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Interview with Jordanian Foreign Minister; Former News of the World Editor Coulson Convicted Of Phone Hacking; Iraqi Military Pushing Back Against ISIS: Artist Creates Project Using Discarded Footballs; Shipping Containers As Affordable Housing Solution?

Aired June 24, 2014 - 11:00   ET

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

BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: Iraq today, possibly Jordan tomorrow, Amman on high alert as ISIS sets it sight beyond the borders of Iraq and Syria. I

speak exclusively this hour to the Jordanian foreign minister.

Also ahead, Egypt's president refuses to intervene despite international outrage over prison sentences handed down to three al Jazeera

journalists.

And with Formula One star Michael Schumacher still recovering from what was a terrible accident, there's word now that his medical files may

have been stolen and are up for sale.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with Becky Anderson.

ANDERSON: A very good evening from the UAE. We begin in Iraq where the battle between Iraqi forces and Sunni militants intensifies with

conflicting reports as to who is now in control of a key oil refinery in the north of the country.

Let me get you a sense of what is happening on the ground there.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met today with Iraqi Kurdish President Massoud Barzani who says his region is facing a new reality and a

new Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi ministry of defense released video that it says shows Iraqi helicopters bombing targets in the key oil town of Baiji to

repel an ISIS attack. State run Iraqiya News Agency says 19 militants were killed.

Well, Nima Elbagir joins us live from Baghdad with more details.

Let's start with John Kerry who I know now has left the region, we believe. What, if anything, has he achieved?

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN INTERNAITONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, he brought a very specific message with him, Becky. He said it is unity. That is the

only way forward for Iraq, that with a military solution and the sustained support, as he put it, that the U.S. was prepared to put on the table,

there had to be a tandem process. And that's why he didn't just meet with prime minister Nuri al-Maliki, he also met with some key Sunni opposition

figures and then he went north to Kurdistan and met with the president of Kurdistan there.

And if, perhaps, Kurdistan was thinking that this was looking like a good time to consider closing the borders around them, well, Kerry was

there to make sure that the message was received, that it would not be a good idea to have a hostile Sunni militant neighbor on their doorstep. And

it wasn't in anyone's interest to allow ISIS to run right through the region.

All this came while the Iraqi army was for the first time in a very long time, Becky, beginning to claim some victories. They claim that they

killed 90 militants, as you just reported, in Baiji. They're also claiming to have retaken two of those strategic border crossing between Syria and

Iraq. And they are also claiming to have killed two very high ranking ISIS militants, one an Algerian and one the self-styled governor of Saddam

Hussein's birthplace Tikrit.

There is a sense those we're speaking with in the international community, there's a sense amongst them that perhaps now there is a window,

a moment that can and should be captured if all the Iraqi axes come together and push that momentum, Becky.

ANDERSON: All right. We're going to do more on the situation on the ground as we move through this hour. I just want to move away from Iraq

for a moment.

Mariam Yeha Ibrahim (ph), so close to tasting freedom, but the Christian woman who was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her

faith then released in Sudan is, we believe, backing government custody. Our legal team says Ibrahim and her husband and two kids were detained

today at Khartoum airport on their way out the country.

Now details are sketchy. Nima, you have reported extensively on this case. What have you learned about her whereabouts today?

ELBAGIR: Well, Daniel actually tried to call us. In fact, he did manage to for me from inside Sudanese national security headquarters,

telling us what had happened, that he, his wife, and his children were on their way finally out of the country -- and you remember, we spoke about

this, that he had been very, very worried for his wife's safety once she was freed he'd been really worried that extremists might be unhappy about

her being released without any source of sanction on her for this perceived crime. So he was trying to move as quickly as possible to get out of the

country and they were detained.

No reason given. They are currently being interrogated, we understand, at national security headquarters. And her legal team have not

been given access to them, Becky. And Daniel's phone, we've been trying it continuously over the last couple of hours, it is switched off -- Becky.

ANDERSON: All right. Well, I know you're going to stay on that story as you will be on the story where you are in Baghdad as well. For the time

being, Nima, thank you for that.

We're going to have more on the battle for Iraq coming up on Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. An exclusive live interview with

Jordan's foreign minister about the potential threat for his country from ISIS fighters who are very near the kingdom's borders.

