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Roger Stone Sentencing Underway; Coronavirus Outbreak; China Trying to Jolt Economy Hit by Coronavirus Fears; German Terror Attack; Race for the White House; Iran Elections; U.S. Secretary of State in Saudi Arabia; Aired 11:15a-11:50a ET

Aired February 20, 2020 - 11:15   ET

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

[11:15:00]

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): This is CNN breaking news.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Tracking news this hour in an intense political spectacle in the United States. Long-time Trump ally and

political adviser Roger Stone is being sentenced as we speak in Washington. That's after being convicted of seven charges, including witness tampering

and obstruction.

Remember, Stone involved in the actual campaign to get Trump into office.

So why does this all matter so much?

Well, it is about how far Mr. Trump is willing to go to protect his own guy, already suggesting he could pardon Stone if he wanted to. That's all

part of the American president indulging the power of his office, upending the standard rules of law in the United States. We'll find out the

sentencing in a few moments. As we get it, we'll get it to you right away.

Welcome to this show. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson.

A couple of other news stories: the death toll from the novel coronavirus is rising. China reported another 114 deaths.

Today in Japan, two passengers infected on a cruise ship also died. Both were in their 80s. The ship, which was under quarantine for two weeks, let

hundreds more people disembark earlier.

Meanwhile, two people have died in Iran, with three additional cases confirmed there. Globally, there are more than 75,000 confirmed cases, more

than 2,000 deaths. All but 11 occurred in Mainland China.

China reporting a dramatic drop in new cases, less than 400 reported today. That appears due to a change in how the government is counting cases.

China's official line says clinically confirmed cases will now include only people who have positive lab test results for the virus.

Let's bring in our reporters on this. David Culver is in Shanghai. Clare Sebastian joining us this hour out of New York with the toll that this

virus has taken on global business. In and of itself, an amazing story. First, though, to David.

What's the latest where you are, David?

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, certainly, a lot of folks looking at the rising death toll and seeing a change in numbers and a concern. But

for the folks who are within the lockdown zones, talking about 780 million people, more than half of this country, the focus is just on one day to the

next. And trying to get through the day.

It is difficult for some of the folks who feel like they're trapped inside their homes. We have been in touch with many of them in Wuhan and they

describe a lifestyle that feels as though they're imprisoned in many ways, desperate and they want to get out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CULVER (voice-over): Guizhen Qian gave us a video chat tour of her Wuhan apartment.

[11:20:00]

CULVER (voice-over): It only took a few seconds to show us the small space where she has spent the past 20-plus days unable to leave her home as part

of the latest Wuhan lockdown measures.

GUIZHEN QIAN, GRANDMOTHER OF FELICITY (through translator): Since the lockdown I've been really rationing my food so it will last longer.

CULVER: The local government has allowed for grocery delivery but Guizhen fears opening her windows and doors could mean exposure to the novel

coronavirus. She's not only protecting her own health but also that of her 2-year-old granddaughter, Felicity.

QIAN (through translator): I'm looking after this baby and the floors above and below me have confirmed coronavirus cases.

CULVER: Felicity is a U.S. citizen. Guizhen has been raising her granddaughter as the little girl's parents are living and working in New

York City. But amid the outbreak and extreme lockdown, Felicity's mother is desperately trying to get the pair out of Wuhan.

AMANDA JIANG, MOTHER OF FELICITY: I'm afraid I cannot see my daughter again. I think if they are affected, I think that they will be dead.

CULVER: Fearing the worst, Amanda Jiang is pleading with the U.S. embassy to grant her mother-in-law, a Chinese citizen, a visa so she can accompany

the toddler back to the U.S. In the meantime, she has started stockpiling supplies in her New York City apartment hoping to ship them to Wuhan.

JIANG: We want to send all these masks to our -- to my families, to my relatives and donate some to the hospitals.

