kicking out these guys by themselves. the people of afghanistan were incapable of getting rid of the taliban even though they hated their guts. and i see the same thing in somalia and yemen that if outside actors are the only ones able to do something. does that mean the united states has to physically, that is in fact not the obvious policy implication of what i am setting. in fact, iraq should have told us our presence there in some ways created more problems than help. the presence in afghanistan might have created more problems than it help to solve. so i am not making an argument for some sort of boots on the ground u.s. must be physically involved in all of these places. >> there is another thing that we will forget at our peril. that is throughout the 1980's and 1990's, we saw salafi islam as an antidote.

they're not going to be revolutionary. -- we thought they were not going to be revolutionary. we thought there were praying and wearing beards and so on. they have metastasized into this thing. even the whole creation of the taliban itself -- this was linked to regional rivalries. we have to look at the country. it cannot start -- [unintelligible] the other thing -- it is a pity mary laughed. you have to have a dialectic approach. in afghanistan, people turn to al qaeda as a result of a long -- taliban as a result of a long civil war. the countries do not return to normal after 30 years of war immediately and become nice democrats answered during this -- and start doing this.

a lot of them were the ones to came to iran and work in coming back. anywhere that state power disintegrates, you are going to have all kinds of terrorism. yemen, for example. today, al-qaeda, tomorrow, something else. but the whole civil war and went on -- now the major concern in yemen -- >> one thing, to the point of your question, when a tactic is successful it will be emulated and we have a lot of crazies in our country know how to make a bomb and they don't need help from the outside. that is going to happen more and more. with no influence from anybody

from the outside unfortunately. >> ok -- >> i take the cue for my question from the good general and then expanded by a good deal what was said by the other people. i am wondering what the evidence, primary source material, exists for any change in game plan, as you pointed out, may well be the case, it is in war, of any change in game plan by al-qaeda -- whether it is being planned as a terrorist group or, as one of our speakers said, it might be a game plan for something beyond just being a terrorist group. do we have evidence other than conjunction of any kind of change in a game plan?

>> let me just offer that -- and i, too, am sorry mary is not here because she can offer more as well. but we have evidence that al- qaeda is a thinking and promulgating organization. the primary media -- the base website, and it also has a newspaper that promulgates message and information. and predominately we get the tone and tenor of where the tour is -- core is headed from pronouncements from al-zawahiri himself and those listed in al- qaeda -- these are the heads of internal or external operations for the different functionaries. so, for many years, you have one or more of the libyans promulgating basic doctrine of

al libi -- who is also deceased. that is what we hear and see. so we have seen a change your. we have seen of them want to reach out and aspire to what i call co-op -- others call franchise -- but to call what some of a local initiative groups. and i would argue to you that that is important. for the local level groups, it has been important, but we need to watch carefully it the importance resume after bin laden's death. importance the same with the common term was important for people like the revolutionaries in vietnam or the revolutionaries and other part of the world because it was a signal for fund-raising, a signal for these very places that tend to give to charities and a cherry does are under regulated or over focused on and

then those funds and charity information pieces tend to find a way into these groups, so that is important part of signaling and affiliation. other where the groups announced and speculate -- some of the other pronounces on these different websites, is how they want to manage the message about egypt or palestine runout about syria. syria is the place for them we detain two congregate and so. said me, and not bin laden -- because bin laden did not want to take on the shiites until after they dealt with the outside infidels and the logic is the shia are smaller and are at the beck and call once we organize the faithful on the sunni side. but al-zawahiri is asking for much more to exploit sectarian client -- violence in syria.

it does play into another brought in theme and a wider middle east is the shia sunni split anchored on rihad and tehran hostilities over nuclear- weapons and the belief in riyadh that the last decade unfairly advantage pteron and we americans love to facilitate some of that by turning iraq over to the shia and doing other things. this is playing as well. this is the tactical shift. tactics do not allow strategy. al qaeda matters for what it's overall aspirations are, and if it is not an aspiration for overall caliphate, that only violence can bring change, then you did not have al-qaeda. you have something back in the day analogous to trade unions and social democrats. but it takes time, 100 years to 150 years before you develop the political process. but if we get to the point what

