USA: President Barack Obama's counterterrorism chief, John Brennan, defends the use of U.S. conducts drone strikes inside Pakistan, saying they are fully legal under international law

Record ID: 184853

  • Title: USA: President Barack Obama's counterterrorism chief, John Brennan, defends the use of U.S. conducts drone strikes inside Pakistan, saying they are fully legal under international law
  • Date: 1st May 2012
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (APRIL 30, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDESHOT OF JOHN BRENNAN, ASSISTANT TO U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND COUNTERTERRORISM, SITTING WITH JANE HARMAN, FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN AND DIRECTOR OF THE WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BRENNAN, ASSISTANT TO U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND COUNTERTERRORISM, SAYING: "President Obama believes that, done carefully, deliberately and responsibly, we can be more transparent and still ensure our nation's security. So let me say it as simply as I can. Yes, in full accordance with the law and in order to prevent terrorist attacks on the United States and to save American lives, the United States government conducts targeted strikes against specific al Qaeda terrorists, sometimes using remotely piloted aircraft, often referred to publicly as drones. And I'm here today because President Obama has instructed us to be more open with the American people about these efforts." AUDIENCE AND PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BRENNAN, ASSISTANT TO U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND COUNTERTERRORISM, SAYING: "The death of bin Laden was our most strategic blow yet against al Qaeda. Credit for that success belongs to the courageous forces who carried out that mission, at extraordinary risk to their lives; to the many intelligence professionals who pieced together the clues over the years that led to bin Laden's hideout; and to President Obama, who gave the order to go in." \WIDESHOT BRENNAN AT PODIUM PROTESTER SHOUTING AND ESCORTED OUT OF ROOM BY POLICE OFFICER (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BRENNAN, ASSISTANT TO U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND COUNTERTERRORISM, SAYING: "Pakistan needs to rid itself of these foreign militants and these foreign terrorists that have taken root inside of Pakistan. So, we are committed to working very closely on an ongoing basis with the Pakistani government which includes various components, intelligence, security and various civilian departments and agencies in order to help them address the terrorist threat but also so that they can help us make sure that Pakistan and that area near Afghanistan is never, ever again used as a launching pad for attacks here in the United States." AUDIENCE AND PHOTOGRAPHER BRENNAN AND A MODERATOR SHAKING HANDS
  • Embargoed: 16th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4L4LAMHOKLWOOSS4WT0ZIXCC
  • Story Text: The deadly U.S. campaign of drone strikes against al Qaeda is fully legal under international law, U.S. President Barack Obama's counterterrorism chief insisted on Monday (April 30) in the most extensive justification of a controversial tactic that has eliminated some of the most-wanted militants.
    Speaking on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden in a raid in Pakistan, the White House aide, John Brennan, said the U.S. administration holds itself to a "rigorous" review process in deciding on drone targets in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
    "I'm here today because President Obama has instructed us to be more open with the American people about these efforts," Brennan said in a speech to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars think tank.
    The bin Laden commando raid and unmanned air strikes in Pakistan have severely strained relations between Washington and Islamabad.
    "Pakistan needs to rid itself of these foreign militants and these foreign terrorists that have taken route inside of Pakistan. So, we are committed to working very closely on an ongoing basis with the Pakistani government which includes various components, intelligence, security and various civilian departments and agencies in order to help them address the terrorist threat but also so that they can help us make sure that Pakistan and that area near Afghanistan is never, ever again used as a launching pad for attacks here in the United States," Brennan said.
    Brennan's remarks were interrupted when a member of the anti-war group, Code Pink, criticized the U.S.'s use of drone strikes. The female protester was removed from the room by a police officer.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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