CULVER: But she has struggled to find a carrier to deliver within the lockdown zone. There are similar fears and frustrations shared by other

Hubei province residents.

WENDY YANG, WORKER IN DETENTION (voice): And now we are totally blocked. There's no person allowed to go out.

CULVER: By phone, Wendy Yang told us that she was on day 27 or 28 inside her apartment. She started to lose count. She sent us photos from her

window looking out. She says, she feels trapped and depressed.

YANG: So many people pass away in these long days. And we are suffering.

CULVER: Back inside Guizhen's apartment, the 61-year-old admits she's relied on cartoons to keep Felicity entertained.

QIAN (through translator): If it wasn't for Peppa Pig, there'd be no way I could look after her.

CULVER: But there's an added fear for Guizhen. She says she's also battling thyroid cancer and worries she may be more susceptible to contracting the

coronavirus.

QIAN (through translator): If I get sick with this pneumonia, I have no idea what I would do with this child.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CULVER: It is heartbreaking to hear her story but you think several more stories just like that. My team and I have talked to dozens of folks there

experiencing this. And I reached out to the U.S. embassy and they're aware of the situation.

But things far more complicated than a visa and a flight out of there. You are talking about extreme lockdown, logistical restrictions in the city of

Wuhan and Hubei province. And then you have got to talk about coordination of the governments, too. So things like this would take time.

The U.S. has gotten out some 800-plus citizens on five charter flights and this is another yet complicated case. But so many folks that we talked to,

you hear about this mental health aspect and I got to tell you that's something to really come out of this, is these people who feel as though

they're just in this enclosed space, only getting smaller.

And they're crying out for help in many ways because it is just too much for them.

ANDERSON: Yes. I mean, it certainly adds another layer to this story, doesn't it?

When you can't even remember how many days you have been there. 24, 23.

Which is it?

It's clearly incredibly frustrating and concerning for people.

Want to bring in Clare Sebastian.

China, as I understand it, is expected to cut interest rates to ease the pain for struggling business. What happens there, of course, doesn't stay

in China, not least a slowdown in growth, which would have a massive ripple effect around the world.

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky, what we are dealing with here is an economy fundamentally changed and with it the world since the

SARS epidemic. Goldman Sachs today saying, compared to SARS, may not be totally relevant.

I think this is particularly telling, saying the Chinese economy is six times bigger than back during SARS. They say, as "The Economist" pointed

out, Chinese tourism is 4 percent of global GDP. They then say the number of missing workdays in China is roughly equivalent to the entire U.S.

workforce taking an unplanned break for two months. That is extraordinary.

This is just so much different than it was back in 2003. The Chinese economy is now 16 percent of global output. Back then it was 4 percent.

Global companies across the board are exposed.

We have had warnings today from airlines, the likes of Qantas, saying it could be a $100 million hit to their profit for the first half of this

year, Air France, KLM could see a hit of $215 million in the months between February and April.

[11:25:00]

SEBASTIAN: Both of those companies are assuming that flights get back up and running in the next few months and, of course, that isn't certain. And

we don't know how bad this could get.

ANDERSON: Thank you, Clare.

Clare is in New York for you today on what is a story that starts in China but has ripple effects around the world.

Well, Germany reeling from yet another violent attack linked to far-right extremism, on the rise across the European continent. In a town of Hanau,

around 20 kilometers east of Frankfurt, 10 people are dead and six are injured after a gunman opened fire at two shisha bars on Wednesday night.

The targets, nine of the victims had what the authorities describe as a migrant background. According to the federal prosecutor in charge of the

case. Turkey's ambassador to Germany says five of the dead were Turkish citizens and authorities are treating it as an act of terrorism.

Germany's president said he was horrified and condemned racist hatred.

