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Blinken: Best way to stop war is for Russia to stop Aggression; Blinken: Conflict Adding to Existing Global Food Crisis; Relief in Shanghai as Lockdown Finally Loosened; Lavrov Meets Counterparts in Saudi Arabia; Russian Foreign Minister meets Gulf Counterpart; UK gets Ready to Celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70-Year Reign. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired June 01, 2022 - 11:00   ET

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

[11:00:00]

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ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: I would invite you to go back look at the questions that were raised starting last fall. They have been

answered. And again when Russia committed the aggression on the first place and even to this date and I'm very confident that the common purpose that

we've shown over many months will continue.

JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: I can just follow up on that, because what we have seen over the last month is an unprecedented level of

unity among NATO allies and partners in the response to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.

We have seen that when it comes to the provision of military support, humanitarian support, economic support, but also in the way we have seen,

NATO allies, partners, the European Union, implementing heavy economic sanctions, sanctions, we have not seen anything similar to imposed on any

major country ever before.

So actually, what we have seen is an unprecedented level of unity among NATO allies and partners. Of course, these are difficult decisions, hard

decisions, and therefore there is a need for consultations. And therefore, I was like to commend the United States for consulting so closely with

allies, not only after the invasion on the 24th of February, but actually before.

The United States, consulted closely, Secretary Blinken consulted closely with NATO allies throughout the autumn, we want we shared intelligence is

hardly any other military invasion that has been more predicted than this one.

And that's not least because the United States shared so much intelligence with NATO allies in the months leading up to the invasion in February.

European allies, of course, as the United States have imposed sanctions; they have a price also for us.

They are hosting millions of refugees. But the alternative not to support Ukraine, that actually enable President Putin to win, that will be

dangerous for all of us. And the price we have to pay will actually be higher than to now invest in the support for Ukraine.

Let me end by saying that President Putin made a strategic mistake. He totally underestimated the strength, and the will, and the ability of the

Ukrainian people Ukrainian armed forces to defend themselves, and underestimated the unity of NATO and NATO allies and partners to support

Ukraine.

And again, what we see is U.S. leadership, helping this to happen, both on the political diplomatic level, but also when it comes to organizing, and

coordinating the military support through the support group for Ukraine.

On the last question, I will just say that wars are unpredictable, we were able to predict the invasion, but how this war will evolve, it's very hard

to predict. What we do know is that almost all wars end at some stage at the negotiating table.

And this has also been clearly stated by President Zelenskyy, that at some stage, this will end at the negotiating table. But what happens there at

the negotiating table is of course, totally dependent on the strength, the situation on the battlefield. And that's what we do we support them and

upholding the right to self-defense.

And then I have trust and I have confidence in the political leadership in Ukraine that they can make the hard judgments and decisions on negotiations

on what to agree to when negotiations at some point will start.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. I have one question for each. Secretary Blinken do you think it's possible to deter Russia with weapons at this

point? And how far will the U.S. go? And for Secretary Stoltenberg, we hear about nuclear exercises on the Russian side. What scenarios are you

planning for in terms of the nuclear threat from Russia at this point in this war?

BLINKEN: Thank you. I would say that it's not so much a question of deterring Russia at this point, because they have committed the aggression,

and they're pursuing it. What we're working to do and the Secretary General said this very eloquently, is to make sure that the Ukrainians have in hand

what they need to defend against this aggression, to repel it, to push it back.

And as well, and as a result to make sure that they have the strongest possible hand at any negotiating table that emerges and I agree with the

Secretary General that eventually if that is what is likely to happen.

[11:05:00]

BLINKEN: We can't say when. We can't say exactly how what we can say is what we will do to make sure that Ukraine has the means to defend itself

and has the strongest possible hand. At every step along the way we have evaluated what we believe Ukraine needs to do just that to defend itself

effectively.

And of course, that's changed through the course of this aggression, what they needed to deal with. The threats to Kyiv are very different from what

they need to deal with what's now happening in Southern and Eastern Ukraine.

So we've adjusted as this has gone along in terms of what we and other allies and partners are providing to the Ukrainians. We'll continue to do

that as we go forward. Again, it is fully within Russia's power to stop what they started and to end the aggression. That's what we seek.

But as long as this goes on, we will support the Ukrainians and make sure that they have what they need to defend themselves effectively.

STOLTENBERG: NATO allies are of course, monitoring very closely, what Russia does, including their nuclear exercises? And we have also followed

very closely the nuclear rhetoric that President Putin and other Russian leader have expressed over the last months.

