Return to Transcripts main page

Connect the World

Trump Attacks Meryl Streep on Twitter; 17 Arrested in Kim Kardashian Robbery; Former Iranian President, Revolution Leader, Ali Hashemi Rafsanjani Dead at 82; DPRK Could Launch ICBM At Any Time, According to Officials. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired January 09, 2017 - 10:00   ET

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

[10:00:16] BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: A critical week for the U.S. president- elect. Donald Trump prepares for a news conference, confirmation hearings for his cabinet picks, and deals with the fallout from the Russian hacking

claims.

A report for you from New York this hour. And we are live in Moscow on what the Kremlin calls those amateur allegations.

Plus, mourning a moderate: we look at what the death of Iran's former President Rafsanjani means for the nation.

And a political performance at the Golden Globes. We'll tell you why actress Meryl Streep's comments caused such a stir.

A very warm welcome, I'm Becky Anderson. This is Connect the World. It is just after 7:00 in the evening here in Abu Dhabi. The inauguration of

Donald Trump is less than two weeks away, and the pace of his transition is picking up this week.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate confirmation hearings for nine of Trump's cabinet nominees. Republicans preparing to fight roadblocks thrown in the

way by Democrats.

On Wednesday, the U.S. president-elect -- I'm going to get you to a report from Jason Carroll.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress moving full speed ahead with an ambitious

agenda. Confirmation hearings begin tomorrow for some of the president- elect's key cabinet nominees, while the Senate is expected to hold a series of votes this week to begin repealing Obamacare, but details of replacing

the outgoing president's signature law still remain unclear.

REINCE PRIEBUS, INCOMING WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: It may take time to get all the elements of the replace in place.

CARROLL: Trump will also finally answer questions on Wednesday, when he holds his first press conference in nearly six months.

The now declassified intelligence report on Russian hacks expected to be a major focus, but questions remain about whether Trump accepts the report's

conclusions.

PRIEBUS: He's not denying that the entities in Russia were behind this particular hacking campaign.

KELLYANNE CONWAY, TRUMP SENIOR ADVISOR: Hillary continues to be believed by majority of Americans as unlikable. That has nothing to do with Moscow.

CARROLL: Over the weekend, Trump tweeting, "Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing. Not a bad thing. Only stupid people or fools would

think that it is bad. When I am president, Russia will respect us far more than they do now. And both countries will perhaps work together to solve

some of the many great and pressing problems and issues of the world."

For months, Trump has cast doubts about U.S. intelligence that Russia was trying to interfere with the election.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: It could be somebody else.

Maybe there is no hacking. It could be Russia, but it could also be China. It could also be lots of other people. It also could be somebody sitting on

their bed that weighs 400 pounds.

CARROLL: Trump's skepticism dividing his own party.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: If, after having been briefed by our intelligence leaders, Donald Trump is still unsure as to what the

Russians did, that would be incredibly unnerving to me, because the evidence is overwhelming.

CARROLL: In a new interview, President Obama did not downplay the threat Vladimir Putin posed to the United States.

OBAMA: I don't think I underestimated him. Vladimir Putin's not on our team. If we get to a point where people in this country feel more affinity

with a leader who is an adversary and views the United States and our way of life as a threat to him, then we're going to have bigger problems than

just cyber-hacking.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: All right, that was Jason Caroll reporting. I'm back with you. CNN contributor Jill Dougherty also joining us now from Moscow. And Jill,

reminiscent of a witch hunt, that is how the Kremlin describes these allegations.

But one of the key findings of this report suggests it had a clear preference for Trump to win the U.S. election with a goal to, quote,

undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process and, quote, denigrate Hillary Clinton.

Does the Kremiln deny this?

[10:05:03] JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: You know, they're not getting into specifics, Becky, and I think that's the important thing. Essentially

what they're saying is this report is so -- as one of -- the spokesperson for President Putin said -- you know, emotional, unprofessional, amateur,

et cetera. They're really basically just dismissing it. And in fact Dmitry Peskov, who is the spokesperson for Putin just a couple of hours ago

said it's not even worth commenting on because it is so bad.

And it is quite notable that his comment which was very amateur emotional level that hardly

befits highly professional work of really high class special services is very similar to what we heard just a few minutes ago from the WikiLeaks

head, Julian Assange. He also said that frankly, this

is quite embarrassing to the U.S. intelligence services.

