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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

Coverage Of President Obama's Press Conference With Japanese Prime Minister. Aired 12:30-1p ET.

Aired April 28, 2015 - 12:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[12:30:00] BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: -- international dispute of settlements that they are flexing their muscles. And we've said to China what we would say to any country in that circumstance. That's the wrong way to go about it. And we will continue to work with all the countries in the region starting with our treaty allies to make sure that basic international norms continue to be observed.

SHINZO ABE, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (TRANSLATION): On the issue of comfort women, I am deeply kind to think about the comfort woman who experienced a measurable pain and suffering as a result of victimization due to human trafficking.

This is a feeling that I share equally with my predecessors. The Abe cabinet opposed the corner statement and had no intention to revise it. Based on this position Japan has made a various efforts to provide realistic relief for the comfort woman.

In 2015 of 20th century woman's dignity and basic human rights are often been infringe upon during wars.

We intent to make the 21st century a world with no human rights violations against that woman.

I promise that the general assembly of the United Nations last year that Japan would stand out before and leave the international community in eliminating sexual violence during conflicts.

Foreign international framework including the U.N. women, Japan provided approximately $12 million in 2014 and decided that it would provide approximately $22 million in 2015.

In any case the 21st century should be an age where women's have rights is never infringed upon and it is started for our strong resolve.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (TRANSLATION): Thank you very much to her (ph) from NHK. I'd like to just ask question to Japan's Abe and President Obama, in the East China Sea and in the South China Sea. China continues to make a freeways (ph) into the oceans. And the Islamic I think is still very active. How does it know if Japan intend to collaborate and what do you expect of each other in terms of actions that taken by perspective countries in Japan with regard to the acceptance of exercise by collection self defense and the new guidelines. There is a the strong concern that the Japan will become involved in America's wars. But how does that Prime Minister Abe intend to dispel this years and what is President Obama to take on these concerns.

ABE: First of all on extremism and radicalism which is have arise, the world community should unite to conquer such extremism.

Moderation is the best method, is (inaudible). We have to face extremism there are moderate who at the very forefront facing extremism. And we want to support this.

With the rise of extremism, there are refugees and support to these refugees and also to the influx of refugees and there are countries that who are faced with difficulties to these countries it's important that we provide support appropriately.

And to the moderate countries we need to tell them that they are not alone, they are not isolated in the international society, the moderate countries should be supported and we need express that at all times I believe that is important.

In the Middle East, there are people who are living there, improving the welfare and livelihood of these peoples, areas in which we like to make enhance. From such a standpoint United States and Japan would like to cooperate to respond to the challenges. [12:35:13] Another point the guideline the defense guidelines and with

regard to the security legislation that we maybe involved get caught up in wars, people tend to label of this in some cases it's very unfortunate that the labeling activities of this times is not the first time it was occurred.

In 1960, when we revised the security treaty people -- some people said that we will be involved in wars of the United States. And that was before of the criticism which was aired then. It's been 55 years since then.

This criticism has been proved totally wrong and that is very clear and evident. History has proved this. Our choice made at the time to revise the security treaty. And in case Japan's suffered from aggression between Japan and the United States that we would respond through cooperation.

And in far east to maintain security, Japan's facilities that would be leveled and U.S. military would never place facilities to conducted to the peace to such activities Japan safety would be was protected and prosperity happened and safety in Asian -- in the Asia pacific has been maintained to further strengthen this trend is provided for through the guidelines.

And seamless response is made possible. And by so doing the deterrence would be enhanced. Japan, U.S. alliance would be more efficient and more functional. Deterrence and response to take abilities would be heightened as a result.

And this would lead through peace and prosperity in Japan and regional peace and prosperity as well. This is my firm conviction. In the streamlining of other laws I should like to explain to the citizens and the parliament in a detailed fashion.

OBAMA: You know, ultimately the people of Japan and their elected representatives will be making decisions about how best to approach their defense.

