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LEGAL VIEW WITH ASHLEIGH BANFIELD

Maryland Governor Comments on Riots; President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Speak. Aired 12-12:30p ET.

Aired April 28, 2015 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[12:00:30] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: We begin with breaking news in Baltimore. If you've been looking at any of your live pictures on the television set, they are changing and changing quickly.

The governor of Maryland is about to speak live as hundreds of people have gathered on the street yet again outside of a burned out CVS. It is calm now but things can change quickly.

Let's listen to the governor.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY HOGAN, GOVERNOR, MARYLAND: We also talked about longer-term issues and how that -- this might be the start of an ongoing dialogue with community leaders to see what we can do to address some longer- term issues and problems.

The vast majority of the people in Baltimore who were protesting, did so in a peaceful way. Yesterday, unfortunately, a smaller group of people acted out in a violent way.

We see this as two -- two entirely different groups. Criminal activity will not be tolerated.

We're going to ensure, we're going to bring whatever resources are necessary, whatever assets are necessary, as much manpower as necessary, to let the citizens of Baltimore know that their neighborhoods are going to be safe, that they're not going to be in danger, and that their property will be protected. We're not going to have another repeat of what happened last night.

It's not going to happen tonight. I want to thank the faith leaders for their involvement. All -- all throughout this, they've been preaching peace.

They've been saying that violence isn't helping the situation. The people who have kept (ph) legitimate concerns and frustrations about the ongoing investigation with respect to what happened to Freddie Gray are not served well by these violent acts.

And this violence isn't accomplishing anything. It's counterproductive. We're going to make sure that we get Baltimore back on track and make sure our neighborhoods are safe again. Be happy to answer any questions you might have.

QUESTION: Could you explain to folks how states of emergency were when your state of emergency declaration were prepared? And what happened in the next 48 hours?

Do you have to wait for the mayor to ask for it (ph)?

HOGAN: Well, as you know, the violence started at 3:00 yesterday afternoon. We had, prior to that, taken preliminary action to prepare the state for if, in fact, violence did take place, if the city did call us and ask for the assistance.

So we had already activated our emergency command center as of last Saturday. I had already talked to the National Guard.

I had already been in communication with the White House. We had been in ongoing communication on a daily basis with the mayor.

This violence started, I think, about 3:00 yesterday afternoon. We were in constant communication.

Finally, I believe around 6:00, the mayor said, requested us to bring in the National Guard and declare a state of emergency. We did so immediately because we had already prepared the order a week before.

We already had called up. And the -- the National Guard had already been put on alert. They were ready to act.

The emergency command center was already activated. We had representatives from every state agency.

We already called together local police and fire, other services from around the state. So it was about 30 seconds before we completely activated all of the resources we had to bear.

It's been now less than 24 hours. You see, we have a couple of thousand more people on the streets in Baltimore.

To my knowledge, there has been no incidence this morning. We're still concerned about what might happen this evening.

We're continuing to bring more people in from around the state and around the country. We're going to put as much manpower and as many resources as we can to make sure that you do not have that kind of a situation.

QUESTION: Some people were (ph) (inaudible) and said the mayor contacted you.

HOGAN: What's that?

QUESTION: (Inaudible) Did you contact the (ph) mayor by phone (ph)?

HOGAN: No, what I told you was we were working all week. And we had already prepared the National Guard. We had already called up all the assets.

We had already activated the emergency command center. And when the mayor requested, we brought them in.

QUESTION: So (ph) at 3:00 and 6:00 yesterday, you could do nothing?

HOGAN: Oh, we -- we -- we did quite a bit. But we waited until the mayor asked for us to come in. We didn't think it was appropriate to come in and take over the city without the request of the...

QUESTION: State (inaudible) took too long to declare. Who's ultimately to blame?

HOGAN: Well, I don't want to place any blame. I just want to focus on, you know, our response has been incredible. As I said, we acted instantaneously.

[12:05:14] And I'm very proud of the effort by all of the state and the local partners who have been working together.

QUESTION: Governor, (inaudible).

