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Greeks Ask for Three Year Bailout; Iran Aims to Boost Tourism; According to Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein Stands in Solidarity with Greece; U.S.- UAE Launch Joint Venture To Combat ISIS on Social Media. Aired 11:00a- 12:00P ET

Aired July 08, 2015 - 11:00   ET

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

[10:59:58] BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: A tale of two economies as Greece formally requests and third bailout. It emerges Chinese stocks have lost

trillions in value, more than 13 times Greece's GDP.

It's all about perspective, promises and politics in these two stories. And we are live in Athens and on the streets of Shanghai to draw

the threads together for you.

I'll also be talking to Gerry Adams about Europe's anti-austerity alignments.

Also ahead...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What they're offering is a dark, lying vision of what life can be. And I think we are offering those better ideas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: A U.S.-backed effort to fight ISIS online propaganda. But is it too little, too late?

Plus, as nuclear negotiations continue, a glimpse of a different Iran. Join us on an Iranian odyssey into a rich, ancient past.

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

ANDERSON: A very good evening. Just after 7:00 locally here in Abu Dhabi.

Greece now formally seeking a third bailout package as European leaders warn that the country faces the very last chance to resolve the

crisis and stay in the euro zone.

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras addressed the European Parliament, promising to deliver new detailed proposals tomorrow in order to secure

emergency funding.

Now European leaders will review those proposals at a summit on Sunday when they are expected to make a final decision on a bailout deal.

In seeking additional aid, Tsipras said previous rescued have helped Greek banks, but not the Greek people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXIS TSIPRAS, GREEK PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The proposals by the Greek government for the funding of its obligations and

for the restructuring of its debt are not designed to provide an extra burden for European taxpayers, the monies which have been afforded to

Greece, which have been given to Greece, never got -- never trickled down to the Greek people. This is money, which was given in order to save the

Greek and European banks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, let's get the latest now from Richard Quest who is in Athens, of course.

Richard, what's the mood there in amongst the Greek people?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Resigned, resentful, defiant, all of those things, Becky, as they ponder what comes next. They

know life is going to get much more difficult, but bear in mind they're coming up to the end of a second week without the banks being opened, or

one-and-a-half weeks without the banks being open. And I think everybody knows that this is the moment that actually the government here has to come

up with a full throttle plan, take it to Brussels, get their approval. And even then, that's a long-term plan. They've still got to get billions of

euros just to pay back debts to the ECB on the 20th of July, Becky.

ANDERSON: Richard, stand by. I want our viewers to see how the debate over Greece is dividing not only the country, but European

lawmakers. Check out the welcome Tsipras got at the European parliament in Strasbourg. And we're going to highlight something you might have missed.

Well, clearly a lot of EMPs sympathize with Athens' official stance, demanding what it considers a fairer deal with creditors, but did you see

the signs that several were holding? Many lawmakers going so far as to put up placards saying no both in English and in Greek, a reflection on the

(inaudible) that we covered last weekend.

Richard, of course, not everybody welcoming the Greek prime minister that way. He also received some scattered boos. And there was some testy

exchanges today, were they not?

QUEST: There were indeed, Becky. There were lawmakers, particularly from some of the northern countries that reminded Tsipras of

responsibility. There were those who said that of course from the southern European countries that Greece had basically for the moral crusade against

austerity under the German jack book.

But this is quite interesting. And it's fascinating that you raise this, Becky, because the European parliament is exactly the place one would

expect to see this disparity of views. By the time you get up to the European council with the leaders, they know they have to negotiate with

each other, there's only 28 of them, or 18, 19 in euro zone, so they are a lot more circumspect, a lot more diplomatic.

But the European parliament, even with big constituencies, is the manifestation of ordinary Europeans. So what you're bound to have are

those who are saying to Tsipras you've dragged us along. You've dragged this out. Now you want more money. For goodness sake, when are the Greeks

going to grow up?

And there are those who are saying, no, he's actually done democracy a favor. He's got us away from Merkel's austerity.

[11:05:39] ANDERSON: Yeah, how much of this is about politics and how much is really about economics? Richard, always a pleasure. Thank you.

Much more on this crisis coming up. We'll get the view from Ireland, a country that has struggled through years of harsh austerity. Sinn Fein

leader Gerry Adams, an outspoken austerity critic, is going to be my guest this hour. We're also keeping an eye on European markets.

