WEBVTT 00:07.067 --> 00:08.368 - Good afternoon, everyone. 00:08.368 --> 00:09.738 For today's briefing we're joined by 00:09.738 --> 00:11.786 Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis 00:11.786 --> 00:13.415 and General Joseph Votel, 00:13.415 --> 00:16.985 commander of US Central Command in Tampa, Florida. 00:16.985 --> 00:18.871 We will start with a few opening remarks 00:18.871 --> 00:20.908 and then proceed directly to your questions. 00:20.908 --> 00:23.219 We're planning to go for around 30 minutes. 00:23.219 --> 00:25.302 With that, Mr. Secretary? 00:26.658 --> 00:28.575 - Well thank you Steve. 00:28.728 --> 00:30.218 We're on right now? 00:30.218 --> 00:31.197 - [Steve] Yes sir, we're live. 00:31.197 --> 00:33.541 - Okay, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 00:33.541 --> 00:35.665 I previously released a statement 00:35.665 --> 00:38.082 on the US military's response 00:38.208 --> 00:42.051 to the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons. 00:42.051 --> 00:44.347 I thought this was an appropriate time now 00:44.347 --> 00:46.527 for General Votel and me to update you 00:46.527 --> 00:49.027 on the military action itself. 00:50.480 --> 00:52.443 Last Tuesday, on the fourth of April, 00:52.443 --> 00:55.455 the Syrian regime attacked its own people 00:55.455 --> 00:57.372 using chemical weapons. 00:57.461 --> 01:00.628 I have personally reviewed the intelligence 01:00.628 --> 01:03.007 and there is not doubt the Syrian regime 01:03.007 --> 01:06.200 is responsible for the decision to attack 01:06.200 --> 01:08.367 and for the attack itself. 01:08.802 --> 01:10.240 In response to the attack, 01:10.240 --> 01:12.845 our government began a deliberate process, 01:12.845 --> 01:15.139 led by the national security council, 01:15.139 --> 01:17.966 to recommend diplomatic and military options 01:17.966 --> 01:19.383 to the President. 01:19.547 --> 01:21.403 We met over several days 01:21.403 --> 01:24.403 and I spoke with some of our allies. 01:25.254 --> 01:27.539 The national security council considered 01:27.539 --> 01:30.739 the near century old international prohibition 01:30.739 --> 01:33.487 against the use of chemical weapons, 01:33.487 --> 01:35.801 the Syrian regime's repeated violations 01:35.801 --> 01:37.779 of that international law, 01:37.779 --> 01:40.452 and the inexplicably ruthless murders 01:40.452 --> 01:42.535 the regime had committed. 01:44.476 --> 01:47.123 We determined that a measured military response 01:47.123 --> 01:51.290 could best deter the regime from doing this again. 01:51.338 --> 01:55.327 As always we examined how best to avoid civilian casualties 01:55.327 --> 01:57.440 in the execution of the strike 01:57.440 --> 02:00.107 and our actions were successful. 02:00.274 --> 02:02.282 Based on these considerations, 02:02.282 --> 02:05.288 on six April, the President directed military action 02:05.288 --> 02:08.045 consistent with our vital national interest 02:08.045 --> 02:11.128 to deter the use of chemical weapons. 02:11.744 --> 02:13.899 This military action demonstrates 02:13.899 --> 02:17.512 the United States will not passively stand by 02:17.512 --> 02:21.039 while Assad blithely ignores international law 02:21.039 --> 02:25.206 and employs chemical weapons he had declared destroyed. 02:26.370 --> 02:29.517 We were aware of the presence of Russians at the airfield 02:29.517 --> 02:31.850 and took appropriate actions 02:32.070 --> 02:35.611 to ensure no Russians were injured in the attack. 02:35.611 --> 02:38.847 Our military policy in Syria has not changed. 02:38.847 --> 02:42.015 Our priority remains the defeat of ISIS. 02:42.015 --> 02:44.980 ISIS represents a clear and present danger, 02:44.980 --> 02:46.909 an immediate threat to Europe, 02:46.909 --> 02:49.986 and ultimately a threat to the United States homeland. 02:49.986 --> 02:53.552 In closing, the Syrian regime should think long and hard 02:53.552 --> 02:56.385 before it again acts so recklessly 02:56.681 --> 02:59.431 in violation of international law 02:59.452 --> 03:02.028 against the use of chemical weapons. 03:02.028 --> 03:04.580 General Votel will now provide further information 03:04.580 --> 03:05.747 on the strike. 03:06.609 --> 03:08.525 - Thank you, Mr. Secretary. 03:08.525 --> 03:11.813 Secretary Mattis stated United States Central Command 03:11.813 --> 03:13.835 was directed to develop military options 03:13.835 --> 03:17.536 in response to the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons. 03:17.536 --> 03:20.354 We did that, and developed a target strike package, 03:20.354 --> 03:23.190 with the goal being to eliminate those capabilities, 03:23.190 --> 03:26.378 including airframes, equipment, and fuel supplies, 03:26.378 --> 03:30.267 that provided offensive military capacity for the regime 03:30.267 --> 03:31.982 from Sherat Airfield. 