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Steve Bannon Off National Security Council; A Look Inside a Hospital Treating Chemical Attack Victims; Trump, Xi Jinping Set to Meet in Florida; First Lady, Queen Rania Tour Washington School. 8:00a-9:00a ET

Aired April 06, 2017 - 08:00   ET

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


[08:00:23] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And welcome to News Stream. Survivors recount the horror of Syria's toxic

chemical attack. We take you to the hospital where many are being treated as world leaders demand action against the Assad regime. All this as a

controversial adviser loses his seat at the U.S. national security table.

And we begin with two urgent international crises. And all eye on one world leader. Now, right now, the global spotlight is on U.S. President

Donald Trump and what he does at this critical moment concerning Syria and North Korea.

In just hours Donald Trump has a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The big issue there, North Korea's nuclear ambition, this after

Mr. Trump declared Syria was now his responsibility, stepping up his condemnation of that horrific chemical attack that has

killed at least 86 people. And we will be covering that in depth let's get the latest from Joe Johns in Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These heinous actions by the Assad regime cannot be tolerated.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Trump confronting multiple international crises during a week of high-stakes diplomacy,

including today's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

TRUMP: My attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much.

JOHNS: The president opening the door to greater action in Syria in the wake of the horrific chemical attack perpetrated, the U.S. says, by

President Bashar al-Assad against his own people.

TRUMP: When you kill innocent children, innocent babies, that crosses many, many lines. I do change, and I am flexible. And I'm proud of that

flexibility. And I will tell you, that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me.

JOHNS: A significant shift for a president who, in the past, has advocated against intervention in Syria after similar attacks.

TRUMP (via phone): Now we're supposed to get involved with Syria. I would say stay out.

JOHNS: And fought for a ban on Syrian refugees.

TRUMP (on camera): I'm putting the people on notice that are coming here from Syria as part of this mass migration, that if I win -- if I win,

they're going back.

JOHNS: United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley warning that the U.S. may take unilateral action if other countries fail to respond.

NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UN: When the United Nations consistently fails in its duty to act collectively, there are times in the

life of states that we are compelled to take our own action.

JOHNS: A starkly different tone from her comments just days ago when she told reporters, "Our priority is no longer to sit there and focus on

getting Assad out." Those comments and others from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson prompting bipartisan rebuke.

REP. ELIOT ENGEL (D), NEW YORK: The remarks that we were no longer going to go after Assad as one of our major policies, I believe caused

Assad to do what he did.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R) FLORIDA (via phone): I don't think it's a coincidence that a few days later we see this.

JOHNS: Ambassador Haley now slamming Russia for supporting the Assad regime.

HALEY: How many more children have to die before Russia cares?

JOHNS: As President Trump also condemns the Kremlin, but in much lighter terms, telling "The New York Times," "I think it's a very sad day

for Russia, because they're aligned."

North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch presenting another major test for Trump when he meets with the Chinese president today.

TRUMP: We have a big problem. We have somebody that is not doing the right thing.

JOHNS: China's role in confronting North Korea's nuclear threat certain to be a main point of conversation during the two-day summit, which

the president has acknowledged will be difficult, particularly after his routine criticism of China on the campaign trail.

TRUMP: We can't continue to allow China to rape our country. And that's what they're doing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: And that was Joe Johns reporting there.

You just heard one of Donald Trump's many harsh critiques on China on the campaign. Beijing was, of course, one of his favorite targets, let's

take a listen to another one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: China is responsible for nearly half of our entire trade deficit. They break the rules in every way imaginable.

The greatest abuser in the history of this country, they can't imagine, they can't even believe that they can get away with what's

happening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: And today, President Trump will meet face-to-face with the leader of that country that he has criticized so harshly. In fact, he is

hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida in the coming hours. Let's bring in Matt Rivers from Beijing.

And, Matt, a lot of significant issues on the agenda, most critically North Korea here. But given that bashing that we've heard from Trump over

the last few months, I mean, how awkward is it going to be when he sits down face-to-face with Xi Jinping.

MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL COCRRESPONDENT: It might be a little bit awkward. I mean, there's no getting around what Donald Trump said on

the campaign trail. I mean, that language was crude to say the least in a lot of different ways. However, the Trump administration has really taken

a 180 since taking power, all those clips that we just played were from the campaign trail. But since the administration went to Washington, the

Trump administration has basically backed off every single one of Donald Trump's campaign threats.