Greece has less than five days, effectively, to avoid a Grexit. And you would think that that might have spooked the stock markets in Europe,

right? But have a look at these numbers. Close to closing trade, mostly higher as you can see there, some up by more than 1 percent.

Investors may be seeing some buying opportunities that some may simply be drawing a breath, having already reckoned with the impact of this Greek

default. Fascinating.

Although, it's been dominating the headlines, Greece isn't the only country facing huge financial turmoil, so is China. It was another brutal

day for the markets there with China's benchmark index plunging 8 percent at the open.

The market regulator describing a, quote, panic, as more than half the country's companies have suspended trading in their shares.

Well, look at this for some perspective, $3.25 trillion, trillion dollars, have been wiped off China's share values since mid-June, that is

more than 13 times larger than Greece's entire GDP.

Well, CNN's Ivan Watson took to the streets of Shanghai to find out how the drop is affecting people. Here is what he found out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is Shanghai, China's commercial capital, and a symbol of the might of the world's second

largest economy.

Now, we're outside a brokerage house after what has been another major selloff day here with the Shanghai composite closing down almost 6 percent.

Now it was just a short while ago that this stock market was among the world's fastest growing stock markets. And now it has really been in

freefall now since June 12, losing some $3 trillion combined with the Shenzhen composite, down more than 30 percent over the course of a little

bit more than three weeks.

These are investors that have come out that are understandably unhappy about what has been happening here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): No, it's impossible for the market to bounce back any time soon. This is like the eight year war

against the Japanese. It may take eight years for the market to turn around.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I know people who sold their houses to invest in stocks and now they're finished. Many people were

dreaming of becoming overnight millionaires. It doesn't work that way.

WATSON: The Chinese government has taken a number of steps trying to intervene. It has cut interest rates. You've got major brokerage houses

that have pledged to buy up $20 billion worth of Chinese stocks. IPOs have been suspended. But in a further blow to confidence in the markets,

roughly half of Chinese companies listed on the markets have all suspended traded of their shares. None of this has succeeded in stopping the

freefall. And analysts are warning if this continues, it could start to have further economic and political implications for China.

Ivan Watson, CNN, Shanghai.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, these next two days could prove crucial to ending a more than decade long standoff.

The U.S. and five other world powers, you will be more then aware, have given themselves now until Friday to reach a deal with Iran on its

nuclear program.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry plans to remain in Vienna to try to iron out what are, he says, the remaining differences.

Well, we are covering negotiations from all angles. CNN's Fred Pleitgen standing by as he has been all week in Tehran.

But first let's get to Nic Robertson in Vienna. Nic, it is hard to believe that after two years these talks could still collapse. I'm not

saying that that will happen, but it's fair to say there are leaks emerging that are tending online and across social media indicating that both sides

steeling themselves to play the blame game. What are you hearing on the ground?

[11:10:01] NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, Becky, it's no surprise that as negotiations get towards the end that you

might get leaks and discussion and rumors about the blame game. I mean, no side wants to be seen to be the one that's the spoiler in all of this.

But what we were hearing from a senior State Department official last night, or a senior administration official, rather, last night, was that

they feel that substantial progress has been made across all areas. But even that said, they still don't know if the deal can be done because there

are significant differences.

You know, and they said, OK, why -- you know, a lot of people question us, why does it take so long, why don't you get to tough issues first. We

heard from the French foreign minister yesterday saying that there were tensions in the last few days. We heard from the EU foreign policy chief

saying that these were painful issues that they were touching on.

But the way this senior State Department official put it was this, and this may explain to the viewer here why it's the tough issues right now

that are causing problems. Because, they say, that you kind of want to get a lot of stuff agreed first, because that gets the other party, Iran,

invested in what's agreed. And then you hope that you can -- because they've sort of agreed to such much, that they will perhaps cross over some

of their thresholds. And of course both sides would view it this way.

So, yes, the rumors may be out there about a blame game. Certainly no one is saying that this is a certainty and that everyone is leaving the

possibility open that this may not work, but why does it come down this way? Because that's the way negotiations, they say, have to work. The

toughest stuff left to last, Becky.

ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in Vienna for you.

Fred is in Tehran.

