English subtitles for clip: File:President Obama Holds a Press Conference with Prime Minister Erdogan.webm

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The President:
It is a great pleasure
to welcome my friend,

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Prime Minister Erdoğan,
back to the White House.

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This visit is also another
opportunity for me to return

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the extraordinary hospitality
that the Prime Minister and the

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Turkish people showed me on my
visit to Turkey four years ago.

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And that included my visit to
the Prime Minister's beautiful

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hometown of Istanbul.

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This visit reflects the
importance that the United

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States places on our
relationship with our ally,

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Turkey, and I value so much the
partnership that I've been able

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to develop with Prime
Minister Erdoğan.

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Today we discussed the many
areas in which our countries

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cooperate, including
Afghanistan,

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where our troops serve
bravely together; the G20,

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where we promote our shared
prosperity; and Iran,

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where we agree it is critical
that we do not see that country

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acquire a nuclear weapon and
potentially trigger an arms

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race throughout the region.

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Given our shared
interest in peace,

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I want to note the Prime
Minister's efforts to normalize

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relations with Israel.

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This will benefit both the
Turkish and Israeli people and

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can also help us make progress
on a two-state solution,

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including an independent
Palestinian state.

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Today, we focused on three
areas that I want to highlight.

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First, we agreed to keep
expanding trade and investment.

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Over the past four years,
our trade has surged and

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U.S. exports to Turkey
have more than doubled.

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As the United States pursues
a new trade and investment

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partnership with the EU, I want
to make sure that we also keep

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deepening our economic
ties with Turkey.

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So we're creating a new
high-level committee that

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will focus on increasing trade
and investment between our two

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countries and will help
fuel Turkish innovation.

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And the progress that Turkey's
economy has made over the last

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several years I think has
been remarkable and the Prime

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Minister deserves much credit
for some of the reforms that

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are already taking place.

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Second, as NATO allies
we're reaffirming our

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solemn commitment to
our mutual security.

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Mr. Prime Minister, on behalf
of the American people,

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I want to express our
condolences to the Turkish

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people and the victims of the
outrageous bombings that took

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place in Reyhanli.

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As always, the United States
stands with you as you defend

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your nation against terrorism.

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We want to thank you for the
cooperation that you provided

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us in threats against
the United States.

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And I want to take this
opportunity to commend you

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and the Turkish people for your
courage in seeking an historic

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and peaceful resolution of the
PKK violence that has plagued

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Turkey for so long.

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And just as the United States
has stood with you in your long

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search for security, we will
support efforts in Turkey to

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uphold the rule of law and
good governance and human

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rights for all.

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Finally, we spent a great deal
of time on an issue that has

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racked the region --
the issue of Syria.

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Under the Prime
Minister's leadership,

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the Turkish people have shown
extraordinary generosity to the

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Syrians who have found
refuge in Turkey.

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And I know this
is a heavy burden.

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I've made it clear again today
that the United States is going

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to keep on helping countries in
the region, including Turkey,

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shoulder this burden, doing
our part as a major donor of

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humanitarian aid to
the Syrian people,

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including those
refugees in Turkey.

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And we're going to keep working
with our Turkish partners to

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deliver the food, shelter
and medicine that's needed

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to save lives.

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At the same time, we're going to
keep increasing the pressure on

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the Assad regime and working
with the Syrian opposition.

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The Prime Minister has been
at the forefront of the

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international effort to push
for a transition to a democratic

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Syria without Bashar Assad.

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And Turkey is going to play
an important role as we bring

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representatives of the regime
and opposition together in the

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coming weeks.

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We both agree that
Assad needs to go.

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He needs to transfer power
to a transitional body.

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That is the only way that we're
going to resolve this crisis.

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And we're going to keep working
for a Syria that is free from

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Assad's tyranny; that is intact
and inclusive of all ethnic and

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religious groups; and that's
a source of stability,

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not extremism, because it's in
the profound interest of all our

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nations, especially Turkey.

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So, again, Mr. Prime Minister, I
want to thank you for being here

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and for being such a strong ally
and partner in the region and

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around the world.

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I know that Michelle appreciates
the opportunity to host

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Mrs. Erdoğan and your
two wonderful daughters

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this morning.

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I'm looking forward
to our dinner tonight.

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And, as always, among the topics
where I appreciate your advice

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is close to our hearts,
and that's how to raise

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our daughters well.

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You're a little ahead of
me in terms of their ages.

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With the Prime
Minister's permission,

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I want to make one other point.

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There's been intense discussion
in Congress lately around the

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attacks in Benghazi.

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We lost four brave Americans,
patriots who accepted the

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risks that come with service
because they know that their

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contributions are vital to
our national interests and

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national security.

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I am intent on making sure
that we do everything we can

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to prevent another tragedy
like this from happening.

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But that means we owe it to
them and all who serve to do

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everything in our power
to protect our personnel

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serving overseas.

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That's why, at my direction,
we've been taking a series

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of steps that were recommended
by the review board after

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the incident.

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We're continuing to review
our security at high-threat

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diplomatic posts, including the
size and nature of our presence;

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improving training for those
headed to dangerous posts;

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increasing intelligence
and warning capabilities.

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And I've directed the Defense
Department to ensure that our

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military can respond lightning
quick in times of crisis.

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But we're not going to
be able to do this alone.

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We're going to need
Congress as a partner.

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So I've been in discussions, and
my team has been in discussions,

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with both Democrats
and Republicans,

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and I'm calling on Congress
to work with us to support and

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fully fund our budget request
to improve the security of our

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embassies around the world.

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We also need Congress to work
with us to provide the resources

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and new authorities so we can
fully implement all of the

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recommendations of the
Accountability Review Board.

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And we're going to need
Congress's help in terms

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of increasing the number of our
Marine Corps Guard who protect

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our embassies.

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So I want to say to members
of Congress in both parties,

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we need to come together and
truly honor the sacrifice of

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those four courageous Americans
and better secure our diplomatic

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posts around the world.

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And I should add, by the way,
that we're getting some help

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from the Turkish government
on some of these issues.

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That's how we learn the
lessons of Benghazi.

