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Duchess of Sussex Gives Birth to Baby Boy; U.S. Deploying Worship to Send Clear Message to Iran; Global Markets Fall on Trade War Fears; Ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians After Weekend Violence; Official Announcement of New Royal Baby; U.S. Expected to Unveil Peace Plan Next Month. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired May 06, 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: Connecting tonight for you a boy. Welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, live from Abu Dhabi.

We begin with exciting breaking news out of Britain. The newest Royal baby has finally made his debut. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their

first child early this morning. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Already the doting dad, Prince Harry, told reporters he's over the moon for

his new son.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX: Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning. A very healthy boy. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well.

It's been the most amazing experience I can ever possibly imagine. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we're both absolutely

thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there. From everybody out there, it's been amazing. So we just wanted to

share this with everybody.

This is definitely my first birth, but it was amazing. Absolutely incredible. As I said, I'm so incredibly proud of my wife, and as every

father and parent would ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I'm just over

the moon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, that's a new dad who is extremely excited. Max Foster is live in Windsor with the very latest on baby Sussex. We know he's been

born. What else do we know at this point?

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: He was more than 7 pounds, so a healthy weight. We're told he's healthy. It happened in the early hours

of the morning. She went into labor in the early hours of the morning and then after 5:00 she gave birth, so it seems to have gone very smoothly,

indeed.

That interview was conducted here in Windsor. We've not been told where the baby was born. They're say it's a private matter, but putting two and

two together, it must have been a home birth. We were led to believe that Meghan wanted that, so it doesn't appear that she had to go to hospital.

She was overdue. So all went to plan. Everyone very excited. The Town Cryer out here in Windsor announcing the news. So we got a couple of days

now before we can see the pictures. They want to give that delay. They want to celebrate privately, Becky. But it all seems to have gone very

well, indeed.

ANDERSON: This is a complete break in tradition, of course. Explain for our viewers who may not be as in tune with what the Royal family in the

U.K. normally do for births.

FOSTER: Well, it's a break in modern tradition. So Diana famously came out with Harry and William on the steps of hospital to a huge media pack.

You'll remember it, Becky. Absolutely phenomenal. You know, when you sit there and you're a part of the media it is quite an extraordinary thing to

expect a woman to go out and stand on the steps a few hours after giving birth, but also presenting the baby. That's the baby's first experience to

the world.

Harry and Meghan didn't want that at all. But actually, they're reverting back to previous traditions. The Queen had her babies at home. Didn't

come out on the steps in the same way. So they're reverting back to that. So there is some tradition to the way they're doing things. But they're

all about modernity and doing things their own way. So they wanted to have a private birth and then giving out certain amounts of information out.

Harry didn't necessarily know how he was going to handle it. Interesting that he felt confident to come out and speak to the cameras straight away.

Because that was very impromptu, actually. We weren't expecting that to happen.

And they are having some formalities. So the tradition amongst senior Royals is to announce the birth formally on an easel on the four corner of

Buckingham Palace. That's going to happen. We expect that to happen very soon as well. So they're trying to tread the line of having a private

event in a modern way but giving a nod to their positions in society.

ANDERSON: Yep. Well they're using Instagram, which is the way to go these days. That's their social media page announcing it. And this is them, of

course, pre-baby with bump at an event. I'm going to leave you there for the time being, Max. Thank you from Windsor.

Meghan and Harry's baby won't necessarily be addressed as his or her Royal highness. Rules introduced in 1917 to limit Royal titles mean that anyone

low down the Royal line of succession than Prince George is not granted the title of prince or princess.

However, the Queen can overrule that decree. She's already done that with William and Katherine's youngest kids, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louie.

[11:05:00] Well, for more on this Royal baby, American-British playwright, Bonnie Greer, joins us now from London. There are lots and lots of firsts

here and we've talked about breaking sort of modern tradition in the way this baby has been announced. Where this baby was potentially born and how

we have to speak now, and we must, this is a delight to have you on, Bonnie, to talk about the fact that this --

BONNIE GREER, AMERICAN-BRITISH PLAYWRIGHT: Thank you, Becky. Good to see you.

ANDERSON: -- the first biracial baby in the British Royal family.

