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Justice Delivered; Saad Hariri's Homecoming; Leader-In-Waiting; Iran, Turkey, And Russia Attend Syria Summit In Sochi. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired November 22, 2017 - 10:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:00:13] ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CONNECT THE WORLD GUEST HOST: Tearful celebration of justice delivered. The man who master minded the massacre

of thousands of Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica is at last convicted. We also have the latest on Ratko Mladic verdict this hour. Also ahead Saad

Hariri homecoming supported celebrates as he suspends his resignation. We look at what that means, also the man to replace Mugabe has now returned.

Let's take a look at Zimbabwe's leader in waiting and the country's next steps.

Hello and welcome to "Connect the World." I am Robyn Curnow in Atlanta, thanks so much for joining us. Now more than two decades after some of the

darkest crimes in European history, justice has finally caught up with the man once known as the butcher of Bosnia. An international tribunal

convicted former Bosnian commander Ratko Mladic of genocide and other atrocities that took place during the 1990's Bosnian war. Mladic's word

defiant until the end. He was remove from the courtroom just before the verdict after shouting quote, this is all lies. He was all very dramatic

but he was sentence to life in prison. His attorney has promise to appeal. CNN Melissa Bell is in Sarajevo following reaction to the verdict. We will

go to her in just a moment, but first to you Christiane, you covered the Bosnian war. You personally met this man, give us your affection this

hour, this day.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well Robyn it incredibly important what happened Ratko Mladic was convicted of account of

genocide over the Srebrenica massacre five counts of crimes against humanity which break down into such awful things and extermination,

persecution, forcible transfer of civilian, terror, all those murder, all those kinds of words that paint a portrait of what he carried out under a

political orders but very willingly and of what Bosnia and that whole region suffered for so many years and so sentenced to life is -- is justice

and is certainly important justice for the victims first and foremost and then as a president and then as an attempt to have some further

reconciliation to try to solidify still use of peace in Bosnia.

I didn't speak to him he had a very arrogant attitude, he really thought he was somebody he when he thought that he could get away with joking about

the Muslims who he was seeking ethnically cleansing from great swatches of Bosnia and listen to how he responded to me.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

AMANPOUR: Chilling words from the man they called the Butcher of Bosnia, General Ratko Mladic. The snide humor marked his killer instinct. It

defined him and made an uncomfortable man to confront. We see this cleaning smile again and again as the war unfolded. The Muslims, the Bosnian

government says I'd been covering the Bosnian war for more than a year by the time I met him leaving this shelf sniped and besieged city of Sarajevo.

A year of witnessing the ferocious war machine that the Bosnian Serb commander had unleashed and he did not like my reporting.

RATKO MLADIC, BUTCHER OF BOSNIA: What is the lady's name?

AMANPOUR: Christiane.

MLADIC: Christiane, I like killing Christina.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It won't be difficult for her to understand, because when I saw, I was very angry.

AMANPOUR: Mladic was commanding the Bosnian serve military mission to carve out their own ethnic pure republic and join it into a greater Serbia.

This was a daily occurrence dodging bullets as we covered the unfolding tragedy. For the Bosnian Muslims, the villain was clear. Your own people

and your soldiers, to them you're a great man, you're a hero to you enemies, you are somebody to be feared and somebody to be hated. How do

you feel about that?

MLADIC (TRANSLATOR): Very Interesting question. The first things you say are correct.

AMANPOUR: Prosecutors say what Mladic believed to be his greatness is was, in fact, ethnic cleansing and genocide, it would reach its climax at the

massacre on Srebrenica at July 11th, 1995, more than three years into this brutal war.

[10:05:06] It was meant to be a U.N. protected zone for Muslims. When Mladic's forces overran U.N. positions and invaded the tiny enclave, he

handed out candy and the general promised the towns people they would be safe. Of course they were not. His soldiers slaughtered more than 7,000

Muslim men and boys who tried to flee. One was miraculously survived the massacre. I track him down in the Bosnia held town of Tuzla, four months

later.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The serves said don't look around. Then I heard a lot of shooting and bodies fell on top of me. They were the people standing

behind me. I fell too.

AMANPOUR: Here he said he saw Mladic one last time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He stood there and waited until he killed them. When they killed them, he got back in his car and left.

