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Hala Gorani Tonight
White House Hosting French Pres. Macron and His Wife; Former Classmate Toronto Suspect Was Anti-social; Israel Warns Against Iran's Role In Syrian War; First Statue Of A Woman In London's Parliament Square; Aired 3-4p ET
Aired April 24, 2018 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:42]
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: A very good evening, everyone. Live from CNN London, I'm Issa Soares sitting in for Hala Gorani.
Tonight, pomp ceremony and a lot of handshakes at the White House as President Trump and Emmanuel Macron meet. Well, what they say Iran that
really has people talking?
And they will soon attend a state dinner carefully organized by Melania Trump. So, what goes into such a big event. I'll speak to someone who
knows all about them.
And speaking of fine dining, we now have a list of carefully selected food that will be served at the historic Korean summit this week.
We begin this hour with a very busy day in Washington as Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron are making headlines with talk of a new deal on Iran. Now,
the U.S. and the French president spoke to reporters about an hour or so ago.
And their close relationship you can see there very apparent as they discussed a range of global challenges. Mr. Macron said they agreed to
work on a new agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program. Later clarifying, he wants to add to the existing deal. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON, FRANCE (through translator): For a number of months, I have been saying that these was not a sufficient deal, but that
it unable this at least until 2025 to have some control over their nuclear activities. We therefore wish from now on to work on a new deal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, for his part, Mr. Trump is leaving the door open to what he has promised to do all along and that's tear up what he calls an insane
agreement. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: There is a chance, and nobody knows what I am going to do on the 12th, although Mr.
President, you have a pretty good idea, but we'll see. But we will see also, if I do what some people expect whether or not it will be possible to
do a new deal with solid foundations because this is a deal with decayed foundations. It is a bad deal. It's a bad structure. It's falling down.
It should have never ever been made.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, at that press conference, Mr. Trump also gave Iran a direct warning saying if it threatens the United States in any way, you will,
quote, "pay a price like few countries have ever paid."
We are joined now by CNN Cyril Vanier at the White House and White House reporter, Stephen Collinson. Gentlemen, thank you to you both for joining
me here.
I want to begin with you if I may because we heard President Macron say recently, basically there was no Plan B when it came to Iran deal. So,
explain to us what has changed because I know we are not talking about a new deal, but perhaps a supplemental deal. Is that correct?
CYRIL VANIER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Isa, I am glad you asked that question because you are absolutely right, Mr. Macron was saying not that
long ago there is no Plan B, but what we saw him doing during that press conference was exactly that, start preparing a Plan B in the event that the
Iran nuclear deal is torn apart.
Now, both leaders were saying that they are keeping their cards close their chest. As to whether or not this deal will remain a reality past May 12,
but we got a number of hints as to what might actually be happening.
And consider this, during a press conference, Mr. Macron said that the Iran -- that he and Mr. Trump still have a disagreement on the Iran nuclear
deal. We know that Mr. Trump before going into the meeting wanted to rip it up so that would suggest that has not changed.
Mr. Trump acknowledged that if the deal that he may get a chance to perhaps negotiate a much bigger, much better deal. So, he is already thinking of
the future in which he is going to redo this.
The last clue we got, and I do not believe that this was intentional on the part of the French president was the first time he mentioned the Iran
nuclear deal, he spoke about it in the past tense -- Isa.
SOARES: Yes, I will come back to you because I want to talk about perhaps is this a strategy from Macron. But Stephen, earlier today in the oval
office, we had President Trump called it a terrible deal and saying ridiculous.
In fact, he actually said it should never been made, but during the presser, about an hour or so, his language was slightly softer. He
basically said we have a great shot at a new agreement in like he said we need to show flexibility.
So, my question is this, did Macron bring him back to the fold? Did the whispering worked?
[15:05:08] STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: I think is quite possible that President Trump to hold two completely contradictory
positions within the space of a few hours. We've seen that repeatedly. Any other president, a conventional president, you would think, well,
perhaps something went on in that meeting which changed his mind.
I do not think experience tells us that we can do not necessarily with Trump. I think is possible that Macron made a very persuasive presentation
to the president. I think the Europeans can walk away from the meeting with genuine hopes that the president has decided that he will sign on to
some kind of supplemental agreement, which would talk about missiles, Iran's behavior in the region, perhaps add sanctions, European sanctions to
those agreements.
So, that he -- the president could present the deal -- this is a new deal and avoid tearing out the old deal, which would carryon and that's what
Macron wants. So, I think is possible as an elegant diplomatic solution that could emerge.
Having said that, Macron will be out of here on Thursday. Trump will be around all of those hawkish people, his National Security Council who were
against this deal. So, I do not think necessary that any agreement done now will necessarily hold until the beginning of May.