HOGAN: Our folks at Myanmar are in communication with the federal government. I plan to talk with the President a little bit later.

We're going t make sure that we provide all the assistance we can from the federal state and local level.

QUESTION: What...

HOGAN: And we toured businesses that were burned and looted. We met with citizens who've, you know, had lost their homes.

And we've talked -- you know, our -- we had a cabinet meeting before the community leader meeting. Our insurance commissioner has already activated a rapid response to try to take care of the folks who have insurance.

We've contacted a small business administration about financial assistance for folks that do not have insurance. Whatever resources are necessary from the federal, state and local level, we will provide.

QUESTION: Governor, can you talk a little bit about what you see is the immediate needs in the community over the next 24 to 72 hours and what resources are you and your -- and your department is going to bring to bear?

HOGAN: Well, the immediate need is to restore calm and peace to the city, make people feel safe. I think we're already well on -- on our way to getting that accomplished.

There are no more fires burning. There are no more looting going on. You see a tremendous presence on the streets now, which we didn't see yesterday. There's also issues like emergency housing, which we're providing from both Department of Human Resources and the housing agency. There is financial assistance.

There is -- we've activated 2,000 volunteers through the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives from around the state. We're asking for volunteers and donations.

We've been in communication with other states to bring in resources. Governor Christie in New Jersey has agreed to send in a hundred and 50 New Jersey State Troopers and a lot of assets to help us.

The Guard is calling up another thousand who will be here by the night. And we're going to make sure that the city is brought back to peace.

QUESTION: How many assets are here now?

HOGAN: We've got a couple of thousand new police officers and Guard on the street currently. And it's going to continue to grow.

We'll -- we'll put as many as we need.

QUESTION: Governor, some of these community groups last week asked you for some long-term help to the systemic problem in Baltimore jobs program.

HOGAN: Yes.

QUESTION: What are you prepared to do to help some (ph) of the systemic problems in Baltimore?

HOGAN: Yes, well, we sent the lieutenant governor and Keiffer Mitchell (ph), who's the former city councilman, former delegate from Baltimore City to the meeting to meet with those groups. We met with the groups again today.

We talked about some of those issues. I expressed to them my number one concern is jobs. It's what I've been focused on.

It's what we're involved with, creating more jobs and more opportunities in Baltimore City is a top priority of our administration.

Today, the focus is on the emergency actions that need to take place. Tomorrow, we work on how we work together to create more jobs and opportunities.

QUESTION: What can you -- what can you do to convince businesses to come back into Baltimore, given what happened yesterday?

HOGAN: Well, it's not going to be easy.

QUESTION: Governor, can you...

(CROSSTALK) QUESTION: Did you call the mayor or did she call you?

HOGAN: I called the mayor multiple times yesterday.

QUESTION: Between 3:00 and 6:00?

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Governor, at this point, who is ultimately responsible for all the crews in the ground? You or the mayor of Baltimore?

HOGAN: Well, the mayor of Baltimore had the city of Baltimore police on the ground. Quite frankly, they were overwhelmed.

All the rest of the boots on the ground came from us.

QUESTION: So is that fair to say you're in charge?

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: (Inaudible) But is -- but is that a concern to the group, a concern (inaudible)?

HOGAN: Sure, it is a concern. I mean, this is not the Baltimore that we know and love. This is certainly not putting us in very good light.

It doesn't -- doesn't help with tourism. It doesn't help bringing in businesses. But we're going to be stronger after this is over with.

It's very unfortunate and sad incident. We're going to do everything we can to move on from here.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Can you talk about -- can you talk about the -- whether there were any conversations with the mayor about Ferguson, what might have been learned from Ferguson, whether you decided to sort of hold back on bringing in troops because of what might have been learned in Ferguson?

HOGAN: You know, those are questions you should probably direct to the mayor. I didn't have discussions with her about Ferguson or why she was holding back.

We were just ready to get moving forward and as soon as she made that decision, we -- we got to work.

QUESTION: Are there damage estimates at this point, at least a number of businesses or homes that have been damaged or destroyed?

HOGAN: I know that our insurance commissioner has activated a team to come in and work on those assessments and made it a priority. I don't have an assessment at this point.

