIL have in the region. 716 00:29:09,247 --> 00:29:12,117 And that's why you have seen the President work so hard 717 00:29:12,117 --> 00:29:15,187 to build and lead an international coalition to 718 00:29:15,186 --> 00:29:18,126 degrade and ultimately destroy them, because of the 719 00:29:18,123 --> 00:29:20,293 destabilizing impact that they're having on the region. 720 00:29:20,291 --> 00:29:24,291 And that destabilizing activity takes a variety of forms. 721 00:29:24,295 --> 00:29:28,665 There are millions of refugees who have fled Syria. 722 00:29:28,666 --> 00:29:30,366 They fled to nearby countries. 723 00:29:30,368 --> 00:29:32,868 That has a destabilizing impact on other countries. 724 00:29:32,871 --> 00:29:39,181 And we have started to see some extremist activity in 725 00:29:39,177 --> 00:29:42,417 other countries that does seem to be related to ISIL, 726 00:29:42,413 --> 00:29:44,413 and we continue to be concerned about that. 727 00:29:44,415 --> 00:29:46,555 And that's why, frankly, it's been so critically 728 00:29:46,551 --> 00:29:50,591 important for us to mobilize other countries in the 729 00:29:50,588 --> 00:29:53,558 region in support of our coalition's efforts. 730 00:29:53,558 --> 00:29:56,328 And that's why the President is certainly pleased to have 731 00:29:56,327 --> 00:30:00,397 the support of so many other Middle Eastern countries 732 00:30:00,398 --> 00:30:02,938 inside this coalition, many of whom are actually flying 733 00:30:02,934 --> 00:30:05,974 alongside American military pilots as they conduct 734 00:30:05,970 --> 00:30:11,340 airstrikes in Syria against extremist targets. 735 00:30:11,342 --> 00:30:12,482 Major. 736 00:30:12,477 --> 00:30:16,447 The Press: You mentioned earlier, Josh, Cuba's rather 737 00:30:16,447 --> 00:30:18,317 sordid human rights record. 738 00:30:18,316 --> 00:30:20,156 Would you say, would this administration say, since 739 00:30:20,151 --> 00:30:23,451 the historic announcement in December -- setting aside 740 00:30:23,454 --> 00:30:25,554 the arrangement both governments made with Alan 741 00:30:25,557 --> 00:30:28,857 Gross and the political prisoners that were agreed 742 00:30:28,860 --> 00:30:33,030 to in that move -- since then, has the human rights 743 00:30:33,031 --> 00:30:37,701 record in Cuba been better or worse than it was before? 744 00:30:37,702 --> 00:30:40,142 Mr. Earnest: Well, I guess what I would -- it's hard 745 00:30:40,138 --> 00:30:42,138 for me to sort of assess that in a lot of detail. 746 00:30:42,140 --> 00:30:44,140 I think what I would say is that over the course of the 747 00:30:44,142 --> 00:30:46,312 last seven months, we haven't seen nearly as much 748 00:30:46,311 --> 00:30:48,711 progress as we ultimately would like to see. 749 00:30:48,713 --> 00:30:51,113 But considering the previous policy was in place for 55 750 00:30:51,115 --> 00:30:53,315 years, I think some additional time is warranted 751 00:30:53,318 --> 00:30:55,558 before rendering judgment about the success of 752 00:30:55,553 --> 00:30:56,693 this approach. 753 00:30:56,688 --> 00:30:57,188 The Press: You're not prepared to say you're 754 00:30:57,188 --> 00:30:59,058 dissatisfied, but you would like -- you would have 755 00:30:59,057 --> 00:31:01,697 expected to see and would have been pleased to see 756 00:31:01,693 --> 00:31:02,993 more progress? 757 00:31:02,994 --> 00:31:04,234 Mr. Earnest: There's no doubt that there is more 758 00:31:04,229 --> 00:31:06,599 progress that's needed in Cuba and more that we're 759 00:31:06,598 --> 00:31:08,438 going to continue to press them to carry out. 760 00:31:08,433 --> 00:31:10,603 The Press: I was thinking of Jeff DeLaurentis's mandate 761 00:31:10,602 --> 00:31:14,272 as the charge d'affaires. 762 00:31:14,272 --> 00:31:16,472 Whether he's ever eventually nominated or confirmed 763 00:31:16,474 --> 00:31:17,474 is secondary. 764 00:31:17,475 --> 00:31:20,415 What's his mandate from the President? 765 00:31:20,411 --> 00:31:21,851 What is his top agenda item? 766 00:31:21,846 --> 00:31:24,916 Is it to travel the country, to meet with dissidents, to 767 00:31:24,916 --> 00:31:27,156 try to press for the release of political prisoners 768 00:31:27,151 --> 00:31:28,851 imprisoned since this historic move? 769 00:31:28,853 --> 00:31:32,653 Obviously he had to supervise this 770 00:31:32,657 --> 00:31:34,327 transition phase. 771 00:31:34,325 --> 00:31:36,565 It strikes me now this is a new phase. 772 00:31:36,561 --> 00:31:38,561 What is his number-one agenda from the President? 773 00:31:38,563 --> 00:31:41,663 Mr. Earnest: Well, overall, his top agenda item will be 774 00:31:41,666 --> 00:31:43,666 to represent the interests of the United States 775 00:31:43,668 --> 00:31:44,668 on the island. 776 00:31:44,669 --> 00:31:48,309 In some cases, that is going to involve making sure that 777 00:31:48,306 --> 00:31:49,476 U.S. businesses and U.S. 778 00:31:49,474 --> 00:31:52,344 individuals that are engaged in commercial activity on 779 00:31:52,343 --> 00:31:55,583 the island of Cuba, that their views are -- or that 780 00:31:55,580 --> 00:31:58,150 their interests are represented and protected on 781 00:31:58,149 --> 00:31:59,149 the island. 782 00:31:59,150 --> 00:32:01,150 That's certainly one reason that we've seen some 783 00:32:01,152 --> 00:32:04,222 bipartisan support in Congress for this policy change. 784 00:32:04,222 --> 00:32:07,492 But obviously diplomats who are working at the new U.S. 785 00:32:07,492 --> 00:32:11,992 embassy in Cuba will also have the ability to more 786 00:32:11,996 --> 00:32:16,936 freely travel throughout Cuba and to interact and 787 00:32:16,934 --> 00:32:19,904 engage the Cuban people and, yes, even some members of 788 00:32:19,904 --> 00:32:21,504 the political opposition. 789 00:32:21,506 --> 00:32:26,716 And we believe that that will better represent the 790 00:32:26,711 --> 00:32:28,351 interest of the United States on the island. 791 00:32:28,346 --> 00:32:29,176 The Press: How does the President prioritize those 792 00:32:29,180 --> 00:32:30,350 two -- representing U.S. 793 00:32:30,348 --> 00:32:32,948 businesses and this expansion and this 794 00:32:32,950 --> 00:32:35,850 interaction, or other issues dealing with human rights? 