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Connect the World
Suspected Gunman Killed in Copenhagen; First Time Oscar Nominees Share Reaction to News; Ceasefire Fragile in Ukraine as Fighting Continues in Debaltseve; Iraqi Sunnis Boycotting Parliament After Tribal Leader Killed; Fourth Blizzard Slams Northeastern US; Parting Shots: US City Wants to Arrest Punxsutawney Phil; Indian Tata Group: From National Giant to Global Power; Indian-UAE Trade; Managing Turmoil; Dubai's Little India
Aired February 15, 2015 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JONATHAN MANN, HOST: Copenhagen --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To protect the Jewish community --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANN: Copenhagen remains on high alert after a day of terror leads to three deaths, including the suspect. We'll take you live to the Danish capital as
the prime minister vows to keep her country safe.
Also ahead, tense calm in eastern Ukraine 18 hours into a ceasefire between government troops and pro-Russian separatists. We'll bring you the view
from the ground.
And, let is stop snowing. More misery for Massachusetts as February records are smashed under still more snow with half the month still remaining.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is Connect the World.
MANN: Thanks for joining us.
Denmark is grappling with grief and looking for answer after a day of terror in Copenhagen.
Two people were killed and five wounded in shootings at a synagogue and a free speech forum featuring controversial cartoonist Lars Vilks.
Police say that early today they shot and killed the suspect in a firefight. The Danish prime minister called yesterday's attacks a cynical
act of terror and she had some special words for Denmark's Jewish comunity.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HELLE THOMING-SCHMIDT, DANISH PRIME MINISTER: We stand here in front of the Jewish synagogue in Copenhagen. We are devastated today. A man has lost his
life in a service of that synagogue. And we are devastated.
Our thoughts go to his family. We are with them today. But our thoughts go to the whole of the Jewish community today. They belong in Denmark. They
are a strong part of our community. And we will do everything we can to protect the Jewish community in our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANN: CNN's Nic Robertson is standing by in Copenhagen with more on the attacks. Nic, two attacks and then the final deadly encounter. What can you
tell us about what happened and about the suspect?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what the police say is that the suspect went to an apartment building close to the center of
Copenhagen late in the afternoon between 4:16 and 4:37 on Saturday afternoon. They were aware that he had gone there because he had been taken
there by taxi. They staked it out later on at about 11:00 they staked that apartment out. And when the suspect returned there at 4:50 in the morning,
the police say that they challenged him. He responded by pulling weapons on them and shooting at them. They fired at him and he was pronounced dead at
the scene.
So the police at the moment have not released his name. There was a description of him that said he was sort of between 25 and 30, relatively
tall, of an athletic build. There was also a description saying that he was possibly of Middle Eastern origin, but so far the police are saying only
that they have a high degree of certainty that he was the gunman in the two incidents, that he acted alone. But of course security here remains high as
well, Jon.
MANN: Is there any indication of whether he was associated with an extremist group or a lone wolf?
ROBERTSON: At the moment the police are saying that they believe he may -- and they're using the word "may" have been inspired by the attacks in Paris
at the Charlie Hebdo -- and the Charlie Hebdo cartoonist, and at the kosher supermarket.
So they're saying that he may have been inspired by that. They're also saying that he may have been inspired, as well, by radical propaganda from
groups like ISIS, so the police are making that link, but at the moment they're not saying there's a definitive link, they're saying that they've
discovered a statement or a motive, but that's what the police are saying, Jon.
MANN: What's Copenhagen like today? Last night it was in lockdown?
ROBERTSON: You know, we just drove across the city. There was a whole city block completely locked down. There were fire engines, there were police
vehicles in the street. There was a neighborhood very close to where the gunman was shot in the early hours of this morning, the suspect gunman was
shot in the early hours of this morning. That part of that neighborhood was also on lockdown.
Police made two arrests, we're told, of two young men in an internet cafe in that neighborhood.
So the operations are still going on. There is plenty of traffic about. People are going about what they would probably normally do on a relatively
cold day here in Copenhagen walking on the streets, going to visit family and friends.
But the police operations continue. The police say that they are pouring all their resources into this. They pulled in people from other departments
and other areas to help them at the moment.
The focus at the moment, Copenhagen, that we're aware of so far.
MANN: Nic Robertson in Copenhagen, thanks very much.
We'll have much more on this story ahead, including hearing about the panic and chaos during the first shooting from someone who was at the free speech
panel and hid from the gunman.
We'll also talk with a cartoonist who says the spate of recent attacks has made him more nervous about his line of work, all just a little later in
the broadcast.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is mostly holding. The truce has been in effect since
early Sunday morning, but the OSCE lists some sporadic violations, specifically in Debaltseve.
Pro-Russia separatists have prevented the group from entering the key railway town. The chief OSCE monitor for Ukraine is calling on the rebels
and Ukrainian forces to obey all terms of the ceasefire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERTUGRUL APAKAN, OSCE CHIEF MONITOR FOR UKRAINE: The mission calls on all parties to fully adhere to the ceasefire in all locations and to guarantee
access to enable it to fulfill its monitoring role in line with this mandate given by the 57 (inaudible) states of the OSCE.
