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Kim Jong-un Has Reportedly Finished Reviewing His Military Plan To Fire Four Missiles Off Guam; Another Issue For President Trump Is Charlottesville, Not Just What Happened There, But How He Handled It; The White Nationalist Movement And The Attitude That Come With It Have Been Around For Years In The United States; Iran's Parliament Has Also Passed A Bill Outlining The Plans To Put Counter-U.S. Terrorist Measures In The Region; A Child Being Rescued By Members Of The Syrian Civil Defense Group, Also Known As The White Helmets, Seven Members Of That Group Were Murdered Over The Weekend, Shot Dead By Unidentified Gunmen. Aired 11-1130 a ET
Aired August 15, 2017 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:01] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Actually, you know what, nevermind. North Korea seems to be having second thoughts about picking a fight with America over
Guam, everything you got to know about what seemed like apocalypse on an express train. That's next. Then.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The KKK, Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we
hold dear as Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And about time, too, some reckon, Donald Trump finally, calling hate by name. Is it too little to late? We are in Washington at this hour.
Plus, political paragon to people thinking issues, what is eating at France's faith in its president? All that this hour here on CNN.
Hello, there. Connect The World, all hands on deck. Where else, France in Europe. And we will be staying foot for the next two weeks, thinking out
the most powerful issues impacting on this important part of our world.
One of those issues, the threat from North Korea, of course. Kim Jong-un has reportedly finished reviewing his military plan to fire four missiles
off Guam. But the North Korean leader says he is holding his fire until U.S. President Donald Trump makes his next move. Now, North Koreans state
media says Kim will, quote, watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees before he decides whether to launch the strike.
South Korea's president meanwhile says military action on the Korean Peninsula can only be decided by Seoul and his government, but he will go
to great lengths to block the war. There are a team of reporters covering the threat from North Korea from across the region for you. Anna Coren
joining us once again from Seoul in South Korea, and our Martin Savidge is in Tumon in Guam. Anna, just from you, set us a scene if you will from
Seoul's perspective here.
ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, that message coming out of North Korea really stepping back from the brink easing tensions. Obviously,
a change in rhetoric from Kim Jong-un saying now that he is going to hold those plans to fire those missiles towards Guam, really welcome news. So
people are sort of saying it is a bit of breathing space, at least for today. Of course, as you say, the announcer, base media, he is going to see
what the foolish and stupid Yankees, quote and unquote, obviously referring to those military exercises, which are to be held between the United States
and South Korea here as of next week, August 21, as when things kick off. As we know, Becky, every year, those exercises certainly antagonize the
North Korean regime. No doubt they will do exactly the same this year.
As for South Korea, well, the president here, Moon Jae-in, he addressed the nation. It is Liberation Day after all, across the whole peninsula, which
marks the 72nd anniversary of the end of the Japanese occupation. And he said, there will be no war here on the Peninsula. He made that very clear
and that if there is any conflict, it will have to be signed off by North Korea. So really, a bit of rebuke at President Trump and his threats of
military action, but let's have a listen to what President Moon had to say earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOON JAE-IN, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA (through translator): Military action on the Korean Peninsula can only be decided by South Korea. No one
else can decide to take military action without the consent of South Korea. The government has put everything on the line and will block the war, by
all means.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Earlier, President Moon still holding the door open for North Korea to come to the negotiating table. President Moon, every since he came
to office a few months ago, has wanted diplomacy with the North Koreans. He believes that economic sanctions alone cannot resolve the crisis, that he
needs the North Koreans to come to the table to talk in the hope, Becky, of one day denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
[11:35:01] ANDERSON: Martin, on this show, at this time yesterday, you reported on how the people of Guam using their faith really at a time of --
very threatening times for these people, what sort of defenses does Guam have, if any. I mean, look, Pyongyang has a long record, a long track
record of issuing threats, of course. They may have blinked, may not be done at this point.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. That is the real question at this point, trying to interpret exactly what is North Korea is saying here. On
the island, the leadership here is relieved. They feel like they have dodged a bullet or in this case, four missiles. And they believe that
actually North Korea is backing down not just in the short-term, but in the long-term.
But to your point, on the defense design it has, it has the THAAD system. That's the same high altitude defensive missile system that is in place in
South Korea. And they put a great deal of faith that. The civil defense leader here says that it has been used 14 times and has worked 14 times.
