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How Ernest Hemingway Inspires Parisians After Paris Attack; Hollande, Cameron Announce Greater Intelligence Sharing; France Steps Up Airstrikes on ISIS, Raqqa; Washington Post Journalist Jason Rezaian Sentenced to Prison in Iran. Aired 8:00a-9:00a ET

Aired November 23, 2015 - 8:00   ET

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


[08:00:12] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And welcome to News Stream.

Now 10 days after the terror attacks in Paris, the French president is meeting his allies to build a coalition to battle ISIS. And we'll take you

to the front lines of that fight near the militant group's headquarters in Raqqa, Syria.

Brussels is a city on edge this Monday as authorities there warn of an ongoing terror threat. Now meanwhile, 10 days after the attacks in Paris,

leaders in France and Britain are standing firmly together in the fight against ISIS.

Earlier, Francois Hollande and David Cameron visited the site that saw the greatest loss of life, the Bataclan concert hall. They've announced a

Pan-European effort to build stronger border controls and to promote greater information sharing across the bloc. Mr. Cameron has also offered

to let the French use a British air base in Cypress.

The French president is vowing to ramp up the bombing campaign against ISIS in the days ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): We are convinced that we have to keep striking Daesh in Syria. We are going to

intensify our strikes. We are going to choose targets that will do the most possible damage to the terrorist army. And our aircraft carrier will

soon be arriving in the area clearly mandated to hit Daesh and hit them hard.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: The meeting between the French and British leaders kicks off a week of diplomacy for Francois Hollande. He also has one-on-one talks

set with the U.S. president, the Russian president and the German chancellor. It is all part of the French President's push to build a wider

international coalition against ISIS.

Now, both the U.S.-led coalition and Russian strikes have been targeting the stronghold of Raqqa. Our CNN senior international

correspondent Nick Paton Walsh traveled into Syria recently, getting extremely close joins us now live from Irbil in Iraq with his exclusive

report.

Nick, when you were outside Raqqa, what did you see?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is remarkable to note just how close Kurdish forces with U.S. support have got to Raqqa.

Now, I should tell you, too, in the last few minutes, the French defense ministry has announced that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier,

positioned in the eastern Mediterranean, many say to provide greater backup and frequency for French, sorties that airstrikes from that carrier have

begun.

You can only imagine they must be looking towards Raqqa in their crosshairs, and we ourselves, saw exactly what it's like for those Kurdish

fighters on the front lines so closed to ISIS's self-declared capital of their caliphate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALSH (voice-over): After Paris, the Sinai, in the crosshairs is here. Raqqah, lost in the haze, yet they can hear it. Loud thuds, heaviest at

dusk.

"Three days ago," says Barhos (ph), "we saw 40 airstrikes southerly hit just nearby, and then the French said that they'd started bombing.

We'll do our best to avenge Paris."

He, like the other young Kurdish fighters here, have lost friends, but say fighting ISIS is a duty for humanity rather than vengeance, as they man

a series of trenches and outposts about 20 miles from the city.

(on camera): We have just heard the distant thuds of what could have been two airstrikes, but from where we're standing, here is the Kurdish

front line, a trench dug, as far as we can see, and then all in this direction, flat, open land, until you reach the outskirts of Raqqa, the

capital of ISIS's self-declared caliphate.

(voice-over): Four Russian missiles hit Raqqah this day, activists said, but otherwise, it's the silence of stalemate in the desert.

Weapons here are scant. This man carries the AK-47 of his friend, who died eight months ago. Out here in the flat, open ground, with ISIS in the

next village, they still scorn ISIS's leaders and welcome help.

"If French, Russian, or American fighters," this commander says, "come here to fight, we'll cooperate with them, as we're all fighting to clean

the area of ISIS for humanity."

ISIS left their mark on nearby Ayn al-Issa (ph), as has to fight for it. Even the mosque littered with mines.

The silence there is breathtaking. This is directly the road down to Raqqa, and you can just hear the complete absence of human life. There is

little in victory left to fight for.

On the way out, we meet these guys. They don't look much like white knights, but that's what the Pentagon hopes they are. The Syrian democratic

forces, getting American aid, who explain they've secured the major deflection of Sunni tribes inside Raqqah to fight ISIS.

