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Bergdahl Controversy; Obama & British P.M. Hold News Conference

Aired June 05, 2014 - 09:30   ET

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

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This community certainly is. You hear from friends and supporters basically staying out of the politics, ready and excited to see Bergdahl return here to Hailey, Idaho. And if you look at the local paper, you see the headlines here like this op-ed. It says, "bring our soldier home and let him heal." And another that says, "it's time to focus on a soldier's freedom." So that is really the sentiment coming from Hailey, Idaho. People staying out of the politics. Just ready to see Bowe Bergdahl return home.

Carol.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, George Howell reporting from Idaho this morning.

The saga of Bowe Bergdahl, though, has sparked a range of emotions from jubilation and praise to increasingly criticism. Lawmakers are outraged over being left in the dark about the prisoner swap made for his release, while some of Bergdahl's fellow soldiers are branding him a deserter and a traitor. Now those soldiers are caught in their own controversy amid reports that Republican strategists are helping them get their story out. With me now, Brad Chase, a partner with Capital Media Partners, and Maria Cardona, CNN political commentator and Democratic strategist.

Welcome to both of you.

MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Carol, good morning.

BRAD CHASE, CAPITAL MEDIA PARTNERS: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Brad, I'd like to start with you. You work with Richard Grenell. He's a former Bush administration official and Mitt Romney campaign worker who has reportedly helped facilitate these media appearances by soldiers. One of the men who served with Bergdahl tweeted this, quote, "I want to thank Richard Grenell for helping get our platoon's story out." Now, Mr. Grenell says this is not political, but you're his partner. Should the firm be helping to arrange these interviews with soldiers? I mean it's not like any of us would refuse to let these soldiers tell their stories.

CHASE: Well, first off, yes, I am Rick's business partner 50/50 in Capital Media Partners, but I am not a Republican. This - it started with a significant amount of misinformation that originated an erroneous "New York Times" story where they said GOP strategists. The simple story is this, these young, brave soldiers were looking to find a voice and share with the world the facts of Bergdahl's disappearance. They took to social media, like a lot of people do. We're hoping to find someone that would listen. Rick was the first one to identify it. He helped facilitate the first couple of things for them, passed it off to the rest of the firm.

I'm an independent. I have voted on the presidential ticket for candidates from both parties. So, there's absolutely nothing partisan on either side here.

COSTELLO: Well, my only question to you, didn't Mr. Grenell - I mean he's been around the block a few times, right, didn't he realize how this might look?

CHASE: You know, everyone here is not looking at the politics of it. There are two elements of this story overall. There's the prisoner swap and then there's actually what he did. And that second part is what's really important to these soldiers. They don't want to talk about the swap. They just believe that it's critical to know, for everyone to know, that this man walked out on them five years ago but he's never -- he's never really left their lives. He's been haunting them. Everyone's always asking a poor young man named Josh, the medic on the team who's responsible for the health and welfare of everyone on that platoon, what happened? And he's gotten that question hundreds of times over the years. It's a heavy burden these guys have had to face. They want to just talk about what Bergdahl did and, more importantly, what the government is going to do in response.

COSTELLO: Well, Maria, you can't disagree with what Brad just said, right?

CARDONA: No. And no one, Carol, is begrudging these soldiers their chance to speak. They've earned it. People have died for it. That's what makes this country great.

The unfortunate part here, Carol, is that it has become political exactly because it was Richard Grenell who started putting these soldiers in contact with the media. And if Richard was worth anything as a PR consultant, he should know that when he becomes the story or his firm becomes the story, that is not doing your client absolutely any good.

And if Richard had really thought this out, he would have turned this over to Brad from the very first call to say, look, it's important for us to get these soldier's stories out, but I am known in wide circles as a Republican consultant and I do this, if I even make one call to a media outlet that knows me, they're going to think that this is political. And, unfortunately, that's exactly what has happened. And this now has the putrid stench of politics on it, which is unfortunate for the soldiers who do have the right to tell their story.

COSTELLO: They have the - every right to tell their story.

Brad, I think what frustrates some people is that everything in life seems to be politicized. We can't have just a conversation without the politics, a reason conversation. We can't wait to find out the facts before already making up our minds and I think that's -- that's kind of where the consternation is coming from.

