Return to Transcripts main page
Hala Gorani Tonight
Key House Democrat Demands Trump's Tax Returns; Trump Moves back Border Closure Threat Deadline; House Panel Armed With Subpoena For Full Mueller Report; Initial Report On Ethiopian Airlines Crash Released; Zehut Party May Be Wildcard In Israeli Elections; Filmmaker makes Career Of Documenting Endangered Species. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired April 04, 2019 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00] HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: Hello, everyone on this Thursday, we're live from CNN London. I'm Hala Gorani. Tonight, CNN is the first to
obtain the preliminary report on last month's Ethiopian Airlines disaster. It says the pilots did all they could do avoid it, but it was not enough to
stop the crash that killed 157 people. Also, this hour Democrats put the pressure on President Trump. They are demanding his tax returns and the
full Mueller report.
Also, this story. A 6-year-old boy disappeared 8 years ago. Now, a teenager has turned up, he says he is the missing child. We'll have all
the latest on that.
We begin with those preliminary findings of Ethiopian officials on the fatal crash of a Boeing 737 Max passenger jet last month, 157 people were
killed when Ethiopian airlines flight 302 went down minutes after takeoff. CNN has obtained a copy of the initial report and it says there are
significant similarities with the Lion Air tragedy last year.
The Ethiopian Airlines crew repeatedly performed all the procedures recommended by Boeing but were unable to control the plane. Boeing says it
will take any and all necessary safety measures. We'll get to that angle of the story in a moment. The airline released a statement commending the
actions of its flight crew. Robyn Kriel has been following developments for us, she joins us now live from Ethiopia.
Talk to us about what the airline has been saying and what the preliminary report says about the group that so desperately tried to do to avoid the
crash.
ROBYN KRIEL, JOURNALIST; CNN COORESPONDENT: Hala, the European airlines releasing a statement earlier today saying they're proud of their pilots,
it must be a huge relief for the airline, they did take a lot of criticism, a lot of people saying it was pilot training and faulty maintenance that
made the plane go down.
At least according to this preliminary report, it looks to be a problem with that same system the report does not mention the M-CAS system, it
mentions all the details that would indicate it was the same problem as in the Lion Air crash. The six minutes it took -- the report details the
terrifying six minutes the pilots would have gene through as they tried to maneuver the plane. The plane that was insistent on plunging down because
of faulty software.
A sensor thought it was stalling and kept forcing the nose down and tried to pull it up. It details some of the words that the pilots said to each
other. Pull up, pull up, pitch up, pitch up. The two pilots tried at least four times to pull up the plane together, and then having the nose of
the plane dropping down, eventually plunging it into the ground.
Into what turned out to be a crater. Three weeks later, families desperate for answers, to take remains home of their loved ones. And it's been a
desperate battle for answers from all ends. What we understand from this preliminary report, due to be released Monday initially, but what sources
are telling us, is that Boeing did not get back to them with comments. That this is the reason why, it was only delayed -- while the press
conference was held today, and we were given this report earlier this afternoon.
GORANI: Good reporting there. We were able to see that report before it's officially released there. Detailing the last desperate minutes of those
pilots and that crew as they tried to save all the lives on board. But failed. The question is why. Thanks very much, robin. Coming to us live.
Now reaction to this report, Richard Quest spoke to the chief executive of Ethiopian airlines who said any doubts about the airlines have now been put
to rest. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[14:05:00] TEWOLDE GEBREMARIAM, ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES CEO: We have always been confident on our pilots, we have always been confident on our global
standard. As you know, we have the academy, with the state-of-the-art training technologies. The rest of the world. And we have always been
completed on that, but today we're very proud of our pilots, because it is proof in the preliminary report that they have done beyond what they are
expected to do, and today was a day for us to prove wrong. All the speculators with forced accusations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: The head of the airline speaking to Richard Quest. For Boeing's part, they recognize that there are similarities between the Ethiopian and
Lion Air crashes, it is making changes to the software on the 737 Max aircraft. In a statement, the company said Boeing has developed and is
planning to release a software update to systems software and an associated comprehensive pilot training and complimentary program for the 737 Max.