795 00:32:35,853 --> 00:32:37,853 Mr. Earnest: Well, I would say that the President 796 00:32:37,855 --> 00:32:40,625 believes that both are important to the mission 797 00:32:40,625 --> 00:32:43,365 there for our diplomats at the facility and that they 798 00:32:43,361 --> 00:32:44,491 should do both. 799 00:32:44,495 --> 00:32:45,025 The Press: Okay. 800 00:32:45,029 --> 00:32:47,099 Tomorrow, there might be some expectation the 801 00:32:47,098 --> 00:32:51,338 President will address the year past in trying to fix 802 00:32:51,336 --> 00:32:54,276 what he identified and what cost the previous Secretary 803 00:32:54,272 --> 00:32:56,672 of Veterans Affairs his job. 804 00:32:56,674 --> 00:32:58,644 Is the President intending to give an assessment of 805 00:32:58,643 --> 00:33:02,313 what he has and has not accomplished in the last year? 806 00:33:02,313 --> 00:33:03,753 Mr. Earnest: Well, we'll have more details about the 807 00:33:03,748 --> 00:33:06,988 President's speech that he's preparing for tomorrow. 808 00:33:06,984 --> 00:33:10,184 But certainly the commitment of this administration to 809 00:33:10,188 --> 00:33:12,488 making sure that we're doing right by our veterans is an 810 00:33:12,490 --> 00:33:13,890 important part of that. 811 00:33:13,891 --> 00:33:19,001 And it is true that there is more work that needs to be 812 00:33:18,996 --> 00:33:22,566 done when it comes to ensuring that we're living 813 00:33:22,567 --> 00:33:24,437 up to the promises that were made to our veterans. 814 00:33:24,435 --> 00:33:25,205 The Press: Specifically -- 815 00:33:25,203 --> 00:33:26,903 Mr. Earnest: Well, there is more work to be done in 816 00:33:26,904 --> 00:33:29,404 terms of reducing the backlog, and there is more 817 00:33:29,407 --> 00:33:32,207 work to be done in terms of making sure that we're 818 00:33:32,210 --> 00:33:33,280 reducing wait times. 819 00:33:33,277 --> 00:33:35,647 Substantial progress on both of those counts has been 820 00:33:35,646 --> 00:33:38,246 made even in just the last year, but there's more work 821 00:33:38,249 --> 00:33:40,249 that needs to get done and the President is insisting 822 00:33:40,251 --> 00:33:42,621 that we follow through and build on that momentum that 823 00:33:42,620 --> 00:33:46,090 we built up to make sure we do right by our veterans. 824 00:33:46,090 --> 00:33:47,260 The Press: One question on Iran. 825 00:33:47,258 --> 00:33:50,898 The snapback sanctions provision -- some in the 826 00:33:50,895 --> 00:33:53,935 proliferation community who are supportive of this deal, 827 00:33:53,931 --> 00:33:56,601 not opposed to it, have, nevertheless, pointed out 828 00:33:56,601 --> 00:34:02,971 that there is a kind of dueling character to the 829 00:34:02,974 --> 00:34:05,074 snapback provisions, because if they go to the Security 830 00:34:05,076 --> 00:34:08,046 Council and the United States vetoes, meaning 831 00:34:08,045 --> 00:34:10,345 putting the sanctions back because it's not compliant, 832 00:34:10,348 --> 00:34:13,088 under the agreement Iran can say, we're no longer bound 833 00:34:13,084 --> 00:34:16,224 by any of these other inspection things. 834 00:34:16,220 --> 00:34:18,890 So the deal sort of breaks apart as far as their 835 00:34:18,890 --> 00:34:21,590 compliance and the sanctions coming back. 836 00:34:21,592 --> 00:34:25,292 And nonproliferation experts have observed that means the 837 00:34:25,296 --> 00:34:27,936 United States will be under tremendous pressure not to 838 00:34:27,932 --> 00:34:30,102 put the sanctions back in place unless it's an 839 00:34:30,101 --> 00:34:34,441 egregious, massive violation of the agreement. 840 00:34:34,439 --> 00:34:38,039 And then on smaller things, the temptation will be to 841 00:34:38,042 --> 00:34:41,482 ignore those smaller violations to keep whatever 842 00:34:41,479 --> 00:34:44,079 part of the deal exists going and the inspection 843 00:34:44,081 --> 00:34:45,521 regime going. 844 00:34:45,516 --> 00:34:49,386 Is that a fair appraisal of this particular component of 845 00:34:49,387 --> 00:34:50,957 the deal? 846 00:34:50,955 --> 00:34:52,695 Mr. Earnest: Major, the way that we see it is that Iran 847 00:34:52,690 --> 00:34:55,330 will be under intense pressure to live up to the 848 00:34:55,326 --> 00:34:56,666 terms of the agreement. 849 00:34:56,661 --> 00:34:58,931 You'll recall that the only reason we have reached this 850 00:34:58,930 --> 00:35:02,470 place is that the Iranian government was facing 851 00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:06,037 intense domestic pressure to get sanctions relief for 852 00:35:06,037 --> 00:35:09,407 their people -- that their economy was crumbling, that 853 00:35:09,407 --> 00:35:11,277 we saw the value of their currency 854 00:35:11,275 --> 00:35:13,175 significantly diminished. 855 00:35:13,177 --> 00:35:15,917 Unemployment rates and other measures of economic 856 00:35:15,913 --> 00:35:22,083 activity got significantly worse in the years that this 857 00:35:22,086 --> 00:35:24,526 sanctions regime was in place. 858 00:35:24,522 --> 00:35:27,722 And there will be -- the Iranian government will be 859 00:35:27,725 --> 00:35:30,495 under intense pressure to make sure that they don't 860 00:35:30,495 --> 00:35:34,365 end back up under those sanctions. 861 00:35:34,365 --> 00:35:37,465 And that is the way that we see this working out. 862 00:35:37,468 --> 00:35:42,378 I think the other thing that's important is there is 863 00:35:42,373 --> 00:35:46,343 no sanctions relief that is given until Iran has taken 864 00:35:46,344 --> 00:35:48,344 important steps to demonstrate their compliance 865 00:35:48,346 --> 00:35:50,816 with the agreement, which means significantly rolling 866 00:35:50,815 --> 00:35:52,145 back their nuclear program. 867 00:35:52,149 --> 00:35:54,689 So we've talked a lot about how, as a result of this 868 00:35:54,685 --> 00:35:57,985 agreement, Iran is committed to reducing their uranium 869 00:35:57,989 --> 00:36:01,429 stockpile by 98 percent, removing 13,000 centrifuges, 870 00:36:01,425 --> 00:36:03,395 essentially rendering harmless their 871 00:36:03,394 --> 00:36:04,394 heavy-water reactor. 