SOARES: Very good point. Of course, we got Chancellor Merkel also visiting. But Cyril, let's go back to the first point you were making. I
wonder how much this is about semantics. Is this about making President Trump feel great again, making him feel like he's leading the process when
in fact this was a strategy by Macron all along.
VANIER: Well, I'm not sure it's about making the American president feel great. I think honestly that had to do more with making the French
president feel great because Mr. Trump did not budge from his original position.
He said before the press conference and after the press conference that this was a terrible insane ridiculous deal, so he doesn't seem to have
budge it all. Whereas Mr. Macron was asked the hardest question of all by a French journalist who asked him, look, you have been cultivating this
friendship, this relationship with President Trump for the better part of the year.
And what has it gotten you? Has it put you in a better position to defend French and European interests. There is no proof that it has, but, of
course, the French president was -- had to address that question and quite honestly, he was playing defense.
And I think that is what we saw during the press conference. He was essentially saying that that was my reading of it. But if we do have to
move to a Plan B, which would be a renegotiation and overhaul of the Iran deal, then that would be consistent with what he has been saying all along
that you have to add to the current deal. I do think that Mr. Macron is -- there are some amount of face saving going on.
SOARES: Yes, there was so much reading between the lines, isn't it? That you can really interpret in so many different ways and it's why perhaps my
interpretation so different from yours, of course. But Stephen, we had President Trump warn that if Iran threatens the U.S., they will pay a price
like they have never seen. What is he referring to here? What kind of price is he referring to here?
COLLINSON: I mean, I think it's very difficult to look at statement and not believe he was talking about potential military actions should Iran
decide that it wants to pull out of the deal if the U.S. doesn't start enriching uranium again.
That does not mean this necessary going to happen, but we know that is what the president believes if he was on the cusp of perhaps making a
concession. That is the kind of language he might sort of talk about to save his own face.
The one question about all this when everyone is talking about a new deal or whatever it is. You know, the chances of Iran and Russia and China, the
signatures this deal agreeing to open it and start a new deal.
Whatever Mr. Trump says is very unlikely. So, it's all going to be in the diplomatic semantics of what the president can say he has achieved, but
Macron can say he's achieved, but you know, on the issue where the deal gets renegotiated, that is not going to happen.
SOARES: Yes. Right now, they seemed to be selling it their own way, don't they? Stephen Collinson, thank you very much as well. We'll be joined by
Cyril Vanier there for us in Washington. Thank you to you, Gentlemen.
So, President Macron says France and the U.S. want to work on a new Iran deal. But, of course, other countries as Stephen was mentioning there are
involved in that agreement just as well.
Here is a quick reminder exactly how many players are on this. Iran and six world powers signed the deal in 2015 up to years of negotiations. The
six countries include the U.S., U.K., Russia, France, China as well as Germany.
Now the deal with some crippling economic tensions on Iran in exchange for a curb on its Nuclear Program. Donald Trump has set a May 12th deadline
for changes in the agreement to address what he consider it plausible we've been hearing. He's always threatening as we've heard today to walk away.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: Well, Iran, for its part has said it will not accept any changes to the agreement, insisting no party can just pick and choose which path to
keep or trash. Let's see what the reaction is in Tehran tonight. We are joined by Ramin Mostaghim, a Tehran correspondent for the "L.A. Times".
So, as you probably heard me talking to our correspondents that the reason a new deal, but a supplemental deal. The question is simple, will Iran buy
this?
RAMIN MOSTAGHIM, REPORTER, "LOS ANGELES TIMES": There is no option for Iran except buying it or somehow negotiating about the added-up agreement
with America, with five plus one. I mean, Iran is talking in very bad economy situations.
And apart from (inaudible) or something that, a nuclear deal is a done deal for Iran, negotiate in bad channels I think. But the problem is,
unpredictability of the Trump administration. That is detrimental to Iranian interest because they cannot decide what would be the next step and
what is predictable behavior.
So, Iran is ready and there is no option for pulling from the nuclear deal and withdrawing from the nuclear dealing (inaudible) actions and Iran is
ready between the line gives the hint that is ready to negotiate.
There is some mutual respect. They insist on that, but the problem is that Iranian side cannot decide what is the next step and what predictable
behavior, and that is very detrimental to Iranian interest.
SOARES: I mean, that's not we've been hearing in the last 24 to 48 hours. We've had very strong rhetoric from Iran basically saying this is the only
deal. There is no other deal. So, how will they interpret what they heard today coming from that White House press conference.
MOSTAGHIM: It was the shame. Before the nuclear deal, there because there's lot of ranting and rhetoric from Iranian side, Americans side too.
But this rhetoric supposed to be wrong. I mean, in diplomacy especially whenever Iran and America are involved, we should be able to read between
lines.
