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Ambassador Haley On Syria; Steve Bannon Removed From Principles Committee; Trump On Bill O'Reilly; President Trump And King Abdullah. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired April 05, 2017 - 13:00   ET

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


ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

Up first, President Trump meeting right now with a key Middle Eastern ally as outrage grows over the chemical weapons attack in Syria. The president and Jordan's King Abdullah will hold a joint news conference. It's set to begin just minutes from now in the White House rose garden. We'll bring it to you live, of course right here on CNN.

The two leaders will discuss the horrific attack in Syria that killed dozens, including so many so many children. Just moments ago, the president reacted to the attack. He said this is about the attack. And I'm going to read his remark as his audio is tough to hear. He said this. These are very troubled times in the Middle East and we see what happened just recently yesterday in Syria, horrible. Horrible, horrible thing. Unspeakable.

Meantime, over at the United Nations Security Council today, the U.S. ambassador, Nikki Haley, displayed photos of some of the victims and called on the United Nations, and especially Russia, a member of the U.N. Security Council to stop the carnage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UNITED NATIONS: We awoke to pictures, to children foaming at the mouth, suffering convulsions, being carried in the arms of desperate parents. We saw rows of lifeless bodies, some still in diapers, some with visible scars of a chemical weapons' attack.

Look at those pictures. If Russia has the influence in Syria that it claims to have, we need to see them use it. We need to see them put an end to these horrific acts. How many more children have to die before Russia cares?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The Trump administration's foreign policy certainly being put to the test this week. He's meeting today with Jordan's King Abdullah, just the latest in a series of high-profile visits by world leaders. And it comes as the White House makes a shift in its National Security Council's staff.

Let's bring in our Senior White House Correspondent Jeff Zeleny. Jeff, the White House condemned the chemical weapons' attack in Syria. But the administration has suggested, at least in recent days, that the Syrian president, Bashar Al Assad, could remain in power. So, what does that mean for today's very important meeting with King Abdullah?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it is critical, you know, this critical meeting. But, more importantly, we are waiting on the words of the president, himself, here, what he says about Syria.

We saw, you know, a quick remark there in the opening. But will he embrace, will he amplify the message that his U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, delivered at the United Nations earlier this morning with tough talk on Russia.

We have yet not heard the president speak that directly about Russia. So, we -- you know, we know the president will be addressing Syria when he meets here in the rose garden in just a few moments, Wolf.

So, if he is, you know, repeating the line of Nikki Haley it will be the most significant words he has said yet. If he does not go that far, that will be significant as well here, Wolf. Because up until now, yes, the administration said that this was a reprehensible attack in Syria. But they have not yet outlined the next steps what they intend to do about it here. They're getting pressure from Republicans on Capitol Hill and elsewhere.

So, the words the president will say here coming up, so important, Wolf.

BLITZER: The White House, meanwhile, as you know, Jeff, has removed Chief Strategist Steve Bannon from the National Security Council. This is an important development. Tell us how this decision came about and what it means.

ZELENY: Wolf, this is a very important development in a still growing young administration here. And you'll remember back to the first week or so of this administration when Steve Bannon, the Chief Strategist, the Political Strategist, was named to the Principles Committee of the National Security Council, sitting alongside, you know, the secretary of state, secretary of defense, in making these big major foreign policy decisions. Well, he has been removed from that seat.

Wolf, this is the first public diminishing of Steve Bannon inside west wing. Yes, he is still, you know, a very influential adviser on domestic policy. But by removing him from the National Security Council Principles Committee and, you know, returning it to a more traditional structure, if you will, is a clear sign, yes, that there is indeed a power structure -- a power struggle going inside this west wing.

[13:05:00] Steve Bannon always won those. Not this one, Wolf. H.R. McMaster -- General H.R. McMaster, the National Security Adviser, who replaced Michael Flynn, is empowered by this move, I'm told by Republicans close to the White House. This is a win for him getting his own people, if you will, back on the National Security Council.

So, Wolf, this is all coming at a time, of course, where so many foreign policies topics and issues are landing on this president's desk here. And Steve Bannon will be more in this traditional line of a -- of a political adviser. But, Wolf, I can't think of anything in the first 11 weeks or so of this administration that has made Steve Bannon more publicly diminished than this has.

