Transcripts For CSPAN White House Briefs Reporters Ahead Of U.N. General Assembly Meeting 20170915

Outside washington dc, addressing air force personnel on the 70th anniversary of the air force, before he boards air force one for a trip to his resort in bedminster, new jersey. Remarks begin, some of todays white house breat briefing. Sarah good afternoon. I would like to reinstatement. The United States strongly indemns the terrorist attack london today, the targeted innocent civilians on the subway. We are grateful no one was killed and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured, and we wish them a speedy and full recovery. We are aware of the rest that took place in paris following the arrest on a counterterrorism soldier, and we are thankful the soldier was not seriously injured. We are also aware of the attack in burgundy, and our thoughts are with those injured in that incident. Rants is one of our closest allies and we will support their investigations. Next week the president and key members of his Foreign Policy team will be in new york for the United Nations General Assembly. Here today are National Security r mcmaster, and u. N. Ambassador to the United Nations, nikki haley. I will be up afterwards to answer questions, unless you guys want to give me a free pass since it is friday. [laughter] general mcmaster good afternoon, everyone. The United States stands in solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom and france. Withll continue to work our partners to prevent attacks. The United States remains committed to defeating terrorist organizations and their evil ideology. The president has been unambiguous, energizing our defeat isis campaign, and calling on majority muslim nations to end terrorism, and and financing of terrorism organizations. We will always stand with countries around the world. I want to turn to President Trumps trip next week to the 72nd United Nations General Assembly. Willresidents message emphasize three goals, to all nations who will beget other there. First, to promote peace read second, to promote prosperity. And third, to uphold sovereignty and accountability. A Peaceful World depends on the contributions of all nations. We must share the possibility for interNational Security, while each country protects the security of its own people. Austerity is also a shared responsibility. President looks forward to economic cooperation, Investment Opportunities and new business ties with other businesses and around the world. This administrations ironclad commitment to free, fair, and reciprocal trade, and access to markets, will the the bedrock of our economic talks. Sovereignty and accountability are the essential foundations of peace and prosperity. America respects the sovereignty of other countries, expect other nations to do the same, and urges all governments to be accountable to their citizens. Thats accountability has broken down in places such as venezuela and syria. And we also see, today, revisionist powers who were threatening sovereignty and the greater middle east, eastern and southern europe, and east asia. I will run to the president s schedule. Joiny, the president will senior u. N. Leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution. Will expressed support for secretarygeneral gutierrezs reform efforts. Has Great Potential to realize its founding ideals, but only if it is run efficiently. With thedent will meet leaders of france and israel. Their conversations will be wideranging, and we t iranshat yo destabilizing behavior will be a major focus. The president will host a working dinner with latin american leaders. He is looking forward to discussing the crisis in venezuela, as well as our strong economic ties, shared goals for elevating the prosperity of our peoples, and the success of likeminded, latin american nations in recent decades. To thesidents speech General Assembly will emphasize the need for states to promote peace and prosperity, while upholding sovereignty and accountability, as indispensable foundations of international order. He will or drill states to come together to address grave dangers that threaten us all. If nations meet these challenges, immense opportunity lies before us. President will have lunch with you and secretarygeneral and meet with the emir of qatar. In the evening, he will host a traditional diplomatic reception. On wednesday, the president will meet with the leaders of jordan, the palestinian authority, the United Kingdom and egypt. He will host a working lunch and with African Leaders to discuss how the United States can help african nations develop their economies, dressers and address urgent challenges, and strengthen security and economic relations between our nations. Thepresident will meet with leaders of turkey, afghanistan and ukraine. The latter two nations have persistent attacks on their sovereignty in recent years. He will also host a lunch with the leaders of south korea and japan. As kim jonguns recent missile demonstrates, north Korea Remains one of the world most dangerous and urgent security problems. It is vital all nations Work Together to solve that problem. I will turn it over to ambassador haley. Haley thank you, very much. Next week is not going to be short on topics. It is a new day at the u. N. The u. N. Has shifted over the past several months. It is not just about talking, it is about action. The members are getting used to acts, whether it is resolutions, peacekeeping, we are seeing changes at the u. N. They are all actions to see what the delegation looks like next week, and i think they will be heavily impressed that we have the president , Vice President , secretary of state, many members of the Security Council, coming to show the u. S. Strength and the world. I think this will be the first time the president has addressed the u. N. General assembly. The rx is to hear what he has to say, and i think he will make quite an impact, in terms of. The issues we are dealing with three events will be extremely important. The president will highlight the u. N. Reform event. We have a massive reform package