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Dhaka Attackers all Bangladeshi; Blogger Speaks on Extremist Threat; Teacher Killed in Istanbul Laid to Rest; FBI Interviews Clinton, Charges Unlikely; Thousands Say No to Brexit in Protest; Remembering Elie Wiesel. Aired 3-3:30a ET
Aired July 03, 2016 - 03:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Bangladesh begins two days of mourning to honor victims of Saturday's terror attack as details of what transpired during the siege at the restaurant begin to emerge
Hillary Clinton meets the FBI to answer questions about the long- running scandal that's casting a shadow over her bid for the White House.
Also honoring a legend: the world pays tribute to Holocaust survivor and author, Elie Wiesel.
It's all ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM. We're live in Atlanta. Thank you for joining us. I'm Natalie Allen.
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ALLEN: We're learning new details about the terrible attack on the cafe in the Bangladeshi capital. Police say all of the gunmen were from Bangladesh and five of them were militants, whom police had tried to arrest before; 13 hostages were rescued after troops ended the siege on Saturday. ISIS claims responsibility. But that has not been confirmed.
We're also learning the nationalities of the 20 hostages who were killed: nine were Italian, seven Japanese, two Bangladeshi, one Indian and one U.S. citizen; also two of those killed were students in the United States here in Atlanta.
Our Sumnima Udas joins us now from New Delhi.
And what's the reaction from the government in Bangladesh, Sumnima, about what's happened?
SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very strong reaction from the government, Natalie. In fact, perhaps the harshest words that we've ever heard from the prime minister about what's going on and she was really saying it's time to end the killing of Muslims or killing of people in the name of Islam. And, remember, this is a country where the government has long really
been in denial; that's what many would say, that Bangladesh has a problem with religious extremism. Every time attacks have happened in the past against individuals like bloggers, writers, intellectuals and ISIS or Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility, the government has always tried to downplay it, saying that ISIS and Al Qaeda are not present in the country and always attributed these murders to local militant groups.
And now for the first time really we're the prime minister come out and speak so strongly. She said Bangladesh is committed to eradicating terrorism. She urged people from the public and the police, of course, to come together to fight terrorism in the country, urging parents to teach their children the right paths.
She said Islam is a religion of peace and what these people, what these youths, misguided youths, as they called them, what they were doing was maligning their religion -- Natalie.
ALLEN: So misguided youth; do they really believe that's what is fueling the surge of extremism and this violence and the way these people are being killed?
It's just horrific.
UDAS: That's right. About the surge of extremism, every time you talk to analysts in Bangladesh, no one really seems to be able to explain what exactly is happening and why this is happening because Bangladesh has always been -- it's a Muslim majority country; more than 160 million people live there. Some 90 percent of them are Muslims.
But they've always pursued a more moderate version of Islam, not the kinds of Islam sometimes that you see in countries in the Middle East and even Pakistan.
And so every time the government has always said that Bangladesh is a pluralistic society, it's a secular country as well. So there's always been this denial and what analysts say, look, there's so many factors at play here. It could be the politics. It's a deeply broken, polarized society in terms of the politics.
We have got a strong government, you've got a opposition party that's losing ground. And given that fractured political situation, perhaps it's the right recruiting ground for ISIS and groups like Al Qaeda to recruit people, also given the fact that there's so many Muslims that live in the country, the fourth largest Muslim population in the world -- Natalie.
ALLEN: All right, Sumnima Udas for us in New Delhi, thank you.
We're going to talk more about this and the threat of the extremists now with our guest, blogger Ahmed Hussein (ph), who joins me from Bangladesh. He is on the line from Dhaka.
Ahmed (ph), thank you so much for joining us. What more can you shed as far as the reaction from people over this
massacre in the capital?
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AHMED HUSSEIN (PH), BLOGGER: People are extremely outraged and they are really sad, really depressed that it happened like this. But there's some interesting developments that I can actually tell you, that the identities of the five attackers have been revealed and have confirmed -- revealed by ISIS and are confirmed by the police here.
And most of the -- and all the attackers, they come from very affluent backgrounds. They are from rich families. They have studied in some of the best English medium private secular schools in Dhaka.
And one of them is American Bangladeshi; another had studied (INAUDIBLE) university of two years, Malaysian campus. So this is quite shocking and we need to dig deep to find out what has prompted these young men in their prime to take up arms and do something like this.