QUESTION: Thank you. Thank you very much. HOGAN: All right, thank you, everybody.

(UNKNOWN): We have...

BANFIELD: Governor Larry Hogan just wrapping up a very quick news conference to announce there will be no repeat of what happened last night tonight in Baltimore.

[12:10:09] That remains to be seen. There are already two to 300 people who have gathered on the streets. So far, it is peaceful.

But there is concern as riot police have been gathering as well. I want to bring in my colleague, Wolf Blitzer, who's standing by as well as the President is getting ready to make some comments as well.

BLITZER: Here comes the President of the United States, the visiting Japanese prime minister. They're going to have a full-scale news conference following opening statements.

OBAMA: Good afternoon. Konichiwa. Once again, it is an honor to welcome my partner and friend, Prime Minister Abe, back to the White House.

Yes, I'm told there's a phrase in Japanese culture that speaks to the spirit that brings us together today. It's an idea rooted in loyalty.

It's an expression of mutuality, respect and shared obligation. It transcends any specific moment or challenge.

It's the foundation of a relationship that endures. It's what allows us to say that the United States and Japan stand together.

Otogi no tameni (ph), with and for each other. This is the essence of the alliance between the United States and Japan, an alliance that holds lessons for the world.

Prime Minister Abe and I had the opportunity to visit our memorial to President Lincoln, who believed that a great conflict had to be followed with reconciliation. Shinzo, on behalf of the American people, I want to thank you for your visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

Your gesture is a powerful reminder that the past can be overcome. Former adversaries can become the closest of allies and that nations can build a future together.

Across seven decades, our nations have become not just allies but true partners and friends. And that mutual affection will be on display tomorrow when Shinzo becomes the first Japanese Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of Congress.

And we are two global partners which stand together for security and human dignity around the world -- opposing Russia's aggression against Ukraine, providing relief to innocent civilians threatened by ISIL, combating Ebola and promoting global health and now, offering help to the people of Nepal who are in our prayers today. This friendship includes my partnership with Prime Minister Abe.

Since taking office, I've worked to rebalance American foreign policy to ensure that we're playing a larger and lasting role in the Asia Pacific, a policy grounded in our treaty alliances, including our treaty with Japan. And I'm grateful to Shinzo for his deep commitment to that alliance.

He's -- he is pursuing a vision of Japan where the Japanese economy is reinvigorated and where Japan makes greater contributions to security and peace in the region and around the world. So Shinzo, thank you.

I believe the progress we've made today will help to guide the U.S.- Japanese partnership for decades to come. Specifically, we first talked about transforming our security alliance.

For the first time in nearly two decades, we've updated the guidelines for our defense cooperation. Together, our forces will be more flexible and better prepared to cooperate on a range of challenges from maritime security to disaster response.

Our forces will plan, train and operate even more closely. We'll expand our cooperation including on cyber threats and in space.

And Japan will take on greater roles and responsibilities in the Asia Pacific and around the world. Our new guidelines complement our effort to realign U.S. forces across the region, including on Okinawa, in order to lessen the impact of our bases on local communities.

And I reaffirmed our commitment to move forward with the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. I want to reiterate that our treaty commitment to Japan's security is absolute and that Article 5 covers all territories under Japan's administration, including Senkaku Islands.

We share a concern about China's land reclamation and construction activities in the South China Sea. And the United States and Japan are united in our commitment to the freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes without coercion.

We also remain united in pursuit of peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and addressing North Korean provocations. We fully support Japan's efforts to resolve the tragedy of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens, wherein my last visit to Japan, I met with the mother of one of those abductees.

And she described the awful pain that she has endured. So I know how important this is to the Japanese people.

[12:15:07] Meanwhile, our growing trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea as well as with Australia, gives us new opportunities to enhance security across the region. With respect to trade, we reviewed the progress our teams have made towards the Transpacific partnership.

I know that the politics around trade can be hard in both our countries. But I know that Prime Minister Abe, like me, is deeply committed to getting this done.

