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U.K. lawmakers to vote on possible No-Deal Withdrawal; EU Leaders Prepared for Possible No-Deal Brexit; Growing Safety Concerns over Boeing 737 Max 8; Thousands of ISIS Fighters Surrender amid Attack. Aired 11-12p ET
Aired March 13, 2019 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00] BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome, you're watching connect the world with me Becky Anderson, live from Abu Dhabi.
MPs losing their cool. The Prime Minister losing her voice and the U.K. risks losing any sort of deal for getting out of the EU. That's at least
if lawmakers approve a no-deal scenario when they vote in around four hours' time. If not, there will be yet another vote, this one on delaying
Brexit all together. This all comes after a huge defeat for Theresa May's deal in Parliament on Tuesday. But the European Union's chief negotiator,
Michel Barnier, today insists that is the only deal available. Something the Prime Minister has been doubling down on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I may not have my own voice, but I do understand the voice of the country. They want -- and that is people want
to leave the EU. They want to end free movement. They want to have our own trade policy. They want to insure laws are made in this country and
judged in our courts. That's what the deal delivers, that's what I continue to work to deliver.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That's the Prime Minister. Julia Chatterley watching all of this unfold outside the Palace of Westminster. That was yesterday, this is
today. What does it have in store for us -- Julia?
JULIA CHATTERLEY, CNN BUSINESS ANCHOR, FIRST MOVE: Plenty. That's the answer, lots of things being lost here, Becky, as you pointed out. But not
the will to bring you the details. Let's talk you through, what's going to be a long and busy day here. Let's bring in our Nina dos Santos at Downing
Street and Erin McLaughlin who is in Brussels for us, too.
Nina I'll come to you first. Just walk us through what we're expecting in the coming hours. Not only the debate that takes place behind me in
Parliament today, but also what culminates in a vote tonight on whether or not to rule out a no-deal exit. At least temporarily. Talk us through it.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, we've already had a couple of events to talk about in the start of the day as well. Remember Theresa
May rallied her cabinet after that spectacular second defeat on that withdrawal agreement yesterday. And also, her chancellor, Phillip Hammond
has had to come out with his spring statement. The sort of mini budget of the year, if you like and that offered some sobering statistics that may
will crystallize many a voting MPs' mind when they do have to vote on whether or not to eliminate a no-deal scenario at about 7:00 p.m. local
time, later on today. Before that, as you said, there's going to be a hefty amount of debate in the House of Commons. We've heard the Prime
Minister take the dispatch box saying that she still believes that no-deal is better than a bad deal. But she has tried twice now to put on the table
what she feels is a good deal for the country.
At times for a second day in a row she was pained to try and make that clear. Through a croaky throat she said, I may have lost my voice, but I
am very well aware of what the voice of the country is at this point.
In the real concern here is for the Conservative Party is that they've got to do something to deliver Brexit. And that will also involve trying to --
at least with this vote -- trying to again get some of those Euroskeptics on board who had preferred to see a no-deal scenario. Either at the end of
this month on 29 March when Brexit is set to happen or a managed no-deal scenario in a couple of months' time before May the 22nd.
Now to also to focus people's minds as promised, the government has come out with their trade tariff barrier plans in the event of the U.K. leaving,
by the end of this month without a deal. And those as had been speculated last week involve removed 87 percent of tariff barriers on goods. And 87
percent of goods by value with certain industries being protected.
So a couple of key policies, a spring statement put on the line that showed that the U.K.'s economy was suffering from the uncertainty of Brexit.
Phillip Hammond, the chancellor, Julia said, that the economy was likely to grow below 2 percent for the next five years to come. But he promised this
-- austerity would end if MPs eventually voted for a deal and it isn't ruled out that Theresa May after this, no-deal vote this evening and
tomorrow's vote on whether or not to delay Brexit, is not ruled out that she might not try again for a third time with a meaningful vote to bring
this plan of hers back to Parliament in a couple of months' time -- Julia.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, and after what we've seen we'll rule nothing out at this stage. Our Nina dos Santos there, thank you for that.
Let's move on to Erin now. Let's fast forward and assume that we have the vote tomorrow that we decide to postpone delaying Brexit beyond March 29th.
The question then of course is, what will the EU say to that?
[11:05:00] Given that the message this morning has been very firm. For what purpose, what are you going to come up with in a few weeks? Talk us
through the prospects here -- Erin.
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, right now here in Brussels, the working assumption is that the MPs tonight in Westminster will move to try
to prevent the no-deal scenario and then they'll vote for an extension on Thursday.