So, you can start with the fact that Candidate Trump said he was going to label China a currency

manipulator on day one. That didn't happen. Donald Trump also threatened, said that he was going to look into putting imports on - excuse me tariffs

on Chinese imports to the United States. That hasn't happened so far.

The rhetoric surrounding China has basically been much more friendly, much more respectful

since Donald Trump took office, and that could be because he knew that a meeting like this was going to happen.

But that said, you can't take away what he has said in the past. And the Chinese certainly have long memories. They're not going to forget.

But you said right off the top, Kristie, there is a lot of things that these two men will be talking about, chief among them will be North Korea.

There is some common ground there, of course, the United States and China both agree that the ongoing weapons development program in North Korea is a

problem. Where they disagree is the best way to solve it.

The United States says that China should using its economic leverage over Pyongyang to get them to stop that program. China says the United

States needs to take the responsibility and sit down with the Pyongyang regime and talk to them one-on-one in a direct negotiation. So, how well

those two can work together or not work together could go a long way in deciding the future of this crisis in the Korean peninsula.

And then you've got trade. All of those harsh words that we heard from President Trump on the campaign trail, that was about trade, his claim

that China uses unfair trade practices. So, how far is he going to push it when the two men meet face-to-face, how President Xi is going to respond.

Some fascinating open questions here, Kristie, in what is undoubtedly in the minds of many experts the

most important bilateral relationship in the world.

LU STOUT: And as you point out, they have to address North Korea as well as trade. And another flashpoint, the South China Sea. And Matt, we

have just learned that the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has ordered military personnel to occupy all the Philippines-claimed

islands in the disputed South China Sea. I mean, this is a big contentious issue for all parties involved, especially Trump and Xi. How is that going

to be handled at Mar-a-Lago?

RIVERS: You know, it's very interesting, because the South China Sea was probably third on the list behind North Korea and trade in terms of the

overall importance between the two countries and the contentious relationship that the countries can have from time to time.

But the South China Sea and the tough talk there is another way the Trump administration has

backed off. We saw many freedom of navigation operations under the Obama administration. That would be where U.S. warships sail through waters that

are claimed by the Chinese as their territory. We saw that time and again, but we have not seen one that we are aware of happen during the Trump

administration. Now, it's very interesting given during his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson even brought up the idea of

blockading the Chinese from getting to the artificial islands that they have built in the South China Sea. But the Trump administration really has

backed off.

So, it's interesting how much will be brought up in this bilateral meeting, we're just not sure. And the fact is the president campaigned on

trade. He didn't really campaign on the South China Sea. And given the pressing urgent nature of North Korea, given what the president campaigned

on, I don't think it would be that surprising if the South China Sea takes the back seat at least during this first meeting between these two men.

LU STOUT: Yeah, a very critical first face-to-face meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. Matt Rivers with a preview. Thank you.

Now, what comes out of this meeting could set the tone for U.S.-China relations in the near

future. And both sides are looking to find out if they can work side by side on various issues. And for a look at that, I spoke earlier with Max

Baucus, a former U.S. ambassador to China.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[08:10:04] MAX BAUCUS, FRM. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: U.S. messaging has been very mixed, the telephone call to say then questioning the One-

China Policy, 45 percent tariff, talking about a currency manipulation. Of course, South China Sea issues popped up a bit, too.

I think the administration is starting to settle down a little bit, although it's a bit mixed, in effect, to North Korea, and then Tillerson is

in Beijing.

My judgment is a lot of this comes down to Mar-a-Lago. And President Trump is going to have to show strength. He's going to have to show these

on top of all this. It can't be erratic. It can't be a Twitter summit. It's got to be a very substantive, solid summit.

He's a bit wounded right now with the failure of the travel ban effort and now with a health care repeal and replace fallen off. And he's got to

show strength, because the Chinese, if anything, respect strength. They respect the United States that is strong and very present in the region.

And he has to demonstrate that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: That was former U.S. ambassador to China, Max Baucus, speaking to me .

And one country that is certainly keeping a close watch on this meeting, South Korea, the growing nuclear threat from the north is keeping

it on edge. But the growing nuclear threat from the north is keeping it on edge.

But U.S. and China have very different ideas about how to deal with that. Paula Hancocks lays out what Seoul wants to see out of these talks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: South Korea wants to make sure that sanctions are continuing, that China has its heart in these

sanctions, which is obviously something that Washington wants as well. They have a desire in - together to have China do more in order to try and

squeeze North Korea, to try and restrict the amount of money that is going towards the nuclear and the missile program.