GREER: Well, it's especially poignant. I mean, this child on his mother's side is descended from an African slave. And that is an amazing thing in

and of itself, an historic thing in and of itself. In 1619, our joint ancestors were first brought to the American shores, and now 400 years

later this boy is born into the British Royal family. It is extraordinary. He also happens to be an American citizen, so at birth. So it's an

incredible thing. He's eligible to be the President of the United States and the King, you know, whatever. So all of these things are together in

this extraordinary life we're at the beginning of.

ANDERSON: Let's, Bonnie, have a look at the Royal family tree while I've got you here. I'm going to put that up.

GREER: OK.

ANDERSON: So it's on our screens for our viewers. Is this a source of pride for Americans to have a face in this family, whatever your color?

GREER: Well, I would imagine so. It is to use the word unusual is even not even to deal with what it really is. It's extraordinary. As Max said,

the little boy is not a Royal at birth. He is not in line of succession. And so he would take, I imagine, one of the titles of his father. So he

would probably bore lord so and so. If the Queen decides, and that is in her gift, that he becomes a Prince, he will be an HRH and you know, we'll

see.

But he is, you know, he's a commoner at birth. He is an aristocrat, of course, by virtue of the family he was born into, but he doesn't -- he's

just like all of us except he was born in a palace, but that's it, we think. But it is a very extraordinary moment, especially as I said in this

moment, 400 years ago when his ancestors came to America and now this. It's amazing.

ANDERSON: We don't have a name. You got any thoughts?

GREER: I would -- I think Max said that Meghan will probably be very traditional. And we think about Charles, his -- he loved his uncle, the

late Lord Mountbatten. He might take one of his names. Little Louie has one of the names. The little boy will have Charles in his name, for sure.

ANDERSON: We'll leave it there. We are waiting to see that easel. And I know viewers, you're excited about that and I'm keeping one eye on my

opportunity to get you to that outside of Buckingham Palace as soon as I can. For the time being, Bonnie, it's a pleasure having you on. Thank you

so much.

GREER: It is really good to see you.

ANDERSON: We will return --

GREER: It's a wonderful day.

ANDERSON: Thank you. And we'll return to this news a little later this hour.

Well, now to what the United States calls a clear and unmistakable message to Iran. The Trump administration is deploying a warship and bomber task

force to the Middle East, warning Iran that any attack on U.S. interests or U.S. allies will be met with unrelenting force.

Well, the U.S. says it is responding to a number of troubling developments but didn't name any of them. Now Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that

the deployment has been in the works for a little while, and I quote him on that. He's meeting today with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov,

on the sidelines of a conference in Finland after accusing Russia of aggressive behavior in that region and elsewhere.

Well a lot to discuss. Let's bring in Pentagon reporter, Ryan Brown. We are also joined by senior international correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh,

who's following developments for you in London tonight.

And Ryan, let me just start with you. The statement from John Bolton -- I want to get the statement up for you and get your reaction to these words.

The United States deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task -- to send a clear and unmistakable message to the

Iranian regime that any attack on United States' interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. The United States not

seeking war with the Iranian regime.

[11:10:00] But we are fully prepared to respond to any attack.

Strong words. The statement, though, is a change in strategy. The deployment of this task force not necessarily so. What's going on here?

RYAN BROWNE, CNN PENTAGON REPORTER: Well, it's a great question. I mean, this is something a bit unprecedented to have the statement coming from the

White House versus one of the military commands in the region or the Pentagon itself. So clearly an attempt to amplify the message here.

And we are being told that the message was driven in part by new intelligence that has been received by the U.S. military about threats to

U.S. forces in the region coming from Iran. Now, of course, there have been heightened tensions with Tehran on a variety of topics. The U.S.

declaring its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group. Concerns over the latest rounds of sanctions.

So there's been these heightened tensions and there is apparently -- the U.S. military believes, an increased threat to U.S. forces in the region

prompting this statement. But as you mentioned, the Abraham Lincoln was already fairly nearby as part of an ongoing deployment. It's operating in

the Mediterranean. It is now being redirected to the region, which will take some time. It has to go through the Suez Canal to travel to the

region.