But I think it's important to know this Prime Minister Abe said that we have seen over multiple decades now that Japan is a peace loving country, having absorbed some very difficult lessons from the past. Japan does not engage in aggression on the international stage or in its region.

And that the alliance that has been built with the United States is principally one that seeks to defend our countries from potential attack or aggression and what the new defense guidelines and the collective defense and approach that Prime Minister Abe is proposing, simply upgrades our ability to carry out those core functions.

We do share as people and countries all around the world share. A determination to eliminate the kind of barbaric terrorist acts perpetuated by organizations like ISIL that resulted in the death of innocent citizens from the United States, from Japan from other countries and most of all from Muslim countries.

And that's why we have broad based coalition design to defeat ISIL. And we will continue to work with a wide range of countries around the world in our counter terrorist methods.

Japan's cooperation in that is vital and appreciated. But there are many ways in which coalition members participate. Japan's willingness and commitment to provide humanitarian assistance makes an enormous difference in countries that have been destabilized.

[12:40:16] Japan's willingness to serve in areas of peace keeping and working with other countries to rebuild after they've been destroyed makes a big difference. So, I think it's important to recognize we do not expect some instant and major transformation in terms of how Japan projects military power. But we do expect that Japan like all of our allies and like ourselves will continue to adapt to new threats.

Understanding that our basic core principle is not territorial ambition, it's not aggression towards others. But it's simply to defend prosperity and liberty and the sovereignty of countries as we have done for a long time now, as we have done together for a very long time. (Inaudible).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you Mr. President as, you know, the National Guard is now on the streets of Baltimore the latest aftermath in a series of what have been high profile confrontations between black man and police officers. And there's seems to be growing frustration among African-American leaders that not enough is being done quickly enough Marc Morial Urban League said "The U.S. isn't in a state of emergency of tremendous proportions." The president of the NAACP legal defense fan says we are in the throes of a national crisis. Are we in the throes of a national crisis? What are you prepared to do about it both in terms of Baltimore and the larger picture? And what do you say to critiques who say that since the death of Trayvon Martin you have not been aggressive enough in your response?

And to Prime Minister Abe, how important is a pacific trade deal to keeping the influence of China in check both economically and militarily. And do you agree with President Obama when he says that failing to complete a deal will simply further China's influence. Thank you.

OBAMA: Before I answer the question on Baltimore I'm going to horn in on your question to Prime Minister Abe.

I've been very clear that TPP is good for American businesses and American workers, regardless of what China's doing. And we will make the case on the merits as to why it will open up markets for American goods, American exports and create American jobs. So this is not simply a defensive agreement this is something that is

going to be part and personal with our broader economic agenda in moving forward. And when 95 percent of the world's markets are outside of our shores we got to make sure that we're out their competing. And I'm confident we can compete.

With respect to Baltimore, let me make couple of points first obviously our thoughts continued to be with the family of Freddie Gray, understandably they want answers. And the DOJ has opened an investigation it is working with local law enforcement to find out exactly what happened. And I think there should be full transparency and accountability.

Second my thoughts are with the police officers who were injured in last night's disturbances. In underscores that that's a tough job. And we have to keep that in mind. And my hope is that they can, you know, heal and get back to work as soon as possible.

Point number three, there's no excuse for the kind of violence that we saw yesterday. It is counter productive. When individuals get crowbars and start try and open doors to loot, they're not protesting, they're not making a statement, they're stealing. When they burn down a building they're committing arson. And they're

destroying and undermining businesses and opportunities in their own communities that rob a jobs and opportunity from people in that area.

So it is entirely appropriate that the mayor of Baltimore who I spoke through yesterday and the governor who I spoke through yesterday work to stop that kind of senseless, violence and destruction.

[12:45:13] That is not a protest. That is not a statement, its people -- a handful of people taking advantage of the situation for their purposes and they need to be treated as criminals.

Point number four. The violence that happened yesterday distracted from the fact that you had seen multiple days of peaceful protests that were focused on entirely legitimate concerns of these communities in Baltimore. Lead by clergy and community leaders and they were constructive and they were thoughtful.