03:31.982 --> 03:34.659 We did not deliberately target personnel in these strikes. 03:34.659 --> 03:36.648 Once the order was received, 03:36.648 --> 03:38.529 we targeted 59 locations on the airfield 03:38.529 --> 03:40.446 and struck 57 of those. 03:40.987 --> 03:44.060 We assess that we achieved our stated objective, 03:44.060 --> 03:46.921 and the regime's ability to generate 03:46.921 --> 03:49.901 offensive military capability from Sherat Airfield, 03:49.901 --> 03:51.599 which we assess was the launching point 03:51.599 --> 03:52.989 for this chemical attack, 03:52.989 --> 03:54.662 has been severely degraded. 03:54.662 --> 03:57.331 We are obviously paying close attention to the environment 03:57.331 --> 03:58.947 in the wake of these strikes, 03:58.947 --> 04:02.054 and remain appropriately postured to respond as necessary. 04:02.054 --> 04:05.233 Meanwhile we are focused on the defeat ISIS campaign, 04:05.233 --> 04:07.067 which remains our primary mission. 04:07.067 --> 04:09.920 In closing I want to commend the exceptional skill 04:09.920 --> 04:12.099 and professionalism of our military forces 04:12.099 --> 04:13.998 involved in this strike operation. 04:13.998 --> 04:16.138 They performed extraordinarily well 04:16.138 --> 04:19.055 and we are very very proud of them. 04:19.423 --> 04:21.340 - Well thank you General Votel. 04:21.340 --> 04:23.619 We can take your questions now. 04:23.619 --> 04:25.224 Bob, let's start with yours. 04:25.224 --> 04:26.859 - Secretary Mattis, thank you. 04:26.859 --> 04:29.262 You mentioned that defeating ISIS in Syria 04:29.262 --> 04:30.898 is your main priority. 04:30.898 --> 04:33.809 But in light of the chemical attack, 04:33.809 --> 04:35.558 is it your view that the US should 04:35.558 --> 04:37.014 take some additional steps 04:37.014 --> 04:39.722 such as creating safe zones or no fly zones 04:39.722 --> 04:43.889 or even attempting to remove Bashar al-Assad from power, 04:45.413 --> 04:47.913 and if I may ask General Votel 04:47.965 --> 04:50.830 if he could bring us up to date on the prospects 04:50.830 --> 04:52.667 for sending additional troops to Syria 04:52.667 --> 04:55.417 to accelerate the campaign there. 04:55.868 --> 04:58.292 - Bob, the goal right now in Syria, 04:58.292 --> 05:02.459 and the military campaign is focused on accomplishing that, 05:03.466 --> 05:04.883 is breaking ISIS, 05:05.727 --> 05:07.810 destroying ISIS in Syria. 05:08.394 --> 05:10.517 This was a separate issue that arose 05:10.517 --> 05:12.639 in the midst of that campaign. 05:12.639 --> 05:16.639 The use by the Assad regime of chemical weapons. 05:18.017 --> 05:20.415 And we addressed that militarily. 05:20.415 --> 05:23.041 But the rest of the campaign stays on track, 05:23.041 --> 05:26.624 exactly as it was before Assad's violation. 05:27.448 --> 05:29.348 - [Bob] You don't see a point in doing safe zones 05:29.348 --> 05:30.383 or no fly zones? 05:30.383 --> 05:33.090 - Those other issues that you bring up 05:33.090 --> 05:36.757 are always under consideration among allies, 05:37.633 --> 05:40.661 and certainly the President has options, 05:40.661 --> 05:44.828 but right now the purpose of this attack was singular 05:45.268 --> 05:48.018 against the chemical weapons use. 05:48.219 --> 05:50.819 - Bob, just for the question you directed to me, 05:50.819 --> 05:53.013 I would just say I'm not gonna particularly comment 05:53.013 --> 05:54.592 on anything we might do in the future here, 05:54.592 --> 05:57.722 obviously we remain engaged with the department here 05:57.722 --> 05:59.421 on the way forward and so, 05:59.421 --> 06:03.188 we'll let the leadership make the decisions here 06:03.188 --> 06:05.367 and then we'll act accordingly. 06:05.367 --> 06:06.200 - Barbara? 06:07.117 --> 06:08.930 - [Barbara] Yeah, for both of you. 06:08.930 --> 06:10.859 Mr. Secretary, you said, I believe, 06:10.859 --> 06:13.481 that Assad should think long and hard 06:13.481 --> 06:14.934 about doing this again. 06:14.934 --> 06:17.601 It seems like you are sending him a very direct 06:17.601 --> 06:19.018 military message. 06:19.762 --> 06:23.845 What message are you sending to Assad about this? 06:24.359 --> 06:25.942 Why do you feel ... 06:26.271 --> 06:28.440 What message are you sending, 06:28.440 --> 06:31.213 why do you feel he chose to do this, 06:31.213 --> 06:34.309 not until the Trump administration took office? 06:34.309 --> 06:37.825 Did he read the signals from administration officials 06:37.825 --> 06:40.054 that ISIS was no longer the top, 06:40.054 --> 06:42.276 while ISIS might be the priority, 06:42.276 --> 06:44.109 regime change was not. 06:45.045 --> 06:47.465 Do you feel that that's the signal he got, 06:47.465 --> 06:49.208 and are you sending him a new signal? 