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Connect the World
Glimmer of Hope in Boko Haram Kidnappings; Exclusive Access to Front Lines of Libya's Fight; The Brexit Question; Trump Would Speak to North Korea's Leader; White House Threatens to Veto Controversial 9/11 Bill; Flooding and Landslides in Sri Lanka; China's Start-Up Fever; Leicester City Ceelbrates in Bangkok. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired May 18, 2016 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:10]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: A glimmer of hope for the more than 200 Nigerian girls still missing. This hour, the latest details about one of the girls
who's been found and reunited with her family. Also ahead --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Scenes they thought they had seen the last of once they defeated Gadhafi are back again.
ANDERSON: Bloodshed and political chaos. CNN gets exclusive access to the front lines of Libya's fight against ISIS.
And the big "Brexit" question. The British parliament back in action ahead of what is an historic vote.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Hello. I'm Becky Anderson. You're watching "Connect the World" live from Abu Dhabi.
And tonight, we're going to start with breaking news out of Nigeria. One of 276 school girls kidnapped by the militant group Boko Haram two years ago,
has been found alive and well. Now, an activist says the girl was found on the edge of the forest that you see marked on this map in northeastern
Nigeria.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You may remember our report from last month when CNN obtained a so-called proof of life video showing some of the Chibok girls.
Correspondent Nima Elbagir showed the clip to the girls' parents. Here's a look back at that moment.
NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Two years ago we met (Mary Ashia) at (inaudible) in (inaudible) on our visit to Chibok after the
abduction of their daughters and more than 200 other girls. We asked them, if they recognize any of the girls in the video. They lean closer. Another
girl is identified, (Hawa.) One by one, they name all 15 girls. But one mother, (Yala) realizes her daughter isn't there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: An incredibly emotional moment for those mothers. And today's discovery could bring them hope.
Let's cross to two correspondents who have covered this story extensively for you. David McKenzie joining us from Johannesburg this evening and Arwa
Damon is in Istanbul. David, to you first. What do we know about the girl who's been found and how she was found?
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, (Amina Ali) is what the name that activists are giving her say that she's from one of those more than 200
girls which were kidnapped and vanished for more than two years. They found her on the edge of the Sambisa Forest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCKENZIE: Now she either escaped or she was just managed to get away from her Boko Haram captors because we do know that the girls from Chibok are
very closely guarded by that ISIS affiliated group inside their stronghold of the Sambisa Forest. The activists say she was in good health. She had a
child, a baby, that they say was fathered by one of those terrorists and that she was identified by her family and then taken by the Nigerian
military to a base in that region.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCKENZIE: Now there is a little bit of confusion because the Nigerian military gives a different name for her but they insist it's the same girl.
There are sometimes different names used in this region by people. But it's a glimmer of hope as you say for the family members of the Chibok girls who
have all been pushing, campaigning, wondering when they could see the loved ones, but obviously really tragic for those mothers and fathers who have
yet to see children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What are the more than 200 girls still missing. What do we know at this point?
MCKENZIE: Well what we know is from kidnapped girls that have managed to escape that I have interviewed and also from Nima Elbagir's reporting is
that they are heavily guarded in that Sambisa Forest. Many of them are fearful, of course, not just from Boko Haram but from the bombs that the
Nigerian military is dropping on those Boko Haram fighters. The good news from (Amina Ali) according to the activist is that most of the girls,
according to her, are alive. She said six have tragically died, they didn't know what the circumstances of those deaths are, but speaking to some of
the Chibok activists who have been campaigning for the release of these girls, they are hopeful and angry saying that the Nigerian military backed
by the international partners needs to do more now to rescue those girls despite the difficulties of any military operation. Becky?
[11:05:10]
ANDERSON: Arwa, how big a threat does Boko Haram still pose? And how successful is the Nigerian army's campaign against them?