872 00:36:04,395 --> 00:36:06,935 They have to take all of those steps before they get 873 00:36:06,931 --> 00:36:08,471 any sanctions relief. 874 00:36:08,466 --> 00:36:12,006 So even if we are in a situation where we discover 875 00:36:12,003 --> 00:36:14,773 that Iran is starting to cheat on the deal, as it 876 00:36:14,772 --> 00:36:19,012 were, they will be trying to make up significant ground 877 00:36:19,010 --> 00:36:20,550 that they've already lost. 878 00:36:20,545 --> 00:36:23,615 And that means that the international community will 879 00:36:23,614 --> 00:36:27,184 be in a much better position to respond to any Iranian 880 00:36:27,184 --> 00:36:28,284 cheating if it occurs. 881 00:36:28,286 --> 00:36:29,316 The Press: Last question. 882 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:31,320 The President saw "Hamilton" Saturday. 883 00:36:31,322 --> 00:36:32,492 Did he enjoy the play? 884 00:36:32,490 --> 00:36:35,030 And did it in any way alter his belief as to whether or 885 00:36:35,026 --> 00:36:37,066 not Alexander Hamilton should be removed from the 886 00:36:37,061 --> 00:36:38,091 $10 bill? 887 00:36:38,095 --> 00:36:40,035 (laughter) 888 00:36:40,031 --> 00:36:42,031 Mr. Earnest: I have not spoken to the President 889 00:36:42,033 --> 00:36:45,803 firsthand about this, but I know somebody who did, and 890 00:36:45,803 --> 00:36:48,973 he relayed to me that the President genuinely enjoyed 891 00:36:48,973 --> 00:36:51,613 the performance on Saturday afternoon, that the 892 00:36:51,609 --> 00:36:55,309 President believed that the show lived up to the hype. 893 00:36:55,313 --> 00:36:58,513 And so he really enjoyed it and I'm confident that he 894 00:36:58,516 --> 00:37:00,486 enjoyed the opportunity to take the show in with 895 00:37:00,484 --> 00:37:01,754 his daughters. 896 00:37:01,752 --> 00:37:04,052 There is a policy process that's underway at the 897 00:37:04,055 --> 00:37:06,395 Treasury Department that would make a change to the 898 00:37:06,390 --> 00:37:11,860 $10 bill but would not, contrary to some rumors, 899 00:37:11,862 --> 00:37:14,862 would not remove Alexander Hamilton from the bill. 900 00:37:14,865 --> 00:37:19,705 Even with the change, his face would remain on the 901 00:37:19,704 --> 00:37:20,704 $10 bill. 902 00:37:20,705 --> 00:37:23,045 The Press: So no change in policy, just enjoyment of 903 00:37:23,040 --> 00:37:24,140 the play? 904 00:37:24,141 --> 00:37:25,081 Mr. Earnest: No changes in policy that I'm aware of. 905 00:37:25,076 --> 00:37:26,276 Angela. 906 00:37:26,277 --> 00:37:27,277 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 907 00:37:27,278 --> 00:37:29,348 Going back one more time to the golf partners. 908 00:37:29,347 --> 00:37:31,217 You mentioned this has been in the works for some time. 909 00:37:31,215 --> 00:37:33,615 Why these three members in particular? 910 00:37:33,618 --> 00:37:36,518 And if the President indeed did not bring up Iran, why not? 911 00:37:36,520 --> 00:37:38,660 Why miss that opportunity when he's got three votes 912 00:37:38,656 --> 00:37:40,156 golfing with him? 913 00:37:40,157 --> 00:37:41,427 Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry, when you said -- when you started 914 00:37:41,425 --> 00:37:42,525 to ask your question I thought you said "Gulf 915 00:37:42,526 --> 00:37:44,166 partners," not golf partners. 916 00:37:44,161 --> 00:37:46,331 So when you said the three, I was trying to think of 917 00:37:46,330 --> 00:37:46,960 which countries. 918 00:37:46,964 --> 00:37:48,864 (laughter) 919 00:37:48,866 --> 00:37:50,906 So it's going to take me a minute here. 920 00:37:50,901 --> 00:37:54,041 The Press: -- Colorado. 921 00:37:54,038 --> 00:37:54,768 (laughter) 922 00:37:54,772 --> 00:37:56,672 Mr. Earnest: Exactly. 923 00:37:56,674 --> 00:37:59,914 I wasn't aware that Colorado was on a gulf. 924 00:37:59,910 --> 00:38:05,150 It's my understanding -- I don't know of the specific 925 00:38:05,149 --> 00:38:07,689 topic of conversation throughout the round of golf. 926 00:38:07,685 --> 00:38:11,155 I suspect most of it centered on the game of golf. 927 00:38:11,155 --> 00:38:18,895 This is a golf appointment that the President had been 928 00:38:18,896 --> 00:38:21,566 trying to schedule for a number of months. 929 00:38:21,565 --> 00:38:24,065 And again, members of Congress typically aren't in 930 00:38:24,068 --> 00:38:26,538 Washington, D.C. over the weekend, so this took some 931 00:38:26,537 --> 00:38:29,477 advance planning in order to coordinate it. 932 00:38:29,473 --> 00:38:32,243 And I know that the President enjoyed the round 933 00:38:32,243 --> 00:38:34,113 of golf, even if it was a little steamy. 934 00:38:34,111 --> 00:38:35,251 The Press: It wouldn't be fair for sure to say Iran 935 00:38:35,246 --> 00:38:36,476 did not come up? 936 00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:37,720 Mr. Earnest: That's correct, I wouldn't say 937 00:38:37,715 --> 00:38:38,645 that, necessarily. 938 00:38:38,649 --> 00:38:39,989 The Press: And then, on Nigeria. 939 00:38:39,984 --> 00:38:42,524 President Buhari had an editorial in the Washington 940 00:38:42,520 --> 00:38:44,590 Post this morning where he asked the U.S. 941 00:38:44,588 --> 00:38:48,258 for help in recovering about $150 billion thought to have 942 00:38:48,259 --> 00:38:50,859 been taken by corrupt Nigerian officials prior to 943 00:38:50,861 --> 00:38:53,301 his administration. 944 00:38:53,297 --> 00:38:56,337 Is that something that they discussed in their meeting? 945 00:38:56,333 --> 00:38:57,873 Is it something that the U.S. 946 00:38:57,868 --> 00:38:59,508 is willing to run ahead on? 947 00:38:59,503 --> 00:39:01,973 Mr. Earnest: Well, I do know that in the context of his 948 00:39:01,972 --> 00:39:04,042 discussion with President Obama that they did have the 949 00:39:04,041 --> 00:39:06,181 opportunity to talk about important economic reforms 950 00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:08,777 and even some important governmental reforms inside 951 00:39:08,779 --> 00:39:10,549 the country. 