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Anti-China Protests Erupt in Turkey; Greek Finance Minister Resigns; Europe Awaits Greek's Latest Debt Proposals; U.S. Women Win World Cup. Aired 11:00a-12:00p ET
Aired July 06, 2015 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:18] BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: Questions over the fate of the euro after a resounding Greek no. Is it a matter of restoration work, or
fundamental restructuring?
Well, as Europe reacts and recalibrates, we are live in Athens and in Paris for the very latest for you.
Also ahead this hour, could they really be close to resolving a 12 year dispute? Well, as Iran waves away suggestions of a deadline, nuclear
negotiators are around the table once more. We'll take you to Vienna and to Tehran this hour.
And anti-China protests in Ankara. We'll tell you what has tempers so roused in Turkey and how Beijing is responding.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with Becky Anderson.
ANDERSON: A very good evening. It is just after 7:00 in the evening here in the UAE.
The message was clear, no harsh austerity dictated by international creditors. But the day after what was this historic referendum in Greece,
the government is wasting no time trying to renegotiate a bailout deal before its banks run out of cash.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is working the phones today, telling German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he will present proposals at a euro
zone summit tomorrow. More than 61 percent of Greek voters, two-thirds, rejected the previous demands of international lenders.
Controversial finance minister Yanis Varoufakis will no longer take part in these negotiations. He resigned today, acknowledging his absence
could facilitate the talks.
Well, the story is developing by the hour. And we're covering all the angles for you. We'll go live to Paris in just a moment where Jim
Bittermann is following European reaction to the Greek vote.
First to Richard Quest who is in Athens, where the government got straight to work after last night's huge celebrations. And Richard,
straight into what was a fairly marathon session of political party leaders, the opposition it seems have agreed to back the prime minister as
he heads back into the bear pit of negotiations.
The question is with what? Do we have any detail on what he has to go back to Europe with at this point?
RICHARD QUEST, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No, we -- no, we have absolutely no idea what it's going to be. We've got a -- I mean, your
starting point is the agreement, the 45 pages or so that they walked out from, say, 10 days ago. That has to be the starting point and the letter
where -- which Tsipras sent last Monday where he said I'll sign up for -- or Wednesday where he said I'll sign up to certain things.
But we don't know how much more, Becky, the Europeans are going to demand of the Greeks, because the single tone that we've heard, whether
it's from the Spanish or from the French or indeed from the euro zone group president Jeroen Dijsselbloem, we've heard again and again from them that
the situation has got worse and more will be required as Mr. Bijsselbloem made clear today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEOROEN DIJSSELBLOEM, EURO GROUP PRESIDENT (through translator): I keep saying that whatever the outcome of the referendum is, Greece must
take difficult measures, otherwise the country won't make it, otherwise the government won't function, otherwise the economy won't work. And if the
government and people reject difficult measures, we are going to get into a very difficult situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUEST: Now that's the situation, Becky, because although Europe is deciding what to do just as much as the Greeks are deciding what to go to
Europe with, the Europeans are pretty much aligned on two factors: it's up to Greece to come up with the proposals, and more will need to be done.
ANDERSON: All right. Richard, the rebel without a bailout clause, he may have resigned, but Greece's colorful former finance minister resolute
to the end. I will wear the creditors' loathing with pride -- he couldn't help himself -- the parting words of this man.
We may miss him, but is Greece better off without him at the negotiating table?
QUEST: Well, I think those who are actually opposites of him at the table would say yes. They found him to be very difficult to work with.
He's charming in person, but if he takes against you, he can become bombastic. He can become -- he can lecture. He can hector. And that's
what they felt. They found that they were getting constant economic lessons, constant political science lessons. And that's what's against
him.
But don't be under any illusion, strip away the personality, and the negotiating team underneath is exactly the same. The proposals that will
be going may be dressed up differently, but they will be the same proposals that will be presented whoever is doing it.
So, I think all you're looking at here is absolutely is a change of style, certainly not substance.
[11:05:23] ANDERSON: Thank you, sir. I'm sorry. I thought you were wrapping up, and indeed you were. Thank you.
Richard Quest is in Athens for you.
The leaders of the euro zone's biggest economies will meet next hour to lay the ground work for tomorrow's emergency summit. German Chancellor
Angela Merkel and the French President Francois Hollande are expected to work on what is a joint response in Paris.
