WEBVTT 00:00.647 --> 00:02.730 - Good Friday, everybody. 00:04.474 --> 00:05.307 Got a 00:07.118 --> 00:09.866 quick statement and then I'll get to your questions. 00:09.866 --> 00:12.757 I wanted to begin by drawing your attention to the 00:12.757 --> 00:14.935 statement CENTCOM released a short time ago from 00:14.935 --> 00:18.190 General Votel concerning Turkey and any suggestion 00:18.190 --> 00:21.188 General Votel supported the recent coup attempt 00:21.188 --> 00:22.246 in that country. 00:22.246 --> 00:23.864 You have his statement refuting that, 00:23.864 --> 00:26.874 but I wanted to reiterate a few things from this podium, 00:26.874 --> 00:27.791 if I could. 00:27.832 --> 00:29.677 The United States has repeatedly condemned 00:29.677 --> 00:32.412 the failed coup in Turkey and we continue to convey 00:32.412 --> 00:34.964 our absolutely support for Turkey's democratically-elected 00:34.964 --> 00:38.332 civilian government and democratic institutions. 00:38.332 --> 00:40.494 Turkey is a close NATO ally and a vital member 00:40.494 --> 00:42.427 of the counter-ISIL coalition. 00:42.427 --> 00:44.467 The U.S. military has worked very closely with our 00:44.467 --> 00:46.996 Turkish allies for decades to counter a wide range 00:46.996 --> 00:49.382 of threats to our common security. 00:49.382 --> 00:51.332 At all levels of our military hierarchy, 00:51.332 --> 00:52.855 we are in regular communication 00:52.855 --> 00:54.802 with our Turkish counterparts. 00:54.802 --> 00:57.201 As General Votel said at the Aspen Security Forum 00:57.201 --> 00:59.785 on Thursday, Turkey's been an extraordinary 00:59.785 --> 01:02.387 and vital partner and any reports that suggest 01:02.387 --> 01:05.200 General Votel expressed support in any fashion 01:05.200 --> 01:07.829 for the actions of Turkish military officers 01:07.829 --> 01:10.003 who undertook illegal military action against 01:10.003 --> 01:13.179 the Turkish government are factually inaccurate. 01:13.179 --> 01:15.142 Likewise, as Secretary Carter and Chairman Dunford 01:15.142 --> 01:17.290 have made clear previously, any suggestion anyone 01:17.290 --> 01:20.056 in the department supported the coup in any way 01:20.056 --> 01:21.389 would be absurd. 01:21.523 --> 01:23.532 We look forward to continuing our close cooperation 01:23.532 --> 01:25.699 with Turkey going forward. 01:26.167 --> 01:27.567 Separately, I also wanted to mention that 01:27.567 --> 01:30.016 CENTCOM announced yesterday that it has initiated 01:30.016 --> 01:32.601 an assessment to determine whether a U.S. airstrike 01:32.601 --> 01:34.926 conducted Thursday near Manbij, Syria 01:34.926 --> 01:36.621 may have resulted in the unintentional 01:36.621 --> 01:38.244 deaths of civilians. 01:38.244 --> 01:40.498 That assessment is still in its early phase 01:40.498 --> 01:42.805 and we do not have all the facts at this time 01:42.805 --> 01:45.053 and we do not have any conclusions. 01:45.053 --> 01:47.186 Again, this assessment was triggered by CENTCOM's 01:47.186 --> 01:50.506 own internal reporting, and that only highlights 01:50.506 --> 01:53.339 the seriousness with which our forces take the issue 01:53.339 --> 01:55.757 of civilian casualties and the obligation 01:55.757 --> 01:58.407 to protect innocent lives on the battlefield. 01:58.407 --> 02:00.012 The United States and our coalition partners 02:00.012 --> 02:02.490 have taken exceptional measures to minimize the risk 02:02.490 --> 02:04.508 to civilians in this conflict, 02:04.508 --> 02:07.030 and I think it's important to contrast the seriousness 02:07.030 --> 02:08.513 with which we treat these issues, 02:08.513 --> 02:10.934 the care we take to protect innocent lives 02:10.934 --> 02:12.878 and our accountability and transparency with 02:12.878 --> 02:14.740 the enemy that we are fighting. 02:14.740 --> 02:16.328 ISIL has launched a series of attacks 02:16.328 --> 02:18.157 in Iraq and Syria in which civilian deaths 02:18.157 --> 02:20.611 were not an unintended consequence; 02:20.611 --> 02:22.919 civilian deaths were the intent. 02:22.919 --> 02:24.981 ISIL has proudly claimed responsibility 02:24.981 --> 02:27.550 for attacks just this month that have killed hundreds 02:27.550 --> 02:30.189 of innocent civilians, including the July 4th attack 02:30.189 --> 02:33.591 in Baghdad that killed more than 140 people, 02:33.591 --> 02:36.399 and the bombing just this week in Al-Qamishli, Syria, 02:36.399 --> 02:38.482 that killed more than 40. 02:38.493 --> 02:40.540 And of course, it has also claimed responsibility 02:40.540 --> 02:41.649 for terror attacks, 02:41.649 --> 02:45.413 horrific terror attacks outside Iraq and Syria. 02:45.413 --> 02:47.326 We will continue to work hard every day to execute 02:47.326 --> 02:49.442 our mission, while doing our best to minimize the risk 02:49.442 --> 02:51.712 to innocent civilians, and to be transparent 02:51.712 --> 02:54.165 and accountable about those efforts. 02:54.165 --> 02:57.226 We do not expect ISIL to do the same. 02:57.226 --> 03:00.524 With that, I'm happy to take your questions. Lita. 03:00.524 --> 03:04.357 - Just to further clarify on the Turkey thing, 03:05.405 --> 03:08.698 General Votel also made some specific comments 03:08.698 --> 03:12.698 about his concerns about the impact of the coup, 03:13.032 --> 03:15.449 and said that he is concerned 03:16.990 --> 03:20.257 that the U.S. has had relationships with a lot of Turkish 03:20.257 --> 03:23.964 military leaders, and that he's concerned that 03:23.964 --> 03:25.519 the coup might have an impact on that. 03:25.519 --> 03:27.205 Does the secretary, or does the Pentagon agree with 03:27.205 --> 03:30.232 that assessment, that there are concerns about 03:30.232 --> 03:32.838 the impact of the coup on U.S. relations with 03:32.838 --> 03:34.384 the military there? 03:34.384 --> 03:38.551 - Well, as I pointed out, we've had excellent military 03:38.610 --> 03:40.732 relations with Turkey for decades, 03:40.732 --> 03:43.061 and we continue to have excellent military relations 03:43.061 --> 03:44.061 with Turkey. 03:45.021 --> 03:47.556 What I think General Votel was referring to specifically, 03:47.556 --> 03:50.645 is that we are engaged in active operations right now 03:50.645 --> 03:54.298 with Turkey, certainly, the counter-ISIL campaign is 03:54.298 --> 03:56.573 the best example of that at this moment. 03:56.573 --> 04:00.366 And as I heard his comments yesterday at Aspen, 04:00.366 --> 04:02.819 he was referring to the fact that in some cases, 04:02.819 --> 04:06.060 our counterparts may not be in those same positions 04:06.060 --> 04:08.437 at this time and to ensure that we continue 04:08.437 --> 04:12.520 to operate effectively with the Turkish military. 04:13.806 --> 04:16.529 He was addressing the concern that that continue, 04:16.529 --> 04:19.019 and he talked about the excellent cooperation 04:19.019 --> 04:21.271 we've got in the Turks, and just making sure that 04:21.271 --> 04:23.156 that cooperation continues and that nothing 04:23.156 --> 04:24.482 affects our operations. 04:24.482 --> 04:26.583 So far, as he indicated again, 04:26.583 --> 04:30.000 our operations at Incirlik are, continue. 04:31.627 --> 04:34.271 And I think, understandably, the CENTCOM commander 04:34.271 --> 04:37.291 who is responsible for those operations with regard to ISIL 04:37.291 --> 04:38.676 was expressing that concern to make sure that 04:38.676 --> 04:41.655 there's nothing, that we don't miss a beat here. 04:41.655 --> 04:43.621 And I think that was what he was trying to convey. 04:43.621 --> 04:46.492 - But I mean, he specifically said, 04:46.492 --> 04:48.709 "I am concerned about what impact it, 04:48.709 --> 04:51.560 what the impact is on those relationships as we continue 04:51.560 --> 04:52.776 to move, move forward." 04:52.776 --> 04:56.315 So, are you saying the secretary does or does not agree 04:56.315 --> 04:58.634 that there is a concern about the impact 04:58.634 --> 05:00.237 on the military relationship? 05:00.237 --> 05:03.375 - I think what we, the concern that General Votel 05:03.375 --> 05:06.574 expressed that I think it is fair to say that, 05:06.574 --> 05:09.600 that we all share is making sure that our operations 05:09.600 --> 05:11.908 against ISIL are not impacted. 05:11.908 --> 05:13.791 The secretary has received assurances from 05:13.791 --> 05:16.342 his counterpart that that's not gonna happen. 05:16.342 --> 05:20.175 As the operational commander responsible for CENTCOM, 05:20.175 --> 05:24.342 and obviously with regard to the, the overall mission, 05:24.541 --> 05:26.272 General Votel was expressing his concern that 05:26.272 --> 05:27.105 that not happen. 05:27.105 --> 05:30.652 The secretary would share that, that concern, 05:30.652 --> 05:32.780 but he's had assurances from his own counterpart 05:32.780 --> 05:34.349 that that's not going to happen. 05:34.349 --> 05:35.182 And, 05:35.775 --> 05:38.358 and that's certainly, we would, 05:39.108 --> 05:41.131 we want this operation to continue seamlessly, 05:41.131 --> 05:42.374 and I think that's what 05:42.374 --> 05:44.315 General Votel was expressing as well. 05:44.315 --> 05:45.685 - Just one other, quick thing on that. 05:45.685 --> 05:48.947 One, he, and then he also said that some of the people, 05:48.947 --> 05:50.806 some of the military officers that the U.S. has been 05:50.806 --> 05:52.530 dealing with are indeed in jail. 05:52.530 --> 05:53.940 Is that your understanding also? 05:53.940 --> 05:55.553 - I'm going to leave it to the Turks here. 05:55.553 --> 05:57.486 I do not know the disposition of everyone involved. 05:57.486 --> 05:59.783 - And then he, he made one other comment that seemed 05:59.783 --> 06:03.568 to suggest that while power's back on et cetera at Incirlik, 06:03.568 --> 06:07.708 that there are some outstanding issues that continue 06:07.708 --> 06:11.208 to be at least somewhat problematic there. 06:12.205 --> 06:16.372 Can you talk about what may, what some of those may be? 06:16.530 --> 06:20.366 - I'll refer you back to CENTCOM and General Votel. 06:20.366 --> 06:22.773 But obviously, you know we had the concerns about 06:22.773 --> 06:24.839 the power situation at Incirlik. 06:24.839 --> 06:27.422 We are up and running again and 06:28.636 --> 06:30.185 at this point in time, 06:30.185 --> 06:33.472 we want to make sure that nothing in our fight against ISIL 06:33.472 --> 06:35.042 is interrupted, that if anything, 06:35.042 --> 06:38.513 we can accelerate that effort, whether it be from Turkey 06:38.513 --> 06:42.292 or from, with our partnership with other coalition partners. 06:42.292 --> 06:45.559 And I think that is the concern that General Votel 06:45.559 --> 06:46.809 was expressing. 06:46.899 --> 06:49.387 And we have an opportunity here to, 06:49.387 --> 06:52.913 to truly accelerate this campaign and we want 06:52.913 --> 06:53.746 to follow through on that. 06:53.746 --> 06:55.004 We believe all the members of the coalition, 06:55.004 --> 06:57.482 including Turkey, would like to do the same thing. 