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Rex Tillerson to Meet with Russian Counterpart Over Syria; Trump, Xi Jinping Discuss North Korea; Photographing Mauritius; Keeping Calm in South Korea; Protesters Call for President Jacob Zuma to Resign. Aired 8-9a ET

Aired April 12, 2017 - 08:00   ET

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


[08:00:12] IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Ivan Watson in Hong Kong. Welcome to News Stream.

A critical meeting in Moscow. America's top diplomat comes face-to-face with his Russian counterpart trying to find common ground on Syria.

China calls for the U.S. to keep calm over North Korea. We have a live report from Pyongyang.

And the court of public opinion comes down hard on United Airlines after a third apology for having a passenger dragged off an airplane.

Welcome to the program. Right now a high-stakes meeting is under way in Moscow. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is sitting down face-to-face

with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the hopes of addressing tensions over Syria.

The White House has accused Russia of trying to help Syria cover up last week's chemical

attack. For its part, Moscow says Washington broke international law by launching a retaliatory missile sill strike on Friday.

Lavrov opened the discussion by warning the U.S. to not strike the Syrian regime again. Secretary Tillerson had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REX TILLERSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATES: Our meetings today come at an important moment in the relationship so that we can further clarify areas

of common objectives, areas of common interests, even when our tactical approaches may be different, and to

further clarify areas of sharp difference so that we can better understand why these differences exist and what the prospects for narrowing those

differences may be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Now, Matthew Chance is covering this critical meeting and joins me now from the

Russian capital.

Matthew, we saw Sergey Lavrov issue this warning not to attack the Syrian government directly

to Tillerson's face at that meeting. Do we have any hints of what Russia could do if the U.S. carried out another attack on a Syrian regime target?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ivan, they haven't made an explicit threat to strike back against the United States or

against U.S. allies on the ground in Syria, but that's certainly the implication, or at least the implication is, that they wouldn't

stand by as they did this time to allow the U.S. to carry out missile strikes on other Assad regime targets.

Remember, in advance of the 59 Tomahawk cruise missile strikes launched by the United States

last week, the Russians were informed so they were able to move their forces out of the way, move their equipment out of the way, and they didn't

receive any casualties. Presumably they warned the Syrians as well.

They also didn't activate or didn't launch their very effective surface-to- air missile system. They have S-400s and S-300s on the ground. They're designed to take out missiles like the Tomahawk

cruise missile. But they weren't deployed either. They weren't fired.

That might not necessarily be the case this time, is the hint we're getting.

Also, the Russians have said they're prepared to arm the Syrian armed forces with greater surface-to-air missile capability and they've cut off a

crucial military-to-military contact line by which the Russians were warned on this occasion. All that raising the risks in the future for U.S.

military planners, Ivan.

WATSON: Matthew, Vladimir Putin is being quoted using much less diplomatic language regarding the U.S., its allies and their approach to Syria. Can

you fill us in on what the Russian president has been saying?

CHANCE: Yeah, I mean, he's infamous for using undiplomatic language, and he's done that today in an interview that's soon to be broadcast on a local

Russian television station. He's saying, first of all, the working level of confidence in Russian-American relations under the administration of

Donald Trump has not improved, but it has worsened. He has described NATO allies of the United States as bobbleheads without analyzing events. He's

called the missile strikes a clear violation of international law.

And so Vladimir Putin is pulling no punches when it comes to his criticism about these missile strikes launched by the United States. And I expect

perhaps in more diplomatic terms, we're going to - Sergey Lavrov is going to be conveying the same kind of sentiments to Rex Tillerson, the U.S.

secretary of state behind closed doors.

[08:05:02] WATSON: Bobbleheaded puppets.

Matthew, this is a pretty stark change from the tone that was coming out of the Kremlin just a matter of a month or two ago when it came to the Trump

administration. How would you chart this evolution in the Kremlin's approach to the new American president in just a

matter of weeks?