And Fred, former Iranian president and close Rouhani ally Hashemi Rafsanjani, had an interesting interview with a British publication today

in which he said, and I quote, "Iran is dead serious. If the other parties are as serious, we will have an agreement for sure. That Iran is talking

directly to the U.S. is a good move. We have broken a taboo," he said.

Have we reached the stage where both the U.S. and Iran can no longer afford to go back to the previous stalemate in relations, Fred.

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, it certainly was a remarkable interview that Hashemi Rafsanjani gave there to The

Guardian where he did speak some very frank words. It is interesting also because we have some Iranian officials that we've been speaking to in the

past couple of days.

And they've also been telling us, look, even if nothing comes out of these talks they believe that the fact that the U.S. and Iran have been

talking directly to each other for an unprecedented amount of time since the revolution in 1979, that already the two sides have moved closer to one

another.

And I spoke to the deputy foreign minister of Iran just yesterday. And he was telling me that if this agreement comes through that he does see

positive development between the United States and Iran and that there could be further areas of cooperation between these two countries.

So, certainly they do believe that they've already moved a little bit closer, but as Nic just said, there still are a lot of difficult issues at

hand. One of the things of course has been discussed over the past couple of days is the fact that the Iranians want the arms embargo against them

lifted as part of any sort of sanctions relief. That's something that's very difficult for the other side.

And if you speak to people here in Tehran, many of them will tell you that they are cautiously optimistic, but they also fear that things could

still fall apart. Let's listen in to what some people had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are so many (inaudible) fractures in the Middle East: the Israelis, the Saudis, pressure groups from inside Iran,

from inside congress, and if it takes longer they've got to put more pressure on both sides.

So, I hope they come to an agreement on the specified deadline and there wouldn't be any extension to the time of the negotiations.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The final result will depend on both sides backing down from some of their demands, or at least

meet each other half way. I think the will exists on both sides for that, because the period of war is over.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This round is the closest we've gotten to getting a deal. Both sides seem willing, and I'm

optimistic that they will eventually reach a deal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PLEITGEN: So, you have some optimism there, you also have the -- one woman saying there both sides need to step away from those red lines that

they keep talking about in public. And it really does appear as though the sense that you're getting here in Tehran is that both sides are putting on

their poker face right now speaking of red lines, speaking of deadlines. The Iranian side, for its part, of course, saying there is no deadline to

them.

So there really is a lot of uncertainty here right now in Tehran. You can feel that among the population as well, Becky.

ANDERSON: Yeah, Fred, super, thank you for that. Fred Pleitgen is in Tehran. And Nic Robertson in Vienna for you. Thank you, chaps.

Well, in Iran, one industry in particular is betting it will benefit if a deal is struck and that is the tourism industry. Later in the hour,

we're going to take a look at how an agreement could attract a whole new wave of visitors to the country.

Plus, as many European figures grow impatient with Greece, the (inaudible) still support the country. I'll be joined by the Irish

politician Gerry Adams to ask him why he still does.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:17:27] ANDERSON: Right, a defiant Greek prime minister addressed the European parliament earlier today demanding concessions from his

creditors, then, shortly after Alexis Tsipiras's speech, Greece asked for another bailout.

But as Greek banks continued to run dry, European leaders are divided on how, and even if they want to, hand over more cash.

This isn't the first time Europe's finance ministers have given out huge loans after the financial crisis, of course, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal

and Ireland all received bailouts.

This is CNN. You're watching Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. Welcome back.

Greece's fiery rhetoric has made the situation more difficult this time around. Leaders from across Europe have been growing increasingly

impatient. Speaking of Sunday's referendum, the president of Estonia, for example, said and I quote, "Greeks reaffirmed their democracy, but they

also asserted the priority of their democracy over other countries."

And Lithuania's president saying, quote, "with the Greek government, it is every time manana."

Well, all eyes were on the meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg today. Back home in Greece, the economic turmoil is taking its toll on businesses,

as you can imagine. Some are saying they may not be able to hold on much longer.

My colleague Phil Black is in Athens with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is a quiet day in the kitchen of the Diasamos Taverna (ph). Lately, there have been too many

quiet days. Marina Koranotos (ph) runs the place, like her father before her. The plans has always been for her son to take over, but now nothing

in this family's future is certain.

It's not hard to see why. A beautiful location, fresh seafood, and so many empty tables.

