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Threat of Retaliation Over North Korea Missile Test; Macron Hosts Putin at Versailles; Kushner Tried to Set a "Back Channel" with Russia?; Government Troops Clash with Militants in the Philippines; At Least 169 Dead in Sri Lanka Flooding. Aired 8-9a ET
Aired May 29, 2017 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And welcome to "News Stream." Japan's prime minister says Tokyo will take
concrete action with the U.S. after North Korea performs another missile test. Questions surround Donald Trump's adviser and son-in-law, Jared
Kushner, over his contacts with Russia.
And rescue teams scramble to save people in Sri Lanka after severe flooding kills at least 200 people. You won't get away with this -- that is a
promise from Japan and South Korea after the North fired a short-range missile -- its third test in just over three weeks.
Japan says it's flushed down (ph) inside its exclusive economic zone that extends 350 kilometers off the coast. South Korea calls the launch a
provocation and has promised strong punishment from its military, while Japan says it, too, will take action.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHINZO ABE, PRIME MINISTER, JAPAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): In order to deter North Korea, we will take concrete actions together with the United States.
We will maintain high vigilance in coordination with South Korea and the international community and take all possible measures to secure the safety
of the people of Japan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: All right, let's bring in our correspondents, Paula Hancocks joins us live from Seoul. We also have Will Ripley standing by in Tokyo. Let's
start with Paula.
And Paula, we know that the defense chief (ph) in South Korea, they have pledged strong punishment from our military. How exactly will Seoul
respond?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is what we've heard many times before, Kristie, that there's really a limit to how South Korea can
respond. These continued missile launches, certainly, we've seen three in just over three weeks.
And -- and when you consider that the -- the new president, Moon Jae-in really only won the election just over three weeks ago, he's effectively
seen North Korea have one missile launch every single week since he took power. Now, it's difficult for him to know what to do.
Certainly, he is pro-engagement. He's pro-dialogue with North Korea. It's what he campaigned on.
And it's certainly one of his -- his main pledges. But of course, when you do have Pyongyang carrying out a missile launch every week, it's difficult
to see how he would be able to move that forward.
Now, we know that South Korea in the past has -- has supported sanctions. We know that they would like China to do more.
They know they want the -- we know they want the -- the support of the United States. In fact, President Moon will be heading to Washington
within weeks to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to see if they can forge a strong relationship and if they can agree on just how to deal with
North Korea.
We do know, though, it was a short-range missile. Usually, these are not the ones that concern the region the most.
But just the fact of the sheer intensity of testing at the moment is the concern.
Kristie?
STOUT: All right, now from Paula Hancocks in Seoul, let's get Will Ripley in Tokyo.
Will, Japan's prime minister has promised concrete action in response to the test. What would that look like?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN HOST: Well, Japan is really limited, Kristie, as to what it could do unilaterally. Perhaps Japan self-defense forces could start
stopping and searching North Korean fishing vessels that are entering into the exclusive economic zone, a very busy waterway, by the way, which is why
these missile launches are particularly troubling for Japan because one of these days, given that there's no advance warning, these missiles could
have the potential to hit a boat and people, and potentially cause damage and loss of life, even if this was just intended to be a test.
But aside from something like that, Japan really needs to rely on the United States for what, for how it could respond to North Korea. We've
seen Japanese war ships training alongside U.S. vessels.
We've seen Japanese planes flying in formation with the United States and South Korean planes. And so certainly, they're trying to project force to
North Korea.
But any sanctions, any other activity would have to happen in conjunction with the United States. And really, the pressure is on China here to do
more because if there was something that Japan and South Korea and the U.S. could do to stop Pyongyang from launching these missiles, they would have
already done it.
And clearly, nothing that they've tried so far has worked.
STOUT: Yet the pressure is on China, as you point out, for Japan to carry out any sort of meaningful response, would definitely have to have the U.S.
on site (ph). Let's go back to Paula in Seoul.
And Paula, let's talk about North Korea's missile tests by the numbers because so far, the North has fired 12 missiles during nine tests. Do you
think they're advancing here?
[08:05:01]
Have their missile tests paid off?
HANCOCKS: Well, we've heard from South Korean and U.S. intelligence that - - that they have improved. And certainly, we're seeing that even in layman's terms.