"We weren't expecting this large number to join, but there are now 4,000 tribesmen," he says. "When we want to move, all of them are ready,

and we've already managed to sneak weapons to them. We're moving forward."

Western leaders call this a global fight, but here, alone, you feel the dust, death, and determination.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[08:05:40] WALSH: Now, I should tell you how active the front line still is. In the last 24 hours, it appears ISIS, from the villages you saw

in that report, seemed to have made some kind of move towards Ayn al-Issa (ph), the key town that featured in it. And at the same town, as well, the

last coalition press release about their airstrikes points out that four strikes hit ISIS targets around Ayn al-ISsa (ph).

It is very close to Raqqa. There is such a vast amount of flat ground between both sides

there that is hard really to advance without the risk of the coalition jets assisting them or taking them out in ISIS's particular case, and still talk

of a ground offensive, optimistic as it is, still omnipresent when you're in that area -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: And you mentioned that aircraft from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier now

striking ISIS targets in Syria. The ISIS stronghold of Raqqa has been repeatedly hit by air strikes.

In general, how effective are they?

WALSH: It's very hard to tell. I think there are some skepticism as to the volume of targets that have suddenly become available to the French

and indeed the Russians to hit in the past week or so since the Paris attacks that perhaps if U.S. craft had been over that city for a

substantial period of time, you have to ask the question why were they with their drones and aircraft

not hitting those same targets?

Are they targets being hit for the second time? Or are they targets that have suddenly become available? Questions that are hard to answer

here and ones which U.S. officials say simply come down to moments of opportunity.

But, activists on the ground inside report the constant hitting of large buildings. We've seen obvious parts of infrastructure there. Most

recently in the last few hours, the youth club, (inaudible) club, in the city there and also fuel tankers and parts of the oil infrastructure.

Remember, ISIS makes a lot of money, it's said, from oil revenues selling oil on the black market. They're being hit as civilians, so many

of them there potentially caught up in the explosions. We've had one report of seven killed two days ago when an oil tanker, a fuel truck, was

hit but still ISIS suggesting that actually the numbers are significantly higher -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: And after the attacks in Paris, there has been this greater urgency, this new renewed push to defeat ISIS. Is that going to

translate into more equipment and more weapons for Kurdish ground forces?

WALSH: It's an uphill task. The Syrian democratic forces, you can't see them in their entirety, but I think most assess them as not being the

force of the size that those Americans advising the Kurds and the Syrian democratic forces would like them to be. As you saw there in that report,

the YPG fighters near Raqqa are down to borrowed or inherited Kalashnikovs.

They don't have heavy weaponry. They do have coalition air power, meaning that ISIS moving towards their trenches is a very difficult task,

indeed. But do they have the full numbers of Syrian Sunni Arabs. Remember, that ethnic distinction is important because they are moving into

a Sunni Syrian Arab city of Raqqa. The Kurds can't do that on their own without all sorts of questions being raised in the event of that.

So, they need the Syrian democratic forces, Sunni Syrian Arab element on board. There aren't necessarily the numbers.

What you heard about that report about potentially thousands of local tribesmen being on side. Well, we can't corroborate that ourselves

independently, but it were the case, it would mark a sea change in preparation for the onslaught.

But I have to say, you look at the ground there, you feel the atmosphere. It doesn't feel like an assault is imminent, but it does feel

like people are pushing towards that objective, however distant it may seem at the moment, Kristie.

LU STOUT: Nick Paton Walsh reporting for us live. Many thanks indeed for that.

Now, Brussels is on virtual lockdown again this Monday as the Belgium capital remains under the highest possible terror alert. And within the

past several hours, five more people have been detained in fresh anti- terror raids.

19 people were taken into custody after raids on Sunday.

And across the city, the subway and schools are closed and residents are being urged to avoid crowded places. Now, we know very little about

what the government has called a serious and imminent threat looming over the city.

Now, CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Brussels. He joins me now live. And Fred, given this threat, Brussels is still in lockdown. More arrests have

been made. A lot happening here. Bring us up to speed.

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, there certainly is

a lot happening and there was a lot that's been happening over the past 24 hours and that of course you've had all these raids that happened in

various locations, not just here in and around Brussels, but also in other parts of Belgium as well, for instance, the city's of Liege

(ph), the cities of (inaudible) as well.

And as you said, the total number of people who have been arrested so far is now at 21.

