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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

President Obama's Remarks About Terrorist Attack In France; Updated Coverage Of Attack On Paris Magazine Office

Aired January 07, 2015 - 12:29   ET

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

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've reached out to President Hollande of France and hope to have the opportunity to talk with him today. But I thought it was appropriate for me to express my deepest sympathies to the people of Paris, the people of France, for the terrible terrorist attack that took place earlier today. I think that all of us recognize that France is one of our oldest allies, our strongest allies. They have been with us at every moment when we (INAUDIBLE) in dealing with some of the terrorist organizations around the world that threaten us.

For us to see the kind of cowardly, evil attacks that took place today, I think it reinforces once again why it's so important for us to stand in solidarity with them just as they stand in solidarity with us. The fact that this was an attack on journalists, an attack on our free press, also underscores that these terrorists fear freedom of speech and freedom of the press. But the one thing that I'm very confident about is that the values that we share with the French people, a belief that universal belief in freedom of expression, is something that can't be silenced because of the senseless violence of the few.

And so, our counter terrorism cooperation with France is excellent. We will provide them with every bit of assistance that we can going forward. I think it's going to be important for us to make sure that we recognize these kinds of attacks can happen anywhere in the world. And one of the things I'll be discussing with Secretary Kerry today is to make sure that we remain vigilant not just with respect to Americans living in Paris, but Americans living in Europe and in the Middle East and other parts of the world, and making sure that we stay vigilant in trying to protect them. And to hunt down and bring the perpetrators of this specific act to justice, and to roll up the networks that help to advance these kinds of plots.

In the end, though, the most important thing I want to say is that our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who've been lost in France, and with the people of Paris and the people of France. What that beautiful city represents -- the culture and the civilization that is so central to our imaginations -- that's going to endure. And those who carry out senseless attacks against innocent civilians, ultimately they'll be forgotten. And we will stand with the people of France through this very, very difficult time.

Thank you very much, everybody. ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The president with his comments beside the vice president, Joe Biden in the Oval Office just moments ago. Our Joe Johns was actually in the Oval Office with the president as he made those comments.

Joe, it's a little hard for me to make out everything that the President was saying. But if you could just twofold summarize the message from the President and then also what is the Administration doing going forward in aid to the French?

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think to summarize the President sort of hit all the notes there first stressing the alliance, the long alliance with France especially since 9/11 in the fight against terrorism. And then going on to say that this was obviously in his view an abhorrent attack on journalist which showed that the terrorist fear freedom, freedom of expression and the things that journalist represent among other things.

And he also went on to talk a little bit about what the United States is going to do lending all its assistance to bring these perpetrators of this particular act in France to justice as well as attempting to roll up the net that allows these types of attacks to flourish.

So, we've heard now three times twice in statements from the president once written obviously. And also from the press secretary today that the United States will do all it can to lend assistance to France in trying to find out who did this and bring them to justice.

I think those are the key points underlying the fact that the United States does have intelligence resources and law enforcement resources that could certainly lend assistance in the situation. Ashleigh.

BANFIELD: Joe Johns standing by live on the Northland of the White House as this developing story continues. Thank you for that Joe. Report back to us when you hear more from the White House.

In the meantime, so the question become, if people refuse to capitulate to the unreasonable demands of murderous terrorist who want to crash freedom of speech, just what kind of arsenal do people have against murderers like that? That story next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: Welcome back to our continuing coverage of this terror attack in Paris just hours old now. Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world.

One of the questions that I was asking I guest Mubin Shaikh who's the former Jihadist right before we went to the President's comments from the Oval Office had to do with the threat of terror and what the terrorists are demanding and whether those demands whether they're heeded or not will have an affect on society as a whole.

Mubin Shaikh I want to ask you this, I read you the comment from Salman Rushdie, I read you this statement that he made that effectively said the criticism of religion should be as fair as criticism of anything, but ultimately does that emboldened the Jihadist, does that emboldened the terrorist. And if not what arsenal the people have against people hell-bent on murder -- hell-bent on it even if they die themselves.

MUBIN SHAIKH, FORMER JIHADIST: You know, well first of all it's a very tragic incident that happened and of course the condolences go to those who are directly impacted and of course, the society at large including the Muslims who are there. You know, these are meant to be provocative cartoons, this is the point and people then get provoked by it.