Those are of course in. There is also a whole phalanx of U.S. Navy ships with systems that are set up across the path in which the projected
missiles were expected to come. So those could be intercepted as well. Then you have the Patriot battery that was set up in Japan. So there were
multiple layers and they are feeling extremely confident that even if it was a long shot they felt -- but even if Kim Jong-un did in fact try to
launch missiles against Guam, that this island felt it was literally 1,000,000-to-1 chance that any of them would come close to striking the
island.
So right now, the leadership here feels most ecstatic, that's what the civil defense leader said they really think that the pressure has now gone
way. And like I say, not short-term, they see this is a major turning point overall.
ANDERSON: Anna, back to you, South Korea's president, as you rightly reported has said that military action in the Korean Peninsula can only be
decided by Seoul. And we've heard his words today, we have heard from Martin about how people feel on the island of Guam. How do people feel in
Seoul, on the streets about what is going on? Do they also feel at this stage that they have dodged a wall, a military offensive?
COREN: Yeah, I definitely think that people feel that tensions have been ratcheted down. And that obviously comes as a huge relief for the people of
South Korea. We have to remember there 1003 artillery pieces that are aimed at Seoul, which is where we are, a city of 10 million people. If those
artillery pieces were to be unleashed, it would be catastrophic. We all know that. So after the rhetoric that we have been hearing for the past
week, not just from Kim Jong-un, but also from President Trump, I think people here in Seoul, across South Korea, are feeling relieved that perhaps
things are calming down.
Of course, as I have said earlier, those military exercises, they take place next week, and could very well wrap things up again. But at least for
now, Becky, it seems like things are calming down.
ANDERSON: Your reporter from Seoul and Guam today, thank you both. And we are going to head to Guam in a little later in the show and find out how
people feel about being able to fight and die for America, but never being able to vote.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has happened in every campaign. And up to this day, we are still hoping for the right to vote.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: North Korea is one headache. Another issue for President Trump, of course, is Charlottesville, not just what happened there, but how he
handled it. He delivered a second statement Monday about the white supremacists' rally over the weekend and the car attack that killed
protestors. In it, the president finally denounced white supremacist by name. For a lot of people, it was simply too little, too late. To make
matters worse, another controversy by re-twitting a right-wing conspiracy theorist. CNN's Jeff Zeleny with this report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF ZELENY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Only hours after attempting to quell the outrage over his initial response to the deadly violence in
Charlottesville, President Trump re-twitting a prominent supporter and conspiracy theorist. The president's retwit originated from Jack Posobiec,
a prolific social media user. The Anti-Defamation League says is a member of the so-called Alt-Light. The ADL says the movement rejects over white
supremacist views, but embraces misogyny and xenophobia. The ADL has also highlighted Posobiec's frequent anti-Muslim fleets and harassment of former
Hillary Clinton aide, Huma Abedin. Posobiec was granted access to the White House press briefing in May.
Posobiec has peddled a number of debunked conspiracy theories online, including a baseless story that the Democratic National Committee was
behind the death of former staffers, Seth Rich. The claim was a subject was the subject of a Fox News story that since been retracted and deleted. And
the Pizza Gate hoax, which alleges the top Democrats were operating a child sex trafficking ring at the D.C. pizza shop during last year's campaign. On
Monday, the president caved to pressure condemning white supremacist and other hate groups by name racism.
[11:10:35] DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including
the KKK, Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.
ZELENY: CNN has learned that the president insisted on addressing the economy before making these additional remarks, which came two days after
the death of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, can you explain why you did not condemn those hate crimes by name over the weekend.
TRUMP: They have been condemned, they have been condemned.