"What happened with the banks is a catastrophe for us," Maria tells me.

With banks closed and ATM withdrawals limited to just 60 euros a day, eating out is suddenly an indulgence few can afford.

"Business is down 40 to 50 percent," she says, "but our morale is down 100 percent because we don't know what tomorrow will bring."

Maria says those who do come to eat now are ordering much less. Some customers still pay cash, but not enough to meet overheads. She's getting

by making IOU arrangements with suppliers.

Maria knows it can't last. Everything rests on the Greek government reaching a quick deal with its creditors.

She says if Greece leaves the euro it will be the last straw for her 46 year old business.

But a deal, if it comes, will be too late for many others like clothes designer Lena Gaidatzi (ph). She's packing up and shutting down after 14

years in this workshop.

LENA GAIDATZI, DESIGNER: It's very hard, but I will do it. I have decided to do it.

BLACK: And what will you do now?

GAIDATZI: Maybe I'll go to another country that's more civilized and more fair for people who work hard.

BLACK: Lena agrees with Greece's creditors, it's too hard to run a business here. To prove her point, she shows me her neighborhood.

GAIDATZI: Yeah, come on. Come on.

BLACK: And the many shops now standing empty, unlikely to open again any time soon.

GAIDATZI: It is very sad. It was all these shops represent people.

BLACK: People who run small businesses here know through hard experience a new bailout won't guarantee Greece's economic recovery. But

without a quick deal, they fear many more will lose livelihoods, savings, everything they've struggled to build.

Phil Black, CNN, Athens.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[11:21:15] ANDERSON: Well, away from Athens and where the negotiations are going on, the new Greek finance minister accidentally gave

us a look into his negotiating plans. This fairly innocent looking picture of him posing with euro group President Jeroen Dijsselbloem was taken

before their high stakes meeting of finance ministers. But as you can see the notes in his left hand are visible. Some phrases include, no

triumphalism, and message to the people.

Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. Coming up, a new effort to fight ISIS propaganda has been launched here in

Abu Dhabi. Ahead, we're going to speak to a U.S. official about how it is getting the message out.

Tourism in Rwanda is on the rise. And one man is determined to grow the market by offering a unique cultural experience for visitors. That

story is next on One Square Meter.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every traveler has a purpose. Some people may want to hear about the history, other people may want to meet the people.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For these international tourists it's to meet the people and experience cultural life in Rwanda. The man leading this

excursion is Greg Bakunzi (ph), founder of Amahauro Tours (ph) in 2001.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Before I started my company, I was a tour guide. And I wanted to be self-employee.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bakunzi (ph) came up with a new plan: community based tourism.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Community based tourism takes people to like a school. They take people to do the farming. They take people they weave

the baskets. Take people to come and to like (inaudible).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tourism in Rwanda is growing. And while the national parks and mountain gorillas are typical draws, Bakunzi (ph) gives

clients a hand's on experience in cultural activities such as making beer out of bananas.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All that stuff you can experience as a tourist is important. And it's nice. But to actually be welcomed by the community

is totally different and you just -- I don't know, you really feel at home almost.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I started, I had nothing. I started from the knowledge. So all what we need as entrepreneur is that commitment and the

knowledge of making money, that's all. In tourism, you don't need a lot of money to start.

We kept on growing. And in 2007, the business was really doing well. It was getting busy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And he stayed busy. Bakunzi (ph) says each year his company attracts some 3,000 tourists and generates up to $150,000.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have invested in a guest house. And we have the camp. So, the business is good now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It rounds off your whole experience. Because you know everybody goes and does the highlights, but then also to see the

cultural side of it, you're kind of getting the entire Rwanda.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would like to see more people benefiting from ecotourism products that we are initiating.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: You're watching Connect the World with me Becky Anderson, the top stories for you as ever at this time on CNN.

Greece has formally requested a third international bailout. The government has asked for it to run for three years with a promise to

introduce fresh economic reforms in exchange for the money. Greeks continue to queue at banks amid fears of what's known as a Grexit, or a

Greek exit from the euro and the euro zone.

Well, Greece isn't the only country with financial worries, China trying to contain a financial crisis that has wiped trillions of dollars in

value from the country's stock markets. On Wednesday, the Shanghai composite dropped 8 percent on the opening and closed down 5.9 percent.

Hong Kong has been hit as well.