CHASE: It's incredibly disappointing for sure that this is how it's turned out that people want to talk about the politics of it. You know, we took this on pro bono, we're offering our services for free to help these guys as they deal with the thousands of e-mails and hundreds of calls that they're getting from all across the world.

They have a very simple, very important story to tell but you do have factions on both sides, both the left and right. Even though Rick may be a Republican, equally you have people that are choosing to fill their own agenda by trying to shape the narrative.

COSTELLO: OK. I'm going to have to wrap this up and I'm very sorry. Brad Chase, Maria Cardona.

We've got a two minute warning. The president is about to speak in Brussels. So I'm going to take a break and we'll come back with much more in the NEWSROOM, including the president.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. The president of the United States is now speaking at a news conference, a joint news conference, with the British prime minister, David Cameron. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN LIVE FEED)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Including Syria, Libya and Iran, as well as the process of ending our combat mission in Afghanistan. We spoke about the deepening partnership that we have on issues like Nigeria in support of our shared goal of safely returning the kidnapped girls to their families. But what I want to focus on briefly before we take questions are two issues that dominated our discussion over the last two days, and that's the situation in the Ukraine and energy security.

Originally, of course, our summit was supposed to be in Sochi. But after Russia's actions in Ukraine, our nations united quickly around a common strategy. We suspended Russia from the G-8 and we canceled the Sochi meeting, making this the first G-7 held without Russia in some 20 years. All seven of our nations have taken steps to impose costs on Russia for its behavior. Today, in contrast to a growing global economy, a sluggish Russian economy is even weaker because of the choices made by Russia's leadership. Meanwhile, our nations continue to stand united in our support and assistance to the Ukrainian people. And the G-7 Summit was an occasion for me, David, and our fellow leaders, to ensure that we're in lockstep going forward.

On Ukraine, I shared the results of my meeting yesterday with President-elect Poroshenko. Like so many Ukrainians, he wants to forge closer ties with Europe and the United States, but also recognizing that Ukraine will benefit from a constructive relationship with Russia. So I believe his inauguration provides an opportunity partially since he has demonstrated a commitment to reach out to the east and pursue reforms. Russia needs to seize that opportunity. Russia needs to recognize that

President-elect Poroshenko is the legitimately elected leader of Ukraine and engage the government in Kiev. Given its influence over the militants in Ukraine, Russia continues to have a responsibility to convince them to end their violence, lay down their weapons and enter into a dialogue with the Ukrainian government. On the other hand, if Russia's provocations continue, it's clear from our discussions here that the G-7 nations are ready to impose additional costs on Russia.

I also briefed David on the new initiative I announced in Warsaw to bolster the security of our NATO allies, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as our focus on building counterterrorism capabilities across the Middle East and North Africa. David will be hosting the next NATO Summit in Wales in September and I appreciate him in updating me on the preparations for that summit. We agree that it's going to be an opportunity for every ally to make sure they're carrying their share and investing in the capabilities our alliance needs for the future.

Now, the situation in Ukraine has also highlighted the need for greater energy security. At the G-7, we agreed to help Ukraine reduce its energy risks to include diversifying its supplies. We're going to help countries in Central and Eastern Europe strengthen their energy security as well. And I am following the review I called for in the United States earlier this year. Every G-7 country will conduct an energy assessment to identify the possible impact of any potential disruptions and to offer ways we can better prevent disruptions and recover from them more quickly.

Related to this, we agreed at the G-7 to continue to lead by example in the fight against climate change, which poses a danger to our environment, our economies and our national security. I made it clear that the United States will continue to do our part. Earlier this week we took a major step in proposing new standards that, for the first time, would limit carbon pollution from our existing power plants. It's one of the most ambitious steps that any nation has taken to combat climate change. It would reduce carbon emissions from our electricity sector by 30 percent. It will help us meet the commitments that we made when I first came into office at Copenhagen and it will improve our public health. It's also going to be good for our economy by helping create more clean energy jobs and ultimately lower electricity bills for Americans. So it's the right thing to do.

This builds on the steps we've taken over the past five years to invest more in renewables, like solar and wind, raise fuel standards for our cars and trucks and make our homes and businesses more energy efficient. And today we're holding our carbon emissions to levels not seen in nearly 20 years. So we're making important progress, but my action plan for climate change indicates that we've got to keep at it and do more.

