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White House Chaos; Investigating Russian Double Agent's Illness; Saudi Crown Prince Lands In London; Trump Backs Scaramucci To Blame John Kelly; Former British Ambassador Speaks To CNN. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired March 07, 2018 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[10:00:20] DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: She maybe people don't want to work from Trump, believe me everybody wants to work in the
White House.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, CONNECT THE WORLD, CNN: Well may be not everyone another key member of Donald Trump star is out. Ahead the chaos that is the White
House. Also ahead this hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If those suspicion prove to be well filed then this government will take whatever measures we deem necessary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Lawmakers threaten to respond firmly if proven someone poison a former spy. Ahead we are live in Salisbury in England.
A very warm welcome you are watching "Connect the World." I am Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi where it is just after the 7:00 in the evening, just
started 10:00 in the morning in Washington Donald Trump says there is no chaos and nothing to worry about is aides come and go to the revolving
doors at the White House, but today we are seeing some very real consequences of the resignation of his chief economic advisor. Some say
stood between President Trump and a trade. Stocks on Wall Street are starting the day deep in the race as rattled investors weigh what will be
lost of Gary Cohn. He is a champion of free trade and fiercely opposed Mr. Trump's plan to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Now source
close to President Trump called the only good guy left and said of all things quote, this will cause the most trauma. Mr. Trump says always well
in the West Wing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: The White House is a tremendous energy we have tremendous talent, Yes there will be people, I am not going to be specific, but there will be
people that change, they always change sometimes they want to go out and do something else, but they all want to be in the White House so many people
want to come and I have a choice of anybody everybody wants to be there and they love this White House, because we have energy like rarely before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It is a glowing description of his administration for sure, but on the very same day he said that the same day Cohn resign one of his top
aides was found in violation of a major ethic floor, his administration sued estate in widening fight over immigration and Mr. Trump himself was
sued by a porn star. First things first. Let us start with the details of Gary Cohn's departure. Some say it had been a long time coming but
President Trump tariff's decision was the final straw. White House correspondent Abby Philip with more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
ABBY PHILIP, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: President Trump's top economic advisor Gary Cohn becoming the latest in a string of White House advisers who
abandon ship after butting heads with the president over his decision to impose stiff tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. News of Cohn's
departure coming just hours after the president insisted that there is no chaos in his administration.
TRUMP: Our world -- there maybe people don't want to work for Trump and believe me everybody wants to work in the White House they all want a piece
of that Oval Office, they want a piece of the West Wing. I could take any position in the White House and I will have a choice of the 10 top people
having to do with that position.
PHILIP: The president later reiterating this message on Twitter noting that he'll be making a decision about Cohn's replacement soon. Sources say
the president is considering tapping trade advisor Peter Navarro who unlike Cohn is in favor of imposing tariffs, Trump also considering informal
advisor Larry Kudlow who has been a vocal critic of the tariff and lamented Cohn's resignation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it is a turn for the worst. I think he did a great job, I am really sorry he is leaving.
PHILIP: Less than a month ago Cohn was being considered as a possible replacement for embattled Chief of Staff John Kelly after successfully
ushering in the tax bill, but sources say his skewed with the president over tariffs was the last straw. Cohn considered resigning last year after
the president equated neo-Nazis and those protesting them in Charlottesville.
[10:05:00] TRUMP: Very fine people on both sides.
PHILIP: The revolving door of the West Wing may not stop there, speculation continues about national security advisor H.R. McMaster and
Chief of Staff John Kelly. CNN has learned President Trump has emboldened former communications director Anthony Scaramucci, he was fired after just
11 days on the job to continue attacking Kelly publicly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is a culture of fear or culture of intimidation people afraid to talk to each other.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Coming from the president?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are afraid of the president?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is the chief of staff.
PHILIP: When asked about inviting at the White House President Trump saying this Tuesday.
TRUMP: I like conflict, I like having two people with different points of view and I certainly have that and I make a decision.