ZELENY: Hours later, shortly before leaving the White House, the president took aim at the media for the controversies that has now cost him the
support of three CEOs on his American Manufacturing Council. The CEO of Intel, becoming the third business leader to step down Tuesday night,
saying in part, I resigned because I want to make progress, while many in Washington seem to be more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees
with them. The president's do-over also does not appear to have been enough for thousands of protestors who line the streets outside of Trump Tower,
ahead of Mr. Trump's arrival last night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that was Jeff reporting for you. The white nationalist movement and the attitude that come with it have been around for years in
the United States. Now, it seems they are getting more attention. CNN contributor J.D. Vance spoke to my colleagues, Poppy Harlow and Chris
Cuomo, earlier about what may be a common misconception about the movement's core supporters. Have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J.D. VANCE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: What worries me about the response to this particular white nationalist terrorist attack, a lot of things worry me,
but one thing that worries me is that we're trying to paint this white nationalist movement as a movement primarily of poor and working-class
Americans, when the truth is that the All-Right is actually led by better educated and frankly pretty well-to-do people. So this is not a problem for
just people from my community. It is actually mostly a problem I think for those who are doing pretty, who have good educations, and good jobs. And so
effectively, we need to accept the racism is a problem across the country. It is not just a problem to point the finger at poor whites and say this
all belongs on you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Stephen Collinson is with us now from our Washington Bureau, a regular guest on this show. Stephen, what are Trump and the White House's
links to the far right, is it clear?
STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: I don't think it is clear. What we can say is that Trump has clearly pushed the political and racial
fault lines in America as he has built his political movement. He after all was the most prominent person, arguing that former President Barack Obama,
the first African president -- African-American president of the United States was not even born in this country. And that started out as something
a lot of people thought was a farcical sort of almost whimsical campaign.
But in retrospect, it looks like the moment when Trump began to build his political movement among a certain sector over the far right. And that is
one of the reasons why when he came out and gave his speech on Monday, people are saying well, it is more important what he says, what he says
instinctively, what he says on Twitter, what he said in the past, rather than a teleprompter speech which he read out at the White House after a
weekend of intense political pressure.
So I think going forward, Donald Trump's sentiments and sincerity will be judged on how he acts towards the next racial incident, rather than what he
said the other day because he just has so much sort of past form, if you like, in this area.
ANDERSON: His key strategist, former Breitbart News editor, is Steve Bannon, often times described as the nexus between Trump and white
nationalists. Is he and do you think that the White House believes he should go?
[11:14:58] COLLINSON: I think it is difficult to draw a line directly between Bannon and white nationalist, you can say that Breitbart has
promoted sort of what they see as news and commentary, which serves that particular sort of center of the political movement. But Bannon is, if you
like, the political DNA of Trumpism. He is the person that was advancing economic nationalism, harsher limits on immigration, and campaigns against
undocumented migrants. He said something very revealing earlier this year when he said the purpose of Trump's administration was the deconstruction
of the administrative state, which basically means disabling regulation in government, all those things that Trump is doing to sort of combat efforts
to fight global warming, for example. Those sort of fit it into that.
So he is a part of Trump's political soul. I think that is one reason why it is quite difficult for Trump, even though he has had a fairly checkered
relationship with Bannon, he does not like the fact that Bannon is seen as a sort of philosophical driver of Trumpism, rather than himself. But that
is one reason why it is hard to let him go.
But now, we have a new chief of staff in the White House, John Kelly, who basically wants to get rid of Bannon, partly because Bannon is seen as the
driving force behind the campaign again HR McMaster, the national security advisor who is seen by people on the right as not having enough to the sort
of nationalist aspects of Trump's foreign policy.
ANDERSON: Fascinating stuff. And, Stephen, thank you. Mr. Trump finished up finally getting the world his thoughts against white supremacist. He
honed in on a familiar target. Check out this exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mr. President, can you explain why you did not condemn them?
TRUMP: They have been condemned, they have been condemned.
ACOSTA: And why are we not having a press conference?
TRUMP: We had a press conference, we just had a press conference.
(CROSSTALK)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Still to come this afternoon in the escalating war of words, Iran's president warns the U.S. it will terminate the nuclear deal if
Tehran is hit with new sanctions. What this means for the future of the Iran agreement up next.
And they risk their lives bringing into life the brutality of the Syrian conflicts. Now, Syria's White Helmet bearing some of their own. We're live
in Damascus for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:01] ANDERSON: A historic moment, breakthrough agreement after six world powers signed a historic deal with Iran, curving its nuclear deal
program in exchange for sanctions released. Two years on the future of the deal is in question. Iran's president is threatening to quit the nuclear
accord and do it, quote, within hours, and if the U.S. backs the country with more sanctions earlier this month. President Trump hitting Iran,
Russia, and North Korea with these sanctions. Take a listen to the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had to say addressing parliament.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSAN ROUHANI, PRESIDENT OF IRAN (through translator): If Americans want to go back to that experience of Iran's sanctions and threats, Iran will
return to a much advanced state in a short time. Not weeks or months, but in the scale of hours and days.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Iran's parliament has also passed a bill outlining the plans to put counter-U.S. terrorist measures in the region. Let's take a quick check
on where this historic nuclear deal stands. I'm joined by Reza Marashi. He is the research director in the National Iranian American Council, a
regular guest on this show. Trump has threatened to pull the U.S. out of the deal, and now Rouhani says they could terminate the agreement in hours.