But as you say, Julia, to what end? It was a question asked by Michel Barnier, the chief Brexit negotiator in Strasbourg earlier today. Saying
that any request for an extension needs to be proceeded with a clear vision by the United Kingdom of how they see the future relationship playing out.
We still don't know after all of these months of negotiations, just precisely what kind of relationship the U.K. wants with the European Union.
And it's something that EU officials, EU leaders have asked over and over and over again.
The fact of the matter is when it comes to that extension, it is yet to have been discussed by the 27 leaders at an official level. And that's
because the request has not been made. And Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor today saying that she wants to see how things play out in terms
of these votes over the next couple of days before really, kind of examining what happens next. Take a listen to what she had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): Of course an orderly exit of Great Britain remains our goal and we have not given up on
that in the last few days. But due to yesterday's vote the options have of course been reduced. But how exactly things will continue I will be able
to say only when I see the British votes over the next two days. Which may also give us some direction on what to consider then.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCLAUGHLIN: I was speaking to an EU official just yesterday, and he was telling me that in his view, if a request is made, the U.K. will need to
answer three questions. The first being in terms of that extension, how long do they want that extension to last for. The second being the purpose
of the extension, and then the third of course being the effect on EU institutions, namely Parliamentary elections.
They're very aware of the fact that European Parliament elections are expected in May. Any extension beyond July 2 would require the U.K. to
participate in those elections. Which presents a whole new political problem for Theresa May and the United Kingdom.
CHATTERLEY: Nothing about this is simple, that's the underlying message here. Nina dos Santos and Erin McLaughlin, thank you so much for that.
Now Gina Miller successfully took the British government to court to force the Prime Minister to consult Parliament before triggering Article 50 and
she joins us now. Fantastic to have you on the show. I'm sure even at that point you were expecting what we seen subsequently.
GINA MILLER, FOUNDING PARTNER, SCM GROUP: No.
CHATTERLEY: But do you expect Parliament tonight, first of all, to vote to rule out a no-deal exit? And where does that get us?
MILLER: Tonight's vote is a bit of a trick I'm afraid. Because these amendments are advisory, they're not going to replace the law and at the
moment on the statuary book on the 29th of March, we leave. So unless there's an act of Parliament that reverses or replaces that, we will be
leaving with no-deal. So this amendment, as I said, in the wording that we've seen so far is not actually what the Prime Minister promised. It
would delay it for maybe a day but that's about it. It really does have to be an act of Parliament.
CHATTERLEY: And this day, in fact. Because ee then go on to the vote tomorrow, which could potentially, we see Parliament potentially vote to
extend beyond March 29 at that point. And then the ball is jointly in the EU's court if Parliament decide to vote for that.
MILLER: Yes.
CHATTERLEY: And we have to negotiate a time horizon upon which to delay. You've just come back from Brussels.
MILLER: The mood in Brussels is definitely hardening, it's moved from one of sort of anxiety and frustration to anger. And there is definitely a
very palpable mood of the U.K. should just go now because we are being so disruptive and they've got other things to focus on. They're worried about
China. They're worried about America. They're worried about the new makeup of the Parliament that will come in after these elections. Which
will probably move towards the right. You know, they're saying we cannot hold back for the U.K. to put its house in order all the time.
CHATTERLEY: What does it mean in practice though? Because there will be Remainers, and there will be Brexiteers watching this and going -- look, if
the he EU want to get rid of us, great. You know what, help us, make this easier, instead of continuing to play hardball.
MILLER: But they haven't lied.
This is what is really difficult and what is really frustrating for the EU. Is that this withdrawal agreement was designed by the U.K.? They did not
design this withdrawal agreement. So they had no reason to think that it would not pass through Parliament. And actually they have given as much as
they can, because we are the leaving member state.
[11:10:00] And the idea that they will, if you like, tear apart the principles and the four freedoms and the way they act as a union for us,
the member. It's like saying we want to play football, but we want to use our hands as well as our feet. It's just not possible.
CHATTERLEY: Or rugby ball.
MILLER: Or rugby. It's not possible. It's just not possible. So the frustration there is that we don't know what we actually want.
CHATTERLEY: We're plotting this course and we can't decide what we want.
OK, let's bring it back to what we heard this morning. Because there were some very important things said in Parliament this morning. Coming from
the Chancellor of the Exchequer as well, Phillip Hammond. And perhaps an overture. Look, now we need to come together. We they'd to find some kind
of agreement and got one heck of a look from the Prime Minister.