(END VIDEO)
ANDERSON: Aby Philip there for that report. He likes conflict he says will in any other White House word of Hush money paid to a porn star to
reportedly have an affair with a president would send shockwaves through America, but these on a new ordinary times the story of Stormy Daniels has
been out for weeks, but now has taken a dramatic new twist. Daniels whose real name Stephanie Clifford is taking Mr. Trump to the court. She claims
he never signed a Hush agreement regarding alleged sexual encounter and therefore that the agreement is void. White House reporter Stephen
Collinson is keeping busy this morning is being otherwise been a busy time since back in the day before this actual election in 2016 is still busy at
staying on top of all of these developments. Let us start with Stormy Daniels what do we make of this?
STEPHEN COLLINSON, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well I think the issue here for the president is not necessarily a political one because after all
there had been multiple scandals of fell to fail him and the people who voted him into office seem to have discounted to question his card. The
questions illegal one is two interesting things here, first of all Stormy Daniels in this lawsuit said the first time she actually had an affair with
Donald Trump from back in 2006 long before he was running for office now the question is when Trump's lawyer who is admitted paying her to buy her
silence did he infringe campaign finance laws by doing so just before the election, the other question is does the Donald Trump know this was taking
place, because that could potentially bring him into legal jeopardy and the wider question here which is most threaten to the present would be if he
was ever compelled to testify in this case. We know that trump's lawyers believe he would be a very it would be a very dangerous step for him to go
before lawyers he has a habit of not telling the truth, he departed himself as he recalled the whole issue with Bill Clinton which led to his
impeachment was lying about an affair and that's what governments trouble so I think that's the real problem down the road from the president on this
issue.
ANDERSON: All right. Let us take a look at this tariff and trade issues Stephen, President Trump and strong words about trade and NAFTA yesterday
let us have a listen.
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TRUMP: You know we are not backing down. Mexico, we have a very bad deal with Mexico, very bad deal with Canada from NAFTA people have to understand
our country on trade has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world whether it's a friend or enemy, everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: If there was one thing that we knew, we knew Donald Trump had a position on it was terrorists and trade, there is nothing Stephen
surprising about the words we just heard nor is there anything particularly surprising I think about what he is announce so far as tariffs are
concerned his supporters say he is certainly right when it comes to his position on tariffs and that is why they voted for him. We ask Gary Cohn
it seems over this, although we knew he was set to go anyway, what do you make of it, is he not right about the NAFTA deal for example?
COLLINSON: I mean you can make also some arguments about the NAFTA deal clearly and it's been very beneficial to some sections of the U.S. what
workforce unless beneficial to others. You could also argue that from the perspective of terror Mexico, Donald Trump doesn't see trade deals like
this as everyone benefitting, he sees things in a binary winner and loser frame, but I think you're right about Cohn, the issue he clearly he lost
his argument about tariffs yesterday morning we are hearing from the White House, people saying, well there is going to be opt outs, is not as bad as
you think and then we have President Trump coming out in a press conference with the Swedish Prime Minister saying no, I'm not in the background and
you're right this is something that is absolutely fundamental to his worldview and his political project and I think the world is going to have
to be use to that.
[10:10:17] ANDERSON: That is more of surprising. This man who was so close to Donald Trump what he everybody says it is a disaster losing Gary
Cohn, this is man who is a free-marketer which is (inaudible) to Trump perceived protectionist position. Is it President Trump denies chaos in
the West Wing we are actually hearing reports that he helping to stir it up, CNN has learned he is encouraging his former communication director
Anthony Scaramucci to attack White House chief of staff John Kelly on cable TV. Let us have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONY SCARAMUCCI, TRUMP'S TRANSITION TEAM MEMBER: The morale is terrible. The reason why the morale is terrible is that the rule by fear and
intimidation does not work in a civilian environment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Just explain to us what you think he means by that and on his way back is the Mooch man back in business so far as Trump is concerned.