So again, and unprecedented nature in terms of how this was announced. But of course, carrier task groups regularly rotate through the region. But

this seems to be sped up here as the carrier group is redirected. And of course, no word yet on the bomber task force but those are fairly easily

moved into theater fairly quickly. And the U.S. also has F-35 stealth fighters stationed in the region. So a lot of options for the U.S. to

respond, but this we're being told is driven by a perceived threat to U.S. forces from Iranian backed groups and Iranian forces in the region.

ANDERSON: OK. All right. That's the view where you are at the Pentagon, which is --

BROWNE: Right.

ANDERSON: -- from where we would normally see a change in military strategy announced. We, as you rightly point out, are getting this

information from the national security adviser. Already a break in tradition. Nic -- and it's Nic Robertson, of course. And Nic, apologies,

a lot of Nicks around these days, but you are the important one for us. And as you have reported, this is not in response to any direct threat from

Iran. As a matter of fact, the top Iranian general treated a video with this message earlier. Have a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, IRANIAN GENERAL (translated text): The enemy Says we should not engage in a war against Iran because any military action at this

point can put us into an endless war that puts all our interest at risk.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There won't be war -- there certainly won't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: So, Nic, given that from this we are to understand that Iran says it is not expecting war, and warns of its risks. Why would the U.S.

send that aircraft carrier now, or at least announce with such noise a change in strategy in moving this aircraft carrier?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, as Ryan says, sources are telling -- administration sources are telling CNN that they

believe their intelligence has been picked up and, of course, with intelligence information we're not privy to what that is. We have no idea

of the nature. We have no idea of what may be the original source of that intelligence or any way to judge it. So that -- I think that statement has

to stand by itself.

But of course, you know, a third of the world's oil daily passes through the Straits of Hormuz. If you look back at the sort of 1980 to '88

Iran/Iraq war which led to the sort of so-called tanker war in the Persian Gulf and Iran putting mines in the sea there that were a threat to -- a

threat to oil and U.S. naval vessels in the area, there's historic precedent there.

Does the United States have some kind of inkling that Iran is about to do the same or use its navy, which is sort of reconfigured along the coastline

to be a sort of a swarm attack of small vessels rather than larger vessels to take on U.S. ships? Is it receiving intelligence about that? It really

isn't clear.

What is exceptionally clear, however, is that President Trump is absolutely doubling down on what he said as candidate Trump, that he didn't like the

multinational Iran nuclear deal, that he pulled out of it, and just this weekend has decided not to give sanctions waivers to countries wanting to

buy oil from Iran. So he's doubling down on the screws on Iran. And this would be another way to amplify that diplomatic message with a very strong

military message side by side.

[11:15:00] And you can see those brought together in the shape of Bolton, the national security adviser, because he isn't military. His message

there is more coming from a diplomatic direction.

ANDERSON: And as you speak, we've been looking at pictures of the Abraham Lincoln. One of our colleague's very, very recently, just in the past

month or so, been aboard that aircraft carrier. I myself spent some time on it about two or three years ago when it was stationed here in the gulf

off Bahrain as part of the seventh fleet.

So the question that we have at this point, Nic, is simply this. Stuff and bluster from the national security adviser in announcing or providing a

statement to announce what looks like a change in strategy, that being ratcheting up the military effort in the Gulf. Or something more at this

point?

ROBERTSON: You know, we can't tell if it's something more. I mean, certainly, you know, we heard over the weekend from a joint statement by

the British foreign secretary, the French and the German along with the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, saying about this refusal to

allow more sanctions waivers for buying oil from Iran that this sends a very troubling message. That this is something of concern. So what we're

seeing is the concern being raised on the European part that sort of splits or cracks, if you will, in that trans-Atlantic alliance with the United

States. The real concerning pulling back out of the JCPOA, that Iran nuclear deal by the United States and steps up sanctions on Iran.

So there is a real question emerging here about where the United States is ultimately going with this. And it would certainly be within the scope of

European politicians' knowledge to look at the fact that the United States is going into an election cycle and wonder if this is part of President

Trump doubling down on what he said. He likes to deliver on his election promises. Is this part of posturing as an election cycle? But more

concern beyond that would be, could it somehow lead to a spark that could trigger a wider conflagration? And that would be the concern at this time.