all the heads of -- whether they want to talk about getting a new parliamentary majority in syria, i think that ideological battle is just about won because that means the voice of the people speaking through guys who may have been revolutionary at one time but are now in the revolutionary poulson -- so al qaeda to make is the bolsheviks and they cannot do without the oxygen of violence. watch for those claims. that is why they do when they are trying to find footing because they'll lost footing in the past decade as people had alternatives in the middle east and other voices have arisen. >> i think you touched on this a couple of times. for the game changer, watch about money -- it is always about money, it is what will drive them and give them the capability. i think recently -- and i can say this in a general sense and did not have anything to back

up, i think we realize that and matt, with his background in treasury, can speak to this far better. we are starting to deploy these tools to the west of these things. and when you -- if you don't have the capability to do it, you will fall flat on your face. the sooner we can go down that line and employ inkster's of capitalism in this fight, of the better off we will be. >> if i may respond, i offer you the opportunity to look at this book just published and precisely because of your question, we provide electronic communication persuasion. -- selected al qaeda electronic communication. as you know, the general can defeat an army but the general cannot deceive the minds of the

-- defeat the minds of the peasants -- and this is what we have to deal with, continuity and change. general, would you like to ask a question or make a comment? >> this has all been very interesting and most and lightning -- enlightening. it is always good to hear what academia and other experts from several disciplines have to say about this topic. i was wondering, though, as i listened to all this, what we do now? it seems to me that one thing that was not discussed at all is, how do we get the media on board with our intent?

one way would be to come up with an intent. what do we intend to do in the next five, 10, 15, 20 years. the long view with respect to how to wait and of with a better -- how do we end up with a better world for everybody and not just focused on the united states or on western ideas and all that kind of thing. how do we set out to try to improve the world as we know it for everybody? that ought to be the kind of goal that our country could help take the lead in in the future. 20 or 30 years from now, as i say. it is interesting, for example, that we do not learn a lot from history. one of the things that history teaches us is that freedom is not necessarily a universal value and all that kind of

thing. many people in the world are more interested in security than they are freedom. that is why in some cases, many cases, they gravitate toward the totalitarian type of government. they can provide in some ways better security. we need to look at that and look at our history and see what can be done to make the world better. i think in terms of terrorism, terms like a global war on terrorism and all that, that is not correct. terrorism is a tactic. it is a tactic tactically and strategically. it always has been and there are examples, as you know. not just in the last century. terrorism and tactics and that kind of thing go back. you can find them in the koran, and the torah, and it can certainly find them in the bible. it is -- that is what we are --

it was a classic phase of war. so, that is what we are dealing with our tactics. the idea that we need to prevent catastrophic types of tactics from hurting any nation, whether it is our nation or any other free world as we know it today. that ought to be one of our prairie goals and one of our prairie objectives here. -- primary objectives here. we forget the asymmetrical value of terrorist tactics. andy as symmetrical capability out there. -- asymmetrical capability out there. those are the kinds of things that present real danger to us. i also hope that we do not get overconfident here based on what we have heard here today. that we should never underestimate the enemy or the other people or anything like that that bridge disaster in the -- that breeds disaster in

the long haul. we want to be very careful. the terrace attack that date -- terrorist attack that occurred in 1983 against the marine headquarters in beirut and the french headquarters and the israeli headquarters. not many people really realize that within a few minutes, the terrorists took out three major headquarters of three different countries who were there trying to bring peace and stability in lebanon and the like. that attack was conceived in iran and it was funded with money and material through damascus and through the western front in beirut. and carried out by the hezbollah. nobody has mentioned has bullet today. -- hezbollah today, but they

were a very violent group and still are. we should have probably gone in to them in 1983 and gone to the valley and deposit it there. -- bekaa valley and deposited them all there. that is a different topic. it was a carefully coordinated attack. one of the things i think we over-dramatize is we made a hero out of bin laden. we aided and abetted everything he was trying to do by making him a hero. and by giving him broad play in the media and elsewhere and the like and also setting him up as someone who could not be taken down and all that kind of thing. why do we step back and think -- why don't we step back a little bit and think about these things a little bit. i agree that we could do a lot more are operating out of this country and other countries around the world. we do not have to be in these