AMANPOUR: After that massacre the U.S. led a bombing campaign against Bosnian serve military position and peace negotiations that eventually

ended the fighting. Mladic became a wanted man and soon went into hiding. I never knew if I would see him again, the man with whom I stood on a

Bosnian hill top at the height of the war, but it was with deep satisfaction that I watched Mladic stand in the dark at The Hague to

finally face the justice he so brutally denied others.

America calls him war criminal. And under any kind of U.N. Tribunal, he may have to be prosecuted. What does he think about that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a tough question but he is a tough man and he can answer.

MLADIC: Yes, I can take it. I've taken more rough ones. I can take hers too.

(LAUGHTER)

I defended my people and only my people can judge me and there's no greater honor than defending your people.

(END VIDEO)

CURNOW: Well, that honor, as you can see ended up being crimes against humanity for which he has been convicted and sentence now to life imprison.

So it's a really important day for the sign that it sends to the rest of world. The Bosnia war through up into chaos, the international collective

security apparatus and it destroyed the west in terms of this ability to confront something in their back yard.

The life of that still very much felt. Let's go to what also happened today, you talked about this arrogant preening man. In many ways that

didn't change throughout this course case and even when the verdict was finally read out. He still seems to be on arrogantly dismissive.

AMANPOUR: Certainly dismissive and denial, but I think that he was a coward in the end, because what he did was shout at the Judge just before

he was going to read the verdict. He clearly didn't want to be in the courtroom and you know, he complained of high blood pressure, whether

that's true or not, I don't know, but he certainly didn't want to face the music. So this person who had come across as so super confident, as you

said defending the honor of the people, I mean really as you saw in the count that was unveiled and the verdict today a murder machine that was

unleashed across Bosnia for three plus years. He couldn't take it in the end and he didn't want to hear the verdict handed down. So I think that

was cowardice in the end and he was sentenced to life imprison, although his representatives say that he will appeal.

CURNOW: OK. Christiane Amanpour, your perspective on this is so valuable, thank you so much.

Take us to Sarajevo. Where Melissa Bell is engaging reaction on this. Some of the victims or relatives of the victims have been in court over the

past few years. What are people saying to you there on the ground?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, here in Sarajevo, one of the main charges against Ratko Mladic today was about the siege that he oversaw, in

a 44 month siege which saw 10,000 people lose their lives, Robyn here there has been a great deal of relief, into anti-climax. These people have

carried their wounds for so many years or a couple of decades, we were waiting for this moments, we are hoping for justice, who cheered when given

the maximum possible sentence. But there were a few, after all that it is, and few of them had made a point over the course they will, there couldn't

be enough life sentences to punish him for the suffering that he has inflected on us. But you must not forget that here in Bosnia there are

also those for whom Ratko Mladic remains something of a hero, someone who represents a nationalistic strain that remains in some parts of the Serbian

population here in Bosnia. And even across the border more moderately expressed view was shared by the Serbian president. I'd like to have a

quick listen to what he had to say in response to the sentence on him today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[10:10:16] ALEKSANDAR UCIC, SERBIAN PRESIDENT (TRANSLATOR): Today is not a day for joy nor for sorrow, but to see what kind of future we want. We all

knew that the judgment would be like that. There is no one who did not know t it in advance. My call to all citizens of Serbia is to stop looking

at the future today. Let's think about where and how our children will live. How and in what way we will preserve peace and stability in the

region. Serbia has always honored the victims from all other nations and I am proud of it. I am not sure that other people have had the pity or the

victims among the Serbs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BELL: Now you hear that sentence expressed at the very end of what the Serbian President had to say. It is a sentiment shared by many Bosnian

Serbs, but the tribunal in The Hague is politically bias against them and not enough has been done to recognize their suffering. You are getting

this reminder that there are two very views not only about the sentence that was handed down in The Hague but all the events that took place.

Justice has come a step closer to being done today, but reconciliation is still a long way off.

CURNOW: What do the feel the work of this tribunal is effectively wrapping up by the end of the year? That this phase of trying to find justice for

those who lost so much in the breakup of the Yugoslavia is pretty much coming to an end?

BELL: You're right, Robyn. I think that will be an important milestone. It is one and all those reactions we had heard today that weigh in the

minds of many people here. It has been a torturous process. They witnessing of 10,000 different pieces of evidence. It have been hundreds

of witnesses heard. The past has been honored over. Many to be heard who might not otherwise have been heard and the fact that it comes to an end

brings us to that next part. The necessity of reconciliation, because that is the only thing now that Bosnian are going to be able to look towards

justice will come to an end. The judicial process will come to an end at the end of this year. How the two different communities with two different

views of the past will look to the future in order to resolve their differences.