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERANTIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they do still pose a fairly significant threat, although the Nigerian security forces
have managed to a certain degree make some strides against the terrorist organization.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: This is an entity that does not just confine its actions to Nigeria, but also has carried out attacks in other neighboring countries. At the
time of the kidnapping of the Chibok school girls some two years ago, as David was mentioning there, there was speculation that perhaps the girls
had been moved into (inaudible) into Lake Chad where there are a number of islands that Boko Haram has carried attacks out on as well. And we do know
that the Armies of Chad and countries like Niger have also been fighting their own battles against entities like Boko Haram.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: The Nigerian government has though come under some fairly harsh criticism when it comes to their lack of capacity to bring about resolution
to this whole issue of the kidnapped girls. In cases like this when these kidnappings do happen there is often a very short window within which to
take action and that clearly at the time two years ago, did not happen. Since then, there has been a belief that Nigerians should have been doing
more. The Sambisa Forest Becky, where these girls are believed to be kept is very difficult terrain to try to navigate, but here is what one of the
co-founders of the "bring back our girls movement" said recently about what should happen if and when these missing school girls were found.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBY EZEKWESILI, CO-FOUNDER, BRING BACK OUR GIRLS: Our Chibok girls are a symbol of girls all over the world who in dangerous circumstances are
daring to go gain knowledge. When we find them we can hold them up as the inspiration that all of the girls around the world need in order to get the
necessary education that would make all the difference by providing them opportunities to rule the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: And even though the girls still are in captivity Becky, they still have proven to be a movement in and of itself perhaps not necessarily to
the degree that one would hope. But at the time of their kidnapping the entire world came out to support them, to put pressure on the Nigerian
authorities. And also to raise a certain level ability the challenges that school girls do face, about the challenges that the country does face when
it comes to fighting an entity like Boko Haram. Even in captivity the girls are already proving to be something of an inspiration.
ANDERSON: Yes, you're right. Arwa, thank you. Well, I'm sure you would agree with me viewers when I say that the Chibok girls' story was and
continues to be heartbreaking and oftentimes does make us feel helpless, doesn't it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: But there are things you can do right now to help girls around the world get a safe education. You can learn more about that at
cnn.com/impact. That's the impact your world site.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Right, to this region now, and while much of the world has been distracted by ISIS, in Iraq and in Syria, the extremist group has been
quietly clawing its way into Libya.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Its militants brutally murdering dozens of people there accusing them of crimes like sorcery. That's according to a new report at least by
Human Rights Watch who spoke to the residents in the Mediterranean city of (inaudible). ISIS grabbed control of the area last summer you'll remember
just south of it Libyan forces say they retook a key checkpoint from ISIS on Wednesday but that is only denting some of the gains that the terror
group has made in the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: In this exclusive report, our Nick Paton Walsh went on the front lines in Libya to see the battle firsthand.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is the eye in the sky for America's quietest war on ISIS. In Libya, especially adapted
spy plane. These flights, part of a growing effort by U.S. intelligence agencies to learn as much as they can about ISIS in what many consider to
be its most dangerous stronghold so close to Europe.
Buried in the rock of the remote Sicilian Island of Pantelleria, its run by a handful of Americans. They fly over North Africa's coast public aviation
records show likely hovering up electronic chatter video from above the failed state, a tenth of whose coastline ISIS now control.
[[11:10:05]
WALSH: And down here is where it matters. A long, isolated road between the Libyan city of Misurata and the ISIS stronghold of Sirte. This day is all
bad news. ISIS using a suicide bomber to help them advance the furthest yet.
Fighters tell us that Americans are also on the ground here. Along this road we're seeing reinforcement pouring down there and one witness saw what
looked like four armored SUVs containing western-looking soldiers. They're nervous about what we see. One Libyan official later revealed a dozen U.S.
troops operating out of a nearby air base, the Pentagon confirming U.S. troops are, "meeting with Libyans" but wouldn't give details.
This man is saying, managed to save his family as ISIS moved into their home town. This was the scene they left behind. [ gunfire ] these chaotic
militia are all that stand between ISIS and one of Libya's biggest cities. Hours later ISIS sent another suicide bomber in an armored car. [ siren ]
It through Misurata into a state of emergency, flooding it with casualties.
Scenes they thought they'd seen the last of once they defeated Gadhafi are back again; over 100 injured and 9 dead. On a scale the hospital can barely
kept with. Relatives kept out can only peer through the glass for news.