Reuters News Agency quotes an Iranian official as saying Iran has presented, quote, constructive solutions to resolve remaining disputes in

the talks in Vienna. But that Iran won't back away from its own red line positions. A deadline for a solution in the talks has been pushed back

again until Friday of this week.

And Pope Francis wrapping up the first part of his South American tour in Ecuador. The pontiff expected to visit a nursing home and meet clergy

members and then moves on to the next leg of his trip, which is in Bolivia.

We're going to return to our top story today: Greece.

Everyone, and not everyone in Europe agrees with austerity. One of Ireland's most well known politicians Gerry Adams says that Greece is being

treated very unfairly. And he joins me now from Dublin in Ireland.

Gerry, so how so Greece as the victim here. Explain your reasoning.

GERRY ADAMS, SINN FEING PARTY LEADER: Well, hello, Becky. And thanks for having me on your program.

Well, the crisis in Greece wasn't created by the people of Greece, it was created by previous governments, corrupt governments and by financial

speculators, by the European and international banking sector. Same thing happened in the Irish state as well.

The debt is not sustainable. The people of Greece had this private banking debt hoisted on them. The new government led by Alexis Tsipras is

making a stand. He went to his people. I commend that.

It's very much a battle between democracy and a neo-liberal market forces. It's a battle between whether citizens have the right to have

democratic control over decision which affect them in their daily lives and the people of Greece have said no to austerity, yes to democracy and yes

for a sustainable future.

ANDERSON: Gerry, and I hear you. And I think there's a lot of politics involved here, perhaps moreso than economics at this point.

I'm wondering whether you support a partial debt writeoff for Greece. And if so, why should debt relief for Greece be considered when Ireland,

for example, had to swallow such harsh austerity measures. If Ireland could do it, why can't Greece?

ADAMS: Well, Ireland hasn't done it, just part of Ireland didn't ask for a debt write down because of the nature of our government. It was

elected to ask for a debt write down. It received a mandate to renegotiate. It didn't renegotiate. It didn't ask for a write down.

This state has a population of less than 5 million people. In eight years, we've lost half a million, mostly of our young people, across --

scattered across the globe. We have as we speak hundreds of people on hospital trolleys in corridors in our main hospitals. We have a housing

crisis. We have a low wage economy. And most pitiably in a modern western society we have a third of our children living in consistent poverty.

And that surprise that people hear about to pay for a very, very bad decision and series of decisions by our government. The Greek government

took a different tack. They stood by their election manifesto and they are looking for something, which I think is to the benefit of people right

across the European Union, not just Greece, and including Ireland.

ANDERSON: Yeah, your party Sinn Fein, has got very close links to Syriza. Just in March, the new Greek finance minister, in fact, came to

address one of your meetings.

I want our viewers just to listen to what he told you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EUCLID TSAKALOTOS, GREEK FINANCE MINISTER: Syriza and Sinn Fein, as well as others as (inaudible) are part of a great realignment in European

politics that has become apparent over the last couple of years. That realignment is a necessity exactly because we have such a crisis in

existing arrangements.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Yeah, but given how Greece has dealt with this crisis, is Syriza still the kind of government that you want to associate with, Gerry?

ADAMS: Well, we associate with the people of Greece, we associate with working people everywhere. Sinn Fein is an internationalist party.

But don't rely upon me, the IMF have intervened just recently to say that the people of Greece need a bailout, but they also need, and I quote

what they say, "a 20 years grace period before making any debt repayments."

So this is bigger than just parties of the broad left across the European Union.

And incidentally, there's nothing wrong with parties of the broad left having a sense of solidarity one with the other because the right wing

forces who cause war, who cause destruction, who are engaged in militarism, who push people downwards, who privatize public services, who destroy

workers' rights, they very easily unite.

So, it is important that those of us who have a vision of a social European Union, a European Union which is based upon equality, should send

clear signals of our support. And I'm very pleased. I commend the government in Greece, but more especially I commend the people of Greece

for taking a democratic decision on Sunday.

ANDERSON: I wonder whether that social project that you want to see in Europe, though, involves the euro and the euro zone, and whether Greece

wouldn't be better off out of the euro at this stage. Short-term severe shock, long-term though control over their currency.

I've had it described to me as the euro zone and membership for Greece being the death knell for that country. Your thoughts.