952 00:39:10,548 --> 00:39:12,988 I don't know whether the specific issue of trying to 953 00:39:12,983 --> 00:39:17,853 acquire some assets that may have left the country 954 00:39:17,855 --> 00:39:19,755 through some corruption -- I don't know if that came up 955 00:39:19,757 --> 00:39:25,227 in the conversation or not. 956 00:39:25,229 --> 00:39:26,429 The Press: Does the U.S. 957 00:39:26,430 --> 00:39:29,430 government have any evidence to suggest that ISIS has 958 00:39:29,433 --> 00:39:33,173 used chemical-laced weapons against the Kurds? 959 00:39:33,170 --> 00:39:35,540 Mr. Earnest: At this point, we have seen those reports, 960 00:39:35,539 --> 00:39:42,679 but we have not reached that conclusion. 961 00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:44,750 We certainly are seeking additional information, 962 00:39:44,749 --> 00:39:47,689 though, to get to the bottom of those reports. 963 00:39:47,685 --> 00:39:50,225 We continue to take all allegations of chemical 964 00:39:50,221 --> 00:39:54,361 weapons use in Syria very seriously, as well as any 965 00:39:54,358 --> 00:40:00,028 indication of ISIL's interest and intent in using 966 00:40:00,030 --> 00:40:02,470 such capability. 967 00:40:02,466 --> 00:40:04,566 We continue to monitor these reports closely, and would 968 00:40:04,568 --> 00:40:07,238 further stress that any use of chemicals or biological 969 00:40:07,238 --> 00:40:10,678 material as weapons is completely inconsistent with 970 00:40:10,674 --> 00:40:13,574 international standards and norms regarding 971 00:40:13,577 --> 00:40:14,577 such capabilities. 972 00:40:14,578 --> 00:40:17,748 The Press: Just to follow up on Byron's question on the 973 00:40:17,748 --> 00:40:20,018 attack in Turkey. 974 00:40:20,017 --> 00:40:21,017 Is the U.S. 975 00:40:21,018 --> 00:40:21,918 helping with the investigation? 976 00:40:21,919 --> 00:40:24,489 Has anybody been in contact with the Turkish government 977 00:40:24,488 --> 00:40:25,288 about the attack? 978 00:40:25,289 --> 00:40:25,919 Mr. Earnest: I know that U.S. 979 00:40:25,923 --> 00:40:28,023 officials have been in touch with Turkey on this, but I 980 00:40:28,025 --> 00:40:31,395 don't know the nature of those conversations. 981 00:40:31,395 --> 00:40:32,265 Lesley. 982 00:40:32,263 --> 00:40:33,393 The Press: Thanks. 983 00:40:33,397 --> 00:40:35,197 Can I go back to Cuba and ask about potential 984 00:40:35,199 --> 00:40:36,669 presidential trip there? 985 00:40:36,667 --> 00:40:39,737 You mentioned on Friday a couple of conditions for the 986 00:40:39,737 --> 00:40:42,077 President making a trip, including a free press and 987 00:40:42,072 --> 00:40:46,382 not suppressing dissidents and political opponents, 988 00:40:46,377 --> 00:40:47,917 which seem kind of unlikely to happen by the end of 989 00:40:47,912 --> 00:40:50,312 his administration. 990 00:40:50,314 --> 00:40:53,554 Does that mean he would not travel to Cuba? 991 00:40:53,551 --> 00:40:54,951 Or is it -- 992 00:40:54,952 --> 00:40:58,292 Mr. Earnest: I think I was pretty careful in discussing 993 00:40:58,289 --> 00:41:00,359 this on Friday to note that these are the kinds of 994 00:41:00,357 --> 00:41:03,097 things that we would like to see Cuba make progress on. 995 00:41:03,093 --> 00:41:07,533 But at this point, I wouldn't necessarily suggest 996 00:41:07,531 --> 00:41:11,271 that the successful protection of those rights 997 00:41:11,268 --> 00:41:14,668 is required before any sort of presidential visit 998 00:41:14,672 --> 00:41:16,442 is discussed. 999 00:41:16,440 --> 00:41:17,980 But as a general matter, when we talk about 1000 00:41:17,975 --> 00:41:20,415 advocating for the protection and respect of 1001 00:41:20,411 --> 00:41:24,751 basic human rights in Cuba, it is trying to convince the 1002 00:41:24,748 --> 00:41:26,748 Cuban government to fulfill what we see as their 1003 00:41:26,750 --> 00:41:29,350 responsibility to protect basic human rights like 1004 00:41:29,353 --> 00:41:31,493 freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of 1005 00:41:31,488 --> 00:41:32,688 religion, and a free press. 1006 00:41:32,690 --> 00:41:35,530 The Press: But you're not saying without those being 1007 00:41:35,526 --> 00:41:37,326 addressed by the time he leaves office he would not 1008 00:41:37,328 --> 00:41:38,828 go to Cuba? 1009 00:41:38,829 --> 00:41:40,299 Mr. Earnest: No, I'm not saying -- I'm not laying 1010 00:41:40,297 --> 00:41:43,197 down any markers in terms of what would be necessary 1011 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:46,700 definitively before a presidential visit. 1012 00:41:46,704 --> 00:41:48,704 The Press: Are there any markers that are definitive 1013 00:41:48,706 --> 00:41:50,676 before he would make a trip there? 1014 00:41:50,674 --> 00:41:53,674 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, nothing that I would 1015 00:41:53,677 --> 00:41:54,677 discuss publicly. 1016 00:41:54,678 --> 00:42:02,388 But I think that certainly the amount of progress that 1017 00:42:02,386 --> 00:42:05,086 the Cuban government is making as it relates 1018 00:42:05,089 --> 00:42:08,189 generally to the protection of basic human rights will 1019 00:42:08,192 --> 00:42:12,732 factor into the decision by the President to travel to 1020 00:42:12,730 --> 00:42:15,230 Cuba if he makes the decision to travel to Cuba. 1021 00:42:15,232 --> 00:42:17,702 The Press: Can you clarify a little bit -- did you say 1022 00:42:17,701 --> 00:42:21,701 you would hope that they would make a little bit more 1023 00:42:21,705 --> 00:42:23,575 progress since December? 1024 00:42:23,574 --> 00:42:24,204 Mr. Earnest: No. 1025 00:42:24,208 --> 00:42:26,478 What I'm suggesting is that we believe that there is 1026 00:42:26,477 --> 00:42:28,847 substantial progress that needs to be made when it 1027 00:42:28,846 --> 00:42:32,516 comes to respecting basic human rights inside of Cuba. 1028 00:42:32,516 --> 00:42:35,716 And there are some I think who have -- some of our 1029 00:42:35,719 --> 00:42:38,519 critics who have suggested that because we haven't seen 1030 00:42:38,522 --> 00:42:40,522 as much progress as we believe is necessary over 1031 00:42:40,524 --> 00:42:43,094 the last seven months that somehow that is a reflection 1032 00:42:43,093 --> 00:42:45,393 of a deficiency in the President's policy. 