The most severely wounded are being brought out now a steady stream of casualties. Quite unlike anything the city is used to along with that sense
of ISIS never really having been so close or so threatening.
[ speaking in foreign language ] funerals now too common, they say. This for (Abdullah Forteya), killed in the first of the two suicide bombings
leaving his wife pregnant with their third child.
The martyr is a friend of god, they chant. After five years of war, it barely jars other routines, weddings go on nearby. America is for now here
as little as it can be, and ISIS are winning. The wait for outside help measured in sons lost.
[ speaking in foreign language ].
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Now safely back in London where he's with us from now. Nick, John Kerry announced earlier this week that west is considering partially
lifting a weapons embargo to help arm the new Libyan government's fight against ISIS. Given that body, known as the GNA has said it is likely to
engage militia on the ground to help in the fight, and given that it is not only impossible to know who those groups are affiliated with locally you've
been on the ground, you've witnessed the chaos, what is the guarantee such weapons will not ultimately end up in ISIS hands?
WALSH: Well, I think the animosity between those militia you saw fighting around Misurata and ISIS are absolutely clear enough it's highly unlikely
in the event that that government, the third government, to claim the rights to run the country of Libya that's been backed by John Kerry if they
were to work with those Misurata militia, you can be pretty sure those front lines would be tough enough. And I'm sure the U.S. is talking more
about smaller arms at this particular stage given how reticent they've been to supply heavier weapons in the Syria conflict and Iraqi conflict against
ISIS.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALSH: But the bigger problem here really Becky is that government itself. Led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj they arrived at a naval base in Tripoli,
they're trying to get their tentacles into the institutions of Libya but they're running up against the Libyan dawn movement essentially that run
much of Tripoli and their alley to that, Misuratan militia as well.
It's that paralysis between the three different groups who think they have the right to be the government of Libya that essentially allowed ISIS to
get a foothold inserted in the first place. And it's that paralysis too that has to be suddenly bridged in the eyes of the western plan for Libya
if you are to get a cohesive movement against ISIS. That's a big ask and effectively what you saw on the ground in Tripoli with the instruction of
the third government was just confusion. Banks finding it hard to open, officials finding it hard to know who really to obey and I think that's
caused maybe Libyans to be more dismayed. Becky?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What sort of threat does what is going on in Libya at present pose for Europe and the rest of the world?
WALSH: Well, it's very close, Libya to Europe. I know that sounds like a truism to some degree, but it is a few hours depending on how fast your
boat really moves.
[11:15:06]
WALSH: And I think the issue is that resources are focused now on Syria and Iraq where there are many different ethnic groups who are willing to push
ISIS out, certainly the Kurds and Shia as well. There are lots of tribes in Libya, many of their relationships quite chaotic. They don't seem at this
stage to be able to unite to push ISIS out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALSH: There isn't the ethnic Sunni/Shia divide and loathing in Libya necessarily that ISIS managed to exploit in the Levant in the Middle East.
But still it is that general sense of chaos plus the ready supply of Jihadists from across the border to the west in Tunisia. Remember many of
them have already gone to Syria and Iraq and a lot have crossed the border into Libya that causes them - ISIS to have that sense of a substantial
foothold. And they have a tenth of the coastline by some estimates at this stage. That is a huge threat.
They are trying to get their hands on Libya's oil and as I say again, they're very close to Europe and frankly the European officials I've been
speaking to today well they know ISIS in Libya is a problem but it's not something on the top of their list because it's been in the Middle East
that's been so much more in the cross hairs until now. But frankly with the migrant trade picking up in the days and months ahead I think European
officials and the U.S. too will have to pay significant more regard to this crisis, Becky?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nick Paton Walsh back from Libya reporting for you out of London this evening, incredible reporting there by Nick. And on Thursday in
another exclusive report Nick shows us how ISIS is exploiting the refugee crisis in Libya to get to Europe. A preview of that for you now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALSH: This trade in human souls is awful enough until you think that perhaps ISIS are using this passage of human life into Europe to try to
infiltrate the continent with sleeper cells.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE) (As translated) ISIS can be among the illegal migrants on the boats. They travel with their families without weapons as normal
illegal immigrants. They will wear American dress and have English language papers so they cause no suspicion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That exclusive report this Thursday right here on CNN. And that is tomorrow. But we're going to get back to Libya in just about ten minutes
time. I will be joined by the U.N's Special Envoy to the country for more on the west's latest plan to get involved.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: Well In a show of pageantry Queen Elizabeth has opened a new session of the parliamentary calendar.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: One day looms large, next month's referendum on the country's membership in the European Union. That did not feature in the traditional
Queen speech which outlines the government's plans for the year. But it is the dominant issue in the U.K. right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well at the heart of the ongoing debate whether the U.K. has given up too much control of its affairs to European institutions. Max
Foster looks at the arguments of both sides.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Often described as the most important room in Britain, The Act Room high up in the Houses of Parliament its home to
some 64,000 documents covering some of the most important moments in British history. On these shelves are stacked truly ancient documents here.