Now, one person who, however, to our knowledge at least is not in custody yet is Saleh Abedlsalam. He is, of course, the one who is the most

wanted man, probably, in all of Europe at this point in time after he's been implicated in those attacks that took place in Paris a little over a

week ago.

He was last seen on a road leading into Belgium. And the Belgian authorities have said they do

believe that he is most probably around here somewhere in the Brussels area but they can't be sure at this point in time and that's why you've seen so

many raids.

At the same time, you're absolutely right, Brussels is I would say on a virtual state of lockdown because it's not an official lockdown but

you're absolutely right, there's no public transportation. The schools are all closed. Most people -- or many people aren't going to work, at least

people that we've been speaking to. A lot of shops are closed as well.

And if you look behind me, you can see this is actually supposed to be the main Christmas market here in Brussels. As you can see, there are some

folks on the street. However, not many, but the Christmas market itself is closed. And that's simply the reality that people here in Brussels have to

deal with at this point in time, Kristie.

LU STOUT: yeah, Brussels is quiet, it's in lockdown, Abdelsalam remains at large. And there have also been accusations, Fred, accusations

of not enough intelligence being shared between Belgium and France after the attacks last week in Paris.

Why? I mean, what is getting in the way of intelligence sharing in Europe? And will the situation get better?

PLEITGEN: Well, it's been difficult over the past couple of years. Look, the Belgian politicians who have come up and talked to CNN, and said

look, we understand that most probably we were the weak link in all of this and one of the big issues that they've been having is that intelligence wasn't shared. Intelligence was

apparently gathered, but there was also a problem with the interpretation of intelligence as well.

Now we have to keep in mind that the scene of extremists here in Belgium has been a big problem for a very long time, especially that area

of Molenbeck (ph), which of course is the district off here in Brussels, is one that has seen a lot of people go to Syria, come back. They have a big

problem with extremists over there, and it's something that seems as though the intelligence services here and the security services haven't been able

to get under control.

The other big issue that you have here in Belgium as well is the fact that weapons, even

weapons like AK-47s are pretty easily available on the black market. And then all of that of course

was trafficked into France to then conduct those attacks there. And there have indeed been indications or there have been allegations that there

wasn't enough intelligence sharing going on. And then you see after these attacks took place intelligence sharing apparently is going a lot better

now.

And if you look, for instance, at least week at the raid that happened in that suburb north of Paris that got the alleged ring leader of the Paris

cell, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, it seems as though there is a lot more intelligence, a lot better intelligence sharing going on now than there was

before. So, it seems as though the authorities may have at least learned from all of the things that have taken place here over the past couple of

days and over a week.

LU STOUT: Yeah, we heard commitments for more intel sharing between Francois Hollande and David Cameron earlier today in France.

We'll leave it at that. Fred Pleigten reporting live in Brussels for us. Thank you.

Now, you're watching News Stream. And still ahead on the program, a deadly attack on a hotel in Mali has left the nation on edge. We'll hear

one survivor's harrowing account of the rampage.

Also ahead, the hope of finding more survivors from a landslide in Myanmar is fading. What authorities say caused this disaster.

Plus, one of the world's most endangered species is now even closer to extinction. The details when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:15:59] LU STOUT: Now Mali remains in a state of emergency following last week's deadly hotel attack in the capital that saw at least

22 people killed. The government has invited UN security forces to patrol the streets. News agencies report two Islamist groups have claimed

responsibility.

NOw Mali has been batting extremist militants with the help of UN and French forces. The attack happened at a hotel where peace talks were

taking place.

And we've been hearing some harrowing accounts from survivors, let's bring in David McKenzie. He joins me live from the capital of Mali. And

David, you heard a very emotional account from one survivor. What did she share with you?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Kristie, there have been harrowing stories of survival through the hours

that they waited here to try and get rescued by the security forces that were coming through.

But I just actually spoke to the president of Mali, President Keita. He was here at the Raddison hotel behind me, touring the scene with the

president on Benin, another important West African country. I asked him, you know, what is Mali going to do about the situation? And are they

requesting more international help?

He told me, yes, this is something they are going to try and stamp out, but they can't do it

without the help of the U.S., Europe and others. It does seem to be an added impetus by West African nations to band together as well as link in

with their allies to try to stamp out Islamic terror in this region.