Now a short time ago, Germany's vice chancellor said if Greece wants to stay in the euro it must quickly make an offer that goes beyond its
willingness so far.
Well, before we get to Paris, let's take a look at these European markets, because they will be closing shortly.
They're down, down across the board. We're not, though, seeing a panic selloff as you might have expected. These are the latest numbers.
With less than a half hour to go, a no contagion, and seemingly no sense that there is a risk of that, not yet at least. Investors, you know,
they hate uncertainty and things couldn't be more unclear. But investors at least betting in the short-term it seems that the ECB, the European
Central Bank, will step in to shore things up.
Watch these markets, though, tomorrow and through the week. They could be very wild, let's say.
Let's cross over to Jim Bittermann in Paris now for more on Europe's reaction to this Greek referendum.
And it has got a whole lot more complicated for Europe's politicians, many of whom we are yet to hear from. How much more are the Europeans
expected to demand from the Greeks -- Jim.
JIM BITTERMANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPNODENT: Well, see, this is going -- that's going to be the question, Becky, exactly. I mean, the fact
is it's going to be mainly the Germans who are going to be holding the Greeks' feet to the fire.
We're hearing from other parts of Europe a willingness, in fact, an inclination on a lot of officials apart to get back to the negotiating
table, to welcome the Greeks back to the negotiating table, but they've got to have something to negotiate.
As Francois Hollande said last night after the results of the referendum was in, according to reports he telephoned Tsipras and said,
look, I stand ready to help you out, but you've got help me help you, meaning he's got to come up with something that will appease Angela Merkel.
The, coming up to this meeting that's going to take place in about an hour here, Becky, we heard that in fact the number of officials here said
at this particular moment the worst thing you could possibly do would be to have division amongst France and Germany.
So, I think after this meeting we're going to hear a joint statement. The question will be will Francois Hollande be able to convince Angela
Merkel to perhaps lower her standards, lower the bar a bit so that the Greeks can come up with something that will meet the German's demands.
It's an open question at this point. We'll see what happens in the next hour.
But there are certainly calls across the political spectrum, both in France and in Germany, calls for people to -- for the leaders to take tough
action. There's also calls for leaders to be compromising. One of the things that's happened here is that one of the leading candidates for the
president in elections five -- two years from now, Alain Juppe of Bordeaux, said he thinks that the Greeks should just exit the euro and they should --
the exit should be organized in a smooth and kind of clear fashion, organized fashion so that it happens with control. But he thinks that they
should be out of the euro -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. All right, we'll watch this space and in the hours to come we will learn more.
Right, much more on the Greek financial crisis ahead, including voices and views from around the world. We're going to speak with a deputy
minister responsible for reforming Greece's public sector. Now that is a key sticking point in negotiations. And we'll see how the political after
shocks from the referendum are creating waves all the way here in the Gulf and around the Middle East.
In about an hour, Pope Francis is set to celebrate mass in front of huge crowds in Ecuador. He landed in the -- one of the coastal cities a
short time ago and got a very warm welcome there.
The pope is back on his home continent of South America for what is a weeklong visit. People already gathering at the Sanctuary of the Divine
Mercy to hear his message. Up to a million are expected to attend.
Well, Shasta Darlington is there. And she joins us now.
Well, we can see that the atmosphere is as ever around Pope Francis. How much have people been looking forward to this trip? And what's the
message?
[11:10:05] SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, this is the people's pope. You said it, people are quite excited.
This will be Pope Francis's first mass in this week long tour. And people are excited not only because he's the world's first Latin American
pope, but also because this is the first time in three decades that any pope at all has come to Ecuador. So, we're just -- we're seeing people
pouring in. We've had families tell us, look, this may be our only chance in a lifetime to see a pope. And so they don't want to miss it.
In fact, organizers say that over the course of the next few days, they expect a full quarter of the population of Ecuador, and maybe even a
third, will have seen the pope either at a mass or along his papal route.
So, yeah, the enthusiasm is definitely growing.