So both -- you're getting that reaction here in Russia very much and now you're hear it from Julian Assange.

They are not taking issue with any specifics, because they would argue there aren't any specifics

in the public report -- Becky.

ANDERSON: It is fascinating that Trump himself used this same witch hunt term, I believe, last week, with reference to this intelligence report and

these hacking claims.

Look, what are Russia's expectations when it comes to their relationship with Donald Trump? I mean, do we know as of yet how quickly we expect to

see high level contact between Moscow and

Washington, post-inauguration on January 20th.

DOUGHERTY: Well, that question did come up, the question of when President Putin would meet with incoming President Trump. And in fact the Kremlin

said they didn't have any specifics. They said we have to wait of course until he's president, but that that meeting would be very carefully

prepared because as they put it, we have had a degradation in the relationship we have to have President Trump in there, we believe that

during the campaign, he was saying he wanted improved relations, but they are quite aware that members of the incoming president's own party are very

critical about his rapprochement with Vladimir Putin. Asnd I don't think that they are putting all their eggs in the basket that Mr. Trump can

actually come through with what they are expecting.

ANDERSON: Jill, always a pleasure. Thank you. Out of Moscow for you today, Jill Dougherty.

All critics of Donald Trump's proposed detante towards Russia often point to Moscow's military involvement in Ukraine, but even before that conflict,

some in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia say they fell victim to what they call Russia's creeping border. CNN's Erin McLaughlin explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For Georgians this is the enduring wounds of the 2008 war. Razor wire fencing scars the landscape, green signs

offers up an ominous warning. Just beyond is the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

We're only allowed to get this close in the company of Georgian security forces or E.U. monitors. They say it's for our own protection. After all,

the Russians are watching. It's here that we meet him Dato Vanishvili, Georgian. The 82-year-old is the face of this frozen conflict.

DATO VANISHVILI, GEORGIAN RESIDENT (through translator): I am from South Ossetia from Georgia. I am Vanishvili, a Georgian citizen.

MCLAUGHLIN: After he went out one day to an errand he returned to find his home in Russian controlled South Ossetia. The razor wires slicing his land

and permanently separating him from the country he calls home.

When you first saw this fence here how did you feel?

VANISHVILI (through translator): I was angry when they came. They said it was Russian territory, so if you don't want to be from Russia, leave. Where

should I go? Help me, if you can.

MCLAUGHLIN: To locals it's known as the creeping border, although Georgian officials are load to use the term. They call it the line of occupation. To

the Russians South Ossetia is an independent state and their military is here by invitation.

With each passing year the line steadily moves forward swallowing farmland even entire villages. Independent monitor says each encroachment is a

violation of international law and no one on the Georgian controlled sign of the line seems to know exactly where the line is.

This sign is meant to mark the boundary. The problem is looking around it's unclear where the so-called border begins and ends. For all I know I could

be standing in South Ossetia.

Locals complain they've been detained and fined for unwittingly crossing over. And then there's the matter of the orchard injury shedding. Earlier

this year, Russian forces plowed a 3-mile long furlough straight through it. They claim it's there for fire protection but Georgians who cross it

get detained.

The E.U. has the only independent mission monitoring this frozen conflict.

KESTUTIS JANKAUSKAS, HEAD, EUROPEAN UNION MONITORING MISSION IN GEORGIA: On the far left you can see Russian federation border guard base. We don't

know where and how far that line can move because it was never recognized. It was never negotiated. It's based on variety trouble of the old Soviet

lapse.

MCLAUGHLIN: And what message is that sending?

JANKAUSKAS: That sends the message that we are still living in the past.

MCLAUGHLIN: Near a small agricultural village this Merab Mekarishvili's former home. It was bombed during the 2008 war. Mekarishvili was determined

to remain in the house his father built, that is until the Russian fence off the village road and some of his land.

Even though the house is on Georgian controlled side of the wire he says the Russians gave him a choice. The common citizen of South Ossetia were

moved. He abandoned his home and lives nearby on what remains of his land.

Are you worried that this border is going to continue moving this way?

MERAB MEKARISHVILI, SOUTH OSSETIAN RESIDENT (through translator): We are afraid they will extend the border. We know what war means. It's better to

be like this than in war.

