Transcripts For CSPAN2 Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20140212 :

Transcripts For CSPAN2 Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20140212

The only thing i would add for questioning is that we also have to look at the ideology that exists within the groups. They share ideology. I add that to the definition of core. Its not the Senior Leadership in al qaeda. Its in pakistan. Its also this shared ideology that many of these extremist groups have. Its something we we have to consider. Would you consider the branch sharing that ideology . I would. One final topic i wanted to address, which is iran and some discussion recently by relaxes the sanction against north korea we allow the funds to fly to north korea in turn allowed them to develop Nuclear Weapons. Is there any reason we should expect different results in iran than the same policy achieved in north korea . Well, i want to critique u. S. Policy and i will just say that i dont know how come out in iran we monitor the compliance. I would note you said you didnt want to critique u. S. Policy. Is there any reason to be believed that the outcome in iran would be any different from north korea . St a completely different country than north korea. Yes, the outcome could be different. But the differences make it more or less likely than they would comply phrase differently. Im at the end of my time. This will be my last question. Phrase differently in your view if iran were to succeed in acquiring a Nuclear Weapon . What do you have a as likelihood they would use that Nuclear Weapon to murder innocent people . That is first of all, theyre not near acquiring a Nuclear Weapon and even farther from it assuming these negotiations pan out. I cant answer your question. I will say i think the odds are unacceptably high and this current path is exceedingly dangerous. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you both for your service. And director clapper, i want to followup on some of the same issues regarding iran and specifically our capability of knowing for sure if theyre cheating. If theyre not living by any obligations. You testified here today on the negative impacts of sequester on the Intelligence Community. And in addition we have a lot of examples before those budget circumstances, before sequester of not knowing what was going on in other countries real time. Of not fully appreciating what north korea was doing in the past. Of not knowing that gadhafi had chemical weapons before his downfall and we got in there. I think you testified specifically about that. Not knowing today. Russian violating some of the agreement with them. In a closed session. If if they are not knowing precisely what is going on in those places until well after the fact how can you state were certain dededucting if iran doesnt meet the agreement and start moving forward on a Nuclear Weapon . Well, under the provision they have intrusive insight in to iran. That would be have that. I would make a major difference. But for that to be full proof you have know exactly where to look and exactly what questions to ask. Is that correct . I prefer to let me underscore my concern given history in north korea, syria, russia right now, libya, plenty of other places. Final question on iran. I think you have testified today that cyber is your single biggest concern. Is that equation changed if iran gets a Nuclear Weapon . I said cyber. Oh cyber. And the question is . Does that statement, does that rank as your most serious concern. Does that change if iran gets a Nuclear Weapon . Have to rethink that, i guess. If that were to happen. Thank you. Thank you. Lets have three question. Second round for starters. If we need more than that well have a third round. Just first on iran, what is the Intelligence Communitys assessment of the nature and extend of iranian influence within the mall lackey government in iraq . Well, there is some influence. Theres also some standoffishness, i guess i call it. But clearly it is in irans best interest to have friendly cooperative shiitelead government in iran. The iranians will exert the influence in any number of ways. Has it been growing, would you say . I think it is a level to what it has been for a couple of years. Now, theres been a number of articles written about Business People from various countries knocking on the door in iran. And the Administration Made it pretty clear the other day were going to enforce our current sanctions. We said they would during the negotiation period. Providing that theyre knocking on the door but the door is locked tight so there is no leakage during this negotiation period, would the fact theres a lot of interest in the outside Business Community to come in to iran put additional pressure on iran and negotiate a settlement which we find acceptable . Absolutely. I think it would be an attraction and i think probably supports the are han ron han any camp, if you will. Those interested in trying to change the economy and improve it and iran. That would i think be an argument debate point for them again the hard liners. I want to switch you to the pakistan. This has to do with the Financial Network that is supports the network. I assume that the Intelligence Community tracks the Financial Network and the other the banks and the businesses which support that network. Why havent we been able to shut down Financial Support . Ill does it in closed session. Thank you. You served a tour of duty; correct . Three. Three. Okay. Im sorry. Absolutely. Thank you. Mr. Clapper, i appreciate your candor and service to our country. The president tweeted out 117 delegations visited iran seeking to do