particular countries and regions to be very effective and not just with special operations type of capability but there are whole host of types of capability, not political, economic, and technology that we could bring to bear when we want to do it on our time schedule. we should drive the whole thing. the free world. not bin laden or some other terrorist core activity. i have already said to my chair. -- said to much here. but i think i agree. we ought to come out with a different kind of strategy for the long haul, look ahead, and then work backward like you would in the campaign command. you work backwards by phases in terms of what money you can afford to put to this strategy and all the kind of thing. we have got to and somehow we have got to harmonize not just the academic and research and

thought -- research thought and military thought. i do not know how you pull in that crowd across the river. i will leave it up to you academic types. [laughter] we need to pull together and this is above politics and all that kind of thing and do what is best for the free world as we know it today. thank you. [applause] >> i would have let you go first. >> i think he did. >> for those who do not know me, i am don kerr, i have been associated with a number of organizations over the years. one of the things that came up here is the most important, the need to pay greater attention to pakistan and be realistic about what it is.

some of you will recall that when we got to exploit some of the sides in afghanistan, what we found is the evidence at tarnac farms and long term interests al qaeda have. other kinds of weapons and other kinds of technology. not only that, people that supported that effort were mostly retirees from the pakistani nuclear program. if the retirees felt it was important to support al qaeda, one might ask whether people currently in the program share those views in some manner. it is something that we need to prove out. -- root out. we also need to understand that when we leave afghanistan, it once again becomes part of pakistan's defense in depth against what they consider their real enemy, india. it has killed a bit as a -- it

has healed a bit as a consequence of the mumbai attack. they talk once in awhile now. in fact, we are a pawn in the game they have been playing in terms of two nuclear-armed neighbors and what each might be able to get from the united states, depending on what our interests are in the region. i think pakistan is the lurking double in the background here. -- devil in the background. it is the place where more technology would be available to al qaeda and those who would emulate them. it is very poorly controlled. it is as close to being a failed state while still remaining estate -- a state we must deal with. i will leave you with that. [applause]

>> here is the mic. >> can you hear me? i am sort of overwhelmed by how much i have heard. i am a civilian, and i respect generals. i think general gray put it well -- the title of this is " al qaeda, quo vadis," and this is a challenge to us. i have a friend sitting in the back of the room, a colleague of mr. lynch, and he used the term grand strategy as did shareen hunter. i think we have to have a grand strategy. problem is, this is not the cold war. the desire for the caliphate -- we had one more recently, with the shia in turkey, they had one in the 20's. we have to get away from cold war thinking. there is so much knowledge, i was overwhelmed by my neighbors, how much they know

and shareen hunter said we do not know enough. >> we don't. >> about countries and histories -- the brits talk about a great game. is it a great game or is it a lot of little games? a think that is the nature of the challenge. we did a great program on nigeria. it was interesting to listen. you have the local terrorists and there is some of al qaeda. there will be blown actors there -- lone actors there as well. how can we aggregate all these phenomena, and relate it to a national brand strategy? i think that is the challenge. as much as we heard today, god knows we heard a lot. most of us learned about the subject we have learned before. we do not know how to get our calpers around this subject and it is a real challenge. -- our calipers around the subject and it is a real challenge.

>> [unintelligible] -- bold enough to just such as the methodology of somehow looking at this. i do not -- i have been doing this a lot. doing this a lot and i have the advantage of being from the region myself. i can kind of understand some of the things. one of the things we have not come to terms with is the collapse of the soviet union has changed the world. in the old days, when you had an absolutely dominant paradigm, you could have even during the cold war, i remember one of the books i read as a graduate student in england. it was called "nations in alliance." one of the things is that the great powers generally what alliances to achieve their broad game -- gain. the local states what alliances

to help them in their local little games. this is a symmetry that exists -- asymmetry that exists between that great power and the local powers, has become much more pronounced and strengthened. since the collapse of the the soviet union. i am sorry to say that the policy community, i am sure they know it in their private deliberations but we do not seem to understand quite well that our interests and pakistan's interest in afghanistan are not the same. i wrote an article in 1989 saying that. the title in lexus-nexus -- "afghan, act two." the same thing is the interests in afghanistan is not the same

as saudi arabia. in the persian gulf, not the same as saudi arabia, and even in iran. and yet we pursuit in afghanistan after our victory. in iraq, the strategy is -- it is with pashtun. -- in afghanistan, favoring pashtun. they equal parliament -- to great extent. in iraq, sorry to say, we basically help the sunni insurgents. this is one of the major things we have to keep in mind. the system of international relations has grown asymmetrically. the other thing is i am going to say this is the last time i will say, i have an opportunity -- on policy towards iran has distorted our entire policy in the middle east. you cannot go around --