They plan to work with other regulatory agencies worldwide on the certification of the software and data training program, it is working and
it is that working relationship with U.S. regulators that has some people troubled. I want to play from you some sound from a conference call that
Boeing CEO held with reporters two years ago, listen to what he says about how happy Boeing is with less regulation and oversight of its planes by the
Trump administration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DENNIS A. MUILENBURG, BOEING CEO: Yes, just to comment on that, the overall focus on deregulation and simplifying processes is one that we've
been a strong proponent for. And the administration has been very engaged across government agencies and with industry to find ideas and ways and
opportunities to simplify and streamline. Things like FAA certification processes. Is one place that we're seeing some solid progress, that's
helping us more efficiently work through certification of our new model aircraft such as the Max as it's going through flight test.
We're already seeing benefits there, some of the work that's being done with the FAA.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, that was two years ago, and, of course, these two crashes happened a few months ago. Let's bring in CNN aviation analyst Miles
O'Brien, he joins us from Boston, you were talking to the producer before the show and one of the things you said is that there have to be at some
point, some fundamental issues with the design of the aircraft here.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN AVIATION ANALYST: Well, it really goes back to putting those news performance, longer range engines on, that change the
aerodynamics of the aircraft, made it a little less stable than the previous models of the 737, Boeing could have gone and done a clean design
to make those engines fit better under there. That would have delayed things, cost more, recertification, training, et cetera, et cetera.
Instead, they used software to put a band aid over the aerodynamic instability that had come up.
That's where the fundamental rub began, but then when you have a system like this that is quite critical, it adds stability that isn't really there
in the real world, and you only have one input feeding it, you have a single point of failure, that's really where the rub is here.
GORANI: And Miles, let's explain a little bit about this automated control system used on Boeing 737 Max 8 planes and what makes it different for our
viewers. Planes are meant to fly at an upward angle, Boeing's 737 Max had larger engines higher in the plane, you were explaining some of that, they
can push the nose up too far in some conditions, which is potentially dangerous.
So, Boeing, you were explaining as well, developed that automated control system to push the nose back down. It relies on sensors to measure the
plane's angle, and the questions, Miles, that are being raises are about whether these sensors could have provided faulty data. My question is, if
that's the case, why can't pilots, extremely experienced pilots override this whole thing, and manually right the plane.
[14:10:00] O'BRIEN: Well, two things, first of all, it's only one of the two sensors which feeds this system for reasons nobody fully understands.
It wouldn't be that hard to have both sensors feeding as a check summon it, but what happens is, in addition to be relying on the one sensor, this
system has a lot of authority. It's kind of a beast, and it has the ability to put the nose down quickly and do it in a repeated fashion,
getting into a struggle with the flight crew.
When they disconnect it unfortunately, you're in a scenario where you have the machine has decided to point the nose down as best as possible. The
flight crew is pulling back, doing its best to countermand that and they're left with being able to turn a wheel to try to fix it, and they didn't have
enough purchase on the flight surface with that one little wheel, especially with the amount of time they had.
GORANI: For passengers, it's extremely distressing to hear of two crashes where the pilots did what they were told essentially. According to this
preliminary report. And still the plane crashed. Why after Lion Air were these planes not grounded. And more investigation -- more investigative
oomph put into what really happened?
O'BRIEN: This is the compounded tragedy, there's not a single fact, not a single flaw, not a new piece of information about this problem that was
revealed by the second crash, in other words, Boeing, the FAA, the regulators identified the problem after the Indonesia crash, and realized
they had a fleetwide systematic problem with a potentially grave consequence. They went to go work to fix it, you'll recall, but no one
grounded the aircraft. It should have been grounded.
GORANI: Now they are grounded. We'll see what comes out of that, we'll have investigative reporting coming up on the Boeing angle. Thanks so
much. Pleasure talking to you. Appreciate it.
Now turning to the U.K. and what other story? Dominates the headlines in the U.K. these days. Britain is spending another day competing with itself
over Brexit. It's moved from the House of chambers to the House of lords. It would force Theresa May's government to request another extension in
order to avoid a no deal exit.
The legislation passed the first stage but just by one vote. Meanwhile the EU is looking on, Angela Merkel has spent the day in Dublin meeting with
Ireland's Prime Minister there. Nic Robertson has the latest from Dublin. I'll get to you in a moment. Nic Robertson, first of all, the EU
heavyweight leaders visiting Ireland now, what did she say, what did the Irish Prime Minister say about the days ahead, and what needs to happen in
their view with Brexit.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Sure, I mean, today was a very important day, days away from the deadline, when Theresa May is
expected to come up with an answer for the European Union about her way ahead, the meeting today was very much about the real conundrum, the
difficult issue that faces Ireland as the front line border state if you will, with U.K., when the U.K. leaves the European Union.