We also -- we just spoke to a man from Connecticut, it was interesting, he said that this pope, because he's Latin American and
because he's putting so much emphasis on the poor, is really uniting Latin Americans and Latinos in a way that they just have never seen. And people
are going back to the churches. Maybe they went once a year for Christmas mass, now they're going more frequently, that they're being inspired. And
this will be important for the church. This is kind of a litmus test to see if they can really start getting people back in the pews, Becky.
ANDERSON: All right.
Shasta Darlington reporting. More on that in the week to come.
We're going to get you to Britain's House of Commons now where the British finance minister, George Osborne, is making a statement regarding
the results of the Greek referendum. Big story. Let's listen in.
(BRITISH FINANCE MINISTER SPEECH AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS)
[11:16:04] ANDERSON: All right, that was the British Finance Minister George Osborne addressing lawmakers on Greece.
He said this is a critical moment. The situation risks going from bad to worse, and he said in Britain we will continue to follow the fallout
of Greece's no vote, and when he speaks on the British budget today -- tomorrow -- he will say more, or we continue to follow the fallout from
this no vote as well where Greeks overwhelmingly rejected the European bailout terms.
The government trying to renegotiate a new deal before its banks run out of cash.
Well, for more I'm joined by the Greek deputy minister of interior and administrative reconstruction Giorgos Katrougalos. He's responsible for
reforming Greece' public sector.
One of the sticking points, of course, sir, in these negotiations.
Before we talk about what the prime minister maybe taking back to the negotiating table, how long will these banks remain closed? I'm hearing
reports it could be a few more days.
GIORGOS KATROUGALOS, GREEK DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERIOR: Well, we hope that the banks are going to open toward the end of the week, but it is not
up to the national authorities anymore, it is to the European Center Bank to increase the necessarily liquidity.
And, you know, this is not something that it cannot happen, because the Greek banks do not have as the banks in Ireland or in Cyprus used to
have a solvency problem, we have just a liquidity problem.
So, just an injection of liquidity to our economy, to our banking system, could resolve very fast the problem.
ANDERSON: All right. So, viewers, expect those banks not to be open for a few more days. And it is, as far as Greece is concerned, the ECB's
problem and not Greece's.
All right, sir, let's talk about this public sector that needs reform. It's a bloated public sector. And Europe wants to see it trimmed. What
are you going to offer the creditors as far as austerity is concerned in order to satisfy their demands?
KATROUGALOS: Well, you are absolutely right that our state, our public (inaudible) system, our public service, needs reform. It used to be
regulated not by low, not as every administrative system in Europe, but it used to be under a Patronas (ph) system. And the client (inaudible)
relations that the political system of the oligarchs wanted to have.
Therefore, we want to reform our state, not because our creditors want so, but because we need to have a better, a more efficient, a more
democratic state. And...
ANDERSON: I'm interested in the details, sir. The prime minister goes back as we described into the sort of bear pit of negotiations without
his colorful finance minister in tow. What are the details that you are offering for public sector reform that you think Europe will buy at this
point? How are you upping the offer?
KATROUGALOS: We -- well, again I'm repeating that this is part of our proposals, but basically they understand not to satisfy our lender, but to
make our administration better.
First of all, we have the reform of the tax system. We have -- we must reinforce our control mechanisms, because until now, the richer Greeks
were tax evading exactly because the old political system wanted to protect their own.
At mine own portfolio, which is exactly the public service, we have already drafted a (inaudible) with the technical aid of experts from France
and Sweden in order to have a new system of evaluation of the civil service of goal setting and of selection of managers. We want to do that not in a
clientalistic (ph) way, but in a rational and legal way according to which every public administration should be regulated.
ANDERSON: All right.
Sir, Greece broke the rules going into the euro. Its budget deficit GDP -- debt to GDP ratio was simply too high and that was disguised. It's
not able to pay its bills, and it could default, could be insolvent, effectively, or quite frankly you pretty much are. How does Europe come to
terms with -- or fix, or can it be expected to believe that the prime minister goes back into these negotiations in good faith?
KATROUGALOS: Listen, the Greek question is not just a Greek one. Certainly, we had huge deficits, but we managed to reduce them.
The actual dilemma we are facing now in Greece, it's similar to the one the whole Europe is facing, that is a choice between a social Europe,
and (inaudible) liberal one, because the reforms we have followed until now under the directions of IMF and our Europeans leaders, did not help us to
get out of the crisis, because they insisted to impose on us austerity and recession that feeded each other and created a vicious circle.