We do believe that through peaceful means, the settlement of (inaudible) in the eastern regions is possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANN: Well, let's bring in senior international correspondent Nick Paton Walsh joining us now from eastern Ukraine. It sounds like good news so far.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Mixed good news, yes. Certainly, we've seen a massive drop in the violence that we heard in
central Donetsk without a doubt when we left there this morning and around here to the north of Debaltseve as well.
But obviously, Debaltseve itself remains the key issue. It always going to be the key issue. And often during the course, many will be asking
themselves what kind of ceasefire is there if people haven't actually stopped firing?
Now we heard shelling. It seemed to be from both sides around Debaltseve, quite a lot. Some time this morning, the OSCE reported that as well and
what they referred to as a tenth hour. I'm guessing that the tenth hour of the cease fire. We were there a few hours later. Still, pretty noisy.
That road into Debaltseve, not entirely free by any stretch of the imagination. It's that road that the OSCE were not able to finish their
journey down. They say that the separatists did not allow them into Debaltseve, and that's the key issue here, if that road remains blocked,
there are still hundreds or thousands of Ukrainian troops inside Debaltseve potentially still exchanging fire with the separatists. That's the
flashpoint that could derail this piece, fragile as it seems to be at this moment, at -- a ceasefire in that perhaps in practice, but with some pretty
substantial holes in it, too, Jonathan.
And I have to point out before the last ceasefire looked a little like this. There was a lull and then things picked up again, Jonathan.
In fact, Nic, we have some news that's just come in to CNN. A spokesman for the Azog (ph) battalion is saying that there's heavy fighting, ongoing in a
village about 15 kilometers outside of Mariupol. The Azog (ph) battalion of course a group of volunteers under the command of Ukraine's interior
ministry.
A spokesman said it was mostly small arms fire, but said that tanks were also involved at times during the day. He said the battalion has suffered
casualties, but wouldn't specify whether they were soldiers killed or wounded or how many there were.
What are we to make of this?
ROBERTSON: Well, that may well be that some of the fight is happening to the east of Mariupol, Sharokny (ph) a village out there, a scene of heavy
fighting yesterday, whether that has picked up or not, obviously. We'll find in the hours ahead.
The issue, I think, for the monitors like the OSCE is sporadic moments of violence and then (inaudible) similar I think elements like that in and
around Donetsk, and they pointed out in Luhansk as well today. Does that amount to enough of a reason to declare the ceasefire null (inaudible)?
Probably not.
So much politically invested in this. If there has been a substantial falloff in the violence, then obviously the monitors will want to see
(inaudible) suggestion that both sides adhere to some degree.
The problem is, at what point do you then say, OK, fine, this hasn't actually worked. And that's a major issue for Kiev certainly, too, and the
other those who agreed to that particular document out of Minsk. Obviously, the separatist of edging forward little by little effectively agreeing to
something and then just chipping away at it, never lurching far enough to exact a massive reaction from sanctions from the EU against Russia, for
example.
That's the strategy we have to look at the hours ahead. Violence potentially to the east of Mariupol. Yes, that's of concern, particularly
violence around Debaltseve. Remember, the separatists say that's their territory, but effectively the thousands of Ukrainian troops in that town
shouldn't really be there.
That's one point we're going to have to look at in the hours and days ahead quite how it let's the ceasefire by name sustain itself -- Jonathan.
MANN: Nick Paton Walsh live for us. And we'll be checking in with you again in the hours to come.
Russia has repeatedly denied that it's directly involved in eastern Ukraine, but as CNN's Erin McLaughlin reports, the U.S. says it has new
evidence that Moscow has been sending heavy weapons into the conflict zone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Russian defense ministry has dismissed allegations coming from the United States that there are Russian
weapons systems in place around the Ukrainian city of Debaltseve.
Now, Debaltseve is seen as a strategic point. There was heavy fighting reported there up until the point of this ceasefire. It's a key railway and
road crossing.
Now on Saturday, U.S. officials tweeting out a series of satellite images that it says shows Russian weapons systems around the city, U.S. officials
saying that that is in violation of the spirit of the ceasefire.
Now Russia for its part has long called on the United States and its western allies to provide concrete evidence of its alleged involvement in
the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Today, dismissing this latest bit of evidence.
Meanwhile, the so-called Normandy four, according to Russian media reports, is expected to have a telephone conversation today. The leaders of Russia,
Ukraine, Germany and France expected to discuss this enforcement of the ongoing ceasefire.
Erin McLaughlin, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MANN: Still to come this hour, Iraqi forces are struggling as ISIS gains ground in Anbar province.
Meanwhile, Sunni lawmakers are boycotting parliament. We'll have the latest in 20 minutes.
Plus, last month's shooting at Charlie Hebdo magazine and now the latest at a Danish cafe have raised serious questions about the threat extremists are
posing to free speech. We'll speak to a political cartoonist about that threat and his work next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MANN: Welcome back. You're watching CNN. And this is Connect the World. I'm Jonathan Mann in for Becky Anderson. Recapping our top story now, police in
Copenhagen, Denmark say they have killed the gunman who opened fire on a free speech forum and a synagogue.