You could -- you could understand that -- that with every launch, they're going to learn something whether or not that launch is successful or not.
But we have had very clear signals from both the U.S. and South Korea that -- that they have been improving significantly in their ability.
And there was a missile launch just a couple of weeks ago. And that one in particular, analysts said, was potentially one of the most important that
North Korea has -- have carried out, because it had an altitude of some 2,100 kilometers, which means it did leave the earth's atmosphere, meaning
that -- that North Korea may have learned some valuable data when it comes to reentry.
This part of -- of technology is -- is absolutely crucial for North Korea to be able to carry out its intercontinental ballistic missile technology.
It has said it wants the ICBM (ph) to be able to hit mainland United States with this -- this launch just a couple of weeks ago.
Analysts say that they would have learned some crucial data in how to move that forward. So there's no doubt in -- in any expert's minds or
government's mind that North Korea is learning from these and is getting better.
STOUT: All right, Paula Hancocks reporting live from Seoul, Will Ripley live in Tokyo, a big thank you to you both.
Now, just hours before the North Korean test, the latest one, we heard from the U.S. Defense Secretary, James Mattis. And he had a grave message about
Washington's standoff with Pyongyang.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES MATTIS, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: A conflict in North Korea, John (ph), would be probably the worst kind of fighting in most people's
lifetimes. Why do I say this?
The North Korean regime has hundreds of artillery cannons and rocket launchers within range of one of the most densely populated cities on
earth, which is the capital of South Korea. We are working with the international community to deal with this issue.
This regime is a threat to the region, to Japan, to South Korea. And in the event of war, they would bring danger to China and to Russia as well.
But the bottom line is, it would be a catastrophic war if this turns into combat, if we're not able to resolve this situation through diplomatic
means.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: Catastrophic if it turns into combat -- North Korea just one of the many challenges facing the Trump administration. President Trump is also
dealing with matters closer to home.
His son-in-law and key adviser, Jared Kushner, is getting new scrutiny over his contacts with Russia while key American ally, the German Chancellor
Angela Merkel is now questioning the strength of the U.S.-European alliance after President Trump's first overseas visit.
CNN's Athena Jones has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tensions from the president's first G7 summit following him home. Trump's tepid support for NATO, harsh words on
trade and his lack of commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement putting him at odds with E.U. allies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel questioning
America's strong alliance with Europe.
"The times when we could completely rely on others are over. Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands." President Trump rating the
trip a great success and tweeting a tease.
He'll decide on the landmark Paris Agreement this week. Trump again targeting journalists and leakers inside his own White House, accusing the
fake news media of fabricating lies about leaks coming out of the White House, the latest bombshell leaks concerning Trump's most trusted adviser,
his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
During a December meeting, Kushner reportedly asking Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak for help setting up a back channel for secret communications
concerning Syria and other matters between Russia and the Trump team, a back channel that would bypass U.S. surveillance.
MICHAEL HAYDEN, FORMER DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY: This is off -- off the map, Michael. I know no other experience like this in -- in our
history, certainly within my life experience.
JAMES CLAPPER, FORMER DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: My dashboard warning light was clearly on. And I think that was the case with all of us
in the intelligence community -- very concerned about the nature of these approaches to the Russians.
JONES: Kislyak, himself, reportedly surprised by the request, according to intercepted communications between Russian officials first published by the
"Washington Post," ousted National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, also reportedly (ph) present. The meeting initially left off Kushner's security
clearance form before being amended a day later, Kushner cutting his foreign trip short amid the crisis, a source telling CNN he did not want to
be beside the president when the story broke, contradicting White House accounts that his early departure was planned.
[08:10:07]
Democrats now calling for Kushner to have his security clearance revoked.
REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D), CALIFORNIA: If these allegations are true and he had discussions with the Russians about establishing a back channel and didn't
reveal that, that's a real problem. But I do think there ought to be a review of his security clearance.
JONES: But President Trump affirming support for Kushner, telling "The New York Times," "Jared is doing a great job for the country. I have total
confidence in him."
And Homeland Security Secretary, John Kelly, playing defense on the Sunday talk shows.
JOHN KELLY, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: I don't see any big issue here. Any line of communication to a country, particularly a
country like Russia, is a good thing.
