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Democrats To Decide When To Send Articles To Senate; Human Rights Watch Director Denied Entry To Hong Kong; Olympians Banned From Political Protest On The Field; Protests on the Streets After Iran Admits Shooting Down Plane; CNN Reports From Inside the Air Base Targeted by Iran; Canada Grieves for the 57 Canadian Citizens Killed in the Crash; Alert Level Up in the Philippines After Volcano Erupts; Australia Bushfires, the Prime Minister's Approval Rating Down, and U.S. and Australia Partnering to Battle the Crisis. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired January 13, 2020 - 02:00   ET

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

[02:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN HOST: Live from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, welcome to our viewers here in the United States and of course all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church and this is "CNN Newsroom." Let's get started.

Tongue twisting from the Trump administration over justifications for the strike that killed Iran's top general.

Philippine authorities warn of an explosive eruption after a volcano spews ash near Manila.

Ever since Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists at the 1968 Olympics, the games have been political. Now, athletes are being told to keep their protests off the field this summer in Tokyo.

Good to have you with us. So, grief is turning into outrage in Iran, and that is becoming a direct threat to the ruling elite. Protests are spreading after the government admitted to shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet last week.

Authorities say it was an accident and they have apologized. But protesters have been heard chanting, "We will kill whoever killed our brothers and death to the dictator" -- a reference to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Police have responded to the protests with tear gas and witness says they have shot into the air to disperse the crowds. The plane was shot down after the U.S. killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

President Donald Trump has said he believes Soleimani was targeting four U.S. embassies. But the president's allies have struggled to back up that claim. Here was his defense secretary on Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Was there specific intelligence the Iranians were plotting to target four U.S. embassies?

MARK ESPER, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: There was intelligence that there was an intent to target the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. What the president said with regard to the four embassies is what I believe as well. And he said he believed that they probably -- that they could have been targeting the embassies in the region --

Well, the president didn't say there was a tangible -- he didn't cite a specific piece of evidence. What he said, he probably, he believed --

MARGARET BRENNAN, CBS NEWS HOST: Are you saying there wasn't one?

ESPER: I didn't see one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Meanwhile, President Trump tweeting that he, "couldn't care less if sanctions bring Iran back to the negotiating table." His message to Tehran is no nuclear weapons and don't kill your protesters.

We are used to seeing Iranians burning or stomping on U.S. and Israeli flags during protests, but take a look at this video posted on social media.

(VIDEO PLAYING)

CHURCH: Those flags you see were painted on the street years ago by the regime in Tehran, essentially it's a way to disrespect those countries by having people trample over their most visible symbols. But Saturday, many demonstrators intentionally walked around them. Some were chanting, "We are not the enemy of the U.S.A and Israel.

Well, Iran retaliated for Soleimani's death by firing missiles at bases with U.S. troops in Iraq. One of the sites hit was Al-Assad Air Base and CNN was the first network to reach and report from Al-Assad after that attack.

Arwa Damon has more now on what happened in this exclusive report. A warning, though, some of the language may be offensive, but it captures some terrifying moments for U.S. troops.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Holy (BLEEP).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Goddamn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, (BLEEP) bro.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): American forces are not used to being on the receiving end of this kind of firepower. [02:05:01]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (BLEEP) another one, another one.

DAMON (voice-over): They are usually the ones delivering it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean, I'm not going to lie. I was scared at the moment that it happened. It's something that we were ready for. Ready as can be.

DAMON (voice-over): Ready for some sort of ground attack by Iran's proxies, ready for mortars and rockets. But this base is not equipped to defend against ballistic missiles. On any other night, some of the 2,500 troops and contractors would have been in the areas hit.

TIM GARLAND, U.S. ARMY: The ballistic missile reporting started to come in a couple of hours before the event. And so at that point we were -- we were really scrambling on, you know, how to protect against that. And so it really came down to dispersion, you know, putting space between people, and then also getting them into hardened bunkers just to provide that protection.

DAMON (voice-over): At 11:00 p.m., those who could, started to hunker down in bunkers built by their former enemy.