And I'm confident we will. I can point out, for example, that there are many Japanese cars in America. I want to see more American cars in Japan as well.

TPP will help level the playing field. It will be good for the workers of both our countries. And moreover, TPP will have strong protections for workers in the environment and help us set high standards for trade in the 21st century.

Japan and the United States both operate with high standards in our companies, our corporations. We try to be responsible when it comes to corporate citizenship.

And high standards will be good for us and good for the region. Based on the progress we've made, Prime Minister Abe and I discussed how the United States and Japan, as the two largest economies in the TPP negotiations, will now work together to lead our TPP partners to swift and successful conclusions of the broader negotiations.

We also agreed to continue our close coordination on climate change. The two countries that have made the largest pledges to the green climate fund, we're committed to helping nations around the world seize the opportunities of transitioning to low carbon economies.

And we discussed the importance of all major economies submitting ambitious targets to reduce emissions so we can reach a strong climate agreement this year in Paris. And finally, we agreed to keep investing in our people so that they and our countries can reach their full potential.

I want to, once again, commend the Prime Minister for his efforts to bring more Japanese women into the workforce. I can tell you that it's very much my view here in the United States and around the world that when women are given opportunity, when they are full-fledged members of the political community and the economic community, when they have opportunity, those countries succeed.

It's good for everybody. Along with the initiative we launched last year in Tokyo, we're also aiming to double student exchanges in the coming years.

And with the leadership of our better halves, our wives, the United States and Japan are helping to lead our global initiative, let the girls learn to give more young women and girls access to education. So these are just some examples of what it means to be true global partners.

And I'm confident that with the steps that we've taken today, our alliance will play an even greater role in upholding security, prosperity, and human dignity, not just in the Asia Pacific but around the world.

So Prime Minister Abe, arigatou gozaimasu. Mr. Prime Minister?

TRANSLATOR: Barack, thank you for inviting me to make an official visit in this commemorative year which marks 70 years after the war. Thank you for inviting me and my wife.

Working together with you at the Lincoln Memorial, which has witnessed America tread the path of democracy will be an extraordinary memory to be cherished. We have a dream.

That -- that is to create a world abound in peace and prosperity. To realize this common dream, Japan and the United States will together pave the way towards a new era.

I was able to confirm this strong resolve with President Obama in this milestone year of 70 years after the war. Today, we turned a new page in the history of the U.S.-Japan alliance, which exceeds half a century.

That is -- this is a Japan-U.S. alliance in the context of the world. Japan and the United States are partners who share basic values, such as freedom, democracy and basic human rights and the rule of law.

The U.S.-Japan alliance characterized by the firmness of its bond is now indispensable to the peace and stability of not only the Asia Pacific, but to the world.

[12:20:02] We are united in our resoluteness in opposing unilateral attempts to change the status quo in whatever form. Any dispute should be resolved peacefully based on international law and not through coercion or intimidation.

Japan welcomes the United States policy of rebalancing, which emphasizes the Asia Pacific. And President Obama has expressed his support for Japan's principle of proactive contribution to peace.

Through coordination of these two policies, the deterrents of our alliance will no doubt be further strengthened. Against this backdrop, we have reaffirmed our resolve to steadily move forward with the realignment of the U.S. forces in Japan.

The dangers arising from the Futenma air station being surrounded by housing and schools should be eliminated by relocation to (inaudible) as soon as possible. We will move forward with mitigating the impact of the base in Okinawa founded on a strong relationship of trust between Japan and the United States.

It is prosperity that brings peace. These beliefs makes us eager to see the early conclusion of the TPP.

On the bilateral outstanding issues that we welcome the fact that significant progress was made. We will continue to cooperate to lead the TPP talks through its last phase.

We've confirmed that we would work together for the early and successful conclusion of the talk. In addition, with regard to the situation in East Asia, abduction by North Korea, nuclear missile issues, the situation in the Ukraine, the nuclear issue in Iran and the threat of terrorism, furthermore, climate change, infectious and communicable diseases, the U.S. security council reform, the world health -- a multitude of issues that are facing it and on these all sorts of issues that we have had a frankly, candid exchange of views and we agreed that we would cooperate. When it comes to the future of Japan and the United States, there are infinite possibilities -- energy, infrastructure, science and technology, space, and in addition to this, the empowerment of women.