Chancellor Merkel had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANGELA MERKEL, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY (through translator): Everything is being done to clarify up to the last detail the background of these

horrific killings. There are many indications at the moment that the perpetrator acted on right wing extremist, racist motives, out of hatred

towards people of other origins, religion or appearance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, that number of Turkish nationals killed in the attack, Turkey's president is speaking from Ankara.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TURKEY (through translator): I extend condolences to the families of our citizens who lost their lives in the

outrageous attack in Hanau, city of Germany, last night. And I wish a quick recovery to the wounded people.

All our related departments and especially the embassy in Berlin are carefully following the process and will provide the necessary support to

our citizens. I believe that the German authorities will make every necessary effort to throw light on all aspects of the attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Our correspondent on the ground is Melissa Bell, joining us from Hanau, close to where the shooting took place.

What more do we know about the attacker and motives at this point?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have been learning a great deal more. Thanks to the German prosecutor telling us about the victims. They were

between 22 and 44 years old. There were amongst them German nationals and foreign nationals and with the migrant background for many of them.

This is where it began, 10:00 pm last night, the midnight bar here in the center of town. He then moved on to another bar before a manhunt took place

and found next to his deceased mother. She had died of gunshot wounds in his flat.

What we have also learned from the prosecutor is more about the assailant himself; his father was found just outside the apartment building, himself

unharmed apparently. And really what the investigator is focusing on now is whether anyone else was involved in this, whether he had accomplices and

whom he might have been in contact with in the lead-up to this attack.

Of course, this comes at a time when, Becky, you alluded to where Germany is concerned about the rise in far-right attacks, the third such attack in

a year's time. And this is something that German authorities have been trying to take on and fix and keep an eye on those they believe are part of

far-right groups, about 24,000 people in Germany they reckon, half of whom they say might be capable of violence.

I'd like to show you, Becky, already these makeshift memorials popped up. Expecting a vigil to begin within the next hour. A couple of blocks from

here, the German president will be attending.

And we've seen that steady stream of German politicians, condemnations, as well, coming from across the political spectrum at an attack that shocked

the whole of Germany -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Melissa, you were reporting from the scene of another of those racist attacks in Germany less than six months ago. I want our viewers to

have a look at some of your reporting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BELL: This is the kebab shop a few hundred yards from the synagogue where the rampage ended and he killed the second victim. What the live streaming

of the attack showed is once his clear anti-Semitic motivation and his frustration at his inability to do as much harm as he hoped.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Melissa, you have talked about the country acknowledging that it has a problem. This against the backdrop of a bitter debate about

immigration, not just in Germany, of course but across Europe.

[11:30:00]

ANDERSON: That provides this sort of context perhaps for what is going on here.

BELL: That's right. I think that context is important, Becky. There has been, since 2015 when Angela Merkel put forward the policy, allowed in all

the refugees, there is a bitter division, not just across the political spectrum of the far right and other parties but within her own party itself

and something to see playing out.

There are those who believe it was a mistake, it put too much pressure on the makeup of German society, those that believe, like the German

politician who was murdered last year, that is the other far-right attack I referred to.

These are the kinds of issues, this is the kind of tension that has really been tearing German politics apart and with this, the third far right

attack in a year, I think German authorities have said it's time for a sort of wake-up. It is important to get this under control.

Last year they said they would be shaking up the domestic intelligence services to get a grip on the far-right threat -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Melissa Bell in Germany, thank you.

The sentencing for Roger Stone is under way. Moments ago, the judge called Stone out for the behavior after his arrest, saying he wasted a lot of the

court's time causing hearings and getting Stone to comply with court orders. Even with jail time, there is a chance President Trump will grant a

pardon.

Coming up, we go live to Washington as we await Stone's sentence and discuss how likely that potential pardon is. Stay with us.

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[11:35:00] (MUSIC PLAYING)

ANDERSON: Right now we are still waiting for the president's long-time associate, Roger Stone, to be sentenced. We are hearing now that the court

in Washington is in recess, taking a 20-minute break.

This hour inside the courtroom, the judge described Stone's behavior following his arrest as disruptive and pressed prosecutors on original

sentencing guidelines.