We have some that are 500 years old during the reign of Henry VII, no less. Here we have the Weights and Measures Act of 1497. But who currently
creates new laws is at the center of the referendum over Britain's membership of the E.U.
JOHN REDWOOD, BRITISH PARLIAMENT MEMBER: How much we raise in tax, what taxes we impose, and how we spend that tax is no longer under the control
of the British parliament in many respects it's under the control of the European Union.
FOSTER: Whilst others see giving up on aspects of control is just part of being in a globalized world.
VICKY PRYCE, ECONOMICAL AND FORMER BRITISH GOVERNMETN ADVISER: We have decided to do things in a certain way so far, which gives up some of our
sovereignty, pause sovereignty for particular reasons which are good for us and for Europe as a whole.
FOSTER: Remain campaigners are keen to cite that between 1993 and 2014, only 13% of British laws, such as The Working Time Directive came from the
European Union. However, if you add up all of the E.U. regulations including the ones that don't need to go through parliament like mobile
phone roaming charges, those championing a "brexit" argue that 62% of British laws have E.U. origins. But only one law was needed to make this
possible.
Well, here it is. This is the European Communities Act of 1972. And this is the piece of legislation that signed the U.K. up to what was the European
Economic Community and which we now know as the European Union and this really paved the way for all of those regulations and requirements that now
apply in this country.
[11:20:03]
FOSTER: The U.K. does have an influence on those regulations. Equally so do the 27 other member states which means Britain doesn't always get what it
wants. If the country went it alone, it could set its own laws. But if it wanted to still be part of the single market, it would have to adhere to
E.U. rules with no say on how they're set. Sovereignty becomes a tradeoff between power and influence.
These scrolls bear witness to changes in power and attitudes over hundreds of years. But who has precedence over these laws in the future will be
decided by the British people.
Max Foster, CNN, London.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well this decision is causing divisions across the country. Richard Quest my colleague will be going out on the road to find out what
is on voters' minds as they prepare to make their choice on whether the U.K's place is in or out of the European Union.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD QUEST, HOST "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS": On June 23rd, the United Kingdom will make a crucial decision about the route the country is on.
Will there be a sudden turn, a change of direction or is it steady as she goes. It's very future in Europe is at stake. The week before the vote,
I'll be going across the country, getting the sense of the nation's mood from the village greens to the lights of the big cities, over the hills and
far away. Join Quest Means Business on the road as voters decide whether to remain in the E.U. or to leave and strike out on a new path. The U.K., In
or Out? On CNN.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Still to come tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Donald Trump promising to do what no sitting U.S. President has done before, what he says about the possibility he'll speak one on one with
North Korea's leader. Taking a very short break, that and more after this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hillary Clinton is closer than ever to clinching her party's presidential nomination.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: by CNN estimates, she only needs 88 more delegates as they're known. Well Clinton edged out Democratic rival Bernie Sanders in Kentucky's
primary on Tuesday. Sanders projected to win big in the state of Oregon, but not big enough to make a sizable dent in what is Clinton's lead.