JONES: Officials telling CNN the White House is considering creating a war room to manage fallout. Kushner's wife, Ivanka, spotted with President
Trump's private attorney, Marc Kasowitz, at the White House Sunday.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: All right. And thanks to our Athena Jones for that report. Russia is not only facing accusations of election meddling in the U.S. but also in
France.
And that could make for a pretty awkward meeting between the French President Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders are
about to sit down at the Palace of Versailles.
And CNN's Melissa Bell is there.
Melissa, this could be an awkward meeting. It could be a tense one given the issues it had (ph). What should we expect?
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's certainly going to be a no-holds- barred meeting. That is what the people around Emmanuel Macron have told us.
He's just arrived here at the Palace in Versailles to greet the Russian president who's due to arrive shortly, Kristie. He plans to hold no
punches to sum up, really, he talks -- he's going to talk about Ukraine.
He's going to talk about Syria. But he's also been meeting with human rights groups over the course of the last few days to find out what they
wish him to press the Russian president on.
And in particular, we're hearing that he's going to be raising with Vladimir Putin both the allegations of a gay purge (ph) in Chechnya and the
broader question of the right to protest in Russia across the whole of Russia. So it is likely to be a tense meeting, and one in which really,
Emmanuel Macron is hoping to set the tone for what will be his style on the international stage over the coming years (ph).
STOUT: Interesting. Likely to be a tense meeting between these two leaders because as you point out, Macron's style, he is preparing to have
this no-holds-barred meeting with Vladimir Putin. But -- but also the issue, the allegations of Russian interference in the recent presidential
election there in France, is -- is that also weighing on proceedings there?
BELL: You're right, Kristie. Of course, we're hearing a great deal about those allegations of Russian involvement in American politics over the
course of the last few months.
But there have been similar allegations, you're -- you're right, here. In fact, throughout the campaign, Emmanuel Macron's people said that they've
been the subject of repeated cyber attacks and fake news over the course of the campaign.
Now, we're also told that that is also something that might be raised directly with Vladimir Putin here today, the question of cyber attacks and
those that come through will (ph) wind up on French soil. So you're really likely to see a French president who -- and we saw this really over the
course of the last few days, G7 meeting as well, wants to show that he is someone not to be trifled with.
In fact, he's talked about the handshake, now famous with Donald Trump, the white knuckle handshake that we've been pouring over such a great deal.
And he said he was not innocent.
This was really about showing that I intend to be tough, that there are -- I intend to stand firm. And regarding this meeting here today, Kristie, he
said very clearly that he intends to talk tough and to leave no room for concessions.
So it should be really interesting when we see the two men stand within the next couple of hours after their private meeting, which will be in a small
-- which will involve just a small number of people and then a wider number of people invited to a lunch, when we see the two men stand up for that
press conference to see the sort of body language that exists between them, once they've raised these questions on the question of Ukraine, of course,
but also on the question of Syria. Emmanuel Macron really wants to raise the problem that is one for many Western countries, about the fact that
having invested, involved himself so openly, so decisively in the Syrian war, Vladimir Putin seems determined to shape without them now the Syrian
peace.
STOUT: Emmanuel Macron is getting ready for a tough dialogue with Vladimir Putin on issues, as you mentioned -- Syria, Ukraine, human rights as well
as allegations of Russian election interference there in France. So why have these talks there?
Why welcome Vladimir Putin in Versailles, a palace of such history and grandeur?
BELL: That's a really interesting question, Kristie. In fact, here today is opening an exhibition that will celebrate the 300th-year anniversary of
the visit of Peter the Great here to France where, of course, he was received here by the French king -- an exhibition that Vladimir Putin is
coming to see.
But what the people around that corner (ph) are particularly pleased about is that this is simply not a cultural exchange, that it won't be limited to
that.
[08:15:01]
They've managed to make this a working meeting. And it was precisely that question that had led to the canceling of the last Putin visit, the one
that was due to take place in October.
He had come (ph) -- he was due -- the Russian president was due to come here to open a cultural center, also an orthodox church that now stands on
the banks of the River Seine. It had been canceled precisely because the French president of the time, Francois Hollande, had insisted on making it
a working meeting.