This nuclear saber rattling rhetoric is dangerous. And it is something that is only increasing tensions. At the same time, we have not seen any changes

in Russia's nuclear posture. And we also remind Russia on the fact that actually as late as in January, they agreed in the UN the statement, where

they stated clearly that the nuclear war cannot be won and should not be fought.

So Russia knows that in the use of nuclear weapons with totally change the nature of a conflict, and therefore, nuclear weapons should not be used.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kylie Atwood of CNN.

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Thank you. Good morning. Secretary Blinken, two questions for you first, on the food crisis that is

growing deeper because of the war. Is there any way to get the 20 million plus tons of grain that are stuck in Odessa right now out of the country

without Russia, allowing those Ukrainian ships to move? And what will be the cost for Russia if they don't allow those ships to move?

We know that the United States is working on overland solutions here. But what is the cost for Russia if they don't allow the sea routes to open? And

then the second question is about the timeline here.

We've heard Biden Administration officials talking about this conflict, turning into a drawn out conflict, it's likely to go on for months. But

with Russia making these gains in the East now, what is the outlook? Do you see this conflict going into next year without a resolution?

And then NATO Secretary General, you mentioned that you're going to convene leaders of Finland, Sweden and Turkey in the coming days. So I'm wondering

if you are expecting Sweden and Finland to come to the table with precise actions they are willing to take that could assuage Turkeys concerns.

And I'm also wondering if you're confident that Turkey's concerns about their membership will be addressed this month before the G7 Summit. Thank

you.

BLINKEN: Kylie thanks very much. With regard to the food situation, a couple of things first, we are dealing with what is a global food

insecurity, challenge and even crisis, pre-existing conditions, COVID, climate and now conflict, all of these together have helped create a

perfect storm where food particularly from some of the bread baskets for the world, Ukraine, Russia itself, are not available because of Russia's

aggression.

And as a result as well, prices have gone up for the food that is available. And we had a situation where a couple of years ago there were

roughly 100 million people who were food insecure around the world before the Russian aggression over the last couple of years, that's gone up to

about 160 million now an additional 40 million people by expert accounts are likely to be food insecure, as a result directly of the Russian

aggression because to your point, what's happening is this.

[11:10:00]

BLINKEN: There are roughly 20 to 25 million tons of grain that are sitting inside near those Russian Ukrainian ports, you know, doesn't that can't

even be moved to ships, in part because there are ships at the Odessa port, about 85 of them full of this grain and wheat that can't move because of

the Russian effective blockade of the ports.

So the United Nations has been working, and Secretary General, I applaud his efforts to see if he can find a way forward on this to allow the ships

out to end this blockade. That work continues.

At the same time, we're looking at every other possible route to get wheat grains, other things out of Ukraine, and onto world markets. All of that

work is ongoing. In terms of what Russia risks?

Well, I would start with what's left of his reputation. It seeks relationships with countries around the world, including many countries

that are now the victim of Russian aggression, because of growing food insecurity resulting from that aggression.

We were in New York about 10 days ago, we have the presidency, as you know, the Security Council for the month of May, and I focused our efforts on the

food and security challenges that are being faced around the world.

And many countries pointed out that a big part of this is the Russian aggression, and the fact that food can't get out of Ukraine to where it's

needed. So I think there's a growing recognition of countries around the world that the challenges that they're facing now, compounded by conflict,

compounded by Russia's aggression, are due to what Russia is doing.

I'd point out again, that to those who are concerned that the sanctions we've imposed on Russia are somehow impeding the delivery of food. That is

simply not true.

The sanctions have exemptions for food, and including services necessary to make sure that food moves like banking services. We have we've had one of

our senior officials go around the world to make that very clear to other countries and to help them with any questions they may have.

This is on Russia. And regardless of anything else, you would think the least that the Russians would do, would be to make sure that other

countries are not suffering from their aggression, despite the suffering they're imposing on the Ukrainians.

With regard to timelines, Secretary General said it well; we can't predict how this is going to play out, when this is going to play out. As best we

can assess right now we are still looking at many months of conflict.

Again, that could be over tomorrow, Russia chose to end the aggression. We don't see any signs of that right now. But it's a moving picture, as the

Secretary General said, that's by definition, what wars are. And I'll just repeat what I said.

As long as this goes on, we want to make sure that Ukraine has in hand what it needs to defend itself. And we want to make sure that Russia is feeling

strong pressure from as many countries as possible to end the aggression.

