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North Korea Threatens Nuclear War; China Attempts to Calm Fears Ahead of National People's Congress; Presidential Candidates Campaign Ahead of Weekend Primaries; Domestic Worker in Kuwait Inspired by CNN Freedom Project. Aired 8-9a ET

Aired March 04, 2016 - 08:00   ET

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


KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: OK. Let's break away from New Day. As you heard just then, Donald Trump, he has been fending off a barrage of attacks

from his presidential rivals Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, they just took turns going after him on Thursday night's Republican presidential debate.

Now, I want to bring in Mark Preston for more of this. He is the executive editor of CNN Politics. He joins us now live from Washington.

And Mark, a lot to get to, but first, let's get to talk about this debate. The insults, the vulgarity and of course the attacks. How did Donald

Trump, in your view, how did he handle the relentless attacks on that stage?

MARK PRESTON, EXECUTIVE EDITOR CNN POLITICS: Well, he responded in typical Donald Trump fashion. He attacked right back. As we saw in Phil's

report right there, Donald Trump went directly at his rivals personally. He went after Marco Rubio, because Marco Rubio is not a terribly tall person, calling him

Little Marco.

He turned to ted Cruz and called him Lying Ted.

What he was doing was what we have seen throughout this whole entire campaign with Donald Trump is that his defense is a very strong offense.

And when he does that, it's not necessarily on policy positions, what he does is he tries to attack his rivals on all fronts whether that is -- he

may disagree with them say on immigration or on taxes, but he really goes to the gutter in many ways and goes after them personally. And we saw that

on full display last night here all across the United States.

LU STOUT: And Mitt Romney also going after Trump in a speech he made earlier. And there's talk that Romney's team is looking into the

possibility of blocking Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention.

Now, we need some background here for our international audience. Mark, what is a brokered convention and could it work?

PRESTON: Well, Kristie, this is now the intrigue of what's happening here in American politics about who will be the eventual Republican

nominee. Now, we have been reporting here on CNN International for the last few days that power brokers here in Washington are trying to find a

way to block Donald Trump.

We saw Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee come out and give a scathing speech, something we have seen necessarily in modern

day American politics where you have the former presidential nominee going directly after the front-runner for the current Republican race.

What Mitt Romney is talking about and what he laid out in his speech yesterday was to try to deny Donald Trump from getting the requisite number

of delegates. And for our viewers around the world, that means votes, basically, to become the Republican nominee.

And how you do that at this point, is that everybody who remains in the race, he has three rivals in the race, you keep them in the race and

you try to get them to go out and to win contests all the way until the convention in Cleveland, Ohio in July. By doing that, you potentially

could stop Donald Trump from getting the 1,237 delegates or votes needed to become the nominee.

And what would happen, then, Kristie, is that it would go into what's called a contested convention at this point, because unfortunately for the

Republican Party, there are no real power brokers anymore, it doesn't even become a brokered convention, it becomes a contested convention. They have a vote

on the first vote, a secret ballot vote. Donald Trump doesn't get enough votes. And

then it goes to a second vote. And when the second vote happens, all bets are off and then that's when you see Republican establishment types trying

to rally behind one candidate to try to take out Donald Trump.

LU STOUT: And this is extraordinary, because this is like a Republican civil war. Donald Trump is effectively under attack from his

arrivals and GOP party veterans. They say that he is a liability who could lose the election.

How much truth is there to that?

PRESTON: Well, look, there is certainly some truth to that because Donald

Trump is nuclear hot. But we need to take a step back and show -- at least acknowledge, that Donald Trump has been able to drive out record numbers of

voters, Republican voters, over the past couple of months to participate in this primary

process.

In many ways, the Republican establishment's efforts or expected efforts to try to thwart a Trump candidacy could cause an even further

civil war. It could even get uglier because it could disenfranchise perhaps millions of voters who have voted for Donald Trump.

So, what we saw last night on stage at that debate was really the disintegration of the Republican Party right now. And there is a lot of

concern.

Now, Kristie, I have to say this, if there is not a contested convention, there is also a talk about running a third party candidate

against Donald Trump, another Republican, to at least give safe haven to candidates who are

running for lower level offices who do not want to be associated with Donald Trump, but need to

at least back some kind of candidate in the presidential election.

[08:10:19] LU STOUT: Yeah, this election is getting a whole lot more complicated. Mark Preston, thank you for talking us through all the

points. Until next time, take care.

