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Hala Gorani Tonight
Ten U.S. Sailors Captured By Iran Now Free; Iran's Press TV Airs What It Calls Apology From Sailor; Turkish PM: Arrests In Connection To Istanbul Attack; At Least Three Dead In French Alps Avalanche; U.S. Stocks Plunge In Afternoon Trading; $1.5 Billion Powerball Jackpot Up For Grabs In U.S. Aired 3-4p ET
Aired January 13, 2016 - 15:00 ET
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HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Hala Gorani. We are live at CNN London. Thanks for being with us on this Thursday.
This is THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.
Was the president of Russia involved in poisoning a former Russian spy who blew the whistle on Russia's top security agency, the FBS? It
sounds like a John (inaudible) novel, but it is all very, very real.
A British investigation concludes that President Vladimir Putin, quote, "probably approved" the 2006 operation to kill Alexander Litvinenko
in London. Our diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There can be no doubt that Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned by Mr. (inaudible) and Mr. Kaufton (ph).
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): Even more explosive Owen's 327-page report concludes Litvinenko's murder ten years
ago on the streets of London was probably sanctioned by Vladimir Putin.
SIR ROBERT OWEN, INQUIRY CHAIRMAN: I have concluded that there is a strong probability that when he poisoned Mr. Litvinenko, he did so under the
direction of the FSB, the Federal Securities Service of the Russian Federation.
ROBERTSON: Russia's Foreign Ministry reacted calling the report politically motivated. But on his death bed in a London hospital
Litvinenko, a vocal critic of Putin, warned the Russian leader his murder would come back to haunt him.
(on camera): This is the hotel where the report says that Litvinenko was given the poison polonium in a cup of tea. Traces of it
were found on the tables and chairs and in the teapot.
The report also said that the two alleged murders had no animosity towards Litvinenko and that the poison could only have been manufactured in
a nuclear facility.
And that for it to end up in the hands of the intelligence services must have been sanctioned at the highest level of the state, probably
Putin.
(voice-over): His widow is demanding the British government take action.
MARINA LITVINENKO, ALEXANDER LITVINENKO'S WIDOW: I'm calling immediately for expulsion from the U.K. of all Russian intelligence authorities,
whether from the FSB who murdered (inaudible) or from other Russian agencies.
ROBERTSON: But the British home secretary stopped short calling in the Russian ambassador to demand cooperation, targeting sanctions only against
the two alleged murderers.
THERESA MAY, BRITISH HOME SECRETARY: I can tell the House today that Interpol notices and European arrest warrants are in place so that the main
suspects, Andre Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun can be arrested if they travel abroad.
ROBERTSON: Ten years since the hotel security cameras recorded Lugovoy and Kovtun in the moments before Litvinenko's murder. Both men have denied
they were involved. Lugovoy calling the inquiry's findings quite absurd. The inquiry helped shrink their world but with Putin in power, Litvinenko's
widow doubts they'll ever face justice.
LITVINENKO: Putin, himself, personally protected Lugovoy. He himself, Mr. Putin said it's not Lugovoy and he provided immunity. He said Russian
citizen not extradite for any justice to another country. He protected him.
ROBERTSON: Until then Alexander Litvinenko's murder remains an open case, killed it appears for speaking truth to power.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: Well, Nic Robertson joins us now live from London and also Matthew Chance has the Russian view from Moscow. First of all, Matthew, reaction
from the kremlin today or from officials in Russia, what has it been to this report?
[15:05:07]MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There's been some angry reaction coming from all sorts of areas. The Foreign
Ministry has said this is politically motivated, intended to discredit Russia and its leaders.
Andrei Lugovoy has appeared on state television, one of the prime suspects that named in the report as the assassin, one of them, protesting
his innocence as well.
And kremlin has pretty much dismissed this, as in its words, a joke. That's the kind of tone of the reaction we've been getting from Moscow.
That's been followed in the state media as well.
Most Russians get their news remember from the state media. And the tone of that coverage has been very much that nothing's been proven that
this is a politically motivated inquiry in Britain.
And it was intended as the foreign ministry was saying, to discredit Russia and its leadership. You're not really getting an acceptance here
that any wrong was done on the part of Russia, on the streets of London.
GORANI: Matthew Chance in Moscow. Now Nic Robertson in London, you've been following and reporting on this report all day. We heard from top-
level officials it seems as though there's been limited steps taken freezing the assets for instance of the two suspects in this case. But
that's it really. We're not going to see much more coming from the U.K. in the direction of Russia, correct?