We'll also update you on what the key players in the region are saying about the turmoil in Iraq.

And we'll talk to Sunni tribal leaders about whether ISIS is taking advantage of Sunni resentment over what is Shiite leadership there. That

is all later this hour here on CNN.

Well, the families of three journalists from al Jazeera imprisoned in Egypt say they will keep fighting to overturn the men's guilty convictions.

But it seems they won't be getting any help from President Abdel Fatah al- Sisi. He is standing firm despite international pressure to free the three men.

CNN's Ian Lee has more from Cairo on the president's reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky, despite the considerable outrage by the international community, President Abdel Fatah

al-Sisi dashed the hopes of the detained reporters and their families. Speaking to a graduating class at the war college, he said I will not

interfere in the verdicts of the justice system, because the Egyptian judiciary is independent and proud.

This doesn't come as a surprise, because his supporters would see a pardon negatively.

The only hope for freedom for the three al Jazeera journalists now seems like the appeals process. But that can be very slow, taking months,

if not over a year.

The president also seemed annoyed by the international criticism saying no one should comment or speak about the state's institutions, that

we should adhere to the verdicts of the justice system even when others don't understand that.

The Canadian ambassador said just that after the trial, that he didn't understand the ruling. That's most likely because of the lack of any real

evidence. What the prosecution presented was at times unrelated to Egypt, like a BBC documentary on Somalia, or family photos of Greste on vacation.

It's unlikely that any of the international pressure will have any impact. In fact, it could have the opposite effect. Going back to what

the president said, the Egyptian judiciary is independent and proud, it is, indeed proud. And if they feel insulted by the condemnation, it's more

likely that they'll dig in their heels.

If that's the case, that will be bad news for the journalists who are already facing seven to 10 years behind bars -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Ian Lee reporting.

Well, Michael Schumacher's manager says stolen medical files purported to be those of the Formula One legend are being offered for sale.

Now Schumacher was hospitalized, you'll remember, in Grenoble in France after he suffered severe head trauma in a skiing accident last year.

Well, he's now out of a coma and was moved last week to a Swiss rehabilitation hospital.

Now his manager says the stolen documents have been offered for sale over a number of days. She said, and I quote, "we cannot judge if these

documents are authentic, however, the documents are clearly stolen. The theft is being reported. The authorities are involved."

Let's get more from Diana Magnay who is in Berlin.

Di, this is one of those headlines you just couldn't make up, but it seems it's true. Who has these medical records and who are they trying to

sell them to?

DIANA MAGNAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we don't know who it is who has taken them, but they've been trying to sell them to a

number of publications in the UK, in Germany. Bilt Saidong (ph), which is one of the big German tabloids had an article on it. And I spoke to them,

they said that this person had approached them trying to sell them these documents, which they claimed to be Michael Schumacher's records for 60,000

Swiss francs, which is a little under $70,000. Their editorial department declined, as has everybody else.

Michael Schumacher's manager has made very clear in that statement that they will press criminal charges in every single case for the purchase

and publication of anything edited in those documents.

And, really, since Michael Schumacher's terrible accident six months ago, Becky, the management team and also his family have consistently

requested that people respect their privacy to allow them to deal with this pain in their own way and for the doctors to be able to operate freely as

he goes through his recovery and rehabilitation. And the idea that these documents might come into the public arena and that people might pour over

them and more speculation about his medical condition, that is what they have been trying to avoid all the way along.

So it really does seem incredibly crass, incredibly insensitive to the family that this should now be, you know, on offer, on sale, Beck.

ANDERSON: Yeah. No, I know. Shocking stuff, Diana, thank you for that. Diana Magnay on the story for you.

Still to come tonight, a blow for Britain's prime minister. Why David Cameron says he is extremely sorry for one of his hiring decisions.

Details from a key London court case coming up.

Also ahead, Jordan sends reinforcements to secure a border crossing with Iraq. I'm going to talk exclusively to Jordan's foreign minister

about threats posed by ISIS beyond Iraq. That is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: You're back with Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson. Welcome back.

Now Iraq military officials say all towns between Samarra and Baghdad are in the hands of Iraqi security forces. Let's have a look at a map

here.

