Return to Transcripts main page

Connect the World

U.K. Parliament Crashed Treated as Terror Attack; Bridge Collapses in Italy during Violent Storm; Erdogan Vows to Boycott U.S. Electronics; Russia Asked U.S. Europe to Help Build Syria; Trump Campaign Files for Arbitration against Omarosa. Aired 11-12p

Aired August 14, 2018 - 11:00   ET

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

[11:00:00] BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Right now, terror in London and an earth-shaking bridge catastrophe in Italy. Two breaking stories for you.

We're connecting you to both this hour with incredible CNN access and footage.

Welcome to our special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson.

And we begin here in the British capitol outside Parliament just behind me here. No one was killed or critically injured. But there are a lot of

questions this hour after a man smashed a car into a barrier. Keep your eye on the car here. Swerving and veering off as pedestrians jump out of

the way. Now the driver is being held on suspicion of terrorism. But who he is and what was he hoping to gain? Well we'll get you live to the scene

in just a moment.

First, though, unimaginable horror during a deadly bridge collapse in Genoa, in Italy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh dear, oh dear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: You can sense the panic and disbelief of onlookers in this footage. It was recorded as the tragedy was unfolding. Sending rubble

plunging down on to vehicles below. A major rescue operation is now under way. But just in the last few minutes, officials now say at least 25

people are dead. Police say a violent storm brought this bridge down. CNN's Nic Robertson is on the scene now. He was only a few minutes away

from crossing the bridge himself when it came down. And that, Nic, means that we are in place to connect our viewers to this event like nobody else.

Just describe what you understand to have happened and what is going on around you.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, Becky, in the last few minutes I've seen rescue workers with what appear to be search-

and-rescue dogs walking away from the scene, as well as sort of pace of activity here (INAUDIBLE) has slowed down somewhat and were still missing

loved ones. But some of the rescue workers sort of (INAUDIBLE) it seems, in and around some of the concrete rubble there, that is where the bridge

collapsed on to the canal and the railroad below. Now, we have seen through (INAUDIBLE) --

Through the last four or five (INAUDIBLE) heavy lifting gear. In the last 15 or 20 minutes I've seen several helicopters come in here, land and then

take off again. But, but the overall impression I have, standing here right now, is that the intensity of those opening phases of this rescue

effort have slowed down. There's another siren going off behind me.

But it does seem when you see the rescue and recovery dogs walking away from the scene, that gives you the impression that they've done their job.

That there is perhaps nothing else for them to sniff around and search. And I think that gives you an idea of where this massive, massive police,

fire and ambulance effort is right now. That they have come on to the scene, flooded the scene, done what they can to rescue people. But now it

seems to be moving and we don't have this officially yet. But it seems to be moving. Just -- I get the sense from the pace of events and the way

people are walking around here, more of a recovery than a rescue. We know there's 25 people -- as you say -- who have confirmed dead. That number

may rise also. A number of people injured. Helicopters possibly being used to ferry people off to the hospital.

But when this incident took place, that highway behind me, two lanes one way, two lanes the other. The main coastal highway along the

Mediterranean, linking Italy and France in a week that is a national holiday for Italians and in France as well. So peak time, nose-to-trail

traffic. Torrential rain, thunder and lightning, so it was bad driving conditions.

[11:05:00] And in the midst of all of that, this suspension bridge, that has spanned this valley for decades, suddenly collapses. No one here -- it

would seem, could have for seen that or expecting it. A very big and sudden shock for this town that is still coping with the effort -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Nic, nothing short of catastrophic. I'm going to stick with you, viewers, apologies for the quality of this line. We're going to stick

with Nic though, because this is important. Nic, there will be so many questions now being asked about simply why this happened. You've talked

about the inclement weather conditions. What else do we know at this point?

ROBERTSON: Well, this is a bridge that is a vital link for tourists in this (INAUDIBLE) for local traffic. People who want to visit the seaside.

