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U.K. Parliament to Vote on Brexit Delay; Students Raise Awareness of Modern-Day Slavery; Prosecutor Says One Ex-Soldier to Be Charged Over "Bloody Sunday"; Trump Meets Ireland's Prime Minister; Black Boxes from Ethiopian Crash in Paris for Analysis; U.S. Grounds Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 After Global Pressure, Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired March 14, 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] JULIA CHATTERLEY, CNN BUSINESS ANCHOR, FIRST MOVE: Hello and welcome to this special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Julia Chatterley
outside Britain's Houses of Parliament in London where votes today and may decide on the future of Brexit.
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN HOST: And hi everyone, I'm Robyn Curnow here at the CNN center in Atlanta. We are marking "MY FREEDOM DAY" with schools around the
world taking a stand against modern day slavery. So we have all of that in the show coming up. But first to you over there Julia, to delay or not
delay, that is the question, isn't it?
CHATTERLEY: It certainly is. And they say if at first you succeed, try, try and try again. And that's where we are. No one can accuse the British
Prime Minister of not trying him at least. She is about to face the third night of drama in Westminster this time as MPs vote on whether to ask for
Brexit to be postponed. But if that wasn't enough to get sparks flying there is another issue on the table. Lawmakers will debate an amendment
calling for a second referendum among others. For more let's speak to Nina dos Santos as Downing Street and Erin McLaughlin who's in Brussels for us.
Nina, as I mentioned a second referendum is a possibility being voted for on the table tonight. But there are other amendments. Walk us through
what we are going to see over the coming hours.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Julia, there have been four amendments to be selected to be debated by the Speaker of the House of
Commons. As he said the first one voted on will be to attach this condition to say that, yes, Brexit will be delayed temporarily but for the
reason of there being another referendum.
And then that amendment also goes on to say the choice on the ballot paper at that point should be whether or not to have this government plan. Which
we know at this point is the withdrawal agreement that Theresa May put to Parliament as you indicated for a third team or indeed the other question
on the bolt paper being whether or not the U.K. should just abandon Brexit completely. So go back on the decision of the referendum and decide to
remain inside the EU.
The second amendment that's going to be debated will be one giving time for Parliament and MPs to take back control of the process.
There is another third amendment that's going to be voted on as well. That'll be giving Parliament enough time to come up with some kind of
majority for where to go from here.
And then a fourth one, which is also crucial, will be attempting to try and block the Prime Minister from bringing that withdrawal agreement, her
Brexit plan back to Parliament for a third time, lucky. She was actually planning on that midday next week one day before heading to Brussels for
that EU summit. If all goes to the government's current plan -- which let's face it hasn't the last few votes in spectacular fashion. In theory
what Theresa May's government would like to see is for her to have her withdrawal bill passed finally for a third time. The idea being that she
may well have convinced hardline Brexiteers that, look, if you don't vote for this there will be no Brexit at all. And that then she would have the
opportunity to go to Brussels to ask for a shorter delay rather than a big long delay that would allow the time that would be needed for something
like, say a referendum or indeed early elections -- Julia.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, and that's the key question as well. What will the majority of MPs vote for tonight ultimately? And if they decide to have an
extension, what is the EU willing to give them here? Or at least agree to? Let's get to Erin now in Brussels. Erin, talk to me about the
possibilities here. What will the take to get the EU to agree to a show extension but also potentially a significantly longer one.
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Upon a topic of the short-term extension, Julia, there does seem to be a consensus view here in Brussels
that if Theresa May is somehow able to get in deal across the line then he would be willing to grant her a short-term extension for ratification
process to be complete. That's really seen here in Brussels as the ideal scenario at this point. When it comes to the prospect of a longer
extension, well that's a much more complicated question and they're far from consensus on that point at this time.
We did hear, however, from the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk this morning on Twitter for the first time airing his views on that
topic. Let me just read what you he had to say.
[11:05:00] He said, during my consultations ahead of European Council -- which is that meeting that they're having next week -- I will appeal to the
EU 27 to be open to a long extension if the U.K. finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it.
Now, there has been some pushback from Brussels from key voices here on that tweet today. We heard from the Guy Verhofstadt, chief Brexit
coordinator in Parliament saying that he doesn't want to see a long extension unless the U.K. is able to show, to demonstrate a majority within
the House of Commons for a specific Brexit outcome.
But I was just speaking to a source close to President Tusk with respect to this tweet, sort of the thinking behind this declaration. He is going to
be making a trip and touring various capitals, Dublin, Berlin, Paris, as well as the Hague ahead of next week to talk to leaders about the question.
And the source was telling me he genuinely believes that if Theresa May is unable to get this deal over the line that this is the best course of
action. The least bad option for everyone at this point, despite the complications that it might present for the parliamentary elections, which
are expected in May. So that seems to be the state of play at this point. It will be very interesting to see as we get more reaction to President
Tusk's tweet as the day goes on.
CHATTERLEY: I think that what's clear that there is nothing simple about this and its degrees of complexity. Erin McLaughlin thank you for that and
of course Nina dos Santos.