The suspect was shot by police after a massive manhunt. Police say he fatally shot two people and wounded several others in two separate
shootings Saturday.
The first one took place at a cafe where Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks was set to speak. Vilks had received death threats after drawing caricatures of
the Prophet Muhammed.
Earlier, witnesses to that shooting said to CNN's Jim Acosta that this is what he saw.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DENNIS MAYHOFF BRINK, WITNESSED COPENHAGEN CAFE ATTACK: We were all, of course, terrified and we were panicking inside the room and trying to get
out of different doors. But we could also hear shots in the street afterward. So, even though we were on our way out of one door, we stayed
inside and it was just hiding behind tables that were turned over and everything we could hide behind.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And Dennis, how were you able to escape? What was that like?
MAYHOFF: Well, we didn't escape from the room the room at all. We stayed inside the room and we were just hoping that the assassin wouldn't get into
the room. And after a few minutes a person came into the room with a gun and we all panicked very much, but it turned out to be probably a person
from the Danish intelligence service. At least he wasn't interested in doing us any harm. And he was just securing a different door.
He was shot in the leg, though. We could see he was bleeding. And then another I think maybe five minutes later we heard the police cars all
around.
So we simply stayed inside the building --
ACOSTA: Dennis, if I can jump in, did -- when this all started happening, was it fairly clear to you who these attackers were coming for, for this
cartoonist, this artist Lars Vilks?
MAYHOFF: Well, it's so that because Lars Vilks was there, there was a lot of security before. There was like a security check similar to one you go
through in an airport. And therefore, of course we knew that it might be an issue, although nobody of course expected something like this.
But, when I heard the person yell in what I think was Arabic, at that point I thought that it was probably some Islamist terrorist or something who
wanted to kill Lars Vilks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANN: Lars Vilks escaped unharmed, but he was at that venue to defend free speech despite al Qaeda death threats against him.
I want to turn now to Dutch cartoonist Ruben Oppenheimer, who has been a very outspoken advocate of free speech joining us now via Skype from Spain.
Thanks so much for talking with us.
I'm sorry about the circumstances. And to be honest, I'm startled. Did you ever think that when you started out as a cartoonist you would be on the
front lines, you'd be defending the very work in a global struggle?
RUBEN OPPENHEIMER, CARTOONIST: Good afternoon, Jon.
Yes, of course, no. This is -- it's asking this question is giving the answer. I would have never thought -- I would have thought I could make a
little point hopefully by making my corrections, but that point would be -- I saw people seeing that such a big point that we become front soldiers. I
could have never imagined or in my worst dreams, dreamed a lot.
MANN: And yet that is what you have become. And I'm wondering, some of your recent drawings have been very pointed defense of freedom of speech and
essentially attacks on the threats your facing. In your own work, does it make you afraid to draw what comes into your imagination?
OPPENHEIMER: Well, my work is sharp, indeed. But I never had the idea that the kind of cartoons that I make are the most insulting ones.
I said before that I'm not an anti-Islam cartoonist. Absolutely not. I make cartoons about everybody. And I make cartoons about every topic. But this
doesn't -- so this doesn't stop me doing my work, but being a soft target does make me think again about invitations to participate in debates about
my work and freedom of speech in public like the one that was targeted yesterday, because those kind of debates are very often in pubs or those
little rooms that are not very -- they're not bunkers, they're -- you can't defend them the way you can defend maybe a military target.
And me saying this, that I will think again about going to those kind of debates, which I find very important, because I think my cartoons are not
the end of a debate, they are hopefully the start of a debate, they are the end of a thought of -- we're thinking. And the start of a debate, but me
rethinking if I want to do this, maybe means that perhaps these terrorists have won some points. And that's --
MANN: Do they give you pause to wonder about the entire enterprise? You say you're not an anti-Muslim cartoonist. Cartoonists generally avoid things
like violence pornographic images. They avoid idealizing mass murder, because it's offensive to people.
I don't mean to blame the victims in any respect, but would it make sense to simply avoid topics that incite religious passion and offend people of
faith?
OPPENHEIMER: Well, I don't know which newspaper you read, but I see also pornographic cartoons. It's the question what do you find pornographic?
There's a Dutch cartoon, very famous one, which has a little -- two little birds that (inaudible) and they both have little penises that are visible.
You could call it pornographic.
No, if you start stop drawing things because people want you to, because people ask you in this way in a violent way, this is a very wrong signal.
You cannot -- you cannot, you should never -- and I'm starting to sound like a former American president, but you should never give in to these
kind of terrorists.
MANN: Ruben Oppenheimer, thanks so much for talking with us.
OPPENHEIMER: You're welcome.
MANN: Denmark, like many nations, has faced ongoing fears about the radicalization of its Muslim citizens. It has one of Europe's highest rates
of Jihadist fighters, but instead of jailtime, many fighters who return from Syria are put in a controversial rehabilitation program.
For a look at how that program works, head to our website CNN.com/international and search for Denmark rehabilitation program. It
makes for interesting reading.
Live from CNN Center, this is Connect the World, coming up the northeastern U.S. can't seem to catch a break this winter as millions brace for another
blizzard. Our correspondents are on the ground with the latest.