ROBERTSON: It really doesn't seem so at the moment, Hala. Some of the wording in this report sounds quite damning, Kuvton telling his mother-in-
law apparently that he thought that the poison that affected Litvinenko was also making him ill.
And he was quoted by his mother-in-law saying that those people that did this are not bothered about poisoning us as well and another unnamed
witness known only as D3 said that Kovtun had said to them that Litvinenko was to be poisoned rather than shot as an example to other people.
But that said, the British government really doesn't seem interested in pushing this further at this time.
GORANI: All right. Nic Robertson, Matthew Chance, senior international correspondents in Moscow and in London on this story. Thanks to both of
you.
So what could the results of this British inquiry mean for President Putin's political future? I'm joined now from Davos, Switzerland, by Robin
Niblett. He is the director of Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
Robin, thanks for being with us. So as I mentioned there, we heard from Theresa May that this was blatant and unacceptable, this killing of
Alexander Litvinenko, but we're not seeing much reaction from the United Kingdom. Is that it? Are we done after this report on this question?
ROBIN NIBLETT, DIRECTOR, CHATHAM HOUSE: At one level the Russians have a bit of a case in the sense that the timing of the re-launch of this inquiry
back in July 2014 was at the height of the Ukraine conflict, at the height of a moment where Britain wanted to make a point as did other E.U.
countries with their displeasure with persecution.
But I think the results of the inquiry to actually insert the person's name in it means there must have been some very firm evidence even
with the word probably before it.
As I said, because of the context of when it was launched and the fact that sanctions were in place, that President Putin is a partner now
hopefully on trying to deal with the Syria crisis.
Given the fact that at the moment Russia is in desperate economic straits, I would be surprised if the British government would want to
escalate it beyond having proved this point is the remarkable step of the use of nuclear material in a foreign city, sanctioned at the highest levels
have been done and is being called out and made public.
GORANI: Do you find it surprising that the name of Vladimir Putin was inserted into this report?
NIBLETT: Surprising, no, if the evidence is there. I think if it ever came out that there was strong intelligence evidence that it was sanctioned
at the highest levels and then that it was not explicitly pointed out in the report.
That would be even more damaging for the government in the future. They're trying to strike a balance between calling as it was but at the
same time giving themselves some scope for not going beyond the steps that have already been taken, given this took place ten years ago.
GORANI: But should the U.K. react more forcefully? I mean, you mentioned the fact that first of all this was a murder on British soil. Secondly,
you had radioactive material used in a public place, 700 people have to be tested after it was discovered that that was used to kill this individual.
Should there be more reaction from the United Kingdom? And if not, why not?
NIBLETT: If not, why not? I think why not because the British government is unsure what to do. Expel a number of KGB operatives from the United
Kingdom, there could be tighter sanctions or investigations into some of the money of U.K. resident Russian nationals.
[15:10:05] But these are small steps in the sense given the scale of what took place. So I think what they want to do is call it out, put it into
the court of public opinion, potentially make it that much more difficult for the west, the E.U., the United States, to really ever take the
relationship with Russia back to normal so long as President Putin is in power.
I think that's what's going on. President Putin is somebody who cannot be trusted and we're stating this publicly. That in itself is quite
a big step.
GORANI: How do you think he's living down the last year, Vladimir Putin? This country economically is going through tough times. The price of oil
is tumbling. Sanctions have been imposed on his closest allies. Do you think that will alter his behavior in any way?
NIBLETT: I would be very surprised. Ultimately, he has pivoted from being the president who is delivering economic opportunities with the Russian
middle classes to once the economy wasn't doing so well and that proceed the sanctions against Ukraine.
I should add to becoming somebody who is re-infusing the Russian people with pride in the nation. And the more other countries attack
Russia, the more he feels he's justified and it confirms his message.
Which is another reason why I think the British government is going to be cautious about taking this really escalating it because President
Putin will use it to strengthen his position domestically than weaken it.
Much better to let the economy context, the continuation of the existing sanctions and the economic situation of the ruble, the oil for
their economic situation, to let that do its damage.
GORANI: We know rubles are at record low against major currencies. Robin Niblett of Chatham House, always a pleasure. Thank you for joining us from
Davos. Have a great evening.
Still to come tonight, the markets have been jittery, oil prices have been crashing. Where does the global economy go next? I will speak
to leading economist, Jeffrey Sacks, also live in Davos in a few minutes.
Also ahead, they stifled across the Russia/Norway border. They thought they were reaching safety. Some of these refugees in Norway are
now being deported. I'll ask the Norwegian foreign minister why they can't stay in his country. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Welcome back, everybody. It was a bit of a rebound on Wall Street today. The session isn't over, though, yet. We're up 132 for the Dow
Jones at 15,898.