We want a way out of this situation.
ANDERSON: All right. Well, it looks as if we are hearing reports at least that Greece's lead negotiator will be, or is looking to become, the
new finance minister. Will he be leading Greece out of the euro, do you think, as the finance minister?
KATROUGALOS: Quite the opposite. All the political class and the vast majority of the Greek population wants Greece to remain in Europe, but
to a social Europe, and a Europe that is going to respect social rights and freedoms.
And, therefore, we think that what's happened to last Sunday the referendum in Greece was also a message to the other people's of Europe
that an alternative economic policy is very possible.
That's why I think some political sectors wanted to isolate, to neutralize our government, exactly because we could offer a bad example, an
eventual political contagion to other political systems, especially other south of Europe.
ANDERSON: Do you expect, Mr. Sakoletos (ph) to be the finance minister going forward? Can you confirm that indeed he will be?
KATROUGALOS: Now this a prerogative of the prime minister. I'm sure that whoever is going to represent Greece at the euro group is going to
continue the good job of Yanis Varoufakis.
ANDERSON: And with that, we'll leave it there. Sir, we thank you very much indeed for joining us.
Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. 23 minutes past 7:00.
Many Turks are furious over what they claim is China's mistreatment of minority Muslims. We've got that story in about 20 minutes from now.
First up, though, a bird's eye view of what is a very special boulevard. We're going to take you to major Mexican thoroughfare that
symbolizes the country's economic rise. Once Square Meter is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN DEFTERIOS, EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: High above Mexico City's most famous street, construction is at full speed up and down Reforma
Boulevard. As Mexico opens up its economy, this area is being touted as a new business corridor.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All the banks are here. All the insurance companies want to be here.
DEFTERIOS: Reforma has long acted as an historic artery for the Mexican capital, but as the city grew, suburbs emerged, some of which
became business centers, but things are changing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That faces the gym.
DEFTERIOS: David Charimadis (ph) is the co-founder of a real estate company developing Quartz Reforma Towers (ph). The completed project will
boast a hotel tower and mixed use building.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, it's like two buildings related to one another.
DEFTERIOS: It's one of the first Mexican projects for award-winning architect Richard Myer who is known for his wide geometric designs such as
the Getty Center in Los Angeles. He says Quartz Reforma (ph) needs to cater to the city's residents as well as his clients.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In all of our work, we look for an openness, a transparency, a welcoming aspect to the building, which relates to public
space.
DEFTERIOS: In another part of Reforma, this 50 story tower is nearing completion with a facade influenced by pre-colonial pattern. Its architect
says its emblematic of the return to downtown, reversing an urban sprawl.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically, the city is becoming more vertical, more concentrated, and I think that's more environmentally friendly, and
also it's more human.
DEFTERIOS: The developers of Quartz Reforma say this transformation has boosted real estate prices by 50 percent since 2012, but one
consequence of all of the construction is that there's an estimated 800,000 square meters of office space coming to the market. That oversupply is
keeping rental prices down to around $30 a square meter.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We would like to rent $40, $45. That would be the price that is expected for the design and for the construction, but the
market is the market.
DEFTERIOS: The building opens next year. And it is a long-term bet. They don't expect to be able to raise prices for at least four years.
John Defterios, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:33] ANDERSON: You're watching Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. The top stories for you this hour at half past 7:00 locally.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is working to renegotiate a bailout deal after voters backed his government in rejecting harsh
austerity measures imposed by international creditors. Now Mr. Tsipras is expected to present new proposals to a euro zone summit on Tuesday.
Several bombings in northeastern Nigeria have killed 28 people. Most of the casualties resulted from two blasts in the city of Joss (ph).
There's been no claim of responsibility, but suspicion is falling on Boko Haram, which has launched previous attacks in the area.
More than a million people are expected to turn out in Ecuador to see Pope Francis celebrate mass less than an hour from now. The pope was
greeted by a huge crowd when he arrived in the city of Guerre Aquila (ph) a short time ago. He's been in Ecuador since Sunday, the start of a week
long visit to his home continent.
And a self-imposed Tuesday deadline looming for negotiators trying to strike a deal on Iran's nuclear capabilities. A core group of foreign
ministers is in intense talks trying to bridge the remaining gaps. An Iranian official told reporters there is no hard deadline.