[11:25:03]
ANDERSON: On the Republican side, Donald Trump is also closing in on his party's nomination. He's only 62 delegates shy of the number he needs after
a projected win in Oregon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well Trump's latest comment on his foreign policy is attracting quite a lot of attention. He says if elected President he would have no
problem sitting down to speak with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un as Paula Hancock's, my colleague reports, that is a sharp break from current U.S.
policy.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A glimpse into what could have been. U.S. President Barack Obama jamming with his North Korean counterpart Kim
Jong-Un. It's not real, of course. They're lookalikes in a popular South Korean effort for a price comparison site, (inaudible). Mr. Obama may not
have even come close to meeting Kim Jong-Un but Donald Trump, the presumptive U.S. Republican Presidential candidate, in an interview with
Reuters, says he just might.
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I would speak to him. I would have no problem speaking to him.
HANCOCKS: The statement in itself is not that dramatic, Mr. Obama said something similar nine years ago while running for President saying he was
willing to talk to leaders of hostile countries, including North Korea.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We may not trust them, they may pose an extraordinary danger to this country, but we have the
obligation to find areas where we can potentially move forward.
HANCOCKS: Since then, Myanmar once a pariah state, has been welcomed back into the international fold. Cuba, now has normalized relations with the
U.S. and Iran signed a historic nuclear deal with the west, a deal spearheaded by Obama. But for one CNN analyst, the devil of Trump statement
may be in the detail.
GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: We've heard Donald Trump talk about engaging with Putin. We've heard him now talk about engaging with Kim
Jong-Un, and I think the question has to be, how, under what circumstances, and to what end?
HANCOCKS: North Korea under Kim Jong-Un has accelerated its nuclear missile programs, progress over the last four years appears to have been more
intense than at any other time sparking questions about whether the Obama administration's policy of strategic patience towards North Korea failed.
SCOTT SNYDER, SENIOR FELLOW, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN MEDIATIONS: Under strategic patience, even though the North Korean program has slowed, it has also
progressed. And it has progressed to the point where if a new administration comes in and looks at this issue with fresh eyes, and sees
the prospect of a North Korea that may actually be able to strike the United States with a nuclear device, then it's going to look at its policy
options differently.
HANCOCKS: It's not the first time Donald Trump has talked about Kim Jong- Un. He's previously called him "a maniac," but also said he deserves credit for eliminating his rivals so successfully.
Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You're watching "Connect the World" with me, Becky Anderson. We are out of the UAE at just before half past 7:00 here locally. Taking a
very short break, your headlines after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00] ANDERSON: Let's return to our top story for you tonight. There is new optimism in Nigeria. One of 276 schoolgirls kidnapped by the
militant group Boko Haram two years ago has been found.
An activist says the girl was found on the edge of the forest you see marked on this map. The Nigerian Military offers a different version of
events. I'm joined now on the phone by Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar. He is the Director of Defense Information for the military and this being
described as a rescue as I understand it, by the Nigerian Military. Just explain what believe to have happened?
BRIGADIER GENERAL RABE ABUBAKAR, NIGERIAN ARMY: Yes. You know on recently have been where we have launched operation Crackdown in Sambisa Forest and
the possible location is mark-up operation and collateral operation it's the last test of operations against Boko Haram by the Shisha gift of God
(ph). And a lot of patience and perseverance we may to them have a rescue. You know on specific business (ph) we rescue individuals from this
(inaudible) from this group. And a - -
ANDERSON: How many are you talking about sir? Sorry - -
ABUBAKAR: And then we hello?
ANDERSON: Sorry yes. How many people on a daily basis are you rescuing?
ABUBAKAR: Yes. So far we rescue over 12 people from the time we launched our operations to now. And more and more (INAUDIBLE) and our hope is just
keep - -
ANDERSON: Tell me what happened
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Tell me what happened, what are the details of this rescue?
ABUBAKAR: So, just as I was speaking just recently. We were submitting a crackdown in the Sambisa forest. We rescued so many individuals and we
continue to rescue them. I mean, what I want the international community to know is this. There are so many are non Christians who are would be
Boko Haram and on various cases we rescue them.
So (INAUDIBLE) all that's our Boko Haram and that's our tactic. That's our tactic (INDAUDIBLE) particularly that does apply what we're planning to do.
And that is what we are doing.