And when you have individuals who have these ideologies who are already predisposed to committing violence, it's going to make them act. In terms of emboldened, being emboldened that there is already talked about copycat attacks in Denmark to follow up with this. So that's a possible trajectory coming out of this. And in terms of what kinds of things are available to people. Look, you have a number of camps. Some people are saying look just keep, you know, keep publishing the cartoons we don't care.

Others are like, look maybe, you know, provoking by insulting the profit himself as not the smartest way to do it. You can still do it by making satirical cartoons, but just avoiding the profit himself. I understand some people want to do that. And we live in a free society, and I mean go right ahead if you want, I just don't think that's a sensible policy.

BANFIELD: I think this will be questions a lot of people are asking as we move forward and the developments are still coming in. Mubin Shaikh thank you for your thoughts.

I want to bring in our National Correspondent, Deb Feyerick who's been working her sources here. You found out some pretty specific information about what the investigation is finding in them?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, there are so many interesting things, look, it seems we don't have a lot but in fact there is actually a lot of information that investigators are examining.

For example, at one point, the gunman, as he's walking to the car, he raises his finger and it looks as if he's almost signaling somebody else, either somebody who was standing there or somebody who is in a vehicle. We do know that there was a second vehicle that they abandoned, the original car that they were in, in order to make their getaway.

Another thing we're looking at is that these individuals as you can see, their faces were covered, their hands were covered. They had no intention of being identified also --

BANFIELD: So here's the video you were talking about.

FEYERICK: Correct. Now, look at the man near the car.

BANFIELD: They approached the car. FEYERICK: Look at it. He raises his finger. You see that? He --

BANFIELD: Yeah.

FEYERICK: -- raises his finger. It's blocked a little bit, but he's -- it appears that he's signaling to somebody and that's another clue that they're looking at. The NYPD having looked at this, they are now also making adjustments. They say that the attack appears well coordinated, well planned, and therefore, officials are taking into consideration all of that in reviewing intelligence and the kind of adjustments they plan to make here in the city.

BANFIELD: So one of the comments has been that if you hear, it's very difficult, but if you can speak French, you can understand that they speak French beautifully, not with a strong accent which might connote that they either are from there or born there, or have spent a lot of time there.

And yet, your sources are telling you that travel records are not out of the realm here.

FEYERICK: Oh, they're absolutely looking at travel records. Some of the things they're looking at for example, they are going back to see who may have entered France within the last 17 days, over the holiday period because they may have just blended in along with everybody else who was traveling back and forth to the holidays.

They are looking at travel records from the airports, for example, from Charles de Gaulle, from Orly. They're also looking at train stations as well. It's more complicated there because the borders are open so it's more difficult to check different passports, but they are in fact looking at all of those travel records over the last 17 days.

BANFIELD: And just quickly, we have to get to break. They're looking not only at the DNA workup inside the vehicle but the soil samples from the tires.

FEYERICK: Well that's exactly right. We see a Sneaker flying out of the car. But we don't know where that Sneaker was, where it came from. There could be something that was left behind in the car. So they are looking for minute traces of any possible DNA or forensic evidence that can at least identify who these men are.

BANFIELD: There just maybe a remarkable forensic trail starting with that vehicle and continuing to the highjacked vehicle as well. And all that surveillance video, you know, on the street. So, Deb Feyerick, thanks very much. Excellent reporting. Continue to tell us know when you hear more from your sources.

In the meantime, there is this question, they are trying to bully the world. They are trying to tell everyone regardless of what country you are, East or West, you may not say certain things. Is that going to work?

And by the way, might France think a little differently about how it approaches terror, perhaps even the coalition to fight terror. Those questions in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: Welcome back to our continuing coverage of this terror attack in Paris. Welcome to the viewers here in the United States and around the world. We're waiting from live comments right now from 10 Downing Street.

Yet again the Prime Minister of Great Britain David Cameron actually along side the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel are expected to give some more remarks. They spoke sort of a bit just earlier on just outside, a quick news conference. But this is a formal one that's about to get underway. As other leaders all around the world America is included have been sending out their condolences and also standing firm with the people of France as they now bear witness and bear down on the pain and suffering that has come with a terror attack that has killed 12, wounded 11 and certainly gone right to the soul of that country.

In the meantime, I'm joined now by CNN's Fareed Zakaria host of Fareed Zakaria GPS. You know, there is this notion that this terrorists whomever they belong to and whatever their message, clearly it's about the cartoons that they found offensive depicting the Prophet Muhammad are trying to bully the world. No matter where you're in the world East or West into their way of living, their way of thinking, not free thinking, no freedom of speech. Is this going to work?