And frankly I didn't get that much attention. And one burning building will looped on television over and over and over again. And the thousands of demonstrators who did it the right way, I think have been lost in the discussion. The overwhelming majority of the community in Baltimore, I think we can handle this appropriately, expressing a real concern and outrage over the possibility that our lost will not applied evenly in the case of Mr. Gray.

And that (a kind of bill) needs to exist. And I think we have to give credit, my understanding is, is you've got some of the same organizers now going back into these communities to try to clean the aftermath of handful of protest -- hand of criminals and thugs who tore up the place.

What they were doing what those community leaders and clergy and others were doing that is a statement. That's the kind of organizing the needs that take place if we're going to tackle this problem and they deserve credit for it and we should be lifting them up.

Point number five and I've got six, because this is important. Since Ferguson and the task force that we put together we have seen too many instances of what appears to be police officers interacting with individuals primarily African-American often poor in ways that raise troubling questions.

And it comes up that seems like, once a week now or once every couple a weeks. And so that I think it's pretty understandable why the leaders of civil rights organizations, but more importantly moms and dads across the country might start saying this is a crisis.

What I'd say is there's been a slow rolling crisis, this been going on for a long time, this is not new, and we should pretend that's its new. The good news is, is that perhaps there's some new found awareness because of social media and video cameras and so forth that there are problems and challenges when it comes to how policing and our lost are applied in certain communities and we have to pay attention to it and respond.

What's also good news is the task force that was made up of law enforcement and community activist that we brought together here in the White House had come up with very constructive, concrete proposals that if adapted by local communities and by states and by counties bylaw enforcement generally would make a difference, one solve every problem but would make a concrete difference in rebuilding trust and making sure that the overwhelming majority affective, honest and fair law enforcement officers.

That they're able to do their job better because it will weed out or retrain or put a stop too those handful who maybe not doing what they are supposed to be doing.

Now the challenge for us, is the federal government is, is that we don't run this police forces. Again federalize every police force in the country and force them to retrain. [12:50:02] But what I can do is to start working with them collaboratively so that they can begin this process of change themselves. And we -- coming out of the task force that we put together, we're now working with local communities.

Department of Justice has just announced our grant program for those jurisdictions that want to purchase body cameras. We are going to be issuing grants for those jurisdictions that are prepared to start trying to implement some of the new training and data collection and other things that can make a difference. And we're going to keep on working with those local jurisdictions so that they can begin to make the changes that are necessary.

I think it's going to be important for organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police and other police unions and organizations to acknowledge that this is not good for police. We have to own up to the fact that occasionally there are going to be problems here just as there are in every other occupation. There are some bad politicians who are corrupt. There are folks in business community or on Wall Street who don't do the right thing. Well, there are some police who are not doing the right thing.

And rather than close ranks, you know, what we've seen is a number of thoughtful police chiefs and commissioners and other recognize, they're going to get their arms around this thing and work together with the community to solve the problem. And we're committed to facilitating that process. So the heads of our cops, agency that helps with community policing, they're already out in Baltimore. Our head assistant attorney general for civil rights division is already out in Baltimore.

But we're going to be working systematically with every city and jurisdiction around the country to try to help them implement some solutions that we know work. And I'll make my final point, I'm sorry Mr. Prime Minister but this is a pretty important issue for us.

We can't just leave this to the police. I think their police department is going to have to do some soul searching. I think there are some communities that have to do some soul searching, but I think we as a country have to do some soul searching.

This is not new. It's been going on for decades and without making any excuses for criminal activities that take place in these communities, what we also know is that if you have impoverished communities that had been stripped away of opportunity where children are born in the abject (ph) poverty. They've got parents often because of substance abuse problems or incarceration or lack of education themselves can't do right by their kids.