What Angela Merkel wanted to talk about Leo Varadkar was the integrity of the single market and customs union, balancing that against Ireland's
security concerns about the border with Northern Ireland. What does that really mean? What it means is that the European Union is worried that a
border without control. Northern Ireland could allow an unregulated good, sort of door into the European Union. He's concerned about that how do you
do it?
The real worry is, if you put those physical controls, border controls at the border, you invite a rise in security. They heard from people who live
in that border community. Angela Merkel actually said, I lived in east Germany, and the other side of a divided country, and I understand these
issues.
It was a lot of focus and interest as well on what they estimate. What the German chancellor, the Irish Prime Minister estimates is going on in London
with political changes that are happening there. What that can all mean for the possibility of Brexit. It's sliding off the table. Angela Merkel
very clear, that it really is down to the U.K. and let's see what Theresa May comes up with next week in Brussels. This is how the German chancellor
put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[14:15:00] ANGELA MERKEL, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY (through translator): We do hope that the intensive discussions that are on going in London will
lead to a situation by next Wednesday where we have a special counsel meeting, where Theresa May would have something to table to us, on the
basis of which we can continue to talk. We want to stand together until the very last hour, I can say this for the German side, we will do
everything in order to prevent a no deal Brexit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: That was certainly the European unity ready to do what they can. Waiting to see what the British do next.
GORANI: Nic Robertson stand by. Hadas Gold is here. Now, the House of Lords is debating the legislation that passed the House of Commons by one
vote, it passed. That's all that matters. To essentially in a binding bill prevent the country from leaving without a deal and forcing the
government to ask for an extension.
HADAS GOLD, CNN MONEY EUROPEAN POLITICS, MEDIA AND GLOBAL BUSINESS: If you remember --
GORANI: Now the House of Lords.
GOLD: The last time the Commons had voted on something similar, it wasn't a binding resolution, this is an actual bill, this would be legally
binding. We never usually see the House of Lords be the center of action, like it is now. It seems to be the place is sort of big names, politicians
of years past. But now they have become the center of attention, because there was even a debate about whether they could bring this bill up for
debate in the House of lords.
Because they would have to clear the current schedule they had on hand. There's also some fury about what some lords have claimed the Tories are
trying to filibuster. There are threats they will be there all night. Maybe one of the lords said she was planning own ordering breakfast from
everybody. Really interesting, it gives you a sense of where we are today.
The House of Lords has been drawn into this. Downing Street says If the House of Lords passes this, it can somehow create the possibility of an
accidental no deal Brexit. The EU would have to agree to another extension to that delay, which is currently April 12th. While this is all happening,
of course, Theresa May is talking with Jeremy Corbyn, with the Labour party trying to get some sort of agreement together.
GORANI: That's the parallel track here, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition, two polar opposite figures by the way. Trying to come
up with some sort of compromise to get a deal through.
GOLD: If you were to make a Venn diagram, they would each have to cross some pretty big red lines that have been in their manifestos for some time.
That could be agreeing to a customs union, agreeing to a second referendum. What's stunning is, what seems like a change in tone. It's more open to
the idea of a second referendum of putting this deal to the British public and saying, do you want this, whatever this Brexit deal they come with, or
would you rather stay in the European Union. This should be put out to MP's, and for ages, more months, all we heard from Theresa May, as long as
I'm in power, there won't be a second referendum.
GORANI: It could be the strategy that she's pursued for months now, which is to scare the hardcore Brexiteers. You may get no Brexit at all. They
wouldn't be happy about. And next week we have this crucial -- how many crucial summits, it's going to be the next big crucial Brussels day, which
is the emergency summit of EU leaders on Brussels Wednesday.
GOLD: Yes, and there she will be asking for that possibly very lengthy extension. The question is, how long will that be, and it will almost
likely ensure that the U.K. will have to in some way stand for European Parliament elections.
GORANI: If there was ever a metaphor for Brexit, it's that it was a flood in Parliament.
GOLD: There was a leak in the House of Commons so bad they had to adjourn the House of Commons.