BLITZER: Yes, it's certainly a significant development. But wait, there is more. "The New York Times" has just posted an exclusive interview with the president in the Oval Office. And, among other things, the headline of this "New York Times" article says that Trump says Susan Rice may have committed a crime, President Obama's national security adviser. You've gone through the article. Tell us about that. This is important news as well.

ZELENY: It is important news, Wolf. And it's the president saying that he believes that -- you know, it's his opinion that the former national security adviser in the Obama administration, Susan Rice, may have committed a crime. But if you read that story, it said the president would not, sort of, elaborate on that or say what crime or what he meant by that.

This, of course, is the president still trying to cling to that assertion he made so many weeks ago now that President Obama and the Obama administration was indeed -- had his advisers under some type of surveillance. Initially, he described it as wiretapping and then broadened it out to surveillance generally.

So, he and other Republicans close to this administration are trying to point the finger toward Susan Rice. Now, she has said, look, I may have done some unmasking which is typical for a national security adviser, to essentially see the names of the individuals who are mentioned in these intelligence reports for talking to foreign nationals. But she said I did not leak here.

So, if any crime would have been committed, you know, she would have had to leak that information. She said she didn't do it.

So, the president, once again, making a claim that he does not have the evidence to back up or at least he did not share that evidence with "The New York Times." But trying to get past this cloud of controversy here by throwing a, you know, stink bomb, if you will, directly at Susan Rice who, of course, on the right from her role in the Benghazi incident in the last administration is simply already, you know, a magnet for controversy here.

So, the president, by adding to that, knows exactly what he's doing. It's, perhaps, the biggest sign of deflection yet. Because the reality here, when you break through all this smoke, look through all this smoke, it's his administration that is still under investigation by the FBI, by the House Intelligence Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee.

So, Susan Rice is a sideshow at best here. But the president clearly making that explosive charge from the Oval Office today -- Wolf.

BLITZER: He certainly did. Let me read a couple of quotes from the president of the United States, just a little while ago in the Oval Office, referring to Susan Rice, President Obama's National Security Adviser, suggesting she may have committed a crime. I think it's going to be the biggest story, the president said in the interview. It's such an important story for our country and the world. It is one of the big stories of our time.

He then declined to go into specifics to bolster his case. But when asked specifically, do you believe she committed a crime? The president said, do I think? Yes, I think. The president being very, very specific, although refusing to provide details. He said, at the right time, in his words, those details would emerge.

Also, very interestingly, in this same "New York Times" interview, the president defended Bill O'Reilly, the Fox News --

ZELENY: Right.

BLITZER: -- host who's been accused of improper activities, shall we say, with women. I don't think Bill did anything wrong. I think he shouldn't have settled. Personally, I think he shouldn't have settled because he should have taken it all the way. I don't think Bill did anything wrong.

So, Jeff Zeleny, there's a lot in this "New York Times" interview that people are going to be digesting, not just today but over the days to come.

ZELENY: No doubt about it, Wolf. And this is what President Trump has done for a long time. He'll give an interview and he'll, you know, inject his viewpoints out there to, again, try and deflect and what not.

But these Bill O'Reilly comments, Wolf, so fascinating. In a sense, this is a White House that is in the middle of a sexual violence awareness month. They've been marking that and sending out messages of that. And then, for the president to say that of Bill O'Reilly is certainly shocking and interesting.

But, Wolf, it reminded me of comments he made during the campaign last year as well, about the chief of Fox News who had similar complaints lodged against him. And, in fact, it pushed him out of the network there.

[13:10:02] So, it is a -- not surprising, perhaps, that the president is coming to Bill O'Reilly's aid there. But, Wolf, such interesting words coming from, you know, someone who, in the final weeks of the campaign, we all remember those lewd words that came from the president's mouth, candidate Trump at the time there. And now, certainly defending Bill O'Reilly. So, very interesting.

But back on the point of Susan Rice. If the president is asked, at this news conference today. what evidence he has to back up this charge, it will be interesting to see what he has to say. Because he would not tell Maggie Haberman of "The New York Times," what evidence he has to back any of this up, Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes. All right. Here's the president of the United States and King Abdullah of Jordan. They will begin with opening statements. First from the president, then his majesty, the king of Jordan.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you very much.