MILLER: Yes, well today he was supposed to make a statement on the spring budget. I mean, that's what he was there to do. Standing up to do in
Parliament today. And he did make this overture of coming together and really it was a plea for a soft Brexit. Somewhere in the middle. Because
rather than binary deal or no-deal, it was something in the middle. And the look from Mrs. May was very much a Mitch's crunch mill, you know the
head mistress saying excuse me, little boy, you're misbehaving. I mean, she looked so angry.
CHATTERLEY: Where do we go from here? What happens? I mean, you were the one who said to the government -- look, Parliament needs to make a decision
on invoking Article 50. To that effect article has to make a decision -- sorry, the Parliament has to make a decision at some point to revoke
Article 50. Do we get there ultimately?
MILLER: It's very frustrating to me because exactly, I fought for Parliament to have a voice and actually these indicative votes will
probably end up with next week. As to know which path we take. Should have actually happened before they triggered Article 50. We're in the mess
we're in, because apart from 114 MPs, the rest of that House voted through something with no plan and no idea where we're going. So they're now
trying to play catch-up when we have hardly any time left. And that House is now going to have to stand up and do the hard work of either deciding to
revoke, I think that's where we end up --
CHATTERLEY: Is it?
MILLER: -- revoke or say yes there's an extension. But it has to be a reason. And that is either going to be for an election or a People's Vote.
Because on their own they seem incapable of deciding on a decisive route forward.
CHATTERLEY: Do you think it ends up back with the British people?
MILLER: I've always thought it would do. I've never been sure if it would be a public vote or an election. But I think either way. And actually it
is the most democratic thing to do. Because now we know what Brexit really looks like, then people should ratify that. But obviously as a
representative of democracy, it would have been less disruptive I feel if Parliament could sort it out.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, and a lot of these decisions were made before.
MILLER: Yes. I mean, it's completely back to front.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, it's back to front. Gina, fantastic to chat with you. Thank you for that. Gina miller, business owner and activist who took the
British government to court over Brexit. That's all from Westminster for the moment.
Becky, I'll hand it back to you.
ANDERSON: Here's a thought -- viewers, for what it's worth. With practically no voice of our own, as we pointed out, the Prime Minister says
she understands the voice of the country. But many will say that Brexit is nothing more than an age-old fight within her own party. If the Prime
Minister was really listening to the voice of the country, as she says she is, she would hear the growing call that the people who need to resolve
Brexit are the people themselves. Who increasingly see this government and this Parliament as abject failures in what is turning into nothing short of
a fiasco. Let's see what happens in the next 48 hours. The country's future at stake.
Still to come, more countries around the world are grounding Boeing 737 Max aircraft after two deadly crashes in just five months. But two nations say
there's no reason to keep those planes out of the sky.
And CNN speaks to the founder and CEO of China's Huawei. As his company pushes back against being labeled by the U.S. as a threat to national
security.
[11:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You're watching CNN. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. Just 7:15 here in the UAE.
More from Westminster as we count down to another crucial vote on Brexit later this hour.
Meantime, safety concerns are growing over Boeing's 737 Max 8 aircraft after Sunday's fatal plane crash in Ethiopia that killed all 157 people on
board. Now it was the second time in less than five months that one of those planes went down just minutes after takeoff. More than half of all
Boeing 737 Max fleet have now been grounded around the world. Aviation authorities in the U.K. and Germany France, and here in the UAE are among
the countries that ordered none of planes fly in their air space, but the U.S. and Canada are not on that list.
U.S. aviation authorities says there's no reason to believe that the planes are unsafe. Let's bring in CNN's aviation analyst Mary Schiavo, joining us
live by Skype from the U.S. tonight. Around the world, Mary, aviation rectors clearly losing faith in the aircraft. So why the reticence from
the North Americans to follow suit? .
OK. I don't think she's ignoring me, I don't think she can hear me. Mary, can you hear me? She can't, all right. Let's move on.
While investigators try to figure out what brought the plane down, last Sunday, families from around the world are grieving their lost loved ones,
of course. CNN spoke to one Kenyan family trying to come to terms with a sudden and devastating loss. Here's Farai Sevenzo's report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FARAI SEVENZO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After a death there are prayers. This family in Nairobi, Kibera neighborhood is mourning a loved
one lost too soon. Abdulhai Ibrahim Mohamed was a victim of the ill-fated Ethiopia 302 flight. But without his Abdulhai's body, a special prayer is
required.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This one was done especially for this case. It's not every day that we are faced with such circumstances. But this is a very
special circumstance. That called for a very special prayer that is only done for somebody who is absent.