around. dual containment -- whether to try to help the taliban. [unintelligible] a major rationale was to contain iran. we have made out of iran and soviet union. it is a crummy little country with rickety stuff that has been your mouth. if we want to mention -- manage this region, we have to have a holistic approach [applause] -- approach. [applause] >> a closing word or two, and i would like to thank all for coming. >> i might say the legacy -- if al qaeda is dead or dying, hopefully it will fade away. in the light of who we are and -- the potomac institute are and what we do, we are a science and technology think tank where we look at the impact or science and technology on our society. the impact in regard to terrorism, i would like to sum up as a final word at today's

conference. terrorism as many have said here, terrorism has been around since the beginning of mankind. the ability of a few to terror as many by killing them publicly has been a tactic used by many people. the difference today, and if i might comment that this is, to me, the legacy of al qaeda, is the demonstration that a small group cannot just terrorized by killing a few but by using technology, killed thousands. that was the difference of 9/11. it was not a terror acts when people set off an ied and three people were killed or 330 were killed. degree or one that brought down the headquarters building and 300 were killed, like in the middle east. this is an event where a small group used modern technology to kill 3000 people and they demonstrated to the rest of the world how a small group of people could have a strategic effect. that is the legacy we will have to deal with and learn how to

compensate and cope with for generations to come. i would like to thank you for joining us today. we hope that you will continue to participate with us in this attempt at scholarship in studying these issues and we hope that you will come back to the institute of the future. thank you very much. [applause]

>> later today, joint chiefs chairman general martin dempsey will speak at the endowment for international peace. you can see it live at 2:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span. yesterday at a news conference, president obama was asked about the killing of osama bin laden one year ago. that is next on c-span. topics on this morning's "washington journal" include the influence of al-qaeda in afghanistan and pakistan. also, a look at green energy. "washington journal" begins at the top of the hour. and later, a discussion on u.s. drug policy. >> i have seen to have earned a certain place where people listen to me, and i have always cared about the country. and the greatest generation, writing that book, gave me a kind of a platform that was

completely unanticipated. so, i thought i ought not to squander that. i ought to step up as not just a citizen and as a journalist but as a father and a husband and a grandfather. and if i see these things, i all to write about them and try to start this dialogue. which is what i try to do about this book -- about where we need to get to next had been in his latest "the time of our lives," tom brokaw challenges americans to redefine the american dream, and then on "in depth close with your questions for him. in his half-dozen books, he wrote about the greatest generation, the 1960's, and today. on c-span2's book tv. >> president obama said aggressive actions by north korea are a sign of weakness, not strength. he held a joint news conference with the japanese prime minister.

they discussed the north korea nuclear program as well as economic, trade, and security issues. this is about 30 minutes. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states and the prime minister of japan. >> it is a great pleasure to welcome prime minister of noda of japan, one of america's most closest allies in the asian- pacific region. and also around the world. one of the reasons we enjoy such a strong alliance between our nations is because it is rooted in the deep friendship between our peoples.

i felt in my own life in my visits to japan, and we have seen less on display very profoundly over the last year. last month, we marked the first anniversary of the tsunami in nuclear crisis that followed. all across japan, people stopped and stood in silence at 2:46 p.m., the moment that the earth shook. mr. prime minister, on behalf of the american people, i want to say to you and the people of japan that we continue to stand with you as well. we stand with japan in honoring the lost and the missing. 19,000 men, women come and children who will never be forgotten. we stand with you as you rebuilt what you, mr. prime minister, have called the rebirth of japan. we stand with you in the asian- pacific and beyond. even as it has focused on the

hard work at home, japan has never stopped leading in the world. it is a great to be to the japanese people and to leaders like prime minister noda. i am told many japanese have found strength in the bonds of solidarity between friends and neighbors, a bond which cannot be broken. the same could be said about the bonds between the united states and japan. today, we welcome you in that spirit. i have worked to strengthen the ties between our two nations. when prime minister noda and i met, we talk about strengthening. -- modernizing the alliance for the needs of the 21st century. i want to thank you for the personal commitment you have brought to this endeavor. you have called the united -- the alliance with the united states is japan's greatest asset. through our determination and humility we have seen this through. during our discussions today, the prime minister compared his