This is a Saddam Hussein era bunker.

STACI COLEMAN, U.S. AIR FORCE: It is. We felt we would be somewhat safe in here because it was designed to take, you know, some kind of hit, or it was built for, you know, ballistic missiles.

DAMON (voice-over): At 1:34 a.m., the first missiles hit.

COLEMAN: And these doors, every time one of the missiles hit, the doors would kind of sink in.

DAMON (voice-over): Dozens of troops were still out in the open, holding their positions to protect the base. There was still the threat of incoming rockets, mortars and a ground assault. Pilots were still at their stations operating drones.

MIKE PRIDGEON, U.S. ARMY: As I was going across the gravel, I could look out to like the eastern sky and I see this just this orange streak. So, I started sprinting yelling incoming, give everybody kind of a warning and then it hit, so yes.

DAMON (voice-over): Flames swallowed up the drone team's living quarters. Some 30 troops would have been sleeping here had they not been ready. Others rushed around the base as missiles came down, looking for anyone who may have been injured, checking on the base's defenses.

Along the base perimeter, young soldiers on their first tour fought the instinct to flee and stayed, manning the guard towers.

ERIC KNOWLES, U.S. ARMY: It was definitely scary at first, but we both knew we had a job to do, manning the tower, keeping eyes front. So, we had to do that more than anything, focused on that, tried to focus on everything behind us.

DAMON (voice-over): When one strike hit too close, they vaulted into the back of a truck and held their position there. It was a night unlike any here had experienced, hunkered down for about two hours unable to fight back. Some crammed into bunkers that weren't built to withstand missiles like these.

(On camera): These kinds of small bunkers exist throughout the base. But they're meant to protect against rockets and mortars. The ballistic missiles that were fired are about 3,000 times more powerful than that.

The blasts from this one knocked over a four-ton T-wall, but if that hadn't happened, those who were sheltering here probably would not have survived.

(voice-over): Come daybreak, fear of finding out who was killed or wounded was eclipsed by the joyous shock that no one was.

So, what are those reunions like when you kind of see someone who you're close to and you realize that you're both okay?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a warm feeling deep in the heart that all your friends, your family here is okay.

DANE KVASAGER, U.S. ARMY: It just felt like forever since I had seen my guys and, you know, there's a lot of hugging and a lot of tears and a lot of -- it's just a great feeling knowing that all your people are okay.

DAMON (on camera): And this is where you used to --

KVASAGER: Yes, this is my room. A little bit more open floor plan now, but, yes, my bunker was right in the corner right there. This is my neighbor up here. Everything's obviously gone. Just happy no one was inside, you know.

DAMON (on camera): It's kind of freaky looking at it like this, isn't it?

PRIDGEON: Yes. It's surreal. I'm not bothered looking at it. It's just, you know, a reminder that threat still exists.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think, you know, we have each other. We had each other that night. And we're always -- this is a brotherhood that will never break because of it.

DAMON (on camera): Does it change your perspective on life?

COLEMAN: It does. It does. It could -- you know, it could be over in, you know, in an instant. It really does. And it really makes me value -- value mostly my team.

DAMON (voice-over): The base is still on high alert. The dining facility is open, but people eat elsewhere to avoid a large crowd gathering.

[02:10:02]

The military says they are ready for what may come next. Iran's proxies on the ground continue to vow revenge. Even for those who have seen war before, this was unlike any other battle field experience.

The overwhelming feeling of helplessness that comes with being under ballistic missile attack, to be at the mercy of the enemy, one that could strike again, even if it's not like this. Arwa Damon, CNN, Al- Assad Air Base, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Canada is now mourning the 57 Canadian citizens killed in the downing of that airliner last week.

(VIDEO PLAYING)

CHURCH: A memorial was held Sunday in Edmonton. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at the vigil and offered his condolences to the families.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: One hundred and seventy-six lives were extinguished in the space of a few minutes last Wednesday morning, but countless more victims all around the world, all across Canada will suffer for years to come.