that streamlines not just the processes, but also the budget as it goes forward, and it makes the you and much more effective. Have the president headlining a u. N. Reform effort, which would really support the secretarygeneral. Is thatimpressive part we asked other countries to sign onto their support of reform, and 120 countries have signed on and will be in attendance. That is a miraculous number. Ohe Vice President will do tw very important briefings. He will do one with the human rights council. If a government doesnt take care of its people, bad things will happen. We are seeing that in multiple places and that is all the more reason why the human rights effective. Ds to be i think the president i think the Vice President will talk about the reforms, and address the needed areas to address human rights. The second when he is going to do is peacekeeping. We have taken every peacekeeping mandate and changed it. Basically, we have saved half a billion dollars in peacekeeping. But, before anyone thinks that is a trag travesty, basically, w the peacekeeping was handling the past was they would throw more troops at a problem. What they didnt give the troops training to do their job. Now we are making sure troops , makingned and armed sure we are more effective. So it is smarter. And it cut half a billion dollars. So, having the Vice President talk about the importance of having the peacekeeping effective is very important. And there is no shortage of issues, with north korea being front and center. Iran will be an issue. An issue. Be terrorism and how we counter that is a huge topic. And obviously, the humanitarian issues we face around the world. I think the General Assembly is going to be quite active next u. S. Isd i think the going to be very strong next week. We look forward to a very good week. My question is about north korea, perhaps the biggest foreignpolicy challenge for President Trump. Ago, the president issued a threat to north korea. He warned of the fire and fury. Councilun security imposed tougher sanctions on north korea. Both of these efforts do nothing to be changing their behavior. Is it time for the u. S. To change its approach to north korea . Is that something you are contemplating . In general, if you could weigh in on this as well as would appreciate it . Haley i think what is important for north koreas that we try to push through as resolutions as possible. If you look at the latest, they ban a 90 of imports, 30 of oil, they banded joint ventures. Korea, weds of north have strangled their economic situation. That is going to take a little bit of time but it is arty starting to take effect. He continued to be provocative. They continue to be reckless. And at that point, there is not going to be a whole lot the Security Council can do from here, when you cut 90 of the important 30 of the oil. No problem taking it to general mattis. He has a lot more options. Mcmaster what is important is vigorous enforcement of those sanctions so that we can let the economic actions and diplomacy progress, as best we can. But what is different about this approach is, it allows time. We have been kicking the can down the road, and we are out of road. For those who have been commenting about the lack of a military option, there is a military option. Not what we would prefer to do, so we have to call on all nations to do everything we can to address this global problem, short of war. So, that is implementing now. These significant sanctions that have just now gone into place. And it is convincing everyone, to do everything they can, and that its in their interest to do it. All, there is consensus among all the nations, that denu clearization of the peninsula is the only acceptable objective. Secondly, this is not an issue theeen north korea and United States. This is an issue between the world, and north korea. And thirdly, this is something we needed to work on together. This is a sound approach to a very difficult problem. And we will see fixed su if it succeeds. Reporter someone said next weeks General Assembly will be a measure of the United States as much as the world. He described the United Nations General Assembly as a speed dating from hell, and a sophisticated dance that neither secretary tillerson or the president has a particularly strong point on. What would you say to people who are wondering how the u. S. Will do it next week United Nations General Assembly . Ambassador haley they are going to find out we are going to be solid. We are going to be strong. If you look at all the meetings the Security Council has, these are important meetings. Is a right to talk about terrorism, the issue in venezuela, all of the issues. Andne is going to grip grin. The United States is going to work. The international is going to the International Community is going to see that. This is a time for action. In addition to what we do militarily, and the humanitarian beents, and we have criticized for not being involved in humanitarian efforts to much. How are go to new york, you going to address criticism about the u. S. Not leading humanitarian efforts . Haley we have led humanitarian efforts and continue to. You have to protect human rights. But the humanitarian side of what we are seeing in south sudan, congo, refugees in turkey and jordan, the fact that we are trying to deal with burma and get humanitarian access in there. Uniteds some lace the states has been working closely with the saudis and the United Nations on. Inhave been active and vocal leading the charge on humanitarian access in all of these areas. And we are making a difference. In syria, we have given over 3 billion in terms of helping that situation. Venezuela, you so what we did with the sanctions. Burma, we arein taking that very seriously and it is of utmost importance that we get front and center on that. You mentioned the terror incident in london. The president tweeted this morning, they were people that of scotlandsights yard. Prime minister may said it was not helpful to speculate. Did the president share information that he was not supposed to . Mcmaster i the