Gen. Jim Jones on 'FNS'

" Hello again from Fox News in Washington. With a number of global hot -- to discuss let's get right to it with our first gas. President Obama's National Security Adviser general Jim Jones and general welcome to Fox News psychiatrists could be here is that to a Massoud the leader of the Taliban inside Pakistan. --"

" we think so the Pakistan -- government is believe it believes that he is and all evidence we have. Suggest that but. There -- there are reports from Massoud. Organization that is not but we we think we've improved it looks like you."

" And let me ask -- another matter there were reports yesterday of a gun fight between two leading contenders to replace. -- And that one or both of them had been killed -- a gun fight but this morning one of those -- people who was allegedly dead. Reportedly called Reuters news service to say that he is alive and well there was no flight what do you know about that."

" Well we've heard we've heard stories about that. We can't I can't confirm but it certainly is appears to be that there's some dissension in the -- that's not a bad thing for us. There goes to show that I think the strategy that we're we're engaged with with Pakistan is actually having some -- them and that's good."

" Well I was gonna ask you assuming that miss Lou is dead what does it say. About the president's war on terror."

" Well I think in terms of Pakistan. It means that the Pakistani government and the army is. That our relationships with -- are -- having good effect. And I think that we're moving in the right direction -- is with. Very bad individual. The real thug responsible for. A lot of violence a lot of innocent people losing their lives and I think that if there's dissension in the ranks. And if in fact he has as we think dead. This is a positive indication that in Pakistan things are are turning for the better."

" Well let me ask you about that that regardless of who's in charge there -- still up to 20000. Taliban fighters inside Pakistan. Is this a key moment for the Pakistan -- to go after them and are we pressing the Pakistani government and military to do just that. Well for the last several months Chris we've."

" Had a very very good engagement with the Pakistani government in Pakistan army is acquitted himself quite well and the swat region. Showing sensitivity for refugees as well. We have -- growing relationship in terms of intelligence sharing. And I think the relationships between the two the two countries are on the certainly. Very positive right now and also the relationships with Afghanistan don't forget this is -- theater wide engagement. This is a an important moment I won't say it's a tipping point -- shows that we're having some success. When you can take out a leader like Massoud. You do shows you do have some some dissension in the -- And it reduces -- capability to organize regardless of how many they have this this is a strong message. Pakistan deserves -- be to be credited for its role and we hope that we continue to pressure and we don't real."

" Afghanistan and you say it's a theater wide is issue Afghanistan is scheduled to hold national elections. On August 20 with the Taliban active and about half of that country. Will that election go off of one of the chances of serious disruptions."

" Well all indications right now -- that the elections are gonna go off that they're going to be fair they're going to be secure. In in most parts secured by lot of Afghan forces with. International forces formerly -- ring of security. We are paying a lot of attention of that looks like they're having good. Debate going into the elections and so the signs are positive. We're quite sure that there will be there'll be some efforts out there to disrupt them but we hope -- detriment."

" The new US commander in Afghanistan general Stanley in the crystal reportedly wants more. US troops sent to Afghanistan but according to the Washington Post you told our top -- in late June. That the president was done sending additional troops and I want to get to the quote. If there were new requests for force now the president would quite like likely how they whiskey tango fox dropped moment. Every one of the room caught the fanatic referenced to WTF which in the military and elsewhere remains what the expletive. General did you say that."

" And it's. In the context of the overall strategy we. This is not -- simply about the number of troops this I've been involved in Afghanistan for better part of six years of my life. Initially as a NATO commander. And and my two years of retirement. We've conducted a major study about Afghanistan. And now I'm back into. What was not lacking in Afghanistan -- the comprehensive strategy. We have published -- strategy that they're not -- has agreed to hear by by everyone and in the nation's capital but also by a lot of our international allies. Essentially there are 33 prongs of the strategy there's a security prong that is the that is about troops. But economic. Economic recovery and and cohesion with the security strategies important. And better governance and rule of law. From Kabul all all the way down to the local townships is extremely important so. My point -- saying what I said was that it is not simply about troops but are you ruling out more troops for Afghanistan. As you know as you mentioned from a crystal is doing a comprehensive assessment which is that any military commander of those wanna take over a significant job. And the secretary defense -- heard his preliminary report is has asked some questions. You'll come up through the chain of command and we'll see what what what you're gonna -- weren't so if you're not ruling and -- not -- I don't know."

" Okay there have been a flurry of recent reports including a comment. Over the last couple of days from the new British army chief of staff. That that to secure -- Afghanistan will take at least. At least another decade. First of all do you agree -- that and secondly is the president prepared for that kind of."

" Long term commitment well -- I don't know -- David Richards quite well who was their commander vice when I was his. Senior commander at NATO. And I think there will we have in place right now is a comprehensive strategy we have yet to -- go past the first milestone of evaluating it. But I think that the strategy to the president has agreed to announce that all allies have agreed to. That emphasizes the three -- that I just mentioned are. And also it ought to also emphasizes more roll -- for an increase -- capacity in the Afghan army and also the Afghan police if we do that. I think we will we'll see indications very quickly returning in the right direction. And I think that the Afghans will be able to control their own destiny much quicker. You wanna give us a timeline for that I don't wanna give up on -- just like we couldn't predict a timeline and in Iraq but you get to that tipping point if you if the pieces are all organized correctly you get to that tipping point a lot quicker than it becomes -- that."