COLLINSON: First of all Scaramucci clearly has an ax to grime because he serve as communication director I think, 13 days of pumping before he was
kicked out of the White House by John Kelly. You have to ask the question why would the president be actively undermining his own chief of staff
which would seem to you know prejudices his own administration and the good of the country, I mean I think this comes down to the power and how Donald
Trump use his power, anybody in the White House who is strong, who's seen as having his own power base is a threat to Donald Trump because he wants
to be the central figure. I don't think the necessary things about things in terms of what special a country, how what is our national interest, it
is all about Donald Trump and the way he wields power by undermining the chief of staff potentially perhaps even pushing them out his power is in
the house. Now you know you can say what the result will that is the White House is absolutely spiraling out of control which is true, but the more
people leave the more strong influential people leave his White House the more powerful in effect the president becomes in his own environment.
ANDERSON: Well he is absolutely determines as we started this show by saying, there is no chaos at the White House. Well look Stephen, it is
always good to have you on just want our viewers to get a look at what markets are up to here, but there in the right, I mean it is not definite
on the market as far as the numbers are concern, the market is down by 200 point down what I've got to 2468 a look behind me there, so market down
seem to like what we are seeing on this departure by Gary Cohn, we will wait to see what the rest of the day brings and while the Trump
administration is saying it says share of this is chaos, the president is encouraged by the recent poll between North and South Korea Mr. Trump
believes North Korea is sincere in its offer to talk about denuclearization, but he says the U.S. prepared in case diplomacy doesn't
work out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Hopefully will go in the very, very peaceful beautiful path were prepared to go whichever path is necessary, I think we're having very good
dialogue and you certainly find out pretty soon what's happening, but we have made progress there is no question about it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Let us get the latest from Seoul, CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us now for sure just the very path we had seen in North and South Koreans
sitting together on his outreach and from North Korea suggesting that they are looking potentially to its demilitarized and reach out to U.S. All
seems as if we have got some progress, intelligence chief in the U.S. yesterday less than optimistic certainly now confident, but I think coming
out of North Korea is for real at your sense of where we are at this point, Paula?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky I think he can certainly say that progress is being made when you consider just a matter of months ago we
were talking about how high detentions were on the Korean tensions, they were concerns that a military conflict could actually break out, so yes
progress has been made, but of course the only person who knows why North Korea has done such a spectacular turnaround when it comes to outreach with
the South Koreans and now with the U.S. saying the potentially willing to talk about the denuclearization.
[10:1511] The only person who knows why they done that is Kim Jong-un the North Korean leader so really is a very tricky balancing act for everybody
else, we have heard some caution from the South Korean inside, President Moon Jae-in today saying that it's too early to be optimistic saying this
is simply the starting line and also pointing at that said that he thinks is important for international sanctions to stay in place while this style
between the North and South Koreans goes on at the same time he is also planning to meet with Kim Jong-un at the end of April as officials have
said, Becky.
ANDERSON: Paula, it was a pleasure, thank you. Still to come tonight a former Russian spy daughter fighting for their lives after being found
unconscious in an English town, it is a chilling story. It sound like from the pages of a novel, instead it is an active police investigation, that
story up next.
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ANDERSON: To a sleepy English town that has been shaken awake on a spy saga of global proportion. British authorities and they are learning more
about substance that caused former Russian agent Sergei Skripal to full critically ill over the weekend. He and his daughter were found
unconscious on a park bench in a town called Salisbury which is close to Stonehenge, British home secretary says police will update on the case in
the coming hours. Our Phil Black is at the scene and with more do we know what is expected at this point, how much more had we learned?
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well it is just that key little teas at this stage Becky, they say that the police are going to reveal a bit more
on that later today so we awaited quite anxiously that statement, that was the clear headline from a key government meeting this morning and what is
really a sign of just how seriously the British government is approaching this, the home secretary that is the government ministry in charge of the
police and internal security in this country to what is known as a cobra meeting, a meeting design to bring together multiple agencies in one room
and deal with national crises as quickly and efficiently as possible.
