Also expect the president to address russias Annexation Of Crimea . Reporter probably so just because this dominated the discussion so much. The g7 meeting which was held as a part of the Nuclear Security summit wasnt really, the move wasnt originally part of the plan. It wasnt because of the esflepevents that happened in ukraine. Suspending with the biggest economies in the world. Russia was supposed to host in june in sochi. It is a big step. The question, though, is, specially among critics, will this have any effect . The u. S. Ed administration, other countries repeatedly said, there is still a door open to discussion, to a diplomatic solution. There is a chance for deescalation. We can change things if russia decides to change course. For everything that has been said and all the talks that have
been held, not only among western countries but talks with russia, nothing has changed that course. So it remains to be seen now what could constitute escalation for additional and more damaging sanctions to be issued and what could be deescalation. We ask that question yesterday. Michelle, were going to jump out. The president has now taken the stage with the Prime Minister of The Netherlands. The two men are addressing the congregated press there. Lets listen to what they are saying. I am proud to present our Summit Communique to you today. Building of the progress remains early In Washington and seoul. This communique sets the bar even higher. We have taken major steps towards meeting all three main objectives of the nss process. I will say a few words about each. The first objective is to reduce the amount of Dangerous Nuclear material in the world. The less Dangerous Nuclear material there is and the better the Nuclear Security, the smaller the chance that terrorists will be able to get hold of it. Its that simple. Im pleased that the 53 countries and four International Organizations here have confirmed their commitment to continue reducing stocks of Dangerous Nuclear material, uranium and plutonium. A number of countries have announced the intention to hand over the highly dangerous to the u. S. As xhar chair of the summit, i naturally welcome these announcements. We are also making progress on the second objective, improving the security of nuclear and radioactive material. We have confirm our ambition to improve the security of materials that can be used to make Nuclear Weapons and the security of radiological sources that terrorists could use to make dirty bombs. The commitment of the nsa became more complete. The fear that the dirty bomb
would cause doesnt bear thinking about, not to mention the possible disruption to society. Im specially pleased that we are including this area. Furthermore, the nss countries have encouraged implementation of the iaa Nuclear Security guidelines. A significant number of us have decided to take this commitment even further. As chair of the summit, im delighted to announce that two thirds of the countries on the initiative of the United States, korea and The Netherlands, have pledged to incorporate these important recommendations into the national legislation. This is a message and represents potential progress. I cant stress enough how important it is. Fortunately, in a group of countries supporting this initiative is growing. Our ultimate goal is, of course, for all nss countries to follow this league and set an example for other countries. He many pleas i am pleased with the growing awareness of Nuclear Material. It is important to determine the origin of the material and trace that. We are listening. Michelle kosinski, i wanted to bring you in briefly before President Obama speaks. The president will also probably at some point have to address a rather large domestic issue which is brewing. The white house plans to change and modify and in some ways do away with the Current System of the nsa collecting telephone data. Can you explain what this change will be . Reporter yes. Feel free to cut me off when this starts again. There is a delay in what i can see and here. We wonder how much this issue came up in discussions with other european nations also. During this series of meetings. It has been this highly controversial, really played out in the media, irritation, of how much spying was gone on. Similar, was overplayed. It came out later that we know
that the u. K. , germany, other European Countries do this same kind of Data Collection as well as spying. Here is what the president wants to do. He has been working with congress. Soon, in the coming days, his administration says, he wants to propose a law that would change the way this is done. Right now, the nsa is the one that collects this bulk data, phone records, that americans make on a day it day basis. They keep it for five years. Whats been highly controversial in the past is that the nsa can essentially choose its own investigations and authorize them. The president wants the Phone Companies to collect the data and keep it possibly. Although, that might be done by some third party. The administration didnt make that clear. The president wants it such to be such that the nsa would have to go to a judge for every search it would want to do. That judge would have to say yes or no as to whether that specific phone number could be likely tied to terrorism. There are some other changes too. Keep in mind, this is a proposed piece of legislation. What it would do would take the nsa out of The Business Of Collecting and storing the data. Of core, turse, the nsa would s be able to gain access to the data when needed. The bigger question is, will Congress Pass this law . How long could that take . In the meantime, the president has authorized for 90 days an will continue in 90day increments to authorize the collection and the processing of that data as it stands right now. The president is about to speak now. Lets go back to the the hague to listen to President Obama. I would like to say a few words about the tragedy that recently took place back in the United States. Over the weekend, a massive landslide swept through a tiny town called oso in Washington State. While i wont get ahead of the ongoing response and rescue
operations, we know that part of this tightly knit community has been lost. First responders acted bravely despite still dangerous conditions. The American Red Cross has opened multiple shelters and the people of Washington State have been quick to help and comfort their fellow citizens. I just spoke to governor insly who swiftly declared a State Of Emergency and i signed that Emergency Declaration to make sure he has got all the resources he needs from my administration. They are in contact with them on an on going basis, fema and the Army Core Of Engineers has been on site to offer their assistance and expertise. I would ask all americans to send their thoughts and prayers to Washington State and the community, oso, and the families and friends of those who continue to be missing. We hope for the best but we recognize this is a tough situation. Now, as for our work here in the hague, i want to just repeat