MCLAUGHLIN: Tamara Qoreli and her family fear that one day war will come again. To one side of their home a Russian military base, to the other, a

Georgian check point.

TAMARA QORELI, SOUTH OSSETIAN RESIDENT (through translator): How would you feel here? It is scary. Nobody knows what will happen today or tomorrow.

MCLAUGHLIN: Qoreli says she no longer has enough land to take her cows out to pasture and worries they will be blown up by left over land mines.

Meanwhile, at the Russian base overlooking the house men in green go about their business as their children play in the courtyard.

Erin McLaughlin, CNN, near South Ossetia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: CNN has reached out to officials in South Ossetia and Moscow regarding their land, but has yet to receive a response. WE can learn more

about how this frozen conflict came about and what its consequences are by heading to the website.

Do get a closer look at the border that's in dispute and the hard choices, some Georgians are forced to make because of it. That's at CNN.com. You

will know that.

Right. Nice, Berlin, and now Jerusalem. In the last few months terrorists have rammed trucks

into crowds of people. It happened in Israel on Sunday afternoon. We have surveillance video of

the moment it happened, but it's disturbing so if you want to turn away now, please do so.

On the top left of your screen, you can see a large truck plowing into a group of soldiers, killing four of them, one was 22 years old, the others

just 20. We now know that the attacker was a Palestinian man. Israel's prime minister says all signs point to him being an ISIS supporter.

Well, our Oren Lieberamnn on the ground in Jerusalem for us.

Oren, what more do we know? Was this man working for a group or working alone?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and that's been one of the hallmark

of attacks from ISIS supporters that has not happened here. Police say this has what appear to be all the hallmarks of a

lone wolf attack, an attacker who acted perhaps spur of the moment, but was not part of some

larger web. The attacker was shot and killed at the scene.

As part of the investigation, police blocked off the neighborhood of the attacker, Jabar Muqaber (ph), which is a neighborhood not far from where

the attack took place, that's to prevent a copycat attacks if somebody tried to do the same thing.

Police have also arrested nine suspects, five of whom are family members of the attacker, in this case. We have learned from the family, that includes

the father, the brother and the sister that's the question, was he working alone, did anyone else know of the attack? Was it preplanned? All

questions police are still working on as the nation mourns here those four soldiers put to rest today.

ANDERSON: Israel, Oren, considering a new way of targeting people, it thinks may back ISIS, putting them effectively in indefinite house arrest

without charge. Is that likely to get the go ahead

at this point do you think?

[10:15:14] LIBERMANN: I think it is. And to be accurate, it's a new application of an old way. It's administrative detention. Israel uses it

against terror suspects. It's holding somebody without

charge or trial for six months at a time and you can renew that, so it can you on for years.

Israel now says they'll consider using that against ISIS supporters. The goal here is to stop the

spread. Police have said there's no ISIS cell here, but over the last year, Israeli leaders have said there has been some -- an uptick in ISIS

supporters, it's not just an Israeli interest to make sure that the group doesn't get a foothold here, it's a Palestinian interest as well. And

this will be a tool to try to make sure that ISIS doesn't gain any popularity here.

ANDERSON: While I've got you, Oren, what are the latest allegations of corruption levied against the prime minister, allegations Netanyahu himself

says are nothing short of, quote, nothing.

Netanyahu's position hasn't changed at all on this. His signature line has become you will find

nothing, or there will not be anything, because there is nothing. He has repeated that at almost every opportunity he's gotten.

But we have learned more from the Israeli daily newspapers about what these cases entail. We know one of them from the attorney general entails

suspicions of receiving benefits from businessmen. The Israeli daily newspaper Hal Alyet (ph) now says the other one, the central piece of

evidence in

this case is a recording where Netanyahu is heard talking to one of the editors or one of the owners of one of the other big daily newspapers,

essentially trading more favorable political coverage for financial benefits. That is what the newspaper says is at the center of the second

case, Netanyahu's lawyer who spoke before these allegations came out, but after a second round of questioning has reiterated essentially Netanyahu's

position that this will all come to nothing.