[10:20:09] The headline for that as I say, they say more about the substance, it is really vital that they do identified as quickly as
possible and not just in order to find who is responsible or to patch work out on how this happened, but to save the lives of the victims, because
Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found collapse in a park bench behind me, still in hospital and still gravely ill.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: This was the moment Sergei first knew Russia considered him a traitor. The military intelligence officer was arrested in 2006 accused of
taking money from British intelligence in return for information about Russian agents operating in Europe. He was found guilty of treason in the
form of espionage, the punishment 13 years prison. But in 2010 Cold War like scene played out on the tarmac of Vienna airport, Skripal and three
other men were swap for 10 Russian spy discovered operating in America. After that Skripal disappeared from public view settling into a quiet live
in Southern England.
That existence, fell apart dramatically on Sunday, he and is 33-year-old daughter Julia collapsed in a park bench triggering a huge emergency
response, investigators led by Scotland Yard's counterterrorism command are now working to confirm what deadly substance the pair was exposed to and
how it happened. Police has studied in this security video, believe to show the father and daughter shortly before they collapsed. Britain's
government is watching this all unfolds very closely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Only members will make echoes of the death (inaudible) in 2006.
BLACK: Alexander Litvinenko was a former Russian spy who fled to the U.K., work with British intelligence and became a loud critic of Russia's
government and its leader Vladimir Putin. He died slowly and painfully after consuming tea that had been poisoned with a radioactive substance
polonium 210. A public inquiry likely found a plot to kill him likely went all the way to the very top of Russia's government. Speaking in parliament
about this latest artistry, the British foreign secretary tried walking a delicate line between warning Moscow while not directly accused the Russian
state responsibility.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If those sufficient proof to be well found then this government will take whatever measures we deem necessary to protect the
lives of the people in this country, our values and our freedoms. And no and not now pointing fingers (inaudible). I say the government surround
the world that no attempt to take innocent life on U.K. soil would go either unsanctioned or unpunished.
BLACK: Russian officials have always denied having any role in Litvinenko death they now insisting they know nothing about how Sergei Skripal and his
daughter fell gravely ill. Very little is known about Skripal life in Salisbury, but his experience suffering here before his wife and son were
buried in recent years in a local cemetery. Many of the details of Sergei Skripal dramatic and shadowy life are still hidden the Russian intelligence
officer who was turn and betray his motherland seeking safety in a beautiful corner of England, but never finding peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: Becky in addition to the Litvinenko case, all the prominent Russians have died in this country and circumstances but some people have
considered suspicious, but publicly British authorities have never drawn any link between those cases and the Russian state. Now is the direct
result of what took place in this park behind me, opposition politicians here demanding, the British government authorities here to re-examine those
cases, back to you.
ANDERSON: Phil Black on this story for you in Salisbury in England. Now a former British ambassador to Russia says despite it's like being seven
years since Skripal move to the U.K. as part of his spy swapped that Phil has said described Russian intelligence agency don't forget things quickly,
they are cited in the Financial Times everyone said even is true that is the particular crime was to give away the names and agents working in
Europe that would be a good motive for revenge the question perhaps that is why it might've taken so long. Andrew Wood joining is now from London and
sir in advance of hearing from authorities following that counterterror meeting this morning the cobra meeting, let us just remind our viewers once
again exactly what we know about this case. In the past few days we had learned that on Sunday a man and woman were found slumped on a bench in
Salisbury and that man was officially identified as a former Russian double agent the following day and things developed much further Tuesday when the
counterterrorism unit took charge of the investigation and we heard from the Kremlin which says it does not have any information. So Andrew what do
you make of all this?