Concern has been growing as ISIS fighters claim more territory. This, the latest showing the areas where the militants are believed to be in

control. You can see those in red.

The military officials, though, says Iraqi forces have retaken two key border crossings into Syria and Jordan. CNN cannot independently confirm

those claims, though.

And a quick look for you at what some of the key players have been saying over the past couple of days.

Now Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Monday the current conflict with ISIS poses a threat not only to Iraq, but to the region as

well.

In an exclusive interview, Iraqi-Kurdish president Massoud Barzani told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that, and I quote, "Iraq is obviously

falling apart." And he said he plans to push for Kurdish independence.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has been in region, tells CNN Iraqi leaders that he's spoken with have, quote, realized they cannot

continue with this sectarian division.

Well, another key regional player also speaking out today, Jordan's King Abdullah. He met with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin

to discuss the situation in Iraq and Syria, amongst other things. Both leaders are calling for a reshuffle of the Iraqi government to better

present or represent all of the people in Iraq.

Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING ABDULLAH, JORDAN: We are looking obviously at the issue of the inclusiveness, the future of Iraq where all participants of Iraq have to

come together in a comprehensive way and be the building blocks of a comprehensive and a total inclusive future for the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, King Abdullah saying that unity is the only way forward.

Jordan has reason to be concerned about the movement of ISIS fighters, of course. Areas controlled by the Sunni militant group in Iraq stretch to

a key border crossing into Jordan. Reports say Amman sending reinforcements to the Karmmah border crossing. There are conflicting

reports as to who is in control on the Iraqi side.

Well, let's learn what's at stake for Jordan here. We're joined by the foreign minister Nasser Judeh. And, sir, as we start, let's clear this

up who do you understand to be in control of the Trebil border crossing between Iraq and Jordan?

NASSER JUDEH, JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, Becky, I missed the first part of your show, but I assume that you're expressing concern on our

behalf as to who controls the border on the other side. Don't forget that we've had serious problems in the western part of Iraq in Anbar for a

number of years now. And we're fully in control of our border. And let us not forget that we have much trouble going on in Syria along a 380

kilometer border with Jordan.

We're, again, fully in control of that situation on our side of the border. What happens on the other side, of course, is beyond our control.

But we are very, very vigilant. And we're keeping a very close watch.

But Jordan as a -- in terms of its stability and in terms of security is quite fine.

ANDERSON: Can I ask you, then, what your security forces are witnessing from your side of the border?

JUDEH: There's obviously problems going on. And I said earlier that this is not new. I think the recent developments and the snowballing of

what's happening in all of northern and northwestern Iraq is a continuation obviously of what's been happening for awhile. And we are obviously

continuing to call for an inclusive political process that takes into account all the components of Iraqi society.

I think recently people have been hearing about ISIL and what ISIL has done, but the problem is much larger than that.

This is just another week for Jordan and its long history. We've seen our region historically over the last 100 years of modern, contemporary

Jordan, with coup d'etat's and revolutions and wars and civil wars and upheavals and extremism and terrorism all around us. And thank god for the

stability we enjoy.

But there's a lot going on in Iraq. And we've been saying that it's not just about extremism and terrorism, which we've been warning against

for the last couple of years, but it's also about the dynamics within Iraq.

ANDERSON: What do you fear most?

JUDEH: I'm sorry?

ANDERSON: What do you fear most at this point?

JUDEH: What we fear as part of the region -- again, as far as Jordan and the immediate danger, I mean, it's not affecting us only. We've been

saying for awhile that the rise and spread of extremism and the politics of exclusivity will threaten the security of the entire region. I mean, I was

talking to Secretary of State Kerry just before he went to Baghdad yesterday and Urbil obviously today when he passed through Amman a couple

of nights ago. And we obviously shared the same concerns.

But we in Jordan have been saying for a couple of years now that what you're seeing in Syria and what you've recently been seeing in Iraq is a

continuation of what we've seen in western Iraq for a couple of years. It's all fueling this sectarian -- ethnic and sectarian violence, but also

the clear and present danger of the rise and spread of extremism and terrorism.

So I think this is something that has to be addressed by all of us.