Now, turning now to the Democrats. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, thye are making their 11th hour push for votes ahead of four

contests this weekend.

Now, meanwhile, Clinton is facnig more questions over her private email server, especially now that the former State Department staffer who

helped her set it up is cooperating with the feds.

Now, senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bernie Sanders had a message today for Democrats: the primary isn't over yet.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, 2016 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What a fantastic turnout this afternoon. Thank you so much.

ZELENY: He had the campaign trail to himself from Michigan to Nebraska to Kansas, hunting for delegates in his uphill fight with Hillary

Clinton.

After basking in the glow of Elton John and Katy Perry Wednesday night at one of the Clinton's campaign biggest fund-raisers, she spent the day

out of public view as questions about her email returned.

A former aide was granted immunity and will talk to the FBI about the private server she used as secretary of state.

It became instant fodder today for Republicans.

TRUMP: Assuming she's not arrested for the email situation, which is so terrible.

ZELENY: Again and again, Clinton has defended how she handled classified information.

HILLARY CLINTON, 2016 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is just not something that is going to have any lasting effect and I'm not at all

worried about it.

ZELENY: But the Justice Department inquiry still hangs over her campaign.

Sanders once again steered clear, but he wasted no time going after other parts of her record, starting with the Keystone Pipeline which would

run straight through Nebraska.

SANDERS: There is a candidate out there running for the Democratic nomination was a little bit wobbly about the Keystone Pipeline.

ZELENY: And on trade, he called her positions a disaster for Michigan.

SANDERS: She was very, very wrong, and millions of families around this country have been suffering as a result of those disastrous trade

agreements.

ZELENY: He told CNN he has to time for Democrats who say he should tone

down his rhetoric against Clinton.

SANDERS: In many ways, Democrats can say what they want. We're in this race to win it. I don't run negative campaign ads, but I do think it

is appropriate that in a campaign you distinguish your differences with your opponents.

ZELENY: He is fighting to win the Nebraska and Kansas caucuses on Saturday and Maine on Sunday.

SANDERS: On the other hand, maybe Nebraska is not quite so conservative as I've been told.

ZELENY: Still, it's an uphill climb for Sanders. In pledged delegates, he has 405 to Clinton's 606. But when you factor in super

delegates, Clinton's support soares: 1,074 to 426.

Senator Sanders says he has no intention of lightening up on Hillary Clinton and certainly not leaving this race. By the end of the weekend, he

believes he will have three more states in the win column: Nebraska, Kansas, and Maine. The Clinton campaign does not disagree.

Jeff Zeleny, CNN Lincoln, Nebraska.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have scheduled events Friday in the state of Michigan. It is all in preparation for their

showdown on Sunday.

Now, the candidates will face off for the first time since Super Tuesday in Flint, Michigan. And remember to tune in for the Democratic

presidential debate 9:00 a.m. on Monday in Hong Kong. It's at 1:00 a.m. Monday London time.

Now, turning now to Spain where authorities say that they have confiscated 20,000 uniforms and supplies intended for jihadi fighters. The

operation targeted a business network that officials say supplied military equipment to terrorists.

Now, Spain's interior ministry says the uniforms were being shipped to areas controlled by ISIS and al Nusra in Iraq and Syria. The shipping

containers were labeled as second-hand clothes.

Now, photos showing the body of a Syrian toddler washed ashore in Turkey made world headlines last year. The tragedy of Alan Kurdy, it came

to symbolize the plight of Syrians fleeing along war. And our reports say a Turkish court has found two people guilty of refugee smuggling in

connection with the boy's death.

Alan and his older brother, they were among 12 people who tied after their boat capsized on the way from Turkey to Greece.

Those convicted have been sentenced to more than four years in jail.

Now, in North Korea, the latest moves by Kim Jong-un are putting neighbors on edge. After the breakwe go live to Seoul for a look at how

South Korea is getting ready to respond.

Plus, the political season is in high gear in China. We take you to Beijing

for a look at what's in store for this year's National People's Congress.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:16:36] LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, North Korea's leader has ordered his military to ready its nuclear arsenal. Now, the state news agency KCNA says Kim Jung-un has

called for nuclear weapons to be ready for use, quote, "at any time."

Now, the latest call to arms of Pyongyang now spurring on the South to start talks to deploy the THAD missile defense system.

All of this with just days to go until the U.S. and South Korea host joint military drills, always a sore point for the North.

