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Trump In Paris; Russia Investigation; Nobel Peace Laureate Dies; Qatar Versus Its Neighbors; Baby Charlie Gard; Parting Shots. Aired 11-12p ET
Aired July 13, 2017 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00] BECKY ANDERSON, CONNECT THE WORLD HOST: Hello and welcome to what is a very special edition of "Connect The World." I'm Becky Anderson
for you in Abu Dhabi.
CYRIL VANIER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: And, Becky, it is fantastic. Thank you so much for having us on. I'm Cyril Vanier in Paris where this hour the
U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting French Leader, Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
Mr. Trump is in Europe for the second time in just a week and he's really getting the red carpet treatment from Mr. Macron. The French president is
clearly trying to be a bridge between the U.S. and Europe at a time when the White House is frequently going its own way.
Earlier, the president just visited Napoleon's Tomb accompanied by their wives but the firestorm over Russian connections to the president's
campaign threatens to overshadow the entire trip.
All right, let's bring in Melissa Bell from Paris City Center. She, of course, is following the movements of both Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump.
Melissa, before we get to those, can you tell me about the first ladies and what they're doing this afternoon?
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Well, the first ladies left here, "The Invalides", to go take a Bateaux Mouches, one of the little boats that
takes you down the River Seine all the way down to Notre Dame and even now, Cyril, they're visiting the inside of that cathedral and have their own
sort of special program.
They will meet up with their husbands later on tonight for the dinner that's to take place in the Eiffel Tower, in the restaurant, that is just
sort of on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower there where the two couples will spend the evening together.
So, the two women are off at the Notre Dame Cathedral visiting that and will meet their husbands later. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump
are meeting at the Elysee Palace. They left "The Invalides" here a short while ago after that meeting that their time here went slightly over
actually, Cyril.
They were seen by a number of journalists sort of talking inside the corridors of "The Invalides" showing a fair amount of complexity at least
that the dialogue had begun and that's now continuing inside the Elysee Palace.
VANIER: Yes and we're looking at these live pictures as you speak, Melissa, of the first ladies, Melania Trump, the former model; Miss Macron,
the former French teacher, 40 years separates them.
And Melissa, I want to find out from you, you were telling me earlier that you would love to be a fly on the wall when the French and American
presidents meet and that's ongoing right now or will be shortly in the French presidency, but we actually do know or have some sense of what
they're going to be discussing?
BELL: Well, we know, for instance that both, the White House and the Elysee Palace have agreed on a number of key areas on which progress can be
made that they've identified as priorities for both countries and they include Syria and the fight against terrorism.
These will, of course, this visit of Donald Trump will mark tomorrow on the 14th of July will be one year, Cyril since the Nice attacks in which 84
people - 86 people, I'm sorry, were killed when a truck rammed into a crowd of people who have been enjoying the national day's firework display.
So, terrorism clearly is a massive priority for Emmanuel Macron. It is something, that both he and the American president, not only have much to
talk about since they both made it a priority but actually need to make progress on. They need each other on this particular dossier, so they are
going to be talking about Syria, the fight against terror.
Not only seeking to take on the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq but also about French efforts in North Africa, specifically to take on extremist
groups there, so there is a lot that they can talk about.
But, of course, Emmanuel Macron has said his own entourage, the Elysee have had it be known that there would be no taboo subject that the two men would
be able to talk about anything.
And that Emmanuel Macron would clearly go to talk about areas that perhaps Donald Trump is not so keen on in particular things like climate change,
Cyril, but already you've seen the two men, you know, talking perhaps more than have been expected on the sidelines of that ceremony here at "The
Invalides" before they headed to Elysee Palace, so much so, that when they left here.
Donald Trump offered Emmanuel Macron a ride in his car, "The Beast", and the French president accept it so it was together that they cross the
bridge and headed to the Elysee Palace.
VANIER: And Melissa, just as you were talking, we were watching the recent pictures just about an hour ago or so of the French president greeting
Donald Trump, and we saw their handshake.
Of course, a lot of people were bound to look at that handshake because the last one made days of news, you know, Emmanuel Macron trying to assert
himself and thereby the French -- the place of France in the world when he gave that Alpha Male handshake to President Trump.
But, the signs that we're seeing now, and that's all we can read for the moment -- the signs we're seeing now were positively friendly.
[11:05:00] BELL: I think we're in a different cycle almost. There was a sense when Emmanuel Macron, first was elected and first met Donald Trump,
you would refer to the handshake, it was the first time the two men met on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in May, in Brussels.