FAREED ZAKARIA, CNN HOST, FAREED ZAKARIA GPS: You know, unfortunately it would be nice to say it's not going to work. It shouldn't work. But the reality is that it will have a chilling effect, it already has have a chilling effect. And these are difficult decision that news organizations are now have to make that magazines will have to make because yes of course you believe in freedom of speech. But you also want to put lives at risk particularly just wanting to put your own life at risk, you're putting other people's lives at risk. And so, it is unfortunately going to have a chilling effect. I think there's no way around this.

BANFIELD: It almost begs an international journalist to conference in which that the message is look, we are now at a turning point, either freedom of speech is in peril around the world or as, you know, I'm going to just interrupt for a moment because Prime Minister David Cameron is speaking live. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: All our thoughts of the French people following a barbaric attack this morning. German Chancellor Angela and I have spoken to Francois Hollande this afternoon.

How much of this can give to the French at this vital time. And we stand absolutely united with the French people against terrorism and against this threat to our values, free speech the root of all, democracy. It's absolutely essential that we defend those values today and everyday. I'm delighted to welcome the Chancellor. We like to welcome you Angela back to Downing Street. I think we very much enjoyed our visit to the British Museum, the oldest public museum in the world and a stunning exhibition, curated so brilliantly by Neil MacGregor about German history and German memories and it was very enjoyable to have that tour of the museum together.

It's a testament the exhibition to the collaboration between our two countries. And I believe that collaboration will get stronger particularly as the Queen will make her fifth state visit to Germany in June. Our exports in Germany are up by more than 20 percent since 2009.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: The Prime Minister and the German Chancellor now moving on to another topic that obviously was previously scheduled. But beginning their news conference with their solidarity with the French people and particularly that they had reached out to the French President Francois Hollande to extend their grief and their sadness for the people of France who are suffering to this terror attack. That happened just hours ago.

I want to reintroduce Fareed Zakaria who joined me right before hand and the question was it almost begs this global bullying a conference of journalist around the world to know that there are strength in numbers. There is strength in numbers. And if everyone capitulates the terrorist win.

ZAKARIA: I think it would be great. But it shouldn't just be journalists. I think the important thing to understand is freedom of speech is not a periocular, narrow issue that journalists care about. It's something that animates freedom and universal values everywhere.

You know, we're watching David Cameron condemn this attack, we're watching Barack Obama condemn this attack, Francois Hollande, wonderful. But where is the President of Egypt? Where is the President of Pakistan, the Prime Mister of Pakistan, where are the leading --

BANFIELD: Pakistan having just endured one of the worst terror attacks ever, 300 kids.

ZAKARIA: But Pakistan which also has one of the worst blasphemy laws on its books which allow people to be prosecuted, in fact even executed on the bases of those laws.

So, it's so important right now to hear from Muslim leaders, leaders of Muslim countries, it's, you know it's all very well for the Western leaders to do this. It will only begin to have an effect and it will put in, you know, it will at least make a dent in this global bullying if we hear from the leaders of Muslim majority countries saying this is not Islam. This is not what we believe in.

And, you know frankly, I haven't yet heard of -- I have heard of couple of French mobs which is very, very good and very important. But as I said, there are, you know dozens and dozens of Muslim majority countries in the world. And I haven't seen a single haven't stated yet I may be wrong but right now, I haven't seen any statement --

BANFIELD: We're about -- I'm looking at the clock, about 6 hours, 50 minutes or so since this attack perhaps, this is just the beginning of the movement. And who knows, if there will be more voices that emerge, but let me ask you about France in particular.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French President was very, very strict and presided over a ban of the wearing of the veil, the full veil, I should say, not a ban on hijab, head covering but the wearing of the full veil in France and that irked a lot of Muslims.

I think it irked a lot of militant Muslims far more, but is this retribution specific to France or is this the kind of thing where France just happened to have the magazine of choice for the moment?

ZAKARIA: Oh, I think it's the latter. They -- You look, they have always this kind of radical, Jihadist have always hated freedom of expression particularly political satire. You remember the Danish cartoons, it was the Danish Weekly, and that -- there were death threats about that one. You remember Salman Rushdie which you mentioned yourself.

So this is very much about the core principle of freedom of speech. France has a particular problem which is it has the largest Muslim migrant community or homegrown community, I should say in Europe. It's about 5 million consequence of the -- its colonial past in Algeria and neighboring countries.