Now CNN's Paula Hancocks is in Seoul, South Korea watching these developments for us. She joins us now. And Paula, South Korea and the

U.S., they have just started talks on this missile defense system. Tell us about that. What issues do they need to work out?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, today was just the first day, Kristie. They are officially talking about it now. And

they have a number of issues to sort out. They have the site where this missile defense system would be placed, the safety of it, the environmental

concerns and also, of course, the cost. Who will pay for what and a timeline of when it will be deployed, if in fact it is deployed.

And add to all that, they also have some concerns from the region. Russia and China don't want the THAD system to be placed here. They don't

want more U.S. military hardware in northeast Asia. But Washington has insisted that given the recent behavior we've seen from North Korea it is

necessary -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: And Paula, we're getting more verbal volleys from Kim Jong- un. This time, this declaration for nuclear readiness, quote, at any time. What's your read on that?

HANCOCKS: Well, we have been here before. We have certainly seen North Korea threaten nuclear war against Washington, against Seoul, so

certainly the rhetoric is not new, it's the timing that is interesting. It comes just after those UN sanctions were passed earlier this week. And it

really shows that Kim Jong-un appears to be rattled, or at least angered by what he has seen from this resolution.

He said during the drill that we have seen pictures of this Friday that the situation has reached a very dangerous phase. He's also said that

to protect his own country's sovereignty he needs to increase and strengthen the quality

and the quantity of nuclear power.

So he is effectively saying he has no intention of changing direction because of these sanctions, no intention of slowing down his nuclear

ambitions. And certainly that will be a concern for the powers in the region and for Washington.

LU STOUT: Yeah, so he is flexing his military muscles in the wake of that UN

security council vote.

Paula Hancocks reporting live from Seoul. Thank you, Paula.

Police in Hong Kong, they say a book seller detained in mainland China has returned to the city, and they asked him to drop his missing person

case.

Now, the man appeared on Chinese TV on Sunday admitting to illegal book trading. Before vanishing last year, he was involved in selling

titles critical of China's political elite.

Now, four of his associates also disappeared, three are apparently still in police custody in the mainland, the others allegedly helping with

the investigation.

Now, it is the political event every global power will be watching, and it is is not the race to the White House. China's National People's

Congress, it kicks off this weekend. We'll tell you why it matters to the rest of the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:23:41] LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching News Stream.

And one of the world's powerful political meetings kicks off in Beijing this weekend. The National People's Congress brings together some

3,000 of China's top officials. And this year's meeting is particularly important given China's slowdown and growth.

Now, it has rattled world markets. It has other major economies anxious

to hear of Beijing's plans for the future.

Now, China is signaling an increase in military spending. But it will be the smallest budget boost in years. CNN producer Steven Jiang discussed

this with a spokeswoman for the National People's Congress ahead of this all important meeting. And he joins us now live from Beijing.

And Steven, what did the official tell you about the thinking behind China's new military budget?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Kristie, the spokeswoman, who is also a former -- foreign minister told me the thinking is basically common

sense. The lower growth rate in military budget reflects a slowing economy here which of course grew at its slowest pace in 25 in 2015.

Here's what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FU YING, NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS SPOKESWOMAN: The defense budget in China

is formulated based on two considerations: one is the national defense and need of the national defense development, the other one is economic growth

and the fiscal revenue increase.

It all continues the raise, but the rate of the increase will be lower than previous years. So, it is between 7 percent and 8 percent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIANG: So this slower growth does mark the first time this number drops

below double digits since 2010. But remember, last year the Chinese defense budget was round $140 billion. So, even as 7 percent to 8 percent

growth still means a lot of money.

But, according to some experts, this moderation in growth may be a welcomed gesture by Beijing to its nervous neighbors, many of whom, of

course, are increasingly concerned by what they perceive to be Beijing's aggressive stance and behaviors in disputed waters in the South China Sea

as well as the East China Sea, and some also say this may be another indication the government is listening to its people, many of whom have

said they wanted the government to invest more in education and social services.

But a big caveat, Kristie, is many experts also have long belief that government spends a lot more on national defense than what it lets on,

Kristie.

[08:26:10] LU STOUT: Very important to point out there.

Now, we know that the big event, the National People's Congress, it kicks off

tomorrow. Should we expect so-called soothing messages about the economy, especially given all the concern out there?

JIANG: I think you will be hearing a lot of soothing words from Premier Li Keqiang as he delivers the government work report. That is like

the state of the nation address that he gives every year at the NPC.