All right, let's talk through what might happen tonight. Wera Hobhouse joins us now. She is a Liberal Democrat MP, who also is a member of the
Brexit select committee and also in favor of a People's Vote. Fantastic to have you with us, Vera.
WERA HOBHOUSE, BRITISH LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MP: Thank you.
CHATTERLEY: So we now have the prospect of MPs voting on a second referendum tonight. How do you feel about that? And do you think that
that actually that vote might pass.
HOBHOUSE: So first of all, the Liberal Democrats have been leading on the People's Vote.
CHATTERLEY: Yes.
HOBHOUSE: So each time we have actually tabled an amendment for the People's Vote but the difficulty is to get the numbers in the House of
Parliament. So it's all about timing. We know we have 15 days until exit day. At some point we need to face the issue and force the issue. Sarah
Wollaston has tabled this amendment. It is about the Labour Party. And the Labour Party is deeply split. And I would like to be a fly on the wall
in the headquarters and see what the discussions are about. Because at some point the Labour Party has to come clean and cannot flip flop any
longer. So I hope very much we are getting it through. But it will be very difficult and will depend very much on ultimately the Labour Party
leadership.
CHATTERLEY: I mean, even the People's Vote campaign have said the timing is not right for this. It's actually too close to the deadline now of
March 29th. So even for those that actually support this idea of giving the people a vote again, a vote on what? We need a deal in order to make a
judgment call on whether you choose a deal or remain in the EU. And that's part of the challenge. Is an extension here the only option?
HOBHOUSE: Well, obviously. And for us it's always been very clear that what we want to see as an option on the table, because the last result was
so close, to have the option to stay in the European Union. That argument has been so sidelined for two and a half years now. And yet half of the
people, as opinion polls show us, actually over half the people actually now want to stay in the European Union. And yet we can't discuss this. It
seems to be something that we shouldn't go there. Yet that must be on the table and in a longer extension would give us a possibility to really
bottom that out.
CHATTERLEY: I mean the problem is of course -- and there will be those yelling at the television going here, democracy spoke the first time and
people chose ultimately by a very slim majority -- admittedly they chose to leave. So taking it back to a vote is not what democracy argues for here.
HOBHOUSE: I don't believe that more democracy can be less democracy. Who could object to being asked again? We have to.
CHATTERLEY: We have a choice of five. We could keep voting.
HOBHOUSE: We have been asked twice already on the Prime Minister's vote and we clearly see once people are given more information, it's explained
and so on and so forth, we have so much more information about membership of the European Union. Clearly things have changed in what people
understand about our membership. Surely it cannot be wrong to ask the people again.
CHATTERLEY: You know, there will be views on both sides of this. Some agree with you, some that disagree at this stage. Pragmaticism. What
creates the degree of pragmaticism? Perhaps even for the arch Brexiteers to go, you know what, because of discussion, because of the prospect of a
second referendum being out there, we need to find a deal that enough people can agree on to sees the U.K. leave the EU at some point in the
neither near future.
[11:10:01] Can that be agreed on do you think?
HOBHOUSE: Well what we first need is to get the Prime Minister to the point where she takes her deal -- which is a dead deal -- off the table.
While that's still there we can't move on. And that is the first recognition of the government who has by the way completely ignored
Parliament a long time. So it is about Parliament asserting itself. And that's a hard battle. But that deal needs to be off the table. And I hope
that is definitely something that we manage today.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, President Prime Minister doesn't seem to think that her deal is dead quite frankly. Wera, fantastic to chat with you. The
challenge well presented here. Wera Hophouse there.
Robyn you heard. Try, try, try again. Something tells me there will be another couple of tries in there as well. Back to you for now.
CURNOW: We know that today marks a major global celebration of freedom from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong to here in the U.S., people marking "MY FREEDOM
DAY". Young people are raising voices against modern day slavery. And here are just some of them on your screen at the Gems Modern Academy in Abu
Dhabi.
Well CNN reporters have fanned out across the world to cover "MY FREEDOM DAY". Isa Soares joins from us from a school in London. Isa, hi. It's
the last hour. You got a sense of what these kids had to say about freedom. What have they got to say this hour?
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they've been speaking to a professor who's been talking about modern day slavery. They've been
able to ask her any questions. They really wanted to get a better sense of how we might impact them. For example, the clothes you wear. Where are
they made? Who makes them? At the end of the day they will create a strategy, a plan. This is something the school was proud of. They've been
trying to focus on human slavery and modern-day slavery since 2013. And not just at school but also the outside their community. I want to get a
sense of what they've learned today as her day begins to wrap up. I'm just going to ask you, what does modern day slavery mean to you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Modern day slavery means like somewhere like when children are forced to do work and not only children but adults as
well. And children who are less than us and who are aged any age like us or something like that, and they're forced to work in -- in dirty
conditions without sleep and payments.
