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Florida Legislature Targets Disney; Prince Harry Visits Queen; Ukraine Pleads for Help in Mariupol; Syrian American Doctor Travels to Ukraine; Depp Back on the Stand. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired April 20, 2022 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

LEYLA SANTIAGO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Democrats saying this is all about Republicans retaliating against Disney, which employs 75,000 people in Florida. And Republicans, on the other hand, they are saying that's not the case. They are insisting this is not about retaliation. They say Disney just poked the bear.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RANDY FINE (R), FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: I wouldn't look at it that way. We wouldn't have been look at special districts if Disney had not behaved the way they did. By doing that, we looked at it and we realized there was a problem. That happens a lot in this process where some -- there's some sort of dust up, people dig into the issue and they go, oh, wow, this is a problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANTIAGO: And Disney has not responded to our request for comment. If this unique status is removed, which, again, this bill is expected to pass, the special district would be dissolved June 1st of next year.

Bianna.

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: Disney, a huge player, though, in that state's economy.

SANTIAGO: Exactly.

GOLODRYGA: You'll continue to follow the story for us.

Leyla Santiago, thank you. Well, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is one step closer to being

extradited to the United States to face espionage charges. This morning, a London court sent a formal handover order to the British government for approval. Assange can appeal this ruling. He is wanted in the U.S. on 18 criminal charges after WikiLeaks published thousands of classified files and diplomatic cables back in 2010. Now, if convicted, Assange could be sentenced to up to 175 year in prison.

In other news, Prince Harry is sharing new details about his surprise visit with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, last week, as well as insight into his new life in the U.S.

CNN anchor Max Foster joins me now from London.

So, Max, this was Harry's first trip back to the U.K. in a year, and his wife Meghan's first time back now in two years. Obviously, they left their kids here in the U.S. What did he say about their visit with his grandmother?

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: So the reason he's here in Europe is for the Invictus games that he set up for wounded veterans. And the interview that NBC did with him was at the Netherlands event. Quite wide ranging. He talks about how he now regards America as home. How he's been really welcomed there in California. He talks about how he really feels his mother's presence over the last couple of years. He said that, you know, he felt that she had helped William set up his life here in the U.K., now she was focusing on Harry. So a very personal interview.

And, obviously, he was asked about that visit on the way to the Netherlands, to Windsor Castle, where he met the queen. We found out about that after the event. And this is what he said in response to that visit. And I'll explain afterwards why it's grabbing the headlines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRINCE HARRY: It was great. It was just so nice to see her. You know, she's on -- she's on great form. We always -- she's always got a great sense of humor with me and I'm just making sure that she's, you know, protected and got the right people around (ph).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: So that's seen as quite a contentious remark there at the end, making sure that she's surrounded by the right people. That would imply that he doesn't think -- or he's concerned she might not be surrounded by the right people. And in that we would read, obviously, close members of the family and staff. But -- so that's grabbing a few of their headlines at the moment.

There's always something that comes out of these interviews. So that's what people are focusing on right now. But, as I say, quite a wide- ranging interview. And, actually, very encouraging to hear that the queen's on good form because we're not seeing much of her at the moment. Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, he called himself his grandmother's protector. But it was also interesting to hear him say that for now the U.S. is his home, no longer the U.K., where he is living here with his family.

Max Foster, thank you.

Well, still ahead, more signs of desperation in Ukraine. A marine commander pleading for international help to evacuate the region, citing a large number of wounded troops and limited medical supplies. Hear his message to the world, up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:38:28]

GOLODRYGA: This morning, Ukraine's deputy prime minister said Russia has agreed to a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of women, children and the elderly from the besieged city of Mariupol. But as tens of thousands of civilians remain in the city, encircled by Russian forces for weeks, and under relentless bombardment, a Ukrainian marine commander in Mariupol posted a social media video pleading for an international evacuation effort.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. SERHII VOLYNA, COMMANDER, UKRAINE'S 36TH SEPARATE MARINE BRIGADE(through translator): This is our statement to the world. It may be our last statement. We might have only a few days or even hours left. The enemy's units are ten times larger than ours. They have supremacy in the air, artillery and units that are dislocated on the ground, equipment and tanks. We appeal to the world leaders to help us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: I'm joined now by retired Army Major General James "Spider" Marks.

Always great to have you on, General.

So, there you hear this commander saying that the Russian forces outman them 10-1. Other officials say it's more likely 20-1 or even 30-1. You hear that appeal to world leaders, specifically President Biden, to perhaps go through a third country to help these civilians and injured troops get out. Is that even plausible at this point?