ANDREW WOOD, FORMER BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA: I just say first of all when I say a good virtue, that is a good virtue in the eyes of the victim
and cynical operatives that is what I meant, I think it is a good thing to do. It's very hard to decide exactly why if he was such a dangerous person
when he was in prison they didn't bother to kill him there in which they could have done and it is also hard to discover why the message of good
eight years since his (inaudible) to the U.K. if it was the Russian authorities to murder him here I didn't see any advantage to them at all,
except possibly in the very closed world of the Russian intelligence services to deter other people might possibly come forward with an effort
to help the west, more than I know actually why he was (inaudible) in the first, was that purely for money or because he realized the debts with
Russia was beginning to see some suffrage was there, I don't know.
ANDERSON: What you are saying is you want what we too presumed this has something to do with the Russians it is a mystery you say as to the timing
and why now.
WOOD: Yes. Some people targeted Russian election but they are all fix anyway, no need for that. Other people have supposed you might involve the
Mafia or something like that, but there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that, he hasn't spoken out publicly in U.K. about Russia, I think
his daughter has made some justified but unwelcome remarks on the equivalent of Facebook subject, but it is all tribunal stuff. So it is a
mystery.
ANDERSON: What this case could potentially mean then in U.K.-Russian relations in the same Financial Times article he was cited in the report
that if the U.K. decides that Russia is responsible for the latest incident and decides to impose punishment, potential measures include top of checks
on the providence of Russian money used to acquire property or assets in the U.K. and the Russian listings on the London stock market and in your
experience can you see this developing into a more than just a potential diplomatic route into something more economic?
WOOD: Yes it could. It should in any case be stronger checks on Russian money comes from this country whether it's in any way laundered -- they are
all checks, they they could toughen up I think is quite a lot of pressure for that in general, but I think it was also remember that this is a
Western wide problem, it is not just the U.K.-Russian problem. It is an attitude that the Russian stays on his ruling group within it had
(inaudible) West as a whole and they think it's all right to murder their own people abroad no matter what time. They think it's all right to tell
lies and to try to influence elections and so on and so forth. So I think there is a common interest in getting up proper answers to this it is not
simply British-Russian affair.
ANDERSON: We will take an advertising break, I am afraid. It has been a pleasure having you on Andrew Wood former British ambassador to Russia,
thank you.
Still ahead just after this break a legal first for Germany, a group of far right extremist learned their fate after going on trial for attacking
refugees. The latest from Dresden is after this.
[10:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: A very warm welcome back and it is just after 7:00. No, it is not. Let me start again. It is just after half past 7:00
and I am Becky Anderson in the UAE, broadcasting from our Middle Eastern hub here.
A verdict is reached in a landmark case in Germany - eight members of the far-right Freital group of being found guilty of terror related crimes.
Now the seven men and one woman have been on trial for multiple bomb attacks against refugees. Hundreds of these crimes occur in Germany every
year but they have never been charged as terrorism in the federal court. That is until now. CNN's Atika Shubert is joining us now from outside the
courthouse in Dresden in Germany. Atika.
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That is right, Becky. I mean the judge read out the sentence, 10 years was the longest sentence for the
ringleaders, and all who are found guilty of being members of the terror organization.
Others were also found guilty of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. Basically this comes from the 20 -- in 2015 when they carried out a series
of violent attacks using explosive material that they purchased from the Czech Republic.
They brought it over and basically constructed improvised explosive devices and put it onto the windows of refugee homes. Now two people were injured
in those attacks nobody was killed fortunately but the judge pointed out that these could had been deadly attacks.
Now the defendants claim that these were spontaneous acts of violence. They admitted to carrying out the attacks but said that these had been
spontaneously basically done.
What the judge said was the nature of these attacks showed was that these were -- these were coordinated planned attacks and that therefore since
they worked as a group, they were also members of a terror organization. Becky.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. Atika Shubert told the story out of Dresden in Germany for you. Well, safe and unimpeded access aid shipments, the United
Nations secretary-general says that must happen now in Eastern Ghouta. He has urgently comes after eight convoys had to pull out of the Damascus
suburb on Monday because of fighting.