06:57.482 --> 07:00.482 We all share a common enemy in ISIL. 07:00.941 --> 07:01.774 Idrees? 07:01.774 --> 07:03.436 - If we could move to Syria for, for just a minute. 07:03.436 --> 07:04.519 Two questions. 07:04.519 --> 07:06.905 Firstly, the Russian and Syrian governments announced 07:06.905 --> 07:11.072 yesterday this sort of humanitarian operation in rebel-held 07:11.093 --> 07:13.464 parts of Aleppo saying they wanted civilians 07:13.464 --> 07:16.381 to sort of be allowed safe passage. 07:16.974 --> 07:20.146 Firstly, was the Pentagon in coordination with the Russian, 07:20.146 --> 07:22.898 were we coordinated with before the announced was made? 07:22.898 --> 07:25.388 And secondly, do you think this is a sincere effort 07:25.388 --> 07:28.170 or is this sort of a rouse, as some officials 07:28.170 --> 07:31.316 have called it, to get civilians out and then 07:31.316 --> 07:33.816 be able to strike those areas? 07:33.910 --> 07:37.699 - Again, we're not in negotiations with the Russians. 07:37.699 --> 07:40.355 Secretary Kerry has been negotiating. 07:40.355 --> 07:41.865 As you know, the State Department's been in the lead 07:41.865 --> 07:45.028 with regard to our conversations with, with the Russians, 07:45.028 --> 07:46.367 so I'll leave it to the State Department 07:46.367 --> 07:47.391 to characterize those. 07:47.391 --> 07:48.927 I understand even Secretary Kerry was asked 07:48.927 --> 07:50.280 about this today. 07:50.280 --> 07:53.447 So we did not have any coordination or 07:54.363 --> 07:55.946 understanding about 07:56.017 --> 08:00.184 this corridor that's being discussed by the Russians, so. 08:00.653 --> 08:02.986 - Second thing on the Manbij sort of 08:02.986 --> 08:03.924 assessment that you've started, 08:03.924 --> 08:06.680 this obviously isn't the first time in this month 08:06.680 --> 08:08.914 that there's been an assessment, I mean, 08:08.914 --> 08:11.809 there are only U.S.-led coalition air planes in that area, 08:11.809 --> 08:13.517 so it's very unlikely that it's anyone 08:13.517 --> 08:15.704 but a U.S.-led coalition partner. 08:15.704 --> 08:18.390 The opposition has called for strikes to stop. 08:18.390 --> 08:19.692 So I mean, at what point do you say, 08:19.692 --> 08:22.930 "Okay, let's stop, let's look at what the problem is 08:22.930 --> 08:24.414 and then move forward"? 08:24.414 --> 08:25.683 Because I mean, obviously, I mean, 08:25.683 --> 08:29.100 the number is pretty enormous for these strikes to be 08:29.100 --> 08:31.301 taking place and for them to continue 08:31.301 --> 08:33.154 while the investigations continue. 08:33.154 --> 08:34.821 - This is, Idrees, a 08:35.987 --> 08:37.654 critical part of the 08:37.820 --> 08:39.732 effort right now against ISIL. 08:39.732 --> 08:41.962 We've described how important Manbij is. 08:41.962 --> 08:44.615 We've described how complicated this situation is 08:44.615 --> 08:47.875 with regard to the forces taking on ISIL, 08:47.875 --> 08:51.042 the urban environment that this is in, 08:51.090 --> 08:54.048 the fact that ISIL has been dug in, ISIL has been 08:54.048 --> 08:55.965 willing to place itself 08:57.631 --> 08:59.631 in and around civilians. 09:00.169 --> 09:04.336 This is a complicated situation and we will continue 09:04.700 --> 09:08.058 to apply the rigor that we always do in terms 09:08.058 --> 09:10.828 of minimizing the risk to civilians, 09:10.828 --> 09:13.458 but we are supporting those forces because this is, 09:13.458 --> 09:15.726 as I said before, a critical moment in this campaign. 09:15.726 --> 09:18.607 This is a critical piece of territory. 09:18.607 --> 09:22.440 It is a place where we feel strongly that ISIL 09:22.856 --> 09:26.689 has planned external attacks outside of Syria. 09:27.165 --> 09:30.373 And that makes it all the more important why 09:30.373 --> 09:33.676 those local forces that we're supporting 09:33.676 --> 09:35.241 can capture this territory 09:35.241 --> 09:39.324 and remove ISIL from this area, and that requires 09:40.052 --> 09:43.709 air support by the coalition that we'll continue to provide. 09:43.709 --> 09:46.498 But obviously, this is a situation, this most recent one, 09:46.498 --> 09:49.225 there have been, there's at least one other strike in which, 09:49.225 --> 09:52.550 again, a credibility assessment has already been conducted 09:52.550 --> 09:56.218 and determined to be credible, that we're going to apply 09:56.218 --> 09:59.051 the rigor and the diligence needed 09:59.176 --> 10:02.031 to find out exactly what happened here. 10:02.031 --> 10:02.864 And take whatever lessons we learn from that 10:02.864 --> 10:07.031 and apply that to our, how we conduct our missions. 10:08.648 --> 10:09.950 But this is a difficult environment, 10:09.950 --> 10:12.512 and I would be clear about that, 10:12.512 --> 10:15.152 the urban environment here and the complicating factor 10:15.152 --> 10:16.252 about the enemy we're targeting, 10:16.252 --> 10:18.323 what they're doing with regard to the 10:18.323 --> 10:19.365 civilians around them. 10:19.365 --> 10:21.559 They are not taking steps to protect civilians, 10:21.559 --> 10:22.950 innocent civilian life. 10:22.950 --> 10:25.034 - Right but that really doesn't seem to be working, 10:25.034 --> 10:28.784 because why not get the assessments complete, 10:29.353 --> 10:30.186 learn from them, 10:30.186 --> 10:32.315 and then make those changes and continue? 10:32.315 --> 10:33.737 Because I mean, obviously, if people are dying on the 10:33.737 --> 10:35.445 ground, they're not going to be in support 10:35.445 --> 10:37.086 of the U.S.-led coalition strikes. 10:37.086 --> 10:39.915 I mean, it's not winning hearts and minds of, you know, 10:39.915 --> 10:41.545 you've, sort of, used strategies in the past. 10:41.545 --> 10:45.048 I mean, it just doesn't seem like a smart idea to continue 10:45.048 --> 10:47.057 striking even those civilians being killed. 10:47.057 --> 10:49.357 - Well, those, those local forces we're supporting might 10:49.357 --> 10:52.262 have a different view if we weren't conducting those 10:52.262 --> 10:54.595 airstrikes in their support. 10:55.636 --> 10:57.377 I imagine you'd be asking me some of the same 10:57.377 --> 10:59.876 questions if those forces came under attack from ISIL, 10:59.876 --> 11:01.687 because we weren't providing some of 11:01.687 --> 11:02.728 the air support to them. 11:02.728 --> 11:06.645 So, we are using, again, the coalition is using 11:08.311 --> 11:11.385 very careful scrutiny in how we continue these operations. 11:11.385 --> 11:13.552 We will continue to review 11:13.968 --> 11:17.418 these particular instances in which there is, 11:17.418 --> 11:18.251 at least 11:20.185 --> 11:22.396 claims of civilian casualties being present. 11:22.396 --> 11:25.144 If that were the case, how did that happen? 11:25.144 --> 11:27.082 What, in our operational system, 11:27.082 --> 11:29.212 needs to be reviewed and looked at? 11:29.212 --> 11:32.030 But we will continue to take this fight to ISIL and to 11:32.030 --> 11:35.044 apply the rigor to these airstrikes that we have from the 11:35.044 --> 11:35.877 start of this campaign. 11:35.877 --> 11:40.044 Remember, we've had thousands of airstrikes at this point. 11:40.087 --> 11:44.254 We have taken every possible step we can to try and reduce 11:44.421 --> 11:46.274 the risk of civilian casualties. 11:46.274 --> 11:49.274 And we believe that track record is, 11:49.764 --> 11:51.007 is an excellent track record, 11:51.007 --> 11:54.840 and that we have taken many instances in which 11:54.993 --> 11:58.220 we have not carried out strikes because of that risk. 11:58.220 --> 11:59.643 And we'll continue to do so. 11:59.643 --> 12:00.810 Yes, Kristina. 12:01.113 --> 12:02.446 - Thanks, Peter. 12:02.545 --> 12:06.462 Jabhat al-Nusra has now detached from Al Qaida, 12:06.823 --> 12:10.269 and they've re-branded themselves Jabhat Fath al Sham, 12:10.269 --> 12:12.186 or something like that. 12:13.066 --> 12:15.899 Will the DOD continue, strike this new group? 12:15.899 --> 12:18.173 And does that change whether, you know, 12:18.173 --> 12:20.600 the DOD's calculation of whether it will continue? 12:20.600 --> 12:24.767 Or does there need to be a State Department designation? 12:26.058 --> 12:27.173 - Just because they changed their name 12:27.173 --> 12:29.553 doesn't mean they've changed their actions. 12:29.553 --> 12:32.761 And this will continue to be a group that, 12:32.761 --> 12:35.120 that we'll continue to focus our efforts on 12:35.120 --> 12:36.538 for the understandable reason that this is 12:36.538 --> 12:39.568 a terrorist group that has, in the past 12:39.568 --> 12:42.172 and continues to threaten the U.S., 12:42.172 --> 12:46.104 the United States, American citizens and our interests. 12:46.104 --> 12:49.029 And so, a name change alone, it's actions, 12:49.029 --> 12:52.272 not names and words, that we'll be watching going forward. 12:52.272 --> 12:54.080 - [Kristina] So, the DOD will continue to strike this group, 12:54.080 --> 12:55.109 whatever they are called? 12:55.109 --> 12:58.442 - It remains, again, a terrorist target, 12:59.477 --> 13:01.894 as it has been for some time. 13:02.890 --> 13:03.723 Yes. 13:03.723 --> 13:05.112 - A couple of clarifiers. 13:05.112 --> 13:07.263 The assessment that you opened with, 13:07.263 --> 13:09.002 that's for the July 23rd strike? 13:09.002 --> 13:11.085 There hasn't been a third 13:12.035 --> 13:14.285 civilian casualty incident? 13:14.567 --> 13:18.734 - I'm referring to an incident that CENTCOM issued 13:19.307 --> 13:23.057 a statement last night regarding an airstrike 13:23.265 --> 13:25.894 in and around Manbij that occurred yesterday. 13:25.894 --> 13:27.740 - [Blonde Woman] So, there is a third incident, then? 13:27.740 --> 13:31.084 - Yes, this is a third incident with regard to 13:31.084 --> 13:32.522 the previous ones that they've discussed. 13:32.522 --> 13:34.592 This is a third incident that took place yesterday. 13:34.592 --> 13:35.425 - Okay. 13:35.425 --> 13:37.048 And then shifting to Turkey, 13:37.048 --> 13:40.131 there was a protest outside Incirlik. 13:41.042 --> 13:43.428 Could you give us an update on, for the U.S. personnel 13:43.428 --> 13:44.312 that are inside the base, 13:44.312 --> 13:48.056 do they have any ability to move within or out of Incirlik? 13:48.056 --> 13:51.582 And what sort of forced posture measures are being taken to 13:51.582 --> 13:53.626 protect the personnel at the base? 13:53.626 --> 13:56.584 - Well, you know I'm not going to get into all the 13:56.584 --> 13:57.834 forced posture, 13:57.871 --> 13:59.477 all the security precautions that we have in place 13:59.477 --> 14:00.480 for our forces. 