Visit their families. But also, it's -- (INAUDIBLE) commercial lifeline, and it's regularly used by heavy trucks. (INAUDIBLE) transporting goods

from (INAUDIBLE). I think (INAUDIBLE) --

ANDERSON: All right. It does sound as if we have lost Nic, but you'll get the sense, viewers, fantastic analysis by Nic, who was literally on that

road heading for that bridge, just moments before it collapsed. As I say many, many questions now being asked. What we do know is that 25 have lost

their lives and as Nic now describes it, it certainly looks to him like this is now a recovery effort for bodies rather than them still possibly

looking for survivors.

Well let's get you back to that suspected terror attack here just behind me in London and the search for answers. It's just after 4:00 in the

afternoon now. At 7:37, the scene here quite different. The Prime Minister huddling with her security chiefs this hour after a car slammed

into a barrier outside Parliament at just after half past 7:00 this morning. Nobody was seriously injured. The driver is being held on

suspicion of terrorism.

CNN's Erin McLaughlin is on the scene where she's been following all of this literally as it unfolded. And aside from knowing that there is one

man in his mid-20s being held on suspicion of terrorist activities, what more do we know at this point?

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, we're getting a better understanding of how this suspected attack unfolded in the earlier hours of

this morning. It was around 7:37 a.m. when a man believed to be in his late 20s driving a silver Fiesta Ford through this area crashed into a

security barrier. Surveillance footage shows him careening around Parliamentary Square and now that they've lifted sort of the outer security

coordinate had surrounded this area, we're starting to get a better picture of what exactly happened.

Let me show you, we believe that based on the surveillance footage he drove down this road just over that way is Parliament Square. The surveillance

footage shows him sort of careening to the right of the Square. Before then taking a sharp turn to the left. As you can see behind me, that is

where it's believed he crashed into the barrier after hitting two pedestrians who were not serious injured.

But you can see there, that they've set up security screens blocking our view of what exactly is going on. But we understand that that is an active

crime scene, a forensic teams are there. We've seen drones, surveilling the area as well. So, we are getting a better sense of how it happened.

But what we don't know is why. Authorities have yet to formally identify the suspect in question. And they say that they're working to determine

the motive. Take a listen to what the assistant police commissioner had to say about that earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASSISTANT POLICE COMMISSIONER: Given that this appears to be a deliberate act, the method and this being an iconic site, we are treating it as a

terrorist incident and the investigation is being led by officers from the counterterrorism command.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCLAUGHLIN: So, they're treating this as a terrorist incident. Because the way the apparent attack happened. The way he was driving appeared to

be deliberate. The method of the suspected attack as well as the fact that this is an iconic area of London.

[11:10:01] All of that leading them to believe that this could be terrorism related. But again, no definitive motive as of yet -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Sadiq Khan, the mayor tweeting earlier on this afternoon and speaking to CNN. Saying that London will not be cowed by this sort of

attack. We do know that these streets pretty much, aside from this one, which is right outside the Houses of Parliament here. These streets are

open again. London is moving again. The transport system is moving. People are able to get home. It's the commuter time, of course, or

certainly moving towards it. And London, very much on the move now. But authorities here will be alarmed that once again, Erin, in this part of

town, in front of what is such an iconic building that this sort of event was allowed to happen. Correct?

MCLAUGHLIN: Absolutely, Becky. And there are echoes here of what happened some 17 months ago. March 2017 when a man driving a van plowed into a

crowd of people just around the corner from here in Westminster Bridge. Injuring 50, killing five before proceeding down this very road and

stabbing and killing a security officer right outside of Westminster. So, authorities here are familiar with this kind of apparent attack. And

that's perhaps why they reacted so swiftly this morning. They arrested the individual. Again, a man who has not been formally identified by

authorities at gun-point and are taking him for questioning. But authorities are saying he's not cooperating. At that point -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Erin McLaughlin there just down the road from where we are here. You're looking at images there of cyclists who were caught up in that fray.

I must repeat once again, a couple of people taken to hospital, one treated at the scene. No critical or life-threatening injuries. Thankfully in

what is being described as a terror attack earlier on this morning here in London.