president was communicating, all of our Law Enforcement efforts are focused on this terrorism effort. For years Scotland Yard has been a leader as our fbi has been a leader. So if there was an attack here, got for bit, we would say they were in the sights of the fbi. He did not mean anything beyond that. Generally, theg terrorists are in the focus of Scotland Yard, or was it a specific incident . Mcmaster i think he means generally, this kind of connectivity is what we are trying to prevent. So, these organizations responsible for it, whatever comes out of this investigation, it is likely Law Enforcement had been working on the problem. Do you know about the call to Prime Minister may . I was not in on that call. That there iseful any chance for a full oil embargo, as the administration has wanted . At what point does this administration take a vigorous step, for example with tougher sanctions on china in order to pressure north korea . Ambassador first of all, the first one was 1 billion. The second one was 1. 3 billion, not counting the decrease in oil. 55 reduction in diesel and oil. Imagine if this happened in the United States. An overall band of natural gas. An overall ban of any substitutes. An overall ban of textiles. Stopping the labor program, which we call modernday slavery. Stopping foreign investment. We have cut off, now, 90 of trade going into north korea. And they are saying that this was strangling. So, whether some believe it is big or small, the president is saying this is just the beginning of what we can do. By the time we get going on this, if we have to go further, this is going to look small compared to what we can do. But, the massive sanctions bill, and the fact of the we had a 150 record, and the fact that you have russia and china on board, i think that is very important. There is always more you can do, but then you get into the humanitarian aspect of it, which is, at what point are you hurting the people of north korea. But, we will always explore all options. You said syria is going to be on the agenda. And irankey, russia, had an agreement. Does this leave the u. S. Behind . And what will be the focus when you talk of syria at the u. N. Next week . Much of the peace talks with the palestinians will take place at those meetings . Haley the efforts and syria have been remarkable, and the way we have bulldozed isis shows how strong the u. S. Has been, in partnership with them. We are also looking at post isis. What does that look like . I cant tell you, iran is not going to be in charge or have any sort of leadership in that situation, to where they can do more harm. But syria is always going to be a topic, and making sure there are weapons, and making sure we are looking at the humanitarian situation. But the u. S. Is a partner in the resolution was syria and we will continue to be into we know everything is stable. We are not going to be satisfied until we see a solid and stable syria. And it is not with Bashar Alassad in place. Are going to be effective in the process and to we get to a resolution. General mcmaster. Talk aboutnt will lasting peace between israel and the palestinians, with all of the meetings is having with leaders, during the week. President putin and president wont be there, so what will the outcome of whatever you discuss on syria and north korea . And you have been insisting on the respective sovereignty. Would an investment in peacekeeping be part of getting involved, and having a stronger . You have two very strong Foreign Ministers from russia and china that are going to be there, and the idea that we are going to be talking about russia and north korea and syria and iran, i think it will be serious discussions. And i think the fact that president xi and president putin cant be there, wont change the talks that we have next week. That is their choice not to show up. The u. N. General assembly is not a substitute for bilateral relationships with the nation. The president has been working very closely, especially with on this common problem, and this world problem, of north korea. Discussions will continue in terms of multilateral discussions, but also our bilateral relationship china. Relationship with china. Have the past, president s copiously avoided certain world leaders. Bushade ago, president avoided the president of iran at the United Nations. Will President Trump speak to president maduro at all . I think it iser unlikely he will speak with president maduro. The United States designated president maduro, after he victimized his own people, denied their rights under his own constitution, and i think the president has been made clear he is willing to talk at some point in the future, but it would have to be after rights are restored to the venezuelan people. What is the future of india in the Security Council relationship . Haley i think the Security Council forum is still being talked about and i know it is something india wants. Many other countries wanted, as well, so, we will have to wait and see. Will the sanctions work toward north korea . Ambassador haley you have to look at how much has been cut off. They are getting ready to feel 90 of their exports going away. 30 of their oil. Imagine what that would do to the United States. Was saying, its a fullscale economic blockaded that is a suffocating the state and the people. This is dramatic. Peru has dropped ties. Thailand has dropped ties. We are seeing so many, just get rid of the ambassadors or the trade that theyre doing. There is no way that north korea does not feel this. Now, how they choose to respond, this is totally in their hands as to how they respond. [yelling] i am wondering if you could talk in any more detail now, will President Trump be sending direct messages about iran and north korea in his speech . And ambassador haley, on the i known of u. N. Funding, reform is a number part of the question, but as a candidate, President Trump, thencandidate about theskeptical region the import of the United Nations. As president i am sure he has learned more. You can find of his breathing in its entirety on cspan. Org. Right now,