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That's how we can keep faith
with the men and women who we

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send overseas to
represent America.

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And that's what I will
stay focused on as

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Commander-in-Chief.

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So with that, Mr.
Prime Minister,

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welcome to the United States.

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I'm sorry the weather is not
fully cooperating with our

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lovely Rose Garden
press conference,

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but I think we'll be okay.

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Prime Minister Erdoğan:
Thank you.

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(as interpreted in English)
Mr. President, distinguished
members of the press,

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ladies and gentlemen.

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My dear friend, President
of the United States,

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a friend and ally, I'm once
again very pleased to be here

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in Washington to have
meetings with the President.

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I would like to express my
thanks for the hospitality

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that has been shown to us
on this occasion on behalf

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of myself and my delegation.

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In the President's person,
I would like to express

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our condolences for the
terror attack that took

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place in Boston.

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We express our condolences
to the American people.

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We are a country which has been
fighting against terrorism for

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many years.

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We've lost many lives in
that fight against terrorism,

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and so we very well understand
the feelings and sentiments of

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the American people in
face of such an event.

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As Turkey and the United States,
we are both determined to

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continue to fight jointly
against terrorism.

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My dear friends, Turkey and the
United States have many issues

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that cover the Middle East to
the Balkans to Central Asia to

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other areas, including issues
such as energy, security supply,

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and many other issues.

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And in all these areas and on
all these issues we display a

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very strong cooperation.

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And in our meetings with
President Obama today,

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we talked about relations
between Turkey and the United

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States, and also about some
topical issues which remain

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on both of our agendas.

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We had an opportunity to
exchange views on regional

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and global issues, and our
exchange of views and opinions

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will continue throughout the
day with other meetings that

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will take place during
the rest of the day.

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I am here with close to a
hundred business people,

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and they are holding meetings
with their counterparts in the

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United States, and they will
continue to talk and meet with

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their counterparts
this afternoon as well.

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Bilateral economic relations
between Turkey and the United

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States have to be improved,
and we both have this aim.

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Ten years ago, our trade stood
at $8 billion; at the moment,

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trade stands at $20 billion.

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But this amount is
still not sufficient.

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We have to increase the
amount of trade between

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our two countries.

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Bilateral economic and trade
relations between Turkey and

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the United States will
continue to develop.

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And as we carry forward
with these efforts,

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we need to strengthen this
relationship with free trade

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agreements and other agreements.

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And I can tell you that as
leaders of our nations we

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have the will to continue to
develop our economic relations.

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In our discussions that
pertain to regional issues,

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Syria was at the
top of our agenda.

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While we discussed Syria, we
talked about what has happened

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so far and we talked about
what can be done in the future.

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And we have views that overlap,
as the President has just said.

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We will continue to discuss this
issue in greater detail in our

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meeting this evening.

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But let me tell you that ending
this bloody process in Syria and

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meeting the legitimate demands
of the people by establishing

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a new government are two areas
where we are in full agreement

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with the United States.

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Supporting the opposition
and Assad leaving are

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important issues.

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We also agree that we have to
prevent Syria from becoming an

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area for terrorist
organizations.

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We also agreed that chemical
weapons should not be used,

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and all minorities and their
rights should be secured.

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These are all priority
areas for all of us.

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And we discussed what needs to
be done on these issues with the

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President, and this evening,
we will continue to talk

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about these in greater detail.

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Iraq was also another
area of discussion for

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us on regional issues.

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Transparent elections in
Iraq and the participation --

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ensuring the participation
of all political groups in

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the elections are both
very important in Iraq.

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With everyone's participation
we would like to see a peaceful

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period in Iraq.

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And this is what both we and the
United States would like to see.

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With respect to the
Middle East peace process,

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we discussed with the
President this important issue,

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which is very important
for regional peace.

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In the attack
against Mavi Marmara,

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which was taking
humanitarian aid to Gaza,

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Turkish citizens and one
Turkish-American citizen

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were killed.

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And as you know, we are working
with the Israeli government for

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compensation for those
who lost their lives.

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And the visit that I will pay
to Gaza will contribute to the

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peace in Gaza and to unity
in Palestine, in my opinion.

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00:13:01,461 --> 00:13:08,661
The Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus is always in favor of --

242
00:13:08,661 --> 00:13:15,131
in Cyprus we believe that there
is a lot of opportunity to reach

243
00:13:15,127 --> 00:13:18,997
an agreement on the Cyprus issue
and this is an area which we

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00:13:18,994 --> 00:13:20,024
continue to focus on.

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00:13:20,027 --> 00:13:24,157
We have also discussed Iran,
Azerbaijan, Afghanistan,

246
00:13:24,161 --> 00:13:25,691
and all these issues.

247
00:13:25,695 --> 00:13:33,295
And we have also briefly touched
upon some developments in Africa

248
00:13:33,294 --> 00:13:35,594
and also about Myanmar.

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00:13:35,594 --> 00:13:40,364
Our joint fight against
terrorism will continue

250
00:13:40,361 --> 00:13:42,531
to be the case,
as I said before.

251
00:13:42,528 --> 00:13:48,128
And we also touched upon issues
related to the defense industry.

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00:13:48,127 --> 00:13:51,357
And I can say that this
has been a historic day,

253
00:13:51,361 --> 00:13:53,431
a historic turning
point in the context

254
00:13:53,428 --> 00:13:55,398
of Turkish-American relations.

255
00:13:55,394 --> 00:14:00,124
On regional and global issues,
the partnership between Turkey

256
00:14:00,127 --> 00:14:03,357
and the United States serves
peace, security, and stability,

257
00:14:03,361 --> 00:14:07,761
and will continue to do so
even more in the future.

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00:14:07,761 --> 00:14:11,861
I will cut my remarks shortly,
not because I am trying to

259
00:14:11,861 --> 00:14:14,991
flee from the rain -- rain
is considered to be a great

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00:14:14,994 --> 00:14:17,194
source of abundance.

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00:14:17,194 --> 00:14:20,224
But I will stop here to say that
I hope our discussions will be

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00:14:20,227 --> 00:14:21,957
beneficial for our
future relations.