the extraordinary work that mark has done in helping to organize this. Some of the people of The Netherlands, your hospitality has been remarkable. Your organization has been flawless. To all the people who were involved in putting this together, including those that are putting up with what i caused, im told there is a dutch word that captures the spirit that doesnt translate exactly into english but let me say my first visit to The Netherlands has been truly kozelik. I convened the First Nuclear summit in Washington Four years ago, because i believed we need a series and sustained global effort to deal with one of the greatest threats to interNational Security, the specter of nuclear terrorism. We made further progress at our Second Summit In Seoul and under your Prime Ministers stewardship, we have built on that progress here. Keeping with the spirits of these summits, this was not about vague commitments but about taking tangible and concrete steps to secure more of the worlds Nuclear Material so it never falls in the hands of terrorists. In particular, i want to come mend bell judge and it will i for completing the removal of their excess supplies of uranium and plutonium. Japan announced it will work with the United States to eliminate hundreds of kilograms of weapons from one of their experimental reactors. Thats enough for dozens of Nuclear Weapons. Dozens of other nations have agreed to take specific steps towards improving Nuclear Security in their own countries and to support our global efforts. Some have pledged to convert
their Research Reactors to low enriched uranium which cannot be used to make a bomb. We have set new goals for implemented or Nuclear Security measures, including sharing more information to ensure we are all living up to our commitments. I have made it clear the United States will continue to do our part. Our Nuclear Regulator will develop new guidelines to strengthen cybersecurity at our Nuclear Power plants. We have pledged to pursue the production of a key medical isotope used to treat illnesses like cancer without relying on weapons useable materials and we are going to work to install more Radiation Detection equipment at ports and Transit Sites to combat nuclear smuggling. All of this builds on our previous efforts. 12 countries and two dozen Nuclear Facilities around the world have now rid themselves entirely of highly enriched uranium and plutonium. Dozens of nations have boosted
security or created new centers to improve Nuclear Security and training. The International AtomicEnergy Agency is now sfrotronger and m countries have ratified the treaties in International Partnerships at the heart of our efforts. We have seepn a fundamental shit in our approach. We still have a lot more to do to ensure the Ambitious Goals we set years ago. I believe this is he sengs to the security of the entire world and given the catastrophic consequences of even a single attack, we can not be complacent. Ill clothes by reminding everybody that one of the achievements of our first summit in 2010 was ukraines decision to remove all its highly enriched uranium from its
nuclear fuel sites. Had that not happen, those Dangerous Nuclear materials would still be there now and the difficult situation we are dealing with in ukraine today would involve yet another level of concern. So its a vivid reminder that the more of this material we can secure, the safer all of our countries will be. We made progress. We have got more to do. We are going to continue our work. I look forward to hosting the fourth Nuclear Security summit in the United States in two years. Thank you again, mark and all your team as well as the people of The Netherlands for this outstanding summit. Thank you, mr. President. We will go straight to the questions now. The first question will be the associate press. Thank you, mr. President. You have been criticized during this dispute with russia as not understanding President Putins motivations. You and others said you thought putin was reflecting or pausing
his encouragement to crimea. Did you misread his intentions and what do you think his motivations are now . When you spoke about the nsa review in january, you said you werent sold on the option of having phone Companies Hold metada ta and you thought it raised additional Privacy Concerns. What has changed since that time and do you think congress will pass the legislation you are seeking . Mr. Prime minister, there are leaders in europe who have concerns about the sector sanctions the president has proposed on russias economy. Do you think any of those leaders have had their concerns alleviated during their talks with the president over the past few days . Thank you. Let me see if i can remember all of these. With respect to President Putins motivation, there has been a lot of speculation. I am less interested in motivation and more interested in the facts and the principles
that not only the United States but the entire International Community are looking to uphold. I dont think that any of us have been under any illusion that russia has been very interested in controlling what happens to ukraine. Thats not new. Thats been the case for years now. Thats been the case dating back to the orange revolution. What we have said consistently throughout this process is that it is up to the ukrainian people to make their own decisions about how they organize themselves and who they interact with. It has always been our belief that ukraine is going to have a relationship to russia. There is a strong historic bond between the two countries. That does not justify russia enroaching on ukraines territorial integrity or sovereignty. Thats exactly whats happened. I said, very early on, that should russia do so, there would be consequences. Working with our European Partners and our international partners, we have put in place sanctions that have already had some impact on the russian economy. Now, moving forward, we have said and i want to be very clear about this, we north recognizing what has happened in crimea. The notion that a Referendum Sloppily organized over the course of two weeks would somehow justify the breaking off of the crimea and annexation by russia, somehow that would have a valid process. The overwhelming majority of the
world rejects. We are also concerned about further encroachment by russia into ukraine. So what i announced and what the European Council announced was that we were consulting and putting in place the framework, the architecture for additional sanctions, additional costs should russia take this next step. We also said and will continue to say is that there is another path available to russia. The Ukrainian Government has said it is prepared to negotiate with russia, that it is prepared to recognize its International Obligations and the International Community has been supportive of a diplomatic process. That would allow a deescalation of tensions, a moving back of Russian Troops from ukraines
borders. And rapidly organized elections that allow the ukrainian people to choose their leadership. My expectation is that if the ukrainian people are allowed to make their own decisions, their decision will be that they want to have a relationship with europe and they want to have a relationship with russia. This is not a zero sung game. I think that Prime Minister and the current government have shown remarkable strength and are prepared to go down the diplomatic path. It is now up to Russia To Act Reresponsibly and show itself to be, once again, willing to abide by International Rules and international norms. If it chooses to do so, i think there can be a better outcome. If it fails to do so, there will be additional costs. Those will have some disruptive effect to the Global Economy but
they will have the greatest impact on russia. So i think that would be a bad choice for President Putin to make. Ultimately, he is the president of russia and he is the one thats going to be making that decision. He just has to understand there is a choice to be made here. With respect to even though this was directed at mark, i just want to address this issue of sectoral sections. So far, we have put in place sa sanctions that impact indiv