SOARES: Very good. That's very good. Anyone else? Let me ask you, what does it mean to you? You want to say something, go ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Modern slavery means to me, like, so -- let's just say I'm a bird, Yes.
SOARES: You're a what?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: That I'm a bird.
SOARES: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: But I'm as free as ever. But then somebody catches me. And it's like I've been stuck in in place forever. And it's
like I have nothing to do, nothing to say and my voice is silenced.
SOARES: Very good analogy. I think everyone at home can really get a sense of exactly what you mean there. Your freedom taken away, including
your voice. But it seems they -- the 300 or so people here they have a voice and they will be singing in a just few minutes for us. Tell us what
the song you're going to sing? What does it mean?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: It means it's basically showcasing how all of us work together. We all work together to achieve many things, like this song
is called arrows. So we all work together. You can't shoot an arrow without using a bow. You have to use it together to create the shot.
SOARES: Thank you very much. And thank you for giving us your take and your voice. I really want to hear you sing and the world in fact watching
want to hear you sing. Take it away.
GROUP OF CHILDREN SINGING: So I remember. I'm here to tell you I knew all about it. There must be something else. I'm here waiting. I just here a
face and I was saying. There must be something else out there waiting. Where I can be myself. And people said my head was in the clouds. If only
they could see me now. I am an arrow. I was made to fly. Oh, oh, oh, I am an arrow. Shooting to the sky. With your will behind me I'm going to
be alive. Yes, I am an arrow . I was made to fly I used to feel like --
CURNOW: Isa, what a touching scene. They've certainly embraced the message thanks so much to Isa Soares there.
And of course we'll be speaking and singing about "MY FREEDOM DAY" throughout the day. This is CNN. It's a special project. It's close to
all of our hearts.
Meanwhile, still here -- still had ahead here on CONNECT THE WORLD it was one of the darkest days in Northern Ireland's history, Sunday -- "Bloody
Sunday". Now an ex-soldier is charged with the murders of two people more than 40 years ago.
[11:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURNOW: You are watching CNN and this is CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Robyn Curnow here in Atlanta. Welcome back.
I want to take you to Northern Ireland now where prosecutors say a former soldier in the British army will stand trial over "Bloody Sunday" murder.
One of the darkest days in three decades of memories. Now back in January 1972 British soldiers opened fire at a civil rights march in Londonderry --
which is also known as Derry -- 13 civilians were killed, one later died. The families of the victims say they, quote, disappointed that not all of
those responsible will face justice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KELLY, RELATIVE OF "BLOODY SUNDAY" VICTIM: The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is the duty of the living to do so for them. We have
cried out for them for many years. And now we have succeeded for them. Do not deny us justice any longer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: Nic Robertson join us from Derry in Northern Ireland. So, Nic, talk us through this decision. This happened in 1972. Why is it important
the raw wounds are still dealt with?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: I think it's important at many levels. Number one, this was British soldiers killing British
civilians, the worst incident of its time in in living memory. And number two, it was hugely influentially on what was to follow in years after 1972.
The violence in Northern Ireland was already festering. The soldiers, policemen were being killed by the IRA and on both sides of the community
people were being killed at the hands of each other.
[11:20:00] So it was already a violent situation. But really many people look at the events of "Bloody Sunday" when there was a civil rights march.
And what happened, the shootings really turned the opinion of many young people to say, OK we are not find the results -- get the justice that we
want through a society that we want through protests and they'll listen essentially to the terrorist groups, the IRA and others to look for their
solutions.
So that's why it's important at a big picture level. But of course it's usually important for the families. There was a hope here that more
soldiers might have been charged, even officers that the public prosecution service might have announced charges for them. Only soldier F to be
prosecuted. To be prosecuted for two accounts of murder, four accounts of attempted murder. One of those soldier F is accused of murdering is James
Rae. I spoke to his brother about his immediate reaction to hearing the news that finally after 47 years somebody would be brought to justice for
his brother's murder.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN RAE, BROTHER OF VICTIM KILLED JANUARY 30, 1972: When I found out I lost my breath. I couldn't speak because I wasn't expecting it. And my
sister who is older than me, she's in her 60s and I'm 57. She broke down in tears. I could hardly hold back the tears myself. And now this will
show all the families not just us, the people who the victims, real innocent people you expect the state to protect these people and the day of
"Bloody Sunday" that didn't happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: And we are going to have to interrupt that interview and take you straight to Washington. The U.S. President Donald Trump has been talking
about Boeing and Brexit. Let's listen in.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well I think he has a lot of hand movement. I've never seen so much hand movement. I said is he crazy
or is that just the way he acts? So I've never seen hand movement. I watched him a while this morning doing -- I assume it was some kind of a
news conference. And I actually have never seen anything quite like it. Study it. I'm sure you'll agree.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who's is the bigger threat, Beto O'Rourke or Joe Bidden.
TRUMP: I just say whoever it is I'll take them on. OK. Him or her. Whoever it is I'll take him or her on. And I think with the economy doing
so well, with all of the things we've done with the tax cuts, the biggest in the history of the country, tax cuts with people having a lot more money
in their pocket, with their 401(k)s hitting record numbers they've never had -- they've never been considered great investors by their wives or by
their husbands. Whatever it may be. And now they're considered great investments.
