1 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:39,780 walk up to split neck orbiting the world 2 00:00:37,469 --> 00:00:41,940 with me Joseph Heights standing in for 3 00:00:39,780 --> 00:00:44,879 George Galloway and meager three feel 4 00:00:41,940 --> 00:00:46,710 here political and media plates shifted 5 00:00:44,879 --> 00:00:49,289 again this week as another act of 6 00:00:46,710 --> 00:00:51,420 terrorism mass murder exploded in Europe 7 00:00:49,289 --> 00:00:53,640 more than 30 people were murdered and 8 00:00:51,420 --> 00:00:55,440 hundreds were maimed Isis claimed 9 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:57,899 responsibility and primary 10 00:00:55,440 --> 00:01:00,210 responsibility is of course there's but 11 00:00:57,899 --> 00:01:02,219 who and what else is responsible for the 12 00:01:00,210 --> 00:01:04,379 apparently unstoppable rise of this 13 00:01:02,219 --> 00:01:06,570 fanatic extremism and what should be 14 00:01:04,379 --> 00:01:08,910 done about it Russia tried to destroy 15 00:01:06,570 --> 00:01:11,100 the base of this extremism in Syria and 16 00:01:08,910 --> 00:01:13,920 was then met with implacable threats 17 00:01:11,100 --> 00:01:15,899 insults and sabotage from the very same 18 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:18,300 leaders who had earlier told us that 19 00:01:15,899 --> 00:01:20,429 Isis was an extensive threat to the 20 00:01:18,300 --> 00:01:22,440 world and the so-called moderate rebels 21 00:01:20,429 --> 00:01:24,690 continue to benefit from the military 22 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:26,610 and financial support of the west and 23 00:01:24,690 --> 00:01:28,649 its allies though no one can define 24 00:01:26,610 --> 00:01:30,810 their moderation and almost all the 25 00:01:28,649 --> 00:01:33,270 weapons end up in the hands of Isis and 26 00:01:30,810 --> 00:01:35,460 al-qaeda to help us make sense of where 27 00:01:33,270 --> 00:01:37,289 we're at is Charles Shoebridge security 28 00:01:35,460 --> 00:01:39,840 expert and former intelligence officer 29 00:01:37,289 --> 00:01:41,430 we will hear from him in a minute but 30 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:43,680 first I took the split in the camera 31 00:01:41,430 --> 00:01:45,479 onto the streets of London and heard the 32 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:47,460 voice of the people have a look at this 33 00:01:45,479 --> 00:01:49,350 I think that there is a little bit of 34 00:01:47,460 --> 00:01:52,049 responsibility as far as the West 35 00:01:49,350 --> 00:01:53,460 Madeleine goes the only issue is that i 36 00:01:52,049 --> 00:01:55,590 feel like if the west doesn't do 37 00:01:53,460 --> 00:01:57,990 anything there's gonna be a continuance 38 00:01:55,590 --> 00:01:59,549 of stuff anyway i think they know what 39 00:01:57,990 --> 00:02:01,469 they need to do you know they need to 40 00:01:59,549 --> 00:02:02,880 stop interfere in people's business but 41 00:02:01,469 --> 00:02:04,560 i don't think that's gonna happen our 42 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:07,020 intervention and specialty in Iraq 43 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:09,090 that's caused all this without any doubt 44 00:02:07,020 --> 00:02:11,000 whatsoever we should have we should have 45 00:02:09,090 --> 00:02:13,290 never gone there in the first place and 46 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:14,670 obviously not solving the Palestinian 47 00:02:13,290 --> 00:02:16,859 problem in the first place going back 48 00:02:14,670 --> 00:02:18,570 even longer period of time so that was 49 00:02:16,859 --> 00:02:20,130 the voice of the people the Nats time to 50 00:02:18,570 --> 00:02:22,739 hear of course from our expert Charles 51 00:02:20,130 --> 00:02:24,090 Charles we've heard so many stories over 52 00:02:22,739 --> 00:02:25,950 the news of the course of this week 70 53 00:02:24,090 --> 00:02:27,450 hours upon hours of broadcast time on 54 00:02:25,950 --> 00:02:29,790 this issue but there never seems to be 55 00:02:27,450 --> 00:02:32,640 any real analysis how can we really 56 00:02:29,790 --> 00:02:34,049 gauge the real scale of this terrible 57 00:02:32,640 --> 00:02:35,459 extremism fret the problem is that 58 00:02:34,049 --> 00:02:37,170 there's only if you like vested 59 00:02:35,459 --> 00:02:39,329 interests involved in the whole terror 60 00:02:37,170 --> 00:02:41,910 story it's absolutely clear and this 61 00:02:39,329 --> 00:02:44,280 Belgium