ADAMS: Well, first of all the government in Greece has made it clear that it doesn't want to leave the European Union, that it doesn't want to

leave the euro zone. There's actually no way of putting it out of the euro zone.

So I think in many ways that question is a distraction. We're part of the European Union, but the European Union according to the founders of the

European movement was to be based upon solidarity, was to be based upon equality. Here we have an example of that being torn up completely, that a

country on the periphery that didn't cause this problem -- I listened to your earlier broadcast with the shop owner and restaurant owner in Greece,

they didn't cause the problem. They're 100 percent right.

The problem, as in Ireland, was caused by the elites, by those who lease the people off, who speculated and were fueled entirely by greed,

gambled in the private banking system, lost and then the people are expected to pick up the tab for that.

You people in America, in the USA dealt with it in a different way, in a correct way. So, the issue is one of whether a citizen has the right to

democratic control over a decision which affects his or her life or the lives of their family.

ANDERSON: Gerry Adams with us tonight out of Dublin in Ireland. It's a pleasure, sir, thank you.

United Airlines has resumed flights after they were grounded for more than an hour today, because of a computer operation -- problem.

Large queues had formed at airports. And United had to hand write tickets for some passengers at airports. United have apologized for any

inconvenience.

Let's get you the very latest. Rene Marsh is standing by for you at the CNN bureau in Washington -- Rene.

RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So, what we know is that 4,900 flights have been affected as a result of this very widespread computer issue that

led to United Airlines having to ground their flights. As you mentioned, flights have resumed and they have addressed this computer glitch. But at

this hour, we still do not know exactly what caused the computer glitch.

The explanation from the airline is rather vague. They are only saying we experienced, quote, "network connectivity issue this morning that

they're working to resolve."

We received an updated statement from them that you're looking at on your screen there saying that they are recovering from the network

connectivity issue this morning and that they are resuming regular flight operations and they also went on to say that passengers will be able to get

a waiver on United.com.

So essentially if you needed to rebook because the delays are just not going to work for your personal schedule, they are not charging you, they

are trying to help flyers avoid those change fees. So they are awarding a waiver.

But back to this issue that they've been experiencing -- again this is not just here in the United States, this was a worldwide problem, it

affected their operations worldwide. And now we are all waiting to find out exactly what was behind that.

ANDERSON: Rene Marsh is in Washington for you. Thank you.

Well, to a stunning admission by the U.S. Defense Secretary. Ashton Carter says the United States has trained only about 60 so-called moderate

rebels in Syria, far below the goal of several thousand. ISIS on the other hand has been very active in its recruiting of both young fighters and even

jihadi brides, as you are well aware.

The terror group waging a sophisticated propaganda war that has spread to all parts of the world calling for future jiahdists to fulfill their

religious duty. Its main tool: social media.

Now, an initiative to counter the ISIS media war has been launched by the United States and the United Arab Emirates. I sat down with U.S.

undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, Richard Stengel, here earlier today and asked him if it's about countering ISIS's messaging

or censorship.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[11:40:40] RICHARD STENGEL, U.S. UNDERSECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY: It's actually both. I mean, it's two sides of the same circle in the sense

that some of it is countering what they're doing and just saying this is wrong. You say the caliphate is a paradise, it's not. The plumbing isn't

working. You say you'll find a spouse here? No, you're not going to be able to. So some of it is directly undercutting what they're saying and

saying it's a lie and it's false and how you are trying to lure these people is incorrect.

On the other hand, we're also trying to promote a positive narrative, positive vision, a vision of mainstream Islam, a vision of moderate Islam

as a much, much better choice. And by the way that is the choice that most young Muslims are making around the world.

ANDERSON: I want our viewers to have a look at the introduction to the Saub Center (ph) one what is its YouTube channel today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just as they have hijacked a religion, they have also hijacked the world of social media, using it to spread their malicious

and destructive ideology.

ANDERSON: Having looked at this introduction, can you and the staff at the center really replicate what these ISIS militants are doing?

STENGEL: Well, in fact we're trying not to replicate it. I mean, if you look at a recent Brookings study that showed basically there are about

500 to 2,000 of these hashtag jihadis, of people who are out there tweeting, who have followers and trying to marshal those followers, that

isn't so many. So part of what we're doing in this actually great relationship between the U.S. and the Emiratis. And the Emiratis have

stepped forward. The Saub Center (ph) will be a hub for the coalition eventually. So they've been very strong on that.