1033 00:42:45,396 --> 00:42:48,566 And my response to that merely is that it's too soon 1034 00:42:48,565 --> 00:42:50,705 to tell since the policy has only been in place for 1035 00:42:50,701 --> 00:42:52,071 seven months. 1036 00:42:52,069 --> 00:42:54,769 We had 55 years to evaluate the success of the previous 1037 00:42:54,772 --> 00:42:58,672 policy and it didn't bring about the kind of results 1038 00:42:58,676 --> 00:43:00,716 that we would like to see. 1039 00:43:00,711 --> 00:43:04,111 And the case I would make to you is that it's going to 1040 00:43:04,114 --> 00:43:08,184 take longer than seven months to demonstrate the 1041 00:43:08,185 --> 00:43:12,925 clear success of this specific policy change. 1042 00:43:12,923 --> 00:43:13,723 J.C. 1043 00:43:13,724 --> 00:43:14,894 The Press: Josh, you mentioned the word 1044 00:43:14,892 --> 00:43:16,592 "engagement" a number of times today. 1045 00:43:16,593 --> 00:43:21,503 With the outreach to Iran and the outreach to Cuba, 1046 00:43:21,498 --> 00:43:25,138 are we looking at a burgeoning Obama engagement 1047 00:43:25,135 --> 00:43:27,735 doctrine or doctrine of engagement with other 1048 00:43:27,738 --> 00:43:33,178 leaders and other regimes for the last year and a half 1049 00:43:33,177 --> 00:43:35,217 of his presidency? 1050 00:43:35,212 --> 00:43:37,182 Mr. Earnest: Well, J.C., the President I think has drawn 1051 00:43:37,181 --> 00:43:42,451 a pretty clear line between the relationship between the 1052 00:43:42,453 --> 00:43:44,853 U.S. and Cuba, and the relationship between the 1053 00:43:44,855 --> 00:43:45,885 United States and Iran. 1054 00:43:45,889 --> 00:43:50,599 The United States continues to have significant concerns 1055 00:43:50,594 --> 00:43:54,064 with Iranian behavior, including Iran's support for 1056 00:43:54,064 --> 00:44:00,674 terrorism, Iran's continued menacing of Israel, Iran's 1057 00:44:00,671 --> 00:44:04,141 support for proxies that engage in destabilizing 1058 00:44:04,141 --> 00:44:07,741 activity throughout the Middle East. 1059 00:44:07,745 --> 00:44:13,055 So the approach that the President has taken to Iran 1060 00:44:13,050 --> 00:44:16,390 is very different than the President's approach to our 1061 00:44:16,387 --> 00:44:18,857 relations with Cuba. 1062 00:44:18,856 --> 00:44:21,396 I do think that -- and this is something that the 1063 00:44:21,392 --> 00:44:24,432 President mentioned in his address to the nation on 1064 00:44:24,428 --> 00:44:30,068 Tuesday -- that the one common principle that I 1065 00:44:30,067 --> 00:44:33,307 think might be here is that the United States -- he 1066 00:44:33,303 --> 00:44:36,343 quoted President Kennedy in saying that the United 1067 00:44:36,340 --> 00:44:39,510 States should not be afraid to negotiate, but should not 1068 00:44:39,510 --> 00:44:41,310 negotiate from fear. 1069 00:44:41,311 --> 00:44:45,311 And I think that principle was implemented in our 1070 00:44:45,315 --> 00:44:46,715 approach to both countries. 1071 00:44:46,717 --> 00:44:49,517 But when it comes to our relationship, the U.S. 1072 00:44:49,520 --> 00:44:52,320 relationship with these two countries, they are very, 1073 00:44:52,322 --> 00:44:53,462 very different. 1074 00:44:53,457 --> 00:44:55,957 The Press: Would there be other countries, regimes, 1075 00:44:55,959 --> 00:44:58,559 individuals, leaders that the President may be 1076 00:44:58,562 --> 00:45:03,532 reaching out to as he continues his last phase of 1077 00:45:03,534 --> 00:45:04,534 his administration? 1078 00:45:04,535 --> 00:45:07,235 Mr. Earnest: Well, I guess the other country with whom 1079 00:45:07,237 --> 00:45:09,837 the United States has sought to ramp up engagement is 1080 00:45:09,840 --> 00:45:11,210 actually Burma. 1081 00:45:11,208 --> 00:45:13,508 And that is a place where the President has now 1082 00:45:13,510 --> 00:45:18,220 visited twice, and that, again, is another country 1083 00:45:18,215 --> 00:45:20,215 that I would put more closely in the category of 1084 00:45:20,217 --> 00:45:24,187 Cuba than Iran, I think for obvious reasons, but yet is 1085 00:45:24,188 --> 00:45:26,888 another place where we hope that deeper U.S. 1086 00:45:26,890 --> 00:45:29,760 and global engagement in Burma can bring about the 1087 00:45:29,760 --> 00:45:31,700 kind of change when it comes to the protection of basic 1088 00:45:31,695 --> 00:45:34,365 human rights that we'd like to see. 1089 00:45:34,364 --> 00:45:35,334 Alexis. 1090 00:45:35,332 --> 00:45:36,972 The Press: Josh, just a quick follow to J.C. 1091 00:45:36,967 --> 00:45:39,607 just to double-check -- since the Iran deal was 1092 00:45:39,603 --> 00:45:43,673 reached, just to follow up, has the President of the 1093 00:45:43,674 --> 00:45:46,144 United States and President Rouhani exchanged any kind 1094 00:45:46,143 --> 00:45:48,343 of communication directly with one another? 1095 00:45:48,345 --> 00:45:49,445 Mr. Earnest: Not that I'm aware. 1096 00:45:49,446 --> 00:45:53,386 Fred. 1097 00:45:53,383 --> 00:45:54,723 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1098 00:45:54,718 --> 00:45:59,288 First I want to ask about the Chairman and Ranking 1099 00:45:59,289 --> 00:46:01,689 Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce 1100 00:46:01,692 --> 00:46:04,762 and Eliot Engel, put out a joint statement saying they 1101 00:46:04,761 --> 00:46:08,001 were disappointed by the U.N. 1102 00:46:07,998 --> 00:46:09,638 Security Council vote. 1103 00:46:09,633 --> 00:46:12,703 Does the White House have a response on that and the 1104 00:46:12,703 --> 00:46:15,273 fact that it was bipartisan -- 1105 00:46:15,272 --> 00:46:17,642 Mr. Earnest: I haven't seen the letter, Fred. 1106 00:46:17,641 --> 00:46:21,511 I'll just say as a general matter, the unanimous vote 1107 00:46:21,512 --> 00:46:22,512 in the U.N. 1108 00:46:22,513 --> 00:46:25,953 Security Council is an indication of a strong 1109 00:46:25,949 --> 00:46:33,759 international community's approach to dealing with Iran. 1110 00:46:33,757 --> 00:46:37,297 And again, this is a testament to the success of 1111 00:46:37,294 --> 00:46:39,834 this effort -- that you'll recall that when President 1112 00:46:39,830 --> 00:46:43,500 Obama took office in 2009, the nation of Iran was 1113 00:46:43,500 --> 00:46:46,670 united behind their efforts to try to obtain a nuclear 1114 00:46:46,670 --> 00:46:48,740 weapon; the international community was fractured in 1115 00:46:48,739 --> 00:46:52,009 trying to prevent that from happening. 