Well, let's get more on this story. Atika Shubert joining me from the Austrian capital Vienna where those talks are taking place. And Fred
Pleitgen is in Tehran.
Let's start with you tonight. This has been the most visible goal of the Rouhani administration. And clearly a legacy effort by John Kerry,
Atika. Everybody knows just how important these talks are. No deadline it seems, we are at least being told by the Iranians. How do things stand at
this point?
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the pressure is certainly on, that deadline was theoretically tomorrow, July 7, but they're
clearly saying that it can be extended a little longer if it means they get a good deal. And what we know right now is that they're meeting, all of
the ministers, in one room. This is the first time we've seen that in this round of talks.
And in those pictures you can see those ministers on one side of the table, and then Iran's delegation on the other.
It's clear that everybody here wants a deal, but it really is about nailing down those details. And one senior Iranian official told the press
earlier today that one of the sticking points is the arms embargo for conventional weapons that was passed with the UN security council
resolution. We know that a draft text of a new security council resolution is being worked on, but needs to be finalized. So whether or not this is a
part of it seems to be a stumbling block at this point.
ANDERSON: Yeah, finding the language, Fred, that both sides find acceptable is the crux of these negotiations, of course.
As I said, this has been the most visible goal of the Rouhani administration, and one would be surprised if he'd let, or take the
opportunity to let this slip by, as it were. Surely, they will try and take the opportunity to go forward.
Constantly signaling that this deal would provide for a better era going forward, particularly with the U.S.
So, if that were the case, how big a shift might a deal at this point mean for policy in Tehran vis-a-vis, for example, Syria, Iran, Yemen?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDNET: Yeah, vis-a-vis the region. They are indicating that it certainly is something that could
provide for better relations, they believe, with many other countries here in this region.
It was interesting, Becky, because I was speaking earlier today that the deputy foreign minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdullah Hian (ph) and he
said that reaching any sort of agreement would not be detrimental to any other countries in the region. He was specifically referring to Saudi
Arabia, because there are a lot of fears in Saudi Arabia that if this nuke deal comes through that it could expand Iran's influence here in the
region. He quite frankly said that Iran already does have a lot of influence. And he doesn't feel that it would be a detrimental to any of
these powers that feel that there could be some sort of danger coming from a stronger Iran.
But you're absolutely right. It is certainly about the Rouhani administration's legacy, about the Rouhani administration itself. There's
many people here in this country who believe that if this deal does not come through, that Hassan Rouhani could be a one-term president in this
country, and so certainly a lot rides on the Rouhani administration.
But of course at the same time both sides, all sides in this are trying to make the point that they don't feel under any sort of pressure.
If you look at senior Iranian diplomats saying, well, you know there isn't really any sort of deadline, whether it's the 7th, 8th, or 9th or any time
later they don't feel that this deadline is something that's binding to them. They feel that it's artificial.
So certainly in the rhetoric, both sides are trying to take pressure off themselves and saying that there is no pressure on themselves because
it does -- they don't want to make it appear as though they are the ones who are getting dragged into anything, because of course all sides, and
certainly the Iranian side where we have to understand that there is a lot of internal politics here in this country. It does want to also make a
deal that will be acceptable to the large public, but of course also acceptable to the many hard-liners here in the country who are watching
this very, very closely and who are very skeptical of any sort of negotiations with the U.S. and other western powers as well, Becky.
[11:36:09] ANDERSON: Yeah, and Atika, John Kerry also has a fairly divided audience domestically. He's got to convince those on the right
that this is really a deal that they can stomach going forward.
Clearly these talks directly or indirectly informed by what is going on in the region. How much talk has there been of Iran's influence, nay,
expansionist efforts, as it were, according to the Saudi Arabians and others. How much talk has there been of its influence in this Middle East
region of late?
SHUBERT: Well, you know you make a very interesting point, because the foreign minister of Iran Javad Zarif actually put out a statement on
YouTube, and it's very interesting because he linked directly to the deal - - any deal here saying that it would open a door for further issues, including tackling extremism across the region, clearly referring to ISIS
and groups like that.
And it was the first time he's really been publicly linking those two issues.