263
00:14:21,961 --> 00:14:22,491
Thank you.

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00:14:22,494 --> 00:14:23,764
The President:
Well, before we get started
let me just make sure that

265
00:14:23,761 --> 00:14:24,791
I'm a good host.

266
00:14:24,795 --> 00:14:26,565
Mr. Prime Minister, do
you want an umbrella?

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00:14:26,561 --> 00:14:27,261
(laughter)

268
00:14:27,261 --> 00:14:30,491
Because we can arrange
it if you need it.

269
00:14:30,494 --> 00:14:32,464
You're okay?

270
00:14:32,461 --> 00:14:34,391
All right, this will be
incentive for the press

271
00:14:34,394 --> 00:14:38,394
to ask concise questions and
us to give concise answers.

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00:14:38,394 --> 00:14:44,694
I'm going to start with
Julianna Goldman of Bloomberg.

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00:14:44,695 --> 00:14:46,165
The Press:
Unfortunately, we
all forgot umbrellas.

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00:14:46,161 --> 00:14:49,931
Mr. President, I want to
ask you about the IRS.

275
00:14:49,928 --> 00:14:52,958
Can you assure the American
people that nobody in the White

276
00:14:52,961 --> 00:14:56,391
House knew about the agency's
actions before your Counsel's

277
00:14:56,394 --> 00:14:58,964
Office found out on April 22nd?

278
00:14:58,961 --> 00:15:01,561
And when they did find out, do
you think that you should have

279
00:15:01,561 --> 00:15:04,661
learned about it before you
learned about it from news

280
00:15:04,661 --> 00:15:06,761
reports as you said last Friday?

281
00:15:06,761 --> 00:15:09,791
And also, are you opposed to
there being a special council

282
00:15:09,795 --> 00:15:13,025
appointed to lead the Justice
Department investigation?

283
00:15:13,027 --> 00:15:16,927
And also, Mr. Prime Minister,
what is the status on efforts

284
00:15:16,928 --> 00:15:19,298
to normalize
relations with Israel?

285
00:15:19,294 --> 00:15:22,264
And do you still plan to go
to Gaza in the coming weeks?

286
00:15:22,261 --> 00:15:23,931
Thanks.

287
00:15:23,928 --> 00:15:28,128
The President:
Well, with respect to the
IRS, I spoke to this yesterday.

288
00:15:28,127 --> 00:15:33,127
My main concern is
fixing a problem,

289
00:15:33,127 --> 00:15:40,197
and we began that process
yesterday by asking and

290
00:15:40,194 --> 00:15:43,624
accepting the resignation of
the Acting Director there.

291
00:15:43,628 --> 00:15:48,198
We will be putting in new
leadership that will be able

292
00:15:48,194 --> 00:15:53,564
to make sure that -- following
up on the IG audit -- that we

293
00:15:53,561 --> 00:15:56,661
gather up all the facts, that we
hold accountable those who have

294
00:15:56,661 --> 00:16:00,031
taken these outrageous actions.

295
00:16:00,027 --> 00:16:05,427
As I said last night, it is just
simply unacceptable for there to

296
00:16:05,428 --> 00:16:10,428
even be a hint of partisanship
or ideology when it comes to the

297
00:16:10,428 --> 00:16:12,658
application of our tax laws.

298
00:16:12,661 --> 00:16:15,731
I am going to go ahead and ask
folks -- why don't we get a

299
00:16:15,728 --> 00:16:18,758
couple of Marines, they're
going to look good next to us --

300
00:16:18,761 --> 00:16:19,231
(laughter)

301
00:16:19,227 --> 00:16:22,527
-- just because I've
got a change of suits --

302
00:16:22,528 --> 00:16:28,698
-- but I don't know
about our Prime Minister.

303
00:16:28,695 --> 00:16:29,495
There we go.

304
00:16:29,494 --> 00:16:30,064
That's good.

305
00:16:30,061 --> 00:16:31,131
You guys I'm sorry about.

306
00:16:31,127 --> 00:16:32,997
(laughter)

307
00:16:32,994 --> 00:16:45,094
But let me make sure that I
answer your specific question.

308
00:16:45,094 --> 00:16:50,394
I can assure you that I
certainly did not know anything

309
00:16:50,394 --> 00:16:55,364
about the IG report before
the IG report had been leaked

310
00:16:55,361 --> 00:16:57,361
through the press.

311
00:17:00,261 --> 00:17:04,331
Typically, the IG reports
are not supposed to be widely

312
00:17:04,328 --> 00:17:05,458
distributed or shared.

313
00:17:05,461 --> 00:17:09,491
They tend to be a process that
everybody is trying to protect

314
00:17:09,494 --> 00:17:11,494
the integrity of.

315
00:17:12,528 --> 00:17:17,898
But what I'm absolutely certain
of is that the actions that were

316
00:17:17,895 --> 00:17:21,395
described in that IG
report are unacceptable.

317
00:17:21,394 --> 00:17:24,324
So in addition to making sure
that we've got a new acting

318
00:17:24,328 --> 00:17:27,958
director there, we're also going
to make sure that we gather up

319
00:17:27,961 --> 00:17:31,661
the facts, and hold accountable
and responsible anybody who was

320
00:17:31,661 --> 00:17:32,661
involved in this.

321
00:17:32,661 --> 00:17:39,431
We're going to make sure that
we identify any structural or

322
00:17:39,428 --> 00:17:42,058
management issues to prevent
something like this from

323
00:17:42,061 --> 00:17:44,291
happening again.

324
00:17:44,294 --> 00:17:49,324
We're going to make sure that
we are accepting all of the

325
00:17:49,328 --> 00:17:51,728
recommendations that the
IG has in the report.

326
00:17:51,728 --> 00:17:56,828
And I'm looking forward to
working with Congress to fully

327
00:17:56,828 --> 00:17:59,498
investigate what happened, make
sure that it doesn't happen

328
00:17:59,494 --> 00:18:08,394
again, and also look at some of
the laws that create a bunch of

329
00:18:08,394 --> 00:18:14,094
ambiguity in which the IRS may
not have enough guidance and not

330
00:18:14,094 --> 00:18:16,894
be clear about what exactly they
need to be doing and doing it

331
00:18:16,895 --> 00:18:22,565
right, so that the American
people have confidence that

332
00:18:22,561 --> 00:18:25,731
the tax laws are being
applied fairly and evenly.