It was important that Emmanuel Macron, who'd obviously been watching the importance of handshakes for Donald Trump, made his presence felt, and he
said afterwards speaking to a French newspaper that it had not been innocent, that he intended to make a point to show that this was - that he
is someone who stuck by his guns, that Donald Trump may have these very strong feelings.
He had entirely - an entirely different world view but that he was willing to stand up for it just as forcefully as did Donald Trump. In a sense now
we've moved on from that. This is really Emmanuel Macron having shown that he's tough, having shown that he's ready to defend his positions, reaching
out a hand to Donald Trump that he's seeing growth, increasingly isolated on the world stage, increasingly troubled at home, Cyril.
VANIER: Melissa Bell, our Paris Correspondent here at CNN. Thank you very much. Of course, we'll continue crossing back to you throughout the
afternoon and evening here in Paris.
Now, the French president may be welcoming Mr. Trump with open arms, but how do the French people feel about him, especially compared to his
predecessor Barack Obama? Well, a survey by the pew research center shows that 63% of French people had a positive view of the U.S. at the end of
President Obama's term.
That figure has now dropped to less than 50% after Donald Trump took office. A whopping 86% of French people have no confidence that President
Trump will do the right thing when it comes to foreign policy, another number for you, just 14% of French people are confident that Mr. Trump is
steering the right course and more than 50% of those see Mr. Trump as a strong and charismatic leader.
All right, another number, only 21% see him as well-qualified for the job and, I think, that number speaks volumes. Let's get some perspective on
that from an American ex-pat, Paul Reen, who is a Trump supporter. He is the vice-president of Republican overseas here in France. Paul, those
numbers, they can't surprise you. I mean what...
PAUL REEN, VICE-PRESIDENT, REPUBLICAN OVERSEAS POLITICS: No, they don't surprise me.
VANIER: ...because, you know France and you know the French politics and French personality and you know how that would react to - how that would
play with the American president.
REEN: Sure, and he's a Republican, so it's typical. But, I stopped believing in polls after the 2016 election, so we have to take that into
consideration.
VANIER: You're sounding like the U.S. President.
REEN: That's right, that's right. The polls are wrong. No, of course, he's not that popular in France or in Europe, but this is an opportunity to
change that.
VANIER: But, why not? Why not? Because we take it as a given but why not?
REEN: I think it's unfortunately group thinking. I think that, they immediately - and, let's be honest as well, I mean most of the media is not
really pro-Trump, so...
VANIER: You're talking French media?
REEN: Global media, so you do have that people who turn on the TV set only hear the bad things about President Trump instead of the good things that
he's accomplished already in the six months that he's been president, but I think that will change as people learn more and more about his politics.
I mean, he's a straight shooter. He tells things as it is. They're not always politically correct, sometimes it's tough love. Sometimes it's what
needs to be said, but I think people will change their opinion, and I think the polls will change in his favor.
VANIER: But, look, clearly the French electorate and French people in general are ready for change. They are hungry for change. Look at the
policy - look at the politics here, look at the election of Emmanuel Macron...
REEN: Yes.
VANIER: ...so, it's not like they - they're not able to hear a different message, but it seems that they just don't favor that brand of politics.
REEN: Well, you have different frames of mind as well, of course. I mean, you know, everyone is so pro-Paris Agreement, the climate change, for
example, so that is, you know, hits people in their soul when you go against that, but a lot of people don't know the specifics of the Paris
Agreement. I mean, I support Trump's removal from the...
VANIER: With Paris Agreement.
REEN: ...withdrawal from the Paris Agreement only because - not that Republicans are against the environment, but only because the agreement was
not fair for the United States, and I'm sure we don't have time to go into the specifics, but it wasn't good for the United States economy.
It doesn't mean that the United States is not going to continue to reduce carbon emissions. The United States has reduced carbon emissions 10% since
2000 and that doesn't get a lot of notice. It's moving from coal to natural gas.
VANIER: So, that makes sense.
REEN: No, that - yes, it's going to grow up even more to 15%. But, they probably - no, I'm just throwing out a number, but we're moving from coal
to natural gas in the United States quickly, and that's reducing carbon emissions.
The Paris Agreement said we had to reduce carbon emissions by almost 30% by 2025 and that India and China didn't have to do anything before 2030,
that's just not fair.
VANIER: And, you know, you're talking about the environment. The environment minister here in France said he doesn't even know if he's going
to shake Mr. Trump's hand.
One last quick question, you must get asked all the time questions about Trump and about the U.S., what is the biggest misunderstanding --
misconception do you think that French people have about the White House?
REEN: That -- well, you know, they will say these things that he's a nationalist, an isolationist, I think that people will be surprised.
[11:10:00] VANIER: That it's not true?