But also what South Korea wants is they want calm rhetoric. They become nervous when they hear President Trump say things like if you don't

help us, China, we will go it alone. They don't know what that means. They're not sure what the implications are, and of course, there is a lot

more talk now than there has been any time in the past about potential military options.

By saying all options are on the table, the - Washington officials have been suggesting that the military option is being considered.

Now, that makes officials here very nervous. It's one thing to say it's potentially on the table when you're sitting in Washington. When

you're sitting 40 kilometers, 30 miles away, from North Korea it's a much more daunting prospect.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: And that was continuing, that China Message has been mixed when questioning the One China policy.

And that was Paula Hancocks there in Seoul. We are also following the very latest developments on the deadly chemical attack in Syria. And up

next, we hear from survivors as world leaders demand a response.

Plus, a new shakeup at the highest levels of the White House, chief strategist Steve Bannon seems to have fallen out of favor with the Trump

administration. We'll tell you about his very public setback next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:15:05] LU STOUT: Welcome back.

And I want to turn your attention back to the news that we reported earlier: the atrocities in Syria. And again, a warning, these images, it's

like a nightmare unfolding. They are very distressing to watch. A growing number of countries say that Syria was behind this, the deadly chemical

attack in Idlib. At least 86 people are dead, many of them were just infants, children.

Now, we're hearing accounts from survivors. Some say that they saw bombs being dropped. Turkey says it has evidence thatsyria used chemical

weapons but Damascus rejects that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOUNZER MOUNZER, SYRIAN DEPUTY AMBASSADOR TO UN (through translator): We categorically reject false claims and accusations on the use of the

Syrian Arab Army of toxic chemicals against Syrian civilians in Khan Shakhoun (ph). These are used

as human shields by the armed terrorist groups.

Syria also reaffirms that the Syrian Arab army does not have any form or type of chemical

weapons. We have never used them. And we will never use them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Now, let's get the latest from international correspondent Ben Wedeman is on the Turkish-Syrian border. Matthew Chance is standing by

in Moscow. And Ben, we'll go to your first. And we have been seeing these horrific images. And your team heard some horrific accounts from survivors

of the attack. What did they tell you?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATOINAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, at the moment the Turkish health ministry is not allowing journalists into the hospital where

the victims of this attack on Tuesday morning are being treated. But our producer Kareem Hadir (Ph) did manage to get in, and the stories they tell

of what they experienced are disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was the latest in a long series of horrors that is the war in Syria. Early Tuesday

morning, the town of Khan Shihoun was rocked by explosions. And suddenly there was pandemonium. Hundreds, including many children struggling for

breath, foaming at the mouth.

What exactly happened Tuesday morning isn't clear. The result, however, is. For the lucky who survived like 55-year-old, Aysha Tilawi

(Ph), now in a Turkish hospital, the memories return.

"There was an airstrike," she says. "I saw yellow and blue. We felt dizzy and fainted." Ahmed Adrahim (ph) still has trouble breathing or

reconciling Tuesday's events. "I don't know what happened to my children," he says.

Turkish teams in full chemical suits are deployed in no man's land to wash down those coming to Turkey for treatment. While the Turkish mobile

lab for nuclear biological and chemical weapons detection heads across the border.

Thirteen-year-old, Masin Youssef (Ph), Aysha's grandson, is back on his feet in the hospital, but the trauma has seared his soul. "I saw the

explosion in front of my grandfather's house," he recalls. "I ran to their house barefoot. I saw my grandfather sitting like this, suffocated. Then I

became dizzy." How many of his relatives were killed? "Nineteen," he responds.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WEDEMAN: Now, the United Nations Security Council did hold an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss this incident in Syria, but as we've

seen before with previous chemical attacks, the discussions lead to very little - Kristie.

LU STOUT: And that's the tragedy of all this, because we've seen this happen before to people in Syria. And we may hear this talk coming from

Donald Trump or coming from the U.S. ambassador to the UN warning that Americans wil. be forced to take their own action if need be.

But, I mean, really after what happened earlier this week. What kind of meaningful action, if any, is going to be taken next.