MAJ. GEN. JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, it's certainly plausible. The difficulty is, is I don't know that the Russians are going to really honor this, what I would call a humanitarian corridor, and this effort on the part of Ukrainians to evacuate the civilians and the family units (ph).

[09:40:00]

We've seen it in the past. We've seen Ukrainians along those exit corridors engaged as targets.

So my primary concern is, when the Russians say, yes, this is what we're going to agree to, is (INAUDIBLE) to end the NATO (INAUDIBLE) with the use of those supply efforts that has been in place have to be in a position to enforce that. And the Ukrainians understand that. They're not going to listen to the Russians and, frankly, believe what they say. They've got to be able to get the behavior that matches what their commitment is.

GOLODRYGA: And there have been new deadlines after deadlines imposed by the Russians guaranteeing that these troops, these injured troops and civilians, will be safe and their lives will be spared and they'll be taken care of if they meet these deadlines. And, thus far, you're seeing these troops say, no, we will continue to hold down the fort here.

How much longer, realistically, can this battle continue until Russians gain hold of this city of Mariupol?

MARKS: Yes, a couple of things to think about.

Number one, the Russians say that they're going to honor this type of movement and this consideration, this humanitarian consideration. They, the Russians, don't even treat their own soldiers that have been killed in combat or have been wounded humanely. Why should we begin to believe that they're going to do the same? In other words, the guard of the Ukrainians must remain up. They must put in place those risk mitigation efforts so they can accomplish these various tasks that they're trying to accomplish.

The pace to -- the second part of your question, the pace of operations in Ukraine is not going to be sustained at this level beyond a couple of months. Specifically in Mariupol, the only thing that (INAUDIBLE) indiscriminate (INAUDIBLE) from the sea (INAUDIBLE) by artillery fire and rockets on the part of the Russians. That can be sustained for a couple more days.

When the Russians make the determination that they want to put boots on the ground in Mariupol to a large number and declare success on this particular objective, they're going to have to engage a bunch of Ukrainians who have this terrain -- it's their home -- it's their -- it's a home turf game for them. They understand it. They have the latest capabilities in hand. It will be a very, very difficult fight. But bear in mind, the cost to the Ukrainians continues to creep up based on the Russian use of indiscriminate fire.

GOLODRYGA: Can I just ask you a quick question. I know we're having some technical issues there with your setup.

But I just wanted to get you to respond to what President Zelenskyy said yesterday by telling world leaders in frustration, and understandably so, that this war would have been won on the part of Ukraine had they received the weapons they needed sooner, much sooner, earlier in this war. Do you think that's an accurate assessment or is he just, you know, understandably expressing the frustration of a president trying to defend his country?

MARKS: Very much so the latter part of your question. Of course he's frustrated. Yes, there are a lot of -- there are a lot of would have, could have, should haves in this particular engagement. If Ukraine had been a part of NATO, Putin probably never would have invaded. The fact that the United States and NATO have indicated (INAUDIBLE) for Ukraine as best they can be, the supplies that have been flowing in.

Look, I think this administration has done an incredible, admirable job to support this as best they can without getting into a direct fight with the Russians. Look, the United States and the Soviets, the United States and the Russians have never gotten involved in a direct gunfight. And, again, there's -- the discussion is, is this the time and the place to do that? And, you know, I would say the discussion now is creeping up that that's the talk that needs to be -- that's the discussion we need to have right now.

GOLODRYGA: Major General Spider Marks, always great to have you on. Thank you.

MARKS: Thanks, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Well, a doctor's oath to help others spans across countries and war zones. Up next, we'll follow his journey from Texas to eastern Ukraine and learn why this mission is so personal for him.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:48:29]

GOLODRYGA: Officials say there have been at least 136 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.

CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta just spoke to a Syrian American doctor who has risked his own life to help treat the war wounded. This story was produced in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. MONZER YAZJI, CO-FOUNDER, UOSSM: Whenever I travel to the war zones, and I leave my home, always I do one way ticket.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Dr. Monzer Yazji is getting ready for a journey he's made before. His third trip from his home in Edinburgh, Texas, to eastern Ukraine.

YAZJI: As a physician first, it's our duty and our ethics to help every needed person in the world.

GUPTA: I understand that feeling. I've been in war zones, and disaster zones as a reporter. Monzer and I were in Haiti at the same time in 2010. At times, I have felt compelled to help.

GUPTA (on camera): How much do you worry now about your own safety?