That's the best way, we think, to bring the aggression to a close as soon as possible, to end the war, to get to diplomacy, and to stop the

suffering.

STOLTENBERG: On Finland and Sweden, I and my staff, we are in close contact, of course with Turkey, an important NATO ally. And the two

countries that have applied for NATO membership are Finland and Sweden.

We have met with them and I'm going to convene a meeting in a few days with senior officials and then follow up to ensure that we make progress on the

applications of finance, when to join NATO.

My intention is to have this in place before the NATO Summit. At the same time, I know that to make progress, we need 30 allies to agree. Finland and

Sweden has made have made it clear that they are ready to sit down and to address the concerns expressed by Turkey.

And only two allies are of course ready to sit down and address those concerns, including the threats posed to Turkey by PKK. And this is

terrorist threats, which, of course, is something we are taking very seriously.

We know that no other NATO ally have suffered more types of attacks than Turkey. And Turkey is an important ally, not least because of its strategic

geographic location bordering Iraq and Syria.

They have been important in our fight against ISIS, and also Black Sea country, close to Russia, so all of this makes Turkey an important ally.

When they raise concerns, of course, we sit down and we look into how we can find the United Way Forward.

BLINKEN: We'll take a final question from Stefan Asberg of SVT, Sweden.

STEFAN ASBERG, SVT: Sure, Blinken two questions. Specifically, what is U.S. willing to do to facilitate the negotiations between Turkey, Sweden and

Finland?

BLINKEN: Were there two questions, please go ahead.

[11:15:00]

ASBERG: I kind of ask one at a time.

BLINKEN: One at a time? OK. Thank you. You've heard from the Secretary General, Finland and Sweden are working directly with Turkey. NATO is

supporting this effort the Secretary General will bring the parties together; we very much support those efforts.

There is a strong consensus within NATO, broadly for the rapid accession of Sweden, and Finland to the alliance. I remain very confident that that will

happen that we're going to move forward.

As I've said before, this is a process and in that process, if allies have concerns, they raised them, and then we deal with them. NATO is dealing

with them. But in particular, concerns that Turkey has raised directly with Finland and Sweden are being addressed by the Finns of the Swedes with the

assistance of NATO.

We want to make sure that all allies have their security concerns taken into account. And that, of course, includes Turkey, but I'm confident this

process will move forward.

ASBERG: Are U.S. willing to export - to Turkey, for instance, to ease up the situation?

BLINKEN: These are, these are separate questions, and we have a long standing and ongoing defense relationship with Turkey as a NATO ally. And

as we have in the past, as we're doing now, as we will in the future, we'll continue to work through cases as they as they arise with regard to systems

that Turkey seeks to apart.

ASBERG: And Secretary Stoltenberg, how confident is you that Turkey will approve Sweden and Finland?

STOLTENBERG: I'm confident that we will find a way forward. And I am confident because all allies agree that - lodgment has been a great

success, helping to spread democracy, freedom across the Europe for decades.

And therefore we need to sit down as we always do when there are different views in NATO and find a way to go forward together. So this is not the

first time in NATO that some allies expressed concerns that there are some differences, some disagreements, but we have a long track record and it

also to be able to overcome those differences and then agree on how to move forward.

BLINKEN: That concludes the press conference. Thanks, everyone.

STOLTENBERG: Thank you.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Right, Antony Blinken and the NATO head Jens Stoltenberg speaking in Washington on what is being done to

prevent an escalation in this conflict given the new long range rocket systems being sent by the U.S. into the theater of war.

Antony Blinken said it is Russia attacking Ukraine. The best way to avoid escalation, he said is for Russia to stop the war. He said he sees no sign

of that now and said this could drag on for many months to come.

He also said Ukraine has committed to not use these U.S. provided systems on targets inside Russian territory. To be clear the U.S. is actually not

sending long range munitions.

On Finland and Sweden seeking NATO membership actually, Blinken said the U.S. strongly supports their application and wants to see them as NATO

members as quickly as possible.

Finland and Sweden he said are working directly with Turkey who at present does not support their membership. And the NATO chief on that point said

all 30 allies need to agree to accept Sweden and Finland as members.

And he said he is ready to address Turkey's concerns describing Ankara as an important ally. And in response to a question about fears of a nuclear

escalation, Yen Stoltenberg said, NATO and NATO allies are monitoring closely Russia's nuclear exercises.