Let me remind you, Roger Stone, working closely with Trump campaign as the president worked to get into the White House, the two then close. That's

important here.

As we often see, Mr. Trump looking after loyalists who are or were close to him. We are, of course, keeping an eye on developments and bring you that

sentencing live when it happens.

The spectacle of American politics goes on with the most fiery Democratic presidential debate yet, leaving one candidate hoping what happens in Vegas

stays in Vegas. Having joined the race late, billionaire and former New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, made a debut on the debate stage on

Wednesday night.

And it's safe to say he had a target on his back, with fellow Democrats piling on the criticism. Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'd like to talk about who we're running against. A billionaire who calls women "fat broads"

and "horse-faced lesbians." No, I'm not talking about Donald Trump. I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg. Democrats take a huge risk if we just

substitute one arrogant billionaire for another.

SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I've been told many times to wait my turn and to step aside. And I'm not going to do that now

and I'm not going to do that because a campaign memo from Mayor Bloomberg said this morning that the only way that we get a nominee is if we step

aside for him.

I think we need something different than Donald Trump. I don't think you look at Donald Trump and say, we need someone richer in the White House.

PETE BUTTIGIEG (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We could wake up two weeks from today, the day after Super Tuesday, and the only candidates left

standing will be Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg, the two most polarizing figures on this stage.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Jessica Dean is in Washington for us.

Jessica, even his camp admitted that Michael Bloomberg's performance was, quote, "underwhelming," I think what they said, but suggested he was only

getting his feet under the table and warming up. Anyone who thinks this puts him out of the race would quite frankly be off the mark.

Correct?

JESSICA DEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly the right take on that. Look. Michael Bloomberg has billions of dollars and you have to remember

he's been in a lot of Super Tuesday states on television since before Christmas.

So people have had this exposure to him that's been all positive for months now. And maybe they watched the debate last night. Maybe they have seen the

attacks playing out across the news on cable news.

But people, as you well know, are going about the day-to-day business, checking in on TV or watching the favorite thing at night and all they're

seeing is the way he wants to present himself to the world because he is able to buy up so much airspace, airtime on these -- in all of these Super

Tuesday states.

And it will be interesting to see how, if at all, his performance last night affects numbers, polling and support.

ANDERSON: What did the debate tell us about how these candidates stack up at this point?

It's early days, of course. The election isn't until November. But we're off to a cracking start at this point.

DEAN: Yes. I think last night's debate was definitely the most fiery debate we have seen. It had a lot of action and jabs and back and forth, a

lot of fire trained on Michael Bloomberg. But look. Mayor Buttigieg and Senator Klobuchar going at each other.

And if you zoom out away from the individual back and forth between each of them or groups of them, you really see the Democratic Party trying to sort

through, what is the best way forward?

What is the best way to beat Donald Trump?

Is it to go with Bernie Sanders, who calls himself a Democratic socialist who wants this big structural change, who, you know, has really stuck to

his guns over all the years and had a message of socialism and kept to it?

Or, do you want this more moderate candidate, someone like Joe Biden, someone like Pete Buttigieg or Amy Klobuchar, who work within the system

that already exists?

I think it is still sorting through that.

Where does Michael Bloomberg fit into that?

That's the other big question.

ANDERSON: And we will continue to watch from afar as this race continues. It is absolutely fascinating. Thank you.

Here's the bottom line then. If debates really matter, then you might count Bloomberg out. But remember he has a ton of cash.

[11:40:00]

ANDERSON: And money matters when it comes to the race for the White House. Michael Bloomberg is no shrinking violet. You can be sure he will continue

to spend that money a-plenty.

You can catch our own CNN next two town halls, hearing from candidates Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren, starting at 8:00 pm Eastern. That is -- well,

you can work it out where you are in the world. It is 5:00 Friday morning here in Abu Dhabi.

