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Live Coverage of President Obama and David Cameron; President Obama: "I Make No Apologies" For Bergdahl Deal; Obama: Annexation Of Ukraine "Illegal"

Aired June 05, 2014 - 10:00   ET

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

BARACK OBAMA, U.S. PRESIDENT: 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.

And, should we have the opportunity to talk, I will be repeating the same message that I've been delivering to him throughout this crisis. Keep in mind that, although we haven't had formal meetings, I've spoken to him by phone repeatedly from the outset of the protests in the Maidan.

And my message has been very consistent. And that is that Russia has a legitimate interest in what happens in Ukraine, given that it's on its border and given its historical ties. But ultimately, it is up to the people of Ukraine to make their own decisions. That Russian armed forces annexing pieces of a neighbor is illegal and violates international law. And the kinds of destabilizing activities that we now see, funded and encouraged by Russia are illegal, and are not constructive. And that there is a path in which Russia has the capacity to engage directly with President Poroshenko now. He should take it. If he does not -- if he continues a strategy of undermining the sovereignty of Ukraine, then we have no choice but to respond.

And perhaps he's been surprised by the degree of unity that's been displayed. I do think the fact that he did not immediately denounce the outcome of the May 25th election perhaps offers the prospect that he's moving in a new direction. But I think we have to see what he does, and not what he says.

With respect to the future of the United Kingdom, obviously, ultimately, this is up to the people of Great Britain. In the case of Scotland, there's a referendum process in place, and it's up to the people of Scotland.

I would say that the United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well. And, you know, we, obviously, have a deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies that we will ever have remains strong, robust, united, and an effective partner. But ultimately, these are decisions that are to be made by the folks there.

With respect to the E.U., we -- we share a strategic vision with Great Britain on a whole range of international issues. And so, it's always encouraging for us to know that Great Britain has a seat at the table I the larger European project. I think in light of, you know, the events that we're going to be commemorating tomorrow, it's important to recall that it was the steadfastness of Great Britain that, in part, allows us to be here in Brussels in the seat of a unified and extraordinarily prosperous Europe. And it's hard for me to imagine that project going well in the absence of Great Britain. And I think it's also hard for me to imagine that it would be advantageous for Great Britain to be excluded from political decisions that have an enormous impact on its economic and political life.

So, you know, this is why we have elections. And we'll see the arguments made. And I'm sure the people of Great Britain will make the right decision.

Steven Kahls (ph)?

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.

Have you been surprised by the backlash that's been whipped up by your decision to do a deal to free Bowe Bergdahl? And what do you think is motivating that?

In retrospect, do you think you could have done more to consult with Congress, or announce the deal in a way that might have spared him and his family being caught up in a political crossfire?

And, Prime Minister, how do you respond to the criticism that your decision to meet Vladimir Putin, and his meetings with other key European leaders are actually devaluing the punishment that was meted out to Russia by throwing it out of the G-8?

And, finally, should Qatar be deprived of the right to host the World Cup? And if so, is anyone willing to host it?

OBAMA: Yeah, I'm never surprised by controversies that are whipped up in Washington. Right? That's -- that's par for the course.

But I'll repeat what I said two days ago. We have a basic principle, we do not leave anybody wearing the American uniform behind. We had a prisoner of war who's health had deteriorated, and we were deeply concerned about and we saw an opportunity and we seized it. And I make no apologies for that. We had discussed with Congress the possibility that something like this might occur.

But because of the nature of the folks that we were dealing with and the fragile nature of these negotiations, we felt it was important to go ahead and do what we did. And we're now explaining to Congress the details of how we moved forward. But this basic principle that we don't leave anybody behind and this basic recognition that that often means prisoner exchanges with enemies is not unique to my administration. It dates back to the beginning of our republic.

And with respect to how we announced it, I think it was important for people to understand that this is not some abstraction. This is not a political football. You have a couple of parents whose kid volunteered to fight in a distant land, who they hadn't seen in five years and weren't sure whether they'd ever see again.

And as commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces, I am responsible for those kids. And I get letters from parents who say, if you are, in fact, sending my child into war, make sure that that child is being taken care of. And I write too many letters to folks who, unfortunately, don't see their children again after fighting a war.

I make absolutely no apologies for making sure that we get back a young man to his parents and that the American people understand that this is somebody's child, and that we don't condition whether or not we make the efforts to try to get them back.

Did you have a second question?

QUESTION: For the prime minister.

OBAMA: OK. Yeah, well, I -- you can ask him about football.