If this is a war of words, then that's one thing. If we are going to see real action, that's something completely different, isn't it? Which do you
think is it at this point?
REZA MARASHI, NATIONAL IRANIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL RESEARCH DIRECTOR: I think at this point it is a war of words. And Iran at least is very far from
taking actions. And thus far, the Trump administration has clearly violated articles 26, 28, and 29 of this nuclear deal. Iran has been certified in
compliance, every time, every 90 days, since the grant was put into effect.
So really what the Iranian government is doing and it is not just Rouhani, it is the Iranian government as a whole, they are sending a message, not
just to the U.S., but to Europe, Asia, Russia, and their own domestic constituency as well inside of Iran, that Iran does not respond to threats.
It is Iran's preference to keep this nuclear deal intact. But if the United States continues to renege on its JCPOA obligations, Iran has options.
ANDERSON: Let us show our viewers this video one more time, Reza. Stay with me. This is when the deal was inked, you related this, not just the
U.S. and Iran affair. There was a multilateral deal, of course. You are arguing foreign policy that Europe can save this deal. They have the
opportunity to deter Trump from sabotaging it, if it has the political powers take a course independent of Trump, Europe can protect both American
and European interests, by preserving that deal. How do you think that can be achieved?
MARASHI: I think the most important step that can be taken by the Europeans in an effort to protect European and American interests, short, medium, and
long-term is to demonstrate to the United States that actions that are taken adversely affect the interests of not just the Europeans, but the
global community at large. Europe can take steps to hold the United States accountable.
Now, obviously, it is not the preference of any European government to do that because transatlantic relations, our number one. So we have a track
record thus far, the Trump administration pulling out of the climate change treaty, of the Trump administration questioning whether or not article 5
common defense within the NATO treaty is going to be fulfilled. And in the past week, just threatened nuclear war with North Korea and he has
threatened invading Venezuela. So, at some point, there has to be barriers put into place to protect complex multilateral agreements like the Iran
deal.
ANDERSON: Reza, your report says a lot to lose, if this deal goes south, particularly here in France, the French auto company is set to provide
150,000 more cars to the Iranian market, a deal worth nearly $800 million, I believe. And France is part of consorting the course developing fields.
There is $4.8 billion on the line there.
MARASHI: No question. Before, during, and after the nuclear deal was negotiated and put into effect, analysts around the world were commenting
on how Iran was a gold mine from economic perspective, the likes of which had not been seen since the Soviet Union had collapsed. And Europeans and
Asian countries really everybody except the United States had a deep market presence in Iran prior to sanctions coming into effect, real backbreaking
sanctions in 2012 and 2013. And as long as Iran continues to fulfill its JCPOA obligations, those same European, Asian countries, Russia, so on and
so forth, they are going to want to fulfill their economic plans and priorities. And it is a stretch to believe that of all the most powerful
countries in the world, A, believe that this deal is good, and, B, believe that Iran is complying to the letter of the deal that they are going to
allow the Trump ministration to strong-arm them into taking action, adversely affect their own interests.
[11:25:17] ANDERSON: A war of many words around the world, it seems today that being one of them. All right. Thank you, Reza. Iran is playing a big
player on the battlefield in Syria, of course. The horror of that war is something we have become depressingly all too familiar with. But amidst
that horror, we did see things like this.
A child being rescued by members of the Syrian civil defense group, also known as the White Helmets, seven members of that group were murdered over
the weekend, shot dead by unidentified gunmen. They stormed their office. The U.S. State Department said it is saddened and horrified by those
murders. Let's get you to the Syrian capital, Damascus, CNN's Frederik Pleitgen is there. And, Fred, what is the situation on the ground at
present and who has strength where?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is interesting because the place where those murders happened in Idlib Province, actually the
strongest group there is the one linked to al-Qaeda, the group formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra. It is clear however, Becky, whether that group is
the one that is behind these murders. One of the things that we have known, that we found out about what apparently happened there, when these seven
White Helmets were killed is that apparently a lot of other things from their headquarters that they have in that particular town were stolen,
including two vehicles, several walkie-talkies, and that leaves some to believe that this might have been some sort of armed robbery that went
along with this killing.