attack proves of course if such 62 00:02:41,910 --> 00:02:45,840 proof was needed after Paris after seven 63 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:48,300 seven and so many that 64 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:50,010 attacks that there is a real and genuine 65 00:02:48,300 --> 00:02:51,450 terrorist threat but it's an interest of 66 00:02:50,010 --> 00:02:53,459 far too many people to overstate that 67 00:02:51,450 --> 00:02:55,260 threat whether it's as a means of 68 00:02:53,459 --> 00:02:56,519 getting more powers for the security 69 00:02:55,260 --> 00:02:57,750 services and indeed for governments 70 00:02:56,519 --> 00:02:59,760 around the world and particularly in 71 00:02:57,750 --> 00:03:01,980 Western Europe and the United States 72 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,110 whether it's a means of furthering the 73 00:03:01,980 --> 00:03:06,360 apparent need for more security 74 00:03:04,110 --> 00:03:09,510 equipment from security companies more 75 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:12,060 armed guards more should we say more 76 00:03:09,510 --> 00:03:14,280 scanners and stuff like this and also of 77 00:03:12,060 --> 00:03:15,959 course as a means of distraction from 78 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:18,870 perhaps foreign policy failures or in 79 00:03:15,959 --> 00:03:20,700 domestic failures at home so where's the 80 00:03:18,870 --> 00:03:21,870 victims on the street of course suffered 81 00:03:20,700 --> 00:03:24,840 terribly from these acts of terrorism 82 00:03:21,870 --> 00:03:26,910 and the public more widely suffers I 83 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,530 think from the fear of totem this seems 84 00:03:26,910 --> 00:03:30,989 to be in very few of the vested 85 00:03:28,530 --> 00:03:32,220 interests in the West in the states in 86 00:03:30,989 --> 00:03:34,410 European on here on the streets of 87 00:03:32,220 --> 00:03:35,610 London to actually play down this threat 88 00:03:34,410 --> 00:03:36,780 what we should be doing of course he's 89 00:03:35,610 --> 00:03:38,670 saying that these things are going to 90 00:03:36,780 --> 00:03:39,989 happen intelligence failures and of 91 00:03:38,670 --> 00:03:42,120 course this is another intelligence 92 00:03:39,989 --> 00:03:43,530 failure will occur even if there was the 93 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:45,720 best will of the security services to 94 00:03:43,530 --> 00:03:47,790 prevent these acts but that if we 95 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:49,950 compare our current situation even with 96 00:03:47,790 --> 00:03:51,870 this horrific level of attacks with 97 00:03:49,950 --> 00:03:54,150 perhaps what our fathers our 98 00:03:51,870 --> 00:03:55,530 grandfathers and our other previous 99 00:03:54,150 --> 00:03:57,840 generations had to go through in terms 100 00:03:55,530 --> 00:03:59,370 of existential threats we need to keep 101 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:01,230 this in perspective and actually really 102 00:03:59,370 --> 00:04:03,239 get on with our lives until I extent 103 00:04:01,230 --> 00:04:04,920 those in authority who actually saying 104 00:04:03,239 --> 00:04:05,700 that we shouldn't exaggerate this but we 105 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,370 should just get on with our lives 106 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:09,870 actually I think are accurate well the 107 00:04:08,370 --> 00:04:11,790 word failure you mentioned resonates to 108 00:04:09,870 --> 00:04:13,500 degree because let's not forget the 109 00:04:11,790 --> 00:04:15,720 Belgium was on a practically a state of 110 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:16,500 emergency when it's occurred admire you 111 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:18,030 know MIT early there was a quick 112 00:04:16,500 --> 00:04:20,130 response to the actual tragedy that 113 00:04:18,030 --> 00:04:22,260 happened but why were they ready for 114 00:04:20,130 --> 00:04:24,270 this you're absolutely right and the 115 00:04:22,260 --> 00:04:26,550 fact remains as some Jean I've said for 116 00:04:24,270 --> 00:04:28,470 many many years in regard to this issue 117 00:04:26,550 --> 00:04:30,000 it's actually common sense to set but 118 00:04:28,470 --> 00:04:31,830 nonetheless it's worth saying that if 119 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:34,530 you're intelligent systems fail to the 120 