ANDERSON: In an interview with my colleagues Jim Sciutto, which our viewers will see a little later this hour, John Kerry said there is, and I

quote, "a capacity to have a new Iraqi government that could be a unity government, that could reflect a greater capacity for success." Fairly

loose words there, but Kerry clearly holding out hope that al-Malliki will rise above this sectarian motivation, as it were.

It seems that clearly Amman agrees that a unity government is the answer at this stage to the current troubles. I wonder whether you think

this is, though, realistic. And how you feel about the U.S. suggesting that it will step in with military action if, indeed, a political solution

can't be found quickly to what is going on in Iraq.

JUDEH: Well, Becky, I'm not in a position to second guess what a U.S. secretary of state is saying, nor am I in the position -- and this is the

backbone of our foreign policy in Jordan -- not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

However, we have been saying for awhile now, because of our concern for the general situation in the region, the security aspect of it, the

rise of extremism, the politics of ethnic and sectarian division not just in Iraq as we've seen recently, but what we've seen in Syria over the last

three and a bit years now. We've been saying for awhile that this has to be addressed.

Again, everybody is saying, not just us, because of our concern for the entire region everybody is saying that is has to be a political process

that is all-inclusive in terms of all the components of Iraqi society when it comes to Iraq.

But again, let us not forget what's been happening in Syria.

ANDERSON: For sure. And certainly we shouldn't do that.

Foreign Minister, I have to push you on this, Washington not ruling out military action in Iraq. Would you support them on that?

JUDEH: I'm -- I can't answer a hypothetical questions, Becky, as you well know. I'm here really to address what you started by saying, which is

the threat to Jordan. You were in Jordan a few weeks ago covering the pope's visit. And like I said, in the past and like you saw with your own

eyes, there's always problems in the Middle East. And like I said repeatedly, it's just another week for Jordan.

But this has to be the root cause of ethnic and sectarian division, the root cause of instability and the rise and spread of terrorism and

extremism has to be addressed.

ANDERSON: With that, sir, we're going to leave it. We thank you very much indeed for joining us. The foreign minister of Jordan out of Berlin

for you this evening traveling there with his majesty King Abdullah. Thank you, sir.

Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson.

Coming up, where in the world is this considered an innovative answer to more affordable housing? The answer next in CNN's property show One

Square Meter.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Right. Its' time for us to get you into the Global Exchange where we introduce you to the people and places paving the way

forward in the world's emerging economies.

And affordable housing in short supply in of Australia's biggest cities. And one company has come up with a very innovative solution. John

Defterios explains in today's One Square Meter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sydney, Australia's most recognizable city is a hot property market.

The country's low interest and mortgage rates have driven sales of affordable, middle income housing. But there's not enough available stock

to satisfy demand. A solution to this problem may lie beyond the harbor and out to sea -- cargo shipping containers stacked onto huge vessels carry

all kinds of goods around the globe. Once docked and unloaded, rather than being discarded they can be transformed.

Nearly 600 kilometers from Sydney in this Lismore, the Container Build Group can turn an empty box into a home.

JAMIE VAN TONGEREN, CEO, CONTAINER BUILD GROUP: I started this business because I felt that there was a need for affordable housing. And,

you know, using a cleaner and greener option, which is shipping containers that's not being used. And I've seen it overseas, and yeah, I just think

it's something that needs to be done and I'm doing it.

DEFTERIOS: And business, in a word, is booming. Annual turnover last year was $1.5 million. The company expects to double that going forward.

VON TONGEREN: We start with a container, obviously. It arrives like this. Then what we do is we design the house for the client. And then

what we do is we basically go to construction phase and we cut all the holes in the container that suit the window frames.

DEFTERIOS: From $565 per square meter to $1400 per square meter, the cost of construction and overall sale price is lower than a brick building.

VON TONGEREN: This consists of two 40 foot containers. Their joined on site. We put this in yesterday and it took about eight hours to install

the whole thing, including the roof and the balcony.

Ok, so in here we're in the master bedroom. And so in here is the second bedroom. Again, this is still part of the two containers. The

doors are left on, so you can open them up and you can -- if you've got a nice view, you know, it's going to be a pretty special bedroom.

DEFTERIOS: There are approximately 34 million 20 foot shipping containers on Earth. It's likely in future, these sturdy metal boxes will

increasingly be seen as an alternative to brick buildings.