ANDERSON: OK. Al right. So this young lady was rescued. What can you tell us specifically about what happened? And let's remind ourselves,
sadly, there are still 275 Chibok girls who remain lost and in Boko Haram's custody as it were. So tell us specifically what happened? Because we are
hearing from other people that she was found, that she wasn't rescued. So let's just get the story correct for our viewers if you will.
ABUBAKAR: You see, let's not mistake anything. We are trying to provide everybody the correct, authentic information to our citizens, our friends
and international community. We are not trying to do a (INAUDIBLE) operation. We are trying to be deliberate, we are trying to be
professional, we are trying to ensure nothing but information. And that's what we are trying to do. So any source which is not from us is
(INAUDIBLE) and we are trying as much to rescue any, all individuals. What happened we are - -
ANDERSON: And that is fantastic sir, sir - - Right and that is fantastic. And I guess with respect sir , the question was quite a simple one what
specifically happened? How was this young lady rescued? I'm looking for the details specifically if you will?
ABUBAKAR: No, No, No, you see (INAUDIBLE) bridge, the collaboration of the armed forces and others who helped, it's a joint operation. And we are the
leader of course in that operation. And like I said, what happened is to all of us. What we have up front something (INAUDIBLE) that's a relation
to all of us you know. We are mindful of the families (INAUDIBLE) but we won't confirm certainly our source before we go and tell this is what
happened. People should be we should demand. This is a very important issue which we don't want (INAUDIBLE).
And we know we have enough men who are involved in this --
ANDERSON: Right. Right. Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you for your time.
To a brewing showdown now between Congress and the White House. The Senate has approved a bill that would allow families of the victims of the
September 11th attacks to sue Saudi Arabia. The White House threatening to veto it.
Meanwhile, Senator Bob Graham tells CNN that the review of classified documents focusing on Saudi involvement in the attacks could be finished
soon. CNN Global Affairs Correspondent Elise Labott, joining me now from Washington. Elise?
ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: That's right Becky. Well obviously this has been very controversial legislation, not just for the
Saudis but also for the Obama administration who has maintained that they were opposed to this legislation because such a move would complicate
issues for U.S. government, U.S. government employees and ruin the U.S. sovern immunity in other courts that it enjoys around the world
So the White House came out yesterday after the Senate voted to pass this legislation unanimously, that it was opposed and it could veto the
legislation unless there are some serious amendments to the legislation as it moves through the house Becky.
ANDERSON: What have the Saudis said?
LABOTT: Well, you know, they haven't come out publicly and said anything just yet, but as this legislation has been making its way through Congress
there has been some threats by the Saudi government, particularly by Foreign Minister Al Jabar that the Saudi's could start withdrawing some of
their assets in the United States. Particularly Treasury securities, now there are some reports that the Saudis had up to $750 billion in U.S.
Treasury bonds, that would be a significant portion of the U.S. debt and that could make markets move.
There was a lot of concern about that, interestingly enough the U.S. Treasury this week put out that Saudi Arabia only holds about $116 billion
in U.S. Treasury securities. So it's really negligible now much that would affect any U.S. bond markets and at the same time the Saudis do have a lot
of assets in the United States. But experts do say that it would hurt the Saudis as much in their own portfolio, even more maybe than it would the
United States.
I don't necessarily think there is a major concern about the Saudis pulling out their security assets, but at the same time I think what is not being
said right here by the Administration is the relationship with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia has been very tense through the course of this Administration.
Very tense right now. This legislation could not come at a worse time Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. What are the likely consequences?
LABOTT: Well, you know, look the Saudis have already kind of said that they're very disappointed that the U.S. seems to be retreating from the
region. There's a lot of concern over U.S. policy toward Syria and other aspects. You know, this could certainly hurt either President. Whether
it's Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton as they seek to rebuild our relationship with Saudi Arabia. That very tight alliance between the U.S.
and Saudi.
Saudi's considered obviously, the cornerstone of the U.S. security in the Middle East could certainly be threatened. And I think, you know, the
Saudis do have significant investments in the United States, whether they're private investments, whether they're infrastructure investments. I
think we could see those investments maybe start to slow. So concern on the economic front, but certainly a lot of concern on the diplomatic front
for particularly Secretary Clinton who is trying to capitalize on the Obama administration foreign policy. This would be seen as a continuation of
that even though it would legislation passed by Congress.