While no words can ease the pain, the grief, the outrage, it is my sincere hope that you can find some comfort in knowing that all Canadians stand with you. That is what makes us strong. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. This tragedy should never have occurred.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And while the prime minister is demanding a full and complete investigation from Iran, the victims' families are left with unanswered questions and heart break.

CNN's Paula Newton sat down with a man who lost three family members, including his 1-year-old niece, the youngest victim in the crash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For hours at a time, Amir Arsalani's only comfort is silence. The joy in what could have been, all gone.

AMIR ARSALANI, FAMILY MEMBERS KILLED ON FLIGHT PS752: My sister's family is gone.

NEWTON (voice-over): Only the pain has left. Amir's sister evan, her husband Moliani and their little girl Kurdia lived their last moments on Flight 752. They were returning to Canada from their native Iran after a family wedding.

ARSALANI: I will never know what really happened. What they went through.

NEWTON (on camera): Do you worry about what their last moments were like on the airplane?

ARSALANI: Of course -- of course. What she said, what he said to her, if they had a moment to kiss each other good-bye, if they -- did they said they love each other together, you know. This is just unbearable.

NEWTON (voice-over): For hours he scanned images of the crash site and found this.

ARSALANI: This is hers.

NEWTON (voice-over): He says they're Kurdia's.

ARSALANI: I saw Kurdia's toys, her red shoes, just devastated. We just -- I don't know.

NEWTON: And then there's what happens next, going into his family's home in Canada and facing all the memories it holds.

ARSALANI: And now I have to go to Kurdia's room, all her baby pictures. What I'm supposed to do with their belongings here, with their house, with their clothes, with their -- everything that's -- it just like at one point I have to go through it. But thinking about it just kills you inside.

NEWTON (voice-over): After days of private grief, Amir now seems determined to speak up. He says it's the only way to honor his family. He is grateful Canada is pushing for an investigation, but he says the Iranian government must pay for what they did, especially, he says, for the murder of his 1-year-old niece.

ARSALANI: She was an angel. Like, how can you do that?

NEWTON (on camera): They say it was an accident.

ARSALANI: It was not an accident.

NEWTON: What does justice look like for you and your family?

ARSALANI: We say eye for an eye. I know it's not a possible way. What are they going to do, give us money? Give us piece of land? Give us -- put a street under their name? I don't care. I can care less. I want them back. If I can get them back, they have to leave. They have to go.

NEWTON (voice-over): Amir is now watching the protests in Iran with hope, just as he watches this video over and over. I love you, she says. For days Amir has only had tears. Now he says his family deserves more from him and from Iran. Paula Newton, CNN, Richmond Hill, Ontario.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: An unbearable tragedy there. We're going to take a short break here. Still to come, in the Philippines, smoke and ash continue to fill the sky as officials warn there may be a second hazardous eruption from the Taal Volcano.

[02:15:07]

Also, American firefighters traveling halfway around the world to lend a hand in an ongoing crisis. We're live in Australia with the latest on the devastating bush fires.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Plumes of smoke and ash shot nearly nine miles high after the Taal Volcano erupted Sunday afternoon in the Philippines. Authorities are urging a total evacuation of nearly half a million people in towns near the capital Manila because they believe another hazardous eruption could be imminent.

CNN correspondent Blake Essig joins me now from Hong Kong with more on all of this. And Blake, this is terrifying news for residents. What more are you learning about this possible second volcanic eruption?

BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, the Philippines is bracing for a massive volcanic eruption from one of the smallest Volcanos in the world. Taal volcano, it's actually situated in the middle of a lake and about 60 kilometers, roughly 37 miles south of Manila.

[02:19:58]

It erupted -- started erupting on Sunday afternoon and again, you just saw some of those images of just absolute amazing plume of smoke that has reached 15 kilometers, roughly nine miles into the sky, stretching all the way to the outskirts of Manila.

So far 16,000 people have already entered evacuation shelters. And as you mentioned, thousands more have been ordered to evacuate. Philippine officials have raised the alert level of this volcano to a 4 out of 5.