Plus, a closer look at this year's Oscar nominees and how some first timers reacted when they found out that they were in the running.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MANN: You're watching Connect the World live from CNN Center. Welcome back. I'm Jonathan Mann.
We're just a week away from the 87th Academy Awards. The Oscars are to be handed out in Hollywood next Sunday and despite constantly being in the
spotlight, many stars were still floored when they found out they were nominated. Our Neil Curry looks now at how some of this year's newcomers
reacted.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEIL CURRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's the moment many actors dream of, the envelope is opened and a name is called out. They become an Oscar winner.
Excitement of award season begins before the big night as the class of 2015 gathered in Hollywood for a photo call, some of the first timers revealed
how they reacted to the news of their nomination.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was up at 5:30 exactly that with a cup of coffee sitting downstairs in the darkness. And my wife, I didn't know she had
woken up, too, but she was watching in our bedroom. So when my name was announced we -- I ran upstairs to tell her and she was running downstairs.
So we met at the top of the stairs and we were just jumping up and down for about 10 minutes. And it -- I'll just never forget that.
CURRY: For others, it took a little longer to realize just what had happened.
ROSAMUND PIKE, ACTRESS: It was so surreal. I really felt like I was in a weird dream, like this elongated dream. And two days later we were at a
restaurant, my boyfriend went to the bathroom, and I seem to have woken up while he left. And I grabbed this kid next to me and I said I got nominated
for an Academy Award. And he looked at me like, he was like, no you didn't. I was like, I know. Can you believe it? Google it. Let's check it. Google
it.
CURRY: And as the main event approaches, the lucky few have already managed to pick up a few awards on the road to the Oscars.
EDDIE REDMAYNE, ACTOR: I had the wonderful experience after the Golden Globes of taking the Golden Globe in my hand luggage through the x-ray
machine. And I did that thing of sort of I went through and I saw the bag going through and I saw the woman stop the thing and then like go close-up
on this weird shaped thing. And she's like I think it's an award or something. And I was praying that they would make me open it up, and they
did. I was so -- that was a very special moment. And the guys was like is this real? I was like --
CURRY: The newcomers and old timers alike are what season 2015 has already produced some memorable stories among the nominees. But the final script
for this year's Academy Awards won't be written until Sunday February 22 in front of a global TV audience of millions.
Neil Curry, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MANN: The latest world news headlines are just ahead. Plus, parts of the northeastern U.S. are seeing their biggest snowfall since -- well, the
biggest month since 1872. And guess what, there's more of it heading that way. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MANN: Welcome back, this is CONNECT THE WORLD. The top stories this hour. We still don't know why a man opened fire on a free speech forum and at
this Jewish synagogue yesterday in Copenhagen. Two people were killed, several wounded. The suspect was later killed by Danish police.
In the first day, the new cease-fire in eastern Ukraine appears to be mostly holding, despite some sporadic violations. There have been reports
of shelling in Debaltseve, along with violence in a town near Mariupol.
Nigerian police say a female suicide bomber killed at least seven people and wounded some 30 others at a bus station in Yobe state. A witness says
an angry mob then set the bomber's remains on fire. There's been no claim of responsibility, but terror group Boko Haram is suspected.
You're looking at live pictures out of Greece, or you will be in a moment. Thousands of people gathering in Athens in a pro-government austerity
rally, there you see it. It comes ahead of eurogroup meeting in Brussels, finance ministers set to discuss how to keep Greece afloat. A first round
of discussions ended in failure last week, and Greece's bailout deal expires in two weeks' time.
A tribal leader in Iraq says ISIS militants are gaining ground in the country's Anbar province. This is the region just west of Baghdad. It
could, quote, "collapse within hours" if Iraqi forces withdraw.
Meanwhile, Sunni members of Iraq's parliament are boycotting government sessions after a tribal leader was assassinated. He and his son were among
at least eight people killed in an ambush on their convoy south of Baghdad Saturday. Jomana Karadsheh is following developments from neighboring
Amman, Jordan, and joins us now.
Jomana, tell us about the assassination. Obviously, it was a spectacular attack on a man with great influence, and it is having repercussions. What
do we know?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jon, here's what we know from Iraqi officials. The number of casualties vary in this attack,
but on Friday evening, a convoy was ambushed in southern Baghdad. Six people at least were killed and their bodies dumped in a Shia neighborhood
in Baghdad.
And these six included a prominent tribal leader who is known for his moderation, a Sunni tribal leader, and also relatives of his, including his
son, and also members of his private security detail. Now, a member of parliament, the nephew of this tribal leader, was also kidnapped in this
attack and later released, beaten up badly, according to officials.
Now, here's -- this really couldn't have come at a worse time. The repercussions are already being felt in Baghdad. Sunni members of
parliament, two major blocks there, announcing that they are boycotting parliament now, although the prime minister did announce that they are
going to go after the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
But this comes at a time when Sunnis and are still feeling that they are being attacked, they say they're accusing Shia militias of being behind
this attack, like other atrocities, they say, that have been committed against them in recent months and recent weeks during this fight against
ISIS.