ANDERSON: Elise Labott is in Washington for you this evening. Elise, Thank you. Well at least 19 people have been killed by landsides and
flooding in Sri Lanka. The country has been hammered by heavy rain for more than three days and entire villages we are told now buried under mud.
Rescue teams are trying to dig out any survivors.
CNN's Ravi Agrawal has more on what is the devastation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RAVI AGRAWAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Much of India struggles with dry heat and drought. The smaller neighbor to the south has the opposite problem. For
days this is what Sri Lanka has been battling. Torrential rainfall, flooded streets, homes submerged. In the northern town Akenanoche, more
than a foot of rain fell down in a space of 24 hours. Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans have been affected.
In the area of Putalan, fields are submerged. Army helicopters are stepping in to rescue the villagers, one by one. Here in the town of
Pagoda, you see emergency workers rescuing an old woman. She is one of the lucky ones. There are reports of some in the area who have lost their
lives, after they were caught in a landslide triggered by pounding rain.
These are all scenes that may repeat themselves. As this tiny island nation struggles to deal with nature's assault. The heavy rains have been
caused by a tropical depression in the neighboring Bay of Bengal and then come the monsoons. Just two weeks from now. Ravi Agrawal, CNN, New Delhi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Taking a very short break, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Start-up fever also taking China by storm on enterpenurers there, looking to get their share of what is an enormous market and some of
Silicon Valley's biggest firms looking to get a piece of the action too. Matt Rivers reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So you're in Beijing and you need to get somewhere, it's too far to walk so you're going to need to get a ride. If
you live in China and you speak Chinese, there's a good chance you're going to pull out your phone and open up an app, called Di Di Thushing (ph).
It's simple to use really, you just tell the app where you are and where you want to go. And when the car arrives, you hop in, tell them where
you're going, and take off.
Di Di Thushing (ph) or DD for short says that rides like this one happen 11 million times per day across China in 400 different cities. It now says it
has 300 million users and most experts agree that it's market share is somewhere between 75 and 90 percent. The company does have competitors in
cars for hire apps. So let's say you forgot your wallet and you have to go back, except this time you pull out your phone and you open up Uber.
In most of the world Uber is the alpha app, but in China it's more like the plucky start-up looking to put a dent in a DD dominated field. It's trying
to get that foothold by offering extremely low prices and subsidies to it's drivers. You can now grab an Uber like this one in around 50 different
Chinese cities but progress is coming at a cost. In February, Uber's CEO said the company was losing over $1 billion U.S. dollars per year here as
in the short time it prioritizes expanding its presence in the hopes of making money down the road.
China has more than 1.3 billion people, many of whom have places to be but whether it's DD or Uber that gets them there is one of the biggest tech
battles in the world. Matt Rivers, CNN Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Taking a short break. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUEST: I came to the UK about three years ago and I've been in London for about a year. London is a buzzing city. There's always something
happening here. If I was a Brit, I would never vote for Brexit. I think it's a horrible idea. If I was living in London, I would be worried that
you migrants would leave and this is what makes the city a great city. London is the European capital.
GUEST: I like the fact that the British society compared with other societies is definitely more open. It's definitely more accepting to
foreigners. I do not believe that I will need a British passport. I'm fully legible for one because I have been living here for nine years, but I
do not think it is worth it.
GUEST: When my great grandparents and grandparents were alive they were actually fighting each other in the wars and today we have peace in Europe
is largely due to the European Union. I am very concerned working here will become much more complicated, much more difficult, maybe impossible.
GUEST: I was born in a poor town in Italy. I'm sad to hear that one of the main reasons why the UK wants to abandon EU focused on migration. In
my heart I feel that people of Britain will be Pro-Europe. I tell them to defiantly go vote.
GUEST: Be very aware of the consequences the U.K. leaving the EU would have.
GUEST: Voting in this country is not a as popular as in my country Greece.