REEN: No. He's putting American interests first, that doesn't mean he's an isolationist. That doesn't mean he's going to remove his leadership - U.S.
leadership from the world, and I just want to also say this is a momentous occasion to see President Trump standing shoulder-to-shoulder with
President Macron, and to see for the first time the United States Military joining in the procession, leading the procession on the Champs Elysees
tomorrow.
It reminds the world that France is the United States' original and oldest ally. Helped us in our independence - a war of independence in 1776 and
reminds people that we have over 240 years of friendship. Despite our differences in certain policy differences, we're going to stand shoulder
to-shoulder to fight for freedom and liberty around the world.
VANIER: All right. We'll be watching the show right here from the Champs Elysees, Paul Reen...
REEN: Thank you very much.
VANIER: ...number two of the French Chapter of the Republican Party here. Thank you so much for joining us here on show. Thanks.
Now, Mr. Trump - stay with us Paul - now, Mr. Trump may have left Washington behind but not the Russia controversy that has reached his inner
circle. He's sure to face questions on it when he faces reporters next hour.
Now, we do have an idea of what Mr. Trump might say from an interview that he gave just before heading to Paris. He told Reuters many people would
have held the meeting that his son, Donald Trump, Jr. had with a Russian attorney last year.
Emails released by Trump, Jr. showed that he was told the attorney had, "high-level information" that was part of the Russian Government's effort
to support his father's campaign. We'll be bringing in Jeff Zeleny in just a second, the White House Correspondent.
He's setting up with us and going to answer some questions. There's a whole cadre of White House Correspondents from all American networks that is
right here in Paris because -- and, Jeff, let me bring you in now, the U.S. story about the Russia investigation, about the emails of Donald Trump, Jr.
essentially has just -- has just followed Donald Trump to Paris.
JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It has indeed. I mean, this controversy has followed Donald Trump really wherever he's gone. Last
week, of course, in Poland and at the G-20 in Germany, but this week is a different moment.
This revelation this week about, you know, the meeting that happened in June of 2016 between the president's oldest son and that Russian lawyer has
changed the dynamic here because it is something that for the first time has really brought this into the president's inner circle.
So, that has indeed followed the president here, and when he has a press conference later this afternoon, really just in the next hour or so he's
time, of course, that will be one of the topics people want to talk about here, but it's just a reminder of how much this has dominated and in fact
overshadowed the agenda of this new president.
We're not even at the six-month mark yet of his administration that comes next week, but everything he does now is of course viewed through this lens
largely because of all of the issues outstanding with Vladimir Putin.
I mean, a big question -- a big sort of resistance of the president in terms of calling the President of Russia out for his aggression in Crimea,
other places has been because he does not want to talk about Russia and, of course, Russia is so central to this entire dynamic.
VANIER: Yes.
ZELENY: So, he's enjoying a bit of a respite here in Paris with the French President, Emmanuel Macron talking about counterterrorism, but at that
press conference I would imagine the first question from him, from either side, French Journalists or U.S. Journalists is about Russia.
VANIER: We have an idea or maybe an inkling of what his defense is going to be because he did give that one interview, it's the one time that we've
heard him since the beginning of the week, that CBN interview and we just said it, he said anybody - he said, anybody would have gone to that meeting
knowing what Donald Trump, Jr. knew.
ZELENY: That's what he says but there is very little agreement in that. And we're just talking Republicans here. This has been criticized across
the board by members of the president's own party. Some of his most fervent supporters, members of congress have said that was a bad idea to have that
meeting.
It's common practice when you hear something from the foreign government called the FBI. That didn't happen here. So, you know, we do not yet know
if this represents a collusion. What it does represent is a willingness to listen to the Russian Government that had negative information on the
Clinton Campaign, so that is the difference here.
But, look, this is something that the president, you know, thinks he's just being set up. He's still -- we're told, by people close to him, he believes
this is part of a smear campaign against him, not recognizing the severity of what investigators may see about this meeting.
VANIER: Look, Jeff, just an hour away until the U.S. president...
ZELENY: Indeed.
VANIER: ...takes those questions. We'll see what he makes up then, of course, we'll be right here to debrief those.
ZELENY: Right.
VANIER: We're going to take a short break but when we come back, more on Mr. Trump's visit to Paris. First, though back to Becky Anderson in Abu
Dhabi, up next.
[11:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back. If you are just joining us, you are more than welcome. It's 17 minutes past 7:00 here in Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect The
World." I'm Becky Anderson.
Some sad news from China, this hour, the death of a Nobel Peace Laureate, local authority say, dissident Liu Xiaobo has died. He was granted medical
parole and released from jail recently after he was diagnosed with liver cancer. He had been serving an 11-year prison sentence for, "inciting
subversion of state power".