SEVENZO: Abdulhai, 34, worked as a lab technician in Saudi Arabia. He had decided to pay his family a surprise visit, his father told CNN. He called
them the day before to say he was coming home. It was a life of distance and separation from his family home in Kibera. But for him it was worth
it, his mother says, as he wanted to change his family's fortunes.
KALTUMA ABDALLAH, MOTHER OF CRASH VICTIM (through translator): He had many plans. He said when he comes back, he would buy us some land and build us
a palatial home. As long as we continued to pray for him to stay alive. If he's alive, he would do it for us. But God cut short his life.
[11:20:00] SEVENZO: Abdulhai became one of 157 people whose lives were cut short on a Boeing 737 Sunday. Missing from this family's scene is
Abdulhai's young wife and his elderly father. Both now in Ethiopia to find his body and bring him home. And this matters to his mom.
ABDALLAH (through translator): If it's ashes, I want them to bring them. If it's bones, I want them to bring them. As long as we see him. That is
the only way we can move on.
SEVENZO: Farai Sevenzo, CNN, Nairobi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Try and speak to our aviation analyst, Mary Schiavo now. We were discussing the idea that more than half of all Boeing 737 Max fleet
now been grounded around the world. Aviation authorities including here in the UAE and across the Middle East among the countries who ordered that
none of these planes fly in their air space. The U.S. and Canada not on that list. Aviation authorities in North America say there's no reason to
believe the planes are unsafe.
Mary, I think I have you now. I think you dropped out just before I asked you this question a little earlier. So let me put it to you again. Why is
it that if aviation regulators around the world have clearly got some issues, with this aircraft, if not, are losing faith with it why the
reticence from the North Americans? MARY SCHIAVO, CNN AVIATION ANALYST (via Skype): Well because in the United
States, the Federal Aviation Administration generally takes its cues, it listens to Boeing and other manufacturers and the airlines. And in fact
considers, for example, they openly state that the airplanes are their customers of the FAA. So the FAA often does take the cues from the airline
and the manufacturers of equipment. And so, this is not unlike other circumstances. Except in this case the Federal Aviation Administration
looks particularly ridiculous. Because you cannot say an aircraft is safe when two have fallen out of the sky and on the second one, you don't know
why.
ANDERSON: Also, CNN has been learning at least five pilots have logged complaints in the past, Mary. About the 737 Max jet.
One incident report said and I quote, the aircraft accelerated normally and the captain engaged the "A" auto pilot after reaching set speed. Within
two or three seconds the aircraft pitched nose-down. The captain immediately disconnected the auto pilot and pitched into a climb, the
remainder of the flight was uneventful. We discussed departure at length and I reviewed in my mind our automation set-up and flight profile. Can't
think of any reason the aircraft would pitch nose-down so aggressively.
Many will say at this point if it isn't clear, as you right will point out, why these two planes went down. Then there are clearly huge concerns about
whether these planes are safe or not. It's normally an abundance of caution, we hear in a situation like this. It does seem rather remarkable,
doesn't it then? That the FAA has taken this position?
SCHIAVO: Yes and the reports of the pilots that you just pointed out are hugely important for a couple of reasons. First of all, the reporting line
that they use is a reporting line that promises anyone that reports things on this reporting line, amnesty and anonymity if they want it.
But the purpose of it is so the government can analyze trends and analyze the data if something is going wrong. So across the system, for example,
if they get more than one report, they'd want to look into whether there's a trend or a problem with the airplane or some other method or some other
mode of operation, et cetera. But in this case, they've had five reports and they're supposed to be doing trend analysis with the data.
Instead what do we get, after the second, after Ethiopian plane went down, the FAA says we have no evidence to indicate that there's a problem with
the plane. Well if they don't, it's because it was, see no evil, hear no evil. They did not go look. They just accepted this. And it says it in
papers that they issued, they just accepted what Boeing told them and said there's no problem. When obviously, common sense and your own eyes would
tell you that there is.
ANDERSON: Mary, very briefly. A slightly odd tweet from Donald Trump after this Boeing incident. You know, I'm not suggesting there is a direct
line between the two, but he tweeted -- planes, he said are becoming far too complex to fly. He criticizes airplane technology. What did you make
of that tweet, briefly?
SCHIAVO: Well I'm just going to assume the President of the United States did not have time to read up on in their voluminous and sometimes the
they're not very exciting.