CHANCE: It really has been a sea change. I remember that Donald Trump was characterized in Russian media as being essentially the Kremlin's

candidate, somebody who is going to come to the White House and see the world from the same point of view as the Kremlin does. Trump himself

talked about cooperating over international terrorism and the war in Syria. He criticized NATO as being obsolete. He suggested he may even recognize

Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014 as being a legitimate part of Russia.

And so all of this was music to the ears of the Kremlin. But of course none of it has come to pass, partly because of the political situation in

the United States, the fact that the Russian issues has become so poisonous and so toxic, and partly because of this latest episode where the

United States and the Trump administration have found that there really is clear

distance between themselves, their own position, what they want in Syria and what the Russians are willing to sort of sign up to.

And so Rex Tillerson is coming here with a message to the Kremlin that it should distance itself, for instance, from Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian

president. The expectation is he is not going to get a positive response to that.

WATSON: All right. Matthew Chance with the view from Moscow during what may be a crucial round of diplomatic negotiations. Thank you very much,

Matthew.

Now, while those crucial talks take place in Moscow, President Trump has clarified his position

on Syria after last week's missile strikes. And our Joe Johns has that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're not going into Syria.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Trump asserting definitively that he has no plans to escalate the involvement in Syria

after last week's strike. Stressing that he was compelled to act because of the Syrian dictator's use of chemical weapons.

TRUMP: You have these massive barrels with dynamite, and they drop them right in the middle of a group of people. You see the same kids. No arms,

no legs, no face. This is an animal.

JOHNS: President Trump also blaming President Obama's inaction for the crisis in Syria.

TRUMP: What I did should have been done by the Obama administration a long time before I did it. And you would have had a much better -- I think Syria

would be a lot better off right now than it has been.

JOHNS: But these comments are in stark contrast to Trump's position just four years ago, when he argued there was no up-side and tremendous downside

to Obama taking action in Syria.

Meantime, press secretary Sean Spicer facing intense backlash after suggesting that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who's guilty of acts

worse than Hitler.

SPICER: We didn't use chemical weapons in World War II. You know, you had a -- you know, someone despicable as Hitler who didn't even sink to the -- to

using chemical weapons.

JOHNS: Ignoring history by falsely asserting Hitler did not use chemical weapons.

SPICER: When you come to sarin gas, there was no -- he was not using the gas on his own people the same way that Assad is doing.

JOHNS: Spicer attempting to clarify his statement during the briefing.

SPICER: It was not in the -- he brought them into the -- to the Holocaust center. And I understand that. But I'm saying in the way that Assad used

them, where he went into towns and dropped them down to innocents into the middle of town.

JOHNS: And subsequently apologizing in a written statement and again on CNN.

SPICER: There really is no explaining it at this point, is just to say that, especially this week, it was not something that was appropriate. And

it was insensitive.

BLITZER: The blunder coming during the beginning of Passover, provoking sharp condemnation and sparking speculation about Spicer's future in the

administration.

NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: It's unfortunate, and we should never have comparisons with Hitler. Ever.

REP. ADAM SMITH (D), WASHINGTON: It's obvious that Sean Spicer needs to know more about history when he's making his comments. And those comments

were insensitive and ignorant, without question.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: Joe Johns reporting there.

Let's get an update now on what's happening on the ground. Our Clarissa Ward is on Turkey's

border with Syria. Good to see you, Clarissa.

While the diplomats talk and the politicians posture, what is the latest that you're hearing about

the killing going on across the border from you?

CLARISSA WARD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ivan, I have to say that ever since the U.S. strike in the early hours of Friday morning, there

has been no real shift or change on the battlefield. Air strikes have continued, barrel bombings have continued, fighting has continued,

particularly in Hamaa province.

We are hearing reports today from activists in a town called (inaudible) that cluster bombs

have been used. Now, CNN cannot independently confirm that, that's just according to activists, but certainly it's fair to say that we have not

seen a change in the violence in the degree of fighting, and in the kind of wanton killing of civilians that has been going on for months, if not

years, now.