And what that means is that another eruption is imminent, whether that could happen in a couple of days or a couple of hours. That's yet to be seen. CNN talked to a volcanologist earlier today who described just how dangerous this volcano is.

He said it's one of the top 10 most dangerous volcanoes in the world. And the reason for that is because of its proximity to roughly 25 million people. And for now really the issue has to do with the ash in the air causing the biggest problems.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

ERIK KLEMETTI, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, GEOSCIENCES, DENISON UNIVERSITY: It can contaminate water supplies because it's fine pieces of glass. If you breathe it in, that's going to be a hazard because you don't want to be breathing in shards of glass. And importantly, it's going to be a hazard for airplanes. If the engines ingest them, they can shutdown.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

ESSIG: And Rosemary, that ash causes other problems, too. It's heavier than snow so, any accumulation on, let's say rooftops could result in those roofs collapsing so, it's definitely important information for people in the Philippines at this point in that area to be aware of.

Also, there is tsunami danger. Again, as I said, this volcano is situated right in the middle of a lake so, any impacts, major eruptions that could displace water could trigger a major tsunami.

And again, Rosemary, it's also worth paying attention to the fact that the airport in Manila had been closed. It's recently partially open so, if you do have any flights coming in or out, it's important to probably go ahead and check the status of that flight.

CHURCH: Yes, some good advice. There are so many concerns, so many things to worry about. Of course, as you were talking to us, we're taking these live pictures there. Blake Essig, joining us from Hong Kong with details on that possible second eruption in the Philippines just south of Manila. Many thanks to you.

Well, the Australian prime minister's approval rating has taken a major hit as his government struggles with the bush fire crisis. A new poll found Scott Morrison's approval rating dropped eight points.

Australians are upset over his interactions with fire-ravaged communities and inaction over climate change. Meantime, officials airdropped more than 2,000 pounds of food to feed wildlife affected by the fires. And CNN correspondent Will Ripley joins us now from Mittagong in Australia.

And Will, it is just shocking to see the devastation caused by these bush fires. Lives and homes lost. Animal populations decimated. But showers are forecast. That will offer some relief at least, but what more are you learning about efforts to contain these blazes?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the good news, Rosemary, is that in the coming days there is rain in the forecast, which could bring to some areas up to 50 milliliters.

That would be enough to start vegetation regrowth, which could help feed some of those animals that right now, relief organizations are flying overhead dumping those carrots and sweet potatoes because Australia is home to many critically endangered species and a lot of them have run out of food at the moment.

So, the problem, though, is that all you need is a few days of extreme heat to return and one spark and Australia's right back in the same situation where, you know, not only animals, but also people and property are at risk. That is why Australia requested help from the United States. And

firefighters who are on the ground here from America say they have been treated like heroes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RIPLEY (voice-over): Hovering over Australia's hellish inferno, this American angel, a 52-year-old heavy lift helicopter nicknamed Georgia Peach, built in 1967 for the Vietnam War.

Today it battles bush fires, dousing them with enough water to fill three large swimming pools every hour. But in New South Wales, Australia's hardest-hit state, these helicopters sit idle, giving American firefighters who came here to help a rare day off.

(On camera): Today's weather is not allowing you to fly. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

JAY KARLE, BATALLION CHIEF, U.S. FOREST SERVICE: It's a good thing.

RIPLEY: Why?

KARLE: Well, we can't ever compete with Mother Nature.

RIPLEY (voice-over): Colorado firefighter Jake Carl says rain, lower temperatures and higher humidity are slowing the fire's progress.

KARLE: What this will do is it will kind of put the fire in a sort of a comatose state for a few days.

RIPLEY: Nature can do more for the fire right now --

KARLE: Than we can.

RIPLEY: -- than we can, yes.

(Voice-over): He knows that break may be short lived.

[02:25:00]

Recent rains barely made a dent in Australia's historic drought. Just a few days of extreme heat could be catastrophic, re-igniting a burn area the size of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

(On camera): Is there any way to have enough resources to fight a fire this big?

MARK WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT, NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE: Not of this magnitude and not of this intensity.