14:00.480 --> 14:03.053 But we've been at an elevated force 14:03.053 --> 14:06.275 protection level at Incirlik for some time. 14:06.275 --> 14:07.996 We'll continue to take every step we need to 14:07.996 --> 14:11.779 to make sure our personnel and other coalition personnel 14:11.779 --> 14:14.766 are as safe as possible at Incirlik. 14:14.766 --> 14:17.266 It remains a foremost concern, 14:17.408 --> 14:21.575 foremost priority for us and will continue to be so. 14:21.727 --> 14:24.060 But our operations continue. 14:24.096 --> 14:26.026 - So can they move in and out of the base right now 14:26.026 --> 14:27.928 or are they all stuck on base? 14:27.928 --> 14:29.236 - I'm not going to get into all the security 14:29.236 --> 14:31.929 precautions in place right now with our personnel. 14:31.929 --> 14:35.177 - Then last, this morning, the Marines put out a statement 14:35.177 --> 14:39.094 about an F/A-18 crash in California. 14:39.795 --> 14:42.064 There are reports that it occurred during 14:42.064 --> 14:44.459 a combat simulation known as Air Assault Course. 14:44.459 --> 14:46.494 Can you confirm those reports? 14:46.494 --> 14:50.244 - I'm going to refer you back to the Marines. 14:50.605 --> 14:52.887 Understand that tragedy took place here and 14:52.887 --> 14:54.837 the marines will have the best information in terms of 14:54.837 --> 14:58.816 what took place, and the investigation surrounding it. 14:58.816 --> 14:59.649 Andrew. 14:59.818 --> 15:01.235 - Peter, in Iraq, 15:02.340 --> 15:05.090 the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr 15:05.208 --> 15:08.125 seems to be taking a very different 15:09.100 --> 15:11.052 tone in his public remarks lately. 15:11.052 --> 15:13.154 He's made some specific threats 15:13.154 --> 15:14.906 to the U.S. troops in particular 15:14.906 --> 15:17.417 since the Secretary announced the additional forces 15:17.417 --> 15:19.334 that will deploy there. 15:20.053 --> 15:20.978 Is that a concern? 15:20.978 --> 15:25.112 Is the secretary concerned at all that Sadr who has a 15:25.112 --> 15:27.774 long history of being confrontational 15:27.774 --> 15:30.066 with American forces over there could 15:30.066 --> 15:33.424 pose a problem for the counter-ISIL campaign? 15:33.424 --> 15:35.536 - Obviously Andrew, anyone, anytime we have people 15:35.536 --> 15:38.695 threatening U.S. forces that's a concern but we 15:38.695 --> 15:40.374 feel confident in the security measures that 15:40.374 --> 15:42.818 we've put in place, the protective measures. 15:42.818 --> 15:45.112 As well as our relationship with the government of Iraq 15:45.112 --> 15:47.195 and prime minister Abadi, 15:47.210 --> 15:50.127 with regard to our cooperation with 15:51.096 --> 15:52.100 the Iraqi forces right now. 15:52.100 --> 15:54.862 We're working together to defeat ISIL, 15:54.862 --> 15:57.945 the common enemy of ISIL, and, again, 15:58.774 --> 16:00.581 we'll continue to work closely with the government 16:00.581 --> 16:03.837 of Iraq and seek their help in making sure any issues 16:03.837 --> 16:07.500 about force protection for our personnel are addressed. 16:07.500 --> 16:08.333 Yes, Paul? 16:08.581 --> 16:11.438 - Could I just ask when we should expect to see results of 16:11.438 --> 16:15.188 the civilian casualty assessments in both the 16:15.896 --> 16:17.813 19th case and the 23rd? 16:18.459 --> 16:21.274 - I would imagine that the credibility assessments, 16:21.274 --> 16:24.357 they generally take a matter of days. 16:24.938 --> 16:27.880 I'll leave it to CENTCOM to give you the specifics, 16:27.880 --> 16:29.623 but I think in a short amount of time, 16:29.623 --> 16:32.697 we'll have a sense of the credibility assessments 16:32.697 --> 16:33.784 in these cases as to-- 16:33.784 --> 16:35.500 - [Paul] I mean the credibility assessment for the one-- 16:35.500 --> 16:36.458 - First one's been-- - [Paul] On the 19th 16:36.458 --> 16:37.345 has already been done. - [Peter] Yeah. 16:37.345 --> 16:41.037 So I'll leave it to CENTCOM to, to walk you through the, 16:41.037 --> 16:45.115 the timetable, but the actual formal investigation I know 16:45.115 --> 16:46.703 will be conducted as quickly as possible, 16:46.703 --> 16:48.896 but they will want to get as many facts as they can from as 16:48.896 --> 16:50.979 many sources as they can, 16:51.647 --> 16:55.814 beyond just our own internal operational resources. 16:56.972 --> 16:58.891 So, but I'll leave it to CENTCOM to give you 16:58.891 --> 17:00.624 a better sense of the actual timeline. 17:00.624 --> 17:01.999 - I just also wanted to ask you about the numbers. 17:01.999 --> 17:05.945 So I think the number of affirmed civilian casualties 17:05.945 --> 17:09.165 all totaled from the coalition in the campaign 17:09.165 --> 17:11.070 is something around 55, 17:11.070 --> 17:14.379 and each of these incidents around Manbij are, 17:14.379 --> 17:17.761 one of the incidents would, if we believe the numbers 17:17.761 --> 17:20.437 that are coming out of Syria, would be higher than all, 17:20.437 --> 17:22.727 all the deaths that have been reported by the coalition 17:22.727 --> 17:24.244 from the last two years. 17:24.244 --> 17:25.921 And as you said yourself, there are more than 1,000 17:25.921 --> 17:27.513 airstrikes that have been conducted. 17:27.513 --> 17:31.680 So what's, are you confident that the reporting structure 17:31.822 --> 17:34.455 that is in place in CENTCOM is capturing all of the civilian 17:34.455 --> 17:37.219 casualties potentially being caused by these airstrikes? 17:37.219 --> 17:41.386 - I'm confident that the structure that we have in place is 17:41.879 --> 17:46.046 rigorous and thorough means by which determining those 17:47.739 --> 17:51.906 instances in which allegations of civilian casualties can be 17:51.956 --> 17:53.873 deemed credible or not. 17:54.268 --> 17:57.694 We, the rigor that our forces apply to this, again, 17:57.694 --> 17:59.727 both in the original targeting and in 17:59.727 --> 18:02.603 the assessment afterwards, when there are allegations 18:02.603 --> 18:05.328 is extremely strict and rigorous, 18:05.328 --> 18:07.237 and will continue to be so. 18:07.237 --> 18:10.737 And the number you provided, the 55 number 18:11.163 --> 18:12.197 is the same number that I understand 18:12.197 --> 18:14.367 that we have at this point. 18:14.367 --> 18:18.200 Obviously, we regret any loss of innocent life 18:18.237 --> 18:19.223 in this conflict. 18:19.223 --> 18:21.431 And we'll continue to do everything we can to, 18:21.431 --> 18:24.243 to minimize it, and these instances in which 18:24.243 --> 18:27.826 there are reports of civilian casualties in 18:28.068 --> 18:31.280 and around Manbij will be properly scrutinized. 18:31.280 --> 18:33.846 And that is, I think you heard from the secretary 18:33.846 --> 18:38.013 and General Votel at the counter-ISIL meeting the other day, 18:38.501 --> 18:42.380 that's a reflection of how we conduct ourselves in these, 18:42.380 --> 18:43.213 in this conflict. 18:43.213 --> 18:47.380 It is a reflection of our values and the respect we have 18:47.554 --> 18:50.721 for civilians in these conflict zones, 18:50.940 --> 18:53.385 and the steps that we're trying to take to minimize that. 18:53.385 --> 18:56.802 And in those instances in which there are 18:56.895 --> 18:59.924 civilian casualties, we will be as transparent as we can be 18:59.924 --> 19:02.432 about how this happened, and try and learn whatever lessons 19:02.432 --> 19:04.122 we can at the same time. 19:04.122 --> 19:05.866 - And just lastly, in the interest of transparency, 19:05.866 --> 19:08.375 why are the dismissed allegations of civilian casualties 19:08.375 --> 19:10.875 not being released by CENTCOM? 19:13.148 --> 19:15.870 - In terms of credibility assessments that-- 19:15.870 --> 19:18.773 - [Paul] CENTCOM is releasing instances where the U.S. 19:18.773 --> 19:22.364 has confirmed that there have been civilian, 19:22.364 --> 19:23.476 civilian casualties. 19:23.476 --> 19:26.124 But all of the other reports of allegation of 19:26.124 --> 19:27.994 civilian casualties, which CENTCOM is going through 19:27.994 --> 19:30.821 its process and then dismissing are not being released. 19:30.821 --> 19:31.654 Why? 19:32.349 --> 19:36.516 - Because someone at, the process involved has looked 19:36.753 --> 19:40.128 at this to determine whether there is credible evidence 19:40.128 --> 19:43.112 to suggest that there were civilian casualties, 19:43.112 --> 19:46.025 and that that process has concluded that there, 19:46.025 --> 19:48.649 was not a credible allegation, and-- 19:48.649 --> 19:49.990 - [Paul] How can we evaluate that process if we don't know 19:49.990 --> 19:53.898 what the allegation was, and on what basis it was dismissed? 19:53.898 --> 19:55.893 - I'll refer you to CENTCOM if there's 19:55.893 --> 19:59.976 particular instances in which you have questions. 19:59.994 --> 20:03.160 But we have tried to address the ones that were brought 20:03.160 --> 20:04.179 to our attention. 20:04.179 --> 20:07.679 And CENTCOM has a strict process for this, 20:07.875 --> 20:10.648 the U.S. military has a very strict process for this. 20:10.648 --> 20:13.252 And we are trying to respond to the instances in which 20:13.252 --> 20:14.779 there are credible allegations. 20:14.779 --> 20:17.794 And we go through a process, a very strict process 20:17.794 --> 20:18.984 in trying to determine what that is. 20:18.984 --> 20:20.726 That includes, as I mentioned before, 20:20.726 --> 20:23.893 not just our own operational evidence, 20:24.301 --> 20:26.388 but things that might be collected outside, 20:26.388 --> 20:27.471 social media, 20:28.596 --> 20:29.429 videos, 20:30.679 --> 20:32.179 personal accounts. 20:32.685 --> 20:35.447 This is a conflict zone right now. 20:35.447 --> 20:38.898 And our ability to collect information in each 20:38.898 --> 20:41.780 and every one of these instances, given the limits 20:41.780 --> 20:44.579 in terms of American personnel on the ground are, 20:44.579 --> 20:47.086 are not insignificant in some circumstances. 20:47.086 --> 20:49.574 So, that is also a factor we have weight in, 20:49.574 --> 20:52.773 in determining these credibility assessments. 20:52.773 --> 20:54.078 - But I'd like to follow up on that, if I may, 20:54.078 --> 20:56.703 and a couple of other things as well. 20:56.703 --> 21:00.870 It's not just the ones that you deemed not credible, 21:01.499 --> 21:05.191 but the ones where you are able to come to no conclusion, 21:05.191 --> 21:07.938 perhaps because of all the factors you raised. 21:07.938 --> 21:09.813 And this is a policy matter. 21:09.813 --> 21:13.594 This is, I'm assuming that Central Command obeys 21:13.594 --> 21:14.912 whatever DOD policy is. 21:14.912 --> 21:17.797 The secretary comes up and talks about this all the time 21:17.797 --> 21:19.087 on civilian casualties. 