CURNOW: Thanks so much Melissa Bell. And Christiana just to you because, you know we talked about it often every day, there Yemen, there is what

happening in Syria, Myanmar, you know this sorts of bloody massacres that certainly deserves justice continue even after those terrible events that

you reported on over 20 years ago. I mean, there are a lot of questions about justice and what it means today.

AMANPOUR: Well, yeah, but this has set the president. It's been working for more than 20 years to deliver these verdicts. You know you can't

dismissive. This has been a long time coming, but it has come. It is a strong signal. Because this is now enshrined in international law. We

have the international criminal court. It's not perfect. But you know people like Bashar Assad and his henchmen will be indicted, will be

targeted, there will be an attempt to bring them to justice. Whoever it is ISIS, whoever it might be. There are mechanisms in place now to try these

kinds of crimes. I would say one last thing. Mellissa is right, there are areas in Serbia and particularly in the Bosnian serve Republic, where they

will refuse to believe that this was a fair process. And that they will continue to believe that they were martyrs of some kind of international

conspiracy.

But it is rally wrong to allow that to stand, because the facts show that all of us who covered it and over 20 years of bringing these trials show

that the overwhelming number of victims were Muslims in Bosnia during that war. Not Serbs. Yes, there were those who were killed. But the

overwhelming tens of thousands of people who were slaughtered were slaughtered because they were Muslim. That is why a charge of genocide was

put and why ethnic cleansing it was called, because it violated that part of international law which prevents the attacks, the slaughter, the

discrimination of people based on their race or ethnicity that is what took in Bosnia throughout the 90's and that is what is being held accountable

today. The tragedy is that even since the end of the war. Bosnian Serb politicians have done anything they can to prevent any kind of political

reconciliation, to still hold out this poisonous hope that somehow they will be able to stay in their little isolated Bosnian serve republic and

maybe one day in their dreams join up with Serbia.

[10:15:08] It not going to happen and it is based on lies that their politicians keep telling to their people. So until the political leaders

keep pace with justice and legality and international law and order and peace negotiations, this will continue to be an open wound. But it's not

because there's any on the one hand or in the other hand.

CURNOW: You've,*n talking about this war for the past 20 years and haven't stopped. Christiana Amanpour, thank you. And Melissa Bell, thank you to

you too.

Still to come here at CNN, a homecoming for Lebanon's Saad Hariri returning to Beirut and in office for now. Will he stay or will he go? We are live

in Lebanon that is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CURNOW: Hariri is coming and lights are shining. Those words blasting from speakers surrounding the massive crowds you see here, the Prime

Minister returns to Lebanon and promises people we will stay together. Saad Hariri is home and for now at least still Prime Minister. His

resignation is, quote, on hold after Lebanon's President asked him to postpone the career move and wait for more dialogue. The Lebanese

President maintains that Hariri was forced to step down by Saudi Arabia on November the fourth. All of this has Lebanon celebrates Independence Day.

Following the celebration is Ben Wedeman in Beirut. Ben, what does all this mean? Saad Hariri is back. In many ways he is emblematic of the

politics of the region and he is certainly stuck in the middle.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Really what it means, Robyn, is that Lebanon remains in limbo. He has not withdrawn his

resignation. He has just put it on hold at the request of the president so they can further consultations or perhaps to form a new government, but at

this point it is not clear where all of this is going to go. What we saw today was outside his headquarters not far from here, thousands of his

supporters cheering him on, expressing their happiness to see him back in the country after two and a half weeks under somewhat mysterious

circumstances in Saudi Arabia.

[10:20:06] But what's not clear is does he really intend to actually negotiate and form a new government or does he simply want to show that he

cannot form a government with some of the parties here? Foremost among them Hezbollah, which had ministers in his government that he formed in

November 2016. If he can't come up with some sort of agreement with them and with the other political forces, maybe in a few days or a few weeks he

is going to say I tried, but I could not form a government. And then we'd be back in crisis again. I think we're out of sort of the crisis and

uncertainty that was caused by his fourth of November resignation submitted from Saudi Arabia. But really we're just into a new crisis as to how did

they form an acceptable government to everybody involved? When I say everybody involved, I don't mean the Lebanese. I mean the Saudis, the

Iranians and all the other powers who seem to have their fingers in this country, Robyn.