But the markets hitting almost new highs. And I have all of the records every single record I have. Every single record for the stock market. So
I think it's going to be very tough to beat. If you look at African- American, if you look at Hispanic or Asian unemployment, we have the best records in history. In the history of unemployment. We have the best
records. So I think it's going to be tough for somebody. But you know what, whoever it is it makes no difference to me whatsoever.
(INAUDIBLE)
TRUMP: I will I'll be come at some point during the year. I missed it last time and I would have loved to have been there. And it's a special
place. And I have a very warm spot for Doonbeg. I will tell you that. And it's just a great place really. Really a great place.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President have you made a decision about the Boeing planes? How long do you think they're grounded?
TRUMP: Oh, I hope is going to be for a short period of time. And I hope it's -- look, they have to find out what it is. The biggest thing is they
have to find out what it is. I'm not sure that they know. But I thought we had to do it. We had to take a cautionary route. The grounding of the
planes yesterday was a big thing. As you know and you're involved with Boeing also.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We would have done the same.
TRUMP: The grounding was a big thing and it's a great company and truly great company and hopefully they figure it out very quickly.
That's a big decision. It's also one of our largest exporters. One of our -- you know, truly -- one of the truly great companies of the world. They
have it onto figure it out fast. They know that. They're under great pressure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, you were a great supporter of Brexit initially. Are you still a great supporter of Brexit given how things --?
TRUMP: Well I was. It wasn't that I was a supporter. I predicted it was going to happen. And people laughed when I predicted it. And they won by
about two points. And I was standing out on Turnberry and we had a press conference and people were screaming. That was the day before if you
remember. I think you were there. And people were screaming. And I said no, I think it's going to happen. And people were surprised I made the
prediction because President Obama made the opposite prediction. And I was right.
I will tell you, I'm surprised at how badly it's all gone from the standpoint of the negotiation. But I gave the Prime Minister my ideas on
how to negotiate it. And I think you would have been successful. She didn't listen to that and that's fine.
[11:25:00] I mean, she's got to do what she's got to do. But I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner frankly. I hate to see
everything being ripped apart right now. I don't think another vote would be possible. Because it would be very unfair to the people that won.
They'll say what do you mean you're taking another vote? So that would be tough. But I thought it would happen. It did happen. And both sides are
very, very -- you know, they're cemented in. It's a tough situation. It's a shame frankly. It's a shame. There was no reason for that to happen.
They could've had the vote and it should have gone smoothly. Unfortunately it didn't. Very complicated issue. And actually the issue on the border
of Ireland is one of the most complex points.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think it should be extended give more time.
TRUMP: Well I think they're going to probably have to do something, because right now they're in the midst of a very short period of time. The
ended of the month. And they're not going to be able to do that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President.
TRUMP: What I'd like to see -- I would like to see -- excuse me. I'd like to see that whole situation with Brexit worked out. I'd like to see so --
you know, we're talking to them about trade. And we can do a very big trade deal with the U.K. We're also renegotiating our trade deal with the
European groups and you know, literally individual nations. And also with the whole. But -- but it's very sad to see what's happening there. And
there was no reason -- and I'm sure -- Leo I'm sure you agree that. Do you have any feeling on -- would you like to express your feelings on Brexit?
Maybe I should not let you do it.
LEO VARADKAR, IRISH PRIME MINISTER: We have a different opinion, President. I regret the Brexit is happening. And the U.K. was a really
important part of the European Union but they're going now and that's their decision. But most important thing for us in Ireland is that their
decision to leave shouldn't cause any problems in Northern Ireland where people actually voted to stay. And that we shouldn't have a hard border or
anything to disrupt the peace process. And also, we want to make sure that we still have frictionless trade between Britain and Ireland because I
believe in free trade. I think it's a few years until the United Kingdom sorts itself out. In the meantime, the European up union is available to
talk trade with the U.S.
TRUMP: And we're talking about trade with the European Union. They've been very, very tough over the years. They were unwilling to negotiate
with the Obama administration. And they were unwilling before that to be honest. I'm not just blaming President Obama. But they're willing to talk
to us. If they don't talk to us, we're going to do doing something that's going to be pretty severe economically. We're going to tariff a lot of
their products coming in. Because the European Union treats us very, very unfairly I have to say that. They treat the United States -- and they have
been for many years for decades -- they've treated us very unfairly. So it'll probably work out. They're negotiating. They want to see what they
can get. Otherwise we're doing something that's going to be him good for the United States.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, considering the vote today in the Senate (INAUDIBLE) national emergency?
TRUMP: No, no, I don't know what the vote will be. It doesn't matter. I'll probably have to veto. And it's not going to be overturned. And
we're going to have our whole thing. The legal scholars all say it's totally constitutional. It's very important -- it's really a border
security vote. It's pure and simple. It's a vote for border security. It's a vote for no crime.