[10:35:03] And we are hearing only half of the food meant for Eastern Ghouta got in. Well, the Syrian government forces continue to pummel the
rebel enclave. The U.N. says more than 600 people have been killed in recent weeks.
Well pass months since this is the U.N.'s regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria crisis joining me now here in the studio and I know that you have
-- just before you join me on the set, being on the phone with two colleagues of yours on the ground in Eastern Ghouta. What are they telling
you?
PANOS MOUMTZI, U.N. REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR SYRIA CRISIS: So the stories we hear from people inside Ghouta is really, they are in a
desperate situation.
They are running low in food and for medical supplies but for the one thing they are asking most than everything or anything else is really safety --
the substation of facilities to be able to live in safety.
The family I was just talking -- it's a mother with four children who are been hiding in the basement and they said every night, we don't know if we
will going to see another day.
We don't know if a bomb is going to fall on our roof and if our building is going to become our graveyard. And that's really extraordinary to have
civilians being caught up in a situation. The basic rule flow is, we need to protect civilians.
ANDERSON: You call it extraordinary that civilians have caught up in this sort of situation but unfortunately, it is not extraordinary, is it? It is
happening all the time. We have watched the Syria crisis for now nearly seven years. And we have seen civilians again and again have been amidst
of this.
MOUMTZI: But this is really the part of Syria that is almost everything is accepted and the threshold of what we take in is as normal, really goes up
and up every day. And I think it isn't extraordinary, this is an extreme situation.
The secretary-general describe it as hell on earth. We are running out of words to be able really to explain the enormity of it, hundreds of people
being killed, thousands of people being displaced trough all the countries. It is not really -- it is a situation that requires a new action.
ANDERSON: Right. Well, know that some aide has arrived in the region but is really a drop in the bucket of course or a drop in the ocean if you
like. Aide work is off loaded, boxes on Monday before the shelling made it to dangerous. And we have got some images of that on the screen there.
And they had to watch while truck still full of food had to turn around and leave, we are told. And they were supposed to be delivering enough food
for more than 27,000 people and that again, just a drop in the ocean of course, that there are 400,000 civilians there.
So, as far as you understand it, what is getting in and what are the challenges -- we know, we have been reporting this for you, for example
that medical applies were taken off these trucks by the Syrian regime. Is that true?
MOUMTZI: That is absolutely true. Sadly, really what happens -- and it is not just on this convoy and all cross lying convoys we take -- we send,
systematically trauma kits, a number of medicaments are not allowed to take in.
And in East Ghouta, in particular, this is extraordinary because there's a number of people who are seriously injured. Hospitals are being attacked
there and hit. So, basically the moment it looks like it's blocked both ends.
We can either bring in the trauma kits, the surgical equipment that is needed really to save lives, women children, civilians, at the same time we
cannot take all the medical electricians, the people whose lives will be saved either are taking 10 miles down the road to hospital.
ANDERSON: And the two main rebel groups was operating in Eastern Ghouta says it will not leave the region despite reports of an offer of a safe
passage out.
Now Russian Defense Ministry is saying that it has promise to provide transport and security for the rebels and their families. One group tells
CNN, no official offer was made, and it categorically refuses to leave any way. It does look like some people could leave but they refused to.
MOUMTZI: What really needs to happen is all parts of the country need think with a solution of the protection of civilians. The freedom of
movement is very important. If a family -- if civilians want to get out, they should be allowed to go out.
Really, people should not be kept where they are. At the same time, of course assistance needs to come in. Everything must be done to really save
people's lives where they are. The war on terror does not just defines areas that are being bulldozer and being kept against -- people kept
against their will.
ANDERSON: You are the U.N.'s Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis -- I might ask you what keeps you awake at night but I assumed
it with Syria crisis. How exasperated are you? I mean, you are here in the UAE for example, you've been doing rounds of this region.
I know in past, it was western governments who are providing the sort of funding that would help to ensure that a crisis like this was relieved
eventually.