00:04:31,830 --> 00:04:35,789 extent that the Bombers or the shooters 121 00:04:34,530 --> 00:04:37,410 on a terrace are going to get through to 122 00:04:35,789 --> 00:04:40,440 their target particularly that's a soft 123 00:04:37,410 --> 00:04:43,530 target like an airport on the land side 124 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:44,789 of the departure not on our side for 125 00:04:43,530 --> 00:04:46,229 example these didn't penetrate through 126 00:04:44,789 --> 00:04:48,780 to the outside so I whether it's 127 00:04:46,229 --> 00:04:50,190 security or a bus station or a metro 128 00:04:48,780 --> 00:04:51,720 station or a cinema or theatre or 129 00:04:50,190 --> 00:04:53,220 console or something like that if the 130 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,510 intelligence system fails to the extent 131 00:04:53,220 --> 00:04:55,919 Obama's going to get through there's 132 00:04:54,510 --> 00:04:58,100 very very little you could do in terms 133 00:04:55,919 --> 00:04:59,780 of physical security to protect and 134 00:04:58,100 --> 00:05:01,550 that attack hat from happening for 135 00:04:59,780 --> 00:05:03,740 example a lot of people are saying now 136 00:05:01,550 --> 00:05:05,900 we spoke about vested interest to some 137 00:05:03,740 --> 00:05:07,190 degree and a lot of people now are 138 00:05:05,900 --> 00:05:08,840 pushing for the idea that there should 139 00:05:07,190 --> 00:05:11,570 be extended security around airports 140 00:05:08,840 --> 00:05:14,210 such that all of the airport for example 141 00:05:11,570 --> 00:05:15,740 the departures area before you actually 142 00:05:14,210 --> 00:05:17,360 go through to the security road is 143 00:05:15,740 --> 00:05:18,680 currently in other words that the 144 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:20,060 circular security people should be 145 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,890 widened which will cost more more 146 00:05:20,060 --> 00:05:24,080 scanning even if iSTA's and so on but 147 00:05:21,890 --> 00:05:26,480 all you will do is simply displace the 148 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:28,700 threat slightly further out and so then 149 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,860 choose of people waiting to go in will 150 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:32,600 be hit and so really you cannot if your 151 00:05:30,860 --> 00:05:34,280 intelligence system fails and if you 152 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:36,380 fail to prevent the causes of terrorism 153 00:05:34,280 --> 00:05:38,480 as well which is another subject that 154 00:05:36,380 --> 00:05:40,400 needs to be covered of course then it's 155 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,840 very difficult to physically prevent 156 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:44,510 these no matter how many emotionally 157 00:05:41,840 --> 00:05:47,180 even the non liquid policy following the 158 00:05:44,510 --> 00:05:50,240 911 attacks has had such an impact on 159 00:05:47,180 --> 00:05:53,030 the whole airport regulations the queues 160 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:54,230 are incredible and after today at what I 161 00:05:53,030 --> 00:05:56,540 still have been able to properly manage 162 00:05:54,230 --> 00:05:58,520 it well the liquid Tish is a very good 163 00:05:56,540 --> 00:06:00,440 point because there's a lot of dispute 164 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:02,930 amongst experts Mel you know myself 165 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:05,300 included as to the validity or their 166 00:06:02,930 --> 00:06:07,280 value of this policy in here because 167 00:06:05,300 --> 00:06:08,690 actually if you think of the threat to 168 00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:10,190 Britain most of the threats of Britain 169 00:06:08,690 --> 00:06:11,450 is going to be from incoming flights 170 00:06:10,190 --> 00:06:13,280 people we haven't be able to manage 171 00:06:11,450 --> 00:06:15,230 getting on board but I personally I've 172 00:06:13,280 --> 00:06:17,450 flown from let's say five different 173 00:06:15,230 --> 00:06:19,520 countries in the last 12 months into 174 00:06:17,450 --> 00:06:21,290 this country only on one of those 175 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:23,960 flights were liquids taken off me 176 00:06:21,290 --> 00:06:25,700 because every time and I've forgotten to 177 