Matt Rivers takes a look at the legacy of the long-time activist and prolific writer.
MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: He was one of China's most famous political dissidents and among the few Nobel Peace Prize Laureates
jailed for their work, but the name Liu Xiaobo was taboo in his homeland.
The prolific writer and veteran human rights activist saw his books and even his name banned by the communist government. Imprisoned several times
after 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, his last conviction came in 2009.
His crime, inciting subversion of state power by co-writing a manifesto calling for political reform and the punishment, 11 years behind bars, a
reality he seemed to be prepared for.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIU XIAOBO, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE (through translator): If you want to have dignity, to be honest, fight for human rights, fight for free
speech. Going to prison is part of what you do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: In 2010, while in prison, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "for his long -- his long and nonviolent struggle" for fundamental human
rights in China. An infuriated Chinese Government tried to censor the news and boycott the award putting Liu's wife under house arrest and freezing
diplomatic relations with Norway with the recipient was chosen.
Despite Beijing's threats in December 2010, the Nobel organizers placed Liu's citation and the medal on an empty chair in a poignant ceremony in
Oslo. Liu was diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer in prison in June 2017 and granted medical parole. Many blamed the Chinese Authorities for his
condition alleging negligence. Liu's wife may have summed up his legacy the best before his last trial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIU XIA, LIU XIAOBO WIFE (through translator): His continued effort throughout these 20 years cannot change the society, but he's influenced
lots of people. He has more and more friends around him. More people have the same goal with him. More people are fearless. I believe his effort and
sacrifice is worthwhile.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:20:00] ANDERSON: Well, let's talk Qatar. Going up against its neighbors, now we've had Qatar on one side and Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and
Egypt some are right here, the UAE on the other. Since the start of June, you know, this of course you do, and you'll know the opinion pages are
chocker block about it or as they are all slinging mud at each other like there is no tomorrow.
Well, now, something you may not know. One of America's most powerful senators is dishing up some dirt himself. If you're now holding a drink,
you may want to put it down at this point.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB CORKER, CHAIRMAN, U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: I think this quite possibly is a rookie mistake by crown prince who I think could
be the future for Saudi Arabia. The amount of support for terrorism by Saudi Arabia dwarves what Qatar is doing - dwarves.
And, so I think this is an opportunity for us to call all of them out Bahrain, UAE, all of these countries that support terrorism, so I think the
outcome could be something positive, but, again, probably a rookie mistake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Old claim, a rookie mistake, he said, by the crown prince wonder kid of America's strongest Arab friend and that they are backing
terrorists, all of them, even though, of course, Washington sells them billions of dollars of weapons, both sides was that (ph) senior senator get
this helped Donald Trump get into the White House.
Rewind just a few weeks, the American president seeming to gloat about helping Saudi moves against Qatar after literally dancing along with him in
Riyadh. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has had his top global affairs man, Rex Tillerson on the road this last week flying between Turkey, Saudi Arabia
and Qatar. Both sides cracking open their international law books, each telling each other stick to it while banking on international rules.
They're not exactly bowled over by international help. Why? Well, let's bring in Omar Ghobash, he's the UAE's man in Moscow as well versed as any
when it comes to the quartet's position on Qatar. He's coming to us tonight from the Russian capital. And Omar, one gulf source describing the meeting
with the Saudi leadership, Rex Tillerson's meeting with the Saudi Leadership in Riyadh this week as a, "disaster". What, if anything, did Rex
Tillerson achieved?
OMAR GHOBASH, UAE'S AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA: Well, I think that Secretary of State, Tillerson came away with a good agreement with the Qataris, I think
it's a fantastic start to try to settle the issue that we've opened with the Qataris their support for extremism and for terrorism in the region.
Fantastic, but they are open to the idea of actually monitoring their own finances and opening up to the Americans.
I think where we need to look to the future is to see how this can actually begin to answer the questions that we in the region have, so Egypt, Saudi
Arabia, the Emirates, Bahrain and further afield (ph) this is a bilateral agreement between the United States and Qatar.
What we would like to see is how we can then pull Qatar into a dialogue with these -- the quartet, so that we can actually get somewhere on sorting
out of the problems that we have with Qatar. Tillerson's agreement with the Qataris doesn't solve the basic problem and the basic problem is that this
is a regional issue, and it needs a regional solution.
ANDERSON: Omar, a rookie mistake is how Corker -- Bob Corker hugely experience in congress describing Mohammed Bin Salman, the Saudi Crown
Prince. He went on to say...
GHOBASH: Yes.