ANDERSON: And it is as yet, unclear whether this is joined up positioning by Mr. Bolton, Mr. Pompeo and the President. As we have seen this kind of

slight disconnect in the positioning from John Bolton and Pompeo versus Donald Trump on Venezuela, you have a big roiling -- one of the other big

roiling foreign policy stories out of Washington at present. That's yet to be seen. We will continue to report on this. An incredibly important

story, particularly for us broadcasting from what is our Middle East broadcasting hub here in Abu Dhabi. Nic, always a pleasure. Thank you.

Nic's in London for you today.

Still ahead, rockets, air strikes and the deadly aftermath. After a weekend of violence, is there a chance for peace in the Middle East? Well,

we talk with former U.S. Ambassador, Martin Indyk.

And new trade war worries after Donald Trump says he'll crank up tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese goods. Stay with us for live

market reaction on that.

And we get more details on what caused the deadly plane fire in Russia. That after this short break. Stay with us.

[11:20:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Twenty-one minutes past 7:00 here in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson.

Russia launching a criminal investigation into what may have caused Sunday's deadly plane fire on a Moscow runway. CNN's Cyril Vanier has the

latest on what was a horrifying disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CYRIL VANIER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR (voice-over): Fire out the window. It was a scene of chaos as a Russian passenger plane erupted into flames on

Sunday. Aeroflot flight SU-1492 had 78 people on board as it was flying from Moscow to Murmansk but then had to return to Sheremetyevo airport

after communication with the control tower was lost following a lightning strike.

The aircraft then made a heavy landing with excess weight right in the middle of the runway. After bouncing once, the plane came down hard on its

tail, causing fire to spread from the engines. Social media video showed the plane engulfed in flames on the tarmac with people evacuating out of

the emergency slides.

At least 42 people have died, including two children and one crew member, according to an official from Russia's investigative committee, the

country's top investigative body. Also killed was a U.S. citizen, Interfax news agentry reported.

Russian officials said the fire was put out and those injured received emergency medical care with at least five people hospitalized. Russian

President, Vladimir Putin, has ordered a thorough investigation, according to Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov. The investigative committee has

launched a criminal probe into the emergency landing under a Russian law dealing with air safety violations resulting in the death of two or more

passengers by negligence. Cyril Vanier, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: All right. Let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories we are following for you tonight. These are on our radar right

now.

New satellite images obtained exclusively by CNN show North Korea's latest missile launch. Have a look at this. You can see the smoke trail

following the rocket, which experts say indicates a short-range ballistic missile.

Now, it's North Korea's first missile test since late 2017, and comes just two months after the U.S. President walked away from a second summit

between the two countries.

Well, after international condemnation, the sultan of Brunei says people convicted of having gay sex will no longer face the death penalty. The law

had come into effect in April, a part of punishments that also targeted people guilty of adultery and of rape.

And Thailand's new King has thanked people in the country for a, quote, heartfelt celebration of his coronation. It was the first coronation of a

Thai monarch in almost 69 years and is being celebrated in a three-day lavish event.

Donald Trump's foreign policy file front and center tonight, folks. We've discussed U.S.-Iran tensions already this hour. Also today, Washington's

relations with Beijing squarely in focus. Tension between the world's top two economies triggering a global selloff.

Markets in the red after Donald Trump warned he could ramp up tariffs on Chinese goods. He tweeted.

The United States has been losing for many years, 600 to $800 billion a year on trade. China will lose $500 billion. Sorry, we're not going to be

doing that anymore.

[11:25:00] Well, there was a measured response from China earlier. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GENG SHUANG CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN (through translator): As to the U.S. side threatening to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, similar

threats have occurred on a number of occasions.

China's position and attitude are always very clear and the United States knows about it. China and the United States have carried out ten rounds of

trade talks and made positive progress. The pressing issue now is that we still hope the two sides would make concerted efforts, meet each other

halfway and strive to reach a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well played it pretty cool there. Then are they calling Donald Trump's bluff? Well Julia Chatterley is in New York with the reaction

firstly from Wall Street. Let's have a look at that, Julia. The big board certainly down hundreds of points, taking its cue from Europe and Asia.

The volatility index at its highest level, as far as I understand it, since January. What's the market doing at this point?