Still to come tonight, and the U.S. secretary of state meets with Saudi Arabia's leaders in the kingdom's capital. We'll tell you why is up next.

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ANDERSON: This hour, secretary of state Mike Pompeo on a visit to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, meeting with both the king and the all-powerful

crown prince. As we understand it, this is to discuss a range of regional issues.

And topping the list will, of course, be Washington's perceived threat of Iran. Now Pompeo visited the King Sultan, air base affirming the strength

of the two countries' relationship and not shying away from rebuking the kingdom's neighbor, Iran.

Asked by a reporter how the killing of the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani played into the U.S. defense calculations, he said, quote, "It was an

important strategic strike that was taken. And I think that you can see that it's now provided the Iranians with the knowledge that our notion of

deterrence is real."

Well, tensions with the U.S. certainly playing into the Iranian politics as the stage is now set for Iranians to elect a new parliament on Friday. That

is tomorrow. But voters are perhaps relatively disillusioned with the process.

On top of that, Tehran's hardline vetting body, the guardian council, disqualified most of the candidates from competing in the polls. The

spokesperson said, quote, "It's completely neutral" with regard to political factions. To break it down for us, Fred Pleitgen live for you in

Tehran.

And senior international correspondent Sam Kiley in the house with me here in Abu Dhabi.

Fred, in the run-up to these legislative elections, what is the talk on the street?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you're absolutely right, that there are some people a bit disillusioned with the

process and the Iranian authorities are also picking up on that.

If you go around town here in to Tehran to places, you will see posters for a lot of the candidates. They had a week to campaign. But you'll also see a

lot of posters and an ad campaign urging people to come out and to vote.

It is clearly something where the authorities are saying they have to try to mobilize people to actually go out to the ballot boxes and cast ballots

because, of course, of the power structure here in Iran.

[11:45:00]

PLEITGEN: They see a high turnout as legitimizing the process and the political system, as well.

On the ground, in the campaigns, they are being quite fierce and, of course, Becky, Iran's tough economic situation is really the main issue.

Let's have a look at what we saw when we went on the campaign trail.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PLEITGEN (voice-over): Campaigning Iranian style: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, one of the main conservative candidates at a rally in a mosque

south of Tehran. The biggest issues, the tough economic situation and the Trump administration's maximum sanctions.

"Enemies of the Islamic revolution led by America, when they feel our power, when they feel they're in danger, then they pursue a fight against

our religion, our beliefs and traditions, which are the basis of the Islamic revolution," he says.

Not far away the moderates try to rally their troops but their popularity has shrunk as Iran's economic turmoil deepens. A leader of the reformist

list saying they want to try to end Iran's economic isolation.

"Fighting the roots of corruption, promoting civil liberties and expanding social participation of the people in their destiny as well as developing

relations with the world," he says.

But moderates around president Hassan Rouhani are under fire as the Trump administration's pullout from the Iran nuclear agreement and campaign of

maximum pressure have battered the country's economy.

In November, protests over a fuel price hike caused a harsh reaction for the authorities and the recent killing by the U.S. of top Iranian general

Qasem Soleimani and Iran's counterattack, firing ballistic missiles at installations housing U.S. troops in Iraq, nearly brought the two countries

to war.

Iran continues to face international backlash after it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian commercial airliner, killing all those on board during the

standoff.

Voter turnout is a major factor to watch after thousands of candidates, many moderates, were disqualified by the guardian council. At a press

conference, I questioned the spokesperson about the issue.

Can you explain a little more the process that you go through when vetting and also disqualifying candidates for this election?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The candidates should meet the standards of a certain age and degrees and police (ph) clearance and also

they should not have crime records, such as drug (ph), corruption and bad reputation.

PLEITGEN (voice-over): Iran's leadership has started a PR campaign, urging people to come out and cast their ballots as the country battles voter

apathy from a public that continues to face major hardships.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Fred, you mentioned a conservative boosting his chances of becoming the next speaker of parliament?