06:49.208 --> 06:50.723 And for you, General Votel, 06:50.723 --> 06:52.743 although you don't talk about future military operations 06:52.743 --> 06:54.553 and ISIS remains a priority, 06:54.553 --> 06:57.679 how prepared are you, how prepared is Central Command, 06:57.679 --> 07:00.506 to take on additional military targeting? 07:00.506 --> 07:03.230 Do you feel you know, even if you can't say, 07:03.230 --> 07:06.284 where his chemical weapons are at this point? 07:06.284 --> 07:08.225 - Barbara, we believe that Assad 07:08.225 --> 07:10.224 has used chemical weapons several times 07:10.224 --> 07:12.310 over the last several years, 07:12.310 --> 07:14.133 violated the international law 07:14.133 --> 07:17.550 that has prohibited their use since 1925. 07:17.649 --> 07:21.816 Syria is a signatory to that international convention. 07:21.851 --> 07:25.667 For them to have done this several times recently, 07:25.667 --> 07:29.834 over the last several years is what I mean by recently, 07:30.749 --> 07:34.916 you've got to ask him why he chose now to try it again. 07:35.030 --> 07:37.030 I trust he regrets it now, 07:37.030 --> 07:39.959 considering the damage done to his air force, 07:39.959 --> 07:43.373 but when I say he should think long and hard about it, 07:43.373 --> 07:47.540 I'll just let the mission speak for itself on that score. 07:48.557 --> 07:49.480 - [Barbara] And General Votel? 07:49.480 --> 07:51.139 - Barbara, I would just say that, 07:51.139 --> 07:53.595 you know, as the US Central Command commander, 07:53.595 --> 07:55.376 I'm very confident that we can respond 07:55.376 --> 07:57.626 to any directions or orders 07:57.766 --> 08:01.393 that the Secretary or the President give us in the region. 08:01.393 --> 08:03.589 - [Barbara] Do you know where his chemical weapons are? 08:03.589 --> 08:05.733 - Yeah, I'm not gonna speculate on what we know 08:05.733 --> 08:06.840 or don't know here. 08:06.840 --> 08:08.902 But again I remain very confident in our forces 08:08.902 --> 08:13.069 and in our ability to respond when we're asked to do things. 08:14.891 --> 08:16.296 - For General Votel, 08:16.296 --> 08:18.460 could you just bring us up to date about 08:18.460 --> 08:20.676 what measures you're taking in this kind of new, 08:20.676 --> 08:22.255 more tense environment, 08:22.255 --> 08:25.669 to ensure protection of US forces on the ground in Syria, 08:25.669 --> 08:29.012 and Secretary Mattis, could you please let us know, 08:29.012 --> 08:32.130 how does what you're doing militarily in Syria 08:32.130 --> 08:34.244 fit into a broader strategy being developed 08:34.244 --> 08:35.667 by this administration? 08:35.667 --> 08:37.250 How does the strike 08:38.258 --> 08:41.008 and the positioning of US forces, 08:41.623 --> 08:43.770 or US backed forces on the ground, 08:43.770 --> 08:46.603 help in a broader strategic sense? 08:48.581 --> 08:52.306 - Well Phil, the broader strategy, as you know, 08:52.306 --> 08:55.389 is embedded inside a global strategy. 08:58.112 --> 08:59.862 And overall right now 08:59.984 --> 09:02.901 the Americans are making very clear 09:02.919 --> 09:05.586 that ISIS is in our cross hairs. 09:06.455 --> 09:09.920 And that's what our conduct of the campaign in Syria 09:09.920 --> 09:11.837 is designed to take on. 09:12.014 --> 09:14.639 Is to take on ISIS and defeat them. 09:14.639 --> 09:18.358 This other effort that came up in the midst of that 09:18.358 --> 09:19.941 had to be addressed 09:20.194 --> 09:23.248 because it addresses a vital national interest of ours, 09:23.248 --> 09:25.301 that chemical weapons not be used, 09:25.301 --> 09:28.824 that the bar not keep getting lowered by the Assad regime, 09:28.824 --> 09:31.076 so this becomes commonplace. 09:31.076 --> 09:35.234 We had to make a very very clear statement on this. 09:35.234 --> 09:37.248 - Phil, I would just add that, you know, 09:37.248 --> 09:38.897 force protection of course is something 09:38.897 --> 09:40.358 we always pay attention to, 09:40.358 --> 09:41.830 and as the environment always changes, 09:41.830 --> 09:43.066 we have to change with that, 09:43.066 --> 09:44.814 so we're paying a lot of attention, 09:44.814 --> 09:46.632 we continue to pay a lot of attention to that. 09:46.632 --> 09:48.508 As we executed this operation, 09:48.508 --> 09:50.798 I think we took very prudent measures 09:50.798 --> 09:52.635 to make sure that our forces, 09:52.635 --> 09:55.729 all of our coalition forces that were operating with us 09:55.729 --> 09:57.396 were well protected, 09:57.486 --> 09:59.088 were well aware of what was going on, 09:59.088 --> 10:01.174 and we had prudent measures in place. 