WEDEMAN: It's a very good question. And nobody has the answer to that, Krsitie. It's very easy for Donald Trump in 2013 to come out to

criticize President Barack Obama about his red line, which I think in retrospect many people do believe was a mistake, but the fact of the matter

is you have a situation in Syria where the Russians, the Iranians and Hezbollah back the regime in Damascus to the hilt. If you're going to take

action against the Syrian government and you're sitting in the White House thinking about what you can possibly do, that's a Russian red line if the

United States goes in an starts striking Syrian government targets. You have the potential to spark World War III.

So, it's obviously not a decision anyone should take lightly - Kristie.

[08:20:27] LU STOUT: Let's talk about that Russian red line next. Ben Wedeman reporting live at the border. Thank you, Ben, for your

reporting.

Matthew Chance joins us now live from Moscow. And again, back to what we heard from a Trump administration official. This is the U.S. ambassador

to the UN, Nikki Haley.

Dramatic posturing at the UN asking the rhetorical question how many more children have to die before Russia cares? How is Moscow reacting to

that?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, there has been a statement from the Kremlin over the past couple hours about this issue,

the kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called what happened in southern Idlib a menacing course of events. He described it as a dangerous and horrible

crime.

But he also said that it was important not to make snap decisions as to who is responsible for that crime, not enough verified information, he

said, exists from the ground.

And of course the Russians have put across through their defense ministry their own series of events, their own account to explain so many

horrifying scenes, so many dead people in the aftermath of this incident.

They're saying that Syrian warplanes did, indeed strike the area, but they struck a depot which was being used by rebels in the area to store

chemical munitions and to manufacture chemical munitions as well. And it's the chemicals from those rebel weapons on the ground that caused that wide

scale loss of life.

That's an account, of course, that's been pretty much rejected by many in the international community, certainly been rejected by Donald Trump,

the U.S. president, and various people in his administration. And it's emerged as a major point of contention between Russia and the United States. And so it's hard to see how they're

going to get past that obstacle.

LU STOUT: And that apparent turn-around in position in regards to Syria by Donald Trump, the U.S. president warning that he would not

tolerate the heinous chemical weapons attack in Syria. Analysts are saying that that's opening the door to a greater U.S. role in Syria. Is that

something the Russians don't want to see?

CHANCE: It's potentially opening the door to that, and I think that if we're talking in

terms of increased military presence or military action in Syria, then it's certainly something the Russians would not want to see, particularly if

it's directed against their ally, the Syrian government, and even more particularly if it's not carried out in conjunction with them or at least

in coordination with them.

As Ben was rightly saying, what the United States has to consider as it molls military action in

Syria is that Russia has large scale military forces already there. It has one of the world's most sophisticated surface-to-air missile systems in

place and operational in Syria. And so bringing the militaries of two nuclear powered countries into potential conflict with each other is a step

that is not easily taken.

LU STOUT: Matthew Chance reporting live from Moscow. Thank you, Matthew.

Now, a powerful photo out of Syria has captivated, saddened people around the world who have

seen it, and I want to warn you these photos, they're real, they're graphic. A father, his name is Abdul Hamid Yousef. He lives in Idlib

Province. That's a photo of him holding his two dead twin children. They're just nine months old. And they were killed by what happened

earlier this week, this chemical attack in Idlib.

Now, CNN spoke to Yousef, the father, and he described what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABDUL HAMID YOUSEF, FAMILY KILLED IN SYRIA ATTACK (through translator): My entire family gone. My two kids, the twins Ahmad and Aya

(ph), and my wife, they were all martyred. My two brothers and their kids and their cousins, around 25 people from my family all martyred, and the

children of the neighbors, of course, every person that was walking on that street took ten steps and fell over.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Just utterly gut-wrenching. Yousef said that he lost 25 members today of his family. In addition to his two children and those

twins, his wife, his brothers, two of them, and their families all killed in that chemical weapons attack.

And we're receiving word of another atrocity in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human

Rights reports that ISIS has carried out a mass murder of 33 people. It happened Wednesday in the

desert in Deir ez-Zor, that's in eastern Syria. Now, the group says the victims were 18 to 25 years old. And they were killed with, quote, sharp

tools.

It is unknown whether the victims were members of regime forces, allied militia or rebel

factions.

Now, there are ways to help Syrian who are struggling to survive this brutal civil war. You can first go to CNN.com/impact. You'll find a list

of information including approved charities that you can donate to. An international crisis is unfolding, multiple ones. The Donald Trump

administration is in the middle of another high-level shakeup at one of the president's closest advisers, we're talking about his chief strategist

Steve Bannon. He has been removed from his role on the National Security Council.