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:27,230 take out the water in my bag because 178 00:06:25,700 --> 00:06:28,310 there's a nice to have water flow only 179 00:06:27,230 --> 00:06:30,950 on one occasion that was coming from 180 00:06:28,310 --> 00:06:32,780 Paris did which was via different view 181 00:06:30,950 --> 00:06:35,270 but on all the other routes I've been on 182 00:06:32,780 --> 00:06:37,700 and I've not had water taken from me 183 00:06:35,270 --> 00:06:39,590 okay and and so you wonder what is the 184 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:40,760 importance of this and also you realize 185 00:06:39,590 --> 00:06:43,430 that of course there are so many things 186 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:44,810 once you get to airside that you combine 187 00:06:43,430 --> 00:06:47,210 the shops now which you could use to 188 00:06:44,810 --> 00:06:49,010 target a plane so you do wonder what the 189 00:06:47,210 --> 00:06:51,020 motivation is behind us whether it was 190 00:06:49,010 --> 00:06:53,180 introduced as a panic measure or maybe 191 00:06:51,020 --> 00:06:55,340 there were good reasons initially and 192 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:57,590 those reasons of disappeared for example 193 00:06:55,340 --> 00:06:59,810 you can have explosives and liquids this 194 00:06:57,590 --> 00:07:01,250 is the issue here but guess what you can 195 00:06:59,810 --> 00:07:02,900 have explosives in solids they found 196 00:07:01,250 --> 00:07:04,460 most explosives are so realistic but 197 00:07:02,900 --> 00:07:06,440 there's no bad on solids also doesn't 198 00:07:04,460 --> 00:07:08,300 make sense because if just if only 199 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:08,770 Europe applies this policy with the rest 200 00:07:08,300 --> 00:07:12,009 of the 201 00:07:08,770 --> 00:07:13,810 not it doesn't hold and so but of course 202 00:07:12,009 --> 00:07:15,669 there is a big business interest which 203 00:07:13,810 --> 00:07:18,069 some cynics might say is involved here 204 00:07:15,669 --> 00:07:19,960 in providing security searches scanning 205 00:07:18,069 --> 00:07:22,389 machines and also charging three times 206 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:24,520 what you charged for water etc on air 207 00:07:22,389 --> 00:07:26,949 side as you would land side but yes it's 208 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:28,900 a it's a it's one of those factors where 209 00:07:26,949 --> 00:07:31,120 the security industry has mushroomed out 210 00:07:28,900 --> 00:07:33,490 of all proportion and as we've mentioned 211 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:35,139 does very little to actually prevent 212 00:07:33,490 --> 00:07:36,849 threats rather than simply displaces I 213 00:07:35,139 --> 00:07:39,280 just upon the analogous because early is 214 00:07:36,849 --> 00:07:41,680 that intelligence field so which is 215 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:43,360 therefore agree or are you still a bit 216 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:47,020 skeptical about arrogance claim 217 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:49,599 arrogance claim that actually one of the 218 00:07:47,020 --> 00:07:50,949 suicide bombers was in Turkey and he 219 00:07:49,599 --> 00:07:52,690 deported them back to Europe the 220 00:07:50,949 --> 00:07:54,699 Netherlands and then back to Belgium I 221 00:07:52,690 --> 00:07:57,069 think is true Turkey has taken because 222 00:07:54,699 --> 00:07:58,990 it's been forced to take this action by 223 00:07:57,069 --> 00:08:00,460 some of its NATO allies and some of its 224 00:07:58,990 --> 00:08:02,979 NATO allies I think are genuinely 225 00:08:00,460 --> 00:08:04,120 concerned about the threat from Isis and 226 00:08:02,979 --> 00:08:06,180 from terrorism generally which of course 227 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:09,129 turkey I don't think it's even 228 00:08:06,180 --> 00:08:11,199 controversial any more to say and has 229 00:08:09,129 --> 00:08:13,060 done very little to actually stop the 230 00:08:11,199 --> 00:08:14,889 ISIS threat to Europe in fact it is 231 00:08:13,060 --> 00:08:18,099 fostered it because of its own foreign 232 00:08:14,889 --> 00:08:19,750 policy aims in using Arya is as arguably 233 00:08:18,099 --> 00:08:22,210 the West has at all of its foreign 234 00:08:19,750 --> 00:08:24,219 policy in places such as Syria that is 235 00:08:22,210 --> 00:08:25,990 now having a