I spoke to a senior member of the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta who was here trying to help set up a disease center. She said that

she was stuck in a room waiting to be rescued and hoping she wouldn't be killed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHIE FRAZEKAS, ATTACK SURVIVOR: I emailed my husband and I said something like, there was something going on and I want you to know that I

love you. And then when a few hours later when the fire down the hallway, I wrote another email and said, I do believe there's shooters here and if I

don't make it, I want you to know I love you and my family sand my -- but I'm coming home.

I do this because I love doing this work and where we are in the world that we need to continue on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCKENZIE: Well, Kathie, that -- a senior official from the CDC said that is secret code

that they communicated to them from the U.S. security agents when someone who was a friend, he came outside the door they would know, if she hadn't

had that training, barricading herself behind bags, locking the door, not going even when someone knocks, she said she might have been killed. She was very emotional, Kristie, when she told me about

the others who were here who lost her life.

But she says she's going to come back to Mali and finish her work -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: And that is very, very encouraging to hear, but her account absolutely chilling.

David in the end, 22 people were killed in this attack. There have been multiple claims of responsibility. Which group is behind it?

MCKENZIE: Well, two groups have claimed responsibility, an al Qaeda- linked group, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which operates in Mali and transnationally in the Sahel desert as well as another group, in

neighboring parts of the country. You know, there's a whole spread of terror threats in West Africa and beyond in Africa and many of them were

almost proto ISIS, in that they took territory like Boko Haram in Nigeria and into Cameroon and Chad as well as the Islamic groups in the Tuareg

militia who came in and took a large part of Mali. And of course you have Somalia where the same thing happened with al Shabaab.

This is not just one terror group, which is using this tactic of gaining ground, and of course not just one group that is using gunmen to

strike fear in the country. But Mali's president told me they will remain unbowed and they are going to work as hard as they can to bring this

country back to their stability and so that the citizens don't feel fear -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: The government of Mali determined to fight the threat of terrorism there. Why was this hotel targeted? It was a Raddison Blu

hotel. Why was this the target of this attack?

[08:20:06] MCKENZIE: Well, like many terrorist targets, it was, we believe, because of the maximum effect that it could get. This is an

international hotel frequented by international travelers. There were also diplomats here negotiating peace process. Different security

officials I've spoken to have given, frankly, different theories whether this was a localized issue or whether it was linked somehow to the overall

need for this group to show attention around the world. We don't know exactly at this stage, but it is clear that they attacked this hotel behind

me for the maximum exposure.

And it is incredible given how quickly people say the Malian forces and others, many of them trained by the UN and the French teams in the

country, came into this hotel and rescued people. There's a real difference in tactics these days. In the past you tried to negotiate with

terrorists, now you have to get in as quickly as possible because the terrorists' only intent -- aim and demand it seems is to kill -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: Tactics evolve. The response must evolve as well.

David McKenzie reporting live from the capital of Mali, thank you very much indeed for that.

Now Myanmar media report that the death toll from a landslide at a jade mine now stands at 104. We're told several people are missing.

It happened when a huge amount of waste material from the mine collapsed onto the living quarters of sleeping workers.

Now, 70 huts were buried in the slide. And military is helping with the rescue and recovery effort.

Northern Myanmar is known for producing some of the world's highest quality jade. Now, the stronghold of the mining industry is in the city of

Hapkant (ph), seen here.

Now, the environmental advocacy group Global Witness published a report last month estimating that the country's jade industry is worth as

much as $31 billion, that is nearly half the country's GDP. But the report also points out that local people see little

revenue from this valuable resource.

A state newspaper says that workers forged the tail links for leftover jade while the mining

proceeds line the pockets of the country's former military leaders and drug lords.

Global Witness also alleges the practices of mining companies have created environmental hazards, citing a series of fatal accidents in recent

months, but the questionable practices persist.

The nearly translucent green stone is especially wanted among buyers in neighboring China.

You're watching News Stream and still to come, Iran sentences a Washington Post reporter to

prison for spying, but the length of the jail term is not known.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching News Stream.

Now, there was word from Iran that a journalist for The Washington Post has been declared guilty of espionage. Jason Rezaian has been

detained in Iran for more than a year. The newspaper insists Rezaian is innocent and should be released immediately. Ian Lee reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: "Washington Post" bureau chief Jason Rezaian has been sentenced to prison according to Iran's judicial

spokesman. Rezaian was tried on espionage charges. The Iranian- American has been detained in a prison for almost 500 days.