Becky at this point, Netanyahu has faced some eight hours of questioning over two days, again

he faces two different cases here, or two different suspicions here, all of this ongoing, details have been slow to come out, but we will absolutely

keep you posted as this corruption probe continues.

ANDERSON: Oren Liebermann is out of Jerusalem for you this evening, viewers. Thank you, Oren.

Still to come on this show tonight, a pillar of the Islamic revolution in Iran is dead. We look back at the life of the former president Akbar

Hashemi Rafsanjani. That is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: A major figure in Iran's Islamic Revolution has died. Iranians gathered to mourn the passing of the former president Akbar Hashemi

Rafsanjani. This was the scene outside the hospital where he died after suffering a heart attack on Sunday.

Well, Rafsanjani died at the age of 82. He was a founding figure of the Islamic Republic, serving two terms as Iran's president and in recent years

championed moderate policies and better relations with the west.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: A somber announcement, former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjan, dead at the age of 82. Known for his political

tenacity, Rafsanjani dominated the political landscape in Iran for more than three decades.

He was a controversial figure to some both inside and outside of the country. A close confidant of Ayatollah Khomenei, he shot to political

prominence after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

He was elected as the first speaker of the newly established Iranian parliament in 1980, a position he held until 1989, a period coinciding the

Iran/Iraq War.

Under Khomenei's direction, Rafsanjani also served as the de facto commander-in-chief of the Iranian military throughout that eight-year

conflict.

After the war, his two consecutive terms as president of the Islamic Republic were dubbed by his supporters as the reconstruction period.

Rafsanjani pursued a liberal economic policies and tried to rebuild ties with Iran's neighbors. After his presidency, Rafsanjani remained a powerful

player in Iranian politics, including serving as a close adviser of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who he'd supported in becoming the country's supreme

leader.

Rafsanjani's political leanings, though, began to diverge from Khamenei, a fact that would eventually sideline the old revolutionary.

In 2005, Rafsanjani ran for president but lost to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, an opponent he criticized for bombastic foreign policy language and populist

ideology. And after the disputed

presidential elections in 2009, Rajsanjani sided with the protesters. While his decision helped his

popularity among supporters of the Green movement, it was politically costly, diminishing his influence behind the scenes.

But, by 2013, his moderate vision for Iran put him back in play as his close associate Hassan Rouhani was elected as Iran's seventh president.

His death, then, just months away from Iran's next presidential election will deal a major blow

to moderates such as Rouhani who have lost both a leader and a mentor in Rafsanjani.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, for more on the life and legacy of the former president, I'm joined now by Ali Alzadeh who is a political analyst. Ali, an elder

statesman of the Iranian revolution who, although

sidelined, in recent years, couldn't be silenced. How significant was his voice?

ALI ALZADEH, POLITICAL ANSLYST: Rafsanjani's voice was significant, because of his role in the revolution and the fact that he was constantly

the second most powerful figure throughout the 80s and 90s.

He was also a king maker, he was significant in the selection of of Ayatollah Khamanei succeeding the founder of the revolution, but also he

was a very smart revolutionary. What he was talking about was not only about his relationship to this or that person, it was rooted in social

forces. He represented a force of change, a force of joining global market. He wanted to open the doors of the

country, and that was supported by sections of Iranian middle classes, that's why his real support was that. And the system overall acknowledged

that. That was his power came from (inaudible) what people wanted.

ANDERSON: And he did have his detractors, let's be very clear, and not just those who saw him as a way too liberal, many saw him at times during

his career as ruthless, as president, for example. He showed very little tolerance of dissent, did he?

ALZADEH: That's right. He was, as I said, he was the second most important figure in consolidating a post revolutionary state and being the

commander-in-chief of eight years of a war, in which the whole world, including the west and Soviet Union, and all Arab countries were against

Iran.

I'm sure he's done many, many dark things as well in his time. And I'm sure many of the Iranian

opposition have suffered his repression, but you have to consider the terrible time that he took Iran from.

But I think what's more important about Rafsanjani is the journey he took. He started as an authoritarian. He started not believing in freedom of

speech, not believing in like liberal values, and then he ended up being the voice of the people, he ended up siding by the protesters in 2009. And

that transformation, I think symbolically shows the maturing of the state and improves the pluralistic makeup of the regime and Iran society.