This is (inaudible). It's obvious that both sides are threatening and exchanging rhetoric, but it doesn't mean anything. If Iran had to accept
to negotiate a nuclear deal and made a deal, and for the same reasons Iran has to negotiate further to make sure that the nuclear deal is committed
and is implements until the end.
Because is no option for Iran. So, Iran is ready, but the problem is American administration does not know what to do and as you have seen,
President Trump has different attitudes on different days. Once he wants to do something, just a confrontation. Next day, flexible, so what can you
do with this negotiator?
SOARES: Yes. I mean, we heard -- I think we heard one of the Iranian foreign minister, (inaudible), who I believe in New York he said they are
renegotiating the 2015 nuclear deal, in his words, will open a Pandora's box. How do you interpret that in terms of the relationship between U.S.
and Iran?
MOSTAGHIM: Mr. Sarif (ph) giving hint that other issues like missiles, regional issues is Pandora box. We cannot open it, but the problem is that
even in that (inaudible), America does not want to sit on the negotiating table with Iran.
Iran is ready to talk about it. I mean, gauge the hinge. Under the (inaudible), nuclear (inaudible) finalize -- lots of secret negotiations.
So, it should be -- I mean, for added (inaudible) or supplementary agreement. This is no other way but back channels.
Iran is ready for the back channels. America should be ready for back channels. Otherwise, it's very detrimental for every side of the
negotiation and every side of the deal.
SOARES: Well, we shall see what we hear from Iran the next 24 hours. Like you said, perhaps more rhetoric, this diplomatic dance will go on much
longer. Thanks very much, Ramin Mostaghim there from -- reporter from "L.A. Times." Thanks, Rahim.
Now, we want to switch gears and update you on what's happening on Wall Street. We have seen a bit of a move -- sudden move when it comes to Dow
Jones Industrial Average. Down 441 at one point in the day. The Dow is more than 600 points or so.
Let's get straight to the man who can answer all these questions -- business questions. Richard Quest live for us in New York. Richard,
what's the reason for this sudden -- this sharp drop?
[15:15:11] RICHARD QUEST, CNN ANCHOR, "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS": Well, I think if you look at the graph, you'll see that sort of -- the market
gains, then goes into reverse 10:30, 11:00 this morning. There's no obvious reason. For instance, the earnings numbers were good but not
brilliant.
Caterpillar did come out with a statement that said their earnings wouldn't get better. The big earth moving machinery company said it will be
affected by the trade and the steel tariffs. That would crimp profits. That took the market lower.
Then you have the technical business of the ten-year U.S. bond hitting 3 percent for the first time in more than five years. When the market -- the
market knew that the bond was s the rate at which the U.S. government pays interest, was getting towards 3 percent and was going to get there sooner
rather than later.
But seeing it and experiencing it and then asking yourself what are the implications and where to next, that's why you are seeing the market -- I
would describe the market not in collapse, not in catastrophe. I would describe this as disgruntled and unhappy.
SOARES: It's disgruntled and unhappy. I believe it's a fifth or sixth day of a drop we have seen, it? I'm sure you will be keeping an eye on it on
"QUEST MEANS BUSINESS." Richard Quest there for us from New York. Good to see you, Richard.
QUEST: Top of the hour.
SOARES: Still to come tonight, police say an attack in Toronto was no act of terror. What they say about the 25-year-old they are charging with
murder.
First, food diplomacy, as North and South Korea prepare for historic talks, we look at what's on the menu at a meeting of the nation's two leaders and
frankly, why it matters. Both of those stories for you next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Now U.S. President Donald Trump is insistent. He says that Washington made no concessions with Pyongyang ahead of talks with Kim Jong-
un. No word yet on exactly when or where that would take place, but in the meantime, North and South Korea have been busy preparing for their own
landmark summit, the meeting between the leaders is fast approaching.
Paula Hancocks has all the details now from Seoul.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're a few days away from that North/South Korean summit that the South Korean president, Moon
Jae-in has called a guidepost, a stepping stone to the next summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. We have been hearing from White House
officials.
Press Secretary Sarah Sanders saying the U.S. is not naive in this process. They won't make the same mistakes the previous administrations have made,
something we have heard before.
Also hearing from the White House that they're not going to make any concessions until Kim Jong-u does show that he is going to dismantle the
nuclear and missile program. So, the final preparations now ongoing for the meeting on Friday.
[15:20:08] We know there will be rehearsals over the next couple of days with both North and South Korean officials to make sure that everything
goes smoothly. They appreciate it's an historic summit. It's the first time a North Korean and South Korean leaders in more than decade, but it's
going to be time that a North Korea leader crosses the border into South Korea.