John Defterios.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: You're watching Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson, live from the UAE at just after half past 7:00. These are the headlines.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry turned his attention today to the autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq. He met with the Kurdish

President Massoud Barzani who says his region is facing a new reality and a new Iraq.

In Sudan, a Christian woman who faced death for refusing to renounce her faith is back in government custody. Lawyers say Mariam Yehya Ibrahim

and her husband were detained at the airport in Khartoum. Now this comes a day after she was released.

We're getting word this hour of another mass kidnapping in Nigeria. Local officials say some 60 women and girls have been abducted from a

remote farming village in Borno state, some of the girls as young as 3- years-old. And it is again believed to be the work of Boko Haram.

Egypt's president says he will not intervene in the case of three al Jazeera journalists who were sentenced up to 10 years in prison yesterday

for their reporting during last year's unrest in Cairo. Journalists, human rights groups and leaders around the world have denounced the verdict and

demanded that the men be released.

The British prime minister's former communication's chief Andy Coulson has been found guilty of conspiracy to hacking phones. The charges relate

to his time as a tabloid newspaper editor. Well, Coulson's former colleague Rebekah Brooks has been cleared of all charges. The verdicts

come three years after it was revealed that journalists at the paper checked the messages of a missing teenager raising hopes that she was still

alive. She had in fact been murdered.

CNN's Max Foster is at the Old Bailey in London and joins us live with more.

Max, just how significant is this decision today?

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNAITONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's a big decision. It's still ongoing. I mean, this trial has been going on for

months, one of the longest criminal trials in British history. It's not over yet, because there are still two outstanding verdicts that we're

waiting for in relation to Andy Coulson, predominately in relation to payments made to a police officer for some royal phone directories and the

jury is still considering those.

But of course, they delivered the other verdicts earlier on today. So Rebekah Brooks cleared of all the charges against her. Andy Coulson

convicted of phone hacking, which is really the core of this case. It's not all about phone hacking, but that which has got most of the attention

today.

And Andy Coulson is important, not just because he was editor of the leading tabloid in this country, but he later went on to be the

communications secretary for Prime Minister David Cameron whose own judgment is now being questioned. And he's being forced to respond today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I take full responsibility for employing Andy Coulson. I did so on the basis of undertakings I was given

by him about phone hacking. And those turned out not to be the case.

I always said that if they turned out to be wrong, I would make a full and frank apology. And I do that today. I'm extremely sorry that I

employed him. It was the wrong decision. And I'm very clear about that.

FOSTER: Celebrities, members of the royal family, a murdered schoolgirl, all were among the more than 4,000 people alleged to have had

their phones hacked by the British tabloid The News of the World over a period of six years. The scandal saw the 168 year old paper shut down by

its Rupert Murdoch owned parent company News International in July 2011.

It also led to a public inquiry and a criminal trial to determine who at the tabloid knew about the illegal intercepts.

Chief among the seven accused was former News International CEO Rebekah Brooks. The prosecution says she was the editor at The News of the

World and its stable mate The Sun whilst journalists hacked phones and made corrupt payments to public officials.

It was further alleged that together with five others, including her husband, Charlie Brooks, the 46-year-old conspired to cover up the

wrongdoing. According to the prosecution, this CCTV vision of Mr. Brooks disposing of technical equipment before police arrived is evidence of that.

The defense claimed he was actually removing pornography to avoid embarrassing headlines for his wife.

That headline, and several others about Mrs. Brooks' private life emerged during the seven month trial, including revelations that she shared

an intimate relationship with her successor and co-accused Andrew Coulson who later went on to work as British Prime Minister David Cameron's

director of communications.

Both Mr. Coulson and Mrs. Brooks had approved many titillating front pages during their tenures at The News of the World. And the prosecution

argued the pair must have been aware that stories were being sourced through private investigator Glenn Mulcair. Mrs. Brooks denied knowing

Mulcair, even though the court heard he had been on The News of the World payroll since the late 1990s and had already been jailed over phone hacking

alongside former royal correspondent Clive Goodman in 2007.

Mr. Goodman gave evidence revealing he listened to Kate Middleton's voicemails 155 times, Prince William's 35 times and Prince Harry's nine

times.