I know it is a cause that David's also passionate about. We agree that every nation has to do its share. All the major economies, including the G-7 and emerging markets like China, need to show leadership as we work on a new, global climate agreement. And that includes putting forward by March of next year ambitious long-term targets for reducing emissions.

So, again, I want to thank Prime Minister Cameron and our fellow leaders for our work here together in Brussels.

David, I believe that whenever our two nations stand together, it can lead a world that is more secure and more prosperous and more just and we'll be reminded of that again tomorrow in Normandy as we mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day. On that day, like so many others, American and British troops stood together and fought valiantly alongside our allies. It didn't just help to win the war, they helped to turn the tide of human history and are the reason that we can stand here today in a free Europe and with the freedoms our nations enjoy. So theirs is the legacy that our two nations and our great alliance continue to uphold and I'm grateful to have a fine partner in David in making that happen.

Thank you, David.

DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, and good afternoon. And I'm delighted to be here with you today, Barack.

As we stand together in Europe on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, we should remind the world of the strengths and steadfastness of the bond between the United Kingdom and the United States. Seventy years ago, as you just said, our countries stood like two rocks of freedom and democracy in the face of Nazi tyranny.

Seventy years ago tonight, thousands of young British and American soldiers, with their Canadian and free French counterparts, were preparing to cross the channel in the greatest liberation force that the world has ever known. Those young men were united in purpose, to restore democracy and freedom to continental Europe, to free by force of arms ancient European nations, and to allow the nations and peoples of Europe to chart their destiny in the world. Thousands of those young men paid the ultimate price, and we honor their memory today and tomorrow.

Shortly after D-Day, my own grandfather was wounded and came home. We will never forget what they did and the debt that we owe them for the peace and the freedom that we enjoy on this continent. Today, in a new century, our two democracies continue to stand for and to uphold the same values in the world, democracy, liberty, the rule of law. And day in, day out, our people work together to uphold those values right across the globe.

And that approach has been at the heart of what we've discussed here at the G-7 and in our bilateral meeting today. We've talked about one of the greatest opportunities we have to turbo charge the global economy by concluding trade deals, including the E.U./U.S. deal, which would be the biggest of them all. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment partnership that would create growth in jobs. A deal that could be worth up to 10 billion pounds a year for Britain alone. It would help to security our long-term economic success and generate a better future for hard working families back at home. That is why I was so determined to launch those negotiations a year ago in Lakurn (ph). And since then, we've made steady progress. But we've got to keep our eyes on the huge prize on offer (ph) and not get bogged down.

We also discussed what I believe is the greatest threat that we face, how we counter extremist and the threat that terrorist groups operating elsewhere pose to the safety of our people, both at home and abroad. This year we will bring our troops home from Afghanistan. They can be proud of what they've achieved over the last decade, denying terrorist a safe haven for which to plot attacks against Britain or the United States.

But at the same time as we've reduced the threat from that region, so Al Qaida franchises have grown in other parts of the world. Many of these groups are focused on the countries where they operate, but they still pose a risk to our people, our businesses, and our interests. Barack and I share the same view of how e tackle this threat in the fragile regions of the world where terrorist networks seek a foothold.

As I've said before, our approach must be tough, patient, intelligent and based on strong international partnerships. So when it comes to Syria, now the number one destination of jihadists anywhere in the world, we've agreed to intensify our efforts to address the threat of foreign fighters traveling to and from Syria.

We'll be introducing new measures in the U.K. to prosecute those who plan and train for terrorism abroad. And here at the G-7, we've agreed to do more to work with Syria's neighbors to strengthen border security and to disrupt the terrorist financing that funds these jihadist training camps.

In Libya, we want to help the government as it struggles to overcome the disastrous legacy of Gadhafi's misrule and to build a stable, peaceful and prosperous future. Barack and I have both recently appointed envoys who will be working together to support efforts to reach a much needed political settlement. And we are fulfilling our commitment to train the Libyan security forces with the first tranche of recruits due to begin their training in the U.K. this month.

In Nigeria, we're both committed to supporting the Nigerian government and its neighbors as they confront the scourge of Boko Haram. The kidnap of the Chibok girls was an act of pure evil and Britain and the United States have provided immediate assistance in the search. In the longer term, we stand ready to provide more practical assistance to help the Nigerians and the region to strengthen their defense and security institutions and to develop the expertise needed to counter these barbaric extremists.