CURNOW: And that certainly hasn't change over the years. The big question is he has been in Saudi Arabia. He stopped off in France on his way back

home. What will the Saudis have to say about this un-resigning resignation? Do you think they would agree with it? Are they happy with

it? Is this part of the plan?

WEDEMAN: We don't know if there was a and if that was a plan if that was part of it, but certainly if they accept it, it step back from the rather

fiery position the Saudi officials took in the immediate aftermath of his resignation. Gulf affairs in the days following his resignation told the

Lebanese you have the choice either to live in peace or to live within the fold of Hezbollah. He also went on to say that as long as Hezbollah in the

Lebanese cabinet, Saudi Arabia will look at the Lebanese government as a government at war with Saudi Arabia, now we find that Saad Hariri is back,

perhaps going to try to engage the various political forces here in an effort to form a government, so if they accept that, that certainly is a

step down for them. But as I said, we don't know what the plan is, Robyn.

CURNOW: But you're keeping an eye on everything. You'll bring us now new information in the twists and turns of this crisis or new phase of crisis.

Ben Wedeman as always, thanks so much from Beirut.

Now when World War II came to its bloody end. Three of the world's great powers, Britain, Russia and the United States and Soviet Union came

together in the Soviet results of (inaudible) to decide the fate of the world. Now more than 70 years later, another meeting of three nations to

consider the aftermath of war this time in Sochi. After years of brutal conflict, Russia, Turkey and Iran are coming together to carve up Syria's

post future. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a new stage in the Syria crisis. Matthew Chance is in Moscow and he is watching. We're

not quite sure what they're discussing, what's going but it's certainly telling who's at the meeting.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We know that these three figures, the Presidents of Turkey and Iran and Russia are basically

congratulating themselves for mission accomplish in Syria before the trilateral meeting got under way in Sochi, Southern Russia. President

Putin thanked the leaders of Iran and Turkey saying they helped prevent Syria's breakup. He said if it weren't for your stance, there would be no

cease fire, no de-escalation zones or cessation of hostilities. This is a job well done as far as Vladimir Putin is concerned. And indeed, the three

leaders, the three countries have achieved to some extent that kind of objectives in Syria.

The Iranians had expanded their influence in the direction of Syria across the Middle East. The Turks are essentially in the process of denying the

Kurds any kind of independent state or entity inside Syria and the Russians crucially have illustrative that, they stick by the allies and that they

are a major power to be reckoned with in the Middle East and of course beyond. And that is the main reason, I think the main success from a Putin

point of view, a kremlin view that Russia is now the very clearly a significant power to be dealt with when it comes to the Middle East.

CURNOW: And that is certainly part of Putin a grander plan for Russia to have circled respect on the world stage and this very much played in to

what we are see, is the sort of Russian resurgence, geopolitically around the world in many ways.

[10:25:09] CHANCE: Absolutely. And he knows what impact that will have in all the areas of confrontation where Russia is involved. Certainly one of

the big objectives as I just said for Russia was to reassert itself on the international stage. To make itself central to any solution this time in

Syria, but also in other diplomatic and military crisis as well. That objective has been pretty much achieved and along the way, of course,

Russia has illustrated through its ferocious use of weaponry and air power that its weapons artwork and it's seen a big spike in its arm sales as a

result.

In the x f00 surface to air missiles have been sold already to Turkey as one of the outcomes of this conflict. Their use in that war zone. So for

Russia it's been a success so far. At the same time, the Russians and the kremlin want to balance with the fact that they do not want to get further

embroiled in any kind of sort of military quagmire in Syria. This is a big political issue in Russia. They had, the Soviet Union had the experience

in the late 1970s of Afghanistan losing thousands of people. Unable to extract themselves from that conflict. Putin has been desperate to avoid

that kind of situation happening this time around in Syria for Russian forces. So you think what the Russian press is talking about is this marks

the second opportunity for Putin to declare victory, not to lose any face as they have describe it and to withdraw from military operation in Syria.

He is tried to do that in the past. This is another opportunity for Putin to do it.

CURNOW: As you were talking we were rolling those pictures of Bashar al Assad giving President Putin a bear hug. Those pictures tell a thousand

words. A very grateful Assad and benevolent looking Putin. Thanks so much, as always, Matthew Chance, good to speak to you again. Still ahead

here in CNN, this is what history looks like in the making. Now the big question, will a new leader from an old government change things for the

better? Another live report from Harare.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I can't overstate what this means to ordinary Zimbabweans. This means an end of an era, possibly the start of a

new dawn. And look at these celebrations. (OFF-MIKE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN ANCHOR: Those are the scenes almost 24 hours ago exactly, ecstatic celebration in Zimbabwe's capital just after long time

President Robert Mugabe announced he was stepping down.