He said this nuclear saber rattling is dangerous and increasing tensions but he said he has seen no changes in Russia's nuclear posture, lots to get

through here. CNN's Alex Marquardt is following today's developments in Washington.

And we expected both to address the provision the announcement of the provision of new long range rocket systems to Ukraine by the U.S. and

indeed, they didn't. That's where some of the questions came in. What do we hear?

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, I thought it was a very interesting wide ranging press conference from both

men, neither of whom, frankly are known for making too much news when they step up to these podiums.

But they're asked about all sorts of things all, you know, issues of the day. And perhaps most importantly, this announcement by the Biden

Administration that they will be sending a new package of weapons that will include these rockets that can reach around 80 kilometers in terms of their

range.

Becky, I thought it was very interesting that President Blinken was pushing this line that we're now hearing more and more from the Biden

Administration that the U.S. is sending to Ukraine precisely what they need. And precisely what they need to have the strongest possible hand at a

negotiating table, acknowledging that this war one day will end at the negotiating table.

[11:20:00]

MARQUARDT: Becky, there's a big difference between what the U.S. believes Ukraine needs and what Ukraine believes Ukraine needs. So what we have now

is yes, the U.S. sending this advanced, long range rocket system called a high Mars, it's a very mobile unit that is armored, it's on wheels, it can

what they call shoot and scoot.

So it fires off and then it moves very quickly. But they are not sending the rockets with the longest range capabilities. As I mentioned, the

rockets that Ukraine will be getting have a range of around 50 miles or 80 kilometers, which will allow the Ukrainian forces to fire at Russian forces

in the distance as they move westward into the Donbas region.

However, we heard from President Zelenskyy, just yesterday saying that in order to recapture Ukrainian cities, in order to open those land routes,

through the - sorry, open those sea routes to the Black Sea in order to get food out.

They need rockets that had a range between 100 and 140 kilometers. So there is a real difference there. It's not necessarily Becky that the U.S.

doesn't trust Ukraine, to fire on Russia.

And we should note that there have been a number of cross border incidents into Russia that Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied. But this is

highlighting the concern by the Biden Administration, that if they were to send the longest range munitions, that Russia would see this as an

escalation.

And indeed, we are hearing the Kremlin today saying that they are seeing these new munitions as a provocation, Becky.

ANDERSON: Fascinating. I think it's really important that you bring up the both of these gentlemen suggested that this war will end at the negotiating

table, that they are they suggest providing as much leverage ahead of that.

For Ukraine, perhaps at some point, you know, it is that the West will say you've had your lot. You've got to negotiate. And the question will be

whether Ukrainians really believe they got what they needed, in order to sufficiently push back against the Russians.

Fascinating Alex, thank you very much indeed! Coming up, is this a show of solidarity for Russia? We look at the Russian foreign ministers meeting

with his Gulf counterparts in Saudi Arabia.

And ahead on the show as people are finally able to leave their homes in Shanghai the relief but also anger that lingers in China's business

capital, that coming up after this.

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[11:25:00]

ANDERSON: Relief has finally come to Shanghai in China as the government there finally loosens COVID restrictions that had people confined to their

homes or quarantine centers for over two months.

But for many there is still lingering bitterness over having been put through what they describe as a draconian lockdown. Not everyone is allowed

to leave their homes just yet and many walls are still in place.

CNN's Selina Wang is in Beijing, and she joins me now live. And I've seen your report that our viewers are about to see and some of the images are

really quite remarkable.

And I think there will be people watching this around the world who are astonished to see the sort of what is going on in Shanghai. And will

understand why people are so frustrated there; just describe what's going on? One of those times isn't that when--

SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, sorry, you're just breaking up. Becky, well actually a lot of our report is being censored on this topic.

And you were just breaking up in my ear earlier.

But while most of Shanghai's 25 million residents are allowed out more than half a million however, are still remaining in lockdown. And for some

people this is going to be short lived freedom because if a new COVID case is found that person and all their close contacts, they've got to go to

quarantine facilities.

And the community is going back into lockdown and the days leading up to this moment Becky, they have been utter chaos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WANG (voice over): Sprinting with shopping bags, residents racing to get out. After more than two months of a brutal city wide lockdown, Shanghai is

finally cracking open the seal. The city's main train station packed with people trying to escape. But actually getting out of here is a treacherous

journey.

The city says it will fully resume transportation today. But earlier, people have been seen trekking miles across highways, dragging their

luggage or strapping it to bikes, even journeys of dozens of miles or more not swaying their determination.