GORANI: Even naked climate protesters couldn't shut the debate down. This did. Let's take a look at some of the video, you've probably heard a lot
about what's going on inside the House of Commons. Rarely has the phrase it never rains but pours been more apt indoors. The House of Commons was
suspended for the day earlier after a roof started to leak.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[14:20:00] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And finally, before we get the puddles out, I would like to ask the government what kind of message this whole mess is
sending out to entrepreneurs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am going to suspend the sitting and when we come back, the bells will ring two minutes before we start. So, the sitting is
now suspended. And no photographs, please.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: No photographs -- well, no photographs. It's actually on camera, which is interesting. Thanks very much. We'll continue following this, of
course in the coming hours and days. A possible break in a nearly 8-year- old cold case in the U.S. that gained national attention. A young man surfaces and says he is a missing 8-year-old. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: After months and months of economic and political turmoil in Venezuela, a human rights organization says the health care system is in a
state of utter collapse. Human Rights Watch Is calling for a full-scale emergency response from the United Nations, it says infectious disease and
child malnutrition rates are rising sharply.
It notes that Venezuela is the only south American country where infant mortality has returned to 1990s levels. There's a growing threat to the
health of Venezuelan women in particular. Because every day necessities are scarce, and expensive and birth control is no exception. This has led
to a rise in unplanned pregnancies in a country where abortions are still illegal. As Paula Newton reports some women are resorting to desperate
measures.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is not a line for food or water, but still they say, it's a bare necessity in Venezuela they're desperate even
for birth control. For several years now, several times a week, they come to the health clinic for the only birth control that's available.
It's terrible she tells me. You just can't get contraceptives. If you do get them, it's expensive. Even if you work, your entire salary isn't
enough to get one pack of pills. And for young girls who can't get birth control, especially teenagers, many turn to abortions.
We visited with the clinic's medical director months ago, and the situation is the same today. Contraceptives are scarce at public clinics and
unaffordable at private ones.
[14:25:00] The World Health Organization says Venezuela has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in south America as black-market
contraception is far too expensive for most. And the consequences pose an even greater risk to the long-term health of women and girls. This woman
induced her own abortion at home with herbal tea and pills. The pain was unbearable.
Were you scared?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Yes, I was scared. I thought I was going to die because there was so much blood, it was horrible.
NEWTON: Hemorrhaging, she went to see a doctor but could not confess to having an abortion, still does not want her identity revealed. Abortion is
illegal in Venezuela, punishable with up to two years of prison.
LUISA KISLINGER, WOMEN'S RIGHT ACTIVIST: There's no way to know what they're doing and how they're performing these abortions. It's very
worrisome.
NEWTON: This activist says the latest available health records show maternal mortality in Venezuela was up 60 percent in 2016 alone.
Fetuses were found in garbage cans or babies were abandoned and weren't really surprised by the number. The sheer number, and these are the ones
that make it into the media. We don't know how many more there can be.
A generation of Venezuelan women live in fear of how sexual activity and pregnancy can up end their health and their lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: American investigators may have a break in the case of a boy who's been missing for 8 years. He's not been heard from since 2011 when he was
only 6 years old. But a teenager appeared in the state of Kentucky Wednesday claiming he is Timmothy. And he escaped from people who had been
holding him all these years. Athena Jones reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We could see the fear on him, how he kept pacing and he looked odd.
ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A stunning discovery, after a teenager told authorities he is Timmothy Pitzen. This age progressed photo
shows what he may look like today. Law enforcement has not confirmed the teen's identity. His family says they're cautiously hopeful.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALANA ANDERSON, TIMMOTHY PITZEN'S GRANDMOTHER: I'm very hopeful it's him and he's OK, and he's been in a good place when he was gone. He's going to
come back to us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: An Ohio police report says the male identified himself as now 14- year-old Pitzen. He just escaped running across a bridge in Kentucky from a red roof inn. He was unsure where the inn was located. A woman saw the
boy says her neighbor called police after the boy told her he had been running for two hours and didn't know where he was.
FRAY KNIGHT, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY RESIDENT: He had bruises on his face. He looked real shaky, like he was hungry. He was unsure. Even a little
noise, he was jumping, he was very uneasy.
JONES: He vanished when he was only six years old after his mother, checked him out of school and took him on a 3-day road trip. He was last
seen leaving this Wisconsin resort with his mother. The next day his mother was discovered dead inside this motel of an apparent suicide. Tim
is somewhere safe with people who love him and will care for him. You will never find him. Timothy's disappearance has puzzled law enforcement for
years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have yet to believe one person who believes she would ever harm her child. The other option is she turned him over to someone
who as she wrote in her note would love and care for him.
JONES: His family relaying this message to the teen we're praying you're our loved one.