So in the past few moments, we've got a few developments. The man set to become Zimbabwe's new leader has returned to Zimbabwe after being fired by

Mugabe a few weeks ago. Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to be sworn in on Friday following the resignation of Mr. Mugabe yesterday.

Now people celebrated late into the night, partying in the streets mark this historic shift of power. David McKenzie is still in Harare and still

watching all of these amazing scenes that have played out.

David, I know that a lot of people are partying late into the night as they wake up today, no Robert Mugabe as leader for the first time in nearly 40

years. With a hangover, they're looking to the future, some tough questions perhaps.

MCKENZIE: Yes, there might be some groggy people here in Zimbabwe but certainly looking to the future now. And we're here right inside Zanu-PF

headquarters. I wanted to show you the scene. This is kind of what is represented here. Welcome back our hero.

And this is a picture of Emmerson Mnangagwa. He is the man who's been in exile since he was fired. We presume because of the direction of the first

lady Grace Mugabe.

And since he's been exile -- in exile, we've had this extraordinary a series of events here that have culminated in, President Robert Mugabe now

becoming an ex-president.

A lot of people I've spoken to today, Robyn, are kind of even struggling with that concept that they have to say former President Mugabe but if look

here, all the crowds are assembled for the man who is their hero at least.

A Zanu-PF hero has been at the right hand of Robert Mugabe for many decades. There is fear though -- there is fear here though that this might

be more of the same and so they are hoping that Emmerson Mnangagwa will come in. And in fact start something news and help kick start this

economy. Robyn.

CURNOW: Yes, are we're going to try over the sound of those who were there, but I think there is the concern that is one person quoted and said,

you know, the current has gone but the tourney is still there.

There is going to be a lot of people watching to see if this is going to change anything for ordinary Zimbabweans when Emmerson Mnangagwa comes back

and arrives at those headquarters behind you.

MCKENZIE: Well, yes. I mean but these are loyal supporters, so no matter what, they'll be following their man. It's a continuation in a way despite

the fact that Robert Mugabe was pushed out by an effective coup, these people here would have supported Mnangagwa.

They would have supported Mugabe. So there is a continuation but Mnangagwa has said that he wants to have all Zimbabweans, not just Zanu-PF supporters

here be part of a new Zimbabwe. So we just got some cars coming through here.

So, Robyn, you know, a lot of anticipation here. They don't know when their man will come in here tonight. We believe he might be having

meetings with officials.

But he has been in hiding up until this point. And we've had this extraordinary change of power. But I have to say it's like a family feud.

This isn't one aspect of the country taking over another.

[10:35:00] This is within the Zanu-PF power structure that occurred a section of itself. Robyn.

CURNOW: Yes, and that's an important point to make. So, we know that he's landed in Zimbabwe. He's on the ground. He's returned. What's happens

next? He's going to happen come to where you are and in the coming days, just take us through what -- what Zimbabweans are expecting practically

perhaps?

MCKENZIE: Well, what they're expecting, in fact, is that he will be sworn in on Friday to lead the country and that shows there's a level of --

there's a level of support for him and a level of confidence that they've managed to push out all the supporters of Grace Mugabe.

Now we still don't know what kind of deal was made with Robert Mugabe, so that he was comfortable to resign rather than to be pushed out through

impeachment. There is a sense, though, that he would have been humiliated by a long and drawn out impeachment process.

So while you saw those celebrations and we witnessed them together, Robyn, on the streets here, there is a turn of the page of the sorry in a sense,

well now, it's time to get the new leadership in place and for those who aren't the hard core supporters of Zanu-PF like those behind me to see

whether they can trust the man coming in to put Zimbabwe in a new direction.

CURNOW: Yes, it will be interesting to see what kind of cabinet he appoints. Fascinating stuff happening there on the streets, great

reporting to you and your team. Thanks so much, Dave.

And as, David said, it was sort of like a family feud that have taken place in Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa fled after being sack, by Mugabe a few weeks ago.

But those familiar with Zimbabwe's politics and as, David, has been reporting, Mr. Mnangagwa as president could be more of the same. Take a

look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: It's the end of an era in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe steps down after 37 years. This man, its next leader. His name is Emmerson

Mnangagwa, AKA the Crocodile. A nickname he earned for his tough political game.