[10:40:00] Where do you see the optimism and the opportunities at this point?
MOUMTZI: I mean, first of all, we need the resources. The resources that need to come from a broad base of countries. So the moment we have seven
western countries who fund 90 percent of the response.
ANDERSON: Ninety.
MOUMTZI: Ninety. The vast majority of what is needed. So I'm here really to reach out, to really -- there is a tremendous generosity in this region
and really want to be able to work on a strategic level to help people in these situations. Access is our biggest nightmare.
The fact that continues in the following week, we cannot reach people in need. And in this 2.9 million people who are in hard-to-reach and besiege
areas, along besiegement, it is in the medieval tactic.
It is unacceptable that people who suffer, we cannot bring assistance where they are. The other issue of refinement, not just in Syria, in normal
crisis, is the protracted of the crisis -- currently loss for longer and longer which requires assistance.
Which we also shows a lack of the political diplomacy to be able to bring solutions to prevent but also find to solutions to this conflicts, which
means that we as humanitarians, have to intervene for year and near end, while hoping for a solution to come out.
The humanitarian response, it's a life-saving and it's a must. We must do it but really what is needed is a political switch over this crisis and to
come up quick enough to save lives.
ANDERSON: On March 15th, which, what next -- Thursday, if I am right in saying?
MOUMTZI: Yes.
ANDERSON: It will be seven years since the Syria crisis began. Do you see any momentum for a solution anytime soon? That will suit all Syrians.
MOUMTZI: Year 2018 started in a very dramatic way. Really, we all had hopes to see the development, whether the moment it looks far from it. The
multiple octaves on the ground and complicated the situation that is there, of course we have to put in our hopes of the political process.
And as I mentioned, there are process on the ground that has to bring a way forward. The people of Syria are desperate. Seven years is far too long,
enough is enough.
ANDERSON: He would -- I am sure, you'll forgive me if I said that the people in Syria have heard the tool they are wanting to see the world and
we know the world has let them down.
MOUMTZI: The world has not let them down and I think we continue to see a failure of the world diplomacy of the Security Council. I mean, we have a
Security Council resolution that is not applied. There has to be a political way. There has to be a conscious -- a conscious for humanity for
the people. There has to be above any other considerations.
ANDERSON: Thanks. It is a pleasure having you on. We have spoken before and from relatively remote places where you have been forecasting, too. It
is good to have you here.
MOUMTZI: Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: The U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria. Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World. Coming up, can Saudi Arabia's crown
prince rise above controversy and strengthen ties with the U.K. more as his visit there kicks off.
[10:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well to London where the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman is kicking off a three-day visit. He met with Queen Elizabeth
the second and has now arrived for a meeting with the Prime Minister Theresa May.
He is hoping to boost security and trade ties between two respective countries. CNN's Nic Robertson tells us there are mixed feelings about the
visit.
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NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mohammed Bin Salman or MBS as he is known reputation proceeds from the rising power, a force of change, but
also here in the U.K., MBS is a lightning rod for critics of Saudi's war in Yemen.
It has gone with the U.K. beyond his own family's ties to the U.K. royals is a lot about security. Saudi security and British arms exports a
mutually beneficial relationship is how those weapons are used in Yemen that in part pews its critics.
In response, Saudi forces has been opening up to questions, and if somebody calls and says hey, we have got a problem, we have just hit this by
mistake, the call comes in here, what happens then? And not just to ask, but the British and other officials to.
COLONEL TURKI AL-MALIKI, SAUDI COALITION SPOKESMAN: We are pledge to implement the law of conflict as stated in the Geneva Convention and also
an additional protocol.
ROBERTSON: Indeed. MBS has been ripping off the old Saudi playbook of a closed door and changing society. The religious police powers curtailed,
appointing rusted new younger ministers as well as arresting dozens of royals, businessmen and senior officials accused of corruption.