What he wanted to do was talk about the siege of Aleppo. That had been refused by the Russian presidency.
And the entire visit had been canceled. Already, Macron's people are saying it is a significant concession to France that Vladimir Putin has
accepted to come here and make this a working meeting, one in which he is prepared to talk about some of the tougher issues, Kristie.
STOUT: And Melissa, we're looking at live pictures there from Versailles, the French President, Emmanuel Macron on the red carpet awaiting to receive
Vladimir Putin. And as he prepares to welcome Mr. Putin and to have that tough dialogue with him, we also know that he did talk about that handshake
with Donald Trump, that white knuckle handshake that went viral last week.
What did he say and what did that reveal about him as a leader, especially as we await him meeting Vladimir Putin?
BELL: That's right, Kristie. He did talk about it very clearly to the French press here yesterday, saying that it was not innocent. In fact, he
wanted to show that he was someone who was willing to give as good as he got, and to stand firm on his convictions and to make his points even with
those leaders with whom it might be difficult to make them.
It's what he believes is the case with Donald Trump. And it's also what he believes is the case with Vladimir Putin.
And that's why he's talked about the fact that also, that he believes that the meeting here today, which is just beginning, the cars are just pulling
up here at the beginning of the red carpet, Vladimir Putin is about to be greeted by Emmanuel Macron. I'll just stand back so you can see there the
French president preparing to greet his Russian counterpart.
And Vladimir Putin's car is driving up even now. Now, Emmanuel Macron has talked about the fact that this will be a meeting that is about, of course,
it's about establishing the question of the forces between the two (ph).
It is -- it is about power and how they're going to establish themselves faced (ph) with one another when there are so many questions dividing us.
STOUT: All right, just taking in the moment live as we see Vladimir Putin has just emerged from his car, being greeted by Emmanuel Macron there in
Versailles and being led down the red carpet for their dialogue to soon begin. Melissa Bell is also there reporting live for us in Versailles
watching proceedings.
And Melissa, talk to us, not just about the issues ahead but the stage craft leading up to this moment because just last week, we had Emmanuel
Macron part of the G7 summit. The Russian leader in Russia was not part of that summit.
Just days later, he's now meeting with the Russian president. Can we -- can we read anything into that, the significance of the timing here?
BELL: Yes, of course. And one of the things that emerged from that G7 meeting, Kristie, was, of course, the possibility of new sanctions, fresh
sanctions against Russia. I mean, this has been a question right here in France, at the heart (ph) of France, his election campaign.
Emmanuel Macron, of course, is one of the candidates who was in favor of more sanctions against Russia over Ukraine. His opponent, going to the
second round, Marine Le Pen, had been in favor of even the European Union dropping the existing sanctions.
So what we've seen over the course of the last few days is with people like Emmanuel Macron now part of the G7, a hardening of the staff (ph), a call
for further fresh sanctions. And that really will be at the heart of the meeting today.
I asked sources close to Emmanuel Macron whether he was likely to talk to the Russian president about that possibility of fresh sanctions, they would
not be drawn on the question. But clearly, the first point, the main issue at the heart of this meeting today, Kristie, will be Ukraine.
And when you look at Emmanuel Macron's language over (ph) the course of the last few days and then particularly, at that G7 meeting, he talked about
the fact that Russia had invaded Ukraine, really not mincing his words, really choosing to level as (ph) Russia accusations that many have chosen
to skirt (ph) around or chosen more delicate language to frame. He's (ph) -- and this was pointed out to me by the source close to him -- been very
clear in what he believes.
He believes that Russia invaded Ukraine and that Russia now needs to change its attitude. And what he's hoping to establish here at Versailles today
is the hope that a fresh meeting can be held in what's come to be known as the Normandy format, which includes France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia, to
try and move to some sort of resolution on this question that as you say has divided Russia from its former allies for so long, that has divided the
G7, turning it G7 from a G8 just a couple of years ago.
Now, that will be central. But of course, we won't know until the press conference really what progress has made and how flexible Vladimir Putin is
prepared to be on -- on the question that he's shown very little flexibility on over the course of the last couple of years, Kristie.
[08:20:04]
STOUT: All right, tough talks ahead and expect that the dialogue between these two leaders, Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin at the ornate Palace
of Versailles, Melissa Bell reporting live for us. Thank you very much indeed, Melissa. Take care.