The 75-year-old politician has been, for years, thought to be biding his time, ready to take over from the world's oldest leader.

He's a strong following among the country's elite and was a key strategist for Mugabe in past elections. But earlier this month, Mugabe accused his

closest aide of disloyalty and fired him, a move considered to be a plan for his wife, Grace, to take succeed his presidency.

Instead, it set the stage for a historical political shakeup. The military stepped in, placing Mugabe under house arrest. The ruling ZANU-PF Party

demanded his resignation, calling for Mnangagwa to take over. Some say the man poised to take Zimbabwe into its new future is a shrewd reminder of its

past.

Mnangagwa has been part of Zimbabwe's authoritarian regime for almost three decades. He's implicated in a massacre of thousands of Zimbabwean

civilians in the mid-1980s.

And he was described in late-2000 by a U.S. diplomat stationed in Harare as a quote, wildly feared and politically even more repressive leader than

Mugabe. Now, a new stage is set.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: Now I want to get you up to speed on some other stories we're following at this hour. On our radar, the U.S. president is tweeting his

prayers as pilots scan the waters of Okinawa in Japan for three missing people.

The U.S. Navy says one its planes crashed in the area. The other passengers are safe we're told, this mark the fifth accident for this naval

fleet this year alone.

And experts warn time maybe running out for the crew on board on missing submarine from Argentina's navy. An international hunt for the ship is

under way. But experts say oxygen levels may be running low if the ship has not surfaced.

The captain last week -- last made contact a week ago. And Britain's prime minister delivered a gloomy economic forecast parliament earlier as he

unveiled the budget.

Philip Hammond says growth is expected to slow through 2020. He spoke -- as he spoke the value of the pound fell. A group blamed uncertainty over

Brexit.

And North Korea is accused of violating its armistice agreement from South Korea by crossing the border to shoot a defector. The U.N. release new

footage showing a North Korean soldier being shot during his escape across the demilitarized zone.

Now doctors say he's now conscious after being placed in life support a week ago. CNN's Anna Coren has the details -- amazing details and footage

from Seoul.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A desperate run for freedom. This video shows the dramatic moment a 24-year-old North Korean soldier left his post

last week, running across the demilitarized zone, the DMZ that divides North and South Korea.

It's one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world. First in a jeep, then on foot, he's pursued by his own comrades. They fire more than

40 shots.

[10:40:00] Doctors saying he was hit at least four times before reaching safety. These scenes captured on CCTV were played at a news conference in

Seoul. The U.N. command says that as the North Koreans pursued the defector, they violated an armistice agreement between the two Koreas.

The armistice dates back to 1953 with a cease-fire between the north and south that the war has not officially ended. U.S. Forces Korea claimed the

North Korean people's army, or KPA, fired across the military demarcation line and that one soldier crossed it briefly during the incident.

COL. CHAD CARROLL, DIRECTOR, USFK PUBLIC AFFAIRS: UNC personnel at the JSA notified KPA of these violations today through our normal communication

channels (Inaudible) and requested a meeting to discuss our investigation and measures to prevent future such violations.

COREN: When the North Korean soldier arrived here at the Ajou University Hospital on the outskirts of Seoul, he'd already lost more than 50 percent

of his blood and was unconscious with barely a pulse.

Doctors say he'd suffered gunshot wounds to his chest, shoulder, arms and abdomen. And by the time he reached the operating theater, he was almost

dead.

And in his intestines, doctors found large parasitic warms, one nearly a foot long. After multiple surgeries, doctors say he is now conscious and

able to talk.

LEE GUK-JONG, SURGEON (through a translator): He and I have spoken a lot, and I feel that this North Korean soldier defected to South Korea of his

own will.

COREN: The shoulder is the third member of the North Korean Armed Forces to defect this year. Ana Coren, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: Anna, extraordinary images there. Now, I'm taking after the U.S. where after weeks of silence, the president is finally speaking out about

Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

Several women have accused him of unwanted sexual advances when they were teenagers. Roy denies the allegations and wile Donald Trump didn't endorse

Moore, he certainly seemed to defend him. CNN's Joe Johns had the latest from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I can tell you one thing for sure, we don't need a liberal person in there, a Democrat.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Trump all but endorsing embattled Senate Republican nominee Roy Moore.

TRUMP: We do not need somebody that is going to be bad on crime, bad on borders, bad with the military, bad for the Second Amendment.