Now, CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Foreign policy challenges are testing this Trump presidency unlike they have in the first

11 weeks in office. There are suddenly a shakeup from the National Security Council. Steve Bannon, the president's chief strategist who is a part of

that principal's committee, named in the early days of this administration was suddenly on Wednesday removed form that principal's committee. Now,

this is saying that General H.R. McMaster, the security -- National Security Adviser here at the White House is exerting his influence.

Steve Bannon taken off that principal's committee and two other people put back on, returning back to the traditional structure here of the

National Security Council. Dan Coats, the director of National Intelligence, and General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chief

of Staff are returning to the principal's committee at the National Security Council, Steve Bannon stepping a side here.

Now, this again is seen as major shakeup because Steve Bannon, largely one of the most influential advisers inside this White House with a

portfolio spinning from domestic affairs to foreign policy will still being involved of course but by not having a seat at the table which was very

unusual at the time. It's certainly is giving more power to the National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. So, a bit of inside baseball staff changing

here but so significant that Steve Bannon we are told having a more diminished role now and the new national security adviser empowered again.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now, that was CNN's Jeff Zeleny reporting.

Now, the fight over the confirmation of Mr. Trump's U.S. Supreme Court nominee is coming

to a head. In the coming hours, the Republican senate majority leader is expected to end the debate on whether Neil Gorsuch should get the job.

A full senate vote would hen follow. But Democrats have indicated that they will block the vote with a filibuster, essentially stalling the

process.

Now, Republicans could prevent them from doing with what's been called the nuclear option. Now, that would mean rewriting the rule so that only

51 votes are needed to end the filibuster. Right now they need 60, but there are only 52 Republicans in the Senate, and only a few Democrats have

said that they would vote yes.

Now, passing the so-called nuclear option itself also requires 51 votes. Some Republicans say that they still have not decided whether to

support it.

You're watching News Stream. Still ahead, we are live at the White House as President Trump prepares to meet with China's leader in Florida.

What's at stake and why their two agendas clash.

And rights groups have accused Myanmar's military of a systematic campaign to kill the Rohingya Muslim minority. We'll tell you what Aung

San Suu Kyi is saying next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[08:32:26] LU STOUT: Let's return now to the major diplomatic challenges facing President Donald Trump. Joe Johns joins us live from the

White House with more. And Joe, thank you for joining us here.

First, we have got to talk about the chemical attack in Syria. We've heard from the U.S. president a significant shift. We know that Trump had

advocated against intervention in Ssyria before. Now he has pretty some tough talk in regards to Syria, but will that talk translate into action?

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONENT: Kristie, it's very difficult to say quite frankly, because it's a difficult situation for this administration

just like it was for the Obama administration in dealing with Syria and Bashar al-Assad. They can talk. They can essentially put out rhetoric

that suggests things going on in Syria are horrible, are reprehensible, but at the same time it's sort of a Faustian bargain for the White House,

because if they remove Bashar al-Assad, the question is whether a vacuum will be created and ISIS will move right in to that.

What we do know is that Syria is right now opposed to ISIS. And despite all the atrocities in

that country inflicted by his own people by Bashar al-Assad, the White House realizes ISIS is a huge problem and this administration apparently,

at least for now, is taking the position that ISIS is the more important problem to the United States.

LU STOUT: Got that.

And, Joe, we know that Trump in just the hours ahead, will meet with the Chinese President Xi

Jinping in Florida. This comes on the back of another event that happened earlier this week: North Korea's latest missile test. How is that thorny

issue going to be discussed?

JOHNS: It certainly is a thorny issue. And it's anybody's guess. But what we do know is in the past China has encouraged the United States,

for example, what we do know in the past China has encouraged the United States, for example, to stop or at least underplay its military exercises

in the region, because China sees that as provocation to North Korea and there's been some suggestion

that China would suggest end your military exercises and we'll work on North Korea to get them to end their nuclear ambitions.

But a very difficult topic, and Donald Trump also has concerns about trade and trying to reduce

the deficit, the trade deficit with China. All of these things have to be considered very important discussions. The president has said he expects

it to be a difficult meeting with the Chinese president. The Chinese have said they come bearing gifts.

[08:35:17] ANDERSON : Yeah. And to be in that room when these two leaders meet, again

for the first time. On the campaign trail, Donald Trump, he slammed China so hard, also on Twitter as well. I mean, what is it going to be like when

they have this first-time face-to-face encounter in Mar-a-Lago?