Here's a look at European markets. It was also a positive day. We are seeing a bit of bargain hunting explaining some of these index rises.
There's still nervousness out there to be clear. The FTSE, Xetra, Paris CAC, and Zurich are all higher.
Now, oil has rebounded as well. The falling price of oil has caused a majority of these market jitters this year because it's a reflection of
slowing economic growth in big countries and big economies like China.
[15:15:00]But take a look, Brent Crude was at $29.50 a barrel. You are seeing a rise of 5 and 2/3 of a percent. Light Sweet Crude is also gaining
ground more than 4 percent up at 29.60.
Economic jitters over oil have not just been felt at stock exchanges this week. It's also evident in Davos at the World Economic Forum.
Managing director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde is there and earlier she spoke to own Richard Quest who asked her what she thought the biggest
challenge for this year was. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINE LAGARDE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, IMF: I would call it the wall of indifference. You know, when people stop being concerned about others when
you only look at your little domestic situations and forget about the rest of the world, when you only look at your bottom line and the next quarter,
that's what I call the wall of indifference.
I think that we have to overcome that in order to actually face the worries that are on the horizon in order to demonstrate the worth of human
kind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: All right. Perhaps short termism as well as what I read there from what Christine Lagarde was saying. Let's get more announces on where
the global economy is heading and whether we should be worried, markets are worried.
I'm joined from Davos by Jeffrey Sachs. He is the director of the Earth Institute of Columbia University currently at the World Economic
Forum.
Professor, first, thanks for being with us. Should we be concerned at where we are, at where the world economy is headed? We're seeing a
slowing China. Investors certainly, there seem to be panic for several days in a row this week. Do you think we should be concerned?
JEFFREY SACHS, DIRECTOR, EARTH INSTITUTE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: I would say concerned, yes. Panic, no. Panic is a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy
that can really ruin economies. Concerned, yes. That China has slowed down. There needs to be significant changes of asset prices, whether it's
the decline of commodities prices or now interest rates starting back up in the United States and exchange rate changes.
The Chinese currency is overvalued now because money flowed in, now money's flowing out. All of these changes of asset markets create a lot of
consternation. They do create the possibility of panic.
And that's what we really need to avoid by good policies and good vigilance to avoid the kind of shocks of a Lehman failure or something like
that happening again.
GORANI: Western economies seem to rely a lot on very, very robust Chinese growth. The fact that they -- that may not be in the world's future in the
same way that it was over the last several years is really starting to worry some of these big corporations. If not from China, where will or
should growth come from for the world economy?
SACHS: I hope that we don't write off China's growth because China's still growing depending on whose numbers you believe exactly, somewhere around 6
percent to 7 percent per year. It is slowing, but it can maintain significant growth.
I'm worried that they have an overvalued currency which is putting exports out of competitiveness. I do hope that what they do is carry
through with some of the big plans that they've announced of financing major infrastructure projects throughout Asia and Africa.
Because that's demand for their industries but also building real development in other parts of the world. And they have the savings in
order to be able to finance those big investments.
So if we think ahead, China could still grow and grow in a way which really benefits a lot of the world economy.
GORANI: But what about western economies? Their growth is still anemic. What should they be doing now? Is inequality one of the issues, the
shrinking middle class, the lower purchasing power, people in the middle and more of the top tier controlling more of the wealth? I mean, is that
some of the -- are those some of the issues that need to be looked at?
SACHS: I think the biggest single disappointment in the U.S. and European economies is the failure of public investment, to rebuild infrastructure or
to take on seriously what our governments agreed to last month and that is to shift to low carbon energy.
Think of all the spending that we ought to be doing in really high return public investment but instead, the politicians are stymied. They
don't really have long-term investment programs.
Therefore, our demand is weak. We depend only on consumers not on the good long-term investment that would keep our economies healthy,
robust, and growing. That's where I think the shortfall is.
We need policymakers that look further ahead than the next election and say, here's an investment plan that can rebuild infrastructure for the
21st Century.
[15:20:01]GORANI: But as you know there's very little public appetite for this. In fact, any big public investment initiative is viewed almost with
suspicion in a country like the United States. How do you get past that?
SACHS: Well, if you drive around our roads, you have suspicion whether the bridge is going to hold up or whether it's going to fall down.
GORANI: There's that, too.
SACHS: And when you come back to our airports from a trip abroad you're going back to airports from the 1950s. So we need to rebuild our
infrastructure and we need to get over this hang-up of stopping government from doing everything and just relying on spending, spending, spending by
consumers, which ultimately can't carry the economy for the long term.