For that occasion, they will let five Korean journalists cross the can capture that moment. We're told this will be broadcast live with a
welcoming ceremony. The meeting won't be broadcast live. You have the menu, well thought out. The food sourced not only from the town of the
South Korean president but the two previous presidents, who met the late Kim Jong-il.
The father of the current leader, Kim Jong-Un. There' going to be cold buckwheat noodles from North Korea. They're bringing a chef and the
machine to make those noodles. So, clearly, a lot of thought has gone into this trying to show an even keel between the two Koreas. So, the
preparations are ongoing as both sides appreciate that this is an historic moment. Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: As you heard, Paula mentioned there, food is playing a major part in this diplomatic breakthrough. Here is a closer look at exactly what is
on the menu. We know there will be Korean-style Swiss potato. It is (inaudible) to Kim Jong-un's younger days when in fact he studied abroad in
Switzerland.
Also, roasted dalgogi, it's a populist seafood dish. It's from the Southern South Korean city of Busan where President Moon Jae-in spent his
childhood. And then steam red snapper and catfish. Catfish is eaten throughout the Korean peninsula during feasts. It looks delicious.
Then there's the Pyongyang cold soup with buckwheat noodles, and a boiled egg. Ans. The dish from North Korea's star chef will no doubt be more
impressive than what we could get here in London. This is not plastic. It does, in fact, move.
We turn now to the U.S. where a former president has been rushed to the hospital just a day after his wife was laid to rest. A family spokesman
says George W. Bush says he is suffering to an infection that spread to his blood. The (inaudible) is quite serious.
And of course, it comes on the heels of a memorial of his wife of more than seven decades, Barbara Bush. A source says the family had been worried
about how he would take her loss.
A spokesman says he is in intensive care at a Houston hospital. Ed Lavandera is right outside. Ed, how is the former president doing? What
more can you tell us about his condition?
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We do know that according to a source close to the president, he was admitted here Sunday morning into this
hospital in Houston, just hours after burying his wife of 73, Barbara Bush, as the presidential library, a two-hour drive from this hospital.
We know when he arrived here Sunday morning, it was a very difficult day, very frightening in many ways. We're told by a source close to the family
that there were a number of times where it appeared that it might not be possible for the 93-year-old former president to survive this blood
infection.
There was some very scary moments here on Sunday. Now we are told late yes and into today as well that a spokesperson for the president is saying that
the former president is beginning to respond better to the medication and the treatment here.
He is alert. He is awake and talking and is even starting to feel he is determined to be able to spend his summer in Maine. Anyone around the
world who has followed the Bush family over the last few decades, that is where they have a summer home up in the state of Maine in the northeastern
part of the United States.
It's a treasured place for the Bush family. A place where they have spent many summers over the decades. That is a place that is very dear to the
heart of the former president. Spokesman, he is talking about determined to get healthy so he could make that trip.
SOARES: It's a very good sign, Ed. But with his age, his health and this infection, this becomes even more serious. Doesn't it?
LAVANDERA: There's no question. We understand that this is a very volatile situation for President George H.W. Bush. He has been in and out
of the hospital a number of times over the last few years. He suffers from a form of Parkinson's as well.
[15:25:08] So, he is unable to walk. He depends on the wheelchair and a scooter to move around. There's a great number of complications that he
faces. As we have seen, things can turn dramatically for the better or worse rather quickly. The doctors and those closest to him are fully aware
of that and paying very close attention to that.
That's one of the things that they're most worried about and as the last notice we have, he is still here in this intensive care unit. No word on
whether he could or would be moved out of the situation and allowed to go back home. We still haven't gotten any updates on that part.
GORANI: Ed Lavandera there for us. Do keep us posted. Thanks very much.
All this coming a week or so before the funeral of his wife. In that funeral, George H.W. Bush described his wife as the most beloved woman in
the world. One day later, he was fighting respondent says the timing may be no coincidence. Sanjay Gupta has more now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: People think of this as a more anecdotal story, and they are. There has been some science around
what is known as broken heart syndrome, first of all. That's a syndrome where in response to some devastating loss, like what the president
suffered here, the body releases all sorts of different chemicals into the bloodstream and can a direct impact on the heart.
Can cause the heart to become weaken and fail. So that's a tangible representation of this loss. There's also a tangible sort of impact on the
immune system. Your immune system, again, being able to fight these types of infections on your own, that's what we do all the time when you are
healthy, and you are not suffering a loss like this.
But your immune system can also become weakened in the wake of a loss like this. That again could take what may have been a minor infection and
amplify it, allow it to spread.
SOARES: Of course, we will keep an eye on the developments with former President George H.W. Bush.
Still to come tonight, the leaders of France and U.S. meet under pomp and circumstance. It's Melania Trump who is actually stealing spotlight.
We'll tell you how.