So we have a border situation also. But it's slightly different than yours. Ours is not actually complex. We have very, very bad laws that are
archaic that were put in by Democrats and the Republicans didn't fight hard enough at the time. That was a long time before me. But we have catch and
release, and we have chain migration, and we have all sorts of things that are horrible. And the world is laughing at the laws that were passed with
respect to us. And we are going to have a very strong border very soon.
We're building a lot of wall. There is a lot of wall going up. I don't know if you see it. I don't know if you want to see it. But we are
building a lot of walls and there are contracts let out actually tomorrow and over the next week for additional many, many miles of wall. And we're
going to have hundreds of miles of wall up fairly soon. And it's going to make a very big difference. But we have to change the laws because whether
it's visa lottery, whether it's chain migration, whether it's catch and release or anything else, they are horrible, horrible laws.
I want to just commend our border patrol and I.C.E., what they've been doing. Border patrol and our military by the way has been fantastic. We
are building -- we are building a lot of the barbed wires areas where people were pouring through. They are not going through. They have done a
fantastic job. We built some temporary fencing and we've built some permanent fencing with the military. They have done a fantastic job.
But the border patrol, they are capturing, catching, grabbing -- they're doing whatever they have to do, thousands of people -- thousands of illegal
aliens a month, 75,000 last month.
[11:30:00] The job they are doing -- they are apprehending -- call it whatever -- whatever you like to use, but they are apprehending thousands
and thousands of people a month. And we're catching them and we're keeping them. We're not doing release.
Now at a certain point we have to do release because we don't have the bed space. We don't have the room and we don't have the funds to build new
space because we have ridiculous laws. In other countries, Leo, when you have somebody come illegally you say sorry you have to leave. In our
country because the laws are so ridiculous. I mean so stupid -- we have to give them a trial. So we send them into the country then they're supposed
to come back but they never come back. Very rarely do they come back. The most ridiculous set of laws. The Democrats --
CURNOW: The Irish Prime Minister there, poker faced as the U.S. President talks about immigration. But a little bit earlier on he also weighed on
Brexit. So I want to talk about those comments coming out of the Oval Office there. Julia Chatterley joins me now from London. Donald Trump
there saying that he advised Theresa May to negotiate this differently, that he kind of disappointed the way it's turned out. In the meantime,
though, he's kind of happy for a big trade deal. Quite a lot coming out of the ad-lib comments.
CHATTERLEY: Absolutely, and remember he's made the comments before that he advised Theresa May to handle the deal making differently and she didn't
take his advice. So not really new. Just reiterating his point there. But he also weighed on some of the more contentious subjects, I think.
Which are going to be voted on tonight. And that is the prospect of a second referendum here in the U.K. and he said, look, he didn't think that
would be fair on the winners here. Obviously, the Brexiteers or those that want to leave the EU. And that's obviously the battle right now that's
going on.
He also pointed something very important, and that is the Irish border. Given that he is speaking with the Irish Prime Minister, obviously that at
the crux of the challenge here in trying to find some kind of deal to allow the U.K. to leave the EU there. The Irish Prime Minister obviously
recognizing that whatever he said at this moment could be incredibly contentious, tried to swing the conversation back to the future trading
relationship between the United States and EU. And he got more than he was bargained for there, of course.
Because President Trump said the EU and the U.S. had had an unfair trading relationship. And that was going to be something that they're obviously
tackling at this moment and in the future.
But the President also tweeted earlier today allegedly as a result of a conversation with arch Brexiteer Nigel Farage and said he was looking
forward to agreeing some kind of big trading relationship with the U.K. beyond its exit from the EU. But right now, Robyn, I mean we just have to
vote on an extension to the negotiations in order to try and find some way of facilitating a U.K. exit from the EU. So all of that, quite frankly, is
well in the future at this moment and the chaos behind me continues tonight. Back to you.
CURNOW: A moment there where the U.S. President turns to the Irish Prime Minister and says, do you want to express your feelings on Brexit? You
know, I think a lot of people have an emotional reaction to this and the Irish Prime Minister kind of was like, no, not in front of all these
people.
But I think also what came out was the U.S. President sort of casting the EU as the bad guy here. Threatening tariffs and sort of painting also some
sort of threat for the future when it came to the EU/U.S. relationship.
CHATTERLEY: Absolutely. And there were a couple of things there, too. I mean, again, and this is a line that he's taking with the trading
relationships in many cases, not just of course with China which is the ongoing battle, but also with the EU here too. And we are still harboring
under some threat that he could perhaps apply threats to European autos which would be a huge deal. So there are clearly very contentious issues
here as well.
But of course in terms of what happens beyond here in the situation with the EU, and what he said to the Irish Prime Minister there about the
relationship, this is something more broadly that is going to have to be tackled. The U.K. within in relationship is something entirely different.
But of course we know this President does not fear treading on any toes as far as any of these relationships are concerned.