ANDERSON: And Ali, it's that influence that experts say is the reason he will be sorely missed, not just by the current government in Tehran, but by

governments in capitals all over the world. Just how significant is his passing with presidential elections upcoming in May of this year, and how

concerned should those who are his supporters and moderates in Tehran be? And how concerned should people be in other capitals around the world?

ALZADEH: That's right.

I think, we should -- in short-term definitely, Iranian -- the bloc of centrists, moderate and reformists, have lost a godfather. And in the

short-term it will be a blow.

But you have to remember Iranian regime is a system, is not only based on this or that person. And I think that bloc is powerful enough in mid-term

and in long-term it can stand up again. And I think by June 2017, the presidential elections, Iranian reformists and moderates are in good shape

to

win that election and I think that Rafsanjani was very good in two things. He ensured the transfer and relegation of his role and position as the

leader of the moderates to Hassan Rouhani. He somehow like educated Hassan Rouhani, brought him up as his main disciple and I think Rouhani has enough

credentials to lead that bloc.

That bloc, as I said, is echoed by a big section of Iranian society -- young, educated, and wanting the change. And also we have to remember that

Rafsanjani, his main product in my opinion today, is Iran deal, is the Iran deal with Obama. So, I think bloc that Rafsanjani made with Rouhani, with

consent and approval of the supreme leader Ali Khamanei, that's powerful enough, nothing big and nothing lethal is going to happen to that bloc

inside Iran.

I'm more worried about the hard liners in Washington who are preparing for Mr. Trump to

come up and damage that peace process, which took about 25 years between Iran and America.

One thing we have to remember from Rafsanjani's time is from 1986, he raised the hand of

friendship with America, with Reagan first, through McFarland (ph), later with Bush the father, by releasing American hostages in Lebanon. And every

single time, every single president, they rejected the hand of friendship. And until Obama came. That's why it's not only within Iran, the whole worl

and all those capitals who are worried should ensure that that heritage of Rafsanjani, that peace, which is for stability of everyone in the region

continues.

ANDERSON: Ali, thank you.

Just an aside here, a U.S. navy ship fired warning shots at Iranian boats near the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official says Iranian vessels approached

the U.S. navy ship in five separate instances at high speed.

Now, the strait lies between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. This incident, the latest in a string of tense encounters over the past few

months.

Right, you're with us on Connect the World. I'm Becky Anderson. We're live out of Abu Dhabi for you. Up next, the Golden Globes had it all,

glitz, glamour and a political fight stretching all the way from Hollywood to Washington. The latest on how Donald Trump is responding to Meryl

Streep's speech. That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[10:32:57] ANDERSON: North Korea has a new warning for the United States about the latest weapons that it has developed. Paula Hancock has the

detail for you from Seoul.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: North Korea could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile at any time from any location, that

message from North Korean's foreign ministry official. This came out on Sunday, quoted by KCNA, the state-run media. And they say that the only

thing that they're waiting for is the green light is Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader.

Now, also we hear in this statement that the reason that North Korea has found it necessary to carry out and develop this nuclear and missile

program is because of Washington. The U.S. hostile policy, as North Korea calls it. And this, of course, is something that they have been saying for

years, if not decades, blaming Washington for what they say is their need for self-defense.

Now, we also on Sunday we did hear from a U.S. Defense Secretary saying on NBC's Meet the Press that this program from North Korea is a serious

threat, also saying that the U.S. military is prepared to shoot down any missile which appears to be heading towards U.S. territory or appears to

be heading from the north to any territory of its allies.

But interesting thing from this statement that we have been hearing from experts is that it does appear as though North Korea is hoping for a

different relationship with President-elect Donald Trump when his administration comes into power. Now, they did say using the DPRK, the

official term for North Korea, quote "anyone who wants to deal with the DPRK would be well advised to secure a new way of thinking after having a

clear understanding of it."

Now, Kim Jong-un in his New Year's Day address did say that he was potentially close to test launching an ICBM which would potentially be able

to hit Mainland U.S., and then we heard from Donald Trump just a day later in a tweet saying it won't happen.