GORANI: All right. So looking forward at 2016 now we started off in a very jittery, nervous mood. How do you think this year is going to unfold?
I know you don't have a crystal ball but taking into account everything we've discussed for the economies of the world.
SACHS: Well, certainly jitters ahead because there won't be any definitive solutions to these problems during the year. They will remain a lot of
adjustment to a changing economic context.
But what we need to get out of this year not only is, of course, electing a new government, I hope with the sensible direction in the United
States.
But also a new growth framework for China and for the world economy that takes on some of these longer term challenges because we have -- it's
said we have access capacity. We don't have excess capacity.
We're just not putting our economic potential to the good, long-term use. And that's what we responsibly should be doing during 2016, is
planning how to do that.
GORANI: All right, Jeffrey Sachs, joining us from Davos. Thanks very much. We really appreciate your time.
Coming up, several major U.S. cities could be buried under record- breaking snow levels this weekend. How they're prepares for what's shaping up to be the biggest storm of the season. Already. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Now to a story just breaking in the Somali capital, armed militants have attacked a beach restaurant and hotel complex in Mogadishu.
A western source says the Somali Special Forces are at the hotel now, so this is unfolding now, trying to battle back the militant.
Police say a suicide car bomber rammed the gate of the complex before armed men entered the building and that there were other attackers
that are believed to have arrived by boat. We will keep our eye on that unfolding story.
About 75 million people in the United States are now bracing for what could be a record-breaking storm this weekend in the northeast.
Meteorologist estimates more than 60 centimeters of snow in cities including New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Washington is facing
the most snow starting Friday afternoon.
To see how the U.S. capital is preparing for the winter storm, I'm joined by Chris Frates from a salt depot in Washington. They're going to
need a lot of salt, Chris. What's it looking like now?
CHRIS FRATES, CNN INVESTIGATIONS CORRESPONDENT: They're going to need tons of salt, Hala, I tell you. Washington is not off to a good start in this
winter weather. We had a little bit of a squall last night.
Just an inch of snow, it shut the capital region down. Even President Obama who is coming back from Joint Base Andrews to the White
House, that's usually a 20, 30-minute drive. It took him more than an hour at home last night.
The D.C. mayor apologized saying that was an inadequate response, but said that they're going to do better as this storm barrels down on a
D.C. region. Here's how she explained the inadequate response to residents here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MURIEL BOWSER, WASHINGTON MAYOR: I want to say first and foremost to the residents of the District of Columbia that we are very sorry for inadequate
response. We believe that we did not provide adequate resources at a time where it could make a difference in last evening's commute. We should have
been out earlier with more resources.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRATES: So there you hear the mayor saying not enough resources, but this time they're trying to learn from their mistakes, Hala, declaring a state
of emergency here in Washington, D.C.
That makes the city and other surrounding states, Maryland, Virginia, have also put in states of emergency that makes them eligible for
FEMA support from the federal government, for instance, and National Guard support as well.
Here In Washington, D.C., all the D.C. public schools will be closed all day tomorrow even though we're not expecting the storm really to get
going until 4:00.
Also the city government is going to shut down early. The mayor saying they want to make sure that the roads are as clear as possible so
they can get some of this salt on the road, to treat those roads so we don't have a repeat of last night during this 36 hours of a blizzard that
could bring up to two feet of snow -- Hala.
GORANI: How long is the storm going to last? I've lived through a few major storms in D.C. and other places. I mean, you really need to clear
those roads otherwise by Monday you might still have areas that aren't, you know, passable operational?
FRATES: Absolutely. And we're looking at a storm that's going to start about 4:00 and they think it will go through Sunday. So that's 36 hours
we're talking driving snow, we're talking winds over 25 miles an hour, maybe up to 40 miles per hour.
So maybe bringing power lines down. So they're telling people just stay inside, get off the road as soon as you can on Friday. Don't come
back out because they expect all day Sunday will be the day to dig out once it gets done. And hopefully have the capital region back on track in time
for Monday's workweek.
GORANI: All right. Chris Frates, thanks very much in Washington reporting on the storm, already the biggest of the season we're expect for D.C. and
other areas in the northeast. Stay warm. Get back in that satellite truck, Chris. Thanks very much.
Still ahead, deporting asylum seekers. They made it into Norway by bicycle, but now some of them are being sent straight back to Russia. I'll
ask the Norwegian foreign minister why after the break.