Now, in terms of others in the negotiations here, other parties said this is strictly about the nuclear issue, and they want to keep it to that.
But I think everyone here is mindful that this is really -- if an agreement is done, it is a new and historic chapter for Iran, for the
relationships in the region. So there is a lot riding on this without a doubt, Becky.
ANDERSON: Fred, we've heard the Iranians at least saying there are no hard deadlines when it comes to these talks. They've been ongoing for so
long that the deal needs to get done whenever so long as it is the right deal.
But how disappointed would Iranians be that you have spoken to if this isn't a done deal by the close of this week?
PLEITGEN: Yeah, that's a very good question. I think most Iranians would be very disappointed if in fact this deal didn't come through.
One of the things that we've heard from a Rouhani administration officials, also from others I the government here is that they would say
that if this deal doesn't come through, things would just move on as they were before, things would just go back to what they were before, but
certainly many Iranians really hoping that this deal will come through.
And if you speak to people here on the street, most will tell you they want better relations with the world. They want better relations with the
United States, but one of the things that we also have to keep in mind is that this is a very proud nation and certainly one that believes that at
least a civilian use of nuclear technology is something that is their right.
Nevertheless, there are many people here who are striving for economic development, of course a very young population, a very well educated
population, one that actually has a lot of Dot Com startups here even in this restricted environment. And so certainly they are looking to plug in
to the economy of the rest of the world, Becky.
ANDERSON: Fred and Atika, thank you.
Those Iran talks are being watched closely here in the Gulf as is our top story, the political earthquake and economic aftershocks of the Greek
referendum on the EU bailout.
For more from this region, then, I'm joined by Nour Eideen al-Hammoury he's the chief market strategist at ADS securities here in Abu Dhabi.
And before we talk about Greece, let's just talk about Iran, because you don't hear an awful lot of sort of headline supportive comment about
Iran here in the region, not least from the Saudis, however, behind the scenes, business is being done.
What's the future for bilat ties between these Gulf states and Tehran going forward?
NOUR EIDEEN AL-HAMMOURY, CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST ADS SECURITIES: Yes, well I believe everybody is bracing for a good deal, but I mean we've been
waiting for such an event maybe for the past few years, especially after what happened in the region in terms of let's say in Iraq, Syria, we have
also Yemen right now. So nobody is looking for more conflicts in the region. So everybody, or the interest of everyone is just to stabilize the
region as much as possible. And Iran is a big player in the region.
So, everybody, at least also the market, is bracing for a deal, because oil prices being dropping for the past few months despite the fact
that right now we're trading into a range ahead of such a deal, because right now there's a lot of question like whether if Iran will be able to
produce oil and start export immediately after, or if the sanctions are lifted.
So, now we're still bracing for a deal and especially if Iran will be able to produce more -- produce oil immediately, they will be affecting the
oil prices...
[11:40:37] ANDERSON: It's fascinating, isn't it what you hear in sort of the political rhetoric versus what's going on sort of at the cold face,
as it were, and this region looking, it seems at least from your perspective, to bring Iran in from the cold.
Let's talk about Greece. I'm fascinated to see how this story is playing out through the prism of this, the Gulf region. How much is
invested in Greece and in Europe by investors here?
AL-HAMMOURY: Well, we're not really exposed like terms -- let's say the GCC, or Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi or the UAE as a whole, we're not really
exposed to Greece, and even to the Greek situation as a whole.
But the whole point right now is basically it was a shock for the Greek to vote against that. But at the end of the day, if it's a simple
question, who would vote for austerity measures if I asked, like, we are come in and cut your salary by 25 percent. Definitely you will vote no,
because you're going to refuse it.
At the end of the day, it's a shock like Greece ended up with this thing, but at the same time it look the euro union five years to solve this
one. And they couldn't do that until now.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating, isn't it? You don't hear a lot of talk of austerity in this region, and if you did you'd hear a lot about it. It
would make the headlines.
AL-HAMMOURY: Of course. That would be the difference between what happened -- let's say the bailout from Abu Dhabi to Dubai a few years ago,
but the difference was Dubai had no austerity. It was a shock and immediately built out by the Abu Dhabi...
ANDERSON: You're talking about the bailout post-2008 of Dubai by Abu Dhabi.