Still to come tonight, the U.S. is now sanctioning allies as well as adversaries. We're in three countries bearing the brunt. That is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD, I'm Becky Anderson, just up from the Houses of Parliament here in London. Where most

of the roads are now reopening after what police are calling a terror attack earlier today. A car struck pedestrians and a barrier just after

half past 7:00 in the morning, sending two people to hospital. The driver's in custody, authorities say he isn't cooperating. We'll have a

lot more on this ahead. Some other big stories though that we are following for you this hour.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[11:15:02] RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, TURKISH PRESIDENT (through translator): There are economic terrorists on social media. The judiciary has taken

measures. We are pushing them with the capital markets board and we will impose the necessary punishments once we seize them. These are all

treason.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well fiery words by a leader of the latest country to join the list of states sanctioned by the U.S. The twist? Well Turkey is the only

NATO ally in that swelling tally of states that the U.S. has either imposed or reimposed sanctions on since January 2017 when Donald Trump took office.

Now you see just some of them here on this map. The sanctions range from trade tariffs to black-listing of individuals. And in Turkey's case it's

both with the justice and interior minister targeted and punishing trade tariffs on steel and aluminum. The result, well the currency in freefall

and a relationship between military allies that has politically curdled. All it seems over an American pastor jailed on spying charges who the Trump

administration wants released.

So, we are talking U.S. sanctions and strategy this hour from cities that know the impact all too well. Arwa Damon is in Istanbul in Turkey. Nina

dos Santos is in Moscow and Nick Paton Walsh is in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Standby Nina and Nick, we'll get to you momentarily. First, I

want to bring in Arwa in Turkey, where the rhetoric is getting more defiant. Even as the reality of what U.S. sanctions mean in practice is

being felt hard.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, President Erdogan was certainly -- is not backing down. Coming out in a pretty fiery

speech. Calling for the boycott of U.S. electronics and saying that whatever domestic imports Turkey may be relying on, well they would begin

building them here, constructing them here and doing it better.

Of course, all of this coming on the heels of some pretty dramatic developments when it comes to the ties between U.S. and its key NATO ally,

Turkey. And that deteriorating relationship that really saw the lira tailspin after U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that America would be

doubling tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports. Causing quite a lot of anxiety here on the streets in Istanbul and throughout the entire

country as people watch the lira decline and with this their livelihoods.

We're not seeing either leader backing down at this stage. Of course, key among America's requests is that Turkey release detained American pastor,

Andrew Brunson, whom they are holding, accusing him of links to terrorism, and he's been in detention since 2016. A number of other issue, of course,

that are leading to the tenseness between the relationship of the two countries. But at this stage, we might be looking at a situation where

pride could possibly trump progress -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Well Arwa Damon reporting from Istanbul for you. Nick Paton Walsh is in Tehran and Nina dos Santos is in Moscow. Nina, I want to start

with you. Because Russia's Foreign Minister paying a timely visit to Turkey's capital Ankara. Listen to what he had to say?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): I'm certain that with such abuse the role of the American dollar is the world reserve

currency will weaken. And more countries, even countries not affected by the American sanctions will get away from dollars.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well as much as Mr. Trump sanctions, Nina, are problematic for Turkey, there are deeper issues at play in the Turkish economy, aren't

there? What's at the root of this mess?

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN EUROPE EDITOR: Well the root of this mess, Becky, economists have been saying for some time is a perfect storm if you like.

It may be a cliche, but economically speaking Turkey has been overheating for some time economist say. They've been concerned about that. This

difficult spat here and the fact that it's now facing sanctions, very punitive sanctions with the proposal of the doubling of the sanctions

largely because the currency has suffered so much. Could just be something that could push Turkey over the edge and cause a currency crisis. If we

haven't already seen that over the last three days with the Turkish lira falling about 30 percent in just the last week alone.

The root of this is essentially a very significant gap between its import and the exports.

[11:20:00] The current account deficit stands at about 6 percent of GDP, Becky, and it has been a persistent issue over the last couple of turns of

President Erdogan. We've got higher amounts of debt that are coming due from 2019 for the five years after that. A lot of that denominated in a

foreign currencies, about $200 billion worth of that. And that's going to be harder and harder to repay for a country like Turkey. If, of course,

its currency is continuing to fall so much against the U.S. dollar. So, it's going to be harder and harder for this country to try and refinance

it.