RIPLEY (voice-over): For the first time, Superintendent Mark Williams takes us inside Nowra's fire control center. We see Australians and Americans working together. The two nations have agreed to share fire resources.

WILLIAMS: I've been to the United States and Canada on numerous occasions for fighting, so it's great to have that reciprocal effort now coming back in to assist us in our times of need.

RIPLEY (voice-over): More than 150 fire specialists from two dozen U.S. states are in Australia, some traveling more than 16 hours. These Americans got heroes' welcome when they landed in Sydney last week. Even the city's iconic Opera House lit up its sails for all the firefighters risking their lives.

BART KICKLIGHTER, FOREST FIRE CHIEF, COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA: It felt really good. I was very proud to be able to come over here and help.

RIPLEY (voice-over): Bart Kicklighter from Oregon says the two nations are sharing manpower and brain power at a critical time.

RIPLEY (on camera): Have you ever seen anything at this magnitude?

KICKLIGHTER: No. We have large fires, of course, in the United States and all over the world, but this is just unprecedented.

RIPLEY (voice-over): He's never seen a fire so fast, so big, so hot, an ominous sign of what could lie ahead, not just for Australia, but the U.S. and the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIPLEY (on camera): You spoke a moment ago, Rosemary, about Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his approval ratings that have been singed by these wildfires. His liberal party has been accused of having this kind of incestuous relationship with Australia's coal industry.

And we saw as we were driving here evidence of that when we had to stop and a huge train passed by just piled with coal. Australia's the world's leading coal exporter.

Of course, fossil fuels are considered to be one of the main contributors to climate change, and Australia is now living on the front lines of a disaster directly linked to climate change or at least climate change a major factor. Scientists agree.

So how does this country wean itself off what analysts call and activists call an addiction to coal or also keep its economy afloat? That is a huge challenge and certainly at the moment, the prime minister paying a political price as people on the ground pay a much greater price, whether it be losing their homes, 28 people have lost their lives.

CHURCH: Yes. Scott Morrison's stand on all of this has put him at odds with his people and it's certainly having an impact on his approval ratings there. Will Ripley bringing us the latest from Mittagong in Australia. Many thanks.

Well, after weeks of delay, the U.S. impeachment process is set to move forward. Ahead, Democrats to meet Tuesday to decide when to send the impeachment articles to the Senate. Back with that and more in just a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:30:00]

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. This is CNN NEWSROOM and I'm Rosemary Church. Time to take the headlines for this hour. Anti-government protests are spreading in Iran after officials admitted the military shot down a Ukrainian airliner last week. Authorities say it was a mistake but protesters are demanding justice. Police have responded with tear gas and a witnesses says they have shot into the air to try to disperse the crowds.

Authorities in the Philippines a warning another hazardous eruption from the Taal Volcano could be imminent. They've raised the alert level two four and ordered a total evacuation of nearly half a million people near the capital Manila. The volcano erupted Sunday afternoon sending a massive plume of smoke and ash nearly nine miles high.

U.S. officials are expected to conclude that a deadly naval base shooting carried out by a Saudi national last month was terrorism. The findings from an investigation will be released in the coming hours. Sources tell us that more than a dozen Saudi servicemen training in the U.S. will be expelled. Some are said to have ties to extremist groups.

Well, the U.S. impeachment process is expected to take a major step forward this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will decide Tuesday when to send formal impeachment charges against President Trump to the Senate. She's been holding the articles back for weeks to pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to agree to new witness testimony.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): What we did want thought, and we think we accomplished in the past few weeks, is that we wanted the public to see the need for witnesses with first-hand knowledge of what happened, documentation which the President has prevented from coming out to the Congress as we reviewed this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Former Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton has said he would be willing to testify if the Senate subpoenas him. But President Trump says he will claim executive privilege if Bolton is subpoenaed. And for more, we're joined now by Natasha Lindstaedt. She is a professor of government at the University of Essex. Thank you so much for being with us.

NATASHA LINDSTAEDT, PROFESSOR OF GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX: Thanks for having me.