Your Majesty, thank you for being with us today. Very much appreciate it.

This is our second meeting since my inauguration, but our first at the White House -- very special place, I can tell you that. I've gotten to know it well. Long hours, very special.

It's really an honor to welcome you here today. But before we begin, let me say a few words about recent events.

Yesterday, chemical attack -- a chemical attack that was so horrific in Syria against innocent people, including women, small children, and even beautiful little babies. Their deaths was an affront to humanity. These heinous actions by the Assad regime cannot be tolerated. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this horrific attack and all other horrific attacks, for that matter.

Your Majesty, Jordanians are known for their legendary hospitality, and we will do our very best to be equally gracious hosts. They're also known, however, I have to say this, for their fighting ability, and you are a great warrior, and we appreciate it. Thank you.

The historical ties and close friendship between our two countries dates back three-quarters of a century. In that time, the Middle East has faced many periods of crisis and unrest. Perhaps never like it is today, however. Through them all, America has looked to Jordan as a valued partner and advocate for the values of civilization and a source of stability and hope.

I am deeply committed to preserving our strong relationship, which I will, and to strengthening America's longstanding support for Jordan. And you do have tremendous support within our country, I can tell you that.

As we know, the Middle East and the entire world is faced with one of its gravest threats in many, many years. Since the earliest days of the campaign against ISIS, Jordan has been a staunch ally and partner, and we thank you for that. Jordanian servicemembers have made tremendous sacrifices in this battle against the enemies of civilization.

And I want to thank all of them for their really just incredible courage. So many have been lost, and we pay homage -- so many.

In King Abdullah, America is blessed with a thoughtful and determined partner. He is a man who has spent years commanding his country's special forces. He really knows what being a soldier is. That I can tell you. And he knows how to fight. The king has been a leader in calling for a plan to defeat ISIS once and for all, and I'm with you on that. We're both leaders on that, believe me. That's what we speak about today and that is what we are going to do.

And it will be a shorter fight than a lot of people are thinking about, believe me. We've made tremendous strides, as we discussed. As you know, we had a very, very fine delegation come over from Egypt, and also from Iraq.

[13:15:06] And they said more has been done in the last six weeks than has been done in years with the previous administration, and believe me, we're going to keep it that way.

We will destroy ISIS and we will protect civilization. We have no choice. We will protect civilization. King Abdullah and I also discussed measures to combat the evil and ideology that inspires ISIS and plagues our planet. In addition, we also acknowledged the vital role that Jordan has played in hosting refugees from the conflict in Syria. We have just announced that the United States will contribute additional funds to Jordan for humanitarian assistance.

This aid will help countries like Jordan host refugees until it is safe for them to return home. The refugees want to return home. I know that from so many other instances. They want to return back to their home, and that's the goal of any responsible refugee policy.

Finally, as we discussed, to advance the cause of peace in the Middle East, including peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians -- and I'm working very, very hard on trying to finally create peace between the Palestinians and Israel and I think we'll be successful. I hope to be successful, I can tell you that. The king has been a really tireless advocate for a solution. He's going to help me with that and help me at the highest level and we will be consulting with him very closely in the days ahead.

King Abdullah, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your partnership. Working together, the United States and Jordan can help bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and in fact, the entire world, and we will do that. Thank you very, very much for being with us.

(APPLAUSE)

KING ABDULLAH II OF JORDAN: Mr. President, thank you for such a kind and warm welcome to the White House. I fondly remember the meetings we've had many years ago and more recently several months ago. You've always been a generous host and have always looked after us. We are very delighted with the way the discussions have gone so far and we are delighted to be here in such a wonderful setting, such a beautiful day which I think is a tremendous mark of how we are going to move into the future. We've had a very good round of talks here today and I'm looking forward to continuing these discussions later on in our meetings after the press conference. What I do want to say is how much we deeply appreciate the close relations we have with the United States, with you, Mr. President and with the American people. This is a strategic partnership that we call (ph) and keep very close to our hearts and it is a partnership on so many levels that we will continue, I think, with the frank discussions that we had today to improve on as we face the challenges of the future.

And I am very delighted for your vision, your holistic approach to all the challenges in our region and the dedication of your team in being able to translate your policy into action successively hopefully as we move forward.