JULIA CHATTERLEY, CNN BUSINESS ANCHOR, FIRST MOVE: Well, we've bounced off the lows. I think that's the key point here, Becky. As you mentioned,

earlier on in the session we were down some 500 points on the Dow. Some real alarm here, I think, with what this tweet from the President,

threatening more tariffs on China ultimately meant. But that's all we know at this stage. And as you were mentioning there, that the message from the

Chinese side has been pretty moderate here and quite cautious.

We've bounced off the lows, but I think the thing to keep an eye on here are some of the big tech stocks, the ones that have the most exposure in

terms of their business in Chinese sales. Qualcomm, Intel, Micron, Apple, very much in focus. But I think despite the tone shift that we've seen.

We've seen many twists and turns in these trade negotiations. So I think what we've seen in the last hour or so is a bit of rationalization. We

have to wait and see.

Does the delegation from China that was expected in Washington this week arrive? It was meant to include key adviser. Liu He, a 100 other members

of that delegation set to arrive. That's going to be key. What happens on Wednesday? Is this the President looking at stock markets at record highs?

Looking at the data, of course, the jobs numbers and growth numbers and saying, you know what, I'm at a point of maximum leverage here so I can

play hard ball here. Or was that precipitated by the Chinese coming with their presentation ahead of these talks and still not making concrete

concessions over some of the thorny issues like intellectual property theft? At this stage we don't know, but I think the next 24 to 48 hours

are going to be key in terms of greater indication. And for now a bit of softness in the markets here. But I think even they're saying at this

stage we have to wait and see what happens this week. It's not an idle threat from the President, but we have to see more to make concrete

decisions here.

ANDERSON: Julia Chatterley's on the markets for you. Julia, thank you for that.

We are out of Abu Dhabi. Julia in New York, of course. This is CONNECT THE WORLD.

Coming up, three little letters, one big celebration. Harry and Meghan welcome their baby into the world and confirm it's a boy. More on what we

know and perhaps more importantly, what we don't know, up next.

[11:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Let's get you back to our top story this hour. It's a boy for Britain's Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The new Royal baby is the couple's

first child and he is seventh in line to the British throne. Prince Harry told reporters that his son was a little overdue, but both mother and baby

are doing incredibly well.

Britain's Prime Minister tweeted well wishes to the couple, saying congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their

baby boy. Wishing you all the best at this happy time.

CNN Royal historian Kate Williams joins us live from London as we await the easel outside Buckingham Palace. This takes me back some years when you

and I were broadcasting from just outside Buckingham Palace for another Royal baby, the first for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But this one

announced in a completely different way. And we know very few details, apart from the baby's weight and his sex, about the birth and what happens

next.

KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Yes, very exciting day, Becky. Yes, takes us back to those days we were outside Buckingham Palace waiting for

Prince George's delivery. We've had a lot of Royal babies in the past five years. And we've had George, we've had Charlotte, we've had Louie just

last year and now we have this little new baby Sussex.

So we know it's a boy, seven pounds, three ounces. We understand that Meghan went into labor in the early hours of this morning and the baby was

born at about 5:30 in the morning. So very early arrival. And we don't have a name yet. Probably Prince Harry came out to speak to us earlier

today, and he's obviously over the moon. So thrilled. And he said that they're still thinking about names, and the baby was a little bit overdue

they've had a lot of time to think. So we're looking forward to hearing that name news very soon.

ANDERSON: Well, we are looking at some shots from just outside Buckingham Palace. And I've been waiting on these. I think we just lost that shot

again. It certainly wasn't an easel announcing the baby. It was a sign showing tourists how to get to the shop at Buckingham Palace. We're off

that shot. Back on to Buckingham Palace and we do await that announcement. Because I guess the easel could tell us what this baby's name is if,

indeed, they have decided.

And on their Instagram account -- which is the way they announced the arrival of their son -- they do actually point out that they will be

providing more details in the next couple of days.

So as we await further details, let's just plug this little fellow into the big scheme of things. A break with modern tradition in the way that this

baby was announced. But just walk us through how he fits in and, of course, this is a really important point, this is the first biracial baby

for the British Royal family.