CHURCH: So Democrats decide Tuesday when to send the two impeachment articles against President Trump to the Senate for trial. How soon do you think that will happen and how might this all play out? LINDSTAEDT: Well, it seems like it's going to be happening within the next week or so. But it won't be for another well over a week that we may see the Senate trial actually get underway. Nancy Pelosi was trying to delay things to make the case to the public, and possibly to get into Trump's head that they need to have more witnesses and they need to have more documentation.

It doesn't look like any of that is going to happen. But she did find that she was able to make the case to the public that they should have people coming forward like John Bolton. I think it's very, very unlikely that he's going to testify.

First of all, I don't think the Senate is going to subpoena him and even if they do, I think that Trump will exert executive privilege and then we'll have another constitutional standoff. So we have a lot of --

CHURCH: Right. But you mentioned John Bolton, what's to stop him if he really does want to speak on this topic from just going public? He doesn't necessarily have to wait for a subpoena from the Senate or the House which could still subpoena him. But he could just go public and tell his story and tell everyone what exactly he witnessed.

[02:35:16]

LINDSTAEDT: Right. And he indicated that that's something that actually might happen. But he's an ideologue. He -- his heart is incredibly Conservative, and he doesn't want to do something that he feels like he would betray the Republican Party. He definitely has issues with the way Trump handled things in Ukraine.

And we have evidence, you know, from the testimony that came from Fiona Hill, some of the things that he said that didn't want to be part of a drug deal. But he's probably just trying to wait and see when the best opportunity is to share this information. He may not feel that the best opportunity to do it is in this particular trial unless he's asked to do so, and he may want to reveal the information in a book deal which could be quite lucrative.

CHURCH: Yes. I mean, that's why he's been holding of. Do you think possibly he's saying that he'd be willing to testify because he knows he won't have to, and of course, he's going to make some money out of this book? I mean, not to be cynical here, but do you think he really has the will to speak on this topic?

LINDSTAEDT: I think he's just been flirting with us because then that attracts a lot of attention as to what he possibly could do and will say. I think that it attracts more interest in a book deal and in him becoming more active as a commentator on conservative news stations.

I don't think he's actually going to want to testify. Because if he does, so he's going to completely blow up the trial because he would be one of the key people that would know information about what Trump was doing with his Ukraine pressure. And so he probably doesn't want to ruin Trump's chances in the trial and then actually affects the 2020 election. So he's probably just holding this close for the moment.

CHURCH: Natasha Lindstaedt, thank you so much for joining us and sharing your analysis on this topic. We do appreciate it.

LINDSTAEDT: Thanks for having me.

CHUCH: Well, Britain's Royal Family will gather for a crisis meeting in the coming hours. They will discuss what happens next for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, after the shock announcement they were stepping back from Royal duties. Anna Stewart joins us now from London with the latest on all of this. Good to see you, Anna.

So the royal family meeting in just a few hours from now to discuss the future of Harry and Meghan. How is this likely to be worked out do you think? what would be the compromises presumably on both sides?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Yes. The fact that this meeting is taking place implies that the plans put forward by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last week on my new Web site didn't meet royal approval. They say this meeting is taking place, a range of proposals are expected to be discussed here.

These have been drawn up by officials that represent the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William. And you're right, there's going to have to be some compromise. On the negotiating table, we expect things like titles, funding, tax if they live across two different territories, grace and favor homes, the number of Royal duties they do each year and who pays for the security.

It's the first time since all the senior Royals have actually seen each other face to face since that announcement. So quite honestly, in addition to all the horse-trading, there has to be a bit of family bonding one would imagine. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Yes, indeed. And of course, you know, there are worries that if they're not sort of within the Royal fold, that they could get entangled with slippery individuals. That is a big concern. But what's the likely timing on resolving this? What impact will it have on the Royals overall?

STEWART: In terms of timing, it's hard to see how long -- it's hard to say how long it will take them to reach an agreement. We do know that when they do hit on one proposal that they like, it will take time to implement. There could be some sort of phased transition here. We could see funding and the number of world duties change over a period of months or years until they sort of better see what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex want to do.