1116 00:46:52,009 --> 00:46:54,009 Because of this President's leadership and because of an 1117 00:46:54,011 --> 00:46:56,451 important role played by Congress, the international 1118 00:46:56,446 --> 00:46:59,986 community did band together to impose some of the 1119 00:46:59,983 --> 00:47:02,753 toughest sanctions that have ever been imposed on another 1120 00:47:02,753 --> 00:47:05,293 country, and those international sanctions had 1121 00:47:05,289 --> 00:47:08,489 a devastating impact on Iran's economy, and it 1122 00:47:08,492 --> 00:47:10,592 compelled Iran to come to the negotiating table. 1123 00:47:10,594 --> 00:47:14,394 And they negotiated in good faith with the international 1124 00:47:14,398 --> 00:47:16,838 community to try to reach an agreement. 1125 00:47:16,833 --> 00:47:20,003 And the unanimous approval of that agreement by the 1126 00:47:20,003 --> 00:47:23,443 U.N. Security Council I think is a testament to the success 1127 00:47:23,440 --> 00:47:25,980 that the international community had in staying 1128 00:47:25,976 --> 00:47:27,976 unified to confront Iran. 1129 00:47:27,978 --> 00:47:29,878 This will further our efforts to prevent Iran from 1130 00:47:29,880 --> 00:47:33,280 obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1131 00:47:33,283 --> 00:47:35,423 That has been our goal all along. 1132 00:47:35,419 --> 00:47:39,819 And it's an important contribution to the safety 1133 00:47:39,823 --> 00:47:43,893 and security of the United States and our allies and 1134 00:47:43,894 --> 00:47:46,194 partners not just in the region, but around the world. 1135 00:47:46,196 --> 00:47:49,796 The Press: And secondly, the congressional committee, the 1136 00:47:49,800 --> 00:47:51,670 Energy and Commerce Committee, has called the 1137 00:47:51,668 --> 00:47:54,638 Planned Parenthood senior director that was in that 1138 00:47:54,638 --> 00:47:58,078 video to give a congressional briefing on 1139 00:47:58,075 --> 00:48:00,415 some of the facts on that. 1140 00:48:00,410 --> 00:48:05,550 Given that video that was out last week, is there any 1141 00:48:05,549 --> 00:48:09,449 possible reconsideration about federal funding for 1142 00:48:09,453 --> 00:48:12,023 Planned Parenthood in the future? 1143 00:48:12,022 --> 00:48:12,722 Mr. Earnest: No. 1144 00:48:12,723 --> 00:48:13,993 Jessica. 1145 00:48:13,991 --> 00:48:15,021 The Press: Hi, Josh. 1146 00:48:15,025 --> 00:48:16,055 Thanks. 1147 00:48:16,059 --> 00:48:18,499 A couple of questions on Iran, detailed questions. 1148 00:48:18,495 --> 00:48:20,035 There was some reporting over the weekend out of the 1149 00:48:20,030 --> 00:48:23,730 Iranian media that the parliament may not approve 1150 00:48:23,734 --> 00:48:26,204 the ballistic missile embargo that was included 1151 00:48:26,203 --> 00:48:28,203 in amendment form. 1152 00:48:28,205 --> 00:48:30,545 And I'm not sure from what the White House's position 1153 00:48:30,540 --> 00:48:32,710 is if that's necessary for that piece of the deal 1154 00:48:32,709 --> 00:48:33,649 to go forward. 1155 00:48:33,644 --> 00:48:37,084 Do they have (inaudible) in the Iranian parliament? 1156 00:48:37,080 --> 00:48:38,950 Mr. Earnest: Well, I haven't seen that specific report. 1157 00:48:38,949 --> 00:48:41,749 You may be following developments in the Iranian 1158 00:48:41,752 --> 00:48:43,252 legislature more closely than I am. 1159 00:48:43,253 --> 00:48:46,493 And I give you credit for that. 1160 00:48:46,490 --> 00:48:52,900 I will say that the agreement that was reached 1161 00:48:52,896 --> 00:48:55,896 in Vienna and announced last week is one that was 1162 00:48:55,899 --> 00:48:57,899 approved unanimously by the international community 1163 00:48:57,901 --> 00:49:00,201 before the U.N. 1164 00:49:00,203 --> 00:49:01,203 Security Council. 1165 00:49:01,204 --> 00:49:03,174 I think that's an indication of the international 1166 00:49:03,173 --> 00:49:06,573 community's commitment to seeing this deal go into 1167 00:49:06,576 --> 00:49:08,116 effect as written. 1168 00:49:08,111 --> 00:49:10,651 The Press: You're assuming that because it was signed 1169 00:49:10,647 --> 00:49:12,647 by the Iranians that anything domestically that 1170 00:49:12,649 --> 00:49:14,649 happens legislatively won't derail it? 1171 00:49:14,651 --> 00:49:16,651 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think what I'm just saying is I 1172 00:49:16,653 --> 00:49:18,653 don't know enough about their domestic process to 1173 00:49:18,655 --> 00:49:19,825 render a judgment either way. 1174 00:49:19,823 --> 00:49:25,463 What I am following closely are the developments at the 1175 00:49:25,462 --> 00:49:27,462 United Nations today, which I think are a clear 1176 00:49:27,464 --> 00:49:29,464 indication that the expectation of the 1177 00:49:29,466 --> 00:49:31,636 international community is that this is an agreement 1178 00:49:31,635 --> 00:49:34,435 that would go into effect as written. 1179 00:49:34,438 --> 00:49:37,238 The Press: Is the White House prepared for it to be 1180 00:49:37,240 --> 00:49:39,740 derailed by domestic politics in Iran? 1181 00:49:39,743 --> 00:49:42,683 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I'm not aware that that 1182 00:49:42,679 --> 00:49:45,779 prospect is likely at this point. 1183 00:49:45,782 --> 00:49:47,782 But obviously, the thing that we have been clear 1184 00:49:47,784 --> 00:49:50,284 about -- and I guess this would apply -- the same 1185 00:49:50,287 --> 00:49:52,457 thing that was true in the final days of the 1186 00:49:52,456 --> 00:49:55,896 negotiation I guess is true even in this interim period 1187 00:49:55,892 --> 00:50:00,762 while the various bodies are considering the agreement -- 1188 00:50:00,764 --> 00:50:02,764 the fact is we continue to have all of the options that 1189 00:50:02,766 --> 00:50:05,306 are available to us that we did before, but we are 1190 00:50:05,302 --> 00:50:08,972 hopeful that this diplomatic approach will be successful 1191 00:50:08,972 --> 00:50:11,542 because we do believe that it is the best way for us to 1192 00:50:11,541 --> 00:50:13,481 prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1193 00:50:13,477 --> 00:50:15,277 The Press: And a question on the remarks from Iranian 1194 00:50:15,278 --> 00:50:18,048 Foreign Minister Zarif today, which he basically 1195 00:50:18,048 --> 00:50:21,188 seemed to be responding to some of what's coming out of 1196 00:50:21,184 --> 00:50:23,484 Israel and Secretary Carter's visit. 