blowback effect and even 236 00:08:24,219 --> 00:08:27,639 the West media says the term blowback 237 00:08:25,990 --> 00:08:29,889 but when we look at the definition of 238 00:08:27,639 --> 00:08:32,169 blowback it means largely self-inflicted 239 00:08:29,889 --> 00:08:33,909 and so its inherent in duplicity in that 240 00:08:32,169 --> 00:08:35,979 term that actually we've caused this 241 00:08:33,909 --> 00:08:37,390 problem so yes I think Adam might be 242 00:08:35,979 --> 00:08:39,000 sincere when he's now saying because 243 00:08:37,390 --> 00:08:42,849 he's under such intense pressure from 244 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:45,399 parts of the West to reverse his pro 245 00:08:42,849 --> 00:08:46,390 terrorism policies that now he can just 246 00:08:45,399 --> 00:08:48,430 show every now and then that he's 247 00:08:46,390 --> 00:08:50,290 deported people and actually I've done 248 00:08:48,430 --> 00:08:51,579 my best but but it does raise an 249 00:08:50,290 --> 00:08:53,260 interesting issue about intelligence 250 00:08:51,579 --> 00:08:55,060 matters because you do have as we 251 00:08:53,260 --> 00:08:56,829 entered there earlier this is an 252 00:08:55,060 --> 00:08:58,899 intelligence failure and what we find 253 00:08:56,829 --> 00:09:00,100 after these intelligence failures by the 254 00:08:58,899 --> 00:09:02,380 security services is that these 255 00:09:00,100 --> 00:09:04,089 intelligence failures are then used by 256 00:09:02,380 --> 00:09:05,020 politicians by the intelligence of 257 00:09:04,089 --> 00:09:06,430 ourselves funny you should say that 258 00:09:05,020 --> 00:09:08,290 because it's surely this is now going to 259 00:09:06,430 --> 00:09:10,060 impact the whole EU referendum debate 260 00:09:08,290 --> 00:09:11,350 because this you know four kalsa minds 261 00:09:10,060 --> 00:09:12,850 like a bit further back obviously the 262 00:09:11,350 --> 00:09:14,079 Paris attack a fled to Belgium from 263 00:09:12,850 --> 00:09:15,820 France obviously under the shelling 264 00:09:14,079 --> 00:09:17,560 agreement you could that must really 265 00:09:15,820 --> 00:09:18,670 play a part now into politics well it 266 00:09:17,560 --> 00:09:20,709 exactly it's going to be used by 267 00:09:18,670 --> 00:09:21,699 politicians by the media and by those 268 00:09:20,709 --> 00:09:23,889 who speak for this 269 00:09:21,699 --> 00:09:26,529 security services as so you know experts 270 00:09:23,889 --> 00:09:27,910 on TV and radio sometimes for their own 271 00:09:26,529 --> 00:09:29,319 particular aims and of course everybody 272 00:09:27,910 --> 00:09:31,899 can take something from this for example 273 00:09:29,319 --> 00:09:34,480 we've had in terms of public politics 274 00:09:31,899 --> 00:09:36,549 you've had some for example from you 275 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,689 kept in the UK saying this is an example 276 00:09:36,549 --> 00:09:40,179 of why we should have more immigration 277 00:09:37,689 --> 00:09:42,639 control others to resume the Home 278 00:09:40,179 --> 00:09:44,169 Secretary saying recently that it's an 279 00:09:42,639 --> 00:09:45,819 example of why we need to be in Europe 280 00:09:44,169 --> 00:09:47,589 to spread intelligence more care more 281 00:09:45,819 --> 00:09:50,980 more widely but the fact is that 282 00:09:47,589 --> 00:09:52,569 actually it's a nice easy answer to say 283 00:09:50,980 --> 00:09:54,279 that this is some kind of external 284 00:09:52,569 --> 00:09:56,709 problem this is to do with the ease with 285 00:09:54,279 --> 00:09:58,449 which people get visas or can travel in 286 00:09:56,709 --> 00:10:00,369 almost all of these attacks that have 287 00:09:58,449 --> 00:10:02,139 taken place in Europe the perpetrators 288 00:10:00,369 --> 00:10:04,059 have been Europeans there have been 289 00:10:02,139 --> 00:10:05,739 people who have been born in Britain or 290 00:10:04,059 --> 00:10:07,899 have been in Britain for such a long 291 00:10:05,739 --> 00:10:10,029 time since childhood we think about 77 292 00:10:07,899 --> 00:10:12,220 and 21 7th from those how a terrible 293 00:10:10,029 --> 00:10:14,230 attacks in London and in Paris and 294 00:10:12,220 --> 00:10:15,399 elsewhere they are effectively native 295 00:10:14,230 --> 00:10:18,429 people so these are you this is an 296 00:10:15,399 --> 00:10:20,139 internal issue for Europe as well as a 297 00:10:18,429 --> 00:10:23,410 foreign policy issue because of course 298 00:10:20,139 --> 00:10:26,199 we have to consider how it was