21:19.087 --> 21:21.651 So, can we circle back with you right now, 21:21.651 --> 21:25.234 and ask you to take the question, how many, 21:26.423 --> 21:30.090 in addition to the 55, how many other cases, 21:30.480 --> 21:34.647 how many other people, human beings, comparing apples 21:34.660 --> 21:38.590 and apples here on 55, how many others have you looked at, 21:38.590 --> 21:40.757 and you deem not credible? 21:41.158 --> 21:44.003 How many others have you looked at and you simply 21:44.003 --> 21:46.170 can come to no conclusion? 21:46.197 --> 21:49.461 Could you try and get us an answer to that? 21:49.461 --> 21:52.396 Because that's a department-wide question, 21:52.396 --> 21:55.424 so anything you can do to throw your weight behind that 21:55.424 --> 21:56.879 and get us an answer. 21:56.879 --> 22:00.074 - We will continue, Barbara, to be as transparent 22:00.074 --> 22:02.008 as we can be about these-- 22:02.008 --> 22:03.091 - [Barbara] So that's why I'm asking. 22:03.091 --> 22:05.598 - Yeah we will continue to try and do that, 22:05.598 --> 22:09.015 and try and respond as clearly as we can. 22:09.445 --> 22:12.208 We provided specific numbers in these instances, 22:12.208 --> 22:14.625 CENTCOM continues to do that. 22:14.909 --> 22:18.064 If you have particular instances, it'd be helpful 22:18.064 --> 22:21.384 for us to be able to respond to specific cases. 22:21.384 --> 22:23.836 - I, personally as a reporter, I'd like to see 22:23.836 --> 22:24.803 the overall numbers. 22:24.803 --> 22:27.213 I cannot give you time, date and place because 22:27.213 --> 22:29.370 I don't know what else they've looked into. 22:29.370 --> 22:32.620 So on the basis of public transparency, 22:33.181 --> 22:36.014 can you get a total number for us, 22:36.982 --> 22:39.232 how many people, civilians, 22:40.312 --> 22:43.527 you deem the allegations of a civilian casualty 22:43.527 --> 22:44.610 not credible. 22:45.347 --> 22:48.749 How many people, civilians have you not been able 22:48.749 --> 22:51.769 to come to a conclusion about one way or the other, 22:51.769 --> 22:55.769 because perhaps of lack of information and data? 22:58.381 --> 23:00.477 We have no way of knowing what they are. 23:00.477 --> 23:01.934 We'd like to know. 23:01.934 --> 23:06.101 We're asking you guys, what are those two sets of numbers? 23:06.901 --> 23:08.303 - I'll take your question, Barbara. 23:08.303 --> 23:12.470 And again, I will stand by the process that CENTCOM 23:12.922 --> 23:16.963 and this institution have had in place for some times 23:16.963 --> 23:19.863 in terms of the rigor and the numbers 23:19.863 --> 23:22.086 that we're providing right now. 23:22.086 --> 23:24.044 If there is more transparency that we can provide, 23:24.044 --> 23:25.209 we certainly will try and provide it. 23:25.209 --> 23:28.306 - I think what we are looking for is the other two-thirds of 23:28.306 --> 23:32.473 the equation here beyond the 55 that they're willing, 23:32.918 --> 23:34.641 they are able to acknowledge. 23:34.641 --> 23:35.612 So anything you could do to get 23:35.612 --> 23:36.943 that additional transparency. 23:36.943 --> 23:37.776 - [Peter] Understood. 23:37.776 --> 23:40.713 - My other two questions, very quickly, are, 23:40.713 --> 23:43.643 General Votel yesterday, what he said, 23:43.643 --> 23:45.496 and Lida pointed this out, 23:45.496 --> 23:47.580 is that he had some concerns. 23:47.580 --> 23:51.747 So, is in fact, are U.S. military operations against 23:54.008 --> 23:57.591 ISIS out of Turkish bases 100% back to 23:58.979 --> 24:01.646 pre-coup operations, activities? 24:03.717 --> 24:07.766 Is there any area in Turkey where you are not back 24:07.766 --> 24:10.599 to where you were before the coup? 24:10.786 --> 24:13.785 - I think, as General Votel indicated yesterday, 24:13.785 --> 24:16.248 Incirlik is back up and running. 24:16.248 --> 24:19.213 Our cooperation with the Turks remains excellent, 24:19.213 --> 24:21.201 and we continue our operations. 24:21.201 --> 24:23.863 As we've heard from the Turkish minister of defense, 24:23.863 --> 24:26.194 the secretary himself, their cooperation going 24:26.194 --> 24:29.203 forward in this campaign remains intact. 24:29.203 --> 24:32.735 We are, the only concern I think that General Votel 24:32.735 --> 24:34.874 was expressing was a concern that there would 24:34.874 --> 24:37.587 some sort of interruption going forward. 24:37.587 --> 24:41.337 That we certainly don't anticipate or expect, 24:41.611 --> 24:45.778 but we are in a very complicated environment right now, 24:47.637 --> 24:50.686 where we want to apply as much pressure on ISIL as possible, 24:50.686 --> 24:52.490 and whether it's in Turkey or elsewhere, 24:52.490 --> 24:54.326 we don't want any interruption going forward. 24:54.326 --> 24:57.449 I think that is the concern that he was expressing. 24:57.449 --> 24:59.157 - [Barbara] What is the interruption going forward 24:59.157 --> 25:00.574 that worries you? 25:00.939 --> 25:03.212 - We had an interruption in Incirlik for a few days, 25:03.212 --> 25:04.212 as you know. 25:04.596 --> 25:06.094 We don't have any indication of problems 25:06.094 --> 25:07.852 at this moment in time, and we would 25:07.852 --> 25:09.298 just like to maintain that. 25:09.298 --> 25:11.732 That was I think what General Votel was 25:11.732 --> 25:14.223 expressing yesterday at Aspen. 25:14.223 --> 25:16.562 As he said publicly at Aspen, 25:16.562 --> 25:18.858 we've had excellent cooperation from the Turks. 25:18.858 --> 25:21.337 We want to make sure that continues. 25:21.337 --> 25:22.889 We have every reason to believe that it will based 25:22.889 --> 25:25.369 on the conversations we're having with the Turks. 25:25.369 --> 25:29.048 - To Barbara's point, he was asked very specifically, 25:29.048 --> 25:32.227 "Are you talking about potential future concerns 25:32.227 --> 25:34.350 or already existing concerns?" 25:34.350 --> 25:38.091 He very specifically said his current existing concerns 25:38.091 --> 25:41.508 are about the impact on the relationship; 25:41.691 --> 25:45.858 that currently right now, he is concerned that the coup 25:46.859 --> 25:50.609 is impacting U.S. military, he said relations 25:51.954 --> 25:54.954 and then further clarified military, 25:55.246 --> 25:57.608 with U.S.-Turkish military relations, 25:57.608 --> 25:59.355 that he was afraid of that impact. 25:59.355 --> 26:02.360 - I think if you heard what he had to say, 26:02.360 --> 26:05.990 he expressed his concerns about the fact that in some cases, 26:05.990 --> 26:10.157 U.S. military counterparts are not necessarily there 26:11.695 --> 26:13.337 to have the same correspondence that they did 26:13.337 --> 26:14.170 before the coup. 26:14.170 --> 26:16.630 - [Lita] Right, he said they were in jail. 26:16.630 --> 26:20.103 - I'll leave, he did refer at one point to that. 26:20.103 --> 26:22.304 But I think the larger point here is that we have 26:22.304 --> 26:24.974 excellent military-to-military cooperation, 26:24.974 --> 26:27.664 have had for some time with the Turkish military. 26:27.664 --> 26:31.208 If, if you are no longer able to talk to a counterpart 26:31.208 --> 26:33.760 that you've dealt with for some time, 26:33.760 --> 26:35.427 there's a concern that there might be some breakdown 26:35.427 --> 26:36.260 in communication. 26:36.260 --> 26:39.385 We are trying to work through that with the Turks 26:39.385 --> 26:41.373 and have every confidence we'll be able to do that. 26:41.373 --> 26:43.407 I think that's what General Votel was speaking to. 26:43.407 --> 26:45.981 - So, Peter, confidence to be able to do that. 26:45.981 --> 26:49.053 You're suggesting with those word choices there is 26:49.053 --> 26:51.104 a situation right now and confidence to be able 26:51.104 --> 26:52.896 to do that is in the future. 26:52.896 --> 26:55.998 So the bottom line is there are Turkish 26:55.998 --> 26:58.932 military personnel in jail in Turkey as a result 26:58.932 --> 27:01.552 of the coup that you were dealing with that you could 27:01.552 --> 27:04.232 no longer deal with and you're rebuilding that relationship. 27:04.232 --> 27:05.396 Is that accurate? 27:05.396 --> 27:08.340 - I'm not going to characterize what, the disposition 27:08.340 --> 27:10.766 of all those people, but I think it is, 27:10.766 --> 27:12.596 as the Turkish government has made clear, 27:12.596 --> 27:16.763 there are changes within the Turkish military and we are, 27:16.795 --> 27:19.310 in some cases, and it's not just the United States 27:19.310 --> 27:21.527 but other countries that may have had military-to-military 27:21.527 --> 27:22.895 relations with the Turks, 27:22.895 --> 27:25.881 now may be dealing with new individuals. 27:25.881 --> 27:27.922 And we'll work through that and that's what we're doing, 27:27.922 --> 27:31.100 and I think that's, our military communications 27:31.100 --> 27:33.799 with the Turks will continue as they work through 27:33.799 --> 27:34.717 these issues themselves. 27:34.717 --> 27:37.083 These are domestic issues for the Turkish government, 27:37.083 --> 27:40.239 for the sovereign Turkish government and we will continue 27:40.239 --> 27:41.197 to work through that. 27:41.197 --> 27:45.040 We happen to be involved in a campaign right now 27:45.040 --> 27:48.121 against ISIL with Turkey and other coalition countries 27:48.121 --> 27:50.907 in which we do not want to see that campaign miss a beat. 27:50.907 --> 27:53.073 And we are going to work as diligently 27:53.073 --> 27:55.166 as we can to make sure that doesn't happen. 27:55.166 --> 27:57.221 Let me move over, go ahead. 27:57.221 --> 27:58.306 - Thank you, sir. Two questions. 27:58.306 --> 28:02.473 One, common enemy ISIL, they are killing thousands of 28:02.820 --> 28:06.653 innocent people and also spreading into Europe 28:07.064 --> 28:11.231 and also in Asia, including in the South Asia region. 28:11.723 --> 28:15.166 And now, at the State Department, more than 20 nations 28:15.166 --> 28:19.333 are meeting religious and ethnic minorities under ISIL, 28:21.204 --> 28:23.935 including India and U.S. counterterrorism. 28:23.935 --> 28:25.929 So what role do you think Pentagon is playing 28:25.929 --> 28:29.549 at this meeting at the State Department against ISIL? 28:29.549 --> 28:31.674 - Well, we obviously had a significant meeting at 28:31.674 --> 28:33.940 the State Department last week in which we had both 28:33.940 --> 28:36.585 the defense ministers and the foreign ministers of all 28:36.585 --> 28:39.714 the coalition countries engaged in the fight against ISIL. 28:39.714 --> 28:42.873 As the secretary has said for some time, 28:42.873 --> 28:45.090 there's a military component to this campaign, 28:45.090 --> 28:48.950 but there is certainly, that is not sufficient in 28:48.950 --> 28:51.553 and of itself to deal with the threat posed by ISIL. 28:51.553 --> 28:54.722 There are efforts that we need to, in terms of both 28:54.722 --> 28:57.336 political and stabilization economic efforts that 28:57.336 --> 29:00.965 need to be, need to be conducted in order to make sure 29:00.965 --> 29:03.775 that ISIL is defeated and stays defeated. 