[11:25:00] But did not have time to read up on aviation safety statistics. And if he had time to read up on aviation safety statistics, he would find
out that modern advancements and these new-fangled things that he's complaining about, have dramatically improved aviation safety. Things like
collision avoidance systems, ground proximity warning systems, wind shear warning systems. Enhancements in the cockpit, smoke and fire detention,
all of those have dramatically increased aviation safety. So those new- fangled things will save lives, not hurt us, usually.
ANDERSON: Mary, always a pleasure, thank you.
SCHIAVO: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Your insight and analysis extremely valuable at this point. Thank you.
Well the CEO and founder of Huawei tells CNN his firm's lawsuit against the U.S. is about quote, making our voice heard. The tech company, huge tech
company, filed the suit last week, challenging a law that bans U.S. federal agencies from buying Huawei products. The U.S. says Huawei's
telecommunications equipment could be used for spying. Well in an interview with CNN, the founder questioned that reasoning and says that his
company filed the suit to prevent misunderstanding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REN ZHENGFEI, FOUNDER OF HUAWEI (through translator): Why is Huawei being singled out? There's no Huawei equipment in the U.S. networks. Has that
made the U.S. networks totally safe? If not, how can they tell other countries that your network should be safe without Huawei? That's why we
want to make clear our stance by suing U.S. government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well Ren also said his company would be willing to sign no spy agreements and said Huawei has never been asked to spy by the Chinese
government.
Let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are on our radar right now.
U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman has -- or certainly could learn his fate any moment now in a second sentencing hearing. He
told the court he is, quote, sorry for his crimes in this case. Which include conspiracy against the United States. The court is now back in
session after a short break.
A judge in Australia has sentenced Cardinal George Pell to six years in prison for sexually abusing two choir boys in the late 1990s. Pell, who
was the Vatican treasurer is the Catholic Church's most senior figure to be convicted of sex abuse. His lawyers are appealing the conviction.
And the U.S. Justice Department is charging 50 people, including Hollywood actresses, and CEOs with participating in a scam to cheat admission rules
to elite colleges in America. Parents are accused of paying thousands or in some cases millions of dollars to get their kids into highly selective
schools. Including Yale, UCLA and the University of Texas. It's thought to be the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted.
It's 28 minutes past 7:00 in Abu Dhabi. You're with CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson
Coming up, chaos in Britain, and that is an understatement. We are hours away from a potentially historic vote -- another one. This time on whether
Britain should leave the EU with to deal at all. More on that coming up.
[11:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back. Half past 7:00 here, and if you're just joining us, you're more than welcome.
Let's turn our attention back to what is another momentous day for the U.K. The Prime Minister's first line of defense is down, and Brexit looking more
uncertain than ever. Mrs. May hoped her withdrawal proposal would pass yesterday. It didn't, not even close it has to be said. In a shattering
defeat. British lawmakers torpedoed Mrs. May's plan for a second time. To be honest, it looked pretty much the same.
Now there's another vote in mere hours. This time the question is, perhaps even higher stakes again, should the U.K. leave the EU with no-deal at all?
A spectacular act of self-harm says one commentator, should that happen. To many, it's a nightmare scenario. But Mrs. May maintains it's not the
worst option.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: I want to leave the European Union with a good deal, I believe we have a good deal. Yes, no-deal is better than a bad deal. But I want --
I've been working for us to leave on the 29th of March and leave with a good deal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Let's get you back into the thick of it. Julia Chatterley holding the fort from outside the U.K. Parliament. Julia, it's busy in all
those hallowed halls and in that chamber. But you've been speaking to people outside. You've been talking to sources. What's the atmosphere
like?
CHATTERLEY: Confused. I don't think people know what to do. I don't think people know what's going to happen. Even if we see positive or
negative votes over the next two days, the implications, the options here are numerous and that's part of the problem.
Let me try to answer some of them at least in the short-term. What happens beyond today's vote on leaving with no-deal? It could be complicated.
More complicated. Let's look at some of the possibilities.
If lawmakers vote yes, then the U.K. will go out of the EU with no assurances in place. Automatically reverting to World Trade Organization
rules. But if they vote no, there will be another vote on Thursday on requesting an extension. If that's a no, well then, it's anybody's guess.