And if you remember, he did say when he came to the U.K. back in November of last year that he thought the deal that Theresa May was trying to get
the country to sign up to was a great deal for the EU. So, yes, difficult one. And I think the Irish Prime Minister there took the wise course of
perhaps not treading on any toes and not trying to influence what's going to be another very important vote tonight -- Robyn.
CURNOW: It certainly is. Thanks so much and we'll speak to you in a few moments. So stand by, Julia. Thanks a lot.
[11:35:00] But I also want to give you an update on that investigation into the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet. It entered a new phase. The
flight data recorders have been found and they are now being analyzed by experts in France. They're trying to determine why that plane crashed.
Shortly after takeoff in Addis Ababa on Sunday. All 157 people on board were killed. Now the United States has finally, finally joined the long
list of countries banning the Boeing jet. Here is what the U.S. President has said after days of pressure on this story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: The United States has the greatest record in the world of aviation. And we want to keep that way. So I didn't want to take any chances. We
didn't have to make the decision today. We could have delayed it. Maybe didn't have to make it at all. But I felt it was important both
psychologically and a lot of other ways.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: OK. As you can see from the map, the Boeing 737 Max 8 has been grounded across much of the world, including the entire European Union. So
let's bring in our CNN aviation analyst, Mary Schiavo. She's a former inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation. And we want
you to know also, she's also an attorney who represents families of airline crash victims and has current litigation pending against Boeing. So we
have that in mind. Just give me a sense of the President's conversation that we heard there. And we also know that in that conversation he had
with the Irish Prime Minister some lines came out of that. He said, Boeing is under great pressure. And that he hopes that these planes are grounded
for just a short time. What do you think about that?
MARY SCHIAVO, CNN AVIATION ANALYST: Well, I think at some point someone had to step in on make a decision for the United States of America. It was
really disheartening that the rest of the world had decided, and basically what was happening is the Federal Aviation Administration was betting on
the lives of American passengers that there would not be a third crash. Because they've already admitted they don't have the data and don't have
the investigation yet to say what happened with the second one. So it was impossible. And it was such an oxymoron for them to say we don't know what
happened but the plane is safe. And I think the President had to step in because that just made the whole process here sound crazy.
CURNOW: And in terms of loss of faith in airlines and reputational damage, I mean is that just -- is that the last thing we need to think about when
it comes to bottom lines? I mean there are a lot of people who just don't think this plane is safe. And there are a lot of people who have lost
people.
SCHIAVO: Well and history will bear that out. There have been times in the past, for example after Douglas Aircraft, which bought by McDonnell
Douglas, which was bought by Boeing. But there used to be a Douglas Aircraft, and they made the DC 10. And one of those lost an engine over
Chicago and it took a long time. There was immense public pressure and they did not immediately ground the plane. But based on public pressure
the Federal Aviation Administration finally grounded that plane.
Somewhat the same, although didn't take quite as such pressure. The 787 Dreamliner with the battery fire, it was just a few years ago. Again,
public pressure was what finally made the FAA act. But in this case so much loss of life and the admission they really didn't know what caused the
second with one yet and they don't have the fix in place. They don't know precisely what they're doing to fix the plane. And there's one more
important point. Without this system, it's called MCAS, Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, that pushes the nose down. The pilots
didn't know about that. Without that system, this plane is not certifiable as airworthy. So it's not airworthy without that system. So it might take
a while to fix it. It might be on the ground for a while. I honestly think it can be months, not days. So the President might be disappointed
in the length of time this is going to take but it's the right thing.
CURNOW: And Mary, when we talk about timing also -- we've got Jim Bittermann standing outside the headquarters in France where the black
boxes are being analyzed. How long will it be until we get some answers on that one? And will they then of course cross pollenate this information
that started from Lion Air?
SCHIAVO: Oh, yes, they will have to look at both of them together of course. But the download is actually very quickly. And the BEA, the
French investigation agency, has a we'll well equipped, very modern -- it worked many recent crashes and they will download the information very
quickly. So the cockpit voice recording transcript can be available as soon as they get it transcribed. But the flight data recorder information
downloads very quickly but then it takes quite a bit of time to analyze it and see what's really there.
When the data downloads it looks kind of like an EKG. There's lots of line of data and graphs. And people with knowledge and experience and training
have to then figure out what that means. So they'll have the data and when they have finished analyzing it and are prepared to make anything public
that's unknown. In the U.S. it's usually like a week or so and then they're prepared to make a statement.
Also what's been missing so far is the regulations, or the guidelines rather, from the International Civil Aviation Organizations -- part of the
U.N., an off shoot of U.N.
[11:40:00] They recommend or they require investigators to have regular briefings for family members of the crash. And so as far as we know those
briefings haven't started yet. And that is where often the updates on what's in the black boxes first come out.
CURNOW: OK, great to have you and your expertise. Thanks so much for joining us. Mary Schiavo there live.
SCHIAVO: Thank you.
CURNOW: Appreciate it Mary.