And that is to a certain extent, I guess, a parallel to all intents and purposes as to what is going on in Europe, albeit a kind of -- on a
smaller scale, although worth billions of dollars.
I'm fascinating to hear from you as to whether you think any Greek exit of the euro might affect plans or perceptions about a single currency
union that certainly we've heard much talk of in the GCC over the years. Little evidence that there is something substantive here, though.
AL-HAMMOURY: Yeah, well, there is a possibility for a Greek exit, but at the end of the day, so far if you look at all the headlines for the past
few days, especially after also the referendum, everybody is telling you the same thing that the euro union membership is irreversible at the same
time the drachma right now is a possibility if the -- let's say the ECB, or the European Central Bank, didn't brace the ELA or the emergency liquidity
for the banks.
So, the possibility for a Greek exit is possible, but at the same time it is not an option for the euro union and Greece for now.
But as for this region again, we're not exposed that much, but at the same time we have some sort of opportunities to invest in Greece, but with
very high risk and reward ratio. The risk is still there, but at the end of the day we should not forget that the euro union idea is more than 50
years old. So, for the euro -- for the Europeans to break the euro, it's going to take them a long time to decide on this thing.
ANDERSON: Let's see -- a long time -- a week is a long time in politics, they tell me. And this is going to be a very long week for
Europe and the Greeks.
Thank you, sir.
AL-HAMMOURY: Thank you so much.
ANDERSON: Some news just coming in to CNN. And Greece is poised to get a new finance minister in just about 90 minutes, that is when the chief
negotiators with Europe Euclid Sakalotos (ph) will take the oath of office.
Controversial finance minister Yanis Varoufakis resigned today saying, and I'm quoting here, I shall wear the creditors' loathing with pride.
The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is working to renegotiate a bailout deal after voters backed his government in rejecting harsh
austerity measures imposed by international creditors. Mr. Tsipras is expected to present new proposals to a euro zone summit on Tuesday.
We're live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson.
Coming up, alleged mistreatment in one nation is sparking fury in another. Why protesters in Turkey are at odds with Beijing.
And a comprehensive win for the U.S. women's football team in the World Cup final. And their supporters back home were out in force to watch
it.
That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:48:04] ANDERSON: You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. It is 47 minutes past 7:00 here in the UAE.
Anger coming to the service in Turkey over a concern that Muslims are being mistreated in China. Protesters marched in Istanbul, and some burned
the Chinese flag. They are furious over what they see as persecution of China's Uighur minority.
Ivan Watson has the story for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anger against China erupts on the streets of Turkey's largest city. Small groups of Turkish protesters
setting fire to Chinese flags, and in at least one incident chasing east Asians visiting a major tourist attraction.
Police intervened protecting fleeing foreign tourists who aren't even Chinese.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not Chinese. I'm not Chinese, I'm Korean.
WATSON: Beijing has issued a safety advisory urging Chinese tourists visiting Turkey not to go out alone.
Tensions between the two countries growing over a Turkish government accusations that Beijing discriminates against the Uighurs, a largely
Muslim ethnic minority that speaks a language close to Turkish.
The Uighurs lives mostly in the western province of Xinjiang. The Chinese government vehemently denies it discriminates against Uighurs,
arguing that freedom of religion is protected in China.
The Neo Giam (ph) mosque is Beijing has roots that go back more than 1,00 years.
We've been invited here to share in Iftar, that's the meal that believers eat after a long day of fasting during the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan.
"What you see here proves how open China is," the imam of the mosque tells me. Adding, "this shows China's policy of religious freedom."
But in Xinjiang, there appear to be contradictions. The websites of at least five city governments and schools in the province instruct
officials to ban fasting during Ramadan. An employee at a middle school in Tunshook (ph) confirmed to CNN orders published on the school website to
completely prohibit teachers and students from participating in Ramadan activities.
Chinese security forces have cracked down in Xinjiang in recent years after a series of violent incidents blamed on Islamist extremists. Beijing
continues to insist it does not have problems with its Uighur Muslim minority.
And in the wake of these anti-Chinese protests, officials in Beijing are warning Turkey to exercise prudence and avoid fanning the flames of
ethnic and religious tension.