JOHNS: Insisting his concerns were about policy above all else, despite allegations that Moore sexually assaulted two teenage girls when he was in

his 30s, including one woman who said she was 14 at the time, and allegedly pursued romantic relationships with six others.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is an accused child molester better than a Democrat? Is an accused child molester...

TRUMP: Well, he denies it. He denies it. He totally denies it. He says it didn't happen. And, you know, you have to listen to him, also.

JOHNS: The president siding with Moore over his accusers before saying he was happy that women across the country are now speaking up about sexual

harassment.

TRUMP: Women are very special. I think it's a very special time because a lot of things are coming out, and I think that's good for our society, and

I think it's very, very good for women.

JOHNS: A Republican close to the White House tells CNN that the president doubts Moore's accusers and sees a similarity between the accusations

leveled against Moore and the sexual misconduct allegations made against him by at least 13 women in the final days of the 2016 campaign, charges

the president has denied.

TRUMP: Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign.

JOHNS: Mr. Trump leaving the door open to possibly campaigning for Moore ahead of the December 12th special election in Alabama.

TRUMP: I'll be letting you know next week.

JOHNS: Breaking with his own party's leadership and a number of GOP senators who have called on Moore to step down.

MITCH MCCONNELL, SENATE MINORITY LEADER: He's obviously not fit to be in the United States Senate. And we've looked at all the options to try to

prevent that from happening.

JOHNS: Moore's Democratic challenger Doug Jones defending his record against the president's attacks and speaking out about the accusations

against Moore for the first time.

DOUG JONES, ALABAMA SENATE CANDIDATE: I believe the women. I believe their stories have credibility and I believe them.

JOHNS: The Jones campaign releasing an ad quoting members of the president's own inner circle criticizing Moore.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ivanka Trump says there is a special place in hell for people who prey on children, and I have no reason to doubt the victims'

accounts. Jeff Sessions says I have no reason to doubt these young women. Conservative voices putting children and women over party.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: That was, Joe Johns, reporting there. And I want to take us straight now to Sochi, Russia where the leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran

are holding talks on the future of Syria. We understand that Russian President Vladimir Putin is speaking. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT: There's no economic problem with the restructuring of Syria.

[10:45:00] A great deal of work is to be done here in helping Syria to get back on its feet, particularly in terms of its industrial fabric.

Hospitals, schools, kindergartens have to be looked at and it is absolutely essential. And this is something which were stressed many times that

humanitarian assistance should be restored to Syria.

That territory must be demeaned and particularly cultural legacy must be maintained. And we heard very much that we will be able to stimulate other

countries and the region, and also international organizations in this effort.

I'd like to thank President Rouhani and President Erdogan for a very comprehensive and result-oriented work here. And I hope very much that our

efforts will be able to accelerate the list of settlement in Syria.

And advert risks of a future clash happening particularly of international powers. And we heard very much that this will help the stability of the

Middle East region in general. Thank you for you attention.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: You were just listening there to Russian President Vladimir Putin talking about reconstruction in Syria. He's been meeting with the Iranian

leader as well as the Turkish leader.

He talked about getting Syria back on its feet. He talked about humanitarian assistance. And we're also going to listen in to Hassan

Rouhani, the Iranian leader who's speaking right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HASSAN ROUHANI, IRANIAN PRESIDENT: For the meeting of the presidents of the three countries, in order to pursue stability and peace in Syria. And

save conditions in Syria facilitating the return in paving the way for the return of refugees.

At a time -- this meeting is taking at a time where we are shown during the last 11 months that the collaboration between the three countries can

indeed be effective for decreasing tensions in Syria and made foundations for stability and security in Syria.

The meetings that have been held in Astana have yielded these results. On the other hand, this dialogue today takes place following the collapse of

the -- the total collapse of the foundations both in Iraq and Syria of the Daesh.

And this is a great success and victory for our region against terrorism. It was important for all of the world to see the importance of these points

and accomplishments, and realize that terrorism cannot be an effective tool for any country or any power, and terrorism under any conditions can be

dangerous to everyone just a we saw vis-a-vis Daesh.

Those who assisted Daesh and equipped Daesh then Daesh or ISIS became a threat to the security of those very nations. And many innocent lives were

lost and many were martyred. Under these conditions, this meeting was held.

Today's meeting was quite open. That three nations expressed very openly and sincerely their view points and the objective of this meeting was the

start and the setup of an Syrian -- of a inter-Syrian Congress, including all religions and ethnic backgrounds from across Syria.