10:01.174 --> 10:03.314 And what we have done is we've entrusted 10:03.314 --> 10:05.153 our commanders on the ground 10:05.153 --> 10:07.033 to, you know, with the authority 10:07.033 --> 10:09.127 and the decision making capability 10:09.127 --> 10:12.295 to resume operations as they assess the environment. 10:12.295 --> 10:16.054 So I remain very confident in their ability to do that. 10:16.054 --> 10:18.243 - [Phil] Can you say what they are? 10:18.243 --> 10:19.808 Anything additional that you can specify 10:19.808 --> 10:21.201 that you've done differently? 10:21.201 --> 10:22.937 - No I don't think we've done anything differently 10:22.937 --> 10:25.840 that we haven't previously done in the past. 10:25.840 --> 10:27.398 - [Mattis] Jennifer? 10:27.398 --> 10:29.591 - There have been mixed messages from the administration 10:29.591 --> 10:33.758 about whether you're calling for regime change in Syria. 10:33.925 --> 10:35.592 Are you prepared if, 10:36.364 --> 10:38.440 are you calling for Assad to step aside, 10:38.440 --> 10:39.861 and are you prepared militarily 10:39.861 --> 10:42.617 if he were to step aside tomorrow? 10:42.617 --> 10:44.676 General Votel, have you seen any evidence 10:44.676 --> 10:47.635 that the Iranians were involved in this chemical attack? 10:47.635 --> 10:50.266 Kasa Masul Ahmeni in particular? 10:50.266 --> 10:51.558 And any evidence that Assad is 10:51.558 --> 10:55.725 moving his chemical stockpiles around within Syria? 10:57.313 --> 11:01.325 - Jennifer, the strike that we're talking about here today 11:01.325 --> 11:04.825 was directed at the people who planned it, 11:05.533 --> 11:07.688 who held onto the weapons, 11:07.688 --> 11:09.432 contrary to what they had promised 11:09.432 --> 11:11.339 the international community and the United Nations 11:11.339 --> 11:14.971 when they said they had gotten ride of all those weapons. 11:14.971 --> 11:18.431 And the reason for the strike was that alone. 11:18.431 --> 11:20.989 It was not a harbinger of some change 11:20.989 --> 11:23.072 in our military campaign. 11:25.576 --> 11:28.307 - Jennifer, I'm unaware of any information 11:28.307 --> 11:31.298 regarding Iran's participation in this. 11:31.298 --> 11:35.381 And you know, I think we've seen some information 11:35.570 --> 11:38.617 that the regime has moved some aircraft 11:38.617 --> 11:40.552 and other things around, 11:40.552 --> 11:42.133 so I would imagine there's some movement of his equipment 11:42.133 --> 11:43.555 that has taken place. 11:43.555 --> 11:44.859 Whether it's chemicals or not, 11:44.859 --> 11:47.248 I don't think I can comment on that. 11:47.248 --> 11:48.081 - David? 11:48.081 --> 11:50.056 - I'd like to ask both of you if you believe 11:50.056 --> 11:53.475 that Russia had advance knowledge of this strike 11:53.475 --> 11:56.272 and if Russia should be considered 11:56.272 --> 11:58.605 as complicit in this strike. 11:59.422 --> 12:01.688 The chemical weapons attack. 12:01.688 --> 12:05.122 - Yeah, David, I can speak for both of us on that one. 12:05.122 --> 12:08.123 It was very clear that the Assad regime planned it, 12:08.123 --> 12:10.873 orchestrated it, and executed it. 12:10.960 --> 12:13.776 And beyond that we can't say right now. 12:13.776 --> 12:15.968 We know what I just told you. 12:15.968 --> 12:18.370 We don't know anything beyond that. 12:18.370 --> 12:20.413 - In this room on Friday, 12:20.413 --> 12:23.802 a briefer said that at the time of the attack 12:23.802 --> 12:26.969 a drone was sighted over that village. 12:29.125 --> 12:31.535 And they weren't sure whether it was a Russian 12:31.535 --> 12:32.988 or a Syrian drone. 12:32.988 --> 12:34.837 Has it been determined yet 12:34.837 --> 12:37.875 whether that drone was Russian or Syrian? 12:37.875 --> 12:39.125 - I don't know. 12:39.649 --> 12:41.316 I will tell you that 12:42.437 --> 12:45.052 we have gone back through and looked at 12:45.052 --> 12:46.714 all the evidence we can, 12:46.714 --> 12:49.315 and it is very clear who planned this attack, 12:49.315 --> 12:50.726 who authorized this attack, 12:50.726 --> 12:53.809 and who conducted this attack itself. 12:54.281 --> 12:55.614 That we do know. 12:55.993 --> 12:58.076 With no doubt whatsoever. 12:59.319 --> 13:00.319 Yeah, Jamie. 13:00.710 --> 13:02.460 - Mr. Secretary, why, 13:02.583 --> 13:05.083 can you help us understand why 13:05.366 --> 13:08.437 the death of innocent men, women, and children 13:08.437 --> 13:11.759 from a chemical weapon warrants a US military response 13:11.759 --> 13:14.397 but the deaths of far more men, women, and children in Syria 13:14.397 --> 13:17.317 from conventional weapons, barrel bombs, 13:17.317 --> 13:20.400 does not warrant a military response? 13:22.588 --> 13:26.421 - I think what we have to look at here, Jamie, 13:26.978 --> 13:30.478 is a policy decision by the United States. 