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GORANI: A look at our top stories. A British investigation concludes that President Vladimir Putin "probably approved" the 2006 operation to poison a
former Russian spy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Alexander Litvinenko was a former Russian security agent who came to Britain in 2000 after becoming a whistleblower on the SFB.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Markets in the United States are set to close in the next half hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: . Here's a look at the Dow now and we're seeing a rebound thankfully on this Thursday. Here's a look at the Dow up eight tenths of a
percent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Now to a breaking story in the capital of Somalia that armed militants have attacked a beachfront hotel in Mogadishu.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Somalia special forces are battling them right now at a hotel and restaurant complex. It's not known if there are any casualties. At least
some of the attackers arrived by boat. We will keep our eye on this developing story.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
GORANI: Europe is grappling with an unprecedented migrant crisis, desperate people resorting to very desperate measures to just make it to safety.
Norway now is coming under some criticism because it is starting to deport some asylum seekers who made it into the country.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: More than 5,000 have crossed into Norway at this remote northern border point. Now Norwegian officials have begun busing asylum seekers back
out, a move that human rights groups are condemning.
You might remember CNN's Arwa Damon report from that region back in October. Take a look.
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Struggling to pedal on the fresh snow the first asylum seekers to arrive on this day braved the
bitter cold. Cycling the last few hundred meters. Though some don't even bother to try. Russia only allows vehicles, which includes bicycles to
cross at this border into Norway. We can easily see the Russian border crossing from here but we've been asked not to film it because of
sensitivities on the Russian side. The group of asylum seekers we just saw crossing are being processed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, there you have it. Norway's immigration minister says all the refugees using the arctic route had valid Russian visas so they should go
back to Russia. Let's bring in our next guest. Borge Brende is the Foreign Minister of Norway. He joins me now live from Davos, Switzerland.
I know you were chairing a panel on Syria designed to provide education for Syrian refugees in the region. But first, I need to ask you a little bit
about this decision by Norway to deport some of these refugees who made it across the border from Russia on these bicycles. Why not keep them in
Norway? They've fled violence and war. What's the problem with allowing them to get the kind of protection that Norway can provide?
BORGE BRENDE, FOREIGN MINISTER, NORWAY: So, thank you for raising that question. We only will refer people that have also lived in Russia before.
We have to make a priority of those that really need protection Norway. We are increasing the amount of asylum seeking refugees that we take through
UNHCR.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRENDE: And we are one of the countries that are really opening up the last year. But people that are in no need of protection and that have lived in
Russia, Russia has to take care of.
GORANI: So you're saying that only asylum seekers who have lived before in Russia and made their way to Norway, only those will be deported back to
Russia? Just so I'm clear.
BRENDE: Yes. And those that have valid visa in Russia, that Russia has given a visa to. Of course, Russia is obliged to take care of these.
Thousands of asylum seekers coming over the border to Norway through Russia, we will of course look at their application and if they are in a
need of protection, they will get protection in Norway. If not, of course they will be returned as others that are in no need of protection. We have
to make a priority of those, for example, from Syria, that are fleeing and need protection.
GORANI: But some asylum seekers say they have Russian visas but that they expire in three days. Won't be able to stay legally in Russia. They are
also saying it's minus 31 degrees Celsius over there where they'll be bused an dropped on the other way of the border and that Norway is being inhuman
in this case.
BRENDE: That's very unfair. As I said, we are receiving a lot of asylum seekers. It is also cold in Norway. It's cold in Russia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRENDE: But Russia is a middle income country it's the G-8 economy. Of course Russia has also responsibility to take care of those who have given
visa to come to Russia. We cannot advocate - and we are granting visas and asylum in Norway for hundreds of thousands of people that are coming from
Russia with legal status there.
[15:35:15]
BRENDE: We have no chance to give protection to those that really have protection, so Norway is doing our job. Russia needs to do its job.
GORANI: So you think that all of these people that will be sent back, they will be -- you're confident that Russia will take care of them properly?
BRENDE: Russia is obliged to take care of those that they have given visas. These are, for example, people coming into Russia from Afghanistan,
Pakistan. They cannot enter Russia without a visa. Maybe they have worked in Russia for some time. You know, we cannot take all of these asylum
seekers in Norway if they are in no need of protection. I think that is very fair, is very reasonable, and if we did so we could receive less, the
real need of protection that is fleeing from wars and possible very, very difficult situations.
GORANI: So today in Davos you chaired a panel and a discussion including, by the way, Gordon Brown, the former U.K. Prime Minister who is also in
Davos, about providing access to education for Syrian refugees, specifically. What were the ideas that you think would be workable ideas to
get more Syrian children access to education?