Now, tens of thousands are displaced from their homes as deadly floods hit southwestern Sri Lanka. And up next, right here on "News Stream," we'll
give you an update on the rescue efforts.
[08:20:27]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:22:40]
STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, welcome back. You're watching "News Stream." Fighters affiliated with ISIS are clashing with government
forces in the predominantly Muslim City of Marawi.
At least 103 people have died. Thousands have fled to nearby towns. Witnesses report ISIS flags flying in the city.
And the fighters have torched buildings and taken over several government facilities. And President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law over
Mindanao and told government troops, he alone will be responsible for any consequences, even joking that they can rape with impunity.
And human rights watch blasted that comment. And rescue teams are combing (ph) towns in Southwestern Sri Lanka for any flood survivors.
Monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding. At least 169 people are dead and dozens are still missing. Ravi Agrawal has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RAVI AGRAWAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A rope descends from the sky, much needed aid gratefully accepted. This is the reason why towns and villages
submerged in Sri Lanka's worst flood since 2003.
Here are some of the displaced, more than 100,000 people across the country as torrential rains pounded the tiny island nation through the weekend.
They are escaping situations like this -- houses almost disappearing in the rising floodwaters.
A few rescue attempts are made. But homes are left behind with precious belongings lost forever. And it's not just floods.
The heavy rains (ph) following a severe drought also triggering deadly landslides with workers looking for survivors. Sri Lanka has deployed
2,000 military personnel and it set up evacuation centers in the worst affected areas in Rapnapura (ph) just 60 miles southeast of the capital
Colombo, providing food and shelter to the displaced.
It is not enough. The country's foreign minister admitted to, quote, "a problem of limited resources" and asked for help. Neighboring India heeded
that call over the weekend.
[08:25:00]
Three ships were deployed with relief personnel and supplies. As the death toll rises and the water remains high, the race is on to get help to those
who need it most. Ravi Agrawal , CNN, New Delhi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: Now, let's get an update on the conditions there. our meteorologist, Chad Myers joins us now.
And Chad, good to see you. I mean, you talk about the crisis in Sri Lanka. The death toll rising.
When will conditions there improve?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: When the monsoon moves back into India. It is right now still -- that line still right over Sri Lanka and I expect
more rainfall in the next few days.
Now, all that you saw there, all that damage was caused by rain that came down on Friday and Saturday. But think about this, think about 500
millimeters of rainfall in 48 hours.
And that's what they saw. The monsoon moves into India week after week after week, getting farther and farther toward the northwest.
But right now, that line is right over Sri Lanka hoping for about a 95 percent or almost normal monsoon in all of India. This is the monsoon that
gives India life.
This is the monsoon that makes crops and -- and makes life in general there. If you lose the monsoon, you lose life.
But if you get too much too fast, this is what also happens, too. We are expecting more rainfall to come down, the rain still in the Colombo.
We're going to watch this, too. This is a cyclone that's going to move into Bangladesh and Myanmar.
That may be the story for next week as there could be more flooding up there because of that cyclone. But there is Colombo.
This is Sri Lanka right here, more rain coming in, right here indicating almost 250 millimeters more of rainfall to come. Kristie, here is what
happened.
Let's get right down to it. The rain fell in a wildlife refuge about 15 or 1,600 meters high. And all of this water ran right straight down into a
town at 100 meters high.
And so the rivers filled up up here. One more time, you can see the mountains grow. There they are, 1,600 meters high.
It rained up here. It came down through the rivers and right into the towns. Now, it'll eventually go away but the damage is done -- reports of
some homes under five meters of water.
So that's how high the water really got, plus all of the landslide and mudslide activities still going on there. This will be a long cleanup for
some people.
STOUT: Yes, and talking about over half a million people affected there.
MYERS: Yes.
STOUT: This is just a major, major disaster. Chad Myers, as always, thank you so much.
MYERS: You're welcome, Kristie.
STOUT: Take care.
British voters -- they are heading to the polls in just 10 days from now. And right now, Prime Minister Theresa May's party is slipping in the polls.