If it's more likely that those kids end up in jail or dead than they go to college, and communities where there are no fathers who can provide guidance to young men. Communities that were -- there's no investment and manufacturing has been stripped away and drugs have flooded the community and the drug industry ends up being the primary employer for a whole lot of folks. In those environments, if we think that we're just going to send the police to do the dirty work of containing the problems that arise there, without as a nation and as a society saying what can we do to change those communities to help lift up those communities and give those kids opportunity, then we're not going to solve this problem and we'll go through the same cycles, periodic conflicts between the police and communities, and the occasional riots in the streets, and everybody will -- same concern until it goes away and then we go about our business as usual.

If we are serious about solving this problem, then we're going to not only have to help the police, we're going to have to think about what can we do, the rest of us to make sure that we're providing early education to these kids, to make sure that we're reforming our criminal justice system, so it's not just a pipeline form schools to prisons, so that we're not rendering men in these communities unemployable because of the felony record for a non-violent drug offense, that we're making investments so that they can get the training they need to find jobs.

[12:55:25] That's hard and that requires more than just the occasional news reporter task force and there's a bunch of my agenda that would make a difference right now in that and I'm under no illusion that out of this congress we're going to get massive investments in urban communities.

And so, we'll try to find areas where we can make a difference around school reform and around job training and around some investments in infrastructure in these communities trying to attract new businesses in. But if we really want to solve the problem, if our society want to solve the problem, we could, it's just it would require everybody saying this is important, this is significant, and that we don't just pay attention to these communities when (inaudible) and we don't just pay attention when a young men gets shot or has a spine snapped.

We are paying attention all the time because we consider that those kids, our kids, and we think they're important. And they shouldn't be living in poverty and violence.

That's how I feel and I think there are a lot of good meaningful people around the country that feel that way but that kind of political mobilization, I think we haven't seen in quite some time. And what I tried to do is to promote those ideas that would make a difference but I think we all understand that politics of that is tough because it's easy to ignore those problems, or to treat them just as a law and order issue as supposed to a broader social issue.

That's a really long answer but I felt pretty strongly about it.

ABE (TRANSLATION): First of all on KPP.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: All right, we're going to break away. The President just spent 15 or 16 minutes by giving an answer on the crisis that's going on in Baltimore, Maryland. And the President making it clear he's very angry at what he said were not protesters, he said these were people who were stealing, who are committing arson, there is no excuse for this kind of violence. We saw in the streets of Baltimore last night throughout at least half of the day yesterday, and the President said these people should be prosecuted but at the same time he did say there is part of a bigger picture that has to be assessed and he went through six specific points in going through his analysis of what is going on in Baltimore right now.

Gloria Borger, you've been listening very carefully to the President. Obviously, he came in with a thoughtful answer to this crisis.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, as he said at the end of his answer you can tell, sorry I took up so much time, but you could tell I feel very strongly about this.

So I think this is a President who has not thought about this a long time because these events keep occurring, but he's also somebody who is really troubled by the fact as he pointed out that we keep talking about it and it still keeps reoccurring, you know. He said after Ferguson we established a task force. These troubling questions still remain. The country pays attention to it when they see the pictures. But when the pictures go away, we're not paying enough attention to it.

And he called it a crisis, he called it a slow rolling crisis which he clearly believes is going to continue unless, cities, communities start doing something about it and you could -- you could sense his sort of enormous frustration that congress won't act, that cities don't have the funds for urban policies that might help take care of some of the issues in these communities.

So what I saw was a President who has enormous amount of pin up frustration about the fact that the issues seem to be getting worse. These things still seem to be occurring in cities and he can't quite get his arms around how to make it better.

BLITZER: And Nia-Malika Henderson is with us as well, our senior political reporter. He made it very, very clear also and clearly why he's frustrated and angry, the violence that erupted on the streets of Baltimore yesterday was distracting from the peaceful protest which we thought were positive, which were useful in the aftermath of the police custody death of Freddie Gray.

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER: That's right and he sort of blamed the press in some ways for having some of the more violent activities on constant loop and overshadowing a lot of the work that had been going on there among peaceful folks who want to make a difference there.

[13:00:09] I do -- I agree with you.