Certainly, the local authorities that are still operational in that area have said to people, look out for any White Helmets vehicles driving around
and stop them at any checkpoint because they are most probably stolen. But it is really a troubling event that happened there with the White Helmet,
especially they are in Idlib Province, which is one that is still governed by various rebel factions, and certainly, where the White Helmets do play a
vital role in trying to rescue people in an area that still is very much prone to violence with the Syrian government and many rebels are going at
it in that area. At the same time, of course, a certain degree of lawlessness on the ground as well. Becky.
ANDERSON: We were discussing just in the past couple of minutes, Iran's involvement in Syria. It seems that Russia is very happy with how things
are going. Fred.
PLEITGEN: Yeah. It certainly seems so at this point in time, at least on the supporters of the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad that
Russia is by far the strongest. One of the things of the Russians have come out and said on Sunday, they said that the Syrian government with the help
of course they say of the Russian Air Force, and quite frankly of Russian ground forces as well manage to double the territory they control within
only two months.
Now, of course, we have to take that with a grain of salt because a lot of the territories of the Syrian military has been able to win back are vast
amounts of desert territory, which are really not very densely populated. And so, therefore, you have very big territorial gains and territorial
losses, Becky, in those areas. But it is still quite significant that the Syrian government, especially with the help of Russian aviation, I was able
to see some of that on the front lines very recently has made significant gains, especially against ISIS in the south east of the country where they
are now making a big push towards there, certainly trying to assert their control over there.
There is also an enclave of soldiers that are on the ground there as well. But it is true that the Syrian government, especially with the help of the
Russians, would have a very, very close affiliation has been able to make some serious gains in those areas. The Iranians still play a big role in
the battlefield, but I would say that you are right, Becky. Right now, it is the Russians that by far are the biggest power player here in this
country. Becky.
ANDERSON: Fred Pleitgen for you in Damascus in Syria. All that in Syria, of course, there are a lot of people to try and reach Europe, making for
the migrant fighters. This is like twisting in and out of politics from Brexit to Germany' elections. We are Paris and we are on it. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:32:10] BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: And still here in Europe for two weeks and this is why. Aside from the weather, there is so much political stuff
that got stuck into like the great singer and visionary Cher once asked, do you believe in life after love. And here in France, that question is
resurfacing when it comes to President Emanuel Macron because 100 days after he took office, the love seems to be fizzling somewhat. And many want
to know what his political life holds now. So what happened to the bright star who once dazzled this City of Light? Here is Erin McLaughlin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIC MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hailed as a political protege, even the possible savior of Europe, three months into his presidency, Emanuel Macron
faces a drop in popularity, serious questions about his plans for economic reform. This is in stark contrast to the optimism of election night.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People say we have to give them a chance, we see a new face, we want him to succeed, you know. That was the mood back then.
MCLAUGHLIN: The mood bolstered as Macron asserted himself on the world stage, with one rushing handshake to the president of the United States and
delivered a message on climate change.
EMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE: Wherever we leave, wherever we are, we all we all share the same responsibility, make our planet great again.
MCLAUGHLIN: Meetings with Putin, Netanyahu, Trudeau, and any number of other profile and sometimes daring photo ops.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The French don't really care about that part. They will judge him on two things, security and jobs.
MCLAUGHLIN: By July, the mood had soured. According to one poll, his approval rating dropped a staggering 10 points to 54 percent, lower than
either of his predecessors at the same point in their presidencies.
NICHOLAS VINOCUR, POLITICO REPORTER: I think the French voted for him knowing that he had an agenda of strong change, of serious reform. But they
never imagined that these reforms would actually apply to them.
MCLAUGHLIN: The drop most notable for sectors facing cut-backs and labor reforms, the pensioners, civil servants, workers, reforms economists argue
necessary reduce the budget deficit and improve the economy. But this coupled with a series of political missteps leads many wondering if Macron
can make his presidency a success.
VINOCUR: There is a window of opportunity for the president, not opportunity in the sense that there is an open road for reform, but in
terms of timing. If he wants his legacy over five years to be a positive one, he has to act now and he has to choose a few battles where he really
wants to invest all of his political capital.