ANDERSON: We never stopped looking for him, thinking about him and that we love him and we'll do everything to get him back to a good life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Athena Jones joins me now from Newport, Connecticut. The question everyone has is, how can authorities quickly determine whether this lad is
little Timmothy or not?
JONES: We spoke with Kentucky police here, they say they're working with multiple agencies on this case. Of course, the first thing to do is to
find out if this is really timothy. They're testing his DNA. We don't know how soon we're going to get any sort of response. The FBI has put out
a tweet saying they're not going to be updating folks, the investigation is confidential and they won't be making a statement until there's a news
development to share.
We know that police here are getting an uptick in calls and tips from the public. And they're running down every lead they can. Police told us
they've been working around the clock. They do have some clues from this young boy himself. The boy who says his name is Timmothy Pitzen.
Described the kidnappers as two white males with a bodybuilder type physique, one had curly black hair, a Mountain Dew shirt and jeans. And a
spider web tattoo on his neck. The other was short in stature and had a snake tattoo on his arm. Very distinctive descriptions, the vehicle
they've been traveling in was a newer model white Ford SUV. The police have some clues, of course, these two alleged kidnappers may have ditched
that car, and they're still trying to figure out where was this motel, this Red Roof Inn where the boy says he was with these two men.
He told one person he had to run for two hours before crossing the bridge into Kentucky here, so a lot of questions still remaining on this case.
GORANI: Very briefly, will the grandmother be traveling to meet up with the boy who says he's Timmothy Pitzen? Do we know? Because the mother is
deceased. So I imagine she would be his last guardian or legal guardian?
JONES: We're not clear yet on what movements the family is making. This is something that they've been keeping really close to the vest for privacy
reasons.
Newport Police here in Newport Kentucky tell us that they haven't had any direct contact with the family. That is something that Aurora Illinois
police are dealing with, because that is where this young boy was from.
But these are -- as I there are multiple agencies working together and coordinating different things. But we don't know much yet about what the
family's plans are and where they are on in this process. Hala?
GORANI: Athena Jones, thanks very much in Newport, Kentucky. This is the kind of story that provides hope to parents of missing kids. Let's hope,
at least, that even though it seems like something terrible might have happened to this young man, but at least there's some sort of closure, or
something that will lead to him living a better life. Thanks very much. Thanks very much, Athena Jones.
Still to come tonight, turning up the pressure on American president, Donald Trump, congressional Democrats are adding to the list of documents
they're demanding, they are now including his taxes. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: President Donald Trump has been threatening to close the Southern border this week if Mexico will not stop illegal immigration and the flow
of drugs into the United States.
Well, he's backed down. He's now pushed back that deadline by a lot. He's also threatening to take additional steps though if his demand is not met.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're going to give them a one-year warning. And if the drugs don't stop or largely stop. We're
going to put tariffs on Mexico and products. In particular cars, the whole ball game is cars. It's the big ball game, with many countries it's cars.
And if that doesn't stop the drugs, we close the border.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: So a year. It's not exactly right away. Mr. Trump is facing new pressure on multiple fronts today. Let's start first with a formal demand
for one of his most closely guarded secrets. His tax returns. The only House member with the power to make this request is asking the IRS to hand
over six years of Trump's taxes. The democratic committee chairman says it's part of his oversight duties. Well, the move is sure to set off a big
legal fight.
[14:35:01] Let's bring in senior CNN congressional correspondent, Manu Raju. He's live on Capitol Hill. So let's talk about this. They are
demanding six years of tax returns. Will they get those tax returns? What are their powers? What are their concrete powers on this matter?
MANU RAJU, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Democrats say the law is on their side. They -- the House Ways and Means Committee chairman
who's in charge of overseeing tax law here in the United States has the authority to request individuals tax returns. And they say they are well
within their rights to do so.
Richard Neal who's a chairman of that committee. He said that he is doing this as part of his oversight efforts as well as to determine in what he's
saying, whether legislation is necessary to move forward to determine how sitting presidents are audited. He's asking for not just six years of
personal tax returns, but he's also asking for business related tax returns as well.
Now, the president is not inclined to give these over, he said that himself last night. It's going to be a decision for the United States Treasury
Department to do that. Unlikely, they're going to listen to the House Democrats which means that this could end up in court. This could drag off
for some time. And it's unclear who's going to ultimately come out successful, but, of course, major implications here.