But experts, observers, officials, have all noted the fact that North Korea does not appear to be as aggressive when it comes to talking about Donald

Trump as it has been in the past when talking about U.S. President Barack Obama, or, in fact, South Korean officials. And experts say the reason for

that is quite simple, that North Korea appears to be taking a wait and see approach as to what exactly Donald Trump's North Korean policy will be,

because at this point they simply don't know.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[10:35:29] ANDERSON: Well, as you've been hearing, it's a big week for Donald Trump's transition team, but Trump himself isn't just dealing with

the political stage, he's also front and center in Hollywood. He took aim at actress Meryl Streep after she took aim at him during the Golden Globes.

Have a listen for yourself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MERYL STREEP, ACTRESS: There was one performance this year that stunned me, it sank its hooks in my heart, not because it was good, it was --

there's nothing good about it, but it was effective and it did its job. It made its intended audience laugh and show their teeth. It was that moment

when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter, someone he outranked in privilege, power and

the capacity to fight back. It kind of broke my heart.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Although she didn't mention Trump by name, he didn't have any trouble being direct with her, taking to Twitter to say, "Meryl Streep, one

of the most overrated actresses in Hollywood doesn't know me, but attacked last night at the Golden Globes."

And he went on to totally deny mocking that New York Times reporter as well, even though many people think he was making fun of his disability in

this video.

And that's not all that's been going on. CNN's Brian Stelter is with us from New York to dive into all of this. Do indulge us, Brian. What has

been going on?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think these stories are really valuable, they're inciteful because we learn a lot about the

president-elect of the United States.

He didn't watch the Golden Globes, according to The New York Times, but at midnight when The Times caught up to ask him about Meryl Streep, he was

happy to talk about it. He called Meryl Streep a Hillary lover and dismissed her point of view, because Meryl Streep did campaign for

Hillary Clinton.

Then he woke up 6:30 a.m. Eastern time, tweeted three times about Meryl Streep, calling her a

Hillary flunky. You see that on screen there. Going on, as you said, to deny the long-time allegation that he was making fun of that New York Times

reporter.

Serge Kovaleski is his name. He has a disability that limits the motion in his arms. Trump knew that. Trump knew Serge Kovaleski many, many years in

the past. So, when Kovaleski challenged Trump's lies about thousands of Muslims cheering in New Jersey on 9/11, Trump did lash out on the campaign

trail back in the end of 2015, so this is a relatively old campaign trail story that's

always been disputed now back in the news because of Meryl Streep.

Her broader point, though, Becky, I think a really important point, Meryl Streep's message on stage at the Golden Globes was disrespect invites

disrespect, violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose.

So, what she was trying to say, and I think she said it pretty effectively was, when someone at the top in the leadership is being disrespectful or is

perceived to be mocking a disabled reporter, it trickles down. And it hurts other people as well.

So, that was Meryl Streep's message, clearly received by the president- elect, but he is rejecting it, then calling her a Hillary flunky.

LU STOUT: Brian, point is, Donald Trump doesn't care what Meryl Streep says, and we're going to have to get used to that, aren't we?

STELTER: This is very much an us versus them attitude. We've seen this many times from Donald Trump since he was elected. He is very focused on

the voters who put him into power, less interested, shall we say, in the 54 percent of voters who did not support him. He received 46 percent of the

popular vote, but that was enough to win in the electoral college for a number of different reasons.

So, he has very much been focused on his base even after being elected. And that sets the stage of a very curious inauguration day 11 days from

now. Will he try to sound like and act like a uniter or he will continue to focus on the people that he believes put him into power?

ANDERSON: We have a number of headline stories, stories that are really making news around the world today:the Russian hacking allegations, a big

story out of North Korea and indeed this

Hollywood story is making headlines, all of which have a common thread, they have all been tweeted about by the president-elect. He calls the

mainstream media dishonest. And again, when I say he doesn't like Meryl Streep, clearly, he says he doesn't really care what she's talking about,

he says all this on Twitter. We in the main stream media say Twitter isn't the sort of platform he should be using, but we'll have to get used to it,

won't we?

Is there really anything wrong with what he's doing at this point?

STELTER: I see nothing wrong with a leader of a country using Facebook or twitter or any other social media to reach citizens, to reach voters. I

see nothing wrong with that, just automatically.

The issue I think is the tone, is the choice of words, that's what makes people uncomfortable when they see who he chooses to criticize and how he

chooses to criticize them.