This string of Brexit setbacks is fueling calls by lawmakers for a second referendum. And while some who voted for Brexit may also be having second
thoughts, not the people of Whitby, England. Our Phil Black spoke to fishermen We talked to fishermen who can't wait to get out of the EU.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On England's blustery northeast coast, the spectacular ruins of Whitby Abbey crowned the cliffs
overlooking the towns harbor. Whitby's immense brick walls have long sheltered fishing boats from the power of the North Sea. But the harbor is
surprisingly quiet. This is a proud fishing town that just doesn't do a lot of fishing anything more.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As you can see, Whitby now is just a shadow of its former self.
BLACK: The Harbor Side tea shed is where lifelong fishermen like Richard Brewer gathered a chat, swap stories and grumble about their number one
enemy, the European Union.
[11:35:00] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just disgusted with them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How the fishing industry has been treated over the years.
BLACK: It's a common view here. Blaming EU-imposed quotas for all almost wiping out Whitby's fleet.
(on camera): What has been a member of the European Union meant for this town, your industry?
JAMES COLES, FISHERMAN: It's absolutely decimated the coast. We used to have twentysomething fleet here. Each brought out four or five men going
to sea.
BLACK (voice-over): It's why so many voted for Brexit and they want it to happen as soon as possible regardless of the Prime Minister's repeated
failed efforts to get a deal through Parliament.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We want a really good deal, but we dictate who fishes our waters. Or we want a no-deal and everybody out and then we still
dictate who comes to fish in our waters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we got a no-deal. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
BLACK: Up the hill we find more of Whitby's living history. Barry Brown's great, great grandfather started smoking herring here 147 years ago. Barry
is an optimistic Brexiteer and a pragmatic supporter of Theresa May's efforts.
BARRY BROWN, FORTUNE'S KIPPERS: I think she's doing all right to be fair. You know, she's trying her best. It may not be to everybody's liking. It
may not be completely to my liking but come to a middle ground somewhere.
BLACK: But this part of England isn't just about fish and there are people here who fear Brexit will bring more pain. This tattoo lover Chris
Warrior, says Brexit uncertainty has already triggered redundancies at the local plastics company where he works.
(on camera): Are you worried?
CHRIS WARRIOR, WHITBY RESIDENT: I am, yes, personally, I am. Because I'll probably be one of the next ones if anyone else goes. So personally I'm
worried.
BLACK: Some people in Whitby ask, what would James Cook make of all this? The town's most famous resident. One of the Britain's greatest maritime
explorers was the first to chart much of the Pacific Ocean, including New Zealand and parts of Australia. Celebrating world-changing achievements
that somehow seem far less challenging than solving the mysteries and contradictions at the heart of Brexit. Phil black, CNN, Whitby, Northeast
England.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHATTERLEY: I want to stay on this subject. Because as this situation becomes increasingly unpredictable. The option, the probability perhaps of
giving the vote back to the people, may be increasingly likely. Someone could actually like to see that happen is British Labour MP, Rushanara Ali
and she joins us here now. Fantastic to have you with us.
After the votes, vote votes that we might see this week, first to potentially rule out a no-deal Brexit, then perhaps to extend Article 50,
beyond March 29th. Is the probability here of giving this back to the people and the absence of Parliament being able to make a decision more
likely?
RUSHANARA ALI, BRITISH LABOUR MP: First of all, what's absolutely clear is that Theresa May's deal is dead in the water. Twice Parliament has
overwhelmingly voted it down. She is still clinging on to a hope she might be able to bring it back. Which is just insane, frankly. And it is now
absolutely vital that we insure today that the no-deal option is taken off the table. That's why I'll be voting to make sure that doesn't. That we
keep no-deal off the agenda. There is an amendment that Caroline Spelman, a Conservative MP and Jack Dromey have put together. Which many of us have
supported. Because we should not support no-deal under any circumstances. Because that would be catastrophic for our economy.
The second thing is, that we do need as you pointed out, to extent Article 50. Because Theresa May has wasted the last three months, frankly by
delaying her votes. When that time could have been used to look at what the alternative options would be. Where there is support in the House for
a different approach. She needs to remove her red lines because that's what's actually prevented us from having a deal that is acceptable for
members of Parliament.
For instance, I would have been interested in a deal that included single- market access and remaining in the customs union. Because 80 percent of our economy is a service sector economy. My constituency is surrounded by
the financial centers, and the city of London. $1.2 trillion is being moved out of the U.K.
(CROSSTALK)
ALI: What we need -- they were promised they weren't be worse off and we are going to be worse off, we're already worse off. And Theresa May's
transition deal, this deal that keeps failing, she doesn't listen, is going to make the economy almost 4 percent worse off. If we crash out, 8 percent
worse off. That's many, many more jobs at risk. We've seen that with the announcements by manufacturing -- in manufacturing.