Whether those who are part of the current government or those who are the opposition in the near future to be able to gather across the table with

one another and start a dialogue about the future of Syria.

And from that Congress, the foundation will be laid for an eventual new constitution based upon which free and fair, and just elections are going

to be held in Syria.

[10:50:00] This can be the message of peace and stability for the entire region. And all three -- all of our three nations invite in UNISON, all of

the countries from across to join hands in support of peace and stability throughout this vital region of the Middle East particularly in Syria.

And also to facilitate and pave the way for their return of those who were driven from their home lands back to Syria and the reconstruction of Syria.

So as to allow the Syrians to enjoy a safe and stable life in Syria, as I said the opinion...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: The leader there of Iran joining the Russian leader in painting a pretty rosy picture of a post-conflict Syria. Let's not forget nearly half

a million people have died in that conflict. We'll continue to monitor their comments.

You're watching Connect the World. This isn't any longer to justice -- these justices here. We speak to a barrister about prosecuting war crimes.

That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CURNOW: And historic story today making headlines, former Bosnian War lord Ratko Mladic sentenced to life in prison for war crimes, genocide and

crimes against humanity by U.N. tribunal at The Hague.

We often say never forget situations like these but we're living in age when many say war crimes are being committed with impunity and cases like

Syria, Iraq, and Myanmar to name that a few.

Well, Barrister Toby Cadman is the former head of the prosecutor's office at the Bosnian War crimes tribunal, he joins me live from London, your

thoughts this day on this historic step.

TOBY CADMAN, BARRISTER, INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW SPECIALIST: Well, it is exactly that. It is a historic day. We're looking at another -- one of

the most senior figures in the genocide being convicted.

So it's a huge step for international justice. It's a monumental day for the victims. And of course with the ICTY closing at the end of this year,

this is a very, very important step before they've closed their doors. And one of those steps that many people didn't think we would ever see.

CURNOW: In many ways this is all played out and many people feel that this was the equivalent of the Nuremberg trial. I mean, do you feel that the

weight of that responsibility of bringing to justice even more than 20 year after is same as the message?

CADMAN: It certainly does. And of course we're looking at the -- first international tribunal established after Nuremberg and the contribution

over you called tribunal has made international justice, is unquestionable.

[10:55:00] And of course it sends a very clear message that even 25 years after the conflict started, it is deeply important for the victims to see

that individuals such as Ratko Mladic and (Inaudible) are brought to justice.

And it sends a message to as you mentioned the other conflicts that we're seeing where there is a vacuum of justice, that was -- the wheels of

international justice move slowly, they do move.

And I think we have to hope that this sends a very clear message that was the closure of the international tribunal, the next step has to be conflict

such as Syria and Myanmar.

CURNOW: Why does international justice move so slowly? Why has it dragged on like this?

CADMAN: Well, you also have to look at the fact that Ratko Mladic was in hiding. He was being supported for a number of years. And so it took

great effort in the international community to first of all get him to the tribunal.

He also faced a number of very complex detailed allegations relating to genocide, strip of it's the siege of Sarajevo. And of course you have to

assure that the accused has an affective opportunity to present a fair defense.

Because we don't have fair trials, then the whole process is meaning less. And you can't do that process quickly. It has to be done deliberately.

It has to be done carefully so that there can be no question as to the result of the verdict. And there can be no question that he received a

fair trial and he has been served with justice today.

CURNOW: When we use the words war crimes, genocide, multiple crimes against humanity, those are legal terms, just break it down to us, just

remind us what that actually means, the victims that paid that price and the evil things that were executed.

CADMAN: Yes. It's very clear and the U.N. High Commission said this morning that Mladic was the epitome of evil. What we're looking at is

murder being committed on a massive scale, as I mentioned, the siege of Sarajevo.

One of the longest sieges in history, forcible displacement, using international monitors as hostages and of course what we saw in (Inaudible)

where 8,000 -- at least 8,000 men and boys, where some are really executed, were also looked at rape being used across east in Bosnia as a weapon of

war.

We're looking at a host of different types of crimes such as murder, rape, forcible displacement, ethnic cleansing that has all been set out in this

judgment, in a huge detail, which also serves as a historical record for this individual. It is important to stress that it is the individual who

has been convicted, not a collective judgment against any one people.

CURNOW: Toby Cadman, thank you so much for your perspective.

CADMAN: Thank you.

CURNOW: I'm Robyn Curnow. That was Connect the World. Thank you all for watching.

END