As to the significance of this, it's crucial they get this right because whatever the model is, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could become the model for future Royals who sort of slide down the line of succession as new Royals are born. I think Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis perhaps, in the future. And of course, this is just another important chapter in Royal history as they try and modernize. And it could be a blockbuster episode in a future episode of the Crown. Rosemary? CHURCH: It's got the attention of many across the globe who wouldn't necessarily be interested in Royal news in any other instances. Anna Stewart, many thanks to you for bringing us up to date on that situation. I appreciate it. And we'll take a short break here. Still, to come, the head of Human Rights Watch says he's been denied entry into Hong Kong. When we come back, we will find out why Beijing might take issue with the report he's about to deliver.

[02:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, advocacy group Human Rights Watch says their executive director has been denied entry into Hong Kong. Kenneth Roth arrived there on Sunday but says immigration officials gave no reason for keeping him out.

For more on this, we want to turn to CNN's Kristie Lu Stout who joins us live from Hong Kong. Good to see you, Kristie. So, what were you learning about Hong Kong denying entry of Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Rosemary, this is what we know. Kenneth Roth, he flew here to Hong Kong for a press conference. He says that he was denied entry and turned back at the Hong Kong International Airport for immigration reasons. Kenneth Roth is a U.S. citizen. He had visited Hong Kong a number of times in the past.

And after he was denied entry, he immediately took to Twitter to share his account of what happened. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KENNETH ROTH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: Sadly, as I arrived here, the Chinese government decided it didn't want to let me in. So even though I've been able to enter Hong Kong freely before, this time for the first time, they blocked me. This episode is just the latest evidence that the Chinese government is doing everything it can to undermine the enforcement of international human rights standards.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: In a follow-up, Kenneth Roth called his denial of entry "another disturbing crack at the rights of one country two systems. One country two systems is the principle by which Hong Kong has been governed since the handover in 1997. It is a model of governance that many opposition figures here in Hong Kong sees broken, as the government continues to refuse to answer the demands for greater democracy for more than seven months now -- or eight months now, these massive and often violent pro-democracy and antigovernment protests have rocked the territory.

And also in Taiwan, we've heard from the newly elected president Tsai Ing-wen denounce one country two systems as a potential model for any unification with China. Now, as for what happened to Kenneth Ross, this has happened before.

In fact, in recent months, Hong Kong is barred several individuals from the U.S. including an American photographer, as well as an American scholar. Both have addressed the protests here in Hong Kong and have criticized Beijing. As for Beijing, we know Beijing has blamed the West for interfering in Hong Kong affairs. Rosemary?

[02:45:22]

CHURCH: All right, many thanks to our Kristie Lu Stout joining us live from Hong Kong. We'll take a short break here. Still to come, athletes being censored. Why Olympians are being told to keep political protests off the field at the Summer Games. We'll explain. Stay with us.

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CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, Olympic athletes are being told not to protest on the podium during this summer's games in Tokyo. Any gestures of a political nature are banned at all Olympic venues including raising fists and kneeling. Both of which have been used by American athletes to protest against racism.

Critics say this is censorship, but the International Olympic Committee says the game should be kept neutral and free from political, religious, and ethnic demonstrations. Athletes will be allowed to express their opinions on social media and in interviews.

Let's talk now with Christine Brennan, a CNN Sports Analysts and Sports Columnist for USA Today. Great to have you with us to talk about this.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Yes, Rosemary. Thank you.

CHURCH: So athletes heading to the Tokyo Olympics this summer have been told they can't protest in any way according to the International Olympic Committee at certain podiums or any other areas considered linked directly with the Olympics, but they can make comments on social media. What has been the reaction to this?

BRENNAN: In many ways, Rosemary, this was expected. Athletes can tweet but they cannot kneel. There are no signs, no protests, but they can talk in press conferences. And many ways this is what has been the rules in the past. And a lot of the athletes, a lot of the Olympic Committees around the world have asked for clarity. So this was the clarity that they received.