And in just a few hours' time, Mr. and Mrs. Trump host their first state dinner. We have the details of the event that's been months in the making.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Welcome back. Let's take you to our top story. The leaders of two of the most powerful countries in the world meet amid (inaudible) and a
flurry of flags, lots of handshakes and hugs. But at the center of it all, the event's crowning glory, if you will, is a power hat that's turning
heads. The First Lady's white wide-brimmed Michael Kors hat set off an outfit which cost over $2,000. As the Trumps greeted their French
counterparts with the station review of the troops.
Let's get over to where the monumental meeting between leaders is happening. CNN's White House reporter, Kate Bennett is in Washington.
Kate, with all the pomp and circumstance happening, the First Lady, Melania Trump really was able to steal the show, wasn't she? And really turn heads
in that phenomenal white outfit which really stood out in what was a very cloudy day in Washington. How would you say her outfit have presence and
more importantly her role in this state visit is being received?
KATE BENNETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: I think quite well. This is a First Lady that, quite frankly, we don't hear from a lot. We see her quite
a bit but we don't often hear from her. So she least sort of these look to these non-verbal cues. And I always say covering her, as I do for CNN, she
certainly doesn't do anything by chance or accident. So I think she must have known walking out in this white Michael Kors suit and the hat was
actually, we've learned custom-made by one of her personal stylist, Herve Pierre, to match the suit. She knew what she was doing, so to speak, that
all eyes would be on her. And I have to say, her outfit has really won the headlines. We're not talking so much about the speech the president gave.
People are really chatting about this hat. And she's very calculated in that sense. And I think she's become something of a fashion icon here in
America in the sense that people think that she's really touched upon classiness, a very fashion forward ability to sort of be charming and this
compassionate, softer side of a fairly broskin (ph) straightforward and bullish president. So In that way, people are paying attention.
And tonight's dinner, I have to say is a very big event for her. This is sort of her on the global stage. She's very much taken the runs of this
dinner for the past several months, has been planning it. Didn't hire an outside event planning firm as is often the case in these sorts of events.
Took everything on herself. And I've got a sneak peek of the room last night and it looks beautiful. And very simple and traditional in its own
way. But a lot of gold which I think --
SOARES: Tell me what you saw, Kate. We're looking at some of the pictures from inside the room. What did you see when you visited?
BENNETT: So certainly the state dining room where this dinner is being held is much more intimate. About 13 or so tables can fit in here. So
it'll be a smaller guest list in that sense. The China that we're looking at is the Clinton China, actually. Ironically, which is very gilded and
sort of feels gold and Trumpian in its own way. Everything was gold. The candlesticks, the salt and pepper shakers, the glassware is gold-rimmed.
The menus were, you know, gold touches on those as well. It's interesting to me. She's nodding to the Clintons with the China, she's using herbs the
menu from the White House kitchen garden which, of course, Michelle Obama started during her tenure. There's glassware from the Bush administration.
She's really done her homework.
And I think that it reflects -- maybe what the First Lady is trying to do in being inclusive and nodding to history. Certainly something that's
different for this administration, from the other side of the building, so to speak. This room feels very intimate and very traditional and as though
she's studied up on what people might want to see in their first Trump state dinner.
SOARES: Yes. And this is really her first test in many ways. Isn't it?
But let's talk about the First Lady's role in terms of -- in terms of diplomacy. We've seen today both President Trump and President Macron
forge a very strong friendship, at least with all the handshakes and the smiling and the hugs. What is Melania's role when it comes to diplomacy?
What can she do, Kate, to influence politics but also keep that political friendship alive?
BENNETT: I think quite a bit. We've seen her most sort of come to life, I think, when she's been abroad. This is a woman who's an American
immigrant. She's from Slovenia. She spent time in Paris, actually, as a model in her younger years, in Milan also. She speaks multiple languages.
I think it works very well for her to sort of cross these diplomatic lines. I was with the First Lady and Mrs. Macron today at the museum here in
Washington. The two took a tour of a Cezanne exhibit and they very much seemed to like each other. They sort of chitchatted back and forth. I
couldn't quite hear if Mrs. Trump was speaking French to her or not. Certainly, they were engaged and interesting -- interested in the artwork.
And it seems to me that, again, Melania Trump is very comfortable in this role with international diplomatic people and visitors. She's typically
always with the president when there is a foreign leader who comes to the White House, whether that's greeting the person on the lawn with him or
even sitting in the oval office for few minutes, for a photo opportunity. She's certainly is doing something that the previous first lady didn't
necessarily do with all of these visits to the White House.
[15:35:11] I think again it's Melania Trump finding her footing in a way amidst lots of headlines involving her husband, trying to interject
herself, maybe show a softer, more compassionate side of this administration.