The question will be, can a change be agreed upon in Russia during these talks with Tillerson and Lavrov, but as you've heard from our Matthew

Chance and probably from many others, that is a tall order to try to get the Kremlin to disassociate or disengage with the Assad regime is going to

take some fancy footwork, because they have invested hundreds of millions, if not billions into this, not to mention their international credibility.

And above all, I would say, Ivan, the support that Russia has given to the regime of Bashar al-Assad has also given Putin a very important seat at the

playing table. And he's not going to play his trump card, I would say, without some significant persuasion from the Americans.

It remains to be seen what persuasion that might actually be, Ivan.

[08:11:15] WATSON: All right, Clarissa, can I ask you about the Syrian regime, the government in Damascus itself. It had been sending hints it

could cooperate with the Trump administration. And I imagine that the U.S. cruise missile strike took Damascus by surprise as it did much of the

world. How has Damascus changed its view of the Trump administration since those attacks on Friday?

WARD: Well, Trump has gone from being a sort of unknown commodity that President Bashar

al-Assad conceded perhaps could be someone he could have an alliance with or do business with to being a sort of American aggressive imperialist war

criminal almost overnight. And to be fair to the Assad regime, the same can be said of the Trump administration who one week before those strikes

were saying, well, it's not for us to say Assad must go, it's up for the Syrian people to decide their own fate, to fast forward one week later,

launching these strikes against regime air base.

Now, it may be, Ivan -- and I stress may be -- that that element of surprise, that element of unpredictability is something that can actually

serve the Trump administration when it comes to sitting down at the negotiating table with the Russians. We know President Putin has also used

an element of unpredictability, element of surprise to his own advantage.

But at the same time, of course many analysts and allies across the world watching feel very

nervous and anxious about that seeming unpredictability, lack of consistency and lack of a coherent Syria policy. So in terms of Bashar al-

Assad, he hasn't said too much yet. We're thinking we may hear something from him later today, probably not until after that meeting with

Tillerson and Lavrov is over, Ivan.

WATSON: I think it's safe to say there's a lot of anxiety in all circles and corners right now.

That's Clarissa Ward live from Antakia on the border with Syria in southeastern Turkey. Thanks very much, Clarissa.

Now, the U.S. is also keeping a sharp eye on North Korea, another international hot spot. American warships are heading towards the region.

The U.S. and Chinese presidents spoke on the phone and Beijing reiterated that it wants peace and stability. The call comes after Mr. Trump

signaled the U.S. could go it alone on North Korea if China decided not to help.

So, let's take you inside North Korea now, that's where CNN's Will Ripley joins us from the capital Pyongyang. Great to see you, Will.

Now, you've just heard about the U.S. and Chinese presidents who spoke again about North Korea just days after their meeting in Florida. Are you

seeing any signs of a change towards Pyongyang coming from Beijing, Will?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's interesting, Ivan, because this really is the first time that the Chinese government has

acknowledged conversations about North Korea between president Xi Jinping and President Trump. You'll remember after the meeting at Mar-a-Lago China

put out two statements that didn't even mention North Korea.

But now you have the acknowledgment that the two presidents have decided that they perhaps need to work together to try to deescalate the situation,

because they do share the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. And you even have an editorial in some state controlled newspapers, the

Global Times put out an editorial saying that the Chinese people are getting fed up with the tension, that they may think it's time for their

country to exert more economic leverage over Pyongyang, which is something that the United States has been saying for quite some time.

But of course, we don't know yet how North Korea will respond to all of this. They continue to insist here in Pyongyang that no matter what China

does, they will push forward with their goal of developing a viable and powerful nuclear arsenal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[08:15:09] RIPLEY: Brand new images of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un presiding silently over the supreme people's assembly in Pyongyang. The man

they call supreme leader sitting beneath giant statues of his father and grandfather. North Korea's two late leaders, the symbolism is clear. The

third generation leader like his father and grandfather before him continues to hold absolute power over North Korea and its growing nuclear

arsenal.