Does this mean there will not be protests in Tokyo at the Olympics this summer? Of course not. Athletes can may well test this -- these rules. But these are rules that have been placed for quite a while. The difference here is that the International Olympic Committee actually gave detail about what can or cannot happen.

There were -- there was there's concern. Megan Rapinoe, for example, the U.S. women's soccer star said that she was not happy to hear about these roles. And yet she abided by these -- basically these roles at the World Cup last year, even as she was so controversial and praised in many ways for that. And the President and Megan Rapinoe went back and forth a little bit on Twitter.

So Rapinoe stood at attention and didn't do anything that would be seen as untoward by the IOC, and yet she's still had an incredible voice last summer, which means athletes will still be able to give their opinions especially in the midst of the U.S. election, which is I think the backdrop again, a bit all of this is set against.

CHURCH: So why would the International Olympic Committee rule out protests of any sort except allow comments on social media, any interviews, news conferences? So obviously, if any athletes want to protest in any way, they will be making their comments known well and truly in these interviews and news conferences. Talk to us about the possible fallout from that.

BRENNAN: This is a very similar to what's happened in the past. For example, the Sochi Olympics in 2014, a figure skater Ashley Wagner spoke out about Vladimir Putin's anti-gay propaganda law. And she did that in press conferences and other ways. But she did protest visibly on the medal stand when she was part of the U.S. team bronze medal in figure skating.

So we've seen this before. I think it's important -- if people are outraged, Rosemary, if people are saying, wait a minute, why can't they do whatever they want? Why can't they have freedom of speech 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Here's the issue. We all remember 1968, or if you don't remember it, you've read about it, the two American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos, and they're very famous protests at the 68 Olympics in Mexico City. And they are iconic figures to this day and praised for their black love salute.

So history's treated them very well. And I'm sure that history will treat any athlete who protests if it's Donald Trump and the election campaign, whatever it might be, in the United States, whatever issues that are out there, I think history will judge them very well.

The problem is -- and I think everyone can kind of step back and say, wait a minute, this is probably a big deal. Anyone could protest anytime, if that's what you would want to say, any protests at all. Well, then that would mean people could sit down when certain anthems were played. The bronze medalist didn't like the gold medalist country, could they wave a different flag, right, and the gold medal his face, and it could become a circus.

And well, I'm all for freedom of speech and all for athletes speaking out, I also think it's wise to have some kind of rules in place. That's what the International Olympic Committee is trying to do. But in these fraught times, Donald Trump is president, around the world many issues, I think that's the reason we're getting giving this scrutiny now. And I do believe we're going to be hearing athletes speak out as never before. They'll just be doing it through Twitter, other social media, which of course didn't exist for athletes, as recently as say, 10 or 15 years ago.

CHURCH: Right. And as you pointed out, I mean, there has been a long history of athletes being able to protest in some way during the Olympics or if not able late, certainly have taken the opportunity. Some of these athletes have suggested that this is an effort to control Olympic athletes, to possibly gag them. What would you say to them?

[02:55:10]

BRENNAN: I may actually going to guess that well, we're going to be discussing this a lot. This is going to be a very big issue all the way leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, and then at the games themselves, Rosemary. I'm going to guess that very few Olympic committees will actually throw the book at their own athletes.

And we already have a little signal of how it might work out with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Two U.S. athletes actually protested the Pan American Games last summer. One took a knee and the other race to fist. Neither of those athletes was thrown out of the Pan American Games, neither of them was suspended.

They received 12 months of probation, not quite sure what that actually is. And they were able to keep going and doing exactly what they wanted to do and practice and compete in any way shape or form, basically a slap on the wrist.

And in fact, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland praise them and said that their actions were admirable, and that she understood civic discourse and those who are giving their opinions.

CHURCH: Yes. Olympics have never just been about sports have they? Christine Brennan, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it.

BRENNAN: My pleasure. Thank you.

CHURCH: And thank you for joining us. I'm Rosemary Church and I'll be back with more news in just a moment. You're watching CNN. Don't go anywhere.

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CHURCH: Hello and welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM and I'm Rosemary Church. Let's get started. It's been 10 days --

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