" President Obama. Has made it part of this policy to try to reach out to Iran. Are -- still prepared to negotiate with president Ahmadinejad odd. After what seemed to be widespread reports that he stole the election."

" In the context of the the international. Negotiations we have we have -- of an open invitation to -- on to join the talks. In which we would we strongly hope they do they have not responded to that invitation that's been on the table since April. We hope that they do. The."

" The fact let me just ask you say we hope -- they do the fact that we that we hope that they respond yeah but but but the fact that -- that -- did his job. May have stolen the election makes no difference."

" Well. The end of the fact of -- election really makes a difference to the people over on there they are the ones that have to decide on the legitimacy that we have to deal with -- there. Whatever they have the central authority -- If it turns out to be the same. Individuals then that's who we have to do with -- the the issues on the table are so important in terms of nuclear weapons. -- either on and I might say North Korea as well. That we've -- when they -- if they respond we'll have to deal with them. That's a story that's what's a fact of life."

" Report this morning that the revolutionary guard in Iran wants Mir Hussein -- the the political candidate presidential candidate who lost. Dominant -- a shot to go on trial for fomenting unrest after the elections how would we regard that. Well."

" I think that. That with regard to -- there's obviously. Some internal difficulties. In that country. We have. Basically taken the stance that. Since we -- obviously affected one way or the other nor should we. There we will deal with we'll do with the Iran has this essentially felt that it's obvious that there's some internal difficulties. And we'll just we'll watch a --"

" General what have you learned from president Clinton's threat to North Korea. This week to bring back those two journalists did Kim. Jong ill or any of the other top officials in their meetings indicate they want a new relationship with the US."

" Well as you know Christmas -- of a private mission. And the one of the I think we're all grateful -- the former president for taking -- on. That's certainly the families the joyful reunion with something we all celebrate and by the way. We would like to see the same kind of reunion in South Korea with the detainee. The north Koreans have and also with the Japanese have directories that are still. In North Korean prisons. But the the former president the the leader. Had about a three and half our discussion. Reportedly. They discussed. The importance of for the nuclearization -- weapon systems of -- north Korean Peninsula. Of the Korean Peninsula and in addition to you know talking about other things that the former president may have -- to -- but."

" But did it in that meeting as you say was over three hours did the north Koreans indicate they want a new relationship with the US and did they specifically. Asked for direct talks rather than going back -- the --"

" Party talks north Koreans have have. Indicated that they would like in the relation. A better relation with the United States. -- they've always advocated for. Bilateral engagement we have. Put on the table in the in the context of the talks we would be happy to do that if in fact they would rejoin the talks so. We think the."

" He would have -- little willing to have bilateral talks and with contacts within the context of the the six party talks what did. We learn about Kim's health and his hold on power from the Clinton threat."

" Well we're still very much debriefing the the party that went with President Clinton. But preliminary reports appeared. Kim Jong Il is and and full control of of his organization's government. The conversations were respectful and and cordial. In tone but he's still in charge and he's he certainly -- it certainly appears to -- new ones in charge."

" Can you assure the American people that all the north Koreans got from this -- aid in exchange for the two. American journalists and all they got from this trip. Was the photo op that there were no secret concessions from the United States."

" I can do that with absolutely a straight face there was no official message sent -- The former president and there were no. There were no promises. -- of them to. Make sure that the two young girls were reunited with her --"

" A couple of final questions will the president meet his deadline. For closing the prison at Guantanamo day by next January."

" we have every intention of doing so and there is a lot of work going on every single day to. Make sure that we find the right solution and I'm I'm confident that we'll be able to meet that deadline."

" Finally let's talk a little bit about Jim Jones because I think it's fair to say that you have been. Lower profile than some of your predecessors -- national security -- as critically Henry Kissinger -- and some of the others. But you're not seen in public all the time hovering right next to the president. You're not. -- seen as the gatekeeper who controls all the foreign policy types of good and to see the president do you have a different view of your job."

" I do I think -- is this is also different century and I think the the national security. Adviser. Runs an organization that deals from everything -- starting with climate change and energy all the way through cyber security. Including the normal the normal threats that. That we associated with the -- so it's very complex we have economic issues that we're concerned about. And so. I think but -- particularly in terms -- your role. I think I think. First of all there is no problem with me saying the president on any matter -- wants to discuss -- I wanna discuss that is that is not a problem. I believe that there is area. There's a new way of of doing business through TO the issues that are very complex. And -- huge. A huge array of subjects. Each -- the president has severe with and I think that. -- getting the right people -- to see the president the right time to to brief him. On a daily basis. On these issues has the right that's right through -- just. And -- not threatened that. I don't. Look. At the principal's level with Secretary Clinton secretary gates. We talk every day. We talked with Susan Rice but -- the UN we have a very collaborative team. There is no dissension there is no no no there's nothing but trust and confidence and that's an enjoyable part of the job so I I don't. I I wanna make sure that the president gets the best advice he can if I need to put my particular spam comment I have I have no problem -- I just I just. Think that I served the president better buy it by presiding over an organization that -- up issues in the right way we have a good process I think to make sure the president. Get sued by cities that we vetted return apart we fight over it if we need to but when we come to the president we haven't we have it. We have he gets he gets the of the pros and -- cons and five as the National Security Adviser -- to say something approximately room. With my colleagues I do so problem."

" General Jones who want to thank you so much for coming in today please come back sir I appreciate it thank your growth -- Up next."