OK, so I want to get back to the top story. It is certainly a week which could define the U.K. and Europe for decades and decades to come. So right
now British lawmakers are getting ready to vote again. First, they're set to decide on amendments to the government's Brexit delay motion. And our
Julia Chatterley is standing by with more on all of that. So just take us through what we are expecting in the next few hours, Julia. It's certainly
maybe not going to untangle all of the knots that have been weaved.
CHATTERLEY: Well, we're going to try and untangle a few of them. I'm not sure how far we'll get frankly. But at least on the table tonight the view
of potentially extending beyond that March 29th date. But there are a whole host of other things that were going to be voted on too. Including
the prospect potentially of a second referendum. Let's talk about that now. Because we are joined by Rachel Mclean. She's a Conservative MP.
And she voted for Theresa May's deal buts stands against a second referendum. Rachel great to have you here.
Thank you.
CHATTERLEY: OK, but we do have a second referendum on the table tonight. Do you believe that Parliament will vote to have a second referendum or
rule it out tonight? Because the timing is very important.
RACHEL MACLEAN, BRITISH CONSERVATIVE MP: Yes, so thank you for having me on. It's great to be here. So I don't support a second referendum but
also don't believe that Parliament will tonight. Because I think the vast majority of people even if they might support remaining, they actually do
believe in democracy being delivered.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, the U.K. people made a choice. Even if it was by a small margin and we have to stand by that, fine.
MACLEAN: Absolutely right.
CHATTERLEY: So what happens tonight then? Do we vote to see some kind of delay? And what do you think ultimately that looks like then?
MACLEAN: Yes, I think it looks, if I'm honest that Parliament will vote for a delay. It's not something I personally support. So I won't vote for
it. And what is interesting is that we are on our party have been given a free vote.
CHATTERLEY: Yes.
MACLEAN: So there will be a difference of opinion on our benches. And so I -- it's a bit you know touch and go whether it will pass. But looking at
how things went last night when we did see people voting to take no deal off the table, I would imagine we would follow the same logic and
Parliament will vote for a delay.
CHATTERLEY: You know, I like the way you are answering me. Because the first answer you give me is actually what you think Parliament is going to
do and then you talk about your party. Because I feel we're at the stage where we have to be pragmatic. And we have to work out --
MACLEAN: We have to.
CHATTERLEY: -- as a Parliament you have to decide how to reach a deal, what the best plan forward is and put party politics aside.
MACLEAN: Yes.
CHATTERLEY: Are we at that moment now?
MACLEAN: Well, I think we have been for a little while. I think people have been trying to make it work. The problem is sometimes it's behind the
scenes.
CHATTERLEY: Right.
MACLEAN: And there are genuine conversations going on. But really the trouble is with we are in a gold fish bowl and people just see the sort of
adversarial type of politics that's in the House of Commons chamber. But we definitely do need that because there are divisions about this issue in
all the parties.
CHATTERLEY: Absolutely. But of course the EU plays a role in this as well and what they're willing to agree to in terms of an extension.
MACLEAN: That's right.
CHATTERLEY: Even if Parliament want one. So if they say, look, will give you a three-month extension but you need a deal agreed. Or we're talking
about a far longer accidents extension and then all bets off. We could have a second referendum, we could see fresh elections. Who knows? How do
we reach a deal here?
MACLEAN: I mean, I come back to what I believe and what actually our government's position is, that we have a good deal that's been negotiated
that deals with all of the issues.
CHATTERLEY: It's out national life here.
MACLEAN: Actually that's kind of irrelevant at this stage because it's been voted down twice.
CHATTERLEY: So how do we change this in order to get one that can pass in Parliament? I'll rephrase my question.
MACLEAN: Yes, you are right it's been voted down twice. But I think it's interesting to see that people are now starting to reconsider that
decision. Because they have seen what's going to happen tonight. We are almost certainly going to get Parliament voting for a delay. And people
are going to have to face the reality. While this deal wasn't exactly what they liked but the alternative is clearly a delay. And for what reason?
As you say, it could be a long delay which is what some people advocating.
CHATTERLEY: At some point reality is going to have to bite.
MACLEAN: It has to, yes.
CHATTERLEY: Two- and a-bit weeks out from the date. Rachel fantastic to have you on.
MACLEAN: Pleasure.
CHATTERLEY: Rachel McClean, Conservative MP.
All right, we're going to take a quick break. CONNECT THE WORLD, though, continues after this. Stay with CNN.
[11:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURNOW: Great to have you back with us. You're watching CNN and this is CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Robyn Curnow.
So we are return now to "MY FREEDOM DAY", the huge global celebration of freedom. Now this has been driven by students around the world committed
to taking action against modern-day slavery. Tens of thousands of kids in schools all over the world are taking part. And this includes students at
the Los Angeles School of Global Studies. So joining me now is one of the teachers, Katie Czechowicz and a student there Oswaldo Vasquez. It's great
to have you both with us. Thanks so much for joining us. It's certainly a really big day. Katie, you are leading a program, it's a new program to
help students prevent trafficking, identify trafficking. Tell us about it.