point guard in basketball. he may not be flashy, but he stays focused and gets the job done. he has brought that same team worked to our partnership that has helped make this visit a milestone. am proud to announce we have agreed to a new joint vision to guide our alliance and help shape the asian-pacific for decades to come. this is part of a broader effort i discussed in which the united states is, once again, beating -- leading in the asian-pacific region. we -- the alliance will remain a foundation for the security and prosperity of the two nations but also a cornerstone of peace and security. as such, we reviewed the agreement our governments reached last week to realign american forces in japan. this reflects our effort to modernize america's defense posture in the asia-pacific with forces that a more broadly distributed, more flexible, and more sustainable.

at the same time it will reduce the impact on local communities like okinawa. second, our joint vision commits us to deepening our trade and investment. we are already among each other's top trading partners, and our exports to japan and japanese companies in the u.s. support more than 1 million american jobs. but there is more we can do, especially as we work to double u.s. exports. so i appreciate the prime minister updating me on his -- reform efforts in japan, including liberalizing trade and playing a leading role in the asia-pacific economies. we instructed our teams to consider -- continue consultation regarding japan's interest in joining the trans- pacific partnership, which will benefit both our economies and the region, and we agree to deepen cooperation on nuclear safety, clean energy, and cybersecurity to enhance our economic -- third, the joint mission lays out the future we seek in the

asia-pacific, a region where international rules and norms are upheld, or nations contributed to regional security, or commerce and freedom of navigation is not impede it and where disputes are resolved peacefully. as such, we continue our close consultations on the provocative actions of north korea, which is a sign of weakness, and not strength, and further served isolation. we discussed further changes in burma and how our two nations can reward progress what encouraging more reforms to improve the lives of the burmese people. fourth, our joint vision reform -- reaffirms our role as global partners, down by shared by news and committed to international peace, security, and human rights. for example, our nations are the largest donors in afghanistan. as we plan for the nato summit in chicago and the next phase of transition in afghanistan, japan is planning on a donor conference to sustain

development there. i also want to take this opportunity to commend the prime minister and japan for shelling the strong leadership regarding iran's nuclear program. the regime in tehran are feeling the economic screws tightening and one of the reasons is because companies like japan have made the decision to reduce oil imports from iran. one example that despite challenges at home, japan has continued to serve as a model and a true global leader. finally the joint commission permits us to deepening ties between our people. new collaboration between scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs to foster innovation, a new exchange is that will bring thousands of our young people together, including price gulstan as, to help japanese communities rebuild after last year's disaster. so again, mr. prime minister, thank you for helping revitalize our extraordinary alliance so we enjoy even greater security and prosperity for both of our

countries. and, i once again want to salute the people of japan for the strength and resilience and the coverage that they have shown during this past year. more than ever, the american people are proud to call you a friend and honor to call you an ally. and before i turn it over to the prime minister i just want to warn the american press that the prime minister once considered himself a journalist from and instead he became a judo expert. he is a black belt. so, if you get out of line, i've got some protection here. mr. prime minister? >> [speaking in japanese] >> [interpreter] i know how busy

he is with official duties. i had a very good exchange of views with the president today on bilateral relations between japan and the united states. the situation in the asia- pacific region. and there are global challenges, among others -- we were able to confirm from the broader perspective to the present day significance of the japan-u.s. alliance and where japan-u.s. relations should be headed in the longer term. the president spoke about his support, and i would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all of the support given by the government and the people of the united states, beginning with the operation conducted by u.s. forces at the time of the great east japan earthquake and tsunami. yesterday i met with families

of -- anderson, who, unfortunately passed away, but who took care of children until the very last moment following the great east japan earthquake. i also met with representatives of the fairfax county search and rescue team who came immediately following the earthquake, deployed in the region to help the people. so, i was able to meet with these true friends of japan. i have always held the conviction that our bilateral by alliance is the linchpin of japan's diplomacy, and having had conversations with my u.s. friends -- it is in fact, unshakable.