And then add to that you've got the flexibility of interest rates when many people say that Turkey should be allowed immediately to engage upon a

tightening of interest rates to try raise them pretty sharply. But of course, President Erdogan will not allow that to happen. And you heard in

your introduction there he's aiming very much at what he calls an interest rate lobby outside of Turkey that keeps talking down its economic prospects

and also this talk of banning people who talk about the economy in what he views as negative terms on Twitter and so on and so forth.

Now where does Russia fit into this? Well Russia obviously is sanctioned just like Turkey. It's faced many rounds of sanctions for some time. It

doesn't have the same weak points, like a currency account deficit. But this does give Turkey and Russia -- as we heard on stage and at the meeting

in Ankara from Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister -- an opportunity to band together and to talk about doing trade in their own currencies and

diversify away for the U.S. dollar -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Nina dos Santos in Moscow, in a country that's felt the sharp end of U.S. sanctions of late. Another country in the sanction by the U.S.

club of course is Iran. The country's Supreme Leader coming out today with this message. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENIE, SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN (through translator): In summary, what I must tell the Iranian nation are two things, there will be

no war and we will never negotiate with the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Nick, Khamenei's line here seems to contradict the Iranian President Rouhani who said Iran is willing to hold talks. Walk us through

his comments, if you will.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, yesterday he gave a pretty rare speech where he seemed to delineate many particular sort of

red lines for himself or perspectives on exactly how the country could move forward. Now, yes, we did hear from Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian President,

someone under the guidance -- you might know the system here -- of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Hassan Rouhani three weeks ago said

that they could talk right now. But he did offer out the caveat that it was hard to talk to somebody -- and I paraphrase here -- that had a knife

in your arm or your back. So, it wasn't completely unconditional.

And Ayatollah Khamenei was quite clear there should be neither talks nor war at this point. And he also pointed out the discrepancy in the American

position. What Donald Trump has appeared to offer unconditional talks at any time. He's also found that the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has

sort of a long laundry list of stuff that he and John Bolton, the national security advisor, Iran hawks in the U.S. administration, would like Tehran

to do before talks are an option.

But this sort of very frequently used tool of the U.S. administration, of sanctions, a very destructive weapon, frankly. Was wheeled out here as a

way of pulling them out of a nuclear deal. They weren't followed by the European allies. But they have found that it has had an increased toll

upon the Iranian economy. Already impacted by the fall in the local currency in terms of the value of the dollar, the automotive industry,

foreign exchange, precious metals affected by sanctions that kickback in under the U.S. decision last week. And now we see that potentially early

in November just as the U.S. enter into U.S. elections, the oil sector will be hit too.

So, this is slowly having an impact here. Khamenei did mention in his speech that there were internal issues also to blame for some of the

economic problems. The broad headline though from that speech was while he did appear to suggest that quote, red lines around how the nuclear deal had

been negotiated weren't necessarily respected by his negotiators, a distant criticism of the President Rouhani here to some degree. I don't think

we're about to see some massive upheaval. It was just interesting to see him perhaps distance himself to some degree about what has occurred. But

also suggests that immediate negotiations weren't necessarily on the table. Not that I think the hardliners in either Washington or Tehran thought that

was a particularly eminent prospect -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Nick Paton Walsh reporting from the Iranian capital, Tehran. Nina is in Moscow in Russia and Arwa Damon is in Istanbul connecting the

world for you here on CNN. So, Turkey, Iran and Russia all connected by sanctions but also by the war in Syria of course. The Syrian government

forces backed by Russia are preparing to take on the country's final rebel- held enclave.

[11:25:00] Already attention turning to rebuilding Syria's shattered country and economy. CNN has gained rare access to a top Russian general

who says he hopes the U.S. will help with reconstruction. Fred Pleitgen has more in what is this exclusive report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It could be the last major battle in Syria's civil war, Idlib, the final major

enclave held by anti-Assad rebels. Russia's air force has allegedly been bombing targets there in the past days. In an exclusive interview with top

Russian general now tells CNN the fight for Idlib could start very soon.