333
00:18:25,728 --> 00:18:32,098
So in terms of the White
House and reporting,

334
00:18:32,094 --> 00:18:34,794
I think that you've
gotten that information

335
00:18:34,795 --> 00:18:36,795
from Mr. Carney and others.

336
00:18:39,261 --> 00:18:44,431
I promise you this -- that the
minute I found out about it,

337
00:18:44,428 --> 00:18:47,698
then my main focus is making
sure we get the thing fixed.

338
00:18:47,695 --> 00:18:52,895
I think that it's going to
be sufficient for us to be

339
00:18:52,895 --> 00:18:54,325
working with Congress.

340
00:18:54,328 --> 00:18:55,958
They've got a whole
bunch of committees.

341
00:18:55,961 --> 00:18:57,731
We've got IGs already there.

342
00:18:57,728 --> 00:19:00,728
The IG has done an audit; it's
now my understanding they're

343
00:19:00,728 --> 00:19:04,128
going to be recommending
an investigation.

344
00:19:04,127 --> 00:19:11,057
And Attorney General Holder
also announced a criminal

345
00:19:11,061 --> 00:19:13,261
investigation of what happened.

346
00:19:13,261 --> 00:19:17,161
Between those investigations, I
think we're going to be able to

347
00:19:17,161 --> 00:19:20,831
figure out exactly what
happened, who was involved,

348
00:19:20,828 --> 00:19:24,098
what went wrong, and we're
going to be able to implement

349
00:19:24,094 --> 00:19:25,494
steps to fix it.

350
00:19:25,494 --> 00:19:27,564
And that, ultimately, is the
main priority that I have,

351
00:19:27,561 --> 00:19:29,491
but also I think the
American people have.

352
00:19:29,494 --> 00:19:36,864
They understand that we've got
an agency that has enormous

353
00:19:36,861 --> 00:19:40,891
potential power and is
involved in everybody's lives.

354
00:19:40,895 --> 00:19:44,995
And that's part of the reason
why it's been treated as a

355
00:19:44,994 --> 00:19:49,524
quasi-independent institution.

356
00:19:49,528 --> 00:19:53,328
But that's also why we've got
to make sure that it is doing

357
00:19:53,328 --> 00:20:01,158
its job scrupulously and
without even a hint of bias,

358
00:20:01,161 --> 00:20:06,591
or a hint that somehow they're
favoring one group over another.

359
00:20:06,594 --> 00:20:11,294
And, as I said yesterday,
I'm outraged by this in part

360
00:20:11,294 --> 00:20:15,624
because, look, I'm a public
figure -- if a future

361
00:20:15,628 --> 00:20:22,128
administration is starting to
use the tax laws to favor one

362
00:20:22,127 --> 00:20:24,957
party over another or one
political view over another,

363
00:20:24,961 --> 00:20:27,331
obviously we're all vulnerable.

364
00:20:27,328 --> 00:20:29,458
And that's why, as I've said, it
doesn't matter whether you're a

365
00:20:29,461 --> 00:20:34,331
Democrat or a Republican, you
should be equally outraged at

366
00:20:34,328 --> 00:20:40,358
even the prospect that the
IRS might not be acting with

367
00:20:40,361 --> 00:20:43,061
the kind of complete
neutrality that we expect.

368
00:20:43,061 --> 00:20:44,831
And I think we're going
to be able to fix it.

369
00:20:44,828 --> 00:20:46,598
We're going to be
able to get it done,

370
00:20:46,594 --> 00:20:48,664
and we've already begun that
progress and we're going to

371
00:20:48,661 --> 00:20:54,531
keep on going
until it's finished.

372
00:20:54,528 --> 00:20:57,828
Prime Minister Erdoğan:
(speaking in Turkish)

373
00:20:57,828 --> 00:21:03,828
(as interpreted in English)
In your question about Gaza,
according to my plans,

374
00:21:03,828 --> 00:21:08,698
most probably I would be
visiting Gaza in June.

375
00:21:08,695 --> 00:21:11,225
But it will not be a
visit only to Gaza;

376
00:21:11,227 --> 00:21:13,927
I will also go to the West Bank.

377
00:21:17,728 --> 00:21:23,058
I place a lot of significance on
this visit in terms of peace in

378
00:21:23,061 --> 00:21:28,691
the Middle East, and this
visit in no way means favoring

379
00:21:28,695 --> 00:21:29,865
one or the other.

380
00:21:29,861 --> 00:21:33,261
I'm hoping that that visit
will contribute to unity in

381
00:21:33,261 --> 00:21:34,891
Palestine, first of all.

382
00:21:34,895 --> 00:21:37,465
This is something that
I focus on very much.

383
00:21:37,461 --> 00:21:41,791
And I hope that my visit can
contribute to that process.

384
00:21:41,795 --> 00:21:45,895
Thank you.

385
00:21:47,994 --> 00:21:50,994
The Press:
(speaking in Turkish)

386
00:21:50,994 --> 00:21:54,924
(as interpreted in English)
My first question to
you, Prime Minister.

387
00:21:54,928 --> 00:21:58,458
You talked about chemical
weapons and we know that

388
00:21:58,461 --> 00:21:59,561
Turkey has some evidence.

389
00:21:59,561 --> 00:22:01,761
Did you present that
evidence to President

390
00:22:01,761 --> 00:22:03,261
Obama in today's meeting?

391
00:22:03,261 --> 00:22:06,791
And what does Turkey expect
from the United States in

392
00:22:06,795 --> 00:22:07,625
this process?

393
00:22:07,628 --> 00:22:09,858
Question to President
Obama about Syria.

394
00:22:09,861 --> 00:22:12,791
You had said earlier that
chemical weapons would be

395
00:22:12,795 --> 00:22:14,265
a red line in Syria.