13:32.248 --> 13:34.415 There is a limit, I think, 13:35.097 --> 13:36.597 to what we can do. 13:38.815 --> 13:41.590 And when you look at what happened 13:41.590 --> 13:43.730 with this chemical attack, 13:43.730 --> 13:47.730 we knew that we could not stand passive on this. 13:48.409 --> 13:50.918 But it was not a statement that we could enter 13:50.918 --> 13:52.603 full fledged, full bore, 13:52.603 --> 13:55.186 into the most complex civil war 13:56.590 --> 14:00.173 probably raging on the planet at this time. 14:00.947 --> 14:02.614 So the intent was to 14:04.512 --> 14:07.762 stop the cycle of violence into an area 14:08.886 --> 14:11.053 that even in World War II, 14:11.172 --> 14:14.810 chemical weapons were not used on battlefields. 14:14.810 --> 14:17.913 Even in the Korean War they were not used on battlefields. 14:17.913 --> 14:19.806 Since World War I there's been 14:19.806 --> 14:22.271 an international convention on this, 14:22.271 --> 14:26.438 and to stand idly by when that convention is violated, 14:26.949 --> 14:30.409 that is what we had to take action on urgently, 14:30.409 --> 14:32.576 in our own vital interest. 14:35.567 --> 14:36.524 Yeah, go ahead. 14:36.524 --> 14:39.433 - General and Mr. Secretary, for both of you, 14:39.433 --> 14:42.173 we were expecting a new counter-ISIL plan this spring. 14:42.173 --> 14:44.905 With these developments, does this delay that in any way? 14:44.905 --> 14:47.532 And what are your thoughts on finding a way 14:47.532 --> 14:49.838 toward an end point for both the ISIS war 14:49.838 --> 14:51.674 and what should happen in Syria, 14:51.674 --> 14:53.387 with regard to your military campaign, 14:53.387 --> 14:55.036 and the rest of the whole government campaign, 14:55.036 --> 14:56.818 that General, you've been asking for. 14:56.818 --> 14:58.876 - Well the counter-ISIL plan 14:58.876 --> 15:00.930 has been put in skeleton form. 15:00.930 --> 15:03.155 It's being fleshed out now. 15:03.155 --> 15:06.074 This has got to be done in a methodical way 15:06.074 --> 15:09.074 where we look at each element of it. 15:09.357 --> 15:12.077 A couple weeks ago Secretary Tillerson 15:12.077 --> 15:16.160 had 60, 68 nations in town with his counterparts, 15:17.202 --> 15:19.619 the fellow foreign ministers, 15:21.007 --> 15:24.945 and they are working on the stabilization efforts in Syria, 15:24.945 --> 15:27.617 this is not the United States working alone, 15:27.617 --> 15:30.816 it's a very very complex security situation, 15:30.816 --> 15:34.266 and it's one that we're gonna have to address 15:34.266 --> 15:36.109 in a very methodical manner. 15:36.109 --> 15:38.497 And it's not something you can simply add water to, 15:38.497 --> 15:41.724 a dehydrated plant, and it's suddenly a full fledged plant. 15:41.724 --> 15:45.307 This is hard work and it's gonna take time. 15:45.723 --> 15:47.935 - I would just add to the part of the question 15:47.935 --> 15:49.096 directed at me here, 15:49.096 --> 15:51.260 I think, you know, the campaign plan remains 15:51.260 --> 15:53.886 where we thought that it would be at this particular point. 15:53.886 --> 15:56.055 We're obviously engaged in very, 15:56.055 --> 15:58.576 very difficult fighting in both Mosul 15:58.576 --> 15:59.918 and around the Rakha area, 15:59.918 --> 16:02.808 which is where we expected to be at this time, 16:02.808 --> 16:05.733 and we anticipated that fighting would be difficult 16:05.733 --> 16:07.509 at this particular part, 16:07.509 --> 16:09.183 and I think that's exactly what we're seeing, 16:09.183 --> 16:12.379 so again, we certainly won't put a timeline on this. 16:12.379 --> 16:15.712 It will ultimately prove us to be wrong. 16:16.599 --> 16:18.539 But I think this is proceeding about the way 16:18.539 --> 16:20.845 that we expected it would at this point. 16:20.845 --> 16:21.678 - Go ahead. 16:21.678 --> 16:24.850 - Mr. Secretary, if I could ask you about North Korea. 16:24.850 --> 16:26.910 The Vinson strike group has now been directed 16:26.910 --> 16:29.467 towards the Sea of Japan in the coming weeks, 16:29.467 --> 16:31.292 General Brooks is no longer coming 16:31.292 --> 16:32.876 to testimony later this month, 16:32.876 --> 16:35.784 has tension ratcheted up just recently in the past few days, 16:35.784 --> 16:37.422 and can you explain why, 16:37.422 --> 16:39.524 what has changed just in the past several days or week? 16:39.524 --> 16:42.746 And then General Votel, if I can just ask you, 16:42.746 --> 16:44.402 Secretary Mattis mentioned about, 16:44.402 --> 16:46.076 that Assad has used chemical weapons several times 16:46.076 --> 16:47.439 over the last several years. 16:47.439 --> 16:49.058 What chemicals have you seen there? 16:49.058 --> 16:53.225 Are we talking chlorine or something more specific? 