And finally, as Barack said, we had an important discussion on Ukraine and relations with Russia. From the outset of this crisis, the G-7 nations have stood united, clear in our support for the Ukrainian people and their right to choose their own future, and firm in our message to President Putin that Russia's actions are completely unacceptable and totally at odds with the values of this group of democracies. That is why Russia no longer has a seat at the table here with us.

At this summit, we were clear about three things. First, the status quo is unacceptable. The continuing destabilization of eastern Ukraine must stop. Second, there are a set of things that need to happen. President Putin must recognize the legitimate election of President Poroshenko. He must stop arms crossing the border into Ukraine. He must cease Russian support for separatist groups. And third, if these things don't happen, then sectoral sanctions will follow. The next month will be vital in judging if President Putin has taken these steps. And that is what I will urge President Putin to do when I meet him later today.

Finally, we discussed the cancer eating away at the world's economic and political systems: corruption. Corruption is the arch- enemy of democracy and development. The best way to fight corruption and to drive growth is to do what I call the three Ts: greater transparency, fair tax systems, and freer trade. That was at the heart of our G-8 agenda in Lough Erne and today we agreed to push for more action on fair tax systems, freer trade, and greater transparency, things that are now hard-wired into these international gatherings this year and for many years to come.

Thank you.

OBAMA: All right. We've got a couple of questions from each press delegation. We'll start with Jeff Mason at Reuters.

Jeff?

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

You're going to France later this evening. Since you last had French President Hollande visit on a state visit earlier this year, a lot of tensions have arisen in the relationship, including on BNP Paribas. The French say that a potential multi-billion dollar fine on that bank could affect global -- the global economy and could affect trade talks. Do you believe those concerns are valid? And how do you expect to address them with him tonight, and also, U.S. concerns about the French selling Mistral warships to Russia?

To the prime minister, do you feel isolated, sir, among the E.U. -- among your E.U. leaders about your position on Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission president? And who would you like to see get the job? And separately, do you feel any pressure from President Obama about your position on keeping the U.K. in the E.U.?

Thank you.

OBAMA: First of all, the relationship between the United States and France has never been stronger. On a whole range of issues we're seeing intense cooperation. And I'm looking forward to seeing President Hollande this evening to talk about a range of issues and continue some of the work that was done here in Brussels.

My answer on the banking case is short and simple. The tradition of the United States is that the president does not meddle in prosecutions. We don't call the attorney general. I do not pick up the phone and tell the attorney general how to prosecute cases that have been brought. I do not push for settlements of cases that have been brought. Those are decisions that are made by an independent Department of Justice.

I've communicated that to President Hollande. This is not a unique position on my part. Perhaps it is a different tradition than exists in other countries, but it is designed to make sure that the rule of law is not in any way impacted by political expediency.

And so, this will be determined by U.S. attorneys in discussion with representatives of the bank. And, you know, I'll read about it in the newspapers just like anybody else.

QUESTION: He says he's gonna confront you about it tonight.

OBAMA: He'll hear the same answer from me tonight as you just heard at this podium.

QUESTION: And (inaudible)?

OBAMA: I have expressed some concerns, and I don't think I'm alone in this, about continuing significant trade -- defense deals with Russia at a time when they have violated basic international law and the territorial sovereignty of their neighbors. So, President Hollande understands my position.

I recognize that this is a big deal. I recognize that the jobs in France are important. I think it would have been preferable to press the pause button. President Hollande so far has made a different decision.

And that does not negate the broader cooperation that we've had with France with respect with the willingness to work with us on sanctions to discourage President Putin from engaging in further destabilizing actions and hopefully to encourage him to move in a more constructive direction.

We are at a point where Mr. Putin has the chance to get back into a lane of international law. He has a president in Poroshenko who he can negotiate directly with.

Having spoken to President Poroshenko this morning or yesterday morning, it's clear this he recognizes that Ukraine needs to have a good relationship with Russia, but also rightly affirms the right of Ukraine to engage with the rest of the world.

And the steps that David outlined earlier and that the G-7 unanimously agrees with, which is for Mr. Putin to take, seize this moment, recognize Poroshenko is the legitimate leader of Ukraine, cease the support of separatists and the flow of arms, work with Ukraine to engage those in the east during this process of constitutional and economic reform.

If Mr. Putin takes those steps, then it is possible for us to begin to rebuild trust between Russia and its neighbors and Europe.