business in the future. Do you know if that is accurate or not . I do not. Could do you as to whether or not european allies and other countries throughout the world where engaging more aggressively in term of Business Opportunity . Yes, we will. Okay. I take a different view than my good friend senator levin. I believe it is over and everybody is trying to get in line to do business in iran. And were losing our leverage. But thats just my opinion. I would ask you this question. If the iranians are allowed to enrich uranium as a final deal, could you please let us know in whatever appropriate form the effect it might have on the mideast in term of spreading proliferation of Nuclear Weapons capability and whether or not the arab countries will follow suit. Could you get that pretty quickly . Well try to provide written assessment of that. I think would be classified. In one minute. If in fact enrichment of uranium spread throughout the northeast would you agree it would be a very bad scenario for the National Security of the United States and israel if nations throughout the mideast turned to enriching uranium . Yes. Particularly for other peaceful purposes, obviously. Well, the disappoint do you think the iranians are trying to build bomb before we got involved . They approached from a threshold capability. The delivery capability but for them the uranium is they certainly have the expertise down. They so chose. They have the expertise if they so chose. How long would it take . It depends on a lot of factors best discussed in closed session. Thank you, senator graham. We appreciate your testimony, your service and join in a number of for their service and the families of the support all of you. We will stand adjourned. Someone will be in touch about a closed meeting. Yes, sir. [inaudible conversations] wednesday morning. Youre watching cspan2 with politics and Public Affairs weekdays. French president visited the white house today the first visit from the french head of state since 1996. President obama greeted the president in a formal ceremony on the white house south lawn. [inaudible conversations] ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States of america and mrs. Michelle obama. [cheering and applause] [inaudible conversations] ladies and gentlemen, the National Anthem [inaudible] present arms. [cheering and applause] order. Mr. President , the honor guard prepared for succession. [cheering and applause] [inaudible conversations] great honor. Thank you. Thank you. [inaudible conversations] mr. President , the thank you. Good morning, everybody. Bonjour. Thats the extent of my french. [laughter] few places in the world warm the heart like paris in the spring. This morning, were going to do our best with washington in the winter. [laughter] [speaking in french] [speaking in french] france is americas oldest ally. In recent years we are deepnt our alliance. Today, on behalf of the American People, and Michelle Obama and myself, it is a great honor to welcome my friend, president , and his delegation for the first state visit to the united. In first the state visit bay french president in nearly 20 years. [speaking in french] yesterday at month cello we reflect obd the values we share. The redeal at the heard heart of our alliance. Here, under the red, white, and blue, and the blue, white, and red, we declare our devotion once more to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. [speaking in french] [cheering and applause] [speaking in french] for more than two centuries, we have not only proclaimed our ideals, our citizens have blood to preserve them. From a field in worktown, to the beaches of normandy, to the mountains of afghanistan. Today we are mononorred to be joined by two extraordinary men who there those historic days 70 years ago. I asked them to stand proud veterans of dday who are here in attendance today. [cheering and applause] [speaking in french] its no exaggeration that we stand here because of each other. We owe our freedom to each other. Of course, we americans thank our french friends for so much else. The capitol city. Our statute of liberty, a gift from france. And something Many Americans are officially grateful for new orleans and the french quarter. [laughter] [speaking french] mr. President , like generations before us, we now have the task not simply to preserve our Enduring Alliance but make it new for our time. No one nation did meet todays challenges along. More must step up and meet the responsibility of the leadership. Thats what the United States and france are doing together. [speaking french] to our french friends, i say lets do even more together. For the security that our citizens deserve for the prosperity they seek, and for the dignity of people around the world who seek what we declare two centuries ago. Those unalienable rights. Those sacred right of man. [speaking french] the president , member of the french delegation, we are mononorred to have you here as one of our strongest allies and closest friends. Welcome to the United States [speaking french] [cheering and applause] [speaking french] mr. President , dear barack, dear Michelle Obama. Ladies and gentlemen, its cold in washington. Youre right. But it is a beautiful day. Its a great day. To america and france. I wont speak in french because im obliged do to that for my country. [speaking in french] you have received my delegation of myself as friends, and i am particularly touched by this reception by the president of the United States. [speaking french] we are always united by common history from worktown to the beach was normandy, as you said, so rightly. Each of our countries knows what it