BRENDE: We have to step up the support to Syria, the humanitarian support to the neighboring countries. There are now 2.8 million Syrian children out
of school. So we're losing a whole generation. And that's why the London conference the 4th of February, this (donor conference) will be so
important. We have to double our effort.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRENDE: The U.N. is totally underfinanced when it comes to the support to Lebanon, Jordan, and also to Syria.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: I'm curious because of the lack of opportunity for Syrians and other refugees in the region, a lot of them are coming to Europe. We've
seen so many refugees come here. Some very high level officials say they don't believe the passport free zone known as Schengen that your country is
a part of can even survive. That in the next few months it might even -- we're already seeing border controls come up between Schengen country. Do
you think Schengen can survive?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRENDE: I hope so. The open borders inside E.U., European Union, and Europe is a good thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRENDE: But with the migration crisis we're facing now, we need a political solution in Syria. 4 million people have left Syria but there are still 18
million people inside Syria. So if we are not successful in finding an agreement on an inclusive government in Damascus, including all the group,
this war will continue, more people will leave. Syria is going to be an additional burden on neighboring countries like Lebanon, Jordan, and
Turkey. And of course they will try to also reach Europe. There are limitations for all this country so it's even more imperative than ever to
now find a political solution to this crisis war that has gone on for five years.
GORANI: All right. The Norwegian Foreign Minister joining us from Davos, Borge Brende, thanks very much for being with us. We really appreciate your
time, have a good evening. And don't forget for our viewers, you can get all the latest news, interviews and analysis on our facebook page,
facebook.com/halagoranicnn.com.
More now on one of our top stories. The U.K. inquiry that found Russian President Vladimir Putin "probably approved" the killing of a former spy
named Alexander Litvinenko. He died mysteriously almost ten years ago right here in London. Since then his widow has lobbied tirelessly for justice.
Nic Robertson sat down with Marina Litvinenko.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARINA LITVINENKO: It was a difficult day. They just received this report for public. And a lot of comments and we are still just absorb all of this
information.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: What they've done is freeze the assets of Lugovoi and his associate, what they've done is called the
Russian ambassador in to question him about what's happened. Is that a strong enough response?
LITVINENKO: I don't think it's strong enough. They had some kind of reaction back in 2007 but we haven't received any cooperation of Russian
authorities to investigate this case. Even more, when we received this chance to bring all evidence to public inquiries, they just tried to ignore
everything what was said here. And even now all of this reaction from Russia just like it's nothing what you have to talk about. And I believe
action from British government has to be more stronger.
[15:40:15]
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: All right. There you have it, Marina Litvinenko, the widow of Alexander Litvinenko reacting today. This the "The Word Right Now."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: If you're planning to travel to the United States on a visa waiver program and you happen to be a dual national of Iran, Iraq, or Sudan, you
might have to make some big changes to your travel plans. Find out what they are in a few minutes.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
GORANI: Now to a story that could affect many of you if you are traveling to the United States. Changes to that country's Visa Waiver Program have
been implemented or are going to be implemented soon. We'll get clear on that in a moment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Now, there are 38 participating countries in the Visa Waiver Program. Many of them European. And all travelers now must use a fraud
resistant electronic passport. That's one of the changes. But, here are the changes that are causing a bit of stir, a bit of controversy. Nationals of
participating countries who visited Iraq, Iran, Sudan, of or Syria in the last five years are no longer eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program
with some limited exceptions and they have to apply for visas now.
Nationals from a participating country who are also a national of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria, so basically dual nationals, must now apply for a
visa at their local U.S. consulate or embassy. They can't just use the Visa Waiver Program.
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GORANI: Let's get more on these new changes and how they will be implemented. I'm joined by CNN National Security Analyst and former
assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Juliette Kayyem.
Thanks very much for joining us, Juliette. First of all, tell all of our viewers who may be dual nationals of Iran and a European Country or Syria
and a European country what this means for them now, these new changes.
JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well the immediate change is this; if you are in the United States right now this does not impact
you. So if you are here on a lawful visa or a lawful waiver program, you can leave the country. So people who are in the United States, they have
nothing to worry about. It will not be retroactive.
What it does mean for the dual citizen ship status though is that entry to the United States is still allowable but you have to go through the old
fashion process that people remember from the 1980s and 1990s which was you actually get a visa through the embassy. It is a burden for those dual
nationals. There's no question about it and it will impact them almost immediately although it wasn't exactly clear, you know, whether there might
be some period of time in the next couple of days in which people can still come through.
It also obviously as you said in the intro is impacting people who have traveled to those four countries.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAYYEM: But there are exceptions for people like journalists, humanitarian aid workers and others who can show that they were in Syria, Iraq, or Iran
for you know essentially business purposes.