MAJ. GEN. IGOR KONASHENKOV, RUSSIAN ARMY (through translator): When it comes to ISIS and Jabhat, al-Nusra, it's useless to make arrangements with

them and it shows. There is constant shelling in the areas controlled by them. They take hostages and use civilians as shields, so of course

there's the prospect of something decisive happening in there.

PLEITGEN: The comments came on a Russian-organized visit to Syria. Moscow's message is clear. Syrian President Bashar al Assad's forces have

essentially prevailed in the civil war. The rebels are on the ropes, some of the millions of displaced are returning.

(on camera): The local administration in this area of Syria says tens of thousands of people have come across this border crossing in the past few

weeks alone. They also say they want international financial help to aid those who are coming across, but they want it on the Assad government's

terms.

(voice-over): Russia and the Assad government have called on the U.S. and European countries to help with reconstruction. Both have been accused of

severe crimes against civilians which they deny. The Russian general calling for the U.S. to cooperate with Moscow's forces.

KONASHENKOV (through translator): Of course, so many things depend on such great countries as the United States and Russia when it comes to a

resolution. When there are even some specks of mutual understanding there are ways to find cooperation and opportunities to do real work and of

course, not allow this breeding ground of terrorism to -- God forbid -- resurface again.

PLEITGEN: Russia's military clearly believes only it can prevent new conflicts. For instance, between Iran and Israel breaking out in this

region.

KONASHENKOV (through translator): From day one of our presence here we've established contact with everyone who has had any part in this of any

degree. Direct lines with Israel, Turkey, Iran and the so-called U.S.-led coalition. Of course, these contacts are very useful because we are

solving issues in a much more effective way and let's say dialogue is way better than any confrontation, especially in such complex issues.

PLEITGEN: As Syria's war seems to be reaching its twilight and new conflicts are already destabilizing this ravaged region, Russia believes it

holds the key to pacifying Syria, but only on its terms. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Damascus.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Still to come tonight, the most powerful leader in the world is using social media to slam a woman as a dog. We'll see how Donald Trump's

feud with the former aide has reached a disturbing new low.

And we're on top of breaking news out of Europe for you. The deadly bridge collapse in Italy and the rush-hour incident here in London, now being

treated as terrorism. All that up next taking this short break, back after this.

[11:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: I'm Becky Anderson in London for you where people here are coming to terms with what appears to be another terror attack. It happened

just behind me here right outside Parliament -- the Houses of Parliament. Things getting back to normal hours after a car smashed through pedestrians

and cyclists and into a barrier just outside the Palace of Westminster as it's known. Two people went to hospital with injuries, the driver is in

custody on suspicion of terrorism. But we are told he is not cooperating.

Meanwhile in Italy the death toll has just jumped again after a devastating bridge collapse in Genoa. At least 35 people are now confirmed dead. Two

people have been rescued alive. The bridge was under repairs when a storm hit it. Let's get you straight over to the national spokesperson of the

Italian Red Cross, Marcello De Angelis, is in Rome. And sir, what can you tell us about the incident today at this point? What details do you have?

And what do you know about the operation there now on the ground?

MARCELLO DE ANGELIS, ITALIAN RED CROSS (via phone): Well, I don't technical details about the collapse itself. There will be obviously an

investigation team after the rescue will be over we can assess the reasons for the collapse. We have the units that we have on the ground, the region

of Genoa (INAUDIBLE), and then the region and from nearby regions and we're treating accident as an earthquake. Because (INAUDIBLE) we have people you

under the rubble. Obviously, we're using dogs to identify the location of the survivors. And the national help, system is already (INAUDIBLE)

immediately, and is ready for action. The whole area has been avoided. They have called for the use that we have, have just been official, because

other things obviously are working, and they don't, you know, they don't send back information, not to the operation (INAUDIBLE).

ANDERSON: Marcello, just describe to me, just describe to me how challenging this operation is. We are looking at images of lifting gear.

We've seen the sort of enormous pieces of rubble that have fallen down as that bridge collapse. And what sort of injuries are you dealing with on

the ground?

DE ANGELIS: The cars are obviously crushed. The, the some have died because of the fall you know. Some of the people who were in the vehicles.