But I'm absolutely with you, people do have to get used to it. And I think there's a growing

acceptance that this is going to be the new normal for American politics. When he calls the media dishonest, though, every day, when he lashes out

and tries to delegitimize the media, you and I have both seen that happen in more autocratic societies. It is a tactic used by people in power to

try to delegitimize institutions for their own ends. We have not seen that in the U.S. in many decades, so that is very worrisome. And that was one

of Meryl Streep's points at the Golden Globes, she gave a shoutout to the committee to protect journalists, encouraging the Hollywood Foreign Press

Association to support other journalists who are covering Donald Trump every day.

Her message at the end of her speech was we're going to need them going forward. They'll need to safeguard the truth. So, as much as we hear from

people like Donald Trump criticizing the media, here is Meryl Streep, one of the most famous women in the world, giving a shoutout to those efforts.

ANDERSON: Brian Stelter out of New York for you. Thank you, sir. Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World. Coming up, a suspect in a

deadly airport shooting in Florida makes his first court appearance next hour. We'll be live in Ft. Lauderdale for you right after this short

break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: You're back with us here on CNN and Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson.

Just minutes from now, the suspect in a deadly airport shooting in Florida is due to make his first court appearance. Estaban Santiago faces three

federal charges that could bring the death penalty.

The Iraq War veteran accused of opening fire in a baggage claim area of the Fort Lauderdale airport killing five people. Prosecutors say he has

confessed to planning the attack.

Well, new surveillance video has emerged capturing the terrifying moments the gunman opened fire. Let's get you to Rachel Crane for more. She is at

Fort Lauderdale airport -- Rachel.

RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, well, some incredible tales of heroism emerging over the weekend as well as that very disturbing

surveillance video that you speak of that shows the terrifying moments the attack begins.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CRANE: It all happens in an instant. Travelers casually walking through the baggage claim area of terminal two when suddenly shots ring out. A

security camera capturing 26-year-old Esteban Santiago wearing a blue shirt strolling alongside travelers, then he suddenly pulls a gun from his

waistband opening fire.

People scrambled to take cover as the shooter begins his deadly rampage.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He never spoke. He just walked along pow, pow, pow, pow. Just like that. And emptied the full magazine.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I sat next to her on the plane.

CRANE: This terrified passenger, seen walking among the dead and wounded in this cellphone video, recognizes her seatmate from the plane, killed in

the melee.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And she was standing right next to me. And the pops started.

We hit the ground. I turn around and she was shot in the head.

CRANE: Among the five victims is Olga Watering (ph). She and her husband were set to go on a cruise when her life was taken.

And 62-year-old Terry Andres (ph) was also killed with his spouse at his side.

RICHARD ANRES, VICTIM'S UNCLE: I can't imagine her being there and went through all this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CRANE: Now, Becky, just heartbreaking hearing about this attack, hearing those tales. Now, we have learned that the gun that was used in this

attack had actually once been in the hands of law enforcement, that was following a mental health evaluation of Santiago back in November.

But he was deemed mentally sound so was given back the gun.

Now, CNN has also spoken to members of Santiago's family, both his aunt and his brother, and they also expressed concern surrounding Santiago's mental

health state. They both said , they both said

that he had changed following his tour in Iraq that ended in 2011 saying that he was just not the same person once he came back -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Rachel, before I let you go, what more do we know about the condition of the injured survivors?

CRANE: Well, Becky, we know at this point that two remain in the ICU in serious condition, unclear when they will be released. We do know,

however, that one victim was released over the

weekend. We also know that some of those -- the victims -- one of them was actually a couple, the

husband, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries. The wife, still fighting for her life -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Rachel's at Ft. Lauderdale Airport in Florida for you. I'm Becky Anderson. This is Connect the World. And we are beaming right

around the world to you from Abu Dhabi this evening. Next, we'll be turning you to Paris as police try to track down the people who stole

millions of dollars of jewelry from Kim Kardashian.

First up, though, we visit a Chinese factory that is betting big on Doanld Trump. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:50:47] ANDERSON: Well, own up: a bit flashy and huge. Check this out. A Chinese factory rolling out inflatable foul inspired by, you guessed it,

Donald Trump. The four-and-a-half meter tall balloons mimic the president- elect's signature hand gesture and even sport tiny wings. So, what on earth is going on?