WILLIAMS: Yes. So we did expect possibly to see an announcement on the Duchess's and Duke's social media account, because that was set up quite

recently. And obviously we got very excited when there were all kinds of posts about their things. But yes, the baby popped up on their Instagram.

Very exciting news today.

And the baby is seventh in line to the throne. So it is behind Harry.

[11:35:00] So there's quite a long line of people in front of the throne, of course. There's Charles, there's William, there's William's children,

there's Harry. So seventh in line to the throne. So at the moment we don't expect this baby to be a prince. According to the latest patent made

by George X a long time ago. This baby will be actually not, he'll be an earl. Will expect to be earl of Dumbarton. But the Queen can make a

change on that. You never know. But we think that's going to go the situation.

So whatever the child will be, it'll be whatever it could be, John, Earl of Dumbarton. And Prince Harry and the Instagram account have said we're

going to find out a little bit in perhaps two days' time. So perhaps we'll expect to see a family shot. They did say initially they'll share the news

with us when they have a chance to celebrate. Perhaps we'll see a family shot of the three of them at the Frogmore cottage with the baby.

Because we think they've had a home birth, we haven't had that moment on the steps of the hospital that we've seen with Kate and all three of the

babies. So we haven't had that. We haven't seen a little baby yet. And we'll probably will see it when it is perhaps two days old.

But yes, this child is some way away from the throne. It's unlikely ever to come to the throne. It's not like the birth of Prince George. But it

is significant because it is our first biracial Royal baby. If everyone else abdicates, it could be the first biracial Royal monarch of the United

Kingdom. And it's a very significant moment for Britain and for the monarchy.

ANDERSON: Kate, always a pleasure. Thank you for that. Let's let Kate -- sorry, Kate, let's let Meghan just relax for a little bit. Good for them

do being it their way.

Anna Stewart is out and about soaking up the atmosphere in Windsor. And there will be, I'm sure, lots of people out there very, very excited about

the news today. What are they telling you?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, you know what? It's like memories of the Royal wedding. Being back in Windsor, there is so much excitement.

And although journalists are waiting here for days and days and days, the baby we now know was overdue. Let's of people expected to (INAUDIBLE).

Some of the mega fans have been camp on the streets on and off for two weeks. And it has not been that warm. The weather has not been that kind.

They are all so excited.

And you know what? The news came in really thick and fast because this was a very different birth of a Royal baby to what we usually expect. As Kate

was saying there, you know, we don't have a picture of the mother on the steps with the new baby. We weren't aware even she was in labor. We were

told, in fact, she was in labor actually after he had been born. It was born at 5:30 this morning. Very early start for people.

So we know it's a boy. We know its weight. What we don't know, and the information everybody here wants to know is what is it called, what its

name? Prince Harry today said that there still thinking of names. They have had a lot of time. Plenty of opinions here on what it should be

called. Some want a traditional name, Albert, Arthur, Alexander. Some want something a little different. In fact, one lady would quite like it

to be called Earl, although I think that may be confusing because it may well have the title of earl. What do you think, Becky?

ANDERSON: I have no idea, which is why you're on the story and I'm here today. But thank you. No, seriously, thank you very much, indeed. A good

atmosphere there in Windsor. As Anna reminds us, she was there a year ago covering the Royal wedding celebrations and now covering the celebrations

of what is this new baby boy for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

[11:40:00] All right. We're going to leave that story for the time being. As we get more information, we will, of course, bring it to you. You can

rely on us for that.

I want to get you to the latest tensions in the Middle East now. And a cease-fire that appears to be holding between Israel and Palestinian

militants after a flare up in violence. Now, hundreds of rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel over the weekend. Israel fired back

with air strikes. The hostilities left a number of people dead on both sides, including several Palestinian militants.

CNN's Sam Kylie at the border between Israel and Gaza. Signs are -- that this cease-fire at present, Sam, is holding. Question is for how long?

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, the pattern, and I'm afraid with these insurrections and counterattacks from

the Israelis, if you like, it does follow a pattern. What we've seen, though, in the last few days was an escalation that broke the pattern of

the past four years in terms of the volume of rockets being fired. Some nearly 700 rockets fired out of Gaza. Some 30-plus landed in built-up

areas. Four people inside Israeli territory were killed. And the Israelis hitting back with 350, at least, air strikes, and one so-called targeted

killing. In other words, the deliberate killing in this case of a Hamas official.