Six surveys taken after the Manchester terror attack show Labour under Jeremy Corbyn gaining ground, but the conservative party still seems to be
set for a solid victory on June the 8th. And in just hours, both leaders will be facing a live T.V. audience, of course, a chance for voters to
grill them directly on their policies.
Meanwhile, there have been new arrests in the investigation into the terror attack. A total of 14 people are now in custody.
And police have been conducting more raids to try to track down people connected to Salman Abedi, the suicide bomber who killed 22 people last
week. The U.K. Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, says it is, quote, "absolutely right that MI5 investigate itself."
British media report the U.K. Intelligence Agency has launched an internal probe over repeated warnings that Abedi had been radicalized. German
Chancellor Angela Merkel now says Europe can't completely rely on the United States.
We'll go deeper to find out what's behind those concerning words from a key American ally.
[08:28:46]
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN HOST, NEWS STREAM: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching NEWS STREAM and these are your world headlines.
South Korea and Japan are protesting North Korea's latest missile launch. Japan says the missile splashed down inside its exclusive economic zone
that extends 350 kilometers off the coast. Tokyo says it will take concrete action, while South Korea has promised strong punishment.
And US President Donald Trump tweeted this just moments ago. He wrote this. "North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor China by
shooting off yet another ballistic missile, but China is trying hard."
Meanwhile Mr. Trump says he has total confidence in his son-in-law Jared Kushner. (inaudible 1:54) reports that Kushner tried to set up a back
channel with the Russian government. US Homeland Security chief John Kelly says he doesn't know if the report is true, but he says he supports efforts
to foster communication with Russia.
The newly elected president of France Emmanuel Macron is sitting down right now with the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Palace of Versailles.
Mr. Macron has pledged tough talks on a host of issues, including allegations that Russia tried to interfere in France's election process.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it is time for Europe to become self- reliant. She said that during a campaign stop in Munich on Sunday. She said Europe can no longer completely rely on the US and other longstanding
allies. The chancellor did not mention US President Trump by name, but said her experience at recent international summits was telling.
And let's get more now on the German's chancellor's comments from Fred Pleitgen. He joins us live now from CNN London. And, Fred, have comments
have generated a lot of headlines. They've got a lot of attention. Even Edward Snowden weighed in on Twitter. He called it "an era defining
moment." But is it?
I mean, we know that Merkel is a cautious leader. So, is she saying this is it, this is the German pivot away from the US?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm not sure that she's saying it's the German pivot away from the US. In fact, her
spokesman Steffen Seibert came out earlier today and said, look, it doesn't mean that Germany is turning away from America. In fact, he said that
Angela Merkel is still what he calls a convinced trans-Atlanticist.
But I do think that Angela Merkel was being quite realistic about what she expects from Donald Trump. But it's interesting because the speech that she
gave is already known in German media simply as the beer tent speech, which means that they do feel that it was a historic speech, one that already
sort of has a name and that people know, when you mention that, what exactly you're talking about.
I think that, at this point in time, Angela Merkel feels that the US president is someone who she believes is very difficult to figure out and
somewhat erratic as well. And I think that she's heard some things, especially at the G7 summit, that she really didn't want to hear, that she
didn't like hearing.
For instance, his stance on German trade, where he said that Germany was "a bad" for selling so many cars in America, that America would have to combat
that. Also, of course, his stance on climate change as well, the fact that the US is still not clear on what it wants to do with the Paris accord.
That was something where she said, look, all other G7 nations want the Paris accord to continue, the US needs to decide what it wants to do.
And then, finally, of course, is his stance on NATO where Angela Merkel is saying, look, it doesn't appear as though America necessarily has our back
the way it did before under this new administration and that's why Europe needs to do more.
So, I do think that you will see a strengthening of ties, for instance, between Germany and France, Germany and other EU nations as well, Kristie.
LU STOUT: Interesting. Thank you very much for your analysis on what that speech means. Fred Pleitgen reporting live for us. Take care.
You're watching NEWS STREAM. Keep it here because coming up, fighting for slavery in the agriculture industry, the CNN Freedom Project. We'll show
you how one organization exposed modern-day slavery in the tomato fields of Florida.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:36:45] LU STOUT: Welcome back. Now, the CNN Freedom Project is committed to help bring an end to modern day slavery. In part one of this
week's special series, it's called Fair Food, we show you how forced labor was wiped out in the tomato fields of Florida. Amara Walker has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMARA WALKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Immokalee, Florida. Hot, humid and home to thousands of migrant workers who board buses early every
morning, bound for tomato farms scattered throughout the region.