And that is a very important position. This is Mohammad Ghalibaf, the former commander of the IRGC's air force for quite some time, participating

in the Iran-Iraq War and then he moved on to the political arena and was elected mayor of Tehran twice until he decided to run for president.

He was a candidate in 2017 but eventually withdrew. Some people call him Khamenei's guy. There's no doubt he will win the election.

Should he win, what will that mean for Iranian politics?

PLEITGEN: I think it will move a lot of things in a more conservative direction. One of the things to keep in mind is, of course, the parliament

is really only one of the bodies making decisions here in this country. The supreme leader being the highest authority here in this country is someone

who, of course, is second to none as far as the authority is concerned.

The president is powerful but the parliament has powers as well and if Mr. Ghalibaf becomes the speaker of parliament, you are right. People in that

district that we were in very much expect him to win that seat in that area south of Tehran. Then you can see things in this country move in a more

conservative direction with all the repercussions of that.

Of course, Hassan Rouhani, the moderate president here in this country, is already in many ways -- I wouldn't necessarily say on the ropes but

certainly under fire. It could have repercussions for the survival of the nuclear agreement, hanging on by a thread even here in Iran because the

conservatives are saying that America couldn't be trusted about the nuclear agreement and would breach that agreement.

Certainly these things could have repercussions on not -- on everyday laws, as well but the general direction of Iranian politics and could move that

into a more conservative direction, more of a direction of the Iranian hardliners -- Becky.

[11:50:00]

ANDERSON: Fred is in Tehran.

Just an update on some news that we're just getting in. Iraq has actually closed the border with Iran. That they say is to stop the spread of the

coronavirus. Two deaths, of course, as we understand it, possibly more cases in Iran as we speak.

We've been discussing, Sam, this upcoming legislative election, which may give us a sense of where politics stand from tomorrow going forward,

perhaps a more conservative ideology.

Meantime, we have got Mike Pompeo in Saudi Arabia, sort of keeping one eye on what is going on in Iran and one eye on where the Saudis stand with

regard their defenses.

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. It's very interesting; in the readout we got from his briefing of journalists on the

plane when he flew back from the main air base where he was inspecting the Patriot missiles, the American squadron there, that he was talking about

how it had been necessary to reinforce the defenses at the Saudi request because of the big, powerful neighbor.

So an acknowledgement that the neighbor he is talking about is Iran. And if in the context of the missile strikes, both against Saudi Arabia, which,

again, he blamed -- and that's been authenticated by other sources, that did emanate from Iran onto Saudi Arabia and, of course, the missile strikes

against American personnel on an Iraqi air base in Iraq, all of this adds up to a real sense.

And it was very clear from his language that he's going to, he is in Saudi Arabia to cement that strategic partnership and reassure the Saudis that

they're foursquare with them against Iran.

What next from Iran?

ANDERSON: His schedule interestingly takes him on to Oman next, described as a Switzerland of the Middle East and has mediated efforts of the U.S.

and Iran in the past.

Where do things stand at present?

What is the message of Pompeo to the Omanis?

KILEY: He was asked some of that, of diplomatic issues on the plane and he was very evasive. As a sidebar, he was on matters of human rights issues

because Saudi Arabia. But clearly he knows the new sultan there. He's also keen to make it absolutely clear that the American position is not

changing, whatever the regional efforts at diplomacy are and there have been many coming from the Emirates, but they're all about containment and

confrontation with the Iranians.

ANDERSON: You had Fred in Tehran. Sam Kiley in the house. That is just about it from us this evening.

I have a lot to say. The words of the judge and the sentencing for Roger Stone just moments ago. It's been a busy week here. Thank you for joining

us. Let me get you over to my colleague, Kate Bolduan, who has more on that Roger Stone sentencing in Washington. Very, very big story. He's an ally of

Mr. Trump, of course. Our colleagues in the U.S. take it from here.

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