[11:40:00] So it escalated very rapidly. Then at midnight last night, Palestinian Islamic jihad, followed by Hamas, said that they were calling a

cease-fire. And that seems to have been now respected by the Israelis who have lifted a lot of the restrictions on civilian movement into and out of

Gaza, for example.

So the hopes are that if Hamas in particular can get back to negotiations, which are being handled through mostly the agency of Egypt, but also

involving Qatar and the United Nations. Their program, Becky, in terms of Hamas is really to try to find a working relationship, a long-term cease-

fire so that they can maintain the political control that they have over the Gaza strip.

The ointment in that is that Palestinian Islamic jihad are not interested at all in a cessation of hostilities but do seem to be (INAUDIBLE) from

Hamas in agreement that they should dial down the level of violence. Because the alternative from the Israeli side was something described as

massive by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Now, you may discount some of that as political rhetoric, but there were -- there was an armament, a brigade that was brought down here. Some of the

tanks and other earth-moving equipment's behind me here. They did talk of deploying the Israeli parachute unit.

ANDERSON: Right.

KILEY: A lot of specialist infantry, but that is a very big step. Clearly, it's not in the interest of either side to allow it to escalate.

ANDERSON: Sure.

KILEY: So the hopes are that they can get back to some sort of indirect talks. They'd be able to keep this cease-fire going -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Sam Kiley's reporting from the Israel-Gaza border. Quiet then for the time being. Sam, thank you.

The U.S. expected to unveil its Middle East peace plan next month. Is peace possible? Our next guest has been grappling with this for years.

Martin Indyk was the ambassador to Israel and he was the special envoy for peace talks joining us now. And you, sir, I am told, have little

confidence that this cease-fire will hold. Explain if you will.

MARTIN INDYK, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL: Hi, Becky. Well, as your reporter said, there has been a pattern of these attacks breaking out and

then cease-fires being reestablished. I think we've had eight since the last war about four years ago, and this is by now a quite familiar pattern.

I think that Hamas calculated that with the Eurovision song contest coming to Israel later in this month, their chance for improving the bargain was

greater now, and so there was an incident on the border and that resulted in this big flare up with over 600 rockets being fired into Israel, and as

you heard, 360 attacks back. So now it's settled down again, but I don't think it will last for long because the basic terms of a longer-term cease-

fire -- what the Palestinians refer to as a hudna -- have not been settled. And so this is a way of kind of using military action to try to increase

your position, improve your position at the bargaining table.

On the Israeli side, there's a concern that their deterrence is slipping and that they need to reestablish deterrence and when they get into that

mode, they then make the rubble bounce and also, of course, kill some people in Gaza to try to make their point. So I do think that there's --

ANDERSON: OK. Martin --

[11:45:00] -- that there will be another round.

ANDERSON: Yes, OK. And I hear what you're saying. You believe that what is going on between Hamas and Israel could certainly complicated Jared

Kushner's long-awaited plan for peace. This deal of the century we've been promised will be released within the next month or so. End of Ramadan or

just after is the best guest of many experts. Now, Jared Kushner himself has already said that the Trump administration is abandoning long long-held

language around Middle East peace. Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JARED KUSHNER, TRUMP SENIOR ADVISER: A lot of the discussion and a lot of the disagreement seems to be about these high-level concepts, two-state

versus one-state, you know, you can't say two-state. I realize that means different things to different people. If you say two-state, it means one

things to the Israelis, it means one things to the Palestinians. So we said, you know, let's just not say it. Let's just say let's work on the

details of what this means.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Let's just not say it. Do you buy that argument?

INDYK: No, not at all. I think it's very important for both sides when they're contemplating making any kind of compromise and major concessions

to understand what the endgame is. We've gone through a period when the endgame wasn't clear and that didn't work. And I just think that dropping

reference to a fundamental Palestinian aspiration for an independent Palestinian state.

[11:45:00] Signals to the Palestinians that essentially this this deal is going to fall far short of what their minimum aspirations are. And so I

think they just handicapped themselves in the process.