And Jon, we heard from Human Rights Watch today, releasing a report saying that these acts that are being committed by the Shia militias could amount
to war crimes. And this all coming at a time when the prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, is really trying to reverse what has been going on in Iraq
over the past few years.
The Sunni population there has felt marginalized and persecuted, they say, by the Shia-led government. Something that allowed ISIS to gain ground in
that country, using those sectarian rifts. And Abadi and his government, now, trying to change this, trying to bring the Sunnis onboard, make them
feel more included in the process.
And these kinds of attacks, what has happened over the last couple days really exacerbates those feelings and is very damaging to any attempts to
try and fight ISIS with the Sunnis on board, Jon.
MANN: While we're talking about ISIS, there's been this warning from another tribal leaders who says Anbar province may fall. How big is the
problem there? How big will the repercussions be if they lose the province?
KARADSHEH: Well, if you look at what's been going on in Anbar, Jon, it's -- the majority of that vast desert province is under the control of ISIS. By
some estimates, more than 70 percent of Anbar is controlled by that terror group.
And what we were told by this tribal leader, one of the few tribes that are actually standing up and fighting ISIS in Anbar, he's saying that if the
tribes, these few tribes that are fighting, stop fighting, stop resisting ISIS, that what remains of Anbar could fall, because he says the Iraqi
security forces alone cannot do this.
But here's the problem. These tribes have been complaining, they have said that the Iraqi government is not arming them, it is not giving them the
support they need to fight ISIS.
And we know that the tribes are a key part of the US strategy when it comes to quote-unquote defeating ISIS in Iraq. And so far, they say little has
been done, if anything, to try and persuade the Shia-led government to push it by the US to arm these tribes and give them the support they need to
fight ISIS. So really, a warning that we have heard in the past.
But now, as we see ISIS making more advances, Jon, in Anbar as this tribal sheikh we spoke to said, that in other parts of Iraq, they may be losing
ground, but in Anbar, they are gaining more ground, really highlighting the limitations of the US-led coalition airstrikes that are taking place, and
that more needs to be done, including bringing onboard those Sunni tribes and arming them in the fight against ISIS.
MANN: Now, you're comparing the places where they're doing better to the places where they're clearly doing worse, but we were told that ISIS was on
the defensive now, that the momentum had shifted.
KARADSHEH: Not really. If you look at it overall, Jon, over the past year, yes, the situation has changed. We're not seeing those breathtaking
advances where ISIS is taking over entire parts of the country, major cities, like we saw last summer. Those airstrikes did stop those kinds of
advances.
But what we saw happening over the last few days, ISIS still managed to take over -- and we're just talking about Anbar, there also moves in other
parts of the country, in places like Saladin province. But in Anbar specifically, we saw them taking over a whole town, Baghdadi, on Friday,
launching an attack on a base that houses US forces and the Iraq forces they are training.
It really shows that ISIS is still capable, it is still able to carry out these complex and well-planned attacks, something that we have seen taking
place in other parts of the country also in recent weeks and months.
And in Anbar specifically, Jon, they've continued to try and take over Ramadi, the provincial capital. So, the group has not been completely
weakened. If you look at these major areas that they still control, they still have the ability to carry out these attacks.
And Anbar, of course, is very important for ISIS. If it manages to take over what little that is left out of its control, it will allow the group
to control this vast amount of territory, stretching all the way from the Turkish border through Syria and into western Iraq to the western edges of
Baghdad.
So, really, what we are being told by officials there is that they need more support and more assistance in this fight against ISIS, and airstrikes
alone are not enough, Jon.
MANN: Jomana Karadsheh in Amman. Thanks very much.
Let's look at one of the other stories we're covering. In the US, another blizzard slamming the northeast. Just as Massachusetts was cleaning up from
its last several rounds of snow, it's now being bombarded by the fourth winter storm of the last few weeks. The state governor has extended
Valentine's Day to last all week in an effort to help business there.
Ryan Young is in Scituate outside of Boston with more. How much snow, how much wind, how much trouble?
RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, this area really does need the love. When you talk about the snow, we're still being pounded by that. In
fact, we've seen up to 12 inches just today alone.
I can tell you, this area's been hitting -- been hit with 40-mile-per-hour wind gusts. If you look at winds here, we've been watching the flags and
the air. Now, look, there's water just beyond that flag. You can't even see it because of the whiteout conditions.
As we drove around this morning, it was very difficult to see. In fact, we actually had to drive back to our hotel to make sure that we didn't go too
far in the early morning hours.
But just in the last hour or so, we ventured out, and we want to show you this video. We got close to the coastline. The water did break the area
there, and more than five inches were on the ground. We actually talked to some people who live in the neighborhood who said the water was starting to
come up to the front of their house.
And that was a real concern, but so far, so good, in terms of the water receding back before it become any real issues here. Power has not gone out
here. That's good news for the folks, because everyone's able to stay warm. But you can see, the wind is still swirling.
MANN: All that wind, all that snow, and water, too. Ryan Young in Scituate. Thanks very much. Get warm.
Well, the month's snowfall has broken records and travel is disrupted yet again for millions. Meteorologist Ivan Cabrera is with us and has a look at
what people on the Eastern Seaboard can expect over the days to come. What are you seeing?