The train station parking lot has become a campsite some leaving days earlier than their departure time. Terrified they could be locked down

again if they stay at home.

The masses outside the train station, a stark contrast to the rest of Shanghai. Hundreds of thousands still remain locked in. But even the lucky

ones allowed out face a laundry list of restrictions. There are checkpoints everywhere.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, this is definitely not freedom.

WANG (voice over): This Shanghai resident and her son who wish to remain anonymous for fear of persecution from authorities were finally allowed out

after more than 80 days. Her only solace is seeing her son outside and smiling for the first time in a long time.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My child now has depression because of the lockdown. He started waking up at night and crying and shouting and saying there were

people wearing masks in his bedroom. And he stopped eating.

WANG (voice over): That harsh reality, miles away from what the government wants to show. Watch this state TV reporter pulled a microphone and camera

away during a live interview when the resident starts to complain about the lockdown. She says I've never lived through anything like this being locked

inside your home and not allowed to go out.

What a big joke. Officials say the city will start returning to normal in June but residents are doubtful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So this does feel like endless, endless nightmare.

WANG (voice over): Her freedom lasted less than a week. One COVID case was found near her so she's back to lockdown. For over two months, Shanghai has

had its freedom taken away.

Residents imprisoned at home were forced into quarantine centers like these. No one knows when this nightmare will fully end.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WANG: And Becky authorities here have actually refused to acknowledge that it was in fact a lockdown instead calling it "static management mode" that

has caused frustration and bitterness among residents who say authorities are not acknowledging the suffering and the struggles they've been through.

In fact, the entirety of this report and what I'm seeing right now is all being censored on TV screens in China. All you are seeing is color bars, so

a mixture of relief, joy, but also anxiety and anger in Shanghai, Becky.

ANDERSON: Selina Wang on the story for you. Thank you. Well, still ahead, Russia's foreign minister is in Saudi Arabia and a seeming show of

solidarity with Gulf States. What is the U.S. doing to keep of its relations with Riyadh? Well, we will discuss all of that up next.

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[11:30:00]

ANDERSON: Russia's Foreign Minister continuing his Middle East tour today with a visit to Saudi Arabia. Sergey Lavrov sat down with his Gulf

counterparts in Riyadh and that followed a stop in Bahrain on Tuesday.

The same day the EU announced the ban on most Russian oil imports. Note the OPEC plus alliance which Russia of course is a part of meets tomorrow. And

that meeting in Riyadh comes amid reports oil producers are exploring the idea of suspending Russia from the OPEC plus production deal.

Reuter's report that was not discussed in today's OPEC plus joint technical meeting in Vienna is quite a lot to unpack here. Faisal Abbas is Editor-in-

Chief of Arab News.

And your organization conducted a poll with YouGov which examined the attitudes on the Arab streets the conflict in Ukraine, the findings were

quite illuminating.

They suggest an apathy and disinterest in the Arab world towards this atrocious conflict. Faisal, 66 percent of respondents said they had no

stance on the war, while those who did chose aside, were or choose aside, were almost evenly divided 18 percent back Ukraine and 16 percent back

Russia.

You're joining me from our studio in Dubai today. And I want to discuss what we think that poll revealed. Before we do that, what do you believe

the aim of Lavrov's visit is to Riyadh to meet his golf counterparts? And what do you believe will be achieved?

FAISAL ABBAS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, ARAB NEWS: Well, first of all, thank you for having me on your show. Becky. I believe the GCC ministerial level meeting

which Secretary Lavrov attended, shows a unified GCC position behind Saudi Arabia, which has clearly said from the beginning that we wish to become a

mediator and try to have a positive impact on finding a peaceful resolution to this conflict.

I just wish to remind your viewers also that the Saudi foreign minister met with his Ukrainian counterpart last week in Davos. And I believe there's

been also a Zoom meeting between the GCC ministers and the Ukrainian foreign minister via zoom today.

So if anything, it shows that on this conflict, Saudi Arabia and the GCC is putting their efforts where their words are and trying to mediate between

both parties.

ANDERSON: Right, what they haven't done, and I'm specifically speaking to the Saudis here is, sort of bend to the will of Washington which is lent

heavily as we understand it into Riyadh to actually take aside in all of this not least when it upping the support for the oil market as Russia is

heavily sanctioned by the West.

[11:35:00]

ANDERSON: Do you believe that we are seeing a body of Gulf States who to this point have stayed neutral in this Russia Ukraine conflict despite

these western calls to help isolate? Also do you believe that there is a pivot in that position at this point or not?