Also allowing women to drive, letting them have military jobs and attend sporting events. Baby steps in most societies, but giant leaps by Saudis
conservative standards. Guys, can I ask you a question? I sorted myself recently as I was interviewing young Saudis in Riyadh.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking Foreign Language)
ROBERTSON: Thank you very much, indeed. You can see the religious police near us telling everyone to pray, no one pays attention. It's such a
change. I am asking people what they think.
But I'm realizing walking the same streets two years later, it feels different to me. It's more relaxed. The religious police have lost their
authority here. The whole atmosphere just feels lighter.
MBS is on a mission, modernize his country so-called Vision 2030, breakout of hydrocarbons, create new industries and employ his country's young.
It is hugely ambitious and potentially riddled with pitfalls, a visit to London to meet with the prime minister, varnishes his credentials as a
reformer and may answer some of his critics. Nic Robertson, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well if you are watching in London, you may have seen these billboards ahead of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's visit, they are promoting
his modernization effort in his image with even screen on these vans outside the embassy for a Catholic country, that is the target of a Saudi-
led boycott.
Well, the Crown Prince has a lot to discuss with Prime Minister Theresa May. CNN's John Defterios is with us from our London bureau.
You normally hear with me in the Gulf as the region that you and I watch very, very closely, what does the crown prince has to offer a U.K.
preparing for Brexit by the way. And what will he be hoping to take away from London?
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think to out it, it is under the umbrella, Becky, of a strategic partnership council to go forward. We
are hearing numbers above to $100 billion of investment going into Saudi Arabia.
So that is the carrot to the U.K. But let's go back to the optics here, the arrival of the crown prince going to 10 Downing Street earlier, midday
here in the U.K., and audience with Queen Elizabeth nearly 60 years as senior, assuring her words of wisdom.
All laid out to underscore the bilateral relations between the U.K. and Saudi Arabia but I think very importantly, for the chaos and the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia is reboot in 2018, Becky, and I think that is underscoring that because of the corruption cracked down that took place in November,
sweeping in, nearly 400 Saudis netting $107 billion. But what sort of damage to the due to the reputation of the rule of law in Saudi Arabia.
[10:50:03] I think that is a key question and while I think was interesting, Queen Elizabeth had that audience with the crown prince.
There were very pointed questions during question time on the floor of parliament, questions surrounding, Nic's, reporting there on Yemen.
Weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, other use, real reforms taking place in Saudi Arabia, yes, when it comes to women but how about human rights going
forward.
So this is a very delicate balancing act. Saudi Arabia has very clear objectives here to reboot relations, try to attract investment but they
need to grow. There were in recession in 2017 because of oil correction, the IMF were suggesting after an upgrade of growth which is 1.6 percent.
As we know, the both of us know two thirds of the population is below the age of 30. They need to grow, create jobs and give hope to reforms, that
resonate outside of Saudi Arabia at the same. And I think that is what this trip is all about.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating. It is called Vision 2030 and the crown prince is absolutely determined it will work for those who of course under the age
of 30. Talking about change in the kingdom...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: How are you feeling?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I haven't slept from excitement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We will be talking about amongst other things tomorrow on what will be a special edition of Connect the World, marking International
Women's Day. So please do join us for that. I have got some fantastic guests for you.
Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World. Coming up, a driver in Virginia becomes what his own worst enemy. What ultimately brought down a
man fleeing from police, that is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: For your Parting Shots tonight, we go to the U.S. State of Virginia, that is where a suspect fleeing from police managed to get hit by
his own car. Police say the man took off when they tried to pull him over for a traffic stop.
After a chase, he tried to ditch the car and take on foot, but he forgot to put the vehicle in park. That is when he was taken down, he then quickly
hopped back up and kept on running until an officer caught him up.
The suspect is charged with driving while intoxicated plus a long list of other charges. Well, here is one for you, run over to our Facebook page
and we will drive you to some of the best content out there. That is Facebook.com/CNNconnect. I am Becky Anderson. That was Connect the World.
Thank you for watching.
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