We agree that is between President Obama and myself that we would cooperate and move forward in making investments for the future. I would like to express my dues (ph), part (ph) of respect once again to President Obama and the citizens of the United States who have committed to taken on the multiple -- multitude of challenges in this world and for the unstinting (ph) efforts that you are making for the benefit of the peoples of the world.

Yesterday, I visited the JFK library in Boston. On television, I saw President Kennedy deliver his inauguration speech.

It deeply resonated with me. And it still has a lingering effect. I recall the following quote, "My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together you can do for the freedom of mankind."

Now, Japan wants to be a country that can respond to such calls. Hand in hand, we want to work together with the United States to spread the basic values throughout the world such as those of freedom, democracy, basic human rights and rule of law.

And we want to be a country that can contribute to peace and prosperity of the world. In visiting the United States, I've had very heartwarming welcome and reception by all citizens of the United States.

I gladly express heartfelt gratitude. Lastly, I'd like to emphasize the following.

Barack, as we stand here, we will be starting a new era for Japan and the United States. I think that 70 years from now, our children and grandchildren will look back on the talks we had as one of such historical significance.

Thank you very much.

(UNKNOWN): So we'll take a couple of questions starting with Andrew Beatty (ph) of AFB (ph).

[12:25:09] QUESTION: Thank you very much, Mr. President. First of all, I wanted to know if you think there is a risk in this more assertive U.S.-Japanese security stance, if you think there's a risk that it might be seen as a provocation in Beijing, Pyongyang or -- or heightened tension in the East China and South China Seas.

And for Mr. Abe, if I may, you stopped short of a full apology for Japan's actions during World War II, including with regard the estimated 200,000 women enslaved by imperial forces. Would you make an apology for that today?

Thank you. OBAMA: I think it's very important to recognize that the U.S.-Japan alliance hasn't just been good for the United States and Japan. It's been good for the Asia Pacific region and the world.

The basic foundation of peace, stability, ensuring that territorial borders were respected, freedom of navigation, all that has underwritten the incredible growth that's taken place in the Asia Pacific region. China's benefited from it.

It's on that basis that China became an economic juggernaut that ended up being incorporated into global trade. And so no, we don't think that a strong U.S.-Japan alliance should be seen as a provocation.

We should -- it should be seen as a continuation of the important work that we've done to ensure that you have a stable area where there are diplomatic conflicts, healthy economic competition. But largely, we've been able to maintain forward progress for a whole host of nations.

And our treaty alliances have been critical to that. The U.S. serving as an Asia Pacific power has been critical to that.

And as I've said before, we welcome China's peaceful rise. We think it's good not only because China is a booming potential market.

We think it's good not only because it allows China potentially to share some burdens with us in helping countries that are not as far along developed. We think it's just good that hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens have been able to rise out of poverty at incredible speed over the last several years.

They could not have done that had it not been for a stable trading system and world order. That is underwritten in large part by the work that our alliances do.

I think it is going to be important for us to continue to adapt to new challenges. So part of the goal here is that the same principles that the alliance was founded on, continually update (ph) to concerns about cyber threats, that we are nimble and responsive to potential conflicts that may arise because of maritime disputes.

But I think we have to do it in a way that brings in China and other countries into a -- a common effort to maintain order and peace in the region. And we are seeking to strengthen military to military cooperation with China, even as we continue to upgrade our alliance efforts.

Obviously, the Republic of Korea is a critical part of our alliance structure as well. And the trilateral work that we do is going to be also very, very important.

I don't want to minimize, though, the fact that there are some real intentions that have arisen with China around its approach to maritime issues and its claims. But that's not an issue that is arising as a consequence of the U.S.-Japan alliance. It is primarily a conflict between China and various claimants

throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia, in which they feel that rather than resolve these issues through normal international dispute settlements, they are flexing their muscles. And we've said to China what we would say to any country in that circumstance.