ALLEN: Absolutely, very interesting information you have about their backgrounds there.
What would you say, outside of these men who did this, Ahmed (ph), what is causing this growth in extremism? It has a country that has been historically secular.
Why this intolerance?
Is this ISIS inspired?
Is it social media inspired?
What would you say?
HUSSEIN (PH): I have been at the Facebook (INAUDIBLE) of one of the attackers. He was wearing shorts, which I'm quite sure is not approved by the ISIS leadership. It's not possible that one fine morning these five people met some crazy teacher who had told them to do things and they bought the idea and they went out with the guns in hand and you know, it's not like that.
I think there is a kind of disenchantment with the way the country's run. People are disenchanted, especially the young people, some young people, and they might be disillusioned because the whole democratic system as a whole, because it's probably the thing that is not working.
Bangladesh has a lot to do with the radicalization and I think blasting criminals, blasting the terror out states or killing people is not the solution. These are young men in their prime and these are the -- some of the -- should have been the brightest faces of Bangladesh's elite.
And it was -- Bangladesh needs -- badly needs to do some deradicalization. (INAUDIBLE) needs to have a national unity, national consensus to find a way out. I do not think military solution or armed solution or going after the terrorists (INAUDIBLE) we should be doing this, fine. But I think we need to do some deradicalization (INAUDIBLE) find some ways to bring these people to the democratic fold.
ALLEN: Prior to this attack that we saw, there were individual killings of people; bloggers, people who weren't Muslim; atheists; different kinds of people and that they were killed brutally.
You're a blogger.
Are you fearful of being someone who is an advocate of free speech on the Internet?
HUSSEIN (PH): No, I'm actually a political blogger. I do not write on social issues. Or I do not write on religious issues. And it -- I do not know whether I should tell you this in public but I'm a deeply religious person. And I fast and (INAUDIBLE). So I do not know whether I should (INAUDIBLE) or not but killing is definitely -- it's not -- it's really abhorrent and it should be (INAUDIBLE). It is deplorable.
ALLEN: We certainly hear the pain in your voice and we appreciate you joining us and talking with us. Ahmed Hussein (ph), thank you.
We turn now to Iraq. The number of deaths in twin car bombings in the capital, Baghdad, has risen from 12 to 80 people now. More than 130 people are wounded.
Blasts happened Saturday in two mostly Shiite neighborhoods in Central and Southeastern Baghdad. ISIS claimed responsibility for one of the attacks. The group said on social media it was targeting Shiites.
Turkey is honoring the lives of the 44 people killed in last week's terror attacks as authorities continue to look into how that happened. The investigation goes on.
On Saturday, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited a makeshift shrine for the dead at Ataturk Airport. Three suicide bombers attacked the airport Tuesday. Officials believe a well-known Russian jihadist and ISIS lieutenant coordinated the assault. They don't know where he is right now.
A 28-year-old high school teacher was meeting a friend at the Istanbul airport when he was killed. That man was buried earlier this week. His family and friends, along with many of his students, were there to remember him. Here it is.
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HASAN, TEACHER'S BROTHER: I'm Hasan. I'm 27 years old. I'm his brother.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (from captions): We pray for the soul of teacher (INAUDIBLE) and the rest of the other victims in the name of God.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are very, very difficult times in Turkey.
(INAUDIBLE) very innocent, very good intentioned boy, a teacher. He was only 28. Many bombs are exploded around and many people are dying and (INAUDIBLE) if there is not any precautions to be taken, this is going to go on.
He was an electrician (ph) teacher. His students loved him very much. He had all the time smiling face. When he was only 5 years old, his father is dead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking foreign language).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (from captions): I hand you to God and there is nothing else I can do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (from captions): OK, OK. Our duty ends here. Don't cry, my child.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE). They also had shot (INAUDIBLE).
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ALLEN: Welcome back.
Hillary Clinton met with the FBI for several hours Saturday to talk about the investigation that is casting a shadow over her campaign for president. Sources say the whole thing could be wrapped up soon. Here's Chris Frates in Washington.
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CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hillary Clinton came to FBI headquarters behind me on Saturday to sit for a 3.5 hour interview with federal officials, who are investigating the use of her private e-mail server.
The Clinton campaign putting out a statement that read, quote, "Secretary Clinton gave a voluntary interview this morning about her e-mail arrangements while she was secretary.