16:54.247 --> 16:56.672 - I can answer the question you asked him 16:56.672 --> 16:58.876 about my answer, if you wish. 16:58.876 --> 17:02.241 Right, we have, of course we've seen chlorine, 17:02.241 --> 17:06.004 it's been documented by independent medical authorities. 17:06.004 --> 17:08.337 They've been using chemical weapons. 17:08.337 --> 17:11.209 So you're correct, that's what we were looking at. 17:11.209 --> 17:12.042 As far as-- 17:12.042 --> 17:15.164 - Excuse me, but no other nuclear agents, 17:15.164 --> 17:17.582 or, I'm sorry, no other nerve agents that you've seen 17:17.582 --> 17:19.318 other than the chlorine in the last several years? 17:19.318 --> 17:21.126 Besides this one attack last week? 17:21.126 --> 17:23.050 - I believe you're correct, 17:23.050 --> 17:25.757 but this time it was not chlorine, quite clearly. 17:25.757 --> 17:27.576 And we know that for certain. 17:27.576 --> 17:30.942 There's no doubt, this is a medical fact. 17:30.942 --> 17:33.207 As far as the movement of the Vinson, 17:33.207 --> 17:36.693 she's stationed there in the western Pacific for a reason, 17:36.693 --> 17:40.360 she operates freely up and down the Pacific, 17:40.813 --> 17:43.477 and she's just on her way up there 17:43.477 --> 17:45.668 because that's where we thought it was most prudent 17:45.668 --> 17:47.356 to have her at this time. 17:47.356 --> 17:49.893 There's not a specific demand signal 17:49.893 --> 17:52.987 or specific reason why we're sending her up there. 17:52.987 --> 17:54.698 - It's just unusual for us to know 17:54.698 --> 17:56.275 about a ship movement in advance, 17:56.275 --> 17:59.197 that was sort of what got everyone's attention. 17:59.197 --> 18:00.451 So why was that? 18:00.451 --> 18:01.909 I mean, why was it put out in advance? 18:01.909 --> 18:03.997 Was it just to signal to North Korea 18:03.997 --> 18:06.651 that there would be a show of presence there? 18:06.651 --> 18:09.195 - I believe it's because she was originally 18:09.195 --> 18:11.869 headed in one direction for an exercise, 18:11.869 --> 18:14.720 and we canceled our role in that exercise, 18:14.720 --> 18:16.662 and that's what became public, 18:16.662 --> 18:20.829 so we had to explain why she wasn't in that exercise. 18:21.119 --> 18:22.036 Yeah, here. 18:22.433 --> 18:23.778 - Thank you, Secretary Mattis. 18:23.778 --> 18:26.492 I wanted to ask about the status of the deconfliction line. 18:26.492 --> 18:29.253 When was the last time you talked to the Russians on it 18:29.253 --> 18:32.339 and what has its absence meant for US pilots 18:32.339 --> 18:33.680 and coalition pilots, 18:33.680 --> 18:37.680 are they in a more defensive posture at present? 18:37.859 --> 18:38.692 - Go ahead. 18:38.692 --> 18:40.023 - So let me address that. 18:40.023 --> 18:42.042 I'm not gonna discuss the deconfliction line 18:42.042 --> 18:43.435 in any particular detail, 18:43.435 --> 18:44.989 but I would emphasize to you, 18:44.989 --> 18:48.823 I remain very confident that we are continuing to operate 18:48.823 --> 18:51.575 in a very safe and effective manner in the air. 18:51.575 --> 18:53.836 The deconfliction line has been 18:53.836 --> 18:55.545 very useful for us in the past as a venue 18:55.545 --> 18:58.768 for professional airman to airman exchange, 18:58.768 --> 19:02.168 and it was useful for us on the night of the strike, 19:02.168 --> 19:04.915 both in our prenotification to the Russians 19:04.915 --> 19:08.950 and the immediate communication that we had afterwards. 19:08.950 --> 19:10.825 - Are we not talking about the deconfliction line 19:10.825 --> 19:14.075 because it's not being used at present? 19:14.500 --> 19:16.447 - No, that's not what I'm saying. 19:16.447 --> 19:18.334 - No, the operation goes on. 19:18.334 --> 19:19.924 It's well deconflicted, 19:19.924 --> 19:22.000 the operations are going quite safely right now. 19:22.000 --> 19:22.833 Go ahead. 19:22.833 --> 19:24.327 - Secretary Mattis, you're a student of history, 19:24.327 --> 19:25.989 you're a student of strategy. 19:25.989 --> 19:27.311 You've talked about red lines, 19:27.311 --> 19:28.677 the President has talked about red lines, 19:28.677 --> 19:30.442 the Russians have talked about red lines. 19:30.442 --> 19:31.745 At what point is there a danger 19:31.745 --> 19:33.361 of this spiraling out of control 19:33.361 --> 19:37.528 into conflict between two nuclear powered countries? 19:38.979 --> 19:41.238 - I don't believe I've talked about red lines. 19:41.238 --> 19:43.907 I generally shy away from it myself. 19:43.907 --> 19:46.482 I recommend Assad be rather cautious 19:46.482 --> 19:49.788 about violating international law with chemical weapons, 19:49.788 --> 19:52.109 I suppose that could be considered a red line, 19:52.109 --> 19:54.028 so I won't argue the point. 