DAVID CAMERON, U.K. PRIME MINISTER: On the issue of -- first of all, on the issue meeting President Putin, I think it's right to have this dialog, particularly if you have a clear message and a clear point to make. And I think there's a world of difference between having a dialog with President Putin and excluding someone from an institution as significant of G-8, now the G-7. I think he was absolutely right to exclude Russia. I think I was one of the first G-8 leaders to make that point. It was totally the right decision. And there's a world of difference between the meeting we've just held, which did not include Russia, and having a bilateral meeting where we discuss these issues about Ukraine.

On the issue of football, we should let the investigation run its course. But of course, England is the home of football, as it's the home and inventor of many sports -- tennis, rugby, golf, skiing, table tennis, cricket. I don't think we can lay claim to...

OBAMA: Baseball, basketball.

CAMERON: Well, I'm not sure, but it goes all the way.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: I just want to be...

CAMERON: But we're always happy to provide a home for these sports.

OBAMA: But you did invent the English language, though.

CAMERON: We did. You've made a few changes.

OBAMA: We appreciate it. We have. CAMERON: You've made a few changes to it.

(LAUGHTER)

But they don't hold us back. The final question from (inaudible), I think.

QUESTION: (Inaudible). You spoke about the importance for you and your allies to be in complete lock-step on the crisis in Ukraine. If this crisis shows no sign of de-escalating, you say that the next step will be to sectoral sanctions. Are you confident that you will be in lock-step with all of the European allies and G-7 allies, because there will be costs and consequences for them and their economies, as sanctions gets widened?

Prime Minister, my question to you is you spoke forcefully about the threats of extremist ideology at home and abroad, described it as the greatest threat to Britain and its allies. And even by your own government's estimate, there are several hundred British citizens learning to fight and kill in Syria. With regard to extremist ideology at home, particularly in schools, where there's been a lot of concern, don't you think it's not only unseemly, but wrong for members of your own government to engage in an argument about where the priority should be protecting British children against extremist ideology?

QUESTION: Thank you.

CAMERON: First of all, let me just say on the issue of sectoral sanctions and this issue of lock-step between the U.S. and countries of the European Union, I think it's been very striking, actually, over the last few months how we've been able to stay as unified as we have. And I pay tribute to Barack for his understanding of how important it is for us to try and work together and deliver these messages together. And I think it surprised people. And I hope it surprised President Putin.

In terms of tackling extremism, I mean I set up the U.K. Extremism Task Force which I chaired, after the appalling murder of Lee Rigby, because I wanted to make sure the government was doing everything that it could to drive extremism out of our schools, out of our colleges, off campuses, out of prisons, in every part of national life.

And I think it's very important that we recognize that you've got to deal not only with violent extremism, but also the sink (ph) of extremism, of tolerating extremist views from which violence can grow. The whole government is signed up to that agenda and is driving through changes to deliver that agenda.

As for these issues for the last day or so, I will get to the bottom of who has said what and what has happened, and I'll sort it all out once I finish these important meetings I'm having here.

OBAMA: I think what has been striking is the degree of solidarity between the United States and Europe in dealing with the Ukraine crisis. I think a lot of people anticipated very early on that immediately the two sides would fly apart. And in fact, there has been consistency in affirming the core values that have been at the heart of a united and prosperous Europe. And that's despite the very real economic consequences that can arise buy applying sanctions against Russia.

I think Europeans understand that the reason we've seen such extraordinary growth and peace on this continent has to do with certain values and certain principles that have to be upheld. And when they are so blatantly disregarded, you know, the choice is clear. Europeans have to stand up for, you know, those ideals and principles even if it creates some economic inconvenience.

Now, having said that, sectoral sanctions are broader. They'd be more significant. Our technical teams have been consulting with the European Commission to identify sanctions that would maximize impact on Russia and minimize adverse impacts on European countries. And that work is ongoing. My hope is that we don't have to exercise them because Mr. Putin's made some better decisions.

I think, by the way, it would also be better for Russia because the Russian economy is not in good shape right now. We've seen significant capital flight just from the sanctions that we've already applied. That could easily worsen. And if we have sectoral sanctions, I think it will inevitably hit Russia a lot worse than it hits Europe, which have much more diversified and resilient economies.

Do I expect unanimity among the 28 E.U. members? I have now been president for five-and-a-half years and I've learned a thing or two about the European Union, the European Commission, the European Council. Sometimes I get them mixed up, but the --

CAMERON: Welcome to the club.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: -- but the basic -- but the basic principle that if you've got 28 people sitting around a table that not everybody is going to agree, I think we take that for -- we take that for granted.