"She's pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Department of Justice in bringing this review to a conclusion out of respect for the investigative process. She will not comment further on her interview."
That was from spokesman Nick Merrill. But what we do know is that this is a routine part of the investigation. Hillary Clinton's aides have been --
[03:15:00] FRATES: -- brought in and have talked to the FBI and this is part of what happens at the end of an investigation, when the FBI brings in the subject for an interview.
In fact, sources telling CNN that, right now, there's not enough evidence to charge Hillary Clinton with any crimes. And barring any big game-changers in this interview today, they don't expect that there will be any charges brought against Hillary Clinton. And they may announce that in the next few weeks.
That would be welcome news for the Clinton campaign and Democrats, who want to put this issue off the table before the Democratic convention in three weeks.
Now Republicans, though, continue to hit Hillary Clinton on this issue. In fact, Donald Trump tweeted this on Saturday.
He said, quote, "It is impossible for the FBI not to recommend criminal charges against Hillary Clinton. What she did was wrong. What Bill did was stupid."
Donald Trump there talking about Bill Clinton, earlier this week meeting with Loretta Lynch on the tarmac of Phoenix International Airport. He popped over when their planes were sharing a tarmac to have a social call with Loretta Lynch. Came under huge criticism for that because, of course, as the attorney general, Loretta Lynch is overseeing this investigation.
But certainly Republicans are going to continue to hit Hillary Clinton on this, no matter what the outcome of this FBI investigation is -- Chris Frates, CNN, Washington.
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ALLEN: And Hillary Clinton spoke with TV network MSNBC about the meeting between her husband and the attorney general, Loretta Lynch.
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HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, it was a short, chance meeting that occurred. And they did not discuss the Department of Justice's review.
And I know that some, nonetheless, have viewed the meeting in a different light. And both the attorney general and my husband have said they would not do it again. And the bottom line for me is I respect the professionalism and integrity of the officials at the Department of Justice handling this process.
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ALLEN: Loretta Lynch, the attorney general, says her meeting with Bill Clinton does not have a bearing on how the email investigation will be reviewed and resolved.
(MUSIC PLAYING) ALLEN: Back to the Brexit: about 50,000 protesters marched through London Saturday, angered by the U.K.'s vote to leave the E.U. Organizers say Millennials made up much of the crowd. CNN's John Vause reports voters say they feel cheated by a campaign of lies.
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JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The call went out on social media just days ago and thousands acted, flooding into the heart of the capital.
VAUSE: This is the start of the pro-E.U. rally, the anti-Brexit rally here. This column of people stretches back for maybe a kilometer in that direction.
As you can hear, they're now chanting, "What do we want?"
"The E.U."
And they want it now. They plan on marching towards Parliament.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we want?
E.U.!
When do we want it?
Now!
What do we want?
E.U.!
When do we want it?
Now!
VAUSE (voice-over): There's anger here for the leader of the independence party, Nigel Farage, who many blame for a surge of racism and hate crimes after the vote.
VAUSE: Are you worried about racism on the rise in Britain after this vote?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unfortunately, yes; I have experienced it as I am Bulgarian. I have already experienced several unfortunate incidents, one of which was telling me to pack my bags and leave, on social media, which wasn't great.
VAUSE: Right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I'm definitely worried.
VAUSE (voice-over): And anger for former London mayor, Boris Johnson; many believe he led a Leave campaign which was based on lies.
VAUSE: Simon (ph), you're holding a sign, "Democracy based on lies is not democracy."
You feel that you were lied to obviously.
SIMON (PH), PROTESTER: Oh, I feel that the public was lied to very comprehensively and very directly, yes.
VAUSE: By the Leave campaign?
SIMON (PH): By the Leave campaign.
VAUSE: By the Remains or --
SIMON (PH): Predominantly by the Leave campaign. I can't say I spotted any obvious lies in the Remain campaign but there might have been some mistruths.
VAUSE (voice-over): And while there are demands for a second referendum -- a petition demanding one has more than 4 million signatures -- most now want Parliament to ignore the result, arguing it was nonbinding.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think we are going to leave Europe.
VAUSE: Oh, good.
So how are you going to stop leaving Europe?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, basically the referendum is an advisory thing. It still has to be voted in government, OK, by parliamentarians. I don't believe -- I think events like this today is about showing the support of the people, of the actual majority -- you know, some people didn't vote -- ensuring we do still stay in Europe. It's not over.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give me a cheer if you are from Europe!