Immokalee is the epicenter of tomato production in the United States. Florida produces 90 percent of the country's winter tomatoes. It also used
to be ground zero for modern-day slavery in agriculture.
LAURA GERMINO, CO-FOUNDER, COALITION OF IMMOKALEE WORKERS (CIW): We found out that workers were being held by armed guards, prevented from leaving,
pistol whipped, some sexually assaulted.
WALKER: Laura Germino is one of the founders of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, or CIW, a grassroots non-profit that began in 1993 to improve
wages and working conditions of migrant farm workers.
GERMINO: So, initially, it was not an anti-slavery organization or an anti- human trafficking organization, but in the course of our outreach, we began to come across situations where workers were being held against their will.
WALKER: Since then, the CIW's anti-slavery program has uncovered and helped the US government prosecute several horrific cases of forced labor on
tomato farms. In one of those cases just ten years ago, farm workers were locked inside a truck at night.
GERMINO: It was a dozen workers housed in a windowless box truck, forced to be in there at night, sleep in there at night, use the bathroom in there at
night. One of them held out his hands, and you could see the marks from the chains, which his wrists had been chained with.
WALKER: That case was so shocking, CIW decided to buy a box truck that was the exact make and model as the one used in the case and turn it into a
mobile museum, highlighting other cases of forced labor from the past 20 years.
Today, the CIW has a staff of 17 people. Nearly all of them former migrant farm workers themselves. And their focus is no longer uncovering cases of
slavery. It's preventing it from happening in the first place.
GERMINO: Forced labor has been virtually eradicated. And if it were to take root, it would be identified and dealt with really quickly.
WALKER: They do that through an innovative initiative called the Fair Food program.
Participating growers allow CIW staff to come on to their farms and hold mandatory education sessions for all workers. They're given booklets that
outline their rights and a hotline to call if they experience violations.
[08:40:06] The growers also agree to regular third-party inspections of their farms. A team of auditors speaks confidentially with at least 50
percent of workers to ensure their rights are being respected.
Laura Safer Espinoza is a former Supreme Court justice for the State of New York. She now spends her retirement in Florida, running the Fair Foods
standards council, which oversees the audits.
LAURA SAFER ESPINOZA, RETIRED NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: Places that were called ground zero for modern-day slavery by federal prosecutors
a few years ago are now cited by national and international human rights experts as the best work environment in US agriculture.
WALKER: And there are real market consequences at the top of the supply chain if violations are found. That's because many of the largest buyers of
tomatoes have also joined the program, agreeing to purchase tomatoes only from farms that are part of the agreement.
The Fair Food program started in Florida and now covers seven states in the eastern part of the US.
Carlos Hernandez spends the tomato growing season in Florida. In the offseason, he travels to the western US where he says it's much different.
CARLOS HERNANDEZ, FARMER (through translator): Sometimes when you don't work fast enough, they threaten to fire you. Well, that doesn't happen
here. There are better protections here.
ESPINOZA: When we get calls from outside the Fair Food program, it is heartbreaking.
WALKER: There are roughly 30,000 people currently working on Fair Food program farms and receiving all the protections and benefits outlined in
the agreement. But there's still a long way to go to bringing the rest of the country onboard.
Amara Walker, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT: Happening in tomorrow's CNN's Freedom Project, we have the story of Alejandrina Carrera, a migrant worker on a Florida tomato farm. She
arrived in the US from Mexico when she was 14 years old. Young, easy prey for those wanting to take advantage of her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Alejandrina Carrera, Migrant Worker: He told me if we don't do this the easy way, we'll do it the hard way. I was afraid and trembling. He tried to
abuse me sexually, but he didn't get to because another worker heard me screaming and came to help me. The next day, the boss fired us both.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: Now, find out how one organization is changing the lives of migrant workers in the US by protecting them from forced labor. That story
tomorrow right here on the CNN Freedom Project.
And that is NEWS STREAM. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. But don't go anywhere. World Sport with Christina MacFarlane is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WORLD SPORT)
END