SOARES: Yes. She's definitely making a mark, not just -- because we'll see what the state dinner will be liked today but definitely, Kate, with
that outfit. One point I remember it was trending online, I think it was number one that hat, many comparing it to Beyonce hat. But she did look
absolutely phenomenal in that white outfit. It's not the first time, I believe, that she's wore white.
Kate Bennett, thank you very much. Always great to get your insight on this. Thank you.
BENNETT: Thank you.
SOARES: Now, as mentioned, the First Lady has been at the helm of a dinner party of epic proportion as Kate was just saying, planning for today's
state dinner began, in fact, months ago with attention to detail that takes a team of 10. But the event is about far more than dining. In fact, you
can see them on that tweet, Melania Trump has been talking, been showing us exactly the details that she's been looking at with her team and we make
sure that it's perfection tonight.
Let's get more on this. Former White House social secretary under President Clinton, Capricia Marshall has walked in thick of the East Wing.
We're expecting -- she's with us now. Capricia, thank you very much for joining us from Washington.
You worked in the East Wing. You know the amount of work and detail involved in hosting a state dinner. Give us a sense of the importance of
this. What should we be looking out for? Basically not just a woman preparing a dinner. This is much more.
CAPRICIA MARSHAL, FORMER U.S. CHIEF OF PROTOCOL: Absolutely this is much more. This is the highest honor that the president can bestow. The
highest invitation that he can extend to a visiting president, prime minister, king and queen. So there are some really high stakes that come
with this invitation. Months of planning go into a state visit and state dinner. The moment that the president extends the invitation, thousands of
people go to work in various departments within White House, at the state department and various other agencies to plan perfectly this visit. And
there is a lot that is on the shoulders of the first lady.
SOARES: And of course, this is -- I mean, we're talking about 15 months into the Trump presidency, this is the first state dinner. It is of
course, like you're saying which is a big moment for lady -- of the First lady, Melania Trump who until now has kept a little profile than many of
the predecessors. How do you think she would differ from the other first ladies when it comes to hosting events like this?
MARSHALL: Well, I know that she has a phenomenal team, but she has brought in to assist her. She has a top shelf social secretary, Rickie Niceta is
amazing. Many of us who are in the former White House social secretaries have known her because of her work with occasions catering. As well her
chief of staff is fantastic.
She also helped in hiring one of my former positions, the White House chief of protocol as well, so she's getting in Sean Lawler. She's getting some
really great advisers around her to help her navigate these very own stressful, high level engagements.
SOARES: You know, we're looking at footage of her today. She looks absolutely phenomenal in that white outfit and that hat. But if we can
just show our viewers the footage of where the state dinner will be. It looks extremely lavish with those kind of golden ring plates. Talk to us a
bit, Capricia, in terms of if there had been any mishaps, let's say, when it comes to dinners. What are the no-nos when it comes to hosting
something like this?
MARSHALL: Well, I congratulate her on her color selection. I think the cream in the state dining room is really lovely. And I'm very excited that
she is using the Clinton China as the base plate, because I assisted then first lady, Hillary Clinton in the selection of this China with the White
House Historical Association that celebrated the 200th anniversary of the White House. Additionally, she is using, as I understand, the Bush White
House China which is a pale green and so those colors will look really exquisite in the state dining room. She's also using pieces of the vermeil
collection. The vermeil collection is historic to the White House. There are approximately 1,600 pieces of the vermeil collection that was given to
then first lady, Mamie Eisenhower, and they are cherished pieces. So she's really drawn in a variety of pieces that she's going to be highlighting the
history of this White House and also some former first ladies' contributions to this White House.
[15:40:20] SOARES: And what do you think -- what do you think of the menu? The (INAUDIBLE) I know it's meant to pay tribute to American traditions
with nuances they set a French influences. I've got a list here. It includes -- it begins with a course of goat cheese gateau, tomato jam,
buttermilk biscuits and greens from the White House kitchen garden. The main course includes lamb, Cipollini Soubise and Carolina gold rice
Jambalaya. To finish it off, so Macron's will be treated to a nectarine tart with creme fraiche ice cream. Do you think that will do it? Are you
happy with that?
MARSHALL: I think it sounds delicious. And again, I am thrilled that it was in collaboration with White House top chef, Cris Comerford. She's a
dear friend and someone that I worked closely with, again, when I worked in the Clinton and Obama White House. She was hired in 1995 and then
promoted, the first woman promoted to White House chef in 2005 by president and Mrs. Obama and I know that she put a lot of thought into this menu and
the presentations that she offered to Mrs. Trump and so I congratulate Mrs. Trump on her selection.