And I also think that if in fact we have to move to sectoral sanctions, it's important to take individual countries' sensitivities in mind and make sure that everybody is ponying up; that everybody is bearing their fair share. Some people are going to be more concerned about defense relations. Some people are going to be more concerned about the financial sector. Others might be more concerned about, you know, trade in basic goods and services.

OBAMA: And so that's the technical work that is being done. Again, my hope is that we don't have to use it, but I've been heartened by the steadfastness of Europe thus far. I think that people underestimate the degree to which given the history of this continent, certainly in the 20th century, that people are not interested in -- in seeing any chinks in the armor and they recognize that that's worth working for. Thank you very much, everybody.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, so there they are, the two leaders, the British prime minister, the president of the United States wrapping up about 40 minutes of a news conference with opening statements, two major headlines emerging from my perspective.

One on Bowe Bergdahl, the American sergeant, the prisoner of war who was traded for five Taliban detainees at Guantanamo bay. And the president making it clear he will, in fact, have an opportunity to see the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, tomorrow at D-Day commemorations, the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

We've got a team of reporters and analysts standing by to assess what we've just heard. Let's begin with our chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper. Jake, the president doubling down, insisting he was right. He's not apologizing at all for this trade, even though there is a huge controversy that has erupted here in Washington in the United States, and the president saying I'm never surprised by controversies whipped up in Washington. What was your analysis?

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Well, there are a few controversies whipped up over the Bergdahl case. First, you have the trade itself. One American prisoner of war for five mid to high- level Taliban fighters. That's controversial in itself. There are Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill -- mainly Republicans, though -- expressing concerns about the deals -- the terms of that.

There is the question about whether or not the administration -- the White House adequately consulted with Congress. Of course, they did not consult with Congress. They did not alert Congress. Even though it is the law they have to alert Congress 30 days before the transfer of any prisoners from Guantanamo. The administration defends that saying that Bergdahl's health was deteriorating. They need to do act fast.

Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill expressing concerns and then the third controversy really has little to do with President Obama himself. It has to do with Bowe Bergdahl, and that's the concerns expressed by members of Bergdahl's platoon and his squad saying they believe that he deserted his post. President Obama, in one fell swoop, seemed to swat away all of those controversies, I think we have not seen the last of them.

One other bit of news I thought was President Obama expressing concern that the French are selling $1.6 billion worth of warships to the Russians, Wolf. As you know, this is a time that is fraught with tension with Russia, even though President Obama said that they will be determining whether or not in the coming days and weeks if Putin is willing to steer Russia back into international -- the lane of international law, he said.

Whether or not there's going to be any more sanctions on Russia because of actions in Ukraine, there's already many cracks showing when it comes to how much Europe is willing to go along with that. And here we see President Obama saying he wished the French had pressed pause on that deal, but they went ahead and sold $1.6 billion worth of warships -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, and the French president, Francois Hollande is going to host a dinner tonight in Paris in honor of the Russian leader. Christiane Amanpour, the president of France will host a separate dinner for President Obama tonight as well. Two different dinners. Two separate dinners although you heard the president say I have no doubt he would see Putin.

The French president's going to have a formal dinner in honor of Putin. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, will have a formal meeting with Putin. The president of the United States might run into him. No formal meetings scheduled. What is going on here?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think, frankly, what they said, and that is that the core reality is that dinners or no dinners, Russia is on the back foot and Putin is on the back foot. No matter who you talk to including top Russian officials, their economy is hurting and reeling to a certain extent from these sanctions, which are not massive, but have had an exponential effect of making Russia a deep risk for investment.

And there's massive capital flight and some there are worried about even a recession, even international organizations have said that. So there's a real problem there. You also see that actually, Europe and the united states is quite united on this, despite obviously the situation with the French and their military sales and the president is going to tell Mr. Hollande to please press the button, or I wish you had.

But Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has been instrumental in shifting her stance to a much more robust one over these past few months against President Putin, and that has been incredibly determinative in getting these sanctions and getting Russia to basically suffer from what they've done in Ukraine. The important thing really is to get Russia to recognize officially the new president of Ukraine to get Russia to stop supporting surrogates in Eastern Ukraine.

From there the news is that it is just really days or weeks away from a full-scale civil war in the east. And once it gets to that point, it's going to be incredibly difficult. You remember Bosnia. You remember the Balkans. It's going to be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to pull that back. It has to happen now and that's the big test of all of these leaders meeting with Putin right now.