ANDERSON: ...and I, "again, the amount of support for terrorism by Saudi Arabia dwarfs what Qatar is doing", pretty strong stuff here from an
influential U.S. Republican senator...
GHOBASH: Yes, right.
ANDERSON: ...are you - are you sensing a distinct lack of support from the U.S. to the quartet's position vis-a-vis Qatar on this?
GHOBASH: No, I think what we're sensing is, with Senator Corker's comments, I think we're sensing a very, very broad kind of judgment which
isn't looking at the changing dynamics within the Gulf Countries. And this is why I think it's very important for us to explain to the U.S. and
Western Europe essentially that what's happening here is a change in narrative.
There is -- there is -- it's quite commonly known that there is - there are extremist narratives in the region, and there has been funding for some of
those narratives, some of those narratives have turned violent. Where -- again, the other states are differing from the Qataris, is that the Qataris
continue to seek out that violence and seek out those actors who are willing to embody radical political Islam, whereas countries like Saudi
Arabia are actually undergoing tremendous change.
And, you know that, through their economic reforms and through the cultural reforms that are taking place. So, I think it's unfair to call this a
rookie mistake. The fact is that, you know, the crown prince is young but - and so are many others in the region, just as Emir, Thani of Qatar. So,
let's look at everybody as a rational player and look at their positions.
What we're looking at here is a commitment to Qatar to underwrite radical political Islam as the end-all solution for the Middle East problems,
whereas you have Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates behind and the wider group who are looking to a much more evolutionary change which
takes into account demographics.
It takes into account the economic situation that we're all going through with much lower oil prices and we're looking at also this tremendous desire
to actually create something positive out of the Middle East. The Qataris support for radical political Islam pre-judges all possible political
futures for the Arab World and that's the essential crisis that we're facing at the moment.
[11:25:00] ANDERSON: OK. Your government has written to the U.N. Human rights commission specifically complaining about Al-Jazeera Arabic, the TV
network, alleging -- criticizing it and alleging that it provides a platform for inciting violence. Your government released a video to bolster
that argument that Al-Jazeera promotes terrorism.
GHOBASH: Yes.
ANDERSON: I want to play a clip for our audience. Stand by.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNTRANSLATED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that video produced by the UAE Government, for the record, Al-Jazeera has insisted its coverage is fair and unbiased. What is your
government hoping to accomplish with this video?
GHOBASH: Well, we want to make it clear through visual means precisely what Al-Jazeera is up to. I remember there was a time when organizations
like the IRA were not permitted to appear on any TV station in the UK and the argument that was used was that terrorism shouldn't be given a
platform.
I think what we're trying to do here is the same thing. What Al-Jazeera says is that what they're doing is they're trying to provide as clear and
broader information base as possible. Unfortunately, what they're also doing is allowing terrorists and extremists of all sorts to be able to
dominate the airwaves in a way, that you know, more liberal voices are not allowed to.
ANDERSON: Briefly, human rights watch released a report critical of the boycott against Qatar. It says and I quote just a part of it here, "the
isolation of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates is precipitating Syria's human rights violations", and that - and I quote, "it
is infringing on the right to freedom of expression, separating families and interrupting medical care". Again, briefly, I just want to get your
response to those accusations.
GHOBASH: I would just say that human rights watch, a great organization, surely there's a continuum along which we can judge whether these are gross
violations or serious violations or maybe minor violations that are actually aimed towards creating a much better Middle East, so I would hope
that they take that into account.
At the same time, we are blind to some of the issues that have arisen at the level of families, and we are looking into how we can solve those
problems as quickly as possible.
ANDERSON: Omar Ghobash, out of Moscow, today who has joined us on this show, a number of times throughout what is this Qatar crisis over the past
month or so as ever, we appreciate your time, sir.
World News Headlines are ahead. Plus, we will get you back to Paris, the United States and France celebrates their support for liberty. It's a
friendship that goes back centuries.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00] ANDERSON: A very warm welcome back, 32 minutes past 7:00 in the UAE. The top stories for you here on "Connect The World", I'm Becky
Anderson of course. The U.S. President, Donald Trump is meeting with the French President, Emmanuel Macron this hour in Paris.
Trump is getting the red carpet treatment despite divisions during the G 20 Summit last week. The U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson is on his way
back to the United States. He's been zigzagging across the Middle East trying to defuse the political row between Qatar and some of his neighbors.
Earlier he was in Kuwait, the country that he's been trying to mediate between the two sides.
The Nobel Peace Prize Winning Chinese Dissident, Liu Xiaobo, has died, age 61. He was released from prison a few weeks ago after being diagnosed with
cancer. Liu spent more than a decade behind bars for advocating democracy. He took part in the 1989 protest in Tiananmen Square and was awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.