So, France, you know probably has more radical Islamic cells than other places. And France has not been particularly good frankly at assimilating its recent immigrants and assimilating people who don't look French if you know what I mean in the traditional sense.

But, obviously, this could happen anywhere in Europe. The United States does not seem to have much radicalism within its Muslim community.

BANFIELD: I wanted just to finish our conversation by reading something from the editor who was murdered today, the editor of Charlie Hebdo magazine. Stephane Charbonnier said this back in 2012. He said, "I don't feel as though I'm killing someone with a pen. I'm not putting lives at risk. When activists need a pretext to justify their violence, they always find it."

And there's the man who wrote those words and was murdered today possibly because of them and because of his mission in life which is freedom of speech that everyone can be criticized no matter what.

Fareed, thank you, appreciate your insight as always. Look forward to your program this weekend as well that will more than likely dig deep very -- do a very deep dive into this issue.

In the meantime, I wanted to show you something from the Charlie Hebdo website. That is Je Suis Charlie which is I am Charlie. This is what the website shows and in fact, it's in every language. And as we go through the various screenshots of the different languages, you could see it in German, you can see it in French, you can see it in every single language.

And this is a viral campaign as well. I am Charlie meaning that we all stand with those. And it is also as you should know in Farsi and in Arabic.

So as we look at that and we note that this was a satirical magazine. These were comedians. These were people just poking fun at the realities of life. What about comedies and why is that there is this rise in comedy where it is so unlikely? That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: I want to tell you a little something about the magazine that was targeted by these gunmen today. It's called the Charlie Hebdo that's the French pronunciation that's not someone's name it's actually a combination of the Peanuts character Charlie Brown and the French word for weekly. It's been around for more than 40 years, never really super famous or lively popular but known more for the controversies worldwide that stirred up around it. It's popular certainly in Paris.

I want to get to Brian Stelter here, he's our Senior Media Correspondent. Also Dean Obeidallah is a political writer and comedian and I should say Arab comedian and that's significant here because you write specifically about the rise in satire in places where you would least likely find at places like Iraq, places where you can die for it.

DEAN OBEIDALLAH, POLITICAL COMEDIAN AND WRITER: Yes. Yeah and I did write about for the Daily Beast. I mean, they're comics making fun of ISIS by name, courage in Iraq people in Lebanon, Palestinians as well, mocking it to undermine their legitimacy and the fact that they don't represent Islam.

So they're using humor to say this people don't represent Islam, they're terrorists. They're not like us, do the exception they are not mainstream Muslims.

BANFIELD: And this is the risk for a word here.

OBEIDALLAH: Yes. There is a risk and they are risking their lives. We can see ISIS on TV they can see it in their house. They know their lives on the line by mocking them and I think it's amazingly brave.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Yet in Paris some of these cartoonists, some of these editors knew what they were doing was risky. They've talked about it over the years and I think the most moving statement I have seen today was from the editor-in-chief of this magazine who happens to be in London not in Paris today. And said, "I don't understand how people can attack a newspaper with heavy weapon," he said, "A newspaper is not a weapon of war."

BANFIELD: Well, but it is certainly a weapon of ideology. How does one fake this ideology Dean? How does one come back from this? Do you continue to publish this and then risk your own employees?

OBEIDALLAH: I think that's -- the choice of each person from myself as a Muslim I want to make it clear that we have nothing against freedom of expression. This people who commit this horrible act is an attack on everyone who believes in freedom of expression.

It's not also against them in the sense of the west versus Muslims, its mainstream Muslims versus radicals who want us to agree with them and will kill us like their doing in Iraq, like they will do mainstream western people.

STELTER: Now many news outlets are making very difficult decisions about whether to show some of these cartoons now. Whether to put them online, or to delete them, whether to share them or not.

BANFILED: Do you find any reaction?

STELTER: Those are not easy --

BANFIELD: Globally, is anybody speaking up but this part is a little too early.

STELTER: You know there is incredible show of support for this magazine and for this people.

BANFIELD: Yeah, but those who --

STELTER: We had a moment of silence of you --

BANFIELD: -- prints the material in show of support that's a bigger decision.

STELTER: That is the bigger decision and that's what we're just starting to see online.

BANFIELD: Brian Stelter and Dean Obeidallah, thank you so much, I appreciate your time. Certainly the story continues to develop and we are continuing to watch everyone of this development here live on CNN.

Thanks for watching. My colleague Wolf Blitzer starts right after this break.