396
00:22:14,261 --> 00:22:17,191
Do you believe that at
this point in time Syria

397
00:22:17,194 --> 00:22:19,024
has over-gone the red line?

398
00:22:19,027 --> 00:22:22,427
And you said that
Assad should go.

399
00:22:22,428 --> 00:22:25,198
Will the U.S. take more
initiative to see Assad

400
00:22:25,194 --> 00:22:27,224
go in the future?

401
00:22:27,227 --> 00:22:29,427
Prime Minister Erdoğan:
(speaking in Turkish)

402
00:22:29,428 --> 00:22:36,128
(as interpreted in English)
Let me, first of all, say that
chemical weapons and missiles,

403
00:22:36,127 --> 00:22:41,157
rockets that have been fired --
all that information is shared

404
00:22:41,161 --> 00:22:45,531
between the relevant bodies
within our administrations.

405
00:22:45,528 --> 00:22:48,798
And it's not just Turkey
and the United States.

406
00:22:48,795 --> 00:22:54,425
For example, the United Kingdom
and all others have those

407
00:22:54,428 --> 00:22:57,558
documents, that information,
because we share information.

408
00:22:57,561 --> 00:23:03,691
And the U.N. Security
Council, all the other

409
00:23:03,695 --> 00:23:11,495
relevant authorities will
also receive that information

410
00:23:11,494 --> 00:23:14,064
in the proper time so that
more information is provided

411
00:23:14,061 --> 00:23:14,761
to the public.

412
00:23:14,761 --> 00:23:16,231
So we will continue
to work in this way.

413
00:23:18,561 --> 00:23:24,161
The President:
Well, as the Prime Minister
indicated, our militaries,

414
00:23:24,161 --> 00:23:26,691
our intelligence and
diplomatic personnel are

415
00:23:26,695 --> 00:23:29,425
constantly sharing information.

416
00:23:29,428 --> 00:23:32,428
And I've said in the past, we
have seen evidence of the use

417
00:23:32,428 --> 00:23:34,428
of chemical weapons
inside of Syria.

418
00:23:37,261 --> 00:23:42,291
It is important for us to make
sure that we're able to get more

419
00:23:42,294 --> 00:23:46,764
specific information about what
exactly is happening there.

420
00:23:46,761 --> 00:23:50,331
But separate and apart
from the chemical weapons,

421
00:23:50,328 --> 00:23:53,158
we know that tens of thousands
of people are being killed with

422
00:23:53,161 --> 00:23:57,791
artillery and mortars, and that
the humanitarian crisis and the

423
00:23:57,795 --> 00:24:03,265
slaughter that's taking place by
itself is sufficient to prompt

424
00:24:03,261 --> 00:24:04,731
strong international action.

425
00:24:04,728 --> 00:24:08,458
And that's why the Prime
Minister and I spoke extensively

426
00:24:08,461 --> 00:24:13,291
about the steps we're taking
on humanitarian efforts;

427
00:24:13,294 --> 00:24:17,024
the steps that we're taking
to strengthen the opposition

428
00:24:17,027 --> 00:24:19,697
politically so that it is
inclusive and representative of

429
00:24:19,695 --> 00:24:22,895
all the people inside of Syria;
the steps that we need to take

430
00:24:22,895 --> 00:24:28,265
to continue to strengthen
the capacity of the Syrian

431
00:24:28,261 --> 00:24:31,491
opposition that are on the
ground fighting to protect

432
00:24:31,494 --> 00:24:34,864
themselves from
the Assad regime;

433
00:24:34,861 --> 00:24:38,731
and that we continue to
try to mobilize the entire

434
00:24:38,728 --> 00:24:42,298
international community to put
more and more pressure on Assad

435
00:24:42,294 --> 00:24:46,024
so that he recognizes that he is
no longer legitimate and that he

436
00:24:46,027 --> 00:24:49,597
needs to go, and that we are
able to move to a political

437
00:24:49,594 --> 00:24:52,894
transition in which the
institutions inside of Syria

438
00:24:52,895 --> 00:24:58,265
are still functioning, but
we have a representative,

439
00:24:58,261 --> 00:25:05,491
multiethnic, multi-religious
body that can bring about

440
00:25:05,494 --> 00:25:08,724
democracy and peace
inside of Syria.

441
00:25:08,728 --> 00:25:12,998
With respect to what I've said
in the past around red lines --

442
00:25:12,994 --> 00:25:20,264
what I've said is that the
use of chemical weapons are

443
00:25:20,261 --> 00:25:24,991
something that the civilized
world has recognized should

444
00:25:24,994 --> 00:25:26,194
be out of bounds.

445
00:25:26,194 --> 00:25:30,964
And as we gather more
evidence and work together,

446
00:25:30,961 --> 00:25:34,531
my intention is to make sure
that we're presenting everything

447
00:25:34,528 --> 00:25:37,458
that we know to the
international community

448
00:25:37,461 --> 00:25:44,131
as an additional reason,
an additional mechanism,

449
00:25:44,127 --> 00:25:47,827
for the international community
to put all the pressure that

450
00:25:47,828 --> 00:25:51,398
they can on the Assad regime,
and to work with the opposition

451
00:25:51,394 --> 00:25:54,424
to bring about that
political transition.

452
00:25:54,428 --> 00:25:57,498
Now, there are a whole range of
options that the United States

453
00:25:57,494 --> 00:26:01,924
is already engaged in, and I
preserve the options of taking

454
00:26:01,928 --> 00:26:06,698
additional steps -- both
diplomatic and military --

455
00:26:06,695 --> 00:26:09,695
because those chemical weapons
inside of Syria also threaten

456
00:26:09,695 --> 00:26:13,425
our security over the long
term, as well as our allies

457
00:26:13,428 --> 00:26:14,758
and friends and neighbors.

458
00:26:14,761 --> 00:26:19,661
But this is also an
international problem.

459
00:26:19,661 --> 00:26:23,331
And it is very much my hope to
continue to work with all the

460
00:26:23,328 --> 00:26:25,998
various parties involved,
including Turkey,

461
00:26:25,994 --> 00:26:30,594
to find a solution that
brings peace to Syria,

462
00:26:30,594 --> 00:26:33,694
stabilizes the region,
stabilizes those

463
00:26:33,695 --> 00:26:35,865
chemical weapons.