That arsenal has become central to what many here see as a potential showdown with the U.S. after a frantic series of North Korean missile

launches, this week, the U.S. moved warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson off the Korean Peninsula. That move prompted an

angry response from the North Koreans overnight hand delivered to us in Pyongyang. Calling the warships "reckless acts of aggression". The

government told us, "If the U.S. dares to choose a military option, the DPRK is willing and ready to react to any mode of war desired by the U.S."

President Trump responded in-turn on Twitter today writing, "North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not,

we will solve the problem without them. USA." And in a second tweet, "I explained to the president of China that a trade deal with the U.S. will be

far better for them if they solved the North Korea problem." Blunt words for the Kim Jong-un regime and for Chinese President Xi Jinping who made no

specific promises of specific action against the North Korean government after meeting Trump at Mar- a-Lago last week.

China is North Korea's only meaningful trading partner, but it's not clear how far China is willing to go to rein in Pyongyang, or even if economic

pressure would work. Tensions on the Korean peninsula after a highest level in years, with U.S. warships off the coast and just days after President

Trump ordered a missile strike on the Syrian government, received by some inside North Korea as a thinly veiled threat.

This North Korean news reader saying, "We are not intimidated". North Korean state media warning of a nuclear strike if provoked.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIPLEY: Analysts in the United States and South Korea believe that Kim Jong-un could order this nation's sixth nuclear test at any moment. But he

hasn't done it yet. He hasn't done it despite the fact that the U.S. Carl Vinson carrier strike group is approaching the peninsula, and Japanese

warships, we have now learned, will be joining that strike group, which could be very aggravating to the North Koreans considering that Japan

occupied this peninsula for many years prior to World War II, a history that is part of the propaganda that people hear every day inside North

Korea.

But there's also a situation in South Korea that could influence North Korea's decision moving

forward about what they're going to do as they approach a very important national holiday on Saturday, the Day of the Sun. South Korea is holing a

snap election next month after the impeachment of President Park Guen-hye. The leading candidates are from progressive parties who may be more willing

to engage with North Korea than the previous administration.

A nuclear test right now could frighten South Korean voters and cause them to put someone into office who has a different view, a more negative view,

a more militaristic view about North Korea.

So, weighing perhaps increased pressure from China, the situation in South Korea, perhaps North Korea won't do that test right now. Of course, we

never know what they're going to do. it's unlikely they'll stop lunching missiles and testing nuclear weapons because they have it written in their

constitution they want to be a nuclear state.

But the timing and response to all of this rhetoric from the United States, still big unknowns right now - Ivan.

WATSON: Will Ripley live in Pyongyang, we thank you and your team for your series of

excellent reports from North Korea all this week.

Still ahead, the attack that's rocked one of the world's most prestigious sports tournaments. We'll get the latest on the investigation from

Dortmund, Germany, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:21:38] WATSON: Welcome back to CNN. News Stream broadcasting live from Hong Kong. As you can see, a view of the lovely Victoria Harbor

there. I'm Ivan Watson. Welcome to the program.

United Airlines is paying a high price for dragging a passengers from a plane. On top of international calls of a boycott, United saw its shares

plummet. It lost about $250 million from its market value.

Rene Marsh has the latest on the Airline's public relations disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: As United Airlines passenger David Dao receives treatment for his injuries at a Chicago hospital, the airline

is tailsping into a public relations disaster. After video of Dao being dragged from a Sunday night flight went viral.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god!

MARSH: The airline first said the flight was overbooked. Then changed its language Tuesday to oversold. United did not respond to multiple attempts

to clarify the change. From the White House --

SEAN SPICER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Clearly when you watch the video, it is troubling to see how that was handled.

MARSH: To late night TV.

JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: The CEO of United released a statement via Twitter. This is what the CEO treated. "This is an upsetting

event to all of us here at United. I apologize for having to re-accommodate these customers." He said re-accommodate. It's like we re-accommodated El

Chapo out of Mexico.

That is such sanitized, say nothing, take no responsibility corporate bs speak. I don't know how the guy who sent that tweet didn't vomit when he

typed it out.

MARSH: And on social media. United Airlines is feeling the sting. Not just for the violent removal of the passenger, but the airline's lack of

compassion. It took two days before the CEO, Oscar Munoz, apologized directly to Dao who had been left bloodied after the incident.

In a statement Tuesday, he said, "I deeply apologize to the customer forcibly removed and to all the customers aboard. No one should ever be

mistreated this way." The new statement, a far cry from the e-mail the CEo sent to employees Monday defending the flight crew and calling the

passenger, "disruptive and belligerent." And in Munoz, very first statement, he only apologized for having to re-accommodate customers.

MARVET BRITTO, ENTERTAINMENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS & BRAND STRATEGIST: The CEO's response was off mark. It was not in line with the alleged core

values of United Airlines. It was not sympathetic. It was not apologetic. And he really seemed to coddle the myth that all passengers are belligerent

and/or disruptive, which was not the case in this instance.

MARSH: Although it's legal for airlines to deny boarding to passengers if it's overbooked, lawmakers are also calling foul. Governor Chris Christie

is calling on the Trump administration to suspend the federal regulation that permits airlines to overbook flights and remove passengers as a

result.

Meanwhile, members of Congress are calling for the Department of Transportation to launch an investigation. Right now, the agency is only

reviewing the incident.

The video has breached borders. Trending on China's version of Twitter generating more than 100 million views, potentially harmful to the

airline's bottom line. China is a huge growth market for the airline.

The airline's CEO pledged a, quote, thorough review of how the airline handles oversold flights and how it works with law enforcement. He said

that the review would be completed by April 30.

Rene Marsh, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[08:25:17] WATSON: The passenger who was reaccommodated is Dr. David Dao, a U.S. citizen of Vietnamese descent. His lawyers say he's being treated

at a Chicago hospital.

This just in to CNN, prosecutors say they suspect terrorist involvement in the attack targeting one of the biggest teams in world football. Three

explosions went off near the Borussia Dortmund bus on Tuesday, injuring one player.

One person has now been detained in connection with the attack. Prosecutors say a handwritten letter was found near the scene claiming

responsibility for the attacks, but it may not be authentic.

The team are now preparing to take on Monaco in the rescheduled Champion's League match and World Sport's Christina Macfarlane is there. Christina,

the players, the fans, they must all be pretty traumatized after this bomb attack. Isn't that going to affect how they play when they go into the

stadium tonight?

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, WORLD SPORT: Yeah, as you can imagine, Ivan, very unsettling indeed, not least because the players have to come back tonight

and play the match here in the stadium behind me at 6:45 p.m. local time. And there's been plenty of reaction to that, and I'll talk to you about in

a moment.

I just want to bring you up to date, Ivan, on some new information we've been getting in here in the last 10 minutes from the federal prosecutor's

office. They have been looking into the case. And they have issued a statement shedding light not only on who is perhaps potentially involved in

the attack, but also on the bombs that were used during the attack yesterday.

The statement mentioned that the explosives, the three you mentioned there that went off in quick succession around about six miles from here

yesterday contained metal pieces within those explosives. They also said that they assume that those responsibility for the attack were from a

terrorist background, and I quote, a terrorist background, and that that could

possibly also indicate a radical Islamic background as well. That coming directly from the statement from the prosecutor's office.

They have also issued some information about what those letters contained. There were three letters found at the bomb site yesterday, all apparently

saying exactly the same thing which was this, the letter demanded that tornado jets were withdrawn from Syria. The

letter also demanded that an army air base located here in Germany was closed. That army base in question was, in fact, the U.S. - or is in fact the U.S.'s main air base in

Eeurope.