Now, probably not a lot of surprising remarks because he and other officials have been insisting for months that this economy has no systemic

risks despite alarm bells raised by outside economists and investors. Mr. Li and other officials have said this economy is an economy in transition

from export and manufacturing driven model to a consumption driven model. And these changes take time,

sometimes maybe it will be some time before these changes are reflected in economic data.

Maybe people are looking at the wrong data, some officials tell me privately. Look at the high rates of saving, for example. High growth in

service industries, and very strong outbound traveling numbers, all of these, they say, are positive signs.

So, they basically are saying this is the new normal. Slower growth, but higher quality growth, Kristie.

LU STOUT: Got you. But many people inside the country and outside getting a

little bit impatient with the pace of this transition. We'll leave it at that. Steven Jiang reporting live for us from Beijing. Thank you.

Now, as Steven mentioned, China's military budget is increasing again, albeit more modestly than in previous years. But it is still dwarfed by

the United States, which spends four times as much in defense every year. That being said, China has a much larger army than the U.S. It's roughly a

million additional ground troops. It boasts almost double the artillery pieces and more than twice the tanks.

But the U.S. flexes its military might in the air and sea with substantially more fighter jets and naval destroyers.

But while the U.S. spends some half a trillion dollars on defense, its budget has shrunk every year since 2010.

You're watching News Stream. And still to come, our ongoing mission to fight

human trafficking, it comes full circle. We're going to tell you the story of a young woman inspired by a CNN report to find freedom for herself.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[08:32:15] LU STOUT: Now, in today's Freedom Project, we introduce you to a woman from Cameroon who managed to break free from the bonds of

modern day slavery. And it was a CNN report that inspired her to reach out for help.

Now, she is making it her mission to help others. Claire Sebastian has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLAIRE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In August last year, the CNN Freedom Project aired a story profiling former Ford Model CEO Katie Ford

and her fight against human trafficking.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I arrived, this Hungarian man picked me up in the airport, took me to his apartment on Long Island.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Before long I realized that this guy was a pimp.

KATIE FORD, FRM. CEO FORD MODELS: It's just so shocking. It is out of our consciousness.

SEBASTIAN: 6,000 miles from Ford's home in New York City, the story had

an immediate impact. Francisca Awah, a 32-year-old from southwestern Cameroon, was watching from Kuwait. She says she had been trafficked there

into domestic servitude.

She contacted Katie Ford's organization and they began commuting via email.

FORD: This is the first time I have been contacted by somebody who was enslaved at that time.

SEBASTIAN: Encouraged and advised by Ford, Awah managed to leave the household where she was working and take refuge in a friendly embassy.

Katie Ford helped her pay for her flight home.

FORD: It's not what we do, and we couldn't afford to do it for everyone. But we had been through the whole thing with her. We had

committed to helping her get out of that situation. So it seemed false for me to stop there.

SEBASTIAN: Having arrived back in Africa, Awah was keen to tell us her story.

So what happened when you arrived in Kuwait?

FRANCISCA AWAH, TRAFFICKING SURVEY: In Kuwait, just at an airport, my passport, my traveling documents were being seize. So I was just thinking

my family that claimed that they were my sponsors. Immediately, I went home with them. And I found myself being a housemaid instead of the

teaching job I was being promised before leaving cameroon.

SEBASTIAN: Awah says she was employed by a local agency. She moved households several times before arriving at one where she stayed two

months.

She says she saw her passport a couple of times but it was never returned to her. Gradually, she says, the conditions worsened.

AWAH: I have no time to rest. Even when the lady comes and meet me sitting in the kitchen she would ask me, Francisca, I bought you. You are

like a commodity. You get up and work. You come, you need money, I pay you money, you work

SEBASTIAN: She kept records, photos and even videos on her phone. And whenever possible, she watched CNN.

AWAH: Watching CNN Freedom Project was like giving me hope that one day I will be like those people that they are...

SEBASTIAN: Did you ever tell the family that you wanted to leave? Did you ever ask to leave?

AWAH: I asked the wife several times, and the husband I asked him once.

I used the pretense of my son being a street child so that they could have pity on my soul and allow me to go home, but the wife bluntly told me.

She pointed to the television and said you are like that television. I bought you. You can't go like that, my money is valuable. You have to pay

my money back, and then you pay your flight before you leave for your country.

SEBASTIAN: I did contact the man she worked for and he denied they stopped her leaving, saying this was ultimately the agency's decision. He

also denied his wife had demanded that she pay back the money they paid to the agency for her.