Well, it's all in preparation of Chinese New Year celebrations happening later this month in

2017. Well, it's quite fittingly the year of the Rooster. Like what you see? Well, you can take home one of these, but if you really want to be

noticed, you can get a 10 meter high model. That will only set you back about $2,000. If you got the money.

You're watching CNN, this is Connect the World with Becky Anderson. Welcome back.

She is a celebrity who has made millions of dollars capturing the world's attention, but last October Kim Kardashian made headlines for a reason

nobody would want. She was the target of what was a terrifying robbery. Thieves rburst into the luxury apartment she was staying at in Paris, held

at gunpoint, tied her up, and forced her into a bathtub.

Well, now police in Paris are questioning 17 people in connection with what was this armed raid.

Melissa Bell is in Paris with more. And Melissa, what more do we know at this stage about these detentions?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What we know, Becky, is that 17 people have been arrested so far. The police making it clear that they had been

following one suspect in particular, traces of DNA were found in that luxury apartment, Kim Kardashian had rented for Fashion Week back in

October.

Becky, traces of DNA we're hearing, were found in the flat. Also, on one of the pieces of jewelry that the robbers dropped as they left the flat

after the burglary on those bicycles that we heard so much about at the time.

Now, those traces of DNA, according to French media reports allowed authorities to sort of follow this suspect back. It turns out that he was

known to authorities, known for a number of robberies, a number of burglaries, the intermediaries, the other accomplices and so on. 17 people

in all. They ranged from 23 to 73. And they are taken -- they are drawn from the travelers community, that's something the French authorities have

confirmed to us.

The raids began at 6:00 a.m. 17people now in custody and they'll be held until Friday, Becky, so they can be questioned about their alleged

involvement in this robbery, what was their role, how did they contribute to Kim Kardashian being attacked, because she was attacked, not simply

robbed. And this is taken very seriously by French authorities.

For the time being, though, none of the jewels themselves have been recovered.

ANDERSON: Melissa, the Kardashian robbery was one of the more high profile, but this isn't the first such robbery, I'm correct, right?

BELL: It wasn't the first. It came in a long line of fairly high profile, not as high profile, but pretty high profile robberies of extremely wealthy

people who had come to Paris and clearly been targeted.

And of course it wasn't the last. Since Kim Kardashian's robberies, there have been another couple of fairly big ones here in Paris, Becky, one

involving two Qatari sisters who were robbed on their way fro one airport to the other on the outskirts of Paris.

And another, of course, of Bollywood star, Mallika Sherawat. So this is something that's become almost a regular feature that people who are either

high profile or known to be carrying a great deal of jewelry have been attacked.

Now, in some of those, arrests have been made, in others they've remained a mystery. And of course this is a huge embarrassment to French authorities

in a country where, of course, so much depends not only on tourism, but specifically high end tourism. Those people who come to Paris for its

brands, for its shops, for its Champs Elysees, for its (inaudible). French authorities very keen to

reassure people that, in fact, this is all under control and Paris is safe once again.

ANDERSON: Melissa Bell is in Paris. Melissa, it is 4:54 there in the afternoon. Thank you very much indeed.

Well, your Parting Shots this evening. And a story of love and sport. Remember this young lady? Well, the South African runner Caster Semenya

became known around the world after scoring gold at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. At that stage, you may remember this, she was just

18

years old. But her triumph was short-lived when people started asking questions about her gender and it was later revealed that she suffered

from a medical condition that results in elevated testosterone levels. She didn't, though, let that stop her from pushing ahead, even scoring gold in

the 800 meters at the Olympic Games just last year.

Well, now she has kicked off 2017 with a more personal victory, marrying a long-time girlfriend

back home in South Africa. She later posted these images on social media with the caption, love that is unbreakable.

Well, you can always follow the news that the team is working on throughout the day including

much more on the life of Iran's former President Rafsanjani who died yesterday -- his influence, the significance of his time in politics in

Iran and the consequences now that he has died, not in Iran just for domestic politics, but for politics that are associated with Iran around

the world.

Just head to the Facebook page, Facebook.com/CNNConnect. You can also follow me on Twitter. Tweet me @BeckyCNN.

I'm Becky Anderson, that was Connect the World from me and the team here, thank you for watching.

END