What we don't know are the details of the charges or verdict against Rezaian, or the length of his sentence. This comes amid ongoing domestic

tensions between moderates around Iranian President Rouhani and hardliners in the government.

There was also hope that following the Iran nuclear deal, that tensions would thaw between Washington and Tehran, leading to Rezaian's

release. Iranian leaders have also suggested a possible prisoner swap in the past. And "The Washington Post" says they're aware of this development

and added, "Every day that Jason is in prison is an injustice. He has done nothing wrong. Even after keeping Jason in prison 487 days, so far, Iran

produced no evidence of wrong doing. His trial and sentence are a sham and he should be released immediately."

Rezaian's sentencing comes amid a crackdown on other journalists in Iran. United Nations human rights investigators have called on Iran to

cease arresting, harassing, and prosecuting journalists. They've also urged Iran to release all journalists, including Jason.

Ian Lee, CNN, Cairo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: The gravely endangered northern white rhino has urged closer to extinction. A 41-year-old female named Nola has died at a San

Diego safari park. She was treated for a bacterial infection and age related health issues. According to the zoo, she was one

of only four northern white rhino left in the world. It says the last three are living in a conservancy in Kenya.

The city of light has been immortalized in countless works of literature, but right now Parisians are turning to one particular classic

for solace. Later this hour, find out which book is flying off the shelves.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:31:04] LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching News Stream and these are your world headlines.

The Belgian capital Brussels is in virtual lockdown under the highest possible terror alert. Five more people are detained in fresh anti-terror

raids, that's in addition to the 16 taken into custody on Sunday.

Across the city, schools, malls and the subway are closed and residents are being urged to

avoid crowded places.

Now, France has launched fresh air strikes targeting ISIS. A French official says that they were

the first strikes launched from the newly deployed aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle.

Now, meanwhile, in Paris, French President Francois Hollande and the British Prime Minister David Cameron have visited the Bataclan concert hall

to pay their respects to the 89 people who died there 10 days ago.

The two leaders agreed on greater border control efforts, a more effective way of screening people and increased data sharing.

Myanmar media report that the death toll from a landslide at a jade mine now stands at 104. It happened two days ago when a huge mound of

waste material from the mine collapsed onto the living quarters of sleeping workers. The military is helping with the rescue and recovery effort.

But the mother of one of the Paris attack victims searched for her son for three days before learning that he had been killed at the Bataclan

Theater. And she spoke with CNN's Poppy Harlow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Nelly Leclaire (ph) weeped as she recalls her son, Gilles (ph), as a touching, caring, sensitive man, always

ready to help his family.

"He was magnificent," she tells me. "He and the love of his life, Marianne de Vellier (ph), went out for an evening of fun that Friday

night."

Taking this selfie inside the theater, waiting for the band to play. It would be their last picture together. Gilles (ph) threw his body over

Marianne, saving her life. But word of Gilles' (ph) condition eluded the family for three days.

(voice-over): You looked for your son for three days?

NELLY LECLAIRE (ph), (through translation): We always had hope, until the very last minute, even until we went to go see him, and then it was

over. It was very hard.

HARLOW: You can't believe it's over?

LECLAIRE (ph) (through translation): We always hoped during the last three days. HARLOW: You always had hope in those three days?

(voice-over): The 32-year-old florist and adventurer died that night in the attack on the Bataclan.

(on camera): Tell me about the love between Geo (ph) and Marianne.

LECLAIRE (ph) (through translation): They were very, very -- they were two beings that were very compatible.

HARLOW (voice-over): Nelly says her son and Marianne were soul mates, two loves who had found each other and never shared a harsh word.

(on camera): If you were to look the person in the eye who killed your son, what would you say to them?

LECLAIRE (ph) (through translation): I would tell him he doesn't even deserve that we consider him a human being. It's not a human being. It's

not possible. He isn't part of humanity. It's not possible people like this. Even animals don't do this between themselves. It's not possible.

It's a monster.

HARLOW (voice-over): But in the face of evil, there is also pure beauty.

(on camera): Tell me about those flowers.

LECLAIRE (ph) (through translation): It was something that he was planning on doing for her before this all happened.