gratified to announce today the shared commission -- between japan and the united states. >> [speaking in japanese] >> [interpreter] major challenges -- to cope with

such conditions, we are determined to realize the new u.s. forces planned in accordance with the security consultant committee, the joint statement released the other day and to step up bilateral security and enhance cooperation and a creative manner. we also need to work with regional partners and build a multilayered network that is open and comprehensive and build on international rules mutilating the utilizing trilateral dialogues. the east asia semi and aipac. we should also corporate with china, which is an important partner. it is also important that -- that japan and the united states corporate to promote necessary rulemaking in the areas as nontraditional threats such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and piracy as well as human security.

ocean, space, and cyberspace. in the economic area, we are so deepened by ties and fortified the growth and prosperity of two countries through promotion of economic integration in the asian integration. to this end, both of our countries will work on regional trade and investment rulemaking with a view to building a free- trade area of asia-pacific. from this vantage point as well -- consultations with a view to integrating the trans-pacific partnership negotiations. the shared vision calls for the strengthening of energy cooperation. and we discussed in the meeting today, expanding lng exports. that is not the least, as stated in the shared income, next- generation youth -- to step up

exchanges between youth and such endeavors as the japan project and the u.s. initiative. the japan that u.s. alliance has reached new heights. together, with president obama, i shall further advance these steps. i thank you. >> so, we got seven questions on each side. -- top -- two questions on each side. >> president obama, could you confirm whether the blind chinese dissidents cheng is under u.s. protection in beijing and how do you see this resolved? will the u.s. grant him asylum if the s. ford? and prime minister, how likely do you think it is north korea will carry out a third nuclear test? how would japan respond and what would you like the u.s. to do in response?

>> obviously i am aware of the press reports on the situation in china, but i will not make a statement on the issue. what i would like to emphasize is that every time we meet with china, the issue of human rights comes up. it is our belief that not only is that the right thing to do because it comports with our principles and our belief in freedom and human rights, but also because we actually think china will be stronger as it opens up and liberalizes its own system. we want china to be strong, and we're very pleased with all the areas of cooperation that we have been able to engage in. but we also believe that that relationship will be that much

stronger and china will be that much more prosperous and strong as you see improvements on human rights issues and that country. i know it was not directed to me but i would just make a quick statement around with a reappeared this was a topic of extensive discussion between myself and the prime minister. our consultation throughout the failed missile launch was, i think, reflective of how important our alliances, not just to our two countries but the region as a whole. what i tried to do since coming into office is to make sure the north koreans understand that the old pattern of provocation that then gets attention and then somehow insist on the world purchasing good behavior -- that that pattern is broken.

what we have said it is the more you engage in provocative acts, the more isolated you become. a stronger sanctions will be in place, the more isolated you will be the mac -- diplomatically, politically, and commercially. while we can't anticipate -- and i did not want to hypothesize on what might happen in the coming months, i think it is very clear that the united states, japan, south korea, and other countries in the region are unified in insisting it abide by its responsibilities, the national norms, and they will not be able to purchase anything from further provocative acts. >> [speaking in japan] >> with regard to north korea, between myself and president obama earlier, with regard to the so-called launch of

satellite, missile launch, we share the view that it undermines -- undermined the efforts of the various countries to achieve resolution through dialogue. now and the latest round of the missile launch, they also conducted a nuclear test, which means there is a great possibility they will conduct a nuclear test -- and the -- we need to call for restraint. these measures incorporated in the recent u.s. security council terms and statement, -- among japan, u.s. and korea, as well as china and russia, we need to communicate with each other fully and also stressed that china's role is very important. consulting with china while also

making clothes were a nation with the united states and we share this view also with president obama. now let me ask -- from tbs from japan to ask a question. i have a question for both president obama and prime minister know the -- noda. how you regard the relocation issue, in the context of this statement. although you did not refer specifically to the location. your report on u.s. forces japan realignment, it leaves the question open to an extent and what do you think of the possibility -- it will be relocated to another place.