So we need a public vote. Because, because actually, Parliament hasn't been able to settle this. And frankly, if Theresa May is so confident that
this deal is the deal that's going to save the nation.
[11:40:00] She shouldn't be afraid of putting it back to the people. Along with the option to remain, which is what I'm campaigning for with many
other colleagues in Parliament.
CHATTERLEY: You know, the problem is, the leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, had the opportunity to step up yesterday. When we saw that and
say, you know what, OK, we need to go back to the people. We need to give them a vote. We need to perhaps allow the people -- now that they have
greater knowledge -- to change their minds. Instead he didn't. He said we have to go to a general election.
ALI: He didn't, actually. What he said was that because her red lines were to rule out the single-market access and customs union, it has meant
that she got herself into a strait jacket. Because she appeasing the European research group, the right wing of her party, over and above
everybody else and the national interests. And if you remove the obstacles as the EU negotiators have said, there would have been a possibility for a
different kind of arrangement and a deal. So he's right to point out. He's right to point that out that it's better to have a general election in
the like that the fact that the government has proven that it's lost control.
Now we have said and he has said, and others across the party have said we will move to a public vote. But it is right to keep all options open. But
absolutely, Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party is committed to a public vote. Because what we have agreed in our conference policy was exactly
that. And we have tried. We have exhausted the other options.
But that doesn't mean if we get an extension for a few months, it doesn't mean that there isn't this -- there shouldn't be this space to look at the
different options, within the House to see where there is a majority, where there is consensus. I believe that consensus needs to be built around a
public vote. So that we don't waste more time. The danger is Theresa May might get an extension for a couple of months, but she carries on running
down the clock. That's why it's very important that we're clear what that time is going to be used for.
CHATTERLEY: So a public vote on something, but there's nothing to vote on right now. But we have to leave it there. Rushanara Ali, the challenge
continues. We will certainly be watching the vote tonight here very closely. CONNECT THE WORLD continues after a short break. Stay with us.
[11:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: All right, any minute now, Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, will learn the results of a second sentencing hearing. Paul
Manafort has already been sentenced as you are likely to remember to 47 months in a separate hearing last week.
Earlier today he told the court he is, quote, sorry for his crimes in this case, which include conspiracy against the United States. But in preparing
to deliver the sentence, the judge has had some harsh words for Manafort. As we get that sentencing delivered, we will of course bring it straight to
you.
U.S.-backed forces in Syria say we are witting the final moments of ISIS. But the terror group still holding on to its last tiny sliver of land
despite the fiercest bombardment yet.
[11:45:00] Our CNN team on the ground filmed this exclusive footage showing the intensity of the fight to drive ISIS out of its final stronghold. More
than 3,000 fighter have already surrendered. CNN's Ben Wedeman reporting on the ground in Syria. He has the latest from the frontlines for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: What we hear behind me is actually an ammunition depot of some sort that's been hit. And so,
there are probably thousands, tens of thousands of rounds going out somewhere behind that thick pall of smoke that's been rising from the jump
yard that is all that remains of the so-called Islamic state.
We have been watching since about 6:00 p.m. local time last night, a very heavy bombardment, with artillery mortars and multiple heavy air strikes.
There's been a lot of exchange of machine gun fire as well. ISIS we're told, has actually tried to counterattack. Oh, it's really windy up here.
I'm just cannot have to hold on to the wall.
Taking two positions that were previously held by the Syrian Democratic Forces. They're also using one of their old methods which is suicide car
bombs, five of them being used overnight. That hampering the progress of the troops. But every officer, commander with the Syrian Democratic Forces
we speak to say that there will be no pause to this battle. That they are going to continue and intensify until they finally defeat what is left of
the so-called Islamic state.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That's Ben Wedeman reporting just a little earlier.
Several women's rights activists are on trial in Saudi Arabia. They were detained last year. Just before a ban on women driving was lifted. Now
the activists include l Loujain al-Hathloul who has gone to jail several times for getting behind the wheel of a car. Her family says she has no
access to a lawyer and says she has been whipped, beaten and subjected to electric shocks while in detention. The Saudi head of a Washington-based
think tank spoke to CNN's Fareed Zakaria.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALI SHIHABI, FOUNDER, ARABIA FOUNDATION: Wrenching change from above in any society throughout history, is extremely dangerous. And the Saudi
government has gotten more authoritarian over the last two years, hoping to keep the ship together. Now has there been elements of overreach?