[11:35:01] MCLAUGHLIN: Many here say his biggest test will come in September when the French returns from holiday and some of the country's
strongest unions take it to the street to protest his policies. We will be watching to see the size of those crowds and how he handles a public show
of dissatisfaction. Erin McLaughlin, CNN, Paris.
ANDERSON: So why does it seem? A man who once received a rock reception has now hit a brick wall. Political commentator Agnes Poirier is here with
me. And it is interesting, isn't it? Because he actually had enough time yet to do anything right or wrong, and yet, the French decided they don't
like him anymore. I mean, he is plunging in the poles, why is that?
AGNES POIRIER, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I wouldn't be that harsh, but, you know, as you saw it, the honeymoon was very intense. It was rather short.
And look, it is new. He is the head of the party that has only existed 18 months ago. He has also made mistakes, you know, for instance, the head of
the Army. That did not go very well, especially just after the Bastille Day. That was his first mistake actually.
But also, at the same time, he passed the moralization of French politics. And now, French doesn't actually hire any family members, which they used
to be able to.
ANDERSON: So in our report, in Erin's report, one of the commentators said that what he will be judged on is security and jobs. So let's start with
those before we take a look at the most international perspective here. What is the plan and can he play it off?
POIRIER: Well, in security, he said I wanted to see the end of the state of emergency. You know, it has been going on for two years now. And it is
actually next week that he is going to pass, start passing a law to incorporate some security measures that go with the state of emergency, so
that you know the army stop patrolling -- it is a very strange sight in the last two years, we see the army patrolling. And the army is the -- you
know, the officers and the soldiers are exhausted. So that's security. We will see if there will be more attacks or not.
ANDERSON: We found an hour's worth of news today. We have talked it out with the war of words between North Korea and the U.S. We have been
discussing the U.S. president's troubles at home over Charlottesville. We have also talked today about Iran and Syria, all of which have a French
perspective. And the French business has been incredibly successful in this new era in Iranian world relations for example. And one of our guests
talking about how it might be up to Europe to manage that deal going forward, if indeed Donald Trump decides that he is not interested in seeing
a nuclear deal with Iraq.
Let's just take a look at some of these issues, French prison. Iran, for example, where does he stand?
POIRIER: He stands with you know -- I mean, what happens when the election of President Macron, he gets a more vocal voice, loud voice, to France.
His election was a very strong message for Europe. The day after he was elected, he saw Angela Merkel. And he has reset the French-German
relationship. And this is what you have to look at because I think you know the sparkle of the new strength of Europe will come from that, Angela
Merkel, who is actually on his fifth.
(CROSSTALK)
POIRIER: And the French president who is not even in yet. But there is a chemistry, you know, he reset -- you know, after Brexit, after Trump.
ANDERSON: And so, I see where he stands on domestic policies. I see where the kind of perspective is in putting France back on the map, as it were.
What about the deal, the most expensive footballer ever and probably will be forever, for at least a period of time, talking about putting France on
the map.
POIRIER: Yes, I am not sure it was very wise. Football is football. I'm not sure the French president should actually say that is a good thing.
ANDERSON: It is a good thing. Money doesn't do any harm.
POIRIER: You know, one of the reasons I think he has been plunging in the polls is that he reminds us a little too that communication was old. And
so, obviously, President Macron having a selfie Arnold Schwarzenegger. We saw him crushing the knuckles of the American president, which is not a
good thing. And you know, we sent him in Top Gun gear, trying to explain or justify why he signed the French army chief. We would like him to have
less on communications and more action work. But you know what, it is going to come in about a week or two weeks' time because we haven't talked
about this, those reforms, the thing that the French president have been trying to do for the last 40 years.
[11:40:41] ANDERSON: This is huge. I mean, we will to continue to talk about this because we need to explain to our viewers who may not
understand. I'm sure many do, but those who don't understand the labor laws and the legacy hearing in France. Now, this will change going forward. It
will be hugely impactful on this country going forward.
POIRIER: Yes.