it is most meaningful in the two plus two joint statement and the meeting today, we were able to confirm the two countries will cooperate in the context of deepening the alliance toward the realization of the optimum u.s. force posture in the region and the reduction of the burden on okinawa and will continue to work toward an early resolution of this issue. >> as the prime minister just noted, the realignment approach that has been taken is consistent with the security interests of both japan and the united states. we think we found it defense mechanism to move this process forward in a way that is respectful to the situation in okinawa, the views of the residents there but also able

to optimize the defense cooperation between our two countries and the alliance being lynchpin not only of our security and security -- but security of the region as a will. we are confident we can move forward with an approach that realigns our base posh -- posture and performance. but also is continuing to serve the broad based interests of our alliance as a whole. and i want to thank publicly prime minister noda for taking such a constructive approach to an issue that has been lingering in our bilateral relationship for quite some time. mr. -- >> thank you, mr. president. we are coming up on the one-your

anniversary of the killing of bin laden and i was wondering if you would share some thoughts on that denver's repaired and you're likely opponent says anybody would have made that call, even jimmy carter. i'm curious to see what you would say about that. and, mr. prime minister, on the same topic -- the mention the international fight against terrorism in the opening remarks. i am wondering if you could reflect on president obama's record here and if you think from an international perspective the u.s. is planning its right to in marking this anniversary or do you think you might advise against excessive celebration? >> well, let me make a couple of points. first of all, christy, i hardly think that you have seen any excessive celebration taking place here. i think that people, the american people rightly

remember what we as a country accomplished in bringing to justice somebody would killed over 3000 of our citizens. it is the mark of excellence of our intelligence teams, or milk -- military teams, the political process that worked and i think that for us to use that time for some reflection, to give thanks to those who participated, is entirely appropriate, and that is what has been taking place. as far as my personal role and what other folks would do, i just recommend that everybody take a look at people's previous statements in terms of whether they thought it was appropriate to go to pakistan and take out bin laden.

i assume people men what they said when they said it. that has been at least my practice. i said i would go after bin laden if we had a clear shot at him. and i did. if there are others who have said one thing and now suggest they would do something else, then i would go ahead and let them explain it. >> [speaking in japanese] >> president obama has been standing at the forefront of american terrorism and i told him and very high regard for that. although bin laden has been killed, terrorism has not been rooted out. and the thing continued efforts will be needed in consultation with the united states --

continual efforts against terrorism. i think the forms of terrorism are becoming more diverse. cyber terrorism, for example. did we have done much in that space. inclusive of all of these -- japan and the united states shall work together to root out terrorism of all sorts. >> i would like to ask a question of prime minister noda and president obama. there is no direct reference of china in this joint statement. what sort of exchange of views did you have with china in the context of working for stability in the asia-pacific -- with

their advances in the oceans and also their military build up. i am wondering what you had? >> as you correctly pointed out, the shared vision does not point to any specific country. if we recognize china as a major partner in the region. both of us, in fact, confirm that. it is an opportunity for the international community, for japan, and the asia-pacific -- and i explained in the meeting with president obama, when i visited and china last december i broached to the chinese leaders my six-point initiative, including cundiff -- in the east china sea to benefit our

mutually beneficial relationship. i also told to the president that i wish to realize a strategic dialogue between -- among japan, the u.s., and china. last year, it was a success. and the same countries were part of the discussions -- that we need to seek a world-based response to behavior. and we have these exchanges of views. >> i have said in the past and i firmly believe that we welcome the peacefully rising china. and we have developed a very important strategic and economic dialogue with china. we think what they have accomplished in terms of lifting

millions of people out of poverty is good for its own sake and it is also potentially good for the world and for the region. as prime minister noda and i noted, we do believe that as china continues to grow, as its influence continues to expand, that it has to be a strong partner in abiding by international rules and norms. whether those are economic norms, like respecting international property, whether they are norms of dispute resolution, maritime disputes, ensuring that small and large companies are both respected in international forums in resolving those issues. across the board we want china to be a partner with us in a set

of international rules and norms that everybody follows. and i think as china makes that transition from a developing country into a major power, that it will say that over the long term it is in its interest as well to abide by these rules and norms. so, all of our actions are not designed to come in anyway, contain china, but they are designed to ensure that they are part of a broader international community in which rules and norms are respected and in which all countries can prosper and succeed. thank you very much, everybody.

>> here is a look at this morning. of the head of national drug control policy will discuss the obama administration's recent report on treating substance abuse. at 10:00 a.m. eastern here on c- span. in about 90 minutes on c-span2, an all-day event from bloomberg news on the u.s. economy. we will hear from former federal reserve chairman alan greenspan and the head of the afl-cio, richard trumka. 10:00 a.m. eastern on c-span3, a conversation on immigration law and policy, live from the competitiveness enterprise institute. and coming up this hour on "washington journal," a look at the influence of al qaeda, one year after the death of osama year after the death of osama bin laden.