So this very much pointing to, as you mentioned, Ivan, and as the prosecutors are now indicating, that this potentially terrorist acts that

occurred here yesterday in Dortmund.

WATSON: All right. Christina Macfarlane with chilling details about what is now being termed as a possible terrorist incident that took place

targeting the Dortmund football team's bus. Thank you very much, Christina.

Now, stay with CNN for more on this story, because World Sport will be covering this extensively, and that comes up right after News Stream in

just over 15 minutes.

Now, large rallies are under way in South Africa as calls grow for the president to step down. Up next, the growing political storm that is

surrounding Jacob Zuma.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[08:32:31] WATSON: Now, let's go to a large rally that is now under way in South Africa. Protesters are calling for President Jacob Zuma to step down

after he triggered an extraordinary purge of his cabinet. And our own David McKenzie is live there on the scene in Pretoria.

David, tell us what you're seeing and let us get a sense of what the people there are saying.

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, Ivan. This protest was many thousands strong, and what was significant about it,

it was opposition, people from the opposition and their supporters uniting with one voice on a single issue, and that is for President Jacob Zuma to

step down, to resign or to be fired by the ruling African National Congress.

You saw thousands of people walking through Pretoria, the capital to the union buildings, the seat of government. Much deep seated anger here in

South Africa about the allegations of corruption against Jacob Zuma, his moves to fire key members of his cabinet, which caused a rating downgrade.

I'm joined now by Temba who lives in an informal settlement nearby called Orange Farm.

Temba, why are you angry? And why are you here toda

TEMBA, ORANGE FARM: I'm here to support the motion that say Zuma must go and all

of his cabinet. The reason being I want to call on fellow South African, especially the youth, people like me, people - let's step out, let's go out

there and make our voice to be heard.

I am 35 years old. I never wanted (inaudible). I'd be out of - and the youth got to (inaudible).

I'm saying to you all, we have our brothers and sisters (inaudible), some of they lived through AFVs (ph). If there's (inaudible) would put their

(inaudible). Those people, how will they survive? Because they get nothing.

MCKENZIE: But why, Temba, do you want Jacob Zuma to resign? What will that actually achieve?

TEMBA: Jacob Zuma is being a guy, a corrupt guy ever since from day one.

Me, myself, on my side, I want Zuma to step down and go face the charges that he's supposed to face. Stop running time (inaudible) let's wait for

the election that will come, because (inaudible) facing his charges.

MCKENZIE: Today is Jacob Zuma's

TEMBA: Today is Jacob Zuma and his cabinet must step down.

MCKENZIE: Today is Jacob Zuma's birthday. He's 75 years old. What is your message to the president?

TEMBA: What a shame to you, president. Why are you celebrating. Why should we be celebrating, say, our forefathers have done it. Why shouldn't

you be celebrating (inaudible) telling you that you are putting us (inaudible), you're making us go deeper into (inaudible). You are putting

us in a (inaudible) than the one we were into before.

I'm not proud of you. And I want to tell you something, (inaudible) marking your history that South Africans, you died while there were young

people who say you are not their father and they're not proud of you to be called father of nation.

MCKENZIE: And so, Ivan, that's one of the sentiments, I've heard a lot of that, thank you, Temba, that anger from the youth saying that the South

Africa that they had hoped for after more than 20 years of democracy, hasn't arrived. And they put the blame squarely on Jacob Zuma.

Whether he will go or not, time will tell. But there's certainly some level of momentum building here in South Africa - Ivan.

WATSON: All right, thanks, David. And I hope that smoke behind you there is nothing unusual.

Thank you very much for keeping an eye on this unfolding political situation there in South Africa. David McKenzie live there.

Now, let's go back to our top news this hour, that's the rising tension on the Korean peninsula.

President Trump tweeted this moments ago, "had a very good call last night with the President of China, concerning the menace of North Korea. And

this came as U.S. warships move into the region.