[11:35:00] And probably after having fallen, they received the rubble, bridge on top of that. So, the sort of you find is the same ones caused by

earthquake. That survivors are obviously, there was rubble over them, so that's what happened. You have to consider this, the chance of a bridge

collapse is about 300 meters long and at least 35, 36 vehicles that collapsed with that bridge itself. So, I mean there is quite devastating

situation.

ANDERSON: That is as you describe it, terrifying, devastating, just catastrophic. Can you tell me just how long you believe this operation

will now go on? And what is the likelihood of finding anybody who has survived either falling from that bridge in a vehicle or hit by the falling

debris below?

DE ANGELIS: We have been finding missing people. At least the two drivers are missing, two drivers of two lorries that collapsed. So, I wouldn't be

-- there no use to be a police statement about the expectations. It is quite obvious that the longest we wait, the longest people under the rubble

the more difficult it is to find alive. But the area is quite concentrated. So, it is not exactly the earthquake in the sense that we

don't have to expect other shocked or other collapse. The area is being put in security, obviously there is a risk. But all the rescue units have

converged on a specific area. I expect that by tomorrow we would have proper assessment of the situation.

ANDERSON: Marcello De Angelis from the Italian red cross, who described this incident as similar work they will now be doing as to which that they

have to undergo after an earthquake for example. And with some pretty depressing news that it is very unlikely that anybody will be further

rescued alive from that scene.

Well to our other breaking news story that suspected terror attack right here in London. Last year we saw a series of car rammings in this city.

Including one right outside Parliament about 17 months ago. And today's incident, at 7:37 this morning, no weapons were found in the car.

Effectively it was the car that was the weapon. The driver believed to be in his late 20s is in custody. Police now want to know who he is, and why

he did it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEIL BASU, ASST. COMM. SPECIALIST OPERATIONS, METROPOLITAN POLICE: Our policy to formally establish the identity of the suspect and establish his

motivation. If we can. He's not currently cooperating.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Let's stay on this. I want to bring in former chief superintendent for met police, Dal Babu, who used to run security detail

here at the House of Commons. And it was the last line that the assistant commissioner used there. He said this suspect is not communicating. He is

-- he's not working with the police at this point. That's important, isn't it?

DAL BABU, FORMER CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT, METROPOLITAN POLICE: It's unusual to give that level of detail. And so, I don't know what the ramifications

are. Whether there's a wider cell network. Whether this is one -- there's other individuals they are watching. But normally you wouldn't give that

kind of detail. You would want to keep all the details close to your chest because you're investigating. It's very early in the day. You identify an

incident. You have to make a lot of decisions. You have to collect intelligence and the key thing is about collecting intelligence. So,

whether that's a message to this individual or the wider network, it's very unclear at the moment.

ANDERSON: Let's walk through what we do know. And let's bring up the video if we can of this car that we have. This is video just ahead of and

during the incident. A car traveling at speed in the area just behind us viewers, just here. That's Parliament Square just over my left shoulder

here. And then ramming into the barriers outside of the Houses of Parliament. Walk us through this. How did this car for example get

through and get as close as it did, to the Palace of Westminster?

BABU: Well, I think what you can see that there is main-line traffic traveling along, and the vehicle is part of that man line traffic. It then

diverts into an area where there is a breach.

[11:40:02] Now that breach is essentially where people work inside Parliament. It could be members of the House of Lords. There is to

buildings in there, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. So, the House of Lords have their car park directly outside their chamber. It

could be somebody who works in the chamber. That's been done before.

ANDERSON: This is what you're talking about.

BABU: Yes, yes.

ANDERSON: When he comes in through here, this is what you call your bridge or a ramp. Right? This is within as it were a security cordon, isn't it?

BABU: Absolutely. The car is traveling along with other vehicles. And then he suddenly gone into that security area.

ANDERSON: How did he get in there?

BABU: There's nothing to stop him. So, I think --

ANDERSON: Is that a breach then? Is that a hole in the system?

BABU: I think there's a gap in the system. And I think that will happen is the police will look at this as well as counterintelligence about the

culprit. They'll want to know what they can do to stop this. In some ways, the police reacted very, very quickly. They got there very quickly.