GUEST: I've been here for almost five years. I think I will apply for a citizenship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Some of the views there of young Europeans anxious to see the outcome of the so called Brexit vote next month. Earlier today, the Queen
formally opened the parliamentary session that leads to the vote on June the 23rd. This is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson welcome back.
Now we often report on people fleeing war torn countries and starting a new life in a new home. Well some of those refugees are preparing to compete
in the Rio Olympics this summer. Atika Shubert has the story of one young woman's big ambition.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Eszra Mardini (ph) was a teenager in Damascus who loved to swim. In 2015 she and her family to flee for Germany
crossing from Turkey to Greece by boat. Halfway there, the engine broke.
MARDINI: After a few minutes, the motor stopped, everyone was praying.
SHUBERT: Eszra, her sister and a friend jumped into the water and pushed the boat ashore.
MARDINI: I lost my glasses and it's like minus 2 and it took us like three hours in the water.
SHUBERT: And then after that you still had the journey to go all the way from Greece to Germany.
MARDINI: Greece, Macedonia, (INAUDIBLE), Vienna.
SHUBERT: How long did it take you?
MARDINI: 29 days.
SHUBERT: In Germany, Eszra listed swimming as her hobby. She was introduced to Coach Sven Solivitz(ph).
SHUBERT: How did you hear about Eszra and what was your first impressions?
SOLOVITZ (ph): They have a good education swimming. They technical foundation is really good. And they had a lot of kilometers. Normally
she's really focused. She's a normal teenager too, but - -
MARDINI: A normal teenager but I don't do what teenagers do. SOLOVITZ (ph): She's a normal teenager.
SHUBERT: Eszera is beginning to qualify for the real Olympics. She would compete on the first team of refugee athletes in Olympic history.
MARDINI: First you wake up think and go to the school. I have two classes or two like hours in the school, and then I have swim two hours then I
continue the school, then I have food. Then after food I have second training or before I have one hour of lessons, I'll be done at 7 or 8pm.
And then I go back eat and sleep.
SOLOVITZ (ph): To do this, this Olympics in Rio (INAUDIBLE) to three six's.
SHUBERT: And what are you swimming at now?
MARDINI: Two 12's
SHUBERT: But you're working to shave off 11 seconds or so.
MARDINI: Yes. It's hard.
SHUBERT: Yes.
MARDINI: It's hard to stop 11 seconds in the games.
SHUBERT: For Eszra, swimming is not a game. It's her life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: What an incredible story. As you just heard the Eszra is Syrian but refugees all over the world are trying to get a spot in the Olympic
team, including Iran and the Democratic Republic of Congo. To learn more and the other stories that we've been working on today. Do head online to
our face book page that is face book.com/unconnected
Alright before we go tonight they've done the hard part and now it's time to party. Yes it is. Celebrating their odds defying Premier League
Championship at home Leicester City taking the party to another continent. Saima Mohsin brings you tonight's parting shots.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All the way from Leicester the Premiership title winners have landed in their second home Bangkok. That
message though perhaps haven't got through to the entire team. This is considered your second home now.
GUEST: Is it? It's nice.
MOHSIN: The club is owned by a Thai billionaire business man and it's big news here in Bangkok. But it is very unusual for a Premier League Club to
make a trip to the owner's home town.
Shen Ji Okajaki, Casper Schmichael, Captain Wes Morgan, and Christian Foutes were in good spirits for 6 a.m. How's the big party in Bangkok
after the one in Leicester?
GUEST: It should be good.
MOHSIN: Are you happy to be in Bangkok though?
GUEST: Yes. Very happy. Awesome.
MOHSIN: Fans flocked to Premier League Manager of the Year Clausio Renearie too. Mr. Renerarie what's it like to be in Bangkok?
RENEARIE: It's fantastic. I can say only thank you to all these people who come very, very early in the morning to give us a very warm welcome.
Thank you.
MOHSIN: And you had a great party in Leicester, are you looking forward to a great party in Bangkok?
RENEARIE: I hope.
MOHSIN: Later in the day the team came to the King Palace Theatre Hall to lift the Premiership Cup in Thailand for the first time. Saima Mohsin, CNN
Bangkok.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Wonderful. I'm Becky Anderson that was Connect the World. From the team here. Good evening.
END