Certainly. I mean, with the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, with the arresting of the women, there has been overreach and I think the government realizes
that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That was Ali Shibabi.
Dozens of countries, including every member of the European Union are calling on Saudi Arabia to release the women on trial.
It is just after quarter to 8:00 in the UAE. Still ahead, athletes from around the world are descending here on Abu Dhabi, as the city hosts a
record-setting Special Olympics World Games. Coming up we'll chat with a swimmer about what pumped him up before a big race.
[11:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Waiting for news from Washington where Donald Trump's former campaign chairman will learn the results of a second sentencing hearing any
minute now. Earlier today, Paul Manafort told the court he is sorry for his crimes in this case, which included conspiracy against the United
States. But in preparing to deliver the sentence, the judge has had some pretty harsh words for Manafort.
Saying in part, Manafort, quote, isn't being straight with me now. Manafort has been sentenced to 47 months in a separate hearing in front of
a federal judge. More on that as we get it of course.
Well the biggest Special Olympics World Games ever will be held right here in Abu Dhabi starting tomorrow. It is an event that we are very excited
about here on CONNECT THE WORLD. Seven and a half thousand athletes with intellectual disabilities from more than 190 countries set to compete.
People of determine including 16-year-old swimmer Conor Conway who had barely dipped his toes in the water until a few months ago. Have a look at
this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CONOR CONWAY, SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETE: I'm really proud of being an athlete. It always feels like being on top of the world -- actually.
My dad does help me to get in and out of my suit. It feels like that I'm being squeezed in like a pinprick, of a pineapple.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, you're good. Ready to have me zip it up.
CONWAY: Having a song in your head help you to take your mind off swimming. Sometimes I'll play, "Somebody Told Me".
It feels like that I'm swimming like Michael Phelps.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keep going. Come on, mate.
CONWAY: Debbie is one of my coaches. Debbie tells me how I can improve my strokes.
I've got about five people in my family. Including myself, my dad, my sister, my brother, and my mom. I eat healthy. My favorite meal is
margherita pizza.
ANDERSON: I thought I'd come out for a bit of a spin on the track. I'm a bit rusty at the moment and it is divisional day here at the Special
Olympics for the cyclists. If I can find somebody to go for a bit of a spin with me. Hang on a minute. Didn't you guys win gold and silver the
other day in the triathlon? Hey, how are you? Micah?
MICAH HAMBLETON: Yes.
ANDERSON: Jonah. You want to come for a spin?
JONAH HAMBLETON: Sure.
ANDERSON: Come on then, be careful, I might beat you. How long have you guys been cycling?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About nine months competitively.
ANDERSON: Nine months competitively. Are you enjoying it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Most of the time.
ANDERSON: Why triathlon, guys?
JONAH: Because I didn't like open water swimming.
ANDERSON: You still got to swim.
JONAH: Yes, but it's not as long.
ANDERSON: It's shorter.
How did it feel winning the gold and the silver recently?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well after the race, I wasn't sure if I would place. Then they posted in the athletes' lounge. They posted the results and it
came out as me being first overall.
ANDERSON: I know that the English triathlon brothers say that they really, really encourage each other during the race. Is it similar for you guys?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we do encourage each other sometimes.
ANDERSON: Should we see how good you guys are? You want to race?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow, it took forever.
ANDERSON: Guys, it wasn't supposed to be like that. I thought this was all about inclusion.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, it's about tolerance.
ANDERSON: It's about tolerance.
Now, listen, tell me truthfully, were you nervous about me beating you?
JONAH: No.
MICAH: No.
ANDERSON: Oh, how about next time? We race those. Are you up for that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
ANDERSON: You are, you're not.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Jonah and Micah, who competed in the regular triathlon here, the ITU triathlon here last week in competing of course in the Special Olympics
Divisional Cycling today. Olympics start on Thursday. At least that's the opening ceremony.
And on Sunday, CONNECT THE WORLD will be coming to you live from the Special Olympics right here in Abu Dhabi, where you'll meet more of these
amazing athletes. It's really hard to put into words how truly incredible this event is. But the UAE's ambassador to the United States and the
chairman of the Special Olympics have managed to do just that. Their article on CNN.com lays out how important these games are. Not only for
people with special needs in this region, the Middle East, but around the world. So do check that out viewers. Because let's remember, everybody
counts.
I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thank you for watching wherever you are in the world.
END