Grabbed hold of the individual and saved lives. You know, because if the car had carried on driving in the way we see in France and other areas and

in fact not too far away in London Bridge, more people could have been killed. What they'll want to know is have they got the security right? Is

it the right place to have somebody driving and then stop them? Or do they need to stop the car while it's outside the security area in the main line

of traffic.

ANDERSON: Dal, you talk about the response from the police and they've absolutely being lauded here today across social media, on mainstream

media. You are hearing people talk about the police's response with such panache as it were. This is one of the most highly policed areas, if not

the most highly policed area in the U.K. Correct? Am I right in saying that?

BABU: Right in this little area within a quarter of a mile of the House of Commons, you have the most armed police officers. In Britain we're not

armed routinely armed. But in this area, you have the new Scotland yard building, police headquarters, you've got armed officers there. You've got

Downing Street, which is about 100 yards away. Where you've got armed officers outside there. You've got Buckingham Palace, a quarter of a mile

away, you've got armed officers there. So, all around in the House of Commons you've got armed officers.

ANDERSON: The concern 17 months ago and in other countries around Europe when we've seen the use of a car as a weapon is a huge concern. We know

there's a COBR meeting, very briefly here, what are the ramifications of, of this attack today? What will the security and authorities be looking at

tomorrow as it were? And what do authorities, what does Theresa May, the Prime Minister say and do next?

BABU: I think they'll be looking at mitigating what else they can do to stop this physically happening. So, that's the first thing. As you've

indicated there appears to be breaches and better ways of doing that. I think the second two things are really, really important. It's about

resources, the police have been cut by 20 percent so that's a significant reduction in police officer numbers. We've seen those cuts over the last

five or six years.

ANDERSON: Hundreds of millions of dollars. Correct?

BABU: Yes. Absolutely. And more cuts to follow. So, you know, 20,000 police officers have been reduced. So, I think that's significant. And

police staff have been reduced and community support officers have been reduced. So, we need to ask the authorities why those cuts were being made

and what we can do to ensure that they are rectified.

I think the second point is about engagement with the community. In this country we've had a big issue with Boris Johnson making quite derogatory

comments about women wearing hijabs or burkas. Saying that they look like bank robbers. We should be engaging with all communities, particularly the

Muslim community. Because that's where you're going to get intelligence. That's who you're going to be working with. And at the moment we don't

have that. Very, very different when you look at America, and you look at the number of minority officers, you know, it's something that is very,

very impressive. We are in some forces we still don't have a single black officer. And in some areas across the country, there are very, very few

officers, and I think that's a really important issue.

ANDERSON: You make a very good point. It's a pleasure having you on, sir, thank you.

Coming up, Donald Trump is lashing out at a former aide who's publishing a tell-all book blasting her in an ugly new tweet. We're going to do that

after this.

[11:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Donald Trump is known all too well for ugly personal attacks insults and bullying on social media. In fact, it actually seemed to help

his political career, didn't it, as one outrageous remark after another kept him in the headlines. But even he appears to have reached a new low

as his feud escalates with his former aide. The President of the United States has been tweeting this. Calling the only African-American to have

served in a senior role in his White House, a dog. We're getting a new twist on this story, let's bring in CNN White House reporter, Jeremy

Diamond. And senior media correspondent, Brian Stelter. I want to start with you, Jeremy, you have breaking news for us, what is it?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: That's right. Well it appears after the war of words that we've seen already between Omarosa and this

White House and those close to the President, we are now seeing the first legal steps that the Trump campaign is taking to strike back at Omarosa.

They are now accusing her of violating her nondisclosure agreement stemming from the campaign and they have filed for arbitration against Omarosa.

Let me just read you the statement that I just got from a Trump campaign official. It says Donald J. Trump for President Inc. -- that's the

campaign -- has filed an arbitration against Omarosa Manigault-Newman with the American Arbitration Association in New York City for breach of her

2016 confidentiality agreement with the Trump campaign. Now this is the first legal maneuver that we've seen from the Trump campaign or anyone

associated with the President. To push back at Omarosa who for several days now has embarked on this publicity tour, releasing details of private

conversations that she had with the President, with aides to the President and Trump campaign aides during the 2016 campaign.