Ivan Watson, CNN, Beijing
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:55:01] ANDERSON: At 10 to 8:00 in the evening here in Abu Dhabi. This is Connect the World. Coming up, World Cup champions the United
States defeat Japan to win their first title in 16 years. That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You're looking at live images coming to us from Guerre Aquila (ph in Ecuador where the crowds just keep growing for Pope Francis.
More than a million people are expected to see him celebrate mass just moments from now.
He's been in Ecuador since Sunday, the start of a week long visit to South America. The pontiff is bringing a message of hope, concern for the
poor and care for the environment to what is, of course, his native continent.
Big smiles from Pope Francis ahead of that mass.
You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. Welcome back.
After 16 years, the women's world football title is coming back to the United States. And they won it in spectacular fashion.
Cheers were ringing out in front of screens across the U.S. as the goals just kept on coming. The final score 5-2 over defending champions
Japan. The U.S. becoming the first country ever to win three women's World Cups.
Midfielder Carly Lloyd was the star, leading her team to victory with a jaw dropping hat trick in the first half.
Well, the match a huge affair for both American and Japanese football fans. In Japan, the game meant more than just defending their 2011 title,
and the loss was a heartbreaking one. Kathy Novak has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHY NOVAK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Seven-thirty am would ordinarily be a bit early to be hitting a bar. But this was not an ordinary
morning.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a special day today.
NOVAK: Should you be at work right now?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll get there eventually. But this was important.
NOVAK (voice-over): This Japanese American family wasn't going to miss it. It was basically a win-win situation for them, though they were
cheering for Team USA.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The World Cup only happens once every four years, right? So you can miss one day of school -- or actually only a half-day.
They're going back to school.
NOVAK: Does your teacher know where you are?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. No. No.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maybe now she does.
[11:55:02] NOVAK (voice-over): The 2011 win lifted spirits in this country, which had been hit earlier that year by the devastating earthquake
and tsunami.
These fans were hoping for back-to-back victories. It didn't take long before it was clear just how hard that would be.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four down in the first half. It's really hard to come back from that, sorry to say. The U.S. team came out. They came out
ready.
NOVAK (voice-over): Plenty of cheers from the small American contingent here. And by halftime, one young fan was predicting the outcome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's going to be 5-2, maybe.
NOVAK (voice-over): Unfortunately, for Nadeshiko Japan, Ethan (ph) was right.
So a few cheers for the Japan side on the screen behind me and that sentiment shared here at this bar in Tokyo. It cleared out pretty quickly
and not surprising, really. People of course disappointed. And they have to go to work.
But one person I spoke to said that Japan should remain proud of their team.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not an easy thing to come second place in the World Cup.
NOVAK (voice-over): So much better, of course, to come first, giving these young fans something to celebrate as they headed off to school,
leaving others at the bar to drown their sorrows.
Kathy Novak, CNN, Tokyo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So, did you watch the game? Who were you rooting for? Send us your thoughts, your reaction, Facebook.com/CNNConnect. You can
always get in touch with me or tweet me @BeckyCNN.
Well, in tonight's Parting Shots, a look back at two countries we have been focusing a lot on in this news cycle. You guess right, I'm talking
about Greece and Iran, two ancient civilizations facing tough choices this week prompting tweets like this one from Thomas Erdbrink (ph). "It must
have been like what 2,500 years ago when Greece and Iran last simultaneously dominated the news."
So, tonight, we thought we'd bring you some shots from the two countries as big decisions need to be made in the next few days.
This man looks at some of the front pages on Greek papers on this historic day when the country voted more to European austerity.
A woman withdrawing cash from an ATM in Athens with a big no graffiti on the wall next to her.
This is how people celebrated last night after first exit polls of the referendum were out. You can't see this, can you -- we're having a
technical problem here at CNN.
Let's -- OK, I'm promise that you can see this, though, over in Vienna a completely different drama playing out with this man, U.S. Secretary of
State John Kerry is one of the main characters. He hasn't let a serious leg injury get in the way of his participation in the talks.
And his main negotiating partner has been this man, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif here taking a break from the hours of nonstop talks to
wait with the horde of reporters covering the story.
A more pensive looking John Kerry.
Two countries, loads of common history, one decisive week, and one place to bring you all the latest developments.
I'm Becky Anderson. That was Connect the World. Thank you for watching. From the team here, it's a very good evening.
END