JOHNS: Right, it's anybody's guess, as you say. I mean, Donald Trump has accused China of raping the United States. This is the kind of

language he used on the campaign trail about China. And now he has to sit down across the table from the president of China and try to conduct some

type of a negotiation.

The Chinese have been very careful to say they want to see this as an opportunity to -- for the two leaders to develop personal relationships.

So they haven't created any expectations of angry or confrontational meeting, and the Trump administration has even been

downplaying that in the last 24, 48 hours or so.

They haven't said much about China.

LU STOUT: Which is also very - reveals a lot as we wait for this big meeting to take place. Joe Johns reporting live from the White House for

us. Many thanks indeed for your reporting.

Now, the Dalai Lama's upcoming travel plans are causing some tension between China and India. Now, he is expected to be at the Buddist town of

Tawong (ph) on Saturday, but the town, it lies near the India-China border. And as part of the Indian territory that China also has laid claim to.

China's foreign ministry says India is escalating the boundary dispute by inviting the Dalai Lama to visit.

Now, the leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi denies that there was ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims. Thousands of Rohingya fled the

country last year after the military launched a brutal crackdown in Rakine State.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Suu Kyi says ethnic cleansing is, quote, too strong an

expression for the situation there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AUNG SAN SUU KYI, MYANMAR STATE COUNSELOR: I don't think there's ethnic cleansing going on. I think ethnic cleansing is too strong an

expression to use for what's happening.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...I have to say.

SUU KYI: Further, I think there's a lot of hostility there. And as I pointed out just now, it's Muslims killing Muslims as well. If you think

that they are collaborating with the authorities. So, it's not just a matter of ethnic cleansing as you put it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: But Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say that there have been killings, systematic rape and other human rights violations

against the Rohingya during the crackdown.

And last month, a UN official told CNN that potential crimes against humanity were unfolding in the region.

Now, Suu Kyi says the Rohingya who fled Myanmar, quote, will be safe if they return.

Now, Russian state media report an explosive device have been defused at an apartment in St. Petersburg. And this comes just three days after

that deadly bombing on the St. Petersburg metro. Officials say 14 people were killed in that attack, though it is unclear if the toll includes the

suicide bomber.

At the time, a second unexploded device was found at another metro station and it's unclear if this latest device is related to the

investigation into the metro attack.

Now, this is News Stream. And coming up, the first lady of the U.S. meets with the queen of Jordan. And we'll show you how their first school

trip together went.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:31] LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, Queen Rania of Jordan is known for her work helping children and pressing for a better

education. Now, First Lady Melania Trump has been promoting women's empowerment. And together, they toured a school in Washington with a big

mission. And as Jeanne Moos reports, even though this was their first meeting, they already looked like old friends.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You'd be overexcited, too, fidgeting, fixing your hair, bopping up and down if you were about to

present flowers to a first lady and a queen.

It was the Melania and Rania show. The first lady and the queen of Jordan visiting an all-girls public charter school. They stopped by art

class and science class. Kids dissected owl pellets, aka owl poop.

The former model and the queen, who made it into "Vanity Fair's" best dressed list hall of fame made an eye-catching pair, posing with their

husbands, strolling the White House colonnade, sitting in front row seats for the joint press conference with the king of Jordan perched on a box for

added height. DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're both leaders on

that, believe me. Believe me. And believe me.

MOOS: Believe me, these two even dress alike once in a while.

We've had Brangelina. We've had Bennifer.

MOOS (on camera): So when Melania Trump meets Queen Rania, why not melrania?

(voice-over): The queen has been in the public eye for almost two decades.

RANIA, QUEEN OF JORDAN: People are very mesmerized by the whole queen thing.

MOOS: But she told Oprah how terrifying it was at first.

RANIA: They look at me and they're listening to me, I'm like, are these people for real? They're taking me seriously? I'm only a kid. But,

you know, you kind of grow into the role.

MOOS: Good advice for Melania, who's been taking her licks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The White House released First Lady Melania Trump's official portrait today, but since she is never at the White House, they

had to get a little creative.

MOOS: The former model and the monarch seemed comfortable. The first lady even teased the queen...

MELANIA TRUMP, FIRST LADY: You got very tall.

RANIA: No, I think it's my chair.

MOOS: Queen Rania opted to lower her thrown. But when you're busy looking at owl pellets through safety googles, even royalty doesn't leave

you googly-eyed.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: And that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. But don't go anywhere. World Sport with Rihannon Jones is next.

END