Sometimes backed up by audio recordings, which she appears to have recorded without the knowledge of the other parties involved. But it is notable how

they are going about this. Not filing a lawsuit, not filing a cease and desist letter which we've seen from the President's personal lawyers in the

past. Instead, filing this motion for arbitration to kind of mediate the issue between the two parties. At least that will be the first legal step

that we see in this ensuing battle.

ANDERSON: Thanks Jeremy. Brian we're seeing classic Trump, aren't we? He's suing his former aide. He loves to do that. And he is using quite --

I was going to say -- derogatory language. But it's not, it's just offensive and foul language about his former aide. Where are we with this?

BRIAN STELTER, CNNMONEY SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: This is not a partisan issue. I know that some of his supporters will try to make this into a

partisan battle. And say that journalists are being too critical of the President. But it's not partisan to stand up for decency, basic human

decency. And what we're seeing from this President more and more is indecency, and more and more dehumanizing language. Whether it's against

the press, whether it's against a former aide he doesn't like. Whether it's a Democratic lawmaker he doesn't like. You know in this case,

language like calling Omarosa a dog, calling her crazed. It is certainly foul and should be considered unacceptable.

I mean, let's do a thought experiment, right? If you were working for a big company or if you were working for a nonprofit and you called one of

your colleagues a crazed dog, what would happen to you? I think in most cases we would see a major company take action against that employee. We

would see a board take action against a CEO who behaved that way.

[11:50:00] But President Trump is this in unique position where he's the leader of the free world and yet he's doing things that anyone else would

get in trouble for. He's been in office 570 days, but he still doesn't know how to act like a President.

ANDERSON: Sadly, none of this is surprising, but it should be from a U.S. President. Even with all the drama over Omarosa, Brian, it's clear the

real irritant for Donald Trump remains the Russia investigation. He's firing off tweets about it this morning in his nonstop effort to undermine

the probe may be having an effect. This new CNN poll finds that 66 percent of Americans -- two thirds of Americans polled -- want special counsel

Robert Mueller to wrap up the investigation before the November elections. What he's doing, works, Brian.

STELTER: I think it shows there's deep fatigue, deep fatigue among the American people. Both among Trump supporters and his detractors. They

want to move on. You know, look at the roll-out of Omarosa's book. This should be a run-away best seller given how much press she's getting. But

sales have been sluggish. I think it just goes to show minds are made up. People have made up their minds about Trump. They want to move on and

that's true on both sides. And when it comes to Mueller. I think we know for a fact this investigation is going to continue through the mid-terms,

there are prosecution, there are trials going on. It's going to take years, but most Americans are fatigued by it all.

ANDERSON: Brian Stelter and Jeremy Diamond out the States for you, on what is a -- well, it's such an important story. We, we must never overestimate

how important or underestimate just how important this story of the U.S. President is.

Live from London. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. We are here on a day where just this morning, it's late afternoon here now. But just this

morning, another terror attack visiting this, the capital of the U.K. We're going to take a very short break. Back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well let's remind you of why we are here in London this hour. Here's what we know about what the British Prime Minister has called a

shocking suspected attack. Police believe this was in their words, a deliberate act. And as a result, their counterterrorism unit is leading

the investigation. But while the suspect, a man in his 20s is in custody. He's not cooperating. Several people were injured when this car plowed

into the barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. The area around Westminster, including the tube station has now reopened. And we will

continue to monitor this in the hours ahead on CNN.

[11:55:00] These are live pictures from Genoa in Italy. The Italian Prime Minister is on his way there now following a horrific bridge collapse. So

far, we know of at least 35 people who have lost their lives, on more than a dozen -- a dozen other injured. Teams digging through the rubble of this

busy highway overpass near the Mediterranean coast, the head of Italy's civil protection agency says approximately 30 vehicles and several heavy-

duty trucks were involved. We'll stay on top of this story as well for you.

And you can always follow all of those stories and more by using our Facebook page. That's Facebook.com/CNNConnect. I'm Becky Anderson. That

was CONNECT THE WORLD, a special edition out of London for you today. Thank you for watching. Up next, all aboard the "QUEST EXPRESS".

END