464
00:26:35,861 --> 00:26:37,331
But it's not going to be
something that the United

465
00:26:37,328 --> 00:26:38,998
States does by itself.

466
00:26:38,994 --> 00:26:42,264
And I don't think
anybody in the region,

467
00:26:42,261 --> 00:26:45,931
including the Prime Minister,
would think that U.S. unilateral

468
00:26:45,928 --> 00:26:49,328
actions in and of themselves
would bring about a better

469
00:26:49,328 --> 00:26:52,198
outcome inside of Syria.

470
00:26:52,194 --> 00:26:54,694
Jeff Mason.

471
00:26:54,695 --> 00:26:55,595
The Press:
Thank you, Mr. President.

472
00:26:55,594 --> 00:26:58,294
I'd like to ask you about
the Justice Department.

473
00:26:58,294 --> 00:27:01,624
Do you believe that the seizure
of phone records from Associated

474
00:27:01,628 --> 00:27:04,458
Press journalists this week --
or before that was announced

475
00:27:04,461 --> 00:27:06,761
recently this week
was an overreach?

476
00:27:06,761 --> 00:27:08,261
And do you still have
full confidence in your

477
00:27:08,261 --> 00:27:09,531
Attorney General?

478
00:27:09,528 --> 00:27:12,498
Should we interpret yesterday's
renewed interest by the White

479
00:27:12,494 --> 00:27:15,624
House in a media shield
law as a response to that?

480
00:27:15,628 --> 00:27:18,998
And, more broadly, how do you
feel about comparisons by some

481
00:27:18,994 --> 00:27:22,194
of your critics of this week's
scandals to those that happened

482
00:27:22,194 --> 00:27:24,124
under the Nixon administration?

483
00:27:24,127 --> 00:27:29,397
The President:
Well, I'll let you guys engage
in those comparisons and you can

484
00:27:29,394 --> 00:27:33,494
go ahead and read the
history I think and draw

485
00:27:33,494 --> 00:27:34,764
your own conclusions.

486
00:27:34,761 --> 00:27:36,961
My concern is making sure
that if there's a problem

487
00:27:36,961 --> 00:27:39,961
in the government
that we fix it.

488
00:27:39,961 --> 00:27:44,931
That's my responsibility, and
that's what we're going to do.

489
00:27:44,928 --> 00:27:48,358
That's true with respect to the
IRS and making sure that they

490
00:27:48,361 --> 00:27:54,331
apply the laws the way
they were intended.

491
00:27:54,328 --> 00:27:57,328
That's true with respect to
the security of our diplomats,

492
00:27:57,328 --> 00:28:01,058
which is why we're going to
need to work with Congress

493
00:28:01,061 --> 00:28:03,861
to make sure that there's
adequate funding for what's

494
00:28:03,861 --> 00:28:06,131
necessary out there.

495
00:28:06,127 --> 00:28:08,027
Now, with respect to the
Department of Justice,

496
00:28:08,027 --> 00:28:11,927
I'm not going to comment on
a specific and pending case.

497
00:28:11,928 --> 00:28:23,428
But I can talk broadly about the
balance that we have to strike.

498
00:28:23,428 --> 00:28:31,058
Leaks related to national
security can put people at risk.

499
00:28:31,061 --> 00:28:34,091
They can put men and women
in uniform that I've sent

500
00:28:34,094 --> 00:28:37,364
into the battlefield at risk.

501
00:28:37,361 --> 00:28:41,831
They can put some of our
intelligence officers,

502
00:28:41,828 --> 00:28:44,398
who are in various, dangerous
situations that are easily

503
00:28:44,394 --> 00:28:48,794
compromised, at risk.

504
00:28:48,795 --> 00:28:55,425
U.S. national security is
dependent on those folks being

505
00:28:55,428 --> 00:29:00,428
able to operate with confidence
that folks back home have their

506
00:29:00,428 --> 00:29:04,698
backs, so they're not just
left out there high and dry,

507
00:29:04,695 --> 00:29:09,525
and potentially put in even more
danger than they may already be.

508
00:29:09,528 --> 00:29:12,398
And so I make no apologies,
and I don't think the American

509
00:29:12,394 --> 00:29:15,894
people would expect me as
Commander-in-Chief not to be

510
00:29:15,895 --> 00:29:19,295
concerned about information that
might compromise their missions

511
00:29:19,294 --> 00:29:23,064
or might get them killed.

512
00:29:23,061 --> 00:29:28,131
Now, the flip side of it is we
also live in a democracy where

513
00:29:28,127 --> 00:29:34,997
a free press, free expression,
and the open flow of information

514
00:29:34,994 --> 00:29:38,164
helps hold me accountable, helps
hold our government accountable,

515
00:29:38,161 --> 00:29:40,291
and helps our
democracy function.

516
00:29:40,294 --> 00:29:45,824
And the whole reason I got
involved in politics is because

517
00:29:45,828 --> 00:29:49,698
I believe so deeply in that
democracy and that process.

518
00:29:49,695 --> 00:29:59,095
So the whole goal of this media
shield law -- that was worked on

519
00:29:59,094 --> 00:30:02,494
and largely endorsed by folks
like The Washington Post

520
00:30:02,494 --> 00:30:06,464
Editorial Page and by
prosecutors -- was finding

521
00:30:06,461 --> 00:30:10,131
a way to strike that
balance appropriately.

522
00:30:10,127 --> 00:30:14,697
And to the extent
that this case,

523
00:30:14,695 --> 00:30:19,925
which we still don't know all
the details of -- to the extent

524
00:30:19,928 --> 00:30:23,798
that this case has prompted
renewed interest about how do

525
00:30:23,795 --> 00:30:29,625
we strike that balance properly,
then I think now is the time for

526
00:30:29,628 --> 00:30:32,328
us to go ahead and
revisit that legislation.

527
00:30:32,328 --> 00:30:35,498
I think that's a worthy
conversation to have,

528
00:30:35,494 --> 00:30:37,564
and I think that's important.