29:03.775 --> 29:06.943 And there are other efforts to reach out 29:06.943 --> 29:09.953 around the world to try and address questions 29:09.953 --> 29:13.772 about this hateful ideology and what can be done 29:13.772 --> 29:17.939 in terms of making clear that ISIL is, is a threat 29:19.341 --> 29:20.546 just in terms of its, 29:20.546 --> 29:22.132 the message it's sending around the world. 29:22.132 --> 29:25.064 So these are all things that, that I'm sure my colleagues 29:25.064 --> 29:27.060 at the State Department are engaged with there. 29:27.060 --> 29:28.777 We're focused here on the military campaign 29:28.777 --> 29:30.694 and very focused on it. 29:30.852 --> 29:34.263 - Who's training them and arming them, supplying arms? 29:34.263 --> 29:38.246 It takes training and arms to kill innocent people. 29:38.246 --> 29:39.896 Are you tackling them? 29:39.896 --> 29:41.726 Who is behind these two-- 29:41.726 --> 29:44.785 - It's part of our overall campaign, we're going after 29:44.785 --> 29:47.285 not only their weapons caches, 29:48.322 --> 29:50.625 those weapons that in many cases they've been able 29:50.625 --> 29:54.542 to recover within Syria and Iraq from territory 29:56.473 --> 29:58.056 that they've taken. 29:58.911 --> 30:00.230 We're going after their finances, 30:00.230 --> 30:02.550 we're going after their oil assets. 30:02.550 --> 30:06.717 We're going after their ability to, to tax people. 30:06.829 --> 30:09.330 We're approaching it from each and every front, 30:09.330 --> 30:11.466 including the weapons that they're maintaining. 30:11.466 --> 30:14.037 - And tell me sir, on South China Sea. 30:14.037 --> 30:16.211 How dangerous is the situation now? 30:16.211 --> 30:19.875 China and Russia is now, have moved on their exercising. 30:19.875 --> 30:23.172 And also, China is threatening those nations 30:23.172 --> 30:26.422 in the region after this Hague outcome. 30:29.564 --> 30:33.731 So, some, this maybe leading to a third world war, 30:34.390 --> 30:37.125 because if China continues its behavior the way 30:37.125 --> 30:41.292 it's going on, something, they're saying in Washington. 30:41.326 --> 30:45.493 - Well, we, certainly, that's not something we're, 30:47.099 --> 30:51.266 there's plenty of reasons to believe that tensions 30:51.698 --> 30:54.702 over the South China Sea, in light of this ruling, 30:54.702 --> 30:56.451 that there's an opportunity for all of the countries 30:56.451 --> 30:59.451 in that part of the world to resolve their differences 30:59.451 --> 31:00.284 there peacefully. 31:00.284 --> 31:02.997 That has been, certainly, our goal. 31:02.997 --> 31:06.533 A diplomatic resolution is the most appropriate way 31:06.533 --> 31:07.696 to resolve these issues. 31:07.696 --> 31:11.561 We don't take any particular stand on the claims here, 31:11.561 --> 31:12.561 as you know. 31:12.750 --> 31:15.289 But we do encourage peaceful resolution. 31:15.289 --> 31:18.642 This particular ruling presents an opportunity for countries 31:18.642 --> 31:21.972 to pursue those kinds of avenues of resolution, 31:21.972 --> 31:23.853 and if anything, this should be an opportunity to reduce 31:23.853 --> 31:25.974 the very tensions you talked about. 31:25.974 --> 31:26.974 Yes, Passim. 31:27.404 --> 31:31.145 - Peter, the president's, I will go back to Turkey, 31:31.145 --> 31:32.062 by the way. 31:32.353 --> 31:35.306 President Obama and President Erdogan, yeah. 31:35.306 --> 31:38.563 And also, defense chiefs and also top commanders spoke 31:38.563 --> 31:41.244 to each other, and assured each other that the cooperation 31:41.244 --> 31:45.069 between the two countries are going to excellently continue. 31:45.069 --> 31:47.670 But why is that concern within the military, 31:47.670 --> 31:50.373 The United States, the U.S. military that change 31:50.373 --> 31:53.790 of some people on the ground would affect 31:53.835 --> 31:57.132 their relationship between the two militaries? 31:57.132 --> 32:00.090 - I think what General Votel has expressed, 32:00.090 --> 32:02.250 what you've heard from Chairman Dunford 32:02.250 --> 32:04.917 and Secretary Carter is that we, 32:04.951 --> 32:09.034 we don't expect that it's going to have an impact 32:09.557 --> 32:11.942 on the relationship, and we certainly don't want it to. 32:11.942 --> 32:14.826 I think, what we heard from General Votel is that 32:14.826 --> 32:16.913 the relationship is so extensive, 32:16.913 --> 32:18.312 our military-to-military relationship, 32:18.312 --> 32:21.229 built up over years as a NATO ally, 32:21.987 --> 32:24.569 and that there's significant interaction that's 32:24.569 --> 32:26.706 been taking place over the years at lower levels 32:26.706 --> 32:28.486 than the highest levels of the military. 32:28.486 --> 32:32.236 And the only concern being expressed is that, 32:33.022 --> 32:35.507 in some instances a counterpart may not be there 32:35.507 --> 32:36.904 who you worked with directly. 32:36.904 --> 32:40.265 Now, you need to find out who that new person might be. 32:40.265 --> 32:42.784 I think it's just the operational flow of, 32:42.784 --> 32:45.862 of that engagement that we want to make sure 32:45.862 --> 32:46.775 doesn't miss a beat. 32:46.775 --> 32:49.398 And I think that was the only that, that was expressed. 32:49.398 --> 32:52.521 - Yeah, but you, those who have been removed 32:52.521 --> 32:54.603 are also replaced at the same time. 32:54.603 --> 32:55.939 - [Peter] Yes. - So, so, they'll just take, 32:55.939 --> 32:57.699 in not even one day that you will have 32:57.699 --> 32:59.065 another individual on the ground. 32:59.065 --> 33:01.574 And the procedures are clear; so why is it, 33:01.574 --> 33:03.433 this concern, among the? 33:03.433 --> 33:06.096 - I think you just explained what we hope happens 33:06.096 --> 33:07.513 in this instance. 33:07.650 --> 33:10.375 I think that's what General Votel was expressing. 33:10.375 --> 33:13.256 Professional military relations between our two countries 33:13.256 --> 33:14.666 have been excellent. 33:14.666 --> 33:16.631 We want to make sure that they continue that way. 33:16.631 --> 33:18.311 And you've heard that, as you said, 33:18.311 --> 33:21.728 from the highest levels of, of the Turkish military 33:21.728 --> 33:24.368 and from the highest levels of the U.S. military, 33:24.368 --> 33:25.201 that's our goal. 33:25.201 --> 33:28.271 That's, this is an important NATO ally, important, 33:28.271 --> 33:30.826 vital partner in the fight against ISIL. 33:30.826 --> 33:33.659 And we don't want to see anything that 33:33.659 --> 33:34.505 might interrupt that. 33:34.505 --> 33:36.403 And we have no expectation that there, 33:36.403 --> 33:39.417 that there will, especially in light of the comments 33:39.417 --> 33:43.584 of support from both folks in positions of power in Turkey, 33:44.440 --> 33:46.467 and of course, the senior leadership here. 33:46.467 --> 33:49.111 - And then, just one last question. 33:49.111 --> 33:52.042 You know, they're having a lot of claims against 33:52.042 --> 33:55.461 General Votel now, against General Campbell before. 33:55.461 --> 33:59.628 And also CIA Director Clapper also had some comments which, 34:00.507 --> 34:02.676 raised a lot of discussions in Turkey. 34:02.676 --> 34:05.933 Could you assure the Turkish public opinion that none 34:05.933 --> 34:10.100 of those plotters had good relations with the United States? 34:10.610 --> 34:13.401 - I can assure you that, as I said at the beginning here, 34:13.401 --> 34:17.568 any suggestion that any member of the Department of Defense 34:17.698 --> 34:21.865 supported or played a role in the attempted coup in Turkey, 34:22.289 --> 34:24.772 that that would be absurd to suggest that. 34:24.772 --> 34:25.980 You've heard that from Chairman Dunford, 34:25.980 --> 34:28.281 you've heard that from Secretary Carter. 34:28.281 --> 34:30.198 It is almost laughable. 34:31.327 --> 34:35.327 And so, it would be a concern if that suggestion 34:36.809 --> 34:39.142 is being portrayed out there. 34:39.142 --> 34:42.366 Because it does not reflect the professional military 34:42.366 --> 34:44.967 relationship between our two countries. 34:44.967 --> 34:46.695 - So the plotters have no relations with 34:46.695 --> 34:48.287 the U.S. military at all? 34:48.287 --> 34:49.537 Good relations? 34:51.407 --> 34:55.574 - We have had excellent relations with the Turkish military. 34:55.763 --> 34:59.846 And what I'm saying is the suggestion that anyone 35:00.037 --> 35:04.204 in the Department of Defense, any of the uniformed officials 35:05.025 --> 35:09.192 you just referred to, had any role or had any support 35:09.653 --> 35:12.336 for what took place in Turkey would be wrong. 35:12.336 --> 35:14.919 And we have condemned the coup. 35:15.061 --> 35:18.247 We have supported the democratically elected government 35:18.247 --> 35:20.117 of Turkey and will continue to do so. 35:20.117 --> 35:22.289 And we'll continue to maintain the excellent military 35:22.289 --> 35:26.248 to military, the defense relationship with Turkey. 35:26.248 --> 35:27.165 Yes, Jenny? 35:27.243 --> 35:31.410 - [Jenny] Thank you Peter, the Secretary of the Army Fanning 35:31.877 --> 35:35.210 will visit South Korea early next month. 35:35.609 --> 35:37.537 Do you know what is the purpose of his visit 35:37.537 --> 35:39.347 to South Korea for next month? 35:39.347 --> 35:42.703 - I know that Secretary Fanning is making a trip 35:42.703 --> 35:45.620 through Asia and has several stops, 35:45.692 --> 35:47.307 but I'll refer you to his office 35:47.307 --> 35:49.858 and the Army for his itinerary. 35:49.858 --> 35:52.525 - So when he visits South Korea, 35:53.281 --> 35:57.364 then he will visit site of the, where the THAAD-- 35:59.446 --> 36:02.726 - I'll leave it to Secretary Fanning and the Army 36:02.726 --> 36:04.368 to tell you his exact schedule. 36:04.368 --> 36:06.681 I honestly don't have it in front of me. 36:06.681 --> 36:10.848 - When does the United States have additional plans 36:11.206 --> 36:14.706 for the implement of THAAD in South Korea? 36:15.519 --> 36:18.352 You have a additional appointment. 36:18.518 --> 36:19.905 - You mean a second site? 36:19.905 --> 36:21.072 - [Jenny] Yes. 36:22.064 --> 36:25.647 - As we've discussed, the THAAD deployment, 36:26.570 --> 36:29.589 the alliance decisions to move forward with THAAD, 36:29.589 --> 36:31.624 at this point, we are working through the issues 36:31.624 --> 36:34.207 with regard to this deployment. 36:34.992 --> 36:37.992 We're focused on that at this point. 36:38.165 --> 36:38.998 Andrew? 36:39.086 --> 36:42.003 Sorry, my fault, I saw Andrew here. 36:44.500 --> 36:47.260 - [Man In Tie] Is the U.S. flying strike missions 36:47.260 --> 36:48.808 out of Incirlik currently? 