that so 299 00:10:23,410 --> 00:10:29,619 many many hundreds of British French 300 00:10:26,199 --> 00:10:31,689 German Belgian subjects were able and 301 00:10:29,619 --> 00:10:33,970 not discouraging it anyway by their 302 00:10:31,689 --> 00:10:36,639 governments to go off to get training 303 00:10:33,970 --> 00:10:38,169 experience as effectively terrorists in 304 00:10:36,639 --> 00:10:39,789 Syria and these are the kind of 305 00:10:38,169 --> 00:10:41,799 questions I'm sure that many Belgians 306 00:10:39,789 --> 00:10:43,269 and French people are asking us to the 307 00:10:41,799 --> 00:10:47,049 wisdom of that policy of effectively 308 00:10:43,269 --> 00:10:49,600 doing nothing until around mid 2013 to 309 00:10:47,049 --> 00:10:52,449 prevent these terrorists going off to 310 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:55,419 fight against a sad and thereby at that 311 00:10:52,449 --> 00:10:57,249 time of course arguably serving western 312 00:10:55,419 --> 00:10:59,379 foreign policy which leads the question 313 00:10:57,249 --> 00:11:01,359 if the Syria peace talks do get resolved 314 00:10:59,379 --> 00:11:03,879 what's going to happen to those there's 315 00:11:01,359 --> 00:11:05,319 British nationals who've joined this 316 00:11:03,879 --> 00:11:06,970 death cult I mean where are they gonna 317 00:11:05,319 --> 00:11:08,470 go I think we've already seen the signs 318 00:11:06,970 --> 00:11:10,239 of what's happening there and of course 319 00:11:08,470 --> 00:11:11,799 it may be that that's what emerges 320 00:11:10,239 --> 00:11:13,600 happened in Belgium as well we study 321 00:11:11,799 --> 00:11:16,209 notes what happened in Paris where 322 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:18,699 you've got a situation now where is in 323 00:11:16,209 --> 00:11:21,129 Syria is no longer in the safe haven 324 00:11:18,699 --> 00:11:23,769 that it used to be because of the West 325 00:11:21,129 --> 00:11:25,929 policies in destabilizing places such as 326 00:11:23,769 --> 00:11:27,069 Libya Syria when we say the West we 327 00:11:25,929 --> 00:11:29,199 don't really mean the west of course we 328 00:11:27,069 --> 00:11:30,850 mean Britain France in America these are 329 00:11:29,199 --> 00:11:33,009 the guys who have actually driven this 330 00:11:30,850 --> 00:11:34,610 policy of destabilization you've got 331 00:11:33,009 --> 00:11:36,860 areas now that are 332 00:11:34,610 --> 00:11:39,200 on govern space these have become safe 333 00:11:36,860 --> 00:11:42,200 haven for groups such as al-qaeda our 334 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:43,730 Nigerian sir or is and as a result of 335 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:46,190 that it was a bizarre situation of for 336 00:11:43,730 --> 00:11:47,779 example for three years the parts of 337 00:11:46,190 --> 00:11:50,420 Syria that is controlled were the only 338 00:11:47,779 --> 00:11:51,820 parts and al-nusrah control these are 339 00:11:50,420 --> 00:11:53,959 the only place in the world where 340 00:11:51,820 --> 00:11:56,510 actually you could go and be safe from 341 00:11:53,959 --> 00:11:58,310 American drones against another so 342 00:11:56,510 --> 00:11:59,540 actually the West was backing the 343 00:11:58,310 --> 00:12:01,940 creation of these safe havens and 344 00:11:59,540 --> 00:12:04,279 surprise surprise this has served as an 345 00:12:01,940 --> 00:12:06,170 incubator for these groups now that 346 00:12:04,279 --> 00:12:08,959 they're under some limited US attack for 347 00:12:06,170 --> 00:12:10,579 sure but mainly because they're under 348 00:12:08,959 --> 00:12:12,950 such heavy russian attack lifting on and 349 00:12:10,579 --> 00:12:15,079 there of course the ious guys who were 350 00:12:12,950 --> 00:12:16,820 there who were in many ways in coach to 351 00:12:15,079 --> 00:12:19,490 go there by our media as heroes fighting 352 00:12:16,820 --> 00:12:21,050 Assad now of course it's not so much fun 353 00:12:19,490 --> 00:12:23,029 for them anymore they're now coming back 354 00:12:21,050 --> 00:12:24,589 lot Rove's well it's not fun for any of 355 00:12:23,029 --> 00:12:27,440 this and I'm sure it'll be a subject 356 00:12:24,589 --> 00:12:28,579 will be seeing here of course again but 357 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,620 chance thank you so much for joining us 358 00:12:28,579 --> 00:12:32,420 aboard this pudding thank you coming up 359 00:12:30,620 --> 00:12:34,730 next sites you thought you'd never see 360 00:12:32,420 --> 00:12:36,620 the President of the United States of 361 00:12:34,730 --> 00:12:39,230 America standing with the Cuban leader 362 00:12:36,620 --> 00:12:41,180 Raul Castro in Revolution Square with 363 00:12:39,230 --> 00:12:44,019 the image of Che Guevara looking down on 364 00:12:41,180 --> 00:12:44,019 them don't miss it 365 00:12:47,269 --> 00:12:52,050 welcome back to Sputnik among standoff 366 00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:54,540 between the USA and its neighbor Cuba 367 00:12:52,050 --> 00:12:56,790 just 90 miles away move towards its end 368 00:12:54,540 --> 00:12:59,040 this week when President Obama embraced 369 00:12:56,790 --> 00:13:02,839 the leadership of Cuba in Havana it had 370 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,839 the hand of history written all over it 371 00:13:30,190 --> 00:13:35,900 but what will it mean for the US for us 372 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:38,120 Cuban relations and a very great 373 00:13:35,900 --> 00:13:40,190 importance to many of our viewers what 374 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:42,950 would it mean for Cuba a long-standing 375 00:13:40,190 --> 00:13:45,410 advocate of friendship with Cuba is Rob 376 00:13:42,950 --> 00:13:47,990 Miller director of the Cuba solidarity 377 00:13:45,410 --> 00:13:49,790 campaign and he joins us in a minute but 378 00:13:47,990 --> 00:13:52,010 first let's hear what the public in 379 00:13:49,790 --> 00:13:53,780 London think about President Obama's 380 00:13:52,010 --> 00:13:55,310 visit I think it's a good thing that 381 00:13:53,780 --> 00:13:57,890 America's opened up relationship 382 00:13:55,310 --> 00:13:59,240 relations with Cuba again but I think it 383 00:13:57,890 --> 00:14:01,310 would have very little effect on Cuba 384 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:03,770 but we'll probably do you know wonders 385 00:14:01,310 --> 00:14:06,170 for Obama's legacy if there is freedom 386 00:14:03,770 --> 00:14:08,870 of money coming in there is a prosperity 387 00:14:06,170 --> 00:14:11,090 communism has a natural death when Obama 388 00:14:08,870 --> 00:14:15,430 lifted the sanctions he's also brought 389 00:14:11,090 --> 00:14:18,050 over with him and hordes of 390 00:14:15,430 --> 00:14:20,090 multinational international big 391 00:14:18,050 --> 00:14:22,610 businessmen who are really looking at 392 00:14:20,090 --> 00:14:25,370 Cuba to try and turn the heads of the 393 00:14:22,610 --> 00:14:27,050 Cuban people away from creating their 394 00:14:25,370 --> 00:14:28,580 own destiny through that socialist 395 00:14:27,050 --> 00:14:30,890 revolution that they had and perhaps 396 00:14:28,580 --> 00:14:32,420 forging a new way forward and really 397 00:14:30,890 --> 00:14:35,540 trying to integrate them into a 398 00:14:32,420 --> 00:14:37,310 capitalist economy well it seems a lot 399 00:14:35,540 --> 00:14:39,320 of people have an opinion on President 400 00:14:37,310 --> 00:14:41,150 Obama's visit in Cuba but now it's time 401 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:42,920 to hear from our expert Rob Rob what's 402 00:14:41,150 --> 00:14:44,570 your take on President Obama's visit to 403 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:46,070 Cuba well it's been a wonderful visit 404 00:14:44,570 --> 00:14:48,320 it's been a great few days I'm sure 405 00:14:46,070 --> 00:14:49,880 President Obama and his family Michelle 406 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:51,290 and the girls enjoyed the timing of an 407 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:53,870 arrest millions of people do every year 408 00:14:51,290 --> 00:14:55,880 when they go to Cuba on holiday and I'm 409 00:14:53,870 --> 00:14:58,070 also sure that the Cuban people enjoyed 410 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:59,990 the visit because for the first time for 411 00:14:58,070 --> 00:15:01,730 a long time you've really seen the 412 00:14:59,990 --> 00:15:04,100 possibilities that could come about 413 00:15:01,730 --> 00:15:06,589 between these two close neighbors and 414 00:15:04,100 --> 00:15:08,540 how that relationship could develop over 415 00:15:06,589 --> 00:15:10,430 time they're very close neighbors they 416 00:15:08,540 --> 00:15:11,960 should be very close friends they say 417 00:15:10,430 --> 00:15:15,100 when you open the door or window the 418 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:17,000 fly's flying what's gonna happen when 419 