ANDERSON: Better to try and fail than not having tried at all. A refrain that you will be familiar with, the words, I understand, used by Bill

Clinton in a briefing with you before Camp David back in 2000. Do you applaud Jared Kushner for at least giving this a go? He has described it

as a fresh perspective, a new start, a business plan at this point. Giving it a go. After all, the status quo hasn't worked in 30 years.

INDYK: Not quite 30 years, Becky. No need to exaggerate. It's actually 18 years, but that's a long time, too. Notwithstanding the efforts of

American Presidents since then, including now President Trump. And I do give them credit for trying. I do think it's important to try. But, of

course, the way you try --

ANDERSON: OK.

INDYK: -- is important. And the problem I think is that they consider everything that was done before as stupid and feckless.

ANDERSON: Martin, I'm going to wind you up just for one second. Martin, hold on for one second.

We've got some news. I want to bring our viewers. I want to come back to you. Stand by. Got some news from Buckingham Palace. They have made

official the announcement of the newest Royal baby. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a healthy baby boy early this morning. You can see these

live pictures from outside Buckingham Palace. Max Foster outside Windsor where the Sussex's now live. I can't quite see from here. The camera is

now pushing in. What it says. It says the Queen and the Royal family are delighted at the news. And Max, this is in keeping with the Royal

tradition. Isn't it?

FOSTER: Yes? I can't really -- I can't keep up with it. Zoom in enough either. You know, what would normally go on there is what we told you

earlier, Becky, about the sex, the time of birth and the weight. What we were looking for was location of birth. That's still a bit of a mystery.

The Palace currently saying that's a private matter. So I don't think it's on there anyway. But it would have been interesting. They were

considering whether or not to put it on there.

Also if they decided on a name, they would have put it there as well. But Harry obviously told us earlier on that they're still thinking about names.

ANDERSON: Yep. Well, that is at Buckingham Palace. The Queen and the Royal family are delighted at the news that her Royal highness, the Duchess

of Sussex, has safely delivered a son at 5:26 a.m. today. Her Royal highness and her child are both doing well.

We are going to take a very short break, viewers. Back after this.

[11:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Right. Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson. This is CONNECT THE WORLD.

And the U.S. expected to unveil its Middle East peace plan next month. That is what we've been discussing this hour. I sadly had to interrupt one

of my guests earlier on, Martin Indyk, who was a U.S. ambassador to Israel. He was the special envoy for peace talks. So I want to bring him back.

Martin, apologies. I interrupted you before the break. We were discussing whether this operational plan for peace that Jared Kushner has promised, a

fresh perspective as he calls it, is a strategically important move, if for no other reason that it gets what has been this kind of, you know, issue

that's been stuck in the water for years moving once again. You didn't seem to agree that a fresh perspective was the way to go.

INDYK: Well, it depends on how fresh the perspective is. Jared Kushner and his team are new to the process and they seem to believe that they're

reinventing it, but this process has been going on for 30 years. So I think a lot of the things that they're talking about are not new.

They talk about economic development, economic peace. That's certainly been tried before, all the way back to George Schultz in the Reagan

administration and his quality of life initiative.

But I think more importantly the relationships now between the Israelis and Palestinians are so broken, and the Palestinian party is so divided. We

see Hamas is out there in Gaza firing rockets on Israel while the Palestinians in the West Bank are refusing to talk to Jared Kushner because

Trump moved the embassy to Jerusalem. So the whole relationship is very dysfunctional and even toxic.

There's no trust between the parties. No willingness to compromise. A lot of denigrating of the other side. And so, in that environment, if you

throw a new peace plan with new ideas in it that are supposed to reflect new realities, then I'm afraid we're going to have a situation in which

basically both sides will not be willing to engage on that basis.

ANDERSON: A concerned Martin Indyk. On your show tonight, viewers. Martin, always a pleasure. Thank you very much for your insight.

Extremely important as we discuss what happens next for Middle East peace. We're going to take a very short break at this point. We'll be back after

this. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:55:00] ANDERSON: At sundown you can hear that sound echo across the Muslim and Arab world. Cannon blasts signal the end of fasting on the

first day of Ramadan.

I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. And we leave you now with these parting shots of Muslims joining in celebration across the world to

mark the beginning of this holy month. Ramadan Kareem to all our Muslim friends. Good evening.

END