19:54.028 --> 19:55.696 It will not spiral out of control. 19:55.696 --> 19:58.571 As you know, Secretary of State Tillerson is in Moscow. 19:58.571 --> 20:02.738 We maintain communications with the Russian military 20:04.132 --> 20:06.882 and with the diplomatic channels. 20:08.016 --> 20:10.509 It will not spiral out of control. 20:10.509 --> 20:11.648 - What gives you that assurance? 20:11.648 --> 20:13.602 I mean the Russians have been very clear in their rhetoric. 20:13.602 --> 20:15.204 If you, I'll take your point that you have not 20:15.204 --> 20:16.497 said the word red lines. 20:16.497 --> 20:17.512 The Russians have. 20:17.512 --> 20:19.105 They're saying that another response, 20:19.105 --> 20:20.720 like the one you launched on April sixth, 20:20.720 --> 20:22.362 would be a red line for them. 20:22.362 --> 20:23.930 How are you so confident 20:23.930 --> 20:25.986 that this isn't gonna spiral out of control? 20:25.986 --> 20:27.604 - Well I'm confident that the Russians 20:27.604 --> 20:29.495 will act in their own best interest. 20:29.495 --> 20:31.721 And there's nothing in their best interest 20:31.721 --> 20:35.555 to say they want this situation to go out of control. 20:35.555 --> 20:36.388 Yes ma'am? 20:36.626 --> 20:39.574 - As you consider the US force posture 20:39.574 --> 20:43.074 after ISIS is defeated in Mosul and Rakha, 20:44.168 --> 20:47.641 are you contemplating maintaining US bases, 20:47.641 --> 20:50.471 or any US base in Iraqi Kurdistan, 20:50.471 --> 20:53.811 so as to be able to check any further resurgence 20:53.811 --> 20:55.644 of an ISIS-like group? 20:57.414 --> 20:59.247 - The short answer is, 20:59.599 --> 21:03.137 we are in consultations with the Iraqi government 21:03.137 --> 21:06.970 about what the stabilization phase looks like. 21:09.195 --> 21:11.302 There have been no decisions, 21:11.302 --> 21:12.912 there have been no offers made either way, 21:12.912 --> 21:15.273 we're in consultation, we're talking about 21:15.273 --> 21:18.680 what the tactical situation will probably look like, 21:18.680 --> 21:20.770 and you can tell that some of that 21:20.770 --> 21:22.070 would be assumptions right now, 21:22.070 --> 21:23.680 since we have an active enemy still 21:23.680 --> 21:26.469 in the Euphrates River Valley, in Caliphar, 21:26.469 --> 21:30.525 and of course the ongoing fight there in west Mosul. 21:30.525 --> 21:32.579 So it would be premature to 21:32.579 --> 21:34.554 come to conclusions about that now, 21:34.554 --> 21:37.159 or even enter into the specifics about it now, 21:37.159 --> 21:40.591 until we actually have this enemy on the run out of there. 21:40.591 --> 21:44.353 But we would be willing to engage with the Iraq government 21:44.353 --> 21:47.520 on how this should look in the future. 21:50.456 --> 21:51.623 Yes, go ahead. 21:51.999 --> 21:55.019 - Has the White House given the military 21:55.019 --> 21:57.890 authority to preemptively strike at Syria 21:57.890 --> 22:02.057 if in fact you had knowledge of a looming chemical attack? 22:02.507 --> 22:04.242 And then I had a North Korea question. 22:04.242 --> 22:05.409 - [Mattis] No. 22:05.491 --> 22:07.238 - You've not been given authority 22:07.238 --> 22:09.155 to preemptively strike if you know in advance 22:09.155 --> 22:10.738 of a Syrian attack? 22:10.971 --> 22:12.721 - No, no we have not. 22:14.570 --> 22:16.206 - Thank you, Secretary. 22:16.206 --> 22:18.268 Does the US view chlorine, 22:18.268 --> 22:20.163 barrel bombs filled with chlorine, now, 22:20.163 --> 22:21.612 as a chemical weapon? 22:21.612 --> 22:23.261 And a second question, if I may. 22:23.261 --> 22:25.029 Are there, going back to North Korea, 22:25.029 --> 22:28.159 are there any feasible or straightforward 22:28.159 --> 22:30.068 military actions that the US could take 22:30.068 --> 22:32.347 that wouldn't immediately spiral 22:32.347 --> 22:35.097 into a broader regional conflict? 22:35.105 --> 22:37.018 - Yeah, I don't want to speculate 22:37.018 --> 22:39.312 about North Korea military actions. 22:39.312 --> 22:41.761 We owe some confidentiality as we discuss 22:41.761 --> 22:45.928 with our allies this situation that we face up there. 22:46.733 --> 22:50.150 But as far as barrel bombs with chlorine, 22:50.802 --> 22:53.838 I mean, chemical weapons are chemical weapons. 22:53.838 --> 22:55.559 So that is the issue, 22:55.559 --> 22:57.899 if you're talking about the strike we took. 22:57.899 --> 23:00.148 It's not about whether it's delivered 23:00.148 --> 23:02.017 with an artillery shell or it's delivered 23:02.017 --> 23:04.512 by a helicopter with a barrel bomb 23:04.512 --> 23:07.199 or a fighter aircraft with a bomb, 23:07.199 --> 23:09.167 it's about chemical weapons. 