Right, more on those stories ahead, for now though, we are heading back to Paris where Cyril Vanier is standing by for you, Cyril.
VANIER: Becky, thank you very much. Let's talk about two men, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump, who are both disrupters and both new to world
powers, but that's what they have in common that the views of the French and the American presidents beyond that are very different. Melissa Bell
has this look at the French president's effort to bridge the needs of Europe and the United States.
BELL: The family photograph of the G-20 more divided than ever. Not, only along old fault lines, but new ones as well, like the ideological divide
that now separates the United States from its historical Western European allies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, 45 U.S. PRESIDENT: A strong Europe is a blessing to the west and to the world.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: President Trump may have said the U.S. Transatlantic Bond with Europe is stronger than ever, but underneath the words the tension is real.
Europe knew change was coming when Donald Trump won the election. His promise to put America First brought to an end a consensus that had lasted
since the end of World War II, but it was Emmanuel Macron's election in France just a few months later that brought the divide into sharper focus.
The new French president vowing to defend more aggressively the enlightenment, ideals, and the international organizations now under
populist threat but not without paying credit where it was due.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT: So, I think Mr. Trump was extremely smart to play with emotion that of your people and that's the first point.
Second, it was disruptive, in a certain way, the rest of the system and people loved that because now they are fed up with the political system.
And, third, he understood the frustration of American middle-classes and workers about this globalization and the increasing inequalities of the
globalization.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:35:00] BELL: It was the point of the handshake at the NATO Summit in Brussels in May, more arm-wrestles than greeting and far from innocent,
Macron explained later. It was about standing his ideological ground.
The French president, apparently, going out of his ways to make his feelings with regard to Donald Trump plain, an early clash of ideas seemed
inevitable and it came on climate change.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.
MACRON: I do think it is an actual mistake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: The battle then carried over into tweets. The next round in the battle of ideas will come on July 14th when Donald Trump joins Emmanuel
Macron for Bastille Day, a celebration of the French Revolution and the idea of universal values of liberty that fuelled it.
I think the point of the timing of this visit, inviting him to this particular celebration, is really all about impressing on his American
counterpart the importance of those ties. Melissa Bell, CNN in Paris.
VANIER: With me now is Dominic Thomas. He's chair of the Department of French and Francophone Studies at the University of California, Los
Angeles, a friend of CNN. Good to see you again here in Paris on this occasion. Look, we've got what, it's 30 minutes now before Donald Trump and
Emmanuel Macron hold their joint press conference.
DOMINIC THOMAS, CHAIR DEPARTMENT OF FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE STUDIES: Right.
VANIER: And I want to take you back to a few weeks ago when Emmanuel Macron hosted Vladimir Putin, major world leader, major player on the world
stage, what did Emmanuel Macron do, age 39, just a few weeks in power? He laid into him. There's no other word for it, so you know, what do you
expect out of this one?
THOMAS: Yes, I mean he -- I don't know, he put the gloves on and took the gloves off but certainly Putin did not expect this. He had been welcomed in
a wonderful way in a way that President Trump is by being taken to Versailles to celebrate the opening of this incredible exhibition that they
were holding down there, visited the palace and so on...
VANIER: Yes.
THOMAS: ...and I think that President Putin did not expect this to happen, and Emmanuel Macron didn't hesitate for any time at all to talk about the
election campaign, the hacking scandals and called the media outlets in Russia, you know, agents of influence, so...
VANIER: Did you see that as a blueprint, how do you think it carries over did today?
THOMAS: Well, I think he's already done it once, and he certainly can't make a packing of laying into, you know, distinguished guests, but
certainly the forum this afternoon of a press conference in Paris with him and President Trump has unpredictability to it.
There are certain areas in which clearly they want to talk and advance and negotiate and so on in this bilateral meeting, but there also are some
serious areas of disagreement that they will have to - that they will have to get into.
VANIER: Until such time as the two men speak publicly, what we know is what has happened so far and what has happened so far is Emmanuel Macron
has welcomed Donald Trump in a way that has been grandiose and that has underlined the history and the former military power of France.
THOMAS: Right. They certainly have tried to underscore the longevity of that history, and no matter what the difficulties maybe, the French and the
Americans have enjoyed this very long history.
And, of course, Bastille Day and the fact that they're commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the United States entering the First World War is
important, but they also started of course, you know, at "The Invalides" Museum looking at the sort of history of this military, but there's so much
symbolism in this particular visit.
The very fact that they are scheduled to dine tonight at the Eiffel Tower, one cannot help but laugh at this, I mean, you know, Donald Trump has
talked about America First. Emmanuel Macron said the Planet First. Donald Trump has a tower. The French have an Eiffel Tower, right? So, the
symbolism here...