[15:45:13]
GORANI: But you know some of these dual nationals are saying how is this fair?
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GORANI: I mean, Iran and Syria consider European passport holders to be dual national if their father was born in one of those countries, Iran or
Syria. It's not their choice. They probably were never born or some of them never visited Iran or Syria. And now they're being they say viewed with
suspicion and having to go through all these extra steps to get to the U.S. So why were these rules put in place then?
KAYYEM: So these rules were put in place after the Paris attacks when there was a very large political response, a reminding everyone that in the
United States the reaction was very strong to stop a lot of travel. It was the Syrian refugee debate and other debates that you heard in the United
States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAYYEM: The administration I think tried to take a deep breath and say, look, we will look at the Visa Waiver Program and figure out whether
there's categories of people or categories of travel that might reduce the risk to the United States.
I know, everyone knows it's over inclusive and somewhat unfair. Most of these distinctions are in security and I think - and I know that the
department is going to assess how it's working.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYYEM: But you're hearing the criticisms from Europe already, which is if we have a system, we have to treat everyone the same. So there's -- you
know, I think the complaints are fair. I'm just trying to explain sort of what the rationale was here in the United States.
GORANI: No, absolutely. And then if Europe retaliates you have to whole new situation. Juliette Kayyem, thanks very much we really appreciate your time
explaining this to us.
Let's get more now on this from Ted Lieu, he's a Democratic congressman from California. He joins me now from Los Angeles. Congressman, thanks for
being with us. So you initially voted for the budget bill that included this provision to change the Visa Waiver Program. After thinking about it
though, you turned against this particular decision to change the rules. Why did you change your mind?
TED LIEU, DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN, CALIFORNIA: Yes. I didn't change my mind. There are both positive and negative aspects to this bill. It strengthens
the U.S. Visa Waiver Program by requiring electronic, tamper resistant passports reporting within 24 hours if the past port is lost and screening
against an Interpol database.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIEU: But the law is not perfect. And it does also discriminate against people who are dual nationals based on their place of birth. So I signed on
to a letter saying to the administration we hope that when you implement your rules you will define dual nationals in such a way so that if people
were born, for example, in Iran, and they now live in London that they are not discriminated against.
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LIEU: So this is a law that I believe was needed but it does have provisions that I think should be fixed.
GORANI: And so you think it's discriminatory, this law?
LIEU: Parts of it are. That is correct. And that's why I signed on to a letter and (inaudible) administration hopefully when they implement the
rules because the law doesn't really define dual national specifically.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIEU: And it's our hope the administration will define it in such a way that they will not discriminate against someone based simply on their
ancestry. But rather based on whether they traveled to a country that has been a state sponsor of terrorism.
GORANI: Right. It would be helpful to get a definition of dual nationals because as you may know, Iran and Syria consider citizens of any European
country whose father happens to be born in Iran or Syria to be de facto nationals. These are individuals who may not even have been born in Iran or
Syria.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Is it your understanding that even they will not have to apply for visas to travel to the U.S.?
LIEU: It would depend on how the administration implements its rules. And that's why I signed on to a letter urging the administration to implement
the rules so that someone is not discriminated based on their ancestry but rather based on their actions if they did, in fact, travel to one of the
state sponsors or terrorism countries. I also am urging that there be additional exemptions for journalists such as yourself and medical
researchers who do aid work in these countries.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, I would say about 90% of international correspondents at CNN have traveled to one of those four countries if they've done any reporting
in the last five years. Certainly asking them to apply for a visa each time would be extremely burdensome.
But let me ask you about what might happen in the future. It's not just what the United States is deciding to do, it's that Europe is now and other
Visa Waiver Program countries are now perfectly entitled to say, fine, you're going to discriminate against our citizens, we'll discriminate
against yours. Any American who has a dual nationality has to now apply to a visa to go to Europe. And there you have a bigger problem on your hands.
Are you concerned that might happen?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIEU: Yes. That's why I signed on to a letter urging the administration when they implement their rules again to not discriminate against citizens
based on their place of birth, but rather actions that they have taken.
[15:50:07]
LIEU: Now, keep in mind, this is still, in my opinion, a better law in terms of strengthening the U.S. Visa Waiver Program but it does need
refinements. And it's clearly a better solution than what congress initially tried to do which is to ban all Syrian refugees, for example,
from entering the United States. That to me made no sense whatsoever.
GORANI: So do you think, very quickly, to end this, do you think that there will be a revision to these new changed rules or not?