BLITZER: Yes. I assume on the sidelines, as they say, there will be a little exchange between President Obama and President Putin. Jim Sciutto, you're just back from Ukraine. Does it look at all, given the sanctions that already have been imposed, potentially a lot more could be imposed on various sectors of the Russian economy, does it look at all as if Putin already has blinked at least a little bit?

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's interesting. I think that you have the west and the G-7 leaving wiggle room on next steps. The president with a two-sided message to the Russians. On the one side saying that President Putin has a path, a lane back into international law. Saying, as you said, that he very well likely see him tomorrow at the D-Day celebrations and may speak with him about this.

And he also says that there's a chance to rebuild trust with Russia, holding out that olive branch. He said on the other hand, if Russia does not recognize this new Ukrainian government, if it does not stop backing these separatists that are causing the violence that Christiane referred to and that I saw firsthand in Eastern Ukraine, then sectoral sanctions are on the way, and he says that the U.S. and the G-7 will be watching Russia over the next several weeks.

But remember, before the election, the standard for new sectoral sanctions had been impeding the election that I was covering just about a week and a half ago. Now, that election was impeded. Certainly in the east. Large sections of the eastern part of the country were not able to vote because of violence from pro-Russian separatists, separatists that are backed by Russia.

The new standard now is if Russia does not stop backing those separatists and does not recognize the government, then sanctions are on the way. But it leaves some wiggle room there, definition for when those sanctions will be imposed. The other point I would make is this. Questions about the G-7 have lingered.

What is its relevance today in year 2014 in the 21st Century? And here you have a reminder that it is relevant. It has the Ukraine crisis facing it, but also the crisis in Syria. And that's where Prime Minister Cameron said they are working together now to respond to this threat from Jihadists emanating from Syria.

You and I have talked a lot about the threat as intelligence officials warning about this. And there are Americans there that we're concerned about, returning back to the U.S. and staging attacks. Europe in particular facing this risk. Britain, other members, European members of the G-7, there are thousands of Europeans fighting now in Syria.

They're concerned about them coming home and staging attacks. So two very big challenges for the G-7 going forward. Remember as both Cameron and Putin mentioned, it used to be the G-l8, but Russia suspended because of its actions in Ukraine.

BLITZER: Although the Russian leader will be participating in the D- Day commemorations tomorrow. The number one training ground for potential terrorists in the world right now is the battlefields going on in Syria. Let's take a quick break. Much more to assess.

We're continuing our special coverage of President Obama, the British prime minister, David Cameron. They just wrapped up a 40-minute news conference. Much more right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. We want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world. We're wrapping up the news conference just concluded by the president of the United States, President Obama and the British prime minister, David Cameron.

President Obama was asked specifically about the controversial decision he made to go ahead and win the freedom of an American soldier, a POW, Bowe Bergdahl, held by the Taliban, the Haqqani network in Afghanistan and Pakistan in exchange for five Taliban detainees held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. He doubled down. He strongly defended his decision. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I'm never surprised by controversies that are whipped up in Washington, right? That's -- that's par for the course, but I'll repeat what I said two days ago. We have a basic principle. We do not leave anybody wearing the American uniform behind. We had a prisoner of war whose health had deteriorated.

And we were deeply concerned about, and we saw an opportunity, and we seized it, and I make no apologies for that. We had discussed with Congress the possibility that something like this might occur. But because of the nature of the folks that we were dealing with and the fragile nature of these negotiations, we felt it was important to go ahead and do what we did.

And we're now explaining to Congress the details of how we moved forward. But this basic principle that we don't leave anybody behind and this basic recognition that that often means prisoner exchanges with enemies is not unique to my administration. It dates back to the beginning of our republic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Let's go to our senior Washington correspondent, Joe Johns, who's been monitoring the reaction up on Capitol Hill. A lot of criticism, as you know, Joe, coming from Republicans, but a lot of Democrats aren't very happy with the way the White House dealt with this issue, didn't inform members of Congress until after it was a done deal.

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: I think the Democrats feel as though they've been a bit blindsided by all of this. The president's comment there that he's not surprised about controversies that are whipped up in Washington. Well, the fact of the matter is the administration was clearly prepared for the controversy about the national security elements of this.

The five Taliban fighters exchanged for one American. However, I think privately, some staffers at the White House were surprised about the extent and the ferocity of the criticism that was directed at Bowe Bergdahl and his family.

And you saw the president there attempting to sort of humanize the Bergdahls to some extent. So why has there been such ferocity? Well, talking privately with some senators on Capitol Hill, it seems pretty clear that there is a sense of frustration here, a notion that there's really to nothing they can do other than talk about this in a sort of public relations fashion, perhaps hold a hearing or two.