ANDERSON: OK. Earlier, France, just look around, and what is behind me. It is the very apex of old Europe, a continent that nowadays forging itself
anew. And from Brexit to Berlin politics, we are all over it like a rash for you. That is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Before the break, we were all about Europe and we still are right now, as we remind you that breaking up is hard to do. Downing Street
may not want to shove off from lovely Europe so quickly after all. Brexit Secretary David Davis is now floating the government's proposal for a
transitional trade period of two years after Britain leaves the European Union. It would keep as many of the existing arrangements as possible,
while still negotiating its own trade deals with other countries, something no EU member can do.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon twitting U.K. government is back to its daft, have cake and eat it approach to Brexit. They should commit
to staying in the single market and customs union. Let's get you out in this city in the world. More French people live there. Nina dos Santos on
Downing Street where this lies, Nicola Sturgeon saying you can't have your cake and eat it. This is coming from the first minister of Scotland of
course who want to stay within the European Union. Is this a significant change in position? From the Brits, it is not just what we have been seeing
all along.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are asking for a transitional period that will essentially maintain the status quo here in
Brexit, Becky. That may have many Brexiters, if you like, asking the question, why did the U.K. hold a referendum on the membership in the first
place, if after 2019, there would not be a clean break and the U.K. wouldn't have the right to negotiate on free trade deals with other
countries outside, like China, like the United States, and so on and so forth.
So essentially, that is what this document is aiming to do. It is trying to make sure that the United States stays the same for people who export goods
from one side of the channel to the next, and at the same time, giving the U.K. the opportunity to leave the EU. And then start to negotiate with
other countries. Because remember, as part of the EU, legally, it is not currently allowed to start embarking upon any official trade negotiation
with non-EU parties, was and still a member of the EU. That is what this is about.
But the big question is will the Europeans buy it. Already, we have had some pretty negative comments coming from Brussels. The one leading the
negotiations on behalf of the European Commission, has made it clear that they made note of this 14-paged white paper here, but they will only really
consider it in any substantive here once more progress has been made on what they call an orderly withdrawal. So that's coded language here, Becky,
for money, if you like, and other priorities that the EU has.
When it comes to the EU parliament as well, the one leading the negotiations of other bodies, he has been twitting this today, to be in and
out of the customs union and invisible border is a fantasy, he says. First, we need to secure citizens' right and also that financial settlement.
David Davis who is responsible for the U.K. side of the negotiations, he said well both sides need a deal like this because the U.K. has a huge
market 2010. Just take a quick listen to what he had to say this year and early on that point.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID DAVIS, BREXIT SECRETARY: It is actually in their interest, too. I mean, we sell 230 billion Euros of goods to them, goods and services to
them, every year. They sell 290 billion to us. If you're a BMW or Siemens or Bavaria, if you are a company in Holland, you want this to work. You
want a smooth, frictionless trading arrangement, so you can sell into one of the biggest and fastest growing markets in Europe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DOS SANTOS: Well, this, Becky, is all part of the first round of paper that the U.K. is going to be filing by August 21st. So they can get ready for
next, third round of monthly negotiations with Brussels. Those will be taking place on August 28th.
ANDERSON: Nina, thank you, 10 Downing Street, the home of the prime minister. Even like Nina who is brilliant with languages, it is hard to
translate this bridge from Brexit. Britain's Brexit minister who said he will be engineering some constructed ambiguity, yes, constructive
ambiguity, from time to time. You rack your head around that.
To the engine of Europe's own economic growth, while France's new president struggles to settle in, Germany's Chancellor for the last 12 years is vying
for a new term. Chris Burns with one of the most important issues that Angela Merkel faces, her choice of a coalition partner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Angela Merkel in her bid for a fourth term as chancellor begins the final sprint for the September 24 election. Her
center-right CDU-CSU leads with about 40 percent of the polls, though she has lost 10 points in her own popularity amid a resurgent diesel emission
scandal.
ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): We begin the hot phase of the campaign. There is not much time. We must promote and we must
fight.
BURNS: But it is horse race for whom she will choose to ally with to govern. Her current coalition partners, the Social Democrats, surged with
her Chancellor candidate Martin Schultz, a former European Parliament president, but are now stuck around 20 percent. Schultz proposes a quota
for electric cars which Balco rejects.
MARTIN SCHULTZ, FORMER EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT: The usual behavior is to say nothing.
BURNS: Among Merkel's other options, she could instead ally with the pro- business free Democrats, or the environmentalist Greens, both have been polling just under 10 percent. Some analysts believe the resurgent scandal
over diesel emissions involving millions of German car owners could boost the Greens.