IVAN CABRERA, AMS METEOROLOGIST: How about more snow? And more wind? And more misery? That's what I'm saying. It's terrible, it's just unbelievable
the pattern we're stuck in, Jon, here. And again, another winter storm.
Before we've tracked that one, we've got to tell you, this one made the record books. As far as this winter season, anyway, we're now the top three
snowiest ever in Boston history, and the records go back to 1872.
As far as the snow, very heavy at times early this morning. Some reports of terrific amounts of snow across portions of the north shore of
Massachusetts. But look at this, Nantucket, usually the winner, as far as the winds -- it's an island -- 100-kilometer-per-hour winds, close to
hurricane force, which is what we had talked about.
Now, interestingly enough, we still have a blizzard warning. The snow will be ending this afternoon, but the blizzard continues across the interior.
Why? No snow from the clouds, it's the snow that's on the ground that's going to be blowing around.
And that means a ground blizzard, and that means visibilities are going to be nil, essentially. It's going to be very dangerous, still, to be driving
out there. Let the plows do their work, that's what they're telling people. Stay indoors, not just because of that, but because of the very dangerous
wind chills.
And yes, behind me, another storm. This one's going to come in Tuesday and heading into Wednesday, yet another potential significant snow event for
the folks across the northeast.
And in fact, if that one verifies the way we're thinking, at least the models right now, early on, we could get all the way up to the snowiest
winter we've ever seen in Boston. That's saying a lot. I was there for the number one back in the 90s.
Take a look at the wind chills. Minus 19 is the way it feels. Then minus 25 to minus 30 degrees by the time you wake up on Monday morning. It is a
holiday in the United States, so that's a good thing, and hopefully people will stay indoors. A lot of schools up there closed.
And then there's this. This is the one headed up to the northeast on Wednesday, but before it gets there, it is going to make a pass at the
southern United States, and that means trouble here, because not used to the snow, not used to the ice, and that is exactly what we have.
Look at this, winter storm warnings posted for a chunk of the southern US, and that means accumulations will be significant as far as snowfall.
If you're planning on traveling down here to the south in the United States, Atlanta should be OK. We should be seeing a little bit of icing,
but he snow, the bulk of it, right now anyway, Jon, staying to the north. So there is that at least. We won't have to shovel out here.
(LAUGHTER)
MANN: That's good news for us, I guess. Ivan Cabrera with something to be grateful for. Thanks very much.
Have your travel plans been disrupted by the blizzard? The team at CONNECT THE WORLD wants to hear from you. Go online to facebook.com/connect (sic),
you can have your say and find out what the team is up to. We like hearing from you.
Well, the rough winter in the US has made a famous weather prognosticator a wanted man -- or rather, a wanted groundhog. Punxsutawney Phil is the
animal in the US that forecasts how much longer the winter will last, and now a police department in New Hampshire wants to arrest him. Jean Mackin
from affiliate WMUR has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEAN MACKIN, WMUR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Merrimack police have a pretty clear description of their suspect, last seen February 2nd,
Groundhog Day.
DENISE ROY, LIEUTENANT, MERRIMACK POLICE DEPARTMENT: He's small, hairy, large teeth. Been known to bite.
MACKIN: Every since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter, it's been like Groundhog Day around here, storm after
storm after storm.
ROY: We issued a warrant for Punxsutawney Phil. We will extradite him, wherever he's found.
MACKIN: News of the arrest warrant has gone viral. Tips -- or laughs -- flooding in from around the globe. Even the governors of Phil's home state
and New Hampshire are joining the joke to lift those winter blues.
Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf issued a statement saying, "The Merrimack Police should drop their cold-hearted plan to arrest Phil. New Hampshire
governor Maggie Hassan tweeted a reply, "All he has to do to make this go away is step outside and avoid his shadow. Expecting more snow this
weekend."
MACKIN (on camera): Just for the pursuit of Punxsutawney Phil, the Merrimack Police Department has agreed to deputize me to help find the
whereabouts of this varmint.
Have you seen this rodent?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I have never seen him before in my life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wish I had, because I would squish him! No.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I probably shouldn't say it on TV.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know, but it would be nice to find him so that we could get through winter and get to spring.
MACKIN (voice-over): We did find a few sympathizers during our hunt.
MACKIN (on camera): Do you like him?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes.
MACKIN (voice-over): For now, investigators suspect Phil is holed up underground, enjoying warm hibernation while Granite Staters deal with the
reality of his cold prediction.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MANN: Jean Mackin. I'm Jonathan Mann, and you've been watching CONNECT THE WORLD. Thanks for being with us. MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST is up next,
followed by a special edition of "The International Desk" with the latest developments from those shootings in Copenhagen.
You're looking at live pictures of a memorial at the scene of one of those attacks, the Copenhagen synagogue where one man was killed, 80 people were
indoors. An even blood bath averted. But still, Denmark is in mourning. You're watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NATARAJAN CHANDRASEKARAN, CEO, TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES: The best solution for all problems is fair economic activity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN DEFTERIOS, HOST: Tips from Tata. This week on MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST, the CEO of the Indian giant's consultancy arm talks about doing business in
the region.
Also, we take you on a tour of Dubai's Little India.