No one denies phone hacking too place at The News of the World. And victims, together with authorities, have demanded justice.

But what's been vehemently refuted by all defendants in this trial is that they played any part in the illegal eavesdropping.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Rebekah Brooks, of course, vindicated on all charges today. She got very emotional in the court and had to be taken away by a nurse,

but she looked confident when she came back outside. A huge amount of relief, no doubt for her.

Andy Coulson, though, facing a jail term, particularly if these extra charges come through against him. We'll wait to hear about that. It could

happen today, Becky, but possibly tomorrow. The jury is under no pressure from the judge to come up with a quick decision.

ANDERSON: Max Foster for you.

All right, let's turn back to our top story this hour, the battle for Iraq. Chief U.S. security correspondent Jim Sciutto sat down with U.S.

Secretary of State John Kerry in northern Iraq earlier to get his view of were things stand now. Part of the interview for you now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: What I have found here is, first of all, the signature fact that 14 million Iraqis went out and voted. A very

significant percentage of the population chose democracy. And there is a constitutional process which we in our strategic framework agreement are

pledged to be supportive of, and we are.

That constitutional process is actually playing out right now. The fact is that even President Barzani today, who is opposed to the prime

minister, made it clear that he wants to participate in the process, that he wants to help choose the next government. And other leaders that I met

with were all engaged. We have to let that organic process work out a little bit.

Words are cheap. I fully -- you know, I'm not taking anything I hear to the bank and saying, wow, it's going to be solved. But I'm hearing

things that indicate to me that if they follow through on the things they're saying, there's a capacity to have a new government that could be a

unity government that could reflect a greater capacity for success.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: That was John Kerry speaking to Jim Sciutto.

While ISIS is a Sunni fighting force in Iraq and in Syria, of course, that does not mean that they have the total support of the mostly Sunni

population now under their control in Iraq.

But as Arwa Damon reports, they all have one thing in common, they are angry at the government of the Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: About a year ago, we traveled to Iraq's Sunni heartland of al-Anbar Province, the highway into

the city of Ramadi transformed into a demonstration ground against Shia prime minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The tribes were getting ready for battle should Iraqi forces try to enter.

SHEIK ALI HATEM SULEIMAN, SUNNI TRIBAL LEADER (through translator): We've been ready for a long time. We're certain that al-Maliki is a liar.

The political process is just a game. Our weapons are everywhere -- light, medium and on up.

DAMON: But Sheik Ali Hatem had also vowed that the tribes would not again be a nurturing ground for terrorism. His tribe was among those that

eventually allied with the U.S., turning against al Qaeda in some of the darkest days of the American occupation.

So what happened?

SULEIMAN (through translator): ISIS has tried to ride the wave of the Sunni revolution. It's trying to exploit it and we won't accept this.

DAMON: But to a certain degree, they have for now.

SULEIMAN (through translator): It's not in our interest to fight a variety of groups. We don't have the capability to fight everyone. The

problem is with Maliki. ISIS is killing and ISIS has an agenda. But all the Shia militias right now are wearing an official Iraqi uniform and are

killing Iraqis. Everyone is focused on ISIS. The tribes will not ally with ISIS.

DAMON: The problem is, Sunni insurgent groups and the tribes are not all united.

But Iraq's Sunni population does have genuine grievances.

SULEIMAN (through translator): American needs to not look at Iraq through a single lens. There is a real revolution, real opposition.

Maliki is polishing his image. America needs to listen to us. We don't have an issue with anyone. We just want our rights. We have a right to

live here.

DAMON: And Sheik Ali Hatem warns America needs to remember something very important from its devastating era in Iraq.

SULEIMAN (through translator): ISIS is going to open the door in Iraq that can't be closed and we are aware of this. You can't stop ISIS without

the tribes. America shouldn't think that the Maliki government can stop ISIS. Maliki is the real danger to us. We can get rid of ISIS whenever we

want. And rest assured we will fight them.

DAMON: That might prove tougher than he boasts. Already in many areas like Mosul, ISIS is clearly the one in control and calling the shots,

having already opened the door to this new bloody phase of the country's history.