36:48.808 --> 36:49.641 - Yes. 36:49.948 --> 36:50.997 - [Man In Tie] It's currently ongoing? 36:50.997 --> 36:51.830 - Yes. 36:51.830 --> 36:55.913 - Okay, now based off of what's been said lately, 36:56.661 --> 37:00.533 General Votel is the second commander to be brought 37:00.533 --> 37:03.809 into this, does the U.S. have contingency plans 37:03.809 --> 37:05.726 if Incirlik is cut off? 37:08.970 --> 37:11.138 - As we have said, even when we're not able 37:11.138 --> 37:15.138 to fly missions, we're able to mitigate and deal 37:17.054 --> 37:21.221 with instances in which we are unable to fly from certain 37:21.747 --> 37:25.015 locations, we have the ability to adjust 37:25.015 --> 37:25.917 and accommodate that. 37:25.917 --> 37:30.000 But Incirlik's a critical location, and we would, 37:30.693 --> 37:33.032 the coalition would prefer to fly from Incirlik 37:33.032 --> 37:34.964 for a variety of reasons. 37:34.964 --> 37:39.131 We think it's an important capability and we greatly 37:39.311 --> 37:41.966 appreciate Turkey allowing those missions to fly 37:41.966 --> 37:43.133 from Incirlik. 37:43.158 --> 37:45.183 But we do have the ability to adjust. 37:45.183 --> 37:48.718 As you know, previously we did not have access to Incirlik 37:48.718 --> 37:50.885 and we conducted missions, 37:51.347 --> 37:53.778 but we anticipate being able to fly from Incirlik 37:53.778 --> 37:56.576 and we're doing so right now successfully. 37:56.576 --> 37:57.676 - [Woman In Black] Can I follow on that? 37:57.676 --> 37:58.509 - Yes. 37:58.509 --> 38:00.080 - So yesterday, there were some protests just outside 38:00.080 --> 38:02.541 of Incirlik, Turks who were saying that they didn't want 38:02.541 --> 38:04.081 the U.S. presence there anymore and they're didn't want 38:04.081 --> 38:07.313 the U.S. to be able to conduct strikes missions. 38:07.313 --> 38:09.142 They held up really graphic photos of people 38:09.142 --> 38:11.588 who have been killed by airstrikes in Syria I think 38:11.588 --> 38:12.753 it was, but maybe Iraq and Syria. 38:12.753 --> 38:13.836 I don't know. 38:13.894 --> 38:17.207 Is there any concern on the, from the Department of Defense 38:17.207 --> 38:20.905 that the U.S. access to Incirlik will be cut off 38:20.905 --> 38:23.156 in the near future, not just because of what's happened in 38:23.156 --> 38:27.323 the political instability but because of a lack of public 38:27.324 --> 38:29.664 Turkish support for the U.S. role there? 38:29.664 --> 38:32.648 - As the secretary has detailed, he had a good conversation 38:32.648 --> 38:36.670 with his Turkish counterpart in which they both agreed 38:36.670 --> 38:39.929 on the need to maintain the fight against ISIL 38:39.929 --> 38:41.874 and on our continued cooperation on that. 38:41.874 --> 38:44.930 Incirlik is a key part of that and we have no indication 38:44.930 --> 38:48.499 of anything other than Turkish cooperation with continuing 38:48.499 --> 38:50.005 those missions from Incirlik. 38:50.005 --> 38:53.029 And we're doing so, as I just said to Bill, even today. 38:53.029 --> 38:56.824 - So the Turks have not approached the U.S. about any change 38:56.824 --> 39:00.157 in the U.S. access or role or abilities, 39:01.525 --> 39:04.643 any kind of parameters of what the U.S. military can 39:04.643 --> 39:07.371 and cannot do out of Incirlik in recent days? 39:07.371 --> 39:09.622 - We are, we are flying missions, as we were before, 39:09.622 --> 39:13.789 and again, we're appreciative to the Turkish government's 39:13.789 --> 39:16.932 help in restoring the power and getting those flights 39:16.932 --> 39:17.898 back up and running. 39:17.898 --> 39:20.050 And they are flying as we speak. 39:20.050 --> 39:21.231 - And I have another random one, 39:21.231 --> 39:23.186 unless someone else had another Turkey one. 39:23.186 --> 39:24.459 - [Voiceover] Well, that just, that wasn't her question. 39:24.459 --> 39:26.962 Her question was had they communicated with the U.S. 39:26.962 --> 39:29.062 government or the Defense Department about modifying that? 39:29.062 --> 39:31.381 - The communication, again, that the secretary of defense 39:31.381 --> 39:35.124 received from his counterpart is our cooperation, 39:35.124 --> 39:37.625 our efforts focused on ISIL will continue, 39:37.625 --> 39:39.875 and that includes Incirlik. 39:40.644 --> 39:42.535 - I have a Manbij question. 39:42.535 --> 39:43.938 (multiple voices mumbling) - [Peter] Let me, hold on. 39:43.938 --> 39:45.896 - [Voiceover] Has there been another call since the 39:45.896 --> 39:50.063 July 19th call between Secretary Carter and his counterpart? 39:51.583 --> 39:53.811 - I'm not aware of a direct call between the secretary 39:53.811 --> 39:55.638 and, and his counterpart. 39:55.638 --> 39:57.471 I know that there have been other 39:57.471 --> 40:00.427 communications with the Turkish military at other levels. 40:00.427 --> 40:02.572 - I have another random one, then. 40:02.572 --> 40:03.405 - Okay. Go ahead. 40:03.405 --> 40:05.310 - Chelsea Manning is saying that he, he called his attorneys 40:05.310 --> 40:07.761 and said that he's now being considered, I'm sorry. 40:07.761 --> 40:11.690 I apologize, she is now being considered for the potential 40:11.690 --> 40:13.836 for indefinite solitary confinement because of 40:13.836 --> 40:17.086 her suicide attempt earlier this month. 40:18.304 --> 40:20.014 What's the department, I guess, can you, 40:20.014 --> 40:22.432 can you run us through, if someone, 40:22.432 --> 40:25.083 if a prisoner in a U.S. military facility, 40:25.083 --> 40:26.563 I know it's an Army facility, but in a U.S. 40:26.563 --> 40:29.656 military facility, if a prisoner attempts suicide 40:29.656 --> 40:33.260 with some sort of an illicit item, with an illegal item 40:33.260 --> 40:35.772 that they're not supposed to have, is the common practice 40:35.772 --> 40:39.939 to then to, for the punishment to be solitary confinement? 40:41.668 --> 40:42.547 Are you aware of that? 40:42.547 --> 40:44.315 And are you aware of the specific case, 40:44.315 --> 40:47.989 these allegations that she's made through her attorneys? 40:47.989 --> 40:51.034 - I'm not aware and I don't quite honestly from here 40:51.034 --> 40:53.626 know the exact protocol in those instances, 40:53.626 --> 40:56.880 so I'd refer you back to the Army first of all. 40:56.880 --> 40:58.016 But I'm happy to take the question. 40:58.016 --> 40:59.403 But I think the Army's probably your best bet 40:59.403 --> 41:01.011 for this specific case. 41:01.011 --> 41:02.722 - So, I mean, just given the high-profile nature 41:02.722 --> 41:06.115 of this case, though, is that something that, 41:06.115 --> 41:07.054 is that something that the department, 41:07.054 --> 41:10.700 that the larger DOD might get involved in if that, 41:10.700 --> 41:13.569 an allegation like that that, specifically that 41:13.569 --> 41:15.780 she is alleging through her attorneys that she's being 41:15.780 --> 41:18.864 targeted because of her sexuality and because of the 41:18.864 --> 41:21.839 nature of her crimes and being treated differently 41:21.839 --> 41:26.006 and that with this suicide attempt, if, you know, 41:26.865 --> 41:28.237 acknowledged that it was a suicide attempt 41:28.237 --> 41:30.799 several weeks ago, that because of that, 41:30.799 --> 41:33.129 she's being treated differently? 41:33.129 --> 41:35.290 Is that something that DOD might, would get involved in, 41:35.290 --> 41:39.047 that specific allegation even though it's an Army facility? 41:39.047 --> 41:42.507 - I'm not aware of any DOD involvement in this case. 41:42.507 --> 41:46.506 Like I said, I'm not tracking the specific suggestion 41:46.506 --> 41:49.756 or the claim from, from the individual. 41:49.963 --> 41:51.893 So, I'm going to refer you to the Army, because I, 41:51.893 --> 41:53.866 I don't have a solid answer for you on that, 41:53.866 --> 41:55.033 because I don't know the specifics here. 41:55.033 --> 41:56.982 But I am sure that what you're going to hear from 41:56.982 --> 41:59.993 the Army will be the details about how they handle 41:59.993 --> 42:04.160 these cases in terms of people who are incarcerated. 42:04.245 --> 42:06.990 And, and, but I'll leave it to them to refer you to 42:06.990 --> 42:08.389 the actual protocols they follow. 42:08.389 --> 42:09.639 So, yes, Carla. 42:09.873 --> 42:10.706 - Thank you. 42:10.706 --> 42:13.346 On Manbij, considering how important it is for 42:13.346 --> 42:16.896 the United States to not kill or wound innocent civilians, 42:16.896 --> 42:19.429 and considering how important Manbij is 42:19.429 --> 42:21.679 to the anti-ISIL coalition, 42:22.132 --> 42:24.745 is there a concern here at the Pentagon with 42:24.745 --> 42:27.651 the Syrian-Arab coalition's calling in of strikes? 42:27.651 --> 42:31.818 Have there been any measures to retrain or kind of double 42:32.065 --> 42:35.223 down on the efforts on how they would conduct a strike, 42:35.223 --> 42:39.390 and how they, they look into civilians in the area? 42:39.600 --> 42:41.126 - Carla, as I think I've pointed out before, 42:41.126 --> 42:43.011 every time we conduct a strike, 42:43.011 --> 42:45.965 we're looking at the individual circumstances 42:45.965 --> 42:47.298 of each strike, first of all, 42:47.298 --> 42:49.218 and the targeting to begin with, 42:49.218 --> 42:51.717 and each one of those strikes afterwards is assessed. 42:51.717 --> 42:55.165 Certainly, in instances in which there are 42:55.165 --> 42:57.845 credible claims of civilian casualties, 42:57.845 --> 43:00.978 we'll go through and carefully examine exactly 43:00.978 --> 43:03.693 what took place there to see if there are lessons 43:03.693 --> 43:07.860 learned on, that can be applied to, to future missions. 43:08.286 --> 43:11.124 But at this point, again, we're still getting the facts 43:11.124 --> 43:14.874 on these individual cases, these allegations. 43:15.150 --> 43:18.253 And, and we'll work through those, and we will, 43:18.253 --> 43:20.971 as we have in the past, apply that knowledge 43:20.971 --> 43:23.188 to what we're doing going forward. 43:23.188 --> 43:25.388 But we expect this air campaign will continue to be 43:25.388 --> 43:27.978 a critical part of our effort against ISIL, 43:27.978 --> 43:30.100 not just in Manbij but elsewhere. 43:30.100 --> 43:33.161 And we will take those lessons learned as appropriate. 43:33.161 --> 43:36.151 - So, are there any immediate lessons learned, 43:36.151 --> 43:39.545 while, while the evaluation process is underway? 43:39.545 --> 43:41.300 - While we continue with each and every one 43:41.300 --> 43:44.325 of these strikes, we're looking at the circumstances 43:44.325 --> 43:47.350 on the ground at that particular moment in time, 43:47.350 --> 43:50.100 applying our normal set of tests. 