From cars to consulting, software to steel, India's Tata Group has gone from being a national giant to becoming a global powerhouse. It produces a
stream of products that caters to the rising masses of the emerging world, but also shakes up markets in richer places.
But it's Tata Consultancy Services, or TCS, that's really making inroads around the world, especially in the Middle East.
I met the company's chief executive in Saudi Arabia as he partnered up with GE and Saudi Aramco in launching the country's first all-female business
center.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHANDRASEKARAN: We have about 265 female professionals now serving both Aramco and GE. And some of the work that we do are pretty domain-intensive:
HR, finance and accounting, regulatory reporting, procurement. And these processes are being supported by these women for 38 countries.
DEFTERIOS: It's quite a radical change for Saudi Arabia. We wouldn't have this conversation five years ago, to think that a giant Indian player came
in and has an all-female workforce.
CHANDRASEKARAN: Yes, probably not. But I think it's -- it's a beautiful opportunity, great for Saudi Arabia, great opportunity for all these female
professionals, and it's good for the economy. It's about progress and growth.
DEFTERIOS: In fact, this economy is starting to open up. It was first the foreign-direct investment from companies like yourselves. And then, you see
that the capital market's opening up. That's quite a shift to suggest that foreign investors are welcome -- on a limited basis, but still welcomed
into the stock market. How do you see that as part of the progression of this economy?
CHANDRASEKARAN: Clearly, these are signs that this market is opening up. The kingdom is opening up, and I think these are good. These are going to
drive more investments and more economic growth actually in this region.
DEFTERIOS: So, it makes it less dependent just on Saudi capital, they don't have to go to the foreign markets to raise money. This is the benefit of
opening up?
CHANDRASEKARAN: I think capital is not an issue in Saudi for them. I think it is about integration. It is about job opportunities. It is about global
trade. So, it's not just about capital. I don't think it's about capital. It's about everything else.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS: The CEO of TCS on doing business in Saudi Arabia. We'll hear more from him a little bit later in the program.
We know that Tata is one of the largest Indian conglomerates, but certainly not the only one doing business right here in the Middle East and North
Africa. In fact, trade between India and the six Gulf states tops $160 billion, and about half that total comes from right here in the UAE.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS (voice-over): The traders of Dubai's old port in the creek load their wooden dhows as they have for centuries. Today, India, with a
population of 1.25 billion people, has emerged as the UAE's largest trading partner.
SHEIKHA LUBNA AL-QASIMI, UAE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN TRADE: Geographically, it is our neighbor. It is not that far. In terms of logistics, it's very
accessible. So, it is a natural trading partner for the United Arab Emirates.
But going through history before -- the route for the Silk Road actually used to pass all the way from East Africa through the United Arab Emirates
all the way to India. So, it has a historical background when it comes to this particular relationship.
DEFTERIOS: Over the last decade, trade rose from just $4.3 billion in 2003 to $75 billion in 2013, representing an annual growth rate of 33 percent.
Indian companies use the modern port of Jebel Ali in Dubai, the region's largest, as a re-exporting gateway to Africa, Europe, and the United
States.
But relations go deeper than hard goods. The Indian expat community is the UAE's largest at 2.6 million, making up about 30 percent of the total expat
population. Dino Varkey is group executive director of GEMS Education, a private school group founded by an Indian family.
DINO VARKEY, GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEMS EDUCATION: The rich history of trade between India and the UAE has always been there. And for the
political leadership on either side to develop those strong, sustainable partnerships, well, I think now is a very opportune moment.
DEFTERIOS: Since winning the election in May last year, India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, has talked of expanding ties from South Asia to
the Middle East and North Africa. The six Gulf states are a good place for him to focus his attention. With a GDP over $1.5 trillion and a population
of just about 43 million, Saudi Arabia makes up nearly half that total.
The sovereign funds of the Gulf states are seen as potential investors to help in rebuilding India's creaking infrastructure, which is in need of at
least a trillion dollars.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS: The relationship between India and the Middle East is not all about trade and investment. Up next, we take you on a tour of Little India,
right here in Dubai on MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DEFTERIOS: Welcome back to MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST and our special look at the relationship between India and the Middle East. Tata, of course, is one
of the biggest Indian players, and it has a big stake in this region. But of course, the Middle East is facing a lot of turmoil, so I asked the CEO
of Tata Consultancy Services, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, how to deal with this sort of climate.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHANDRASEKARAN: So, in general, if you look at the world at large, there are issues in different parts of the world. Every now and then, we have all
kinds of economic, political, and operating kind of issues. So, that in general is always. But the best solution for all problems is fair economic
activity.
DEFTERIOS: It's very interesting, though. You're using Saudi Arabia as your hub for the Middle East and North Africa. Most people would kind of opt for
a lower-cost market, but you have a lot of confidence this can be delivered.
CHANDRASEKARAN: Yes, this can be delivered. And we really are present in many of the other countries in this region, so it's just not that we only
operate from Saudi Arabia. We have a center here in Riyadh, but as things progress and as we see business opportunities, we will continually evaluate
and then see how we access talent in each market and what are the cost structures.