VANIER: Well, Donald Trump has more than one tower, by the way.
THOMAS: They do, right. There's only one real Eiffel Tower.
(LAUGHTER)
VANIER: What do you think is the play here for the French President? I mean, it's hard to conceive that he would invite Donald Trump to highlight
the enduring friendship and then have very harsh words for him at the same time.
THOMAS: Right. It really would be, you know, an awkward thing. I mean, let's face it, President Trump was supposed to visit the United Kingdom, he
postponed that visit. He's been invited to France just one week after the G-20 Meeting.
We have here a new young French president who is clearly trying to establish himself as an important global leader at this time when
confidence in the United States has waned, when the future of the United Kingdom remains up in the air, and Emmanuel Macron has to be very strategic
about this.
But, he also has to demonstrate to the French people that this isn't just simply sort of, you know, kowtowing to let's face it a rather controversial
figure. One only has to think back to the French election this year and the opposition in the second round to Emmanuel Macron was Marine Le Pen, you
know, a candidate who is profoundly sort of anti Europe, protectionist and so on.
In many ways showed points of correlation with Donald Trump, and so Emmanuel Macron has to think -- demonstrate how one can be civil, speak to
one with whom one does not always agree and hopefully advance the dialogue.
[11:40:00] VANIER: Well, you know, about that, do you think that France has any leverage because that is the stated objective of Emmanuel Macron.
Do you think France has any leverage to sort of reason with Donald Trump? Those are his words or to get him to change his mind, or is that another
case? We've seen that before. Another case of France, you know, punching a lot of its weight?
THOMAS: I'm not sure. I think in this particular case, the question of engaging with Donald Trump is being subjected to so much scrutiny and
criticism, most of it warranted, but I think that the -- the various - the visits he's had to -- to Europe thus far, the sort of idea that there's a
G-19 plus the U.S. or the G-7 or the G-6.
Plus, Donald Trump to be welcomed in this particular way for something as important and symbolic as the Bastille Day could potentially help him
realize that engagement with the international community, that having friends and partners abroad, is an important thing as well.
And that, in fact somewhat paradoxically, the sort of make America Great First of ideal can also be mediated through engagement in the international
community and that the United States has to benefit from this.
VANIER: Yes, Dominic Thomas from the University of UCLA in Los Angeles, who's a keen observer at European politics and the transatlantic
relationship. Thank you so much for joining us on the show.
And watch this face, there's going to be obviously a lot more from us, from Paris, that presidential press conference which is set to start in about 30
minutes. We'll bring that to you live, it will be with Jake Tapper on CNN, but first back to Abu Dhabi for other top news with Becky Anderson.
ANDERSON: Good stuff, Cyril. Thank you for that. I'm Becky Anderson and you're watching "Connect The World" and the world is watching as the battle
over a baby's life rages on. We're live in London for you at a hearing that will determine the fate of this little boy, Baby Charlie Gard.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You're with CNN this is "Connect The World." I'm Becky Anderson. Welcome back. Now, emotions running high at Britain's High Court, only a
few hours ago, the parents of Charlie Gard stormed out of the court's latest hearing.
They are fighting to make doctors keep their 11-month-old son on life support so that they can take him to the U.S. for experimental treatment.
Baby Charlie suffers from a rare genetic disorder. His doctors oppose the move, concerned that he'll suffer in pain and still not get any better.
Well, CNN's Erin McLaughlin is at the High Court and she joins us now. Erin?
[11:45:00] ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, the court has been hearing expert's testimony from an expert -- medical expert based in the
United States who has been put forward by Charlie Gard's parents. He said that he believe it's worthwhile that the 11-month-old baby undergo
experimental treatment in the United States.
He also said that he agrees that really at the center of this case is the question as to whether or not Charlie has suffered irreversible brain
damage, and it's his assessment that, "there is a small but significant chance of improvement in brain function with this experimental treatment".
He was pressed as to what small but significant means. He wouldn't quantify it, but he said the significance in this case is anything above zero. He
says that he has seen the MRI provided by the hospital currently treating Charlie. He says he's seen no evidence of structural brain damage, but he
said that that doesn't mean that structural brain damage does not exist in this case.
The assessment, he says, has been based on data from mice as well as patients suffering from mitochondrial disorder that he said is very similar
to what Charlie suffers from. Charlie's disorder is so rare that it hasn't been studied either in mice or in patient form, so that is his assessment.
It is an incredibly emotional courtroom in there are, one point during the proceeding, Charlie Gard's parents stormed out when they disagreed with
what the judge had to say, other times, Charlie's father, Chris Gard pumping his fist in agreement with this expert.