The president still contends he's under an audit here in the United States. Even though there's a lot of skepticism of that claim. But that's what
he's saying still even as late as last night in the wake of his new request, Hala.
GORANI: Because that's what he said during the campaign. I'm being audited. I'm not going to release my tax returns while I'm being audited.
Although there's no confirmation of that.
And then it's not just a tax returns. The House, the democratic-controlled House has OK'd the subpoena for the full Mueller report. Again, there we
might be waiting some time before we all see it.
RAJU: Yes. The House Judiciary Committee authorized a subpoena for the full Mueller report, the underlying evidence and for five White House
officials who are complying with the Mueller investigation. They want records from those officials.
Now, the question is when does Jerry Nadler, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, actually serve the subpoenas over to the Justice Department?
He's not saying when he would do that. But he's indicating -- he's trying to accommodate the Justice Department as much as possible. And if the U.S.
Justice Department does not comply with this request, then they will take it to court and they'll be in better legal ground.
Now, earlier today, Nadler told me that he wants to hear from Bob Mueller, the special counsel, to testify before his committee in the wake of reports
that there's tension between the special counsel and the Justice Department.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAJUL: How hard is it though to show that you're being -- how important is it for you to show that you're being accommodating through the Justice
Department?
REP. JERRY NADLER (D), NEW YORK: It's important to show they were being accommodating. That's -- the lawyer say that that's important in court in
enforcing the subpoenas.
Yes, I think it's inevitable that Mr. Mueller is going to testify at some point. But the first thing we need is the release of the report and the
documents.
RAJU: Do you think it's inevitable that Mueller's going to come before your committee?
NADLER: At some point, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Must he --
RAJU: -- further there than before about saying that it was inevitable that Mueller would come. Before, Nadler has been saying, we'll hear from
Bill Barr, the attorney general first. But the fact that he is making it clear that he wants to bring in Bob Mueller, a sign that the Democrats are
not going to just listen to what the attorney general has to say. They want to hear from the special counsel. And, of course, first, they want to
get the full report. Still unclear how much the Justice Department will turn over to Congress.
But, of course, Democrats gearing up for a major fight that could also end up in the court. Hala?
GORANI: Manu Raju, thanks very much. Live in D.C.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team is known for not leaking anything. Airtight, some have called. So it's pretty remarkable that some of his
investigators are now voicing frustrations over the way Donald Trump's attorney general has characterized their Russia report in that four-page
summary.
Sources say the investigators wrote multiple summaries of the report themselves and their findings were more damaging to Mr. Trump than Bill
Barr, the attorney general let on.
Mark Mazzetti is one of three reporters who first broke the story in the New York Times. So the frustration centers around what? That that four-
page summary was not an accurate reflection of that very long report?
MARK MAZZETTI, JOURNALIST, NEW YORK TIMES: Right. And that what Bar did was basically boil everything down to what they call the topline
conclusions that there was no conspiracy with Russia, and there was no judgment about obstruction of justice, and so Barr decided to weigh-in on
that issue himself.
But what we've been hearing is that several members of the Mueller team have been frustrated and angry, that that doesn't really accurately
characterize the extent of their findings on both issues. Both on the Russia issue and on this obstruction of justice issue.
And, you know, Barr has had the first effort really to create the -- shape the public's understanding of this very sensitive extremely consequential
investigation. And we don't know when the report will come out. We hope it's in the coming days. But already, the president has declared a full
exoneration, based on that letter.
[14:40:20] GORANI: So what do these investigators -- what would they have wanted to see in that summary that was not in that four-page Barr report?
MAZZETTI: Well, as we wrote in their story, that they had prepared several different summaries of their findings, and what we don't say is that those
summaries, they believe were ready for primetime, that they could have immediately been disclosed -- to put out in the public in lieu of the
Mueller -- sorry, the Barr letter.
But we do believe that they thought that more of that material could have entered into the letter to give a fuller picture, recalled that Barr only
used, I think, two sentence fragments of Mueller's findings. And there was a belief that more of the summaries could have made their way into the
letter.
GORANI: And also, the fact perhaps that even though no more indictments were forthcoming, that the headline conclusion was that there was no
collusion, that there were aspects, perhaps, of the relationship between the Trump campaign and Russia that could be characterized as having
questions hanging over them? I mean, what is it that this report said or concluded that really did not make it into that Barr summary that had some
investigators frustrated?