The challenges we face today are many and not exclusive to my region, as I've just mentioned, they are global and particularly the threats to global security. Terrorism has no borders, no nationality, no religion, and therefore, joint action with a holistic approach, as I just mentioned Mr. President, is crucial. I am very delighted that you have the vision to be able to move in that direction and I think that the world will be in a very good place as we move with all these challenges ahead.

No doubt with all the challenges that we face in the world, the role of the U.S. is key to all the issues that we have around the world. But it's not just the fact that we should expect the United States to do all the heavy lifting. The heavy lifting has to be done by all of us in the international community to support the United States in being able to translate that vision into the right direction, so there's a lot of responsibility for all of us in the international community to support the president, the administration and the American people to bring brighter days to all of us.

We are very encouraged with the president's determination to support Arab and Muslim states in their fight against terrorism, but it is not only the fight of terrorism inside of our societies, but we as Arab Muslim states standing behind the international community and being able to defeat this international scourge.

[13:20:04]

In Syria, we need a political solution that ends the conflict in the country and preserve its unity and territorial integrity.

As the president mentioned, the issue we discussed with the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, which is essentially the core conflict in our region. And the president's early engagement is beginning -- in bringing the Palestinians and Israelis together has been a very encouraging sign for all of us.

And I think, sir, it was that initiative that allowed us at the Arab summit last week to extend, through the Arab Peace Initiative, the message of peace to Israel, which we all hopefully will work together to make that come about.

All Arab countries relaunched the Arab Peace Initiative, as I said, last week. It offers a historic reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as all member states of the Arab League.

It is the most comprehensive framework for lasting peace. And it ensures statehood for the Palestinians, but also security, acceptance and normal ties for Israel with all Arab countries and hopefully all Islamic countries.

So, we appreciate your commitment in all these issues. Where others have failed, you'll find a strong ally in Jordan in supporting you in all your policies.

And if I may just say, as you have on -- on Syria and the gas attack, unfortunately, as you and I both agree, this is another testament to the failure of the international diplomacy to find the solutions to this crisis. But I believe under your leadership we will be able to unravel this very complicated situation.

This has been going on -- ongoing for seven years now, has descended into proxy wars from different parties with dubious agendas. But at the end of the day, as you pointed out, Mr. President, it's the civilians, women and children, that are paying the heaviest price.

This is happening on our watch, on our conscience, as well as the global community. And I know the passion and emotion that the president has expressed in how this should not be tolerated whatsoever. And this stressful -- the -- sorry, this threshold of inhumanity and savagery that are being crossed every day is something that I know the president will not allow to happen wherever it may be. And I fully support and endorse the president in this issue. So I want to thank you, sir, because you have the outlook of looking not just at the Syrian challenges, but that of Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Libya,and everything that is in our region. So I think your message to all of us is a message of hope. And that's what I take away from this conference.

And I thank you for...

TRUMP: Thank you very much.

ABDULLAH: ... all that you have done so far and all that you will do, sir.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: All right, we'll take a few questions.

Julie Pace?

QUESTION: Thank you, sir.

I have questions on Syria for both leaders, but if I could start with you, Mr. President. You've condemned the chemical attacks in Syria, but you also appeared in your statement yesterday to pin some of the blame on the Obama administration.

You're the president now. Do you feel like you bear responsibility for responding to the chemical attacks? And does the chemical attack cross a red line for you?

TRUMP: Well, I think the Obama administration had a great opportunity to solve this crisis a long time ago when he said "the red line in the sand." And when he didn't cross that line after making the threat, I think that set us back a long ways, not only in Syria but in many of the parts of the world because it was a blank threat. I think it was something that was not one of our better days as a country.

So, I do feel that, Julie. I feel it very strongly.

QUESTION: Do you feel like you now have the responsibility to respond to the chemical attack?

TRUMP: I now have responsibility. And I will have that responsibility and carry it very proudly, I will tell you that. It is now my responsibility. It was a great opportunity missed.

As you know, I'll be meeting with the president of China very soon in Florida. And that's another responsibility we have, and that's called the country of North Korea.

We have a big problem. We have somebody that is not doing the right thing. And that's going to be my responsibility.