So, how do South Koreans feel about the growing threat to the north?

Paula Hancocks spoke with some of them. Look at this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Simulating an attack on a subway in Seoul, South Korea`s emergency services trained to

respond to a bomb or gas attack.

An air raid siren signals a bigger attack on the population of Seoul, citizens should move underground quickly to safety. These drills are held

once or twice a year and are often ignored by many.

(on camera): The South Korean government says there are more than 18,000 bomb shelters around the country, including subways. This one in downtown

Seoul, one of many, which doubles as a bomb shelter. They`ve also produced this documents, brochures, telling citizens what to do in case of

emergencies, including the outbreak of war.

But what they couldn`t tell us was where we could find these brochures and how many had actually ended up in the hands of the public.

(voice-over): There`s a distinct lack of concern on the sunny streets of Seoul, a deep-rooted sense of business as usual. For one simple reason:

South Korea was being technically at war with its northern neighborhood since 1953 when an armistice, not a peace treaty was signed. The threat of

attack is constant but also distant.

This man says, "I`m nearly 70 years old. If I was worried, I would have emigrated. There can`t be a second Korean War."

As the U.S. military beefs up its presence in Korean waters, experts wonder what President Trump means when he says he`ll go at it alone if he has to,

and whether all options are really on the table.

The national security adviser to a former South Korean president says even a preemptive strike on North Korea by the U.S. does not necessarily mean

war.

CHUN YUNG-WOO, KOREAN PENINSULA FUTURE FORUM: I don`t believe that Kim Jong-un (ph) is crazy. I don`t think he`s interested in the self-

destruction. So, he will be very careful.

HANCOCKS: As the rhetoric increases in Washington and Pyongyang, Seoul for one is staying calm.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: You're watching News Stream. Coming up, Mauritius is famous for its gorgeous beaches, but one photographer is showing us another side of

the island. Those hidden gems are coming up after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:07] WATSON: Welcome back to the program.

The natural landscape of Mauritius inspired author Mark Twain and draws tourists around the world, but the lesser known locations on the island

also have a unique beauty. In today's Destination Mauritius, we meet a photographer who loves to find and reveal these hidden

gems.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSEPH MANGLAVITI, PHOTOGRAPHER: Mauritius is more than just beaches. Mauritius has so much more to offer. It's got your mountains, it's got

heritage. It has multiculturalism. It has so many things in it that I think people are missing out on the they just come here for the beaches.

We're at an old sort of Indian temple out on one of the rivers. Looks interesting here. It's one of the goddesses of destruction, which comes

and claims everything.

So take five photos, come back and show me what you've done and then we'll take it from there.

Part of it, too, is that I enjoy doing more so are the tours where I like to bring people to destinations, places that you would not normally go to

and just really experience what Mauritius is, instead of just seeing it from your car window.

I want people to feel it.

What's special about the citadel? It was built up here as a fort to see the on coming boats that were coming in basically. So, they had the

cannons up there. It was an army fort that gives you the most amazing view of Port Louis, roughly 360 degrees around.

So we've landed in Ela Fa (ph), which is the lighthouse island. From here you can see the island of Mauritius on that side there. We're looking at

the east coast of Mauritius on that side there, which I think is spectacular. Look at those mountains.

We're going to photograph that way because the sun is behind us. If we're photographing in there, it's going to be too difficult. The light now is

perfect. Got to crouch lower, go low, go down low.

So shooting in Mauritius, you can't go wrong. Look how beautiful this place is. You've got clouds, you've got ocean, you've got little islands.

You drop the camera and it's going to look good.

So, hopefully you learned something, you took some beautiful photos. And you can see how beautiful Mauritius is.

By doing the tours that we have, you get to experience Mauritius unlike a tourist and also you get to learn something as well that you can bring back

with you. You can take amazing photos and you've got a story behind it as well.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: And that is News Stream. I'm Ivan Watson. World Sport with Rhiannon Jones is next.

END