MAZZETTI: Well, what we know is that the letter said that there was no criminal conspiracy. They found no reason or evidence to have charges in a
conspiracy of the Trump campaign and Russia.
Now, there is a view that there's a great deal of evidence that may have been amassed. Short of that, that might have shown the extent of the
contact between the Trump administration and Russia. And not in any way changing the conclusion. No one is questioning that Bill Barr, you know,
massaged the conclusions or that, in fact, there was a conspiracy found, but that it presents a fuller picture about this investigation that will
then -- could cause more political troubles for President Trump.
GORANI: And could that be why the president is not as enthusiastic about releasing the full thing as he said he was at the very beginning?
MAZZETTI: I mean, he has said that he's left it in Barr's hands and that Barr has said that he's going to do it. But I mean, one would just think
that anything beyond what was in that letter, which was quite good for the president, overall, is going to be potentially more damaging.
So any -- if there is a 300 to 400 page report, it is going to have material that the press will write about that Democrats will seize on, that
is going to, you know, cause more headaches for the president if you compare it, of course, to that -- to that day when Barr released his
letter.
GORANI: Sure. Mark Mazzetti of the New York Times, thanks so much for joining us. Appreciate it.
Let's return now to that report --
MAZZETTI: OK. Thank you.
GORANI: -- into the Ethiopian Airlines crash obtained first by CNN. It says there are significant similarities with the Lion Air tragedy last
year. And in the wake of these crashes, questions are being asked about how such a significant problem with the Boeing aircraft could go unnoticed
by safety inspectors and regulators?
Our senior investigative correspondent, Drew Griffin, is outside of Boeing's factory in Renton, Washington where the 737 Max aircraft and
planes are made. What are you learning where you are, Drew?
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boeing basically issued a response to that Ethiopian preliminary report,
indicating, Hala, that the two scenarios in both of these crashes are almost identical and that it is pointing to a possible failure in the
design that Boeing put out and put up in the air.
That an erroneous sense -- erroneous data from a single sensor triggered a software system on board this plane to push the nose of the plane down
regardless of what the pilots were doing. And when the pilots tried to fight that system, that the plane actually took over and pushed the plane
down. Boeing says that's the heart of the software fix. It is trying to get into these planes to overcome.
But at the heart of the matter, I think we have to look at these two crashes being caused now by the same situation, which we would have known
about shortly after that October 2018 crash leading to a lot of questions about why this fleet wasn't grounded then. Why there had to be a second
crash for this to take place? Hala.
GORANI: So by acknowledging that they need a software fix, are they acknowledging that these planes crashed killing all these people, because
they didn't, you know, equip the cockpit, the software system within the plane properly? I mean, that this is ultimately the responsibility of the
plane manufacturer?
[14:45:06] GRIFFIN: That's the way I am reading it. And in a statement that Boeing put out, they are saying they are implicating -- installing or
trying to get approved and install the software to ensure unintended MCAS activation. That's the software, will not occur again.
Boeing is now trying to develop this software to fix the input sensors and to get this all certified to try to get these airplanes back up in the air.
But the FAA here in the United States and authorities across the world are going to be very cautious trying to make sure that if Boeing missed this
during the rollout of this plane, they want to make darn sure they're not missing anything now as they try to get these planes back up in the air.
GORANI: Drew Griffin, thanks very much.
Still to come tonight, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu's, out glad handing on the world stage while his Likud Party struggles just
five days before elections. He's on international trips. We'll bring you the very latest on that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Elections in Israel are just days away. And Prime Minister Netanyahu is making the rounds of world leaders. He's just met with the
Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
Last week, he visited the American president, Donald Trump. Mr. Netanyahu, apparently, bolstering his own diplomatic credentials while opinion polls
shows Likud Party struggling against the rival blue and white party.
But Likud's immediate rival is not the only party catching the imagination of Israeli voters. There is now a wildcard to consider in all of this.
Oren Liebermann is in Tel Aviv.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what Israel's anti-establishment vote looks like. A diverse mix of young pot-
smoking renegades and older religious voters.
The followers of the Zehut Party, led by Moshe Feiglin are the surprise story of the 2019 elections. And they have one big demand. Legalizing
marijuana. They see weed as the tip of a libertarian platform.
But beyond the bong is a different agenda. Moshe Feiglin entered politics as a religious Zionist fire brand. He's called for building a third Jewish
temple on Temple Mount, a site holy to Jews and Muslims, where even a slight change to the status quo can spark tensions.