529
00:30:37,561 --> 00:30:45,761
But I also think it's important
to recognize that when we

530
00:30:45,761 --> 00:30:49,031
express concern about leaks
at a time when I've still got

531
00:30:49,027 --> 00:30:52,197
60,000-plus troops
in Afghanistan,

532
00:30:52,194 --> 00:30:56,324
and I've still got a whole bunch
of intelligence officers around

533
00:30:56,328 --> 00:31:03,828
the world who are in risky
situations -- in outposts that,

534
00:31:03,828 --> 00:31:08,498
in some cases, are as dangerous
as the outpost in Benghazi --

535
00:31:08,494 --> 00:31:12,794
that part of my job is to make
sure that we're protecting what

536
00:31:12,795 --> 00:31:17,265
they do, while still
accommodating for the

537
00:31:17,261 --> 00:31:22,131
need for information -- or
the need for the public to

538
00:31:22,127 --> 00:31:26,397
be informed and be able to
hold my office accountable.

539
00:31:26,394 --> 00:31:27,624
The Press:
I asked about Holder as well.

540
00:31:27,628 --> 00:31:30,558
And for the Prime Minister,
I wanted to ask you, sir,

541
00:31:30,561 --> 00:31:33,431
if the United States does not
step up its involvement in

542
00:31:33,428 --> 00:31:36,798
Syria, in your view, how
will that affect the war?

543
00:31:36,795 --> 00:31:39,765
And what plans do you have to
react to the bombing of the

544
00:31:39,761 --> 00:31:43,691
border town that the President
mentioned of Reyhanli?

545
00:31:43,695 --> 00:31:45,825
The President:
Mr. Prime Minister, just
excuse me -- you're right,

546
00:31:45,828 --> 00:31:48,798
I have complete confidence in
Eric Holder as Attorney General.

547
00:31:48,795 --> 00:31:51,595
He's an outstanding Attorney
General and does his job with

548
00:31:51,594 --> 00:31:58,894
integrity, and I expect
he will continue to do so.

549
00:31:58,895 --> 00:32:04,925
Prime Minister Erdoğan:
(speaking in Turkish)

550
00:32:04,928 --> 00:32:08,798
(as interpreted in English)
You are talking about the part
of the glass which is empty.

551
00:32:08,795 --> 00:32:11,925
I like to look at things with
the glass half full instead

552
00:32:11,928 --> 00:32:16,528
of half empty.

553
00:32:16,528 --> 00:32:20,398
What we would like to see is
the sensitivity on the part

554
00:32:20,394 --> 00:32:22,664
of the international community
with respect to what's going

555
00:32:22,661 --> 00:32:24,291
on in Syria.

556
00:32:24,294 --> 00:32:27,524
And this is what we, as
Turkey, are striving for,

557
00:32:27,528 --> 00:32:31,098
and I do believe that the
United States is doing the same,

558
00:32:31,094 --> 00:32:36,094
and other countries, the United
Nations Security Council,

559
00:32:36,094 --> 00:32:38,094
the Arab League.

560
00:32:42,528 --> 00:32:45,898
And other countries, though
not part of this structure,

561
00:32:45,895 --> 00:32:49,095
are still sensitive to
what is going on in Syria.

562
00:32:49,094 --> 00:32:53,494
Our aim is to
accelerate this process,

563
00:32:53,494 --> 00:32:58,124
and I will be visiting
other countries,

564
00:32:58,127 --> 00:33:00,227
my Foreign Minister will be
visiting other countries,

565
00:33:00,227 --> 00:33:04,257
just to see how we can speed
things up in a way which will

566
00:33:04,261 --> 00:33:06,631
prevent the death
of more people,

567
00:33:06,628 --> 00:33:10,598
and in a way which will ensure
a transition to a democratic

568
00:33:10,594 --> 00:33:11,894
system in Syria.

569
00:33:11,895 --> 00:33:17,365
Our goal is to see the tyranny,
the dictatorship go away in

570
00:33:17,361 --> 00:33:19,831
Syria and to be
replaced with democracy.

571
00:33:19,828 --> 00:33:22,628
And I think this is a collective
responsibility on the part of

572
00:33:22,628 --> 00:33:24,428
all countries that
believe in democracy.

573
00:33:24,428 --> 00:33:26,998
And this is what we
will all continue to do.

574
00:33:29,994 --> 00:33:33,824
The Press:
My name is (indiscernible), I'm
with Turkish NTV television.

575
00:33:33,828 --> 00:33:36,858
Mr. President, my first
question is to you.

576
00:33:36,861 --> 00:33:40,061
You mentioned that
Assad should go,

577
00:33:40,061 --> 00:33:43,491
and the question
is how and when.

578
00:33:43,494 --> 00:33:45,264
Is there a rough timetable?

579
00:33:45,261 --> 00:33:49,191
And shall we be talking about
the Syrian tragedy next year

580
00:33:49,194 --> 00:33:51,324
at this time?

581
00:33:51,328 --> 00:33:52,528
What's the idea?

582
00:33:52,528 --> 00:33:55,698
(speaking in Turkish)

583
00:33:55,695 --> 00:33:59,025
(as interpreted in English)
And, Mr. Prime Minister, before
your departure from Ankara,

584
00:33:59,027 --> 00:34:02,557
you stated that you had
expectations from this visit

585
00:34:02,561 --> 00:34:05,861
and that you have
some expectations.

586
00:34:05,861 --> 00:34:08,391
What is your general
observation about this visit?

587
00:34:11,328 --> 00:34:17,158
The President:
We would have preferred Assad
go two years ago; last year;

588
00:34:17,161 --> 00:34:20,131
six months ago; two months ago.

589
00:34:20,127 --> 00:34:25,957
And there has been consistency
on the part of my administration

590
00:34:25,961 --> 00:34:33,461
that Assad lost legitimacy when
he started firing on his own

591
00:34:33,461 --> 00:34:35,961
people and killing
his own people,

592
00:34:35,961 --> 00:34:41,991
who initially were protesting
peacefully for a greater voice

593
00:34:41,994 --> 00:34:45,094
in their country's affairs.