It is a -- this menu celebrates the best of America. The lamb sounds divine. With a nod towards those French influences as you say, the gateau,
the wine selection. All of it. There's just a little hint, a little nod to our vesting dignitary and very --
SOARES: That nectarine tart with creme fraiche and ice cream sounds delicious. Capricia Marshall, thank you very much for joining us and for
sharing some of your insights into what we'll see later on tonight. Thanks, Capricia, good to see you.
MARSHALL: Good to see you.
SOARES: But we know, of course, diplomacy is not all about dinner parties.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Now, President Trump and President Macron have been known to exchange some tough words, as you know. But is the tough talk just tough
love? There's been, well, no lack of handshakes, hugs even, and gestures of affection, throughout their relationship. You know what I mean? Have a
look. Social relationship.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We do have a very special relationship. In fact, I'll get that little piece of dandruff off. Little
piece. We have to make him perfect. He is perfect.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Oh, dear. That was great. That little clip was very good, very strong diplomatic friendship they have going on there.
Still to come tonight, the growing tensions between Israel and Iran. Why it looks more dangerous than ever? Tells us why. Just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:45:23] SOARES: Welcome back. You're watching HALA GORANI TONIGHT. It's 8:45 here in London. Now, a detective in Toronto Canada says just
minutes before a van plowed through crowds killing 10 people, their top suspect posted a cryptic message to Facebook. 25-year-old Alek Minassian
has been charged with 10 counts of first degree murder. And police have been knocking into his motive as they continue to comb the scene, as you
seen there. Well, in that Facebook post, the suspect appear to praise the man behind the 2014 attack when a California college campus. Investigators
believe that attacker was motivated by extremist, men's rights groups. And the classmate of the suspect says he was terrified of women.
Well, the city's mayor has just been speaking out about support for the families of those who were killed or even wounded. Alex Marquardt joins us
now from Toronto, Canada.
And, Alex, first of all, what is the mayor has been saying?
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, city officials, in general, had been -- they just gave a press conference in which they
updated what few details more they have on this investigation and thanking the response from the security services yesterday, encouraging people to go
about their normal lives. This is Yonge Street where the incident happened where the alleged attacker in the van drove for about a full kilometer.
You can see there's some people coming back to life and walking around. But what the police from Toronto just said was, you're asking anybody, any
businesses, any individuals to come forward as soon as they possibly can with any sort of eyewitness testimony or videos that they may have from
CCTV cameras outside of these businesses. They also asked for more time in this investigation as they look into the background of this what appears to
be deeply troubled young man.
They've also said that they need a little bit more time in terms of releasing the names of some of the victims. They want to make sure that it
is the first of kin the family who first learn of their deceased relatives.
But the big question that looms, Isa, of course is, what was the motive? What drove the -- this young man to commit this horrific crime? They very
quickly, yesterday, ruled out terrorism. They said this was not a national security incident. They did not change the terrorist threat level. But
one thing they did point to is you mentioned off the top there was this bizarre cryptic Facebook message that Alek Minassian is alleged to have
written just before carrying out this attack. He wrote, "All hail the supreme gentleman, Elliot Rodger."
Now, I assume many of your viewers, Isa, certainly hadn't heard of Elliot Rodger in a long time since 2014, when he carried out his attack in
California near the UC Santa Barbara campus. It was also a ramming attack as well as shooting and left some people six people dead. So police
officials are looking into any sort of inspirational links from that attack in 2014. Now, this attack yesterday ended in very dramatic fashion in a
standoff with the police in which the alleged attacker, Minassian asked to be killed, asked to be shot. I just want to show you some of that video.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on, get down. Get down. Get down
ALEK MINASSIAN, TORONTO VAN ATTACK SUSPECT: I have gun in my pocket.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't care. Get down.
MINASSIAN: I have gun in my pocket.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get down. Get down or you're going to get shot.
MINASSIAN: Shoot me in the head.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUARDT: So you can hear there, if you listen carefully, Alek Minassian asking to be shot in the head, asking to be killed. The police officer
there showing remarkable restraints not firing on the alleged attacker instead arresting him, handcuffing him without incident. Again, the
official -- the authorities here saying this was not a terror related incident though. Isa, when you look how this was carried out, this car in
the attack is something that we have seen replicated time and time again across Europe and cities like London, Nice and Berlin and then over here on
this side of the pond, as well in New York just last Halloween as well, Isa.
SOARES: Yes, of course. And you and I of course, we have covered way too many of those with incredibly vicious and senseless attack and police,
they're showing incredible restraint. Alex Marquardt there for us. Thank you in Toronto. Thanks very much, Alex.
Now, Israel's prime minister stepping up his warnings. The Iran's presence in Syria is a threat and in the time relief and Iran is responding with a
fiery rhetoric of its own. Our Oren Liebermann is live for us in Jerusalem with the story.