He says Palestinians and non-Jews should have a choice. Declare allegiance to Israel or the country will help you leave.
LIEBERMANN: There are plenty of Palestinians, either in the Gaza or the West Bank who don't want to declare loyalty and don't want to leave.
MOSHE FEIGLIN, ZEHUT PARTY LEADER: So now you're touching a different point -- different points, touching your point of justice who this land
belongs to. And we know from history, from the basic history of Israel, that the land of Israel belonged to the people of Israel.
LIEBERMANN: And what do you plan to do with those who don't declare allegiance?
FEIGLIN: They'll have to decide.
[14:50:02] LIEBERMANN: Feiglin is unafraid to lecture those who don't share his world view or his interpretation of history.
FEIGLIN: It's not a question of security. It's a question of justice who the land of Israel belonged to. And if you don't --
LIEBERMANN: But no one in the international community has accepted Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank --
FEIGLIN: That's nonsense. That's nonsense.
LIEBERMANN: Well, it's a statement of fact. No one in the international community has accepted Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank.
FEIGLIN: So I'm telling you again, that is nonsense. Check your -- you should go back to your history lessons.
LIEBERMANN (on-camera): The party's platform spans the political spectrum, on the right, they favor a one state solution, Jewish Israel from the
Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. Including the Palestinian territories.
On the left, they advocate a separation of religion and state. Those different positions could make them equally unpalatable and a coalition to
either of the two biggest political parties.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): Barely a blip on the political radar two months ago. Zehut has forced itself into the political conversation. They're now
polling around five or six seats, and they could decide the next prime minister.
Gantz or Netanyahu?
FEIGLIN: Whoever will give us more, that's what will then we'll go.
LIEBERMANN: Feiglin seems to relish the role, but for now, he's focused on Election Day and making sure his upstart campaign doesn't go up in smoke.
Oren Liebermann, CNN, Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: With the global rise of ecotourism, CNN is -- or has visited a wildlife sanctuary in India where one filmmaker has spent his career
documenting endangered species like the elusive Bengal tiger. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Established in 1936, the Jim Corbett National Park. It is the oldest national park in the Indian subcontinent. And for award-
winning wildlife filmmaker and conservationist, Naresh Bedi, it is one of the best places to witness the ecological riches of India.
NARESH BEDI, WILDLIFE FILMMAKER AND CONSERVATIONIST: To me, it's very special, the Corbett National Park, because I remember one childhood when
we were about 6, 7, I would say. Father used to come here. We used to camp here.
Here, you have tigers, you have the elephant. I mean, it's a paradise, you know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Corbett is a sprawling expanse of 520 square kilometers of rivers and plains, valleys, and falls. Hundreds of species of plants
and animals call this Himalayan ecosystem their home. From the gray langurs, old world monkeys that seek refuge in the trees, to the wild
Indian boars digging for food in the grassland.
For decades, Bedi has trained his lens on the biodiversity of India.
Bedi says that the mornings encounter with a Sambar deer meant that a tiger could be close.
BEDI: The Sambar must have sensed tiger smell on the scene the presence of predator. Sambar could sense that danger. And that's why he's making a
loud thumping his (INAUDIBLE) you know.
[14:55:13] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bedi says that over the years, he's noticed an increase in interest when it comes to ecotourism and wildlife
conservation in India. But for him, it's more than just the mega fauna, the tigers, the elephants that should attract visitors to places like
Corbett.
BEDI: There's much more to understand the whole ecology of India. And why it is important to preserve this habitat so that this animal can survive.
There's so much of variation of habitat and climate condition (INAUDIBLE) give them right to set a big diversity in India.
GORANI: So if you want to live longer, eat more fruit and nuts. That's not surprising. But a new study says a poor diet causes more deaths than
smoking. The 27-year-analysis says not eating healthy foods is a bigger problem than eating foods that are bad for you.
So if you think, for instance, that avoiding sugary drinks and red meat makes you healthy, and that alone, then you have to think again, according
to this study. It's more important to make sure you eat a lot of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
The study says improving your diet could prevent 11 million deaths each year. So which countries are doing well? The country with the lowest
number of diet-related deaths was Israel, with France, and Japan also scoring well. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were the worst in terms of diet-
related deaths.
There you have it. Thanks for watching. Stay with CNN. I'm Hala Gorani. I'll have a lot more after a quick break. The latest business news and the
latest on that preliminary Boeing report that CNN obtained first.
"QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is coming your way after a break.
END