VAUSE (voice-over): And they took that message directly to Parliament.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I stand with you. Decent British values are the values of the European Union. Thank you.
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VAUSE: Keep in mind, London voted overwhelmingly to remain within the E.U. The rest of England voted to leave. And while the referendum was meant to settle the euro question once and for all, it seems to have only exposed deeper divisions -- John Vause, CNN, London.
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ALLEN: Heavy rain in Northern India has killed at least 12 people; 200 rescuers are working to find the missing. Flash flooding triggered this landslide in Uttarakhand State Saturday, blocking traffic on a highway. Some parts of the state are submerged and homes are filled with water after rain pounded the region for the past two days.
Derek is here. He's got similar video from China.
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DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: That's right. The annual rains have moved into parts of Central and Southwestern China, leaving scenes like this, pretty dramatic video, Natalie. You have got to check this out, cars being washed down roadways.
But what I want you to take note of is the brown, murky appearance to the water. That is because the soil mixed in from the mountainsides, where this water is rushing down so quickly from.
Now when we have mountainous terrain, we can get landslides. This is one of the products of a landslide in Southwestern China. Now mind you, this was 10 days ago, where the landslide took place. But they're still trying to clean up after the efforts and, unfortunately, still searching for seven individuals, who have not been accounted for from this particular round of landslides.
We have seen landslides across the world lately, specifically over Eastern China and into India and now into Pakistan as well. We're monitoring the situation there.
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ALLEN: The world is remembering one of the most famous survivors of the Holocaust. Elie Wiesel died Saturday at the age of 87. He was a human rights activist, author, Nobel Peace laureate. Wiesel's autobiographical "Night" told of his imprisonment in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. For more on his life and his legacy, CNN's Oren Liebermann joins me now live from Jerusalem.
And, Oren, how does one begin to sum up the gifts of Elie Wiesel? He was the first to speak out about the horrors of the Holocaust and he spoke out for human rights his entire life.
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I think you'll see a number of different ways to remember what he stood for, his message and who he was. His family says he died after battling a long illness, surrounded by close friends and family. They say he died peacefully.
Condolences already beginning to pour in, messages of support. And I think what made what he did so powerful, whether he was respected as a writer, a Holocaust survivor, a Nobel laureate, is, at its heart, his message was one that was inherently positive.
Even after being a Holocaust survivor, even after going through Auschwitz and Buchenwald, the Nazi concentration camps, he still believed in the goodness of humanity. And "Night" chronicled his autobiographical journey through Auschwitz.
But there were books that followed that, "Dawn" and "Day," and they told of how he was able to transform personally and to see life and to see humanity positively and I think it is partially that message that will be remembered along with Elie Wiesel -- Natalie.
ALLEN: He was just tremendous in his -- the way he put things and his eloquence as well. And considering everything that he went through as a child -- he saw his father die in the camps -- he didn't just stand up for the Jewish people but all --
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ALLEN: -- people who suffered or have been tormented in this world.
What's the reaction there in Israel to this loss?
LIEBERMANN: And all of that is being recognized, not only his work as a Holocaust survivor and educator but also his work as a human rights advocate. Let me read you just a few of the statements we've gotten in.
This is from Shimon Peres, the ninth president of Israel.
He says, "Wiesel left his mark on humanity through preserving and upholding the legacy of the Holocaust and delivering a message of peace and respect between people worldwide."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The State of Israel and the Jewish people deeply mourn the death of Elie Wiesel. Elie, a master of words, gave expression through his exceptional personality and fascinating books about the victory of the human spirit over cruelty and evil."
He won the Nobel Prize in 1986. Let me just read you a small portion of what the Nobel Committee wrote about him at the time.
They said, " Wiesel is one of the most important spiritual leaders and guides in an age when violence, repression and racism continue to characterize the world. Wiesel is a messenger to mankind. His message is one of peace, atonement and human dignity. It is that message that will be read and reread many times this week."
ALLEN: Certainly.
And do we know anything about services for him?
LIEBERMANN: We know Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust museum, is putting together a service for him. And we expect more of that. We don't have too many details yet. But we expect those to start coming in today, now that the work week at least here in Israel has begun.
ALLEN: All right, Oren Liebermann for us there in Jerusalem, we'll continue, of course, to cover the life and legacy of Elie Wiesel, who died at age 87.
Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Natalie Allen. Our top stories are right after this.
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