And, Oren, correct me if I'm wrong. But Israel's defense minister is leaving tonight I believe to United States. We're expecting to meet with
the U.S. secretary of defense, the new national security advisor, as well as others. And of course, many of as well know Israel has been a lot
louder a longtime critic of the Iran deal. So hoping to add pressure on President Trump to not be swayed by the whispers of President Macron
perhaps?
[15:50:16] OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think absolutely the trip of the defense minister here, Avigdor Lieberman, to the United States to
meet with secretary of defense, James Mattis, to meet with the new national security advisor, John Bolton, has to be seen as an extension of Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is lobbied against this deal from the very beginning with President Donald Trump's victor. He saw another opening
there. Yes, trump recertified the deal a few months back. This was again is another chance for Netanyahu who issued the statement just yesterday
saying, fix the deal or mix the deal, so exactly the opposite message we're hearing from the French president and from the other parties to the deal.
And all of this has to be viewed together. It's part of Israel's growing lobbying effort against the nuclear deal and Iran's presence in Syria.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIEBERMANN: Seven years into Syria's civil war, one subplot is emerging. When an Iranian drone entered Israeli airspace in February, it marked the
beginning of a new phase between Israel and Iran, two rivals vying a regional positioning.
Israel shot down the drone and struck the controlling base, losing an F-16 fighter jet to Syrian air defenses in the process. The exchange made one
thing clear, Israel and Iran are drawing closer.
A battle that used to be carried out through with proxies. Israel fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon has been replaced by near-direct confrontation. A
recent air strike in the Syrian T4 military base, a strike pinned on Israel killed seven Iranian nationals. Iran has vowed to respond.
HOSSEIN SALAMI, REVOLUTIONARY GUARD COMMUNICATOR (through translator): Listen and be aware. Any war that might happen, rest assure, will bring
about your disappearance. The smallest goal is your existence and there's no smaller objective than that. You can't handle the domino effect of
occupation when your citizens and soldiers escape. You have no escape route apart from falling into the sea.
LIEBERMANN: U.S.-led air strikes a few days later made a statement, the West wouldn't stand for Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons. Despite
Israeli leaders hailing strikes, security expert Amiram Levin says that's not how President Donald Trump's message was received.
AMIRAM LEVIN, SECURITY EXPERT: The attacks, the strike was too week and the effect was almost nothing. In other words he told Russia, he told
Assad, he told the Iranians, you can continue with your policy in Syria. You can continue to kill children, to kill innocent people as long as you
don't do it with chemical weapons --
LIEBERMANN: Israel views with growing alarm, Iran's presence in Syria. The country's leaders reiterating Israel's position, it will not allow Iran
to establish a military presence to Israel's north. In Syria's fog of war, Israel sees a chance to act.
AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN, ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): I know one thing for certain we will not allow the Iranians to base themselves in
Syria and there will be a price for that. We have no other choice. To agree to an Iranian presence in Syria is agreeing to the fact that the
Iranians will put a noose around our necks.
LIEBERMANN: Syria is a fractured country but even in its shifting sands, Iran and Israel have drawn their red lines.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Analysts say the rivalry between Israel and Iran is essentially entered a new phase now where they're much more willing to confront each other
directly even if that means a very open confrontation that could spread throughout the region.
Isa, we have seen Iran and Israel confront each before it has deescalated in the past. The question, will it do it now or that certainly not the
direction it's moving at the moment.
SOARES: Oren Liebermann there for us in Jerusalem. Thanks very much, Oren. Really good to see you.
We'll have much more news after a very short break. Do stay right here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:55:46] SOARES: Now, for the very first time, the statue of a woman is occupying London's parliament square about time too. The likeness of
British feminist Millicent Fawcett was unveiled today. It was of thought for women's rights to vote in the early 20th century. And she also
campaigns the equal education. The statue joins 11 others including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. British Prime
Minister, Theresa May helped unveil the statue and have this to say about the feminist pioneer. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I would not be standing here today as prime minister, no female MPs would have taken their seats in parliament,
none of us would have had the rights and protections we now enjoy where it's not for one truly great woman, Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: About time that we have that structure too. Well, we'd like to announce that CNN has won a Peabody Award for coverage of the fall of ISIS
in Iraq, as well as Syria. Now, the Peabody board of journalist cited CNN corresponds right across key datelines as well we the use of technology
like the one you see like drones. And this is what they said. "In addition to courageous correspondents, this notable set of dramatic reports
provided fresh angles and the creative use of technology including the stunning drone footage that captured the size as well as the scope of
ruined neighborhoods."
We thank the Peabody for that award and we will continue and endeavor to keep covering the story out of Syria.
And that does it for us here tonight. Thank you very much for watching. Do stay right here with CNN "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" with Richard Quest is
next. We'll have more on the shop drops we saw, the Dow Jones. That's coming up next. Do stay right here with CNN.
END