KATIE CZECHOWICZ, MOBILIZATION COORDINATOR, A21: Yes, so I'm from A21 we are a global anti-trafficking organization. And just today is the very
first day and this class behind me is the very first class to ever hear this awareness program. It's called our Human Trafficking Awareness
Program. We actually have it in 13 versions in eight different languages as it's launching globally today. And what it's meant to do is really just
to educate, not just students but any individual on human trafficking. And then also to equip them to be able to do something. Know the indicators
and also call hotlines and take action to stop it. And then just really empower. Empower us to be a part of the solution, to see human trafficking
eradicated in this generation.
CURNOW: And Oswaldo to you, I mean, I know you are getting started with this. But what are you hoping to learn? Why is it this important to you.
CZECHOWICZ: It's so important to me and just our organization --
CURNOW: No this is for Oswaldo -- I want him to answer the question.
CZECHOWICZ: So sorry go ahead. Why is it important to you?
OSWALDO VASQUEZ, STUDENT, LOS ANGELES SCHOLL OF GLOBAL STUDIES: Hello. Hello. I'm Oswaldo. So it is very important to me because -- it is modern
day slavery. Right. So it is just really important just to educate not only the world but especially the -- but especially -- just educate
especially this generation of students, right. Because it is just crucial for us to -- for us to understand like the roots behind this issue. And
what can we really do to like let oud this problem and actually just take action.
CURNOW: Yes, I think that's so -- this conversation is helpful in many ways. So Katie to you, for parents or students who are watching. What are
some of the most important[MT1] aspects of this conversation do you think that people should take away from today?
CZECHOWICZ: I think that people should take away from today that this is an issue, this is a reality, and it's everywhere. It's in the backyard.
It's not just an over there problem. But it is a global problem and that we can be part of the solution.
CURNOW: And why do you direct so much of the advocacy work towards students, Katie?
CZECHOWICZ: That is a great question. Because truly believe that this next generation is just so passionate about social justice. And so instead
of focusing on the things that are negative about the upcoming generation let's focus on things that are positive. And that is that they have a
heart for justice. And so let's quip them and empower them to outwork that in a great way and ending human trafficking is a thing that I truly believe
this next generation can bring a solution to.
[11:50:00] CURNOW: Oswaldo to you. I mean, why is it that young people care about this? And is there many of you having conversations about that?
This is not something happening far away but it could be happening in your own backyard?
VASQUEZ: True, yes, certainly, because, I mean what we've been learning in my high school is that this issue isn't just happening overseas or just --
it's happening right here in Los Angeles. It's happening at every corner of the planet. And it's just so important just to get educated about that
and just like just inform our community about that, right. By just organizing presentations, doing fly resist, infographics just to spread the
voice and actually provide resources so we can finally take action and just become upstanders.
CURNOW: Excellent. Oswaldo and Katie, thank you so much for joining us. Great conversation. Keep up the good work. Thanks, guys.
CZECHOWICZ: Thanks so much Robyn.
VASQUEZ: Thank you.
CURNOW: Stay with us. Zain Asher my colleague hosts a "MY FREEDOM DAY" special show today at 12:00 p.m. in New York. That's eight p.m. in Abu
Dhabi. That's about 10 minutes from now. So stick around. You want to hear Zain and the conversation she's having right here on CNN.
Meanwhile, coming up on CONNECT THE WORLD, the Special Olympics World Games is set to open in Abu Dhabi. We look at two participants who found love on
and off the tennis court.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURNOW: Great to have you along with us. I'm Robyn Curnow. This is CNN. And you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. Welcome back.
Now, the biggest Special Olympics World Games ever is kicking off today in Abu Dhabi. 7,000 athletes with intellectual disability from more than 170
countries are set to compete. But it's not all about the sports. Ryan and Brittany met five years ago at a state tennis championship in the U.S.
While love may mean nothing in tennis it certainly means everything to this couple as they prepare to compete in the Special Olympics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN: I never really thought I would actually meet somebody like her.
BRITTANY: I met him through at some state games.
RYAN: She had her head down, very shy. And hi. Things just blossomed from there.
BRITTANY: I like playing mixed doubles with him and he makes a dream come true. I want to help other people like achieve their goals that has autism
like me.
RYAN: We don't even really look at us as even having a disability or disorder. We're just like everybody else.
So excited. I can't wait.
GROUP OF ATHLETES: Yes, we're going to Abu Dhabi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:55:00] CURNOW: Wonderful story and they're great players as well. Aren't they? Now the Special Olympics World Games is an event we are
really, really excited about here on CONNECT THE WORLD. And Abu Dhabi is very proud to be hosting these athletes we know. The UAE ambassador to the
U.S. and chairman of the Special Olympic, Tim Shriver, had written about how this year's venue is a sign of progress. So that and much more on CNN.
And be sure to stay right here. Because we will have a special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD on the Special Olympics. That's on Sunday. So you want
to watch that for sure.
Well I'm Robyn Curnow. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thanks so much for joining me. Lots of news continues. You're watching CNN.
END