43:50.296 --> 43:52.885 And if there are additional tests that need to be applied 43:52.885 --> 43:56.177 in light of what's happening, these credibility assessments 43:56.177 --> 43:57.341 will inform us of that. 43:57.341 --> 43:59.151 But those are ongoing, so. 43:59.151 --> 44:00.099 Yes, Richard. 44:00.099 --> 44:01.807 - [Richard] Any change to the status 44:01.807 --> 44:04.140 of the dependents in Turkey? 44:04.165 --> 44:05.960 Any plans to move them out? 44:05.960 --> 44:09.400 Is voluntary evacuation still available to them? 44:09.400 --> 44:12.242 - Well, you know, we had an ordered departure in Turkey. 44:12.242 --> 44:16.294 So, those dependents have already left in, at Incirlik. 44:16.294 --> 44:18.225 - We were told there's still about 100 left. 44:18.225 --> 44:21.272 - Yeah, I'll check and see if there has been any 44:21.272 --> 44:22.105 change in their status. 44:22.105 --> 44:24.951 I'm not aware of any at this point. 44:24.951 --> 44:28.167 But the vast majority of dependents have already left Turkey 44:28.167 --> 44:31.340 as a result of those, those steps taken some time ago. 44:31.340 --> 44:33.365 But I'll take the question and find out. 44:33.365 --> 44:35.821 - You don't think that there's 100 dependents still there? 44:35.821 --> 44:38.907 - No, that was my understanding as of last week. 44:38.907 --> 44:41.003 So, I'm not sure if there's anything that has happened 44:41.003 --> 44:42.661 in the interim period. 44:42.661 --> 44:45.578 - Peter, just, I'm not clear on the 44:45.680 --> 44:49.847 connection of the secretary with Minister Isik of Turkey. 44:52.035 --> 44:55.868 The only contact they've had was on July 19th? 44:57.388 --> 44:58.629 - They had a phone call. 44:58.629 --> 45:01.831 I don't even know the date off the top of my head. 45:01.831 --> 45:05.081 They met shortly before that in person. 45:06.190 --> 45:09.003 - Is the secretary considering what's happened since? 45:09.003 --> 45:12.926 Is the secretary trying to get a hold of him right now? 45:12.926 --> 45:16.260 - The secretary, as I said, has an excellent 45:16.260 --> 45:19.911 relationship with the minister of defense in Turkey. 45:19.911 --> 45:21.469 They had an excellent conversation on the phone, 45:21.469 --> 45:25.636 an extensive conversation to discuss some of these issues. 45:26.042 --> 45:28.425 Some of the issues they've discussed have been resolved, 45:28.425 --> 45:30.478 including the situation at Incirlik. 45:30.478 --> 45:33.521 And we continue to have excellent military, 45:33.521 --> 45:36.504 an excellent defense relationship with Turkey 45:36.504 --> 45:38.004 at various levels. 45:38.207 --> 45:40.476 And we'll continue to do so. 45:40.476 --> 45:43.555 And, in part, because we are engaged in this campaign 45:43.555 --> 45:44.479 with them against ISIL. 45:44.479 --> 45:47.763 We are talking with them on a, not just a daily basis. 45:47.763 --> 45:51.014 Every single day, at various levels to make sure that 45:51.014 --> 45:54.209 we are conducting this, this campaign as effectively 45:54.209 --> 45:55.042 as possible. 45:55.042 --> 45:56.815 We are also a NATO ally; have those contacts 45:56.815 --> 45:58.738 on a daily basis as well. 45:58.738 --> 46:01.024 - But there has been no contact between the secretary 46:01.024 --> 46:03.857 and Minister Isik since July 19th, 46:04.250 --> 46:05.083 since that phone conversation? 46:05.083 --> 46:06.743 - I don't have any conversations to read out 46:06.743 --> 46:08.743 to you at this time, so. 46:08.810 --> 46:09.643 - Just to follow up. 46:09.643 --> 46:10.759 I think the harder question, though, 46:10.759 --> 46:13.516 is with the accusations that are being levied against 46:13.516 --> 46:16.063 some of the top U.S. commanders, we're trying to figure out 46:16.063 --> 46:19.141 at what level communications are occurring between 46:19.141 --> 46:23.064 the government and military of Turkey, and U.S. government 46:23.064 --> 46:25.631 and U.S. military, given the importance of-- 46:25.631 --> 46:27.971 - [Peter] There have been substantial conversations. 46:27.971 --> 46:30.606 - But at what level and between who? 46:30.606 --> 46:32.990 - I've described you the secretary's remarks. 46:32.990 --> 46:36.123 I know that the chairman has had regular contact 46:36.123 --> 46:37.873 with his counterpart. 46:38.155 --> 46:40.427 I'll leave it to the chairman's office to describe those. 46:40.427 --> 46:43.677 But these conversations continue at the highest levels. 46:43.677 --> 46:46.075 I think General Votel referred to, 46:46.075 --> 46:48.729 to his conversations, in addition. 46:48.729 --> 46:50.757 So, this is an important relationship. 46:50.757 --> 46:53.374 We're going to continue to have these conversations, 46:53.374 --> 46:55.329 and, and work through these issues. 46:55.329 --> 46:57.361 - Well, do you know, Peter, if anyone has had discussions, 46:57.361 --> 47:01.255 like today, to help clarify or clear up some of 47:01.255 --> 47:05.422 the apparent misconceptions with what General Votel 47:05.525 --> 47:07.516 and/or everyone said-- 47:07.516 --> 47:09.461 - General Votel has issued, issued his own statement 47:09.461 --> 47:13.628 to make clear some of the suggestions that came from, 47:14.214 --> 47:18.381 from his comments that were, I think, to General Votel's 47:18.734 --> 47:22.061 take, misreported, or certainly misunderstood. 47:22.061 --> 47:24.960 And I think he wanted to make that clear. 47:24.960 --> 47:25.793 And this-- 47:25.793 --> 47:26.982 - Right, but is there something other than a press release? 47:26.982 --> 47:29.155 Has there been like a, do you know of any conversations, 47:29.155 --> 47:30.066 like today? 47:30.066 --> 47:31.872 - I can't read out each and every one, 47:31.872 --> 47:33.710 but I can assure you that even today, 47:33.710 --> 47:36.614 there have been contacts at the highest levels of 47:36.614 --> 47:39.915 the U.S. military with Turkish counterparts. 47:39.915 --> 47:43.553 And there, and there were yesterday, and there will be 47:43.553 --> 47:47.220 going forward, whether it's as part of NATO, 47:47.445 --> 47:49.272 as part of the counter-ISIL coalition, 47:49.272 --> 47:51.632 we'll continue to have those conversations with the, 47:51.632 --> 47:55.773 with the Turkish, our Turkish counterparts as appropriate. 47:55.773 --> 47:56.606 - [Kristina] I know you don't speak 47:56.606 --> 47:58.272 for the State Department, but are you aware of any-- 47:58.272 --> 47:59.355 - Absolutely. 47:59.548 --> 48:02.881 - Are you aware of any U.S. government, 48:04.636 --> 48:06.209 department reaching out or, 48:06.209 --> 48:08.509 or representative reaching out to address 48:08.509 --> 48:11.757 these misconceptions that General Votel is siding 48:11.757 --> 48:13.287 with the coup plotters? 48:13.287 --> 48:16.531 - I mean, we're trying to make as clear as possible 48:16.531 --> 48:20.698 from here, you've heard earlier this week on Monday, 48:22.072 --> 48:24.326 the chairman and the secretary talk about these issues 48:24.326 --> 48:27.826 when reference to these absurd allegations 48:27.857 --> 48:31.180 or suggestions that General Campbell played some role. 48:31.180 --> 48:35.038 I think we're being as clear as we can be about 48:35.038 --> 48:37.390 the Department of Defense, and the top leadership here 48:37.390 --> 48:40.944 and our views on some of the suggestions that had been laid 48:40.944 --> 48:44.294 out there that somehow the Department of Defense, 48:44.294 --> 48:46.766 or people within the Department of Defense knew something 48:46.766 --> 48:49.198 or supported in anyway this coup. 48:49.198 --> 48:51.615 That is factually inaccurate. 48:51.908 --> 48:54.718 And with regard to, to others, we have, 48:54.718 --> 48:55.753 I'll leave it to the State Department 48:55.753 --> 48:57.665 to characterize their conversations. 48:57.665 --> 49:00.776 But, so, I'll leave it to the State Department 49:00.776 --> 49:02.037 to speak for itself. 49:02.037 --> 49:04.166 But I think our leadership here has been clear 49:04.166 --> 49:06.578 on this point, and I think General Votel has only 49:06.578 --> 49:07.906 emphasized that again today. 49:07.906 --> 49:09.858 - But I think the reason that this continues to have legs 49:09.858 --> 49:12.316 is that, while the DOD is speaking, 49:12.316 --> 49:14.317 is putting out these statements and whatnot, 49:14.317 --> 49:17.007 the Turks don't seem to be disavowing these claims. 49:17.007 --> 49:20.117 So, is there any effort to work with these close partners 49:20.117 --> 49:21.778 that you've said over and over you have such a close 49:21.778 --> 49:24.410 relationship with, and encourage them to come out 49:24.410 --> 49:27.880 and disavow the claims that very senior four-star 49:27.880 --> 49:30.234 U.S. military leaders, and the head of all, 49:30.234 --> 49:32.317 in national intelligence in the U.S. 49:32.317 --> 49:34.126 were not behind the plot? 49:34.126 --> 49:35.837 And why, and what, and why is it? 49:35.837 --> 49:38.604 Why are the Turks not coming out and saying that 49:38.604 --> 49:40.707 the U.S. didn't have a role behind this? 49:40.707 --> 49:43.780 - I will leave it to the Turks to, to speak for themselves. 49:43.780 --> 49:47.947 We will continue to, as best we can, make clear to, 49:48.389 --> 49:52.139 to the Turkish people and to anyone who cares 49:54.217 --> 49:58.384 to listen that, again, our relationship with Turkey 49:58.762 --> 50:01.810 remains a solid defense relationship. 50:01.810 --> 50:04.792 We look forward to continued cooperation with this vital 50:04.792 --> 50:08.959 key NATO ally going forward and, and we will make it clear, 50:10.165 --> 50:13.440 based on the facts of the appropriate relationship that 50:13.440 --> 50:15.148 we have with the Turkish military, 50:15.148 --> 50:16.689 and how that will continue. 50:16.689 --> 50:19.331 Again, I'll leave it to the Turks to characterize 50:19.331 --> 50:21.156 what's going on for, for themselves. 50:21.156 --> 50:24.960 But I think individuals here, including General Votel, 50:24.960 --> 50:29.127 who have had others suggest words that they did not say, 50:30.714 --> 50:34.214 will continue to say clearly how important 50:34.543 --> 50:37.073 this relationship is and how we'll continue to have 50:37.073 --> 50:38.583 those conversations to try and clear up 50:38.583 --> 50:40.973 any misperceptions that may be out there. 50:40.973 --> 50:43.184 - Peter, can you take the question and maybe get back 50:43.184 --> 50:47.267 to us on any specific calls or conversations that 50:49.572 --> 50:51.933 anyone either within the Pentagon or in the U.S. military 50:51.933 --> 50:54.933 had with the Turks today other than, 50:55.271 --> 50:57.563 I mean, I, I don't think we could assume that 50:57.563 --> 50:59.914 the Turkish people are reading 50:59.914 --> 51:01.650 General Votel's press statement. 