LIEU: I hope the administration will do the rules in such a way so that they define dual nationals to not discriminate against people based on
their place of birth. And if the administration doesn't do that then I'm going to urge legislation to fix that provision of the law.
GORANI: Ted Lieu, Congressman Ted Lieu in California. Thanks very much for joining us on CNN. We appreciate your time this evening -
LIEU: Thank you.
GORANI: -- and for answering some questions many of our viewers have regarding this story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Coming up, they are America's new political power couple; Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and the ever controversial
Sarah Palin. CNN's Don Lemon asks Trump about this endorsement coming up. We'll be right back.
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GORANI: In U.S. politics everyone is talking about the it couple of the moment. Republican front-runner Donald Trump and his newest big name
supporter Sarah Palin. After a joint campaign appearance in Oklahoma, Trump spoke to our Don Lemon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What was it like with Sarah Palin on the campaign trail for the first time?
DONALD TRUMP, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We had to send away 5,000 people. You saw the arena today, I hope you saw the arena.
LEMON: I did - I did it was full.
TRUMP: But it was massive. It was like a -- it was incredible.
LEMON: There was no negotiating over, you know, if she would join your campaign, nothing?
TRUMP: And she will work with the campaign probably but I mean in terms of if I win will she want a job or some kind of thing, zero. Absolutely not
even discussed. And I mean, it's frankly very impressive that she doesn't discuss it. But every one of the candidates wanted her endorsement. And in
particular, Ted Cruz who right now is having tremendous difficulty. I mean he's got a loan problem where as you know he didn't on his financial
disclosure form, he didn't list that he borrowed a lot of money from Goldman Sachs and from Citibank. That's a big thing. This country needs
help. It needs leadership Don, and it needs it fast. And Ted is not the right guy. Hasn't got the temperament. Hasn't -- I mean, look, everybody
dislikes him. I mean he's a nasty guy that everybody dislikes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: There you have it. Some analysts have questioned how much Trump will gain from having Palin's endorsement at all. Kyung Lah has that
story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KYUNG LAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Day two of a political marriage made in sound bite heaven.
SARAH PALIN: Kick ISIS' ass!
LAH: It's not so much what Palin says, it's what's what she brings, says Christian Ferry, the deputy campaign manager for McCain/Palin very sought
in 2008.
CHRISTIAN FERRY, DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR McCAIN/PAIN 2008:They went from having rallies of 8,000 people to 15, 20, 30, even 40,000-person
rallies after Sarah Palin joined the ticket.
LAH: And she continues to fascinate. Ferry calls Palin's endorsement the difference maker in 2010 when Nikki Haley rand ran for governor and Ted
Cruz as he won his senate seat. But now for Trump?
[15:55:07]
FERRY: What are we not talking about? we're not talking about Jeb Bush. We're not talking about Chris Christie. We're not talking about Marco Rubio
and we're not talking about Ted Cruz. And that is really I think the big deal out of all of this for Donald Trump is he, again, has found a way to
dominate the news cycle for multiple days.
LAH: The reality T.V. star turned politician finding traction in a politician turned reality T.V. star. In 2009 Palin resigned of Governor as
Alaska and entered the land of entertainment.
PALIN: Don't retreat. Just reload.
LAH: Sarah Palin's "Alaska" aired on TLC in 2010 canceled after one season. A second show followed.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Where are you heading?
PALIN: Somewhere amazing.
LAH: "Amazing America" on the sportsman channel. Since her vice presidential run Palin helped pen three books earning millions in the
process. She hit the speaker circuit pulling in a reported 100,000 an event. She joined Fox News as commentator and was featured parody on
"Saturday Night Live"."
PALIN: And I can see Russia from my house.
LAH: The Palin name so potent her daughter Bristol got her own reality T.V. show about being a single mom.
Even Levi Johnson, the father of Bristol's first baby made a few books, and some nuts.
Her evangelical more entranced by Palin's promises to shake up the establishment than family trouble. And today the Conservative crowd once
again embracing Palin as she addressed her son's arrest this week for assault calling it the effects of PTSD after serving in Iraq.
PALIN: When my own son is going through what he goes through coming back --
LAH: So where does Palin go from here? Well the 2008 McCain/Palin deputy campaign manager says his advice, get her on the road as much as possible.
Kyung Lah, CNN, Los Angeles.
GORANI: And we want to let you know about a big event coming up CNN's Chris Cuomo moderates a town hall with the Democratic candidates, Tuesday at 2:00
a.m. in London, 3:00 a.m. central European time and we will replay the full thing at noon in London. Noon London time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: This has been "The World Right Now," thanks for watching, I'm Hala Gorani "Quest Means Business" is next.
END