23:09.167 --> 23:11.433 And we've made clear where we stand on that. 23:11.433 --> 23:13.721 President Trump has made it exceedingly clear 23:13.721 --> 23:17.888 where the United States stands on that sort of malfeasance. 23:20.129 --> 23:22.705 You guys got lots of questions here today. 23:22.705 --> 23:24.931 This young lady, you've been very patient the whole time, 23:24.931 --> 23:25.764 go ahead. 23:25.764 --> 23:27.167 - [Reporter] Thank you, Mr. Secretary. 23:27.167 --> 23:28.883 I was hoping you could clarify something. 23:28.883 --> 23:31.150 In your statement yesterday, you said, 23:31.150 --> 23:33.592 the cruise missile strikes took out 20 percent 23:33.592 --> 23:35.329 of Syria's operational aircraft. 23:35.329 --> 23:37.519 There was some confusion over that statement. 23:37.519 --> 23:40.865 Can you clarify it and explain how much of a blow it was 23:40.865 --> 23:43.365 to Syria's overall capability? 23:43.967 --> 23:45.467 And General Votel, 23:45.896 --> 23:49.401 we're in the process of isolating Rakha right now. 23:49.401 --> 23:52.438 Does the coalition and our partnered forces there 23:52.438 --> 23:55.649 have what they need to begin the offensive on Rakha 23:55.649 --> 23:58.667 and what more resources do they need? 23:58.667 --> 24:01.041 - Yeah, the Syrian air force is not in good shape. 24:01.041 --> 24:03.793 It's been worn down by years of combat, 24:03.793 --> 24:06.960 plus significant maintenance problems. 24:07.965 --> 24:10.882 We thought it was about 20 percent. 24:11.276 --> 24:14.534 I think it's around 20 aircraft were taken out, 24:14.534 --> 24:17.009 which probably equates to about that, 24:17.009 --> 24:19.949 although I probably shouldn't have used the 20 percent, 24:19.949 --> 24:22.912 we're trying to provide information as it comes in, 24:22.912 --> 24:24.375 and this is one of the challenges 24:24.375 --> 24:25.581 of trying to get it accurate, 24:25.581 --> 24:27.884 but get it out as quickly as we can actually 24:27.884 --> 24:29.660 give you some fidelity. 24:29.660 --> 24:31.993 But it's around 20 aircraft, 24:32.277 --> 24:35.608 and that damage to the Syrian air force is pretty severe, 24:35.608 --> 24:36.941 as you can tell. 24:37.693 --> 24:40.083 - You know, with respect to what's going on in Iraq, 24:40.083 --> 24:41.502 I think we have the capabilities we need 24:41.502 --> 24:42.705 to do what we're doing right now, 24:42.705 --> 24:44.231 which is the isolation of Rakha, 24:44.231 --> 24:47.136 and I think we're seeing that play out every day, 24:47.136 --> 24:49.081 right now as our partners on the ground 24:49.081 --> 24:51.516 very effectively isolate this particular area, 24:51.516 --> 24:54.676 as we move forward, obviously the Secretary and I 24:54.676 --> 24:56.440 and others are in consultation here 24:56.440 --> 24:58.491 on what additional resources we need, 24:58.491 --> 25:00.749 and I'll just leave it at that, 25:00.749 --> 25:03.499 we're talking about what we need. 25:03.632 --> 25:05.739 - Oh, then you call on them 25:05.739 --> 25:08.424 so they can hate you for skipping them. 25:08.424 --> 25:10.306 - Okay, we'll go Miss Dansa. 25:10.306 --> 25:11.465 - Thank you very much. 25:11.465 --> 25:12.929 Mr. Secretary, I just wanted to clarify 25:12.929 --> 25:14.097 something you said earlier, 25:14.097 --> 25:15.592 because it's an important point. 25:15.592 --> 25:17.133 Is it your contention that chemical weapons, 25:17.133 --> 25:19.491 if it's a barrel bomb holding chlorine, 25:19.491 --> 25:21.544 chemical weapons only being that, 25:21.544 --> 25:22.994 with the use of a nerve agent, 25:22.994 --> 25:26.189 that is, chlorine in a barrel bomb would not 25:26.189 --> 25:27.840 necessarily lead to US strikes, 25:27.840 --> 25:29.410 but it's the use of a nerve agent, 25:29.410 --> 25:30.862 that that's the distinction you're making? 25:30.862 --> 25:32.167 I just want to make sure I understand 25:32.167 --> 25:33.685 the point you were making earlier. 25:33.685 --> 25:36.753 - Right, I just want to say very clearly 25:36.753 --> 25:38.956 that the use of chemical weapons 25:38.956 --> 25:42.686 contrary to the Geneva Convention that Syria signed up for, 25:42.686 --> 25:46.853 using chemical weapons that Syria agreed under UN pressure 25:47.308 --> 25:49.600 to remove from their arsenal, 25:49.600 --> 25:51.475 those chemical weapons that 25:51.475 --> 25:54.225 the Russians certified were gone, 25:54.710 --> 25:57.212 that if they use chemical weapons, 25:57.212 --> 26:01.045 they are going to pay a very very stiff price. 26:01.731 --> 26:05.097 Okay, thanks very much, ladies and gentlemen. 26:05.097 --> 26:07.108 Appreciate your time here, 26:07.108 --> 26:09.288 I guess, waiting this afternoon to talk. 26:09.288 --> 26:11.038 Thank you very much.