1197 00:50:23,487 --> 00:50:26,387 He talked about the threat of military action not being 1198 00:50:26,390 --> 00:50:29,330 taken off the table during the course of the nuclear 1199 00:50:29,326 --> 00:50:32,126 deal and called it a dangerous temptation. 1200 00:50:32,129 --> 00:50:33,829 I was wondered if you had a response. 1201 00:50:33,830 --> 00:50:36,130 Mr. Earnest: I didn't see the full context of his 1202 00:50:36,133 --> 00:50:39,133 remarks, but obviously the President's approach to this 1203 00:50:39,136 --> 00:50:43,476 agreement has been to pursue diplomacy so that the 1204 00:50:43,473 --> 00:50:47,373 military option is not necessary. 1205 00:50:47,377 --> 00:50:51,117 But the benefits of this approach that we have 1206 00:50:51,114 --> 00:50:55,054 advocated is that, if for some reason it becomes clear 1207 00:50:55,051 --> 00:51:00,121 that diplomacy will not be successful, that we see Iran 1208 00:51:00,123 --> 00:51:05,733 start to cheat on the agreement, that the U.S. 1209 00:51:05,729 --> 00:51:07,729 President, whether it's President Obama while he 1210 00:51:07,731 --> 00:51:09,731 remains in office or the next U.S. 1211 00:51:09,733 --> 00:51:11,803 President, will continue to have all the options that 1212 00:51:11,802 --> 00:51:14,242 are currently available to prevent Iran from obtaining 1213 00:51:14,237 --> 00:51:15,237 a nuclear weapon. 1214 00:51:15,238 --> 00:51:18,008 The President has been unequivocal about his 1215 00:51:18,008 --> 00:51:20,008 commitment to taking the necessary steps to prevent 1216 00:51:20,010 --> 00:51:21,710 Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1217 00:51:21,711 --> 00:51:24,151 The President's commitment in that regard has not changed. 1218 00:51:24,147 --> 00:51:26,647 It's just his view that the most effective way for us to 1219 00:51:26,650 --> 00:51:28,490 do this is through diplomacy. 1220 00:51:28,485 --> 00:51:32,655 And I know that there are other critics of the deal 1221 00:51:32,656 --> 00:51:37,826 who have at least implicitly acknowledged that there's no 1222 00:51:37,828 --> 00:51:41,468 kind of military strike that's possible that would 1223 00:51:41,465 --> 00:51:45,235 have as much of an impact as this diplomatic agreement 1224 00:51:45,235 --> 00:51:50,275 would have in terms of setting back the development 1225 00:51:50,273 --> 00:51:53,213 of Iran's nuclear program over a long period of time. 1226 00:51:55,278 --> 00:51:58,648 So that's why the President believes that diplomacy is 1227 00:51:58,648 --> 00:52:01,918 the best strategy for preventing Iran from 1228 00:52:01,918 --> 00:52:03,918 obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1229 00:52:03,920 --> 00:52:05,920 But at the same time, the President has also been 1230 00:52:05,922 --> 00:52:11,492 clear that if Iran cheats on the deal that all options 1231 00:52:11,495 --> 00:52:12,495 will be available. 1232 00:52:12,496 --> 00:52:14,496 The most obvious and the most direct one will be to 1233 00:52:14,498 --> 00:52:16,198 snap sanctions back in place. 1234 00:52:16,199 --> 00:52:18,199 We know that's pretty effective because the 1235 00:52:18,201 --> 00:52:20,201 Iranians responded to that kind of economic 1236 00:52:20,203 --> 00:52:21,503 pressure previously. 1237 00:52:21,505 --> 00:52:26,145 But there's also the fact that the military option 1238 00:52:26,142 --> 00:52:28,142 would continue to be available to this President 1239 00:52:28,144 --> 00:52:29,144 or the next one as well. 1240 00:52:29,145 --> 00:52:33,045 And in fact, that option is likely to be enhanced based 1241 00:52:33,049 --> 00:52:35,619 on the knowledge about Iran's nuclear program 1242 00:52:35,619 --> 00:52:37,619 that's developed in the context of all of 1243 00:52:37,621 --> 00:52:38,621 these inspections. 1244 00:52:38,622 --> 00:52:41,722 So that's why the President has made a very strong case 1245 00:52:41,725 --> 00:52:44,295 that this agreement and its successful implementation 1246 00:52:44,294 --> 00:52:46,864 will only strengthen the hand of the next U.S. 1247 00:52:46,863 --> 00:52:50,003 President as they continue the effort to prevent Iran 1248 00:52:50,000 --> 00:52:52,000 from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1249 00:52:52,002 --> 00:52:54,002 Jared, I'll give you the last one. 1250 00:52:54,004 --> 00:52:55,004 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1251 00:52:55,005 --> 00:52:58,005 Two very different subjects, one each. 1252 00:52:58,008 --> 00:53:01,408 Despite difficulties with Russia, you, the President 1253 00:53:01,411 --> 00:53:04,751 have cited cooperation in space as something -- as a 1254 00:53:04,748 --> 00:53:07,018 highlight of an otherwise difficult relationship. 1255 00:53:07,017 --> 00:53:11,957 What does the White House make of Russian plans to 1256 00:53:11,955 --> 00:53:15,195 move astronaut training facilities to Crimea? 1257 00:53:15,191 --> 00:53:18,691 Mr. Earnest: Jared, I hadn't seen that particular 1258 00:53:18,695 --> 00:53:21,965 announcement, but it's certainly -- what we have 1259 00:53:21,965 --> 00:53:26,265 indicated is that the space program does reflect an area 1260 00:53:26,269 --> 00:53:29,109 where the United States and Russia have been able to 1261 00:53:29,105 --> 00:53:32,875 coordinate effectively in pursuit of our countries and 1262 00:53:32,876 --> 00:53:34,316 our citizens' mutual interests. 1263 00:53:34,311 --> 00:53:36,551 The Press: On a separate subject -- you started with 1264 00:53:36,546 --> 00:53:39,246 Cuba today and I just wanted to finish with it. 1265 00:53:39,249 --> 00:53:41,689 What leverage does the United States have at this 1266 00:53:41,685 --> 00:53:44,455 point to work on all the issues that still remain on 1267 00:53:44,454 --> 00:53:46,754 the table with Cuba? 1268 00:53:46,756 --> 00:53:50,096 The opponents to this move, the embassies, say that the 1269 00:53:50,093 --> 00:53:52,993 administration is giving away the store. 