Should he fail to do so, though, there are gonna be additional consequences. And one of the important things that came out of this meeting today

was the recognition on the part of all of us that we can't simply allow drift. The mere fact that some of Mr. -- some of the Russian soldiers have moved back off the border and that Russia is now destabilizing Ukraine through surrogates rather than overtly and explicitly does not mean that we can afford three months or four months or six months of continued violence and conflict in eastern Ukraine.

We will have a chance to see what Mr. Putin does over the next two, three, four weeks. And if he remains on the current course, then we've already indicated the kinds of actions that we're prepared totake.

All right?

CAMERON: You asked a couple questions of Europe. As a way of setting the context, we've just had a set of European elections where, to take two countries at random, France and Britain, in France Front National, an openly anti-European party won. And anti-European party in my country won.

And when these things happen, you can stick your head in the sand and wish these results would go away or you can have a strategy for addressing the concerns of the people that you represent in your country.

I have a strategy to represent and understand and reflect those concerns, and that's why I think it's important that we have people running the institutions of Europe who understand the need for change, the need for reform.

And I would argue that that is a view that is quite widely shared amongst other heads of government and heads of state in the European Union.

As for Britain's future, I'm very clear on what I want to achieve is to secure Britain's place in a reformed European Union, and I have a strategy for delivering that. It is about renegotiating our position. It's about recovering some important powers. It's about making some significant changes and then putting that decision in a referendum to the British people, but very much recommending that we stay in a reformed European Union.

Again, it's a strategy for dealing with an issue which I think if we just walked away from it, we'd see Britain drift toward the exits, and I don't want that to happen.

QUESTION: Do you feel any pressure from the United States about that?

CAMERON: No, we've had -- we have good discussions about these issues as we discuss everything else.

OBAMA: Absolutely.

CAMERON: Let's have a question from the BBC. QUESTION: Jim Thomas (ph), the BBC.

Mr. President, even if you don't have a meeting scheduled face-to-face with Vladimir Putin yourself, are you gonna end up talking with him face-to-face in France? and do you see real possibilities of opening up a path away from crisis by you engaging with him?

Britain is potentially facing, Mr. President, two major decisions, whether or not Scotland stays part of the United Kingdom and whether the United Kingdom stays a part of European Union.

What do whose decisions mean to you and to people of the United States?

Prime Minister, you'll be the first leader, I think, after this summit to engage with Vladimir Putin face-to-face. Despite everything you're said, is there something of an olive branch in your hand? After all, Mr. Putin has not actually denounced the electoral process which brought the new president to power in the Ukraine.

Is there a way out, and is that what you're really going to be exploring with him this evening?

And do you accept that Germany may not come to your aid and stop Jean- Claude Juncker becoming commission president? Will that actually potentially blow your entire strategy off course?

Do you think you may be able to negotiate a brilliant reform of the European Union, but if Jean-Claude Juncker becomes president of the European Commission, will your credibility be so damaged in Britain that people may simply vote to leave the union?

Finally, who are you most afraid of? Angela Merkel or Theresa May?

CAMERON: Great question. Right. Do you want to go -- I'll take them (inaudible).

First of all, my meeting with Vladimir Putin, I think it's just important to have this communication about some very important messages about what's happening now is not acceptable, about the changes that need to take place.

I think, as the president said, there is an opportunity for diplomacy to play a role and to chart a path, because we've had these elections. The Ukrainian people have chosen a president. He's a capable man, and it's quite possible that he could have a proper relationship with Putin, there could be a proper relationship between Ukraine and Russia. But change is needed in order for that to happen, and that's the message that I will be delivering this evening.

In terms of your other questions, look, on this issue of who runs the European Commission, the European institutions, what matters is people who understand the need the need for change, who understand the need for reform, who realize that if things -- if things go on as they have, this union is not gonna work for its citizens. And that was the message that I think was loudly received in these European elections. As for who, as you put it, Angela Merkel or Theresa May, look, I'm very fortunate in my life to work with some extremely strong and capable women, of which they are, undoubtedly, two.

OBAMA: I have no doubt that I'll see Mr. Putin. And he and I have always had a business-like relationship. And it is entirely appropriate that he is there to commemorate D-Day, given the extraordinary sacrifices that were made of the people of the Soviet Union during World War II.