The court is now, we understand, in recess. They're going to continue to hear from this expert. The judge has asked if this expert is willing to fly
to London from the United States to see Charlie in person, and he said that he would do that. Becky?
ANDERSON: Erin McLaughlin outside the High Court in London.
We're in Abu Dhabi for you. You're watching "Connect The World." Agreements, memorandum, some memos, text on paper, that is how politics is
usually represented, doesn't it? But, it doesn't always have to be this way. We say a colorful look or a look at the colorful side, at least, of
diplomacy. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00] ANDERSON: You're back with "Connect The World." I'm Becky Anderson. It's 10 to 8:00 in the UAE, so we've got a couple of minutes
left. An intriguing development this week, mystery lovers had high hopes that an old photo discovered recently would finally solve the mystery of
Amelia Earhart disappearance. Jeanne Moos reports, that photo was a little too old, it seems. Have a look at this.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Might as while put this photo in the fun while it lasted file and it didn't last long, a History Channel Special on
Amelia Earhart promised a shock up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: Oh, oh.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There are new doubts this morning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: Doubts that Amelia Earhart and her navigator were photographed alive in the Marshall Islands after crashing in the Pacific.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Amelia Earhart.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's right.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: No, that's probably wrong and her navigator, Fred Noonan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The hairline is the most distinctive characteristic.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: Probably not him either. As for the blurry hunk of something being told that was supposed to be the wreckage of their plane, don't count on
it. The documentary's theory is the pair were picked up and imprisoned by the Japanese.
But, a couple of bloggers uncovered what appears to be the original photo published in a travel log book in 1935, nearly two years before Amelia
Earhart even took off on her final flight.
Matt Holly, an American living in the Marshall Islands, was one of the bloggers who tracked down the photo.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT HOLLY, BLOGGER: This is one of the magical mysteries of the universe, like where did dinosaurs go? You know, where is Jimmy Hoffa?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:55:00] MOOS: Just, last week, I and the most of the world's media outlets, stood there as if the latest photo weren't already questionable
enough, dissecting the photograph that's since been debunked -- debunked by a second Japanese blogger who said he spent half an hour Googling and found
the original photo in Japan's National Library. The History Channel says it has a team of investigators exploring the latest developments.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We want to follow the facts where they lead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.
MOOS: Just, so they don't lead to Gullible's Island. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
ANDERSON: Well, Parting Shots, tonight touches upon one of our top stories this hour -- this month in fact, the Qatar crisis, it is a story full of
legal documents, of official letters and general database seriousness, isn't it? But, artists in the region are showing us the colorful side of
politics. One of those Doha-based cartoonists, Khalid Al Baih, tells us more.
KHALID AL BAIH, SUDANESE CARTOONIST: Political cartoons historically have been the voice of people. Cartoonists are very strong medium, but it needs
freedom of speech to thrive. I always refer to myself as an independent political cartoonist. I chose social media and I chose the internet
because, you know, pre-Arab spring and kind of until now this is the only space that sort of independent.
And, I think, this is how I gained the respect of my followers is because I try as much as I can to be independent. In Qatar, right now, I think we're
witnessing the emergence of the Qatari activist, you know, the Qatari cartoonist.
I know friends, Qatari cartoonists, who have been working and because of course, you know, of the social restrictions and the political restrictions
in the region, in the whole Gulf, most of the political cartoons are social, or they talk about issues that are outside the region, you know,
talk about Syria, talk about Iraq, but don't talk locally.
With the GCC crisis, a lot of these artists now are talking about what's happening now in the GCC crisis. I think it's really amazing what we're
witnessing right now in terms of art, in terms of political cartooning.
There's a lot of things - there's a lot of artists that are going and creating things that even them personally never thought that they will be
able to talk about, but they are talking about it whether it's with Qatar or with what's happening or against it or just being surprised or
expressing as a whole, that's what cartooning is all about.
That's what art is all about. It's basically shocking you for a reaction. Not in a negative way, but in a way that makes you think.
[12:00:00] ANDERSON: Fascinating. But, as you know, CNN brings you everything human and cartoon related even when it's hard to tell which is
which sometimes, I have to say. You can check out all the latest stories, as you know if you're a regular viewer and if you're not, you're very
welcome. Do use the Facebook page, facebook.com/cnnconnect.
You've been watching "Connect The World," Special Edition this hour as Donald Trump meets the French President. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. A
joint press conference with you and the French President coming up in around 30 minutes from the team here in Abu Dhabi and France and London, a
very good evening. Thank you for watching. CNN continues after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