YAZJI: Every time I go back I say this is maybe the last time I'll be going. When I decide to come, it's a lot of fear. And then in a minute, I just remember my promise, and life -- the people lost their life and I see their children not seeing them.

GUPTA (voice over): But Yazji, a Syrian American, ran over 30 medical missions since 2011 to help his homeland during the catastrophic war there. But even as the conflicts continue in Syria, he finds himself in a similar situation in another country.

[09:50:06]

YAZJI: What happening in the Ukraine, it happened in Syria. And I feel myself that I am part of it.

GUPTA: Nearly two months of war and at least 119 attacks on clinics and hospitals have left the Ukrainian health system in disarray, and desperately in need of outside help.

YAZJI: The hospitals, which have been attacked by the Russian army.

GUPTA: Dr. Yazji spends the next five days in an almost constant blur of action.

GUPTA (on camera): I wonder if you can just sort of describe what your encountering. Is there not enough care to be given?

YAZJI: A lot of high complicated (ph) surgeries. Trauma. Like we did a surgery on Monday like for a person who lost half of their upper -- posterior upper shoulder, the upper arm, the chest, the upper chest. This man survived.

GUPTA (voice over): There are issues with water and electricity. There are shortages of medical supplies.

Performing as many as half a dozen operations in a day, what Dr. Yazji and his Ukrainian colleagues are doing is in the context of things nothing short of miraculous. One thing he learned in Syria is the need to perform skin grafts as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.

YAZJI: This is the most challenging really kind of surgery because the more -- the faster you cover the bone, you facilitate healing and prevent infection.

GUPTA (on camera): These are patients who have been injuries in these explosions that we've been witnessing on television. They may loose skin. They may have fractured bones. They may need amputations. And so you're talking about creating flaps to try and -- to try and care for them, is that right?

YAZJI: We really save the amputation (INAUDIBLE), you make a big difference in people's life.

GUPTA (voice over): Dr. Yazji doesn't just provide medical support, though. He provides a form of mental nourishment to the Ukrainian doctors as well.

YAZJI: When I see a Ukrainian doctor suffering because, you know, he's exhausted mentally, physically, and that attack on them I see us (INAUDIBLE) there. That's why this is all make me come to Ukraine and be with them.

GUPTA: The morning after our call, he started for home, but leaving with a promise, that he will be back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA: Bianna, Dr. Yazji began this sort of work in Syria back in 2001, his home country. And many people may not realize but that conflict still continues today 11 years later. So even though the attention of the world sometimes shifts focus, it doesn't mean these conflicts go away. And that's a point Dr. Yazji really wanted me to get across.

Also, you know, he went to medical school with Bashir al-Assad, the president of Syria. So he knows Syria firsthand. He knows the leadership firsthand. And he's seen what's been going on there for more than a decade. He's now applied many of those skills to what's happening in Ukraine.

Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Just incredible. Just think about it, everyone at home, he buys one-way tickets to war zones, not knowing when and if he will come home. A true hero.

Our thanks to Sanjay Gupta for that.

Well, minutes from now, court resumes in Johnny Depp's $50 million defamation case. Depp faces cross-examination this morning after testifying that he's, quote, never struck a woman in his life. We'll have the latest, up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:58:00]

GOLODRYGA: In just moments, actor Johnny Depp returns to a stand in a Virginia courtroom for his second day of testimony in a $50 million defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. He testified yesterday about the couple's personal life and insisted that he never hit her, despite her allegations of domestic abuse.

CNN's Jean Casarez joins us now.

So, Jean, what did we learn and what more can we expect to hear today?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, he testified at length yesterday and there was a lot that he testified about.

First of all, when he was young, he talked about the violent abuse at the hands of his mother, that she would throw ash trays or high heels or phones or anything to hit him. And she also physically abused and emotionally abused his father. And he said his father just took it. That's important because inn opening statements the plaintiff, because he's bringing this case, said that that was the role model he had of how he reacted when Amber Heard would instigate violence toward him as the abuse victim.

He also said when he got the role with Disney of "Pirates of the Caribbean," he remembered watching cartoons with his daughter. So he formulated the character and worked with Disney so it would be appropriate by people of all ages. And that goes toward the damages when you don't have a career anymore, which is what he said happened.

But here's the pivotal moment. The crux of this defamation case that Johnny Depp has brought against Amber Heard. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: There were arguments and things of that nature that never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[09:59:58]

CASAREZ: Today will be a pivotal day. He continues on the stand.