So, we're not really trying to replicate that, but we're trying to get both the counter message and a much more positive vision out there that

will then resonate with other people around the world and create other centers like the Saub Center (ph).

ANDERSON: Who is going to work at this center? I mean, if you've got young Arab speakers, young Arabic speakers, young Arab men and women who

really understand the mindset of those who are...

STENGEL: You know, Becky, I just came from there. And it's -- you know, I was twice as old as anybody there. These are people -- it will

mainly be in Arabic. These are people who understand your Arabic market. These are young people who devoutly believe in what they're doing and will

look to create their own large supporters that they will have.

ANDERSON: Let's take a look at what President Obama said earlier in the week.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In order for us to defeat terrorist groups like ISIL and al Qaeda is going to also require us

to discredit their ideology, the twisted thinking that draws vulnerable people into their ranks.

As I've said before, and I know our military leaders agree, this broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military

effort. Ideologies are not defeated with guns, they're defeated by better ideas.

STENGEL: And we are offering better ideas, that's one of the whole points of the Saub Center (ph) is that -- and this is an idea that Muslims

around the world -- and I can't speak for them, but they understand from their daily life, this -- what I am living is a better alternative to what

they are offering. What they're offering is a dark lying vision of what life can be. And I think we are offering those better ideas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Fascinating.

Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. Coming up for you, we turn to Morocco where authorities there are trying to

give Islam a friendlier face with female preachers. That story is up next for you.

And despite crippling sanctions, Iran's tourism sector is growing. I want to get you some of the main attractions of that, and that is in about

10 minutes.

Back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:46:37] ANDERSON: I want to get you to my colleagues in the U.S. for some news out of there regarding the New York Stock Exchange. Let's

hand over.

(CNN USA SIMULCAST)

ANDERSON: Right. Trading then has resumed in New York. For a few moments, everything stopped. In a statement, the NYSE, the New York Stock

Exchange said that they were experiencing a technical issue. We will get more on that I am sure in the hours to come, but as you can see the big

board moving once again and moving lower. No real surprise.

Chinese stocks battered overnight.

Still ahead, we are heading to Iran. One industry in particular is betting it will benefit is a deal is struck, that being the tourism

industry. Next up, we'll take a look at how an agreement could attract a whole new wave of visitors to that country.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:55:53] ANDERSON: Well, the future of Iran's nuclear program isn't the only thing affected by the negotiations happening now in Vienna, the

easing of economic sanctions could make a big difference for the country's tourism industry. Your Parting Shots this evening.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PLEITGEN: It is the embodiment of imperial Persia. Persepolis, the archaeological site where the ceremonial capital and its temples once

stood.

Tens of thousands of people come here to Persepolis every year, but it's only a fraction of what the Iranian government thinks it could draw if

the tourism sector here were better developed. So, getting it up to speed is one of the main goals of Iran.

Persepolis and its many palaces and temples are just one in a wealth of sites in the area around one of the largest cities in in Iran Shiraz.

There is the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque with its colorful windows, that create unique lights.

The Karim Khan (Ph) castel right in the center of town. The tomb of the poet Hafez, arguably the most influential in Persian history and much

more.

Western tourists we meet seem pleased.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah, people are very inviting, welcoming and...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A good infrastructure for tourists. It's really easy to travel by bus.

PLEITGEN: But the problem is not as many foreigners as anticipated are coming to Iran. Economic sanctions against the government may be one

reason.

Even though the country expects a 6 percent rise in the number of visitors, authorities acknowledge they still have a long way to go.

The government says it already has done a lot to ease visa restrictions, but it also realizes massive investments are needed in new

hotels, roads, airplanes and airports.

"In 10 years time we want to have 20 million tourists here in Iran," the tourism minister tells me. "And we're expecting a revenue of about $30

billion. This is our goal. And we have a program to achieve that goal. Of course the lifting of sanctions would certainly help to achieve that

goal."

The Iranians acknowledge that some westerners are afraid to come here because of the political situation and hope a deal could help mitigate some

of those concerns.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Shiraz, Iran.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Fascinating. I'm Becky Anderson. That was Connect the World. From the team here, a very good evening.

END