At the end of the day, we should be able to attract talent, regional talent, and offer a solution and a value proposition and also make money.
(LAUGHTER)
CHANDRASEKARAN: So, the combination of all these factors drive growth.
DEFTERIOS: You like security, you like predictability, you like business openness that would represent Dubai. So, you're picking very carefully in a
region that's going through a lot of turbulence.
CHANDRASEKARAN: We have a presence in Dubai, we have customers in Bahrain, customers in all the countries in this region. And so, I think we will do
it in a collaborative way, but definitely here, this center is part of that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS: Natarajan Chandrasekaran, once again, of Tata Consultancy Services.
We know that India and the Middle East has a long-standing relationship. It's an important leg on the Silk Road. But it's not all about trade and
business, as Amir Daftari found out in Dubai's Little India.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMIR DAFTARI, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hustle and bustle. Saris and spice. You may think this is Delhi or Mumbai, but you'd
be wrong.
DAFTARI (on camera): Away from the images of Dubai that are known around the world exists a place that is rarely seen. Welcome to Meena Bazaar.
DAFTARI (voice-over): This neighborhood is no more than a jumble of three roads, but for much of the Indian community in the UAE, it's home away from
home. I wanted to explore more. Tirth Galani is the general manager of Regal, a textile shop that's been in the area for decades. So who better to
show me around?
DAFTARI (on camera): What is it about Meena Bazaar that makes it so attractive?
TIRTH GALANI, GENERAL MANAGER, REGAL: Initially, a lot of people came, Indians they came here for trading. Minerals, textiles, and spices.
DAFTARI: Textiles and spices.
GALANI: From India.
DAFTARI: From India?
GALANI: Yes.
DAFTARI: OK. Why here?
GALANI: Again, this place is -- most Indians stay here, and nearby to Deira.
DAFTARI: OK, so Deira the creek --
GALANI: Yes.
DAFTARI: -- so the traders would come there and bring their --
(CROSSTALK)
GALANI: Not all business happening in Deira.
DAFTARI: Ah. And bring their goods here.
GALANI: True.
DAFTARI: OK. And so, what was the first goods to come here?
GALANI: Textiles. And spices.
DAFTARI: Textiles. Textiles and spices.
GALANI: Yes.
DAFTARI: So, Indians would come here to buy their textiles.
GALANI: That's right, yes.
DAFTARI: How many different textile stores are there? I see a lot.
GALANI: More than 600.
DAFTARI: So, I hear some of the best Indian food in the whole of the Middle East --
GALANI: Yes.
DAFTARI: -- is here in Meena Bazaar, correct?
GALANI: This where I eat, and this is one of the best restaurants --
DAFTARI: OK.
GALANI: -- for Indian food.
DAFTARI: What do they serve? From which part of the country?
GALANI: This is a good representation.
DAFTARI: OK, so the more spicy.
GALANI: Yes, more spicy.
This is ice bowl, made of ice. In the middle, you can put any kind of --
DAFTARI: So, it's like a popsicle, like an ice lolly.
GALANI: That's true. That's true.
DAFTARI: So, you get the ice there.
GALANI: Yes, like that.
DAFTARI: OK. Oh, you stick -- what is that, a straw?
GALANI: Yes. It's just a straw. Let's have a try.
DAFTARI: That's beautiful. And what is this last one?
GALANI: Orange. This is pineapple, this is orange. This is coconut.
DAFTARI: Orange, chocolate. You're going to mix it all?
GALANI: Yes.
DAFTARI: It's too much!
GALANI: Suck it.
DAFTARI: Oh. Mmm. Mmm. It's cold.
GALANI: Yes.
DAFTARI: Mmm.
A lot of gold shops. And jewelry shops.
GALANI: That's true. Recent as last five years, a lot of gold people have come in Meena Bazaar.
DAFTARI: Why? Why is that?
GALANI: A lot of Indians stay here. Indians love gold like anybody.
DAFTARI: They love gold. Indians --
GALANI: They love gold.
DAFTARI: So, why do they love gold so much, and why do they love gold in Dubai so much?
GALANI: Dubai, main reason is, again, you get a pure gold.
DAFTARI: Pure gold.
GALANI: And the rate is more reasonable compared to India's
DAFTARI: It's cheaper than India as well.
GALANI: Cheaper, cheaper than India.
DAFTARI: So, there's a big difference between the new Dubai, with its skyscrapers and flashy cars than there is Meena Bazaar.
GALANI: Again, Meena Bazaar is all markets. You can see all the old buildings. Most of the Indians stay here. They love staying here. It's
reasonable. Everywhere to go, you can do shopping at reasonable prices.
DAFTARI: And you live here?
GALANI: Yes, very much.
DAFTARI: Do you travel to -- around the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall?
GALANI: Yes, very much. Very --
DAFTARI: Oh.
GALANI: On the weekends, we go there. But we love this place like anything.
DAFTARI (voice-over): And it's that level of love that ensures there's a little corner of the UAE that will be forever India.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEFTERIOS: Amir Daftari taking a tour of Little India for us here in Dubai. And that's all for this edition of CNN MARKETPLACE MIDDLE EAST. I'm John
Defterios, thanks for watching. We'll see you next week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