Arwa Damon, CNN, Urbil, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: You're watching Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. Up next, Iranian authorities detain some World Cup fans over this viral

video. We're going to take a closer look at Iran's internet restrictions and the push to change them. That in a live report from Tehran up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well, a couple of World Cup fans have found themselves in trouble with the authorities in Iran after they appeared in this music

video.

(MUSIC)

ANDERSON: Well, fans were reportedly released after being questioned. The music, featured in that video, was from the London-based Iranian band

Ajam (ph).

Well, I actually spoke to the b and several days ago. They said their song was only meant to capture the excitement of the World Cup and not by

any means make a political statement.

Well, something similar happened, of course, with this video of young Iranians dancing to the Pharell Williams song Happy. Iranian police

detained several people connected with this clip releasing them days later.

Though, could this be a sign that the authorities are backing off what has been in the past the country's tough media restrictions?

Well, just a few weeks ago Iran's president gave a speech urging leaders to, quote, recognize our citizens rights to connect to the world

wide web.

Well, let's get to Reza Sayah to get some perspective on this from Tehran.

It does seem slightly odd to be saying -- are we seeing the Iranian authorities back off a little in what has been this incredibly strict

authoritative sort of message of the past.

But, you know, these guys I guess have been released in both of these cases.

What's the reality on the ground so far as people getting a chance to gather and watch these games?

REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPNDENT: The reality is complicated. I mean, Iran is such a complicated culture, Becky, that when

you have incidents like this it's hard to get a read on it.

But when you look at this particular case, it certainly could be a sign that social restrictions are easing a little bit, but it's impossible

to say at this point.

Iran is a very young, educated, creative population. They often seem to be at odds with conservative authorities over issues like freedom of

expression, social freedoms and the use of social media. And when you look at this case, on the surface it looks like another case where you have

young Iranians seemingly having innocent fun -- singing, dancing, making a music video. And in come the hard-line authorities and arrest them

seemingly the same old narrative. But it's important to point out that in this case, authorities immediately released them after a brief questioning.

Again, that could be a sign that social freedoms are easing a little bit. As you mentioned, a similar thing happened last month when Iranians

were arrested after they made a music video on Pharell's song Happy. In this case, authorities said they discovered this music video was shot in

Iran and made it to satellite TV.

Again, you had men and women dancing together in the video, the women without the hijab, the Islamic headdress. Of course, in Iran, the law says

women and men cannot dance together in public. This is a law that was established after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

But anyone who knows Iran and its 2000 year old history knows that singing, dancing and generally having fun is steeped in Iranian culture.

However, Becky, that often conflicts and clashes with the more conservative values that are present in Iran today.

But an interesting case. Again, some signs that social restrictions are easing a little bit, but you have many journalists and dissidents and

pro-democracy activists who have been jailed who say, no, Iran still has a long way to go when it comes to social freedoms and human rights.

ANDERSON: Yeah, let's talk about the games themselves and whether anything is changing sort of on the ground, as it were, in public places.

I want to get our viewers to take a look at President Hassan Rouhani's presence online. This is Mr. Rouhani's Twitter page. Now he certainly

seems to be an avid poster. He maintains this account in English as well as one in Farsi. But Mr. Rouhani doesn't just use his account to post

about politics or official events. Last week, he uploaded this photo of himself watching Iran play Nigeria in the World Cup. He also appeared to

weigh in on the Happy video controversy with this post from a few weeks ago.

Mr. Rouhani retweeting a comment he made first last year saying, "happiness is our people's right. We shouldn't be too hard on behaviors

caused by joy."

Very briefly, are people given the chance to get together and gather and watch these guys? I know, Iran is now dropping out of the competition,

but what a game against Argentina the other day. How many people got to watch that together?

SAYAH: We observed several locations where that happened, where men and women gathered together in restaurants, eateries and cafes and watched

it despite a ban on that happening. And then you have the Twitter account, Mr. Rouhani, again signs that perhaps things are changing slowly here.

But when you talk to other Iranians, they'll tell you, Becky, that there's still a long way to go despite those positive signs.

ANDERSON: Reza Sayah is in Tehran for you this evening. Reza, thank you.

Coming up after this short break on Connect the World, let's get to Brazil for you for the very latest on the World Cup.