He says she wasn't over worked, that she worked no more than eight hours a day as stated in the contracted from the agency. He did admit,

though, that she did not sign that contract.

He said she had a telephone that they paid for and money for things like ice cream. As for her passport, he told me she had asked him to hold

it for her safely.

We offered him a chance to appear on CNN. He declined.

The agency in Kuwait also refused to answer our questions.

We did speak to a diplomat at the embassy where Awah took refuge when she left the house. He did not want to be named.

He did, though, confirm the date she arrived and said she was sick and exhausted. He said he called and confronted the man whose house she worked

in. He convinced him to return her passport.

Kuwait is classified as one of the most problematic countries in the world when it comes to human trafficking. The U.S. trafficking in persons

report ranks it as tier 3, meaning it doesn't comply with the minimum standards of protecting trafficking victims.

Kuwait did pass a landmark law in 2015 giving domestic workers enforceable labor rights, regulating pay and working hours. That is set to

come into force this year.

AWAH: Please, if you want to travel out, be very careful...

SEBASTIAN: As for Francisca Awah, she is now working on her own campaign to

raise awareness about trafficking. Her mission is to try to stop other young people from following her path.

AWAH: I have the passion in me for others who are still wanting to go out. I (inaudible) in me to stop it in any means. And standing here to

talk to people today is to make them really know that what I am saying is real.

SEBASTIAN: Claire Sebastian, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, the U.S. jobs report for February has just been released. The U.S. economy added 242,000 jobs last month, that is far better than

economists had expected. It is is up dramatically from January's gains of 151,000 jobs. Now, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9

percent. And of course we'll have much more on the jobs report on CNN Money with Maggie Lake. That starts in about 20 minutes.

Now for another look at the Republican race for the White House. It has shown us just how ugly personal attacks can get. But perhaps we can

take a lesson from children who remind us that bullying just is not the way to go. Sasha Fu has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SASHA FOO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Taunts and insults.

TRUMP: I think he is a very unstable guy.

FOO: Cheap shots and name-calling.

RUBIO: Donald Trump likes to sue people. He should sue whoever did that to his face.

TRUMP: He was putting on makeup with a trowel.

[08:40:01] FOO: The presidential campaign of 2016 has never seemed more like a shouting match between school kids.

And even though they're much too young to cast a vote, we found some San Diegans who say bullying never gets you very far.

GIRL: They might try to get popular by bullying other people even though it's not the right way. The right way is try to be nice and have is

a good attitude and people will like you.

FOO: This advocate for children and teens agrees. Casey Bree Jensen (ph) works with a group called Rachel's Challenge teaching children about

the value of kindness.

CASEY BREE JENSEN, RACHEL CHALLENGE: Sitting there like, oh, that was funny. You know, they're watching even our reactions to the things that

are said. So, instead of maybe reacting and thinking things are funny, maybe start a dialogue with your child and say, hey, what do you think that

benefited them? And why do you think that wasn't okay?

FOO: With candidates vying for the spotlight, resorting to sarcasm and ridicule...

TRUMP: They are such liars, the worst.

RUBIO: And you know what they say about men with small hands. You can't trust them.

FOO: The innuendos and verbal jabs are becoming standard weapons in the race for the White House. We asked our thoughtful panel why do people

call other people names?

BOY: They do that, they should feel bad for themselves. They shouldn't feel good about it.

BOY: The main reason that people bully is because they have stress in their life and built up anger and frustration.

FOO: And although the snarky insults become instant viral sound bites, there may not be a lot of long-term benefit. Eventually the name-

calling gets old.

Do you think bullying is a sign of strength?

GIRL: No.

FOO: Why not?

GIRL: Because like really, it's not really -- it doesn't really help you. It just sometimes scares other people.

JENSEN: It's bad behavior. And we're honoring it. And we're telling our kids it's okay instead of teaching them it's not okay.

FOO: Leadership with character never goes out of style.

RUBIO: He doesn't sweat because his pores are clogged from the spray tan that he uses. Donald is not going to make America great, he's going to

make America orange.

FOO: These future leaders say don't be intimidated by bullies, even the big ones. And that's advice that's huge.

BOY: They are supposed to be setting an example for us as younger kids. Because as we grow older, if we see that all the time, we are going

to think it's okay to do that. We can just do that. But really it's not okay to do that ever.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: The wisdom of 8-year-olds.

And that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. Don't go anywhere. World Sport with Alex Thomas is next.

END