51:01.650 --> 51:04.253 So I mean, any sort of specific-- 51:04.253 --> 51:05.772 - We're counting on you all to spread that word. 51:05.772 --> 51:06.605 (laughing) 51:06.605 --> 51:08.889 I'm looking at Kassim right here, I'm hoping that he's-- 51:08.889 --> 51:09.722 - [Barbara] I mean, other than. 51:09.722 --> 51:11.212 - Reports a few things from this news conference. 51:11.212 --> 51:12.933 - I'm assuming you all don't rely on speaking 51:12.933 --> 51:14.781 through the media to another country, so, 51:14.781 --> 51:16.443 - [Peter] No we absolutely don't, and I-- 51:16.443 --> 51:17.484 - [Lita] So could you-- - I will-- 51:17.484 --> 51:18.851 - [Lita] Maybe just get back to us and say-- 51:18.851 --> 51:19.684 - Sure. 51:19.684 --> 51:21.166 - [Lita] What specific conversations anyone at a high 51:21.166 --> 51:25.250 level has had in the wake of these recent allegations. 51:25.250 --> 51:27.681 - Let me, I want to make absolutely clear though, Lita, 51:27.681 --> 51:30.980 that these conversations separate and apart from today 51:30.980 --> 51:35.147 happened yesterday, that, whether it's our folks at EUCOM 51:35.974 --> 51:39.248 who talk every day in some cases with their Turkish 51:39.248 --> 51:42.983 counterparts, this is a relationship that is so 51:42.983 --> 51:47.150 long-standing, so normal in its exchange of information, 51:49.733 --> 51:53.325 and General Votel talked about the exchange of information, 51:53.325 --> 51:55.880 the integration that we have in terms of our operations 51:55.880 --> 51:57.130 with the Turks. 51:57.374 --> 52:00.874 We can't fly out Incirlik with, of course, 52:01.007 --> 52:02.800 without the active participation of, 52:02.800 --> 52:04.581 of the Turkish military. 52:04.581 --> 52:08.748 We're doing that everyday and at the highest levels, 52:08.960 --> 52:11.329 we have continued conversations with them. 52:11.329 --> 52:13.934 I will see if there's, if there's something we can get 52:13.934 --> 52:15.556 for you that, that highlights that. 52:15.556 --> 52:17.902 But what I, my point is is that that's not unusual; 52:17.902 --> 52:20.943 that happens all the time and will continue to happen. 52:20.943 --> 52:24.103 - How, how helpful is it to this long-standing 52:24.103 --> 52:26.801 military relationship when the president of that country 52:26.801 --> 52:28.809 is saying to a U.S. general, 52:28.809 --> 52:32.907 "Know your place, you are taking the side of coup plotters," 52:32.907 --> 52:35.556 if the translation with BBC is, is accurate. 52:35.556 --> 52:37.223 How helpful is that? 52:38.365 --> 52:42.495 - We, General Votel has, has spoken to this himself today 52:42.495 --> 52:46.662 to make clear that, that any suggestion that he supported 52:48.167 --> 52:50.465 in any way what took place there would be 52:50.465 --> 52:51.595 factually inaccurate. 52:51.595 --> 52:54.784 And I think we're trying to do, make that as abundantly 52:54.784 --> 52:58.021 clear as we can and to be as constructive as we can 52:58.021 --> 53:01.052 in terms of making sure that our defense relationship there, 53:01.052 --> 53:05.219 that, that there are no questions about the solid, 53:05.553 --> 53:08.761 the importance of that relationship and the need for 53:08.761 --> 53:11.978 continued cooperation in which we expect and hope to see 53:11.978 --> 53:14.061 for decades more to come. 53:14.061 --> 53:15.851 And this is critically important right now because 53:15.851 --> 53:19.518 of the counter-ISIL campaign, and of course, 53:20.050 --> 53:21.683 both being long-standing NATO allies. 53:21.683 --> 53:23.439 I know you have, you have one more question, 53:23.439 --> 53:24.347 then I got to go. 53:24.347 --> 53:25.554 - [Paul] I just want to follow-up on Courtney's question. 53:25.554 --> 53:26.387 - Sure. 53:26.387 --> 53:29.345 - Would you like to see Turkish officials disavow this idea 53:29.345 --> 53:31.111 that the U.S. was involved in the coup? 53:31.111 --> 53:33.220 Because the reason this has legs is because, 53:33.220 --> 53:36.435 as Courtney said, is because every time the suggestion 53:36.435 --> 53:39.009 comes up, it is not being denied on, 53:39.009 --> 53:40.059 on the part of Turkish officials, 53:40.059 --> 53:42.590 - We will let, we will let the facts speak for themselves 53:42.590 --> 53:45.235 and I will let the Turkish government and Turkish officials 53:45.235 --> 53:46.199 speak for themselves. 53:46.199 --> 53:49.451 We, the secretary just had, as I said, an excellent 53:49.451 --> 53:50.947 conversation with his Turkish counterpart. 53:50.947 --> 53:53.190 He has a great relationship with him. 53:53.190 --> 53:54.919 We're confident that the relationship between 53:54.919 --> 53:57.538 the United States and Turkey, the defense relationship 53:57.538 --> 53:59.455 will continue and will, 54:01.147 --> 54:04.044 will not be in any way impacted by this. 54:04.044 --> 54:06.063 We will let the facts speak for themselves. 54:06.063 --> 54:08.660 We will let General Votel and others make clear if there 54:08.660 --> 54:12.827 are any misperceptions about, about our views on this. 54:13.774 --> 54:16.193 We're trying to be as crystal clear as we can. 54:16.193 --> 54:19.627 We want to continue our, the military business 54:19.627 --> 54:22.101 that we've conducted for decades with the Turks 54:22.101 --> 54:24.726 and we have every expectation we'll continue to do so. 54:24.726 --> 54:25.719 - [Woman In Black] Can I have just one clarification? 54:25.719 --> 54:27.262 When you're talking about all these calls that have been 54:27.262 --> 54:29.779 going back and forth, the many, many, many, many, many calls 54:29.779 --> 54:31.371 you guys have back and forth with the Turks, 54:31.371 --> 54:33.896 you're not saying that one or any of those calls dealt 54:33.896 --> 54:38.063 specifically with General Votel and his, and this alleged, 54:38.863 --> 54:40.123 him being involved in the coup, right? 54:40.123 --> 54:41.992 That was not your insinuation by that, right? 54:41.992 --> 54:45.525 - We have conversations every day with the Turks, but, 54:45.525 --> 54:49.260 but since, I think it is fair to say that since the coup 54:49.260 --> 54:51.548 attempt, of course there have been conversations at the 54:51.548 --> 54:54.120 highest levels of the U.S. military with 54:54.120 --> 54:57.083 the Turkish military, and in addition, not just us. 54:57.083 --> 55:00.380 Of course, President Obama spoke with President Erdogan, 55:00.380 --> 55:03.040 - But again, specifically about General Votel and any 55:03.040 --> 55:05.476 allegations that he might have been specifically involved. 55:05.476 --> 55:07.129 That's, that, because I just want to be clear when, 55:07.129 --> 55:08.842 because Lita, since Lita asked you to take the question 55:08.842 --> 55:11.258 and come back, if, if you come back to us and say there 55:11.258 --> 55:14.065 were calls, blah, blah, blah, all these calls, I guess the, 55:14.065 --> 55:16.188 - [Peter] I'm saying that we-- 55:16.188 --> 55:18.491 - I just want to be clear that it, so we understand, 55:18.491 --> 55:22.658 - I'm not referring to any particular, to General Votel, 55:23.165 --> 55:27.332 that there have been since the coup regular communications 55:28.094 --> 55:31.199 with, at the highest levels of the Department of Defense 55:31.199 --> 55:33.533 and with our Turkish counterparts. 55:33.533 --> 55:35.395 - [Woman In Black] But I mean, since yesterday, Peter. 55:35.395 --> 55:36.335 Since, since the president-- 55:36.335 --> 55:39.317 - There have been, I know there have been some in the, 55:39.317 --> 55:41.067 in the last 24 hours. 55:41.110 --> 55:43.018 There have been some in the last 48 hours and that is not 55:43.018 --> 55:45.064 unusual because we're talking to them all the time. 55:45.064 --> 55:46.069 We have to be. 55:46.069 --> 55:49.486 - [Lita] General Votel to Turks directly. 55:50.734 --> 55:53.778 Has anybody in this department refuted the claim 55:53.778 --> 55:55.658 that General Votel might had been involved? 55:55.658 --> 55:58.524 - General Votel has refuted that claim publicly. 55:58.524 --> 56:00.486 - He has done that in a press release. 56:00.486 --> 56:04.469 So has the secretary, have the chairmen or has General Votel 56:04.469 --> 56:07.386 directly refuted this to the Turks? 56:07.787 --> 56:10.230 - I, I can't answer that, I can't answer that question 56:10.230 --> 56:13.079 because I don't know everyone's phone calls today 56:13.079 --> 56:13.912 with the Turks. 56:13.912 --> 56:14.745 I will-- 56:14.745 --> 56:17.535 - [Lita] Directly refuted it with them? 56:17.535 --> 56:18.885 - I will, I will take that question, 56:18.885 --> 56:23.052 but I can assure you that that message from General Votel, 56:23.118 --> 56:25.826 from, hopefully from myself from this podium and others 56:25.826 --> 56:29.659 within the building, any suggestion that General Votel, 56:29.659 --> 56:32.252 - [Voiceover] If you have such a great military 56:32.252 --> 56:34.079 relationship with them. 56:34.079 --> 56:36.017 - I just, I'm not, I don't know the substance 56:36.017 --> 56:37.072 of every single phone call we've had today. 56:37.072 --> 56:37.905 - [Voiceover] Can you take the question? 56:37.905 --> 56:38.738 - I'll take the question. 56:38.738 --> 56:39.571 - [Woman In Black] Well, that's a high-level call. 56:39.571 --> 56:40.733 I mean, this is-- - [Peter] Yeah, exactly. 56:40.733 --> 56:42.489 - This is the head of all U.S. Central Command. 56:42.489 --> 56:45.223 This is, he's a four-star general with 30-plus years. 56:45.223 --> 56:47.915 I mean, that's a high level call that I would think that, 56:47.915 --> 56:49.354 that the Department of Defense would know 56:49.354 --> 56:50.283 was going to happen. 56:50.283 --> 56:51.563 If some, if, whether it was 56:51.563 --> 56:53.540 General Votel or someone on his behalf was calling, 56:53.540 --> 56:55.241 - We had lots of things to talk to the Turks about, 56:55.241 --> 56:56.074 - I still don't know whether you're talking about 56:56.074 --> 56:56.928 the leadership in Turkey right now. 56:56.928 --> 56:57.835 You know, I mean, you understand. 56:57.835 --> 57:00.083 We're not asking for every little phone call back and forth, 57:00.083 --> 57:02.333 to, you know, order food or, I don't know. 57:02.333 --> 57:04.021 We're asking about a very specific high level call. 57:04.021 --> 57:05.459 So if it's possible to take that. 57:05.459 --> 57:07.446 - I will, I will try and get that question answered for you. 57:07.446 --> 57:08.279 - [Woman In Black] If you could get the ones about 57:08.279 --> 57:09.362 ordering food, that would be great. 57:09.362 --> 57:11.612 (laughing) 57:11.808 --> 57:14.225 - Okay, just to round it out. 57:14.355 --> 57:16.162 - [Voiceover] General Dunford is going to go to Turkey 57:16.162 --> 57:18.245 during July 31st, right?. 57:20.448 --> 57:22.242 - I will, I will leave it to the chairman 57:22.242 --> 57:26.409 and his staff to tell you about his schedule and itinerary. 57:28.097 --> 57:30.087 Okay, thanks, everybody.