And if you've ever wonder what's happened to the football that you have lost on the beach or perhaps in the park, well wait until you see this

collection one artist has come up with.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well, Brazil safely through to the knockout stages of the World Cup. The host wrapped up a very comfortable 4-1 victory over

Cameroon to secure the top spot in their group. A special credit to Neymar who scored the 100th goal of this tournament in his country's 100th World

Cup match.

Brazil taking on Chile in the last 16 on Saturday.

Mexico joining Brazil in the knockout round after beating Croatia 3-1. They'll take on The Netherlands on Sunday. Two cracking matches to look

forward to.

Italy and Uruguay among those teams in actions Tuesday. Isa Soares is live from Rio with more.

Briefly, go on, what do you think?

Oh, I don't think I can hear you...

ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky, you can repeat the question, sorry. You can hear me now. Can you hear me now, Becky?

ANDERSON: Italy-Uruguay?

Yep, I can hear you -- Italy-Uruguay.

SOARES: Italy-Uruguay it's a big game. It is the big game. It's starting in less than 10 minutes from now. It is the game -- they're

fighting it out for that second spot. If you remember, Costa Rica has the top spot. They're already qualified, although they're playing England.

But it will be a tough match for both of them.

Now, we know from the starting lineup that I can tell you that both Pirlo and Balotelli, Pirlo the man who holds all the strings in midfield,

he's playing for Italy. And Suarez and Cavani also playing as duo of strikers, deadly strikers for Uruguay.

Now, Becky, in terms of how these two countries stack up, Italy has a slight edge onto the goal difference, but so they -- all they need is a

draw.

But Uruguay actually needs to win. They need those three points if they want to progress to the next stage.

How they have fared in the past? Italy won the last match that took place here a the Confederation's Cup. he won 3-2 on penalties. The actual

match, though, the game was 2-2. So this to show you how tight it will be.

It is the match of the day and the one that everyone is looking forward to, Becky.

ANDERSON: That's right. Can England restore their pride with a new lineup tonight? That's also a big question. We haven't got time for the

answer to that.

The Spanish team, I believe, has also just arrived in Madrid. I don't suppose there were many people at the airport to welcome them home, next

time for them.

Thank you, Isa.

For every World Cup star like Neymar, there are countless amateurs taking to parks, beaches and elsewhere that they can find to play, of

course.

Here's something you might not have thought about in the past, some of the balls that end up getting abandoned by those of us who haven't got a

decent shot can add up to what is a big problem for the environment.

In tonight's parting shots Mandy Barker shows us the rather ugly side of the beautiful game.

BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MANDY BARKER, ARTIST: My project is called Penalty. It came about from a social media request for people around the world to send washed up

marine debris footballs from as many different beaches as they could find.

So each ball kind of tells a story as to how and where it was found. I've had footballs sent to me from some beach cleaners in Kenya. I've had

a ball sent to me from a Kayaker in Guadalupe. South Africa, Robben Island. I mean, I was very specific to ask everybody who wanted to

(inaudible) a ball that it was definitely found in the sea, you know, it was definitely found on the shorelines.

One particular ball has the markings and mark of a place in Japan. And this is thought to have come across the Pacific Ocean in the tsunami.

A man contacted me on the west coast of Scotland. And he said I found 30 balls. And that was the time (inaudible) 50 balls, 70 balls, until it

reached 228 balls.

The overall mission for my work is to create awareness through the images I create. So I think if people are kind of amazed by what's out

there it will make them think twice about what happens to their toothbrush, their plastic fork, their computer, all those sorts of things.

Some of the balls have been found with bite marks in, pieces of balls seem to have been eaten by either turtles or fish.

I chose the name Penalty for the series. Obviously it has connotations with the football and penalties, but the main reason is the

penalty that we're going to face if we don't take action. And we don't wake up to the problem of marine plastic pollution.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: What a remarkable project.

The team at Connect the World always want to hear from you. Facebook./CNNconnect. You can get to the blog at CNN.com/connect. You can

tweet me as ever @BeckyCNN, that's @BeckyCNN. Search for us on Instagram, BeckyCNN. That piece that we've just seen will be on the blog soon.

I'm Becky Anderson. That was Connect the World. Thank you for watching. From the UAE, it's a very good evening.

END