But I'll tell you, that responsibility could've made -- been made a lot easier if it was handled years ago. QUESTION: Before I move on to the king, can I just quickly ask you if the chemical attack crosses a red line for you?

TRUMP: It crossed a lot of lines for me. When you kill innocent children -- innocent babies -- babies -- little babies with a chemical gas that is so lethal, people were shocked to hear what gas it was, that crosses many, many lines. Beyond a red line, many, many lines.

Thank you very much.

QUESTION: And, Your Majesty, if I could ask about refugees, your country has really borne the brunt of the refugee crisis in Syria.

The president has signed travel bans that would block Syrians from coming to the U.S. If that goes into effect, what would the impact on your country and across the region be?

[13:25:04] ABDULLAH: Well, I think, as the president pointed out, most, if not all, Syrian refugees actually want to go back to Syria. And that -- we're working with the United States and the international community is to be able to stabilize the refugees in our country, give them the tools so that as we are working with the solutions in Syria, we have the ability to be able to send them back as a positive influence into their economies.

And again, the president and the Europeans are being very forward- leaning in being able to look after (inaudible). A tremendous burden on our country, but again, tremendous appreciation to the United States and the Western countries for being able to help us in dealing with that.

QUESTION: Your Majesty, how does the outcome of the recent Arab summit help the U.S. in its policy to advance Palestinian-Israeli negotiations? ABDULLAH: Well, as I've said, the Arab peace initiative came out with a resounding resolution to offer peace to the Israelis, to make them feel that they are accepted into the neighborhood; and to be able to support the president as he brings both parties together.

And again, I have to remind people that very early on, there was an early engagement by the president and his team to the Israelis and the Palestinians to be able to see what he could do to bring them together. It is the core conflict for a lot of us in the region. The president knows this. He has his instincts in the right place. And working with his team, our job, as I said, is to do the heavy lifting. The Arabs are prepared to do whatever they can to bring Israelis and Palestinians together under the leadership of the president.

(CROSSTALK)

TRUMP: Thank you.

John Yang (ph)?

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

I'd like to follow up on Julie's (ph) question and press you a little more on Syria. You -- how will you distinguish your policy and your actions on Syria from the inaction that you criticized the previous administration. You say it's now your responsibility. What should we see there? What should we look for that will be different? And Your Majesty, I'd like to ask you, what gives you -- this is now your second meeting with the president -- what gives you the optimism that Mr. Trump will succeed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict where so many others have failed before him to be a broker for peace?

TRUMP: I like to think of myself as a very flexible person. I don't have to have one specific way, and if the world changes, I go the same way. I don't change. Well, I do change. And I am flexible. And I'm proud of that flexibility. And I will tell you that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me, big impact. That was a horrible, horrible thing.

And I've been watching it and seeing it, and it doesn't get any worse than that. And I have that flexibility. And it's very, very possible, and I will tell you it's already happened that my attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much. And if you look back over the last few weeks, there were other attacks using gas. You're now talking about a whole different level.

So, as you know, I would love to have never been in the Middle East. I would love to have never seen that whole big situation start. But once it started, we got out the wrong way and ISIS formed in the vacuum and lots of bad things happened. I will tell you what happened yesterday is unacceptable to me.

QUESTION: Can I follow up, sir? You -- last year, you seemed to be reluctant to get involved, or to intervene in Syria directly. Is that one thing that's changed after yesterday? TRUMP: Well, one of the things I think you've noticed about me is militarily, I don't like to say where I'm going and what I'm doing. And I watched past administrations say "we will attack" at such-and- such a day; at such-and-such an hour.

And you, being a warrior, you would say: Why are they saying that? And I'm sure you sat back in Jordan and you said: Why are they saying that?

I watched Mosul, where the past administration was saying, "We will be attacking in four months." And I said: Why are they doing that? Then a month goes by, and they say, "We will be attacking in three months," and then, "Two months," and then, "We will be attacking next week." And I'm saying, "Why are they doing that?"

TRUMP: And as you know, Mosul turned out to be much harder fight than anyone thought. And a lot of people have been lost in that fight.

[13:30:02] I'm not saying I'm doing anything one way or the other, but I'm certainly not going to be telling you, as much as I respect you, John (ph). Thank you.