594
00:34:45,094 --> 00:34:49,064
And obviously that's escalated
during the course of time.

595
00:34:49,061 --> 00:34:52,291
So the answer is the
sooner the better.

596
00:34:52,294 --> 00:34:56,594
Now, in terms of
the question how,

597
00:34:56,594 --> 00:34:58,664
I think we've already
discussed that.

598
00:34:58,661 --> 00:35:07,591
There's no magic formula for
dealing with a extraordinarily

599
00:35:07,594 --> 00:35:11,264
violent and difficult
situation like Syria's.

600
00:35:11,261 --> 00:35:15,131
If there was, I think the
Prime Minister and I would

601
00:35:15,127 --> 00:35:19,927
have already acted on it and
it would already be finished.

602
00:35:19,928 --> 00:35:23,858
And instead, what we have to do
is apply steady international

603
00:35:23,861 --> 00:35:26,531
pressure, strengthen
the opposition.

604
00:35:26,528 --> 00:35:32,928
I do think that the prospect of
talks in Geneva involving the

605
00:35:32,928 --> 00:35:37,328
Russians and representatives
about a serious political

606
00:35:37,328 --> 00:35:42,158
transition that all the parties
can buy into may yield results.

607
00:35:42,161 --> 00:35:45,791
But in the meantime, we're going
to continue to make sure that

608
00:35:45,795 --> 00:35:48,665
we're helping the opposition,
and obviously dealing with the

609
00:35:48,661 --> 00:35:49,761
humanitarian situation.

610
00:35:49,761 --> 00:35:53,161
And we'll do so in close
consultation with Turkey,

611
00:35:53,161 --> 00:35:57,291
which obviously is deeply
invested in this and with whom

612
00:35:57,294 --> 00:36:03,364
we've got an outstanding
relationship with.

613
00:36:03,361 --> 00:36:06,331
Prime Minister Erdoğan:
(speaking in Turkish)

614
00:36:06,328 --> 00:36:07,998
(as interpreted in English)
Thank you very much.

615
00:36:07,994 --> 00:36:12,064
As you know, we will be meeting
again this evening so we'll have

616
00:36:12,061 --> 00:36:14,431
time to go in further detail.

617
00:36:14,428 --> 00:36:17,858
As I said before,
our views do overlap,

618
00:36:17,861 --> 00:36:20,031
and with our discussions
this evening,

619
00:36:20,027 --> 00:36:24,357
we will continue to explore
what we can do together,

620
00:36:24,361 --> 00:36:31,991
what we can consider
as parts of a road map

621
00:36:31,994 --> 00:36:34,994
looking at Geneva and beyond.

622
00:36:34,994 --> 00:36:41,864
Russia and China being part of
this process is very important,

623
00:36:41,861 --> 00:36:44,831
and this is important in the
context of the permanent members

624
00:36:44,828 --> 00:36:45,998
of the U.N. Security Council.

625
00:36:45,994 --> 00:36:49,164
Their participation in this
process will certainly add

626
00:36:49,161 --> 00:36:51,591
greater impetus.

627
00:36:51,594 --> 00:36:53,324
The pressure of the
international community

628
00:36:53,328 --> 00:37:01,098
continues to be a very
important element,

629
00:37:01,094 --> 00:37:06,224
and when we look at the
humanitarian support that

630
00:37:06,227 --> 00:37:12,627
we have provided so far, we
see that support equaling to

631
00:37:12,628 --> 00:37:14,128
more than $1.5 billion.

632
00:37:14,127 --> 00:37:16,527
And we continue to keep
an open-door policy,

633
00:37:16,528 --> 00:37:19,728
and we will continue to do this
because we have a border which

634
00:37:19,728 --> 00:37:24,598
is 910 kilometers in
length with Syria;

635
00:37:24,594 --> 00:37:28,224
there are relatives across
the border on each side.

636
00:37:28,227 --> 00:37:32,127
So we will continue
these efforts.

637
00:37:32,127 --> 00:37:35,697
These are all very important
for regional peace, because,

638
00:37:35,695 --> 00:37:39,665
on the one hand, you have the
steps that have been taken,

639
00:37:39,661 --> 00:37:42,491
efforts that are in place to
normalize relations between

640
00:37:42,494 --> 00:37:43,924
the Palestinians
and the Israelis.

641
00:37:43,928 --> 00:37:51,798
We don't need to have other
problems, issues in the region.

642
00:37:51,795 --> 00:37:56,565
We have, as you know, taken
steps to bring Syria and Israel

643
00:37:56,561 --> 00:37:57,991
together to solve
their problems.

644
00:37:57,994 --> 00:38:01,824
We had five rounds of
discussions, but unfortunately,

645
00:38:01,828 --> 00:38:02,898
they came to an end.

646
00:38:02,895 --> 00:38:06,625
But I hope that all the steps
that we take in the future with

647
00:38:06,628 --> 00:38:09,858
respect to regional peace will
yield results and we can work

648
00:38:09,861 --> 00:38:12,361
together with the United States
with determination to achieve

649
00:38:12,361 --> 00:38:13,061
peace in the region.

650
00:38:13,061 --> 00:38:14,161
Thank you.

651
00:38:14,161 --> 00:38:18,991
The Press:
(inaudible)

652
00:38:18,994 --> 00:38:22,094
Prime Minister Erdoğan:
(speaking in Turkish)

653
00:38:22,094 --> 00:38:29,264
(as interpreted in English)
We are discussing
all these issues.

654
00:38:29,261 --> 00:38:32,931
The step to be taken by the U.N.
Security Council and the Geneva

655
00:38:32,928 --> 00:38:34,458
process are important.

656
00:38:34,461 --> 00:38:36,131
We will continue to
assess that between us.

657
00:38:36,127 --> 00:38:37,057
Thank you.

658
00:38:37,061 --> 00:38:39,231
The President:
Thank you, everybody.

659
00:38:39,227 --> 00:38:41,157
Thank you.

660
00:38:41,161 --> 00:38:42,431
Thank you, guys.

661
00:38:42,428 --> 00:38:46,028
(cross talk)