One of the Greens' leaders is a charismatic German born son of a Turkish guest worker. He has been crying foul after a recent diesel summit where
government and industry leaders agreed behind closed doors to change the software on more than 5 million cars to make them pollute less.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They sell cars which do not deliver the things they promise, so they have to make sure that the consumers get those cars they
wanted.
BURNS: Recent polls indicate more than 70 percent of Germans believe the government's environmental policy favors automakers. And more than a third
of Germans have lost their trust in an industry that accounts for 800,000 jobs. Can the diesel controversy be enough to put the Greens in line for a
governing coalition?
[11:50:11] TARIK ABOU-CHADI, LECTURER: The fact that the Greens are really focusing on the environment, animal protection, all of these stuffs that
are really prominent in the campaign at the moment compared to the previous campaigns. I think we might make it easier in the end to form a coalition.
BURNS: Other wildcards, if terrorism strikes again in Germany as it did in recent months, or if there is another wave of migrants. So far, Merkel has
whether those crises. One poll finds that Germans are more worried about climate change than any other issue, though many remain undecided how they
will vote in the wake of the diesel scandal.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Of course, it has an influence on my vote. But I think that in general, I am very environmentally minded.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It is really a scandal. It is a shame. Who should I vote for? All parties are responsible.
BURNS: If so many voters are so angry about diesel gate, what did that do to this election? Could that be more or fewer votes for Angela Merkel's
CDU-CSU and how much can the Greens capitalize on that anger? That is why this election remains very much up in the air for Germany's next
government. Chris Burns, CNN Berlin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Lead perspective from Berlin. We are in Paris. Will we finish this show before the rain comes? There are dark, dark clouds glooming over
the capital. You probably don't care either way. We're going to be right back in another short break, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We are going to get you back to one of our top stories, not only today but for weeks now. The escalating tensions between the U.S. and North
Korea, Kim Jong-un appears to be delaying his plans to launch a missile attack near Guam, despite its huge distance from the Mainland U.S. The
people on the island have a long history of defending American interests. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kickoff on game day in Guam. Teenagers from the Guam Giants and the Southern Cowboys go head to head, cued on by pint-
sized cheerleaders. From the sidelines, Patrick Flores and his son Patrick Jesus Flores root for their families' team. The two men share more than
their support for youth football.
WATSON: Father and son, you're both serving in the military?
SGT. PATRICK JESUS FLORES, U.S. NATIONAL GUARD: Yes, absolutely. Because of my dad, I just want to be like him, follow his footsteps and serve, protect
my family, protect my island, and serve my country.
WATSON: In 2013, both father and son shipped out to Afghanistan for a year with their National Guard battalion.
That must have been tough for the family, right?
FLORES: Yes, it is tough.
WATSON: In fact, at least eight members of the Flores clan all joined in that deployment. Sergeant Flores says military service is part of the
culture on Guam.
FLORES: Patriotic, we're just that patriotic type of island.
WATSON: The U.S. military says Guam with its population of more than 160,000 people boasts the most personnel in the military per capita in the
U.S. In addition to high enlistment rates, the military maintains a permanent presence here, controlling a third of the island's territory,
including an airbase and a naval base with a small fleet of submarines. And yet, Guam is also an island paradise that attracts hordes of tourists.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We sell paradise and we sell strategic location. There is a delicate balance on those two. We need to maintain that balance.
[11:55:01] WATSON: But on this island, where military service plays such a pivotal role, native members of the military have one key complaint. Since
Guam is a U.S. territory and not a U.S. state, residents don't have the right to vote for the U.S. president. And Guam has no say in the passage
U.S. laws.
FLORES: It has happened in every campaign. And up to this day, we are still hoping for the right to vote.
WATSON: In defense of their country, many people of Guam have made the ultimate sacrifice, hospital corpsmen Anthony Carbullido was killed in
Afghanistan in 2008. He is one of dozens of servicemen and women from Guam who have died fighting in the U.S. war on terror.
These Americans can fight and die to defend the U.S., but they do not have the right to vote for the president who may send them into battle. Ivan
Watson, CNN Guam.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that's it for now. I'm Becky Anderson. That was Connect The World or as you might say, check it. Thanks for watching. I will be
back tomorrow. And who are we kidding, so will you, of course. We will leave you with this dark clouds and moody atmosphere above what is the City
of Lights. Good evening.
END