HARLOW (voice-over): His sister, Alexandra, tells us about the 200 roses her brother ordered for his girlfriend on their anniversary. They

were delivered just days after he died.

ALEXANDRA LE TRIONNAIRE, SISTER OF TERROR VICTIM (ph) (through translation): It was to show his love for her. Unfortunately he didn't have

the time to give it to her himself. We were the messengers for him in his last gift. Marianne said, even when he's not there, he still manages to

surprise me.

[08:35:03] HARLOW: What do you want the world to know about your brother?

ALEXANDRA LECLAIRE (ph): My brother was a very special boy.

(through translation): He did things, but not out of self-interests. He did it naturally because he liked to and because it made him happy to

help people. He was always there for everyone.

HARLOW (voice-over): She tells me she will write a letter for him, to tell him everything that she didn't have a chance to say.

(on camera): What is in your heart?

ALEXANDRA LECLAIRE (ph) (through translation): At the bottom of my heart, that I'll never be able to touch him again.

HARLOW (voice-over): Nelly still can't believe she won't hold her son again.

(on camera): He was your baby?

LECLAIRE (ph) (through translation): Yes.

HARLOW: It's not just. It's not just. It's unbelievable.

LECLAIRE: Oui.

HARLOW: Poppy Harlow, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Heartbreaking tribute of a son and beautiful young man.

Now, the resilience in the French capital can now be seen in book stores across the city. Now, Parisians are taking comfort in a vision of

the city immortalized in Ernest Hemingway's classic memoir "A Moveable Feast." We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back.

And finally, the new album by the British singer Adele looks set to break records in the United States. Billboard magazine sources say 25 is

on track to sell at least two-and-a-half million copies in its first week, outpacing Nsync's record of 2.42 million in one week.

Now more than 900,000 copies were sold through the iTunes store alone on Friday, that was the day it was released.

You'll notice that we're talking about albums sold, because if you want to stream the new album on Spotify or Apple Music, you're out of luck.

25 is not available on either of those two services.

Now, it is the end of a political dynasty in Argentina. Opposition candidate and Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri is posed to become the

country's next president. His opponent, Daniel Scioli conceded defeat late on Sunday.

Now, Scioli was hand-picked by the Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to be her successor. And she has congratulated Macri

on his victory.

It was published more than 50 years ago, but a memoir by Ernest Hemingway is providing

comfort to Parisians following the terror attacks there.

A Moveable Feast is flying off book shelves in the French capital. Ivan Watson shows us why so many Parisians are finding solace in the words

of Hemingway.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDNET: All of the sadness of the city came suddenly, with the first cold rains of winter, that's a line

from "A Moveable Feast," a memoir about life in Paris in the 1920s written by Ernest Hemingway. The book is his love letter to the city of light,

celebrating its cafes and cobble stone streets, immortalizing an English language bookshop where you can find a first edition copy of the American

writer's iconic book.

Thanks.

Hemingway's book is pretty required reading for most visitors to Paris. What is unexpected is that it has also become a source of comfort

for many of it the French in the wake of the deadly Paris attacks.

At bookshops across Paris, owners have seen a sudden spike in sales of French versions of Hemingway's 51-year-old novel.

What is your number one selling book?

[08:40:25] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a Moveable Feast (inaudible) from Ernest Hemingway.

WATSON: Do you have any more copies?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. No more. It sold out now.

WATSON: Sold out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Completely.

WATSON: Part of the appeal is clearly symbolic. The French title of "A Moveable Feast" is Paris Est Une Fete, which translates back into

English as "Paris is a Party."

Jean-Paul Duines (ph) says he's buying the book to remind himself that the city of light

is also a city that loves to party.

"We have to live. We have to go out," he says. "And we have to stick out our tongues at the terrorists."

Shop owners say they've also seen a surge of interest in books about Islamist radicalism. But those sales don't compare to the rediscovery of

Hemingway's book, no doubt boosted by the fact that "Paris Est Une Fete" has also become a hashtag slogan of defiance on French social media.

As many honor the dead, others are determined to live up to Hemingway's immortal words. "If you are lucky enough to have lived in

Paris," he writes, "then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you for Paris is a moveable feast."

Ivan Watson, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. But don't go anywhere. World Sport with Alex Thomas is next.

END