ABBAS: Well, if you allow me Becky, I would beg to differ. Saudi Arabia and I believe the United Arab Emirates and most GCC countries have condemned

the aggression on Ukraine on a UN level.

Now, I'm not an oil expert. And I don't really understand the mechanics of the oil market. But at least what we're seeing here is a positive

contribution towards this conflict.

At the end of the day, both parties need to be talking to a trusted partner. And I think that GCC as a bloc can provide that whether or not

Saudi Arabia or oil exporting countries cut down or increase, rather their production is a fair question.

But you know, a fairer question would also be, you know, why hasn't the EU for example, Germany, we've heard in the report earlier that, you know,

they've just yesterday, three months, 100 days, actually into the conflict, finally decided to stop importing oil.

The EU pays a billion Euros a day to Russia for oil and gas. Nobody's talking about the gas. So you know, if sanctions is what will solve this

conflict, then surely the European Union should start first.

ANDERSON: Yes, Faisal, I hear what you're saying, and you're making some very valid points. And unfortunately, I have run out of time with you

today, because we had to rightly cover the Stoltenberg Blinken press conference.

I will have you back because this is a conversation we should continue. Faisal Abbas is probably forgotten more about Gulf politics, and then the

most of us will ever know. So you're an important asset to the show, Faisal. Thank you very much indeed, for joining us. I've got to take a

short break at this point, back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well, if you all in the UK are headed here for the next four days prepare to party. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second is celebrating 70

years on the throne, a first for any British monarch.

It all started here back in the early 1950s when a 25 year old Princess Elizabeth was driven in a golden carriage to Westminster Abbey and crowns

following the death of her father, King George the sixth.

[11:40:00]

ANDERSON: It was the first time a coronation surface was televised. Well, 25 years later, the Queen celebrated the silver jubilee with UK just

recovering from a recession caused by the 1973 oil crisis.

I remember that we had a street party, at times were hard, and not unlike today, there was a cost of living crisis. But despite that, there were

thousands of spirited street parties like the one held where I lived as a kid.

Fast forward to 2002 and there's the gold stage coach again, it's been 50 years since the coronation. And by the way, that coach has been around for

260 years. Well, it might look nice, but it makes for an uncomfortable ride according to both Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth and King George the sixth.

Well, 10 years ago, Her Majesty reached another milestone, diamond jubilee only one other monikers reached six years on the throne and that was Queen

Victoria. A flotilla of boats to the river and though the day was rather cloudy and windy, the Royal Barge was cheered by thousands of people lining

the river.

Well, this Thursday, marks a first as I mentioned the side of a four day party for what is the Platinum Jubilee an occasion for the country to--

their houses with flags and decorate sheet and post boxes with knitted corgis tea cozies, if you will.

The highlight of Thursday will be the trooping of the color and here you can see the horses taken for rehearsals. The golden coach has also been

seen on the streets of London for the first time in 20 years.

The Queen not expected to ride inside this time. She will appear on the balcony we're told at Buckingham Palace to wave at crowds, for the first

time without husband, Prince Philip of course he passed away last year.

Other senior Royals are expected to be represented and present with the queen celebrations in Wales in Northern Ireland and Scotland. We will have

extensive coverage of the Queen's Jubilee in the coming days.

Well, if you don't follow gulf closely, there is I will tell you a spot of trouble on the green. The PGA is far from happy with a decision taken by

two time major winner Dustin Johnson; this has to do with a lucrative offer that the U.S. golfer felt could not refuse.

World Sport anchor Patrick Snell, to explain exactly what it is that Johnson has done, which has angered the PGA as much as it has. Patrick?

PATRICK SNELL, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Becky, hi. Yes, it's going to be fascinating to see how this all plays out because we're all watching with

intent because America's PGA Tour, remember has not granted permission for its players to compete elsewhere.

And they could reportedly be set to face punishment for their decision. So the ball now very much in the PGA Tour has caught Johnson has a huge

stature in the game.

No question he is a former world number one Becky, a two time major winner. He's won the U.S. Open. He's won the Masters, but we now know is going to

be the headline act at the highly controversial and lucrative Saudi backed league whose CEO is - golf great Greg Norman.

And I'm hearing that we have just heard from the PGA tour so we'll get to that in World Sport in just a few moments, Becky.

ANDERSON: You are such a tease that is coming up after this short break. That's it from us, same place, and same time tomorrow. See you then.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END