1270 00:53:52,996 --> 00:53:55,836 What leverage does the White House have with Cuba 1271 00:53:55,832 --> 00:53:56,802 at this point? 1272 00:53:56,800 --> 00:53:59,640 Because what the President has mostly emphasized has 1273 00:53:59,636 --> 00:54:04,776 been this cultural exchange that will happen over time, 1274 00:54:04,774 --> 00:54:06,774 but is there any leverage that the White House -- or, 1275 00:54:06,776 --> 00:54:08,776 sorry, that the United States has more directly 1276 00:54:08,778 --> 00:54:09,818 than that? 1277 00:54:09,813 --> 00:54:11,913 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think, Jared, the first thing that 1278 00:54:11,915 --> 00:54:14,515 comes to mind is that we'll have the leverage of the 1279 00:54:14,517 --> 00:54:17,017 other countries in the Western Hemisphere that now 1280 00:54:17,020 --> 00:54:20,820 are no longer distracted by the U.S. 1281 00:54:20,824 --> 00:54:25,324 embargo against Cuba as the irritant in the U.S. 1282 00:54:25,328 --> 00:54:26,768 relationship with countries throughout the 1283 00:54:26,763 --> 00:54:27,863 Western Hemisphere. 1284 00:54:27,864 --> 00:54:29,864 In fact, what we've done is remove that irritant and 1285 00:54:29,866 --> 00:54:32,636 allowed the rest of the Western Hemisphere to focus 1286 00:54:32,636 --> 00:54:36,506 more closely on the conduct and policies of the 1287 00:54:36,506 --> 00:54:39,346 Cuban government. 1288 00:54:39,342 --> 00:54:41,342 That certainly is a positive development. 1289 00:54:41,344 --> 00:54:45,244 I think the other thing that should be crystal-clear to 1290 00:54:45,248 --> 00:54:47,748 anybody that's been following this policy over 1291 00:54:47,751 --> 00:54:51,651 the last five or six decades is that any perceived 1292 00:54:51,655 --> 00:54:55,555 leverage that was included in an embargo did not 1293 00:54:55,558 --> 00:54:58,658 succeed in generating the kind of outcome that its 1294 00:54:58,662 --> 00:55:01,202 most ardent advocates believe is important. 1295 00:55:01,197 --> 00:55:03,767 We didn't see the kind of progress on human rights 1296 00:55:03,767 --> 00:55:05,767 reforms that we would like to see while that embargo 1297 00:55:05,769 --> 00:55:06,869 was in place. 1298 00:55:06,870 --> 00:55:08,870 And that's why the President has called for the removal 1299 00:55:08,872 --> 00:55:11,512 of the embargo and to start to take steps to restore 1300 00:55:11,508 --> 00:55:16,548 diplomatic ties between our two nations; that the policy 1301 00:55:16,546 --> 00:55:20,046 of isolation is a policy that failed and it was time 1302 00:55:20,050 --> 00:55:23,120 to try a different approach to succeed in achieving the 1303 00:55:23,119 --> 00:55:26,259 goal that we all share, which is a Cuba that thrives 1304 00:55:26,256 --> 00:55:32,266 and a Cuban government that respects and even protects 1305 00:55:35,432 --> 00:55:37,432 the basic human rights of their citizens. 1306 00:55:37,434 --> 00:55:40,474 The Press: Obviously the criticism is that the 1307 00:55:40,470 --> 00:55:42,810 leverage that was there before didn't work, but is 1308 00:55:42,806 --> 00:55:46,146 there anything new other than this new template 1309 00:55:46,142 --> 00:55:48,142 you've got for the Western Hemisphere? 1310 00:55:48,144 --> 00:55:50,314 Is there any specific leverage that the United 1311 00:55:50,313 --> 00:55:53,553 States can have to try to effect that change more 1312 00:55:53,550 --> 00:55:54,550 quickly or more directly? 1313 00:55:54,551 --> 00:55:56,551 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jared, I think what we have is we 1314 00:55:56,553 --> 00:55:58,553 have significantly more diplomatic leverage. 1315 00:55:58,555 --> 00:56:01,625 And this is leverage that can be used by other 1316 00:56:01,624 --> 00:56:03,594 countries in the Western Hemisphere. 1317 00:56:03,593 --> 00:56:05,593 It certainly is leverage that can be used by the 1318 00:56:05,595 --> 00:56:06,595 United States. 1319 00:56:06,596 --> 00:56:10,666 It certainly will be an important part of the deeper 1320 00:56:10,667 --> 00:56:12,037 ties between our two countries. 1321 00:56:12,035 --> 00:56:15,235 Part of this agreement included ensuring that Cuban 1322 00:56:15,238 --> 00:56:17,608 citizens have greater access to the Internet and greater 1323 00:56:17,607 --> 00:56:24,077 access to information, and we believe that, equipped 1324 00:56:24,080 --> 00:56:26,650 with that knowledge, that that's a good thing for the 1325 00:56:26,649 --> 00:56:27,889 Cuban people. 1326 00:56:27,884 --> 00:56:32,494 And, again, I know that some of our critics may find my 1327 00:56:32,489 --> 00:56:35,059 case -- because it's coming from me -- to be 1328 00:56:35,058 --> 00:56:38,128 unpersuasive and that's okay. 1329 00:56:38,128 --> 00:56:40,998 I think what is persuasive is that most public polls 1330 00:56:40,997 --> 00:56:43,897 indicate that upwards of 90 percent of the Cuban 1331 00:56:43,900 --> 00:56:47,000 population actually support this policy change. 1332 00:56:47,003 --> 00:56:49,103 So that I think is an indication that it's not 1333 00:56:49,105 --> 00:56:50,105 just the U.S. 1334 00:56:50,106 --> 00:56:52,106 interests that are best served by this policy; it's 1335 00:56:52,108 --> 00:56:54,108 actually the interests of the Cuban people that are 1336 00:56:54,110 --> 00:56:56,110 best served by this policy as well. 1337 00:56:56,112 --> 00:56:58,112 But, again, this is something that we can 1338 00:56:58,114 --> 00:57:00,414 evaluate in the years to come. 1339 00:57:00,416 --> 00:57:02,416 I certainly am not going to make you wait 55 years to 1340 00:57:02,418 --> 00:57:05,858 evaluate the success of this policy, but it's clear that 1341 00:57:05,855 --> 00:57:11,425 the previous policy could be evaluated over 55 years and 1342 00:57:11,427 --> 00:57:13,427 it clearly did not bring about the kind of results 1343 00:57:13,429 --> 00:57:14,929 that we'd like to see. 1344 00:57:14,931 --> 00:57:15,531 Thanks a lot, everybody. 1345 00:57:15,532 --> 00:57:16,532 Have a good Monday.