owes to the other. Its freedom. [speaking french] yesterday we were at Thomas Jeffersons residence. Once ambassador of france. Who remains one of the most beautiful ties that unite us. [speaking french] this afternoon at the arlington cemetery, the high french distinction to the american unknown soldier. I shall present American Veterans who fought in the Second World War and like to pay tribute to these men. [speaking french] [cheering and applause] [speaking french] [speaking french] i wish to demonstrate the fact that france will never forget the spirit of sacrifice shown by these american soldiers nameless heroes who left their home to liberate my country. We shall pay tribute to them during the celebration that will take place in france to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the normandy landing. I hope barack, you will join me on the sixth of june, 2014, 70 years after f day landing. [speaking french] translator our two countries hold universal values. Values that inspire them. Right together the universal declaration of human rights. [speaking french] translator we stand together to fight terrorism. Today still france and the United States stand side by side to make these values prevail. We stand together with the United States to address threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and chemical weapons. Together to solve the crises faced by the middle east. Together to support africas development, and together to fight Global Warming and climate change. [cheering and applause] [speaking french] translator today we stand united and we have built a model friendship. A friendship that is the best recipe for a better world. A world such as the one that was dreamt by Thomas Jefferson in lafayette. Its not just about friendship, it is about an alliance that will enable us to make this world a better place, a safer place, a more humane place. [speaking french] [cheering and applause] thank you [cheering and applause] mr. President , im proud to stand here. You are a great man of the United States of america and you represent the United States of america. The country where everything is possible for who wants it. A country devoted to freedom and equality. Long live the United States. Long live france, long live the american friendship. [cheering and applause] mr. President , this concludes the ceremony. [cheering and applause] [inaudible conversations] later the french president joined president obama for a News Conference in the east room of the white house. They answered questions about syria, Irans Nuclear program, and relations with the European Union. This is an hour. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united and the president of the french republic. Please have a seat. Good afternoon. [speaking french] t a great honor to welcome my friend and partner back to the white house. Its always a pleasure to host you. At camp david two years ago, i was trying to make this summit casual, and he in true french style showed up in a necktie. We tried to get him take it off. When i hosted him in chicago i thought he would try some of the local cuisine, a chicagostyle hot dog. Im not sure he had one, but we do know that hes sampled american fast food in the past because it happened to be the 40th anniversary of his first trip to america as a student, and sinned he traveled across our country studying the fast food industry. So back in 1974, you noticed a french guy poking around your local mcdonalds, that was him. Now hes back at the 24th president of france. We look forward to hosting tonight at the state dinner with different kind of american cuisine. The great son of france who chronicled our american democracy wrote even as we marvel the our freedom. Theres nothing harder than learning how to use our freedom. Our two countries have learned over more than 200 years. Standing together and using our freedom to improve the lights of not only our citizens but people around the world is what makes france not only americas oldest allies but one of the closest allies. Our military and intelligence personnel cooperate every day. Keeping our nation secure and dealing with crises and challenges from africa to the persian gulf. Our diplomats work side by side to help resolve conflict and promote peace from syrian to iran. Our Development Experts help imor vish villagers who lift themselves out of poverty. This level of partnership across so many areas would have been unimaginable even a decade ago. But its a testament to how our two nations have worked to transform our alliance and i want to thank them for carrying this work forward. You havent just spoken eloquently about frances determination to meet the responsibility as a global leader. You have also acted from mali and the Central Africa republic to sir yean and iran. You have shown courage and result. Thank you for being a Strong Partner to the United States. In that spirit, im grateful for the progress we have made today in four key area. First, were Standing Shoulder to shoulder on the key challenges the global security. Our unity with our p5 1 partners backed with strong sanctions exceeded in holding back the Nuclear Program. We agree next weeks talks will be ab opportunity for iran to show it is serious about a comprehensive solution that assures the world that the Nuclear Program is for peaceful purpose only. The president and i agree on the needs to continue enforcing existing sanctions. Even as we believe that new sanctions during these negotiations would endanger a we remain absolutely united on our ultimate goal which is preventing iran from obtaining a Nuclear

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