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:19,880 naturalization kicks in with disneyland 420 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:21,140 of goodness no wats TNCs landing in Cuba 421 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,420 do you think you'll be the same place I 422 00:15:21,140 --> 00:15:25,040 think Cuba will change I think it will 423 00:15:23,420 --> 00:15:27,230 change slowly I don't think it's gonna 424 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:29,540 be a mad rush to embrace everything 425 00:15:27,230 --> 00:15:32,600 about the United States the Cuban people 426 00:15:29,540 --> 00:15:34,640 are very very strong and very proud of 427 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,939 their nation and their achievements 428 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:38,089 their achievements are well known 429 00:15:35,939 --> 00:15:39,929 health in education in social care 430 00:15:38,089 --> 00:15:41,609 internationalism and so forth and the 431 00:15:39,929 --> 00:15:43,499 Cuban people are really not in the 432 00:15:41,609 --> 00:15:45,720 business of giving that all up overnight 433 00:15:43,499 --> 00:15:48,359 they're very intelligent people very 434 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:49,889 well educated and they've seen films of 435 00:15:48,359 --> 00:15:51,779 the United States of course there are 436 00:15:49,889 --> 00:15:53,489 things people admire about the United 437 00:15:51,779 --> 00:15:55,169 States and things that people want but 438 00:15:53,489 --> 00:15:56,489 there's also as we all know an awful lot 439 00:15:55,169 --> 00:15:58,139 of things in the united states that you 440 00:15:56,489 --> 00:15:59,549 could do without and i've got two 441 00:15:58,139 --> 00:16:00,779 children of my own and I know which 442 00:15:59,549 --> 00:16:02,579 country I would prefer them to be 443 00:16:00,779 --> 00:16:05,639 brought up in Cuba's a lovely place to 444 00:16:02,579 --> 00:16:08,220 grow up in he's got a vibrant eclectic 445 00:16:05,639 --> 00:16:09,629 atmosphere culture and it's a country 446 00:16:08,220 --> 00:16:10,919 that I would be very proud to live in 447 00:16:09,629 --> 00:16:13,829 and I know the Cuban people are very 448 00:16:10,919 --> 00:16:16,169 proud of that country probably no that's 449 00:16:13,829 --> 00:16:18,359 actually the Congress there was they 450 00:16:16,169 --> 00:16:21,089 weren't really mad about Obama's trip 451 00:16:18,359 --> 00:16:24,419 the US media they're not mad about it so 452 00:16:21,089 --> 00:16:27,179 why did Obama do it what's in it for him 453 00:16:24,419 --> 00:16:29,669 I think well obviously legacy for 454 00:16:27,179 --> 00:16:31,289 President Obama himself and he wants to 455 00:16:29,669 --> 00:16:32,669 leave a positive legacy in the region 456 00:16:31,289 --> 00:16:34,169 but I think the bigger picture is the 457 00:16:32,669 --> 00:16:36,749 relationship between the United States 458 00:16:34,169 --> 00:16:38,819 and the whole hemisphere the United 459 00:16:36,749 --> 00:16:40,799 States has been losing influence within 460 00:16:38,819 --> 00:16:42,479 South America in particular and 461 00:16:40,799 --> 00:16:44,970 countries such as Brazil Venezuela 462 00:16:42,479 --> 00:16:46,799 Argentina very big economies and 463 00:16:44,970 --> 00:16:48,809 particularly the Chinese have been 464 00:16:46,799 --> 00:16:50,759 investing in the region and I think when 465 00:16:48,809 --> 00:16:53,549 you've had a many years now of a 466 00:16:50,759 --> 00:16:56,039 progressive left leading countries the 467 00:16:53,549 --> 00:16:58,079 issue of Cuba has been a real block on 468 00:16:56,039 --> 00:16:59,759 relations with the United States and a 469 00:16:58,079 --> 00:17:01,769 couple of years ago at the Organization 470 00:16:59,759 --> 00:17:04,470 of American States President Obama 471 00:17:01,769 --> 00:17:06,659 himself was almost excluded by the other 472 00:17:04,470 --> 00:17:08,490 presidents of the region and the reason 473 00:17:06,659 --> 00:17:11,129 was the blockade of Cuba and the ongoing 474 00:17:08,490 --> 00:17:13,319 mistreatment of Cuba so by opening up 475 00:17:11,129 --> 00:17:15,539 that door opening up that relationship 476 00:17:13,319 --> 00:17:17,639 with Cuba the Americans President Obama 477 00:17:15,539 --> 00:17:20,100 and the business community in the United 478 00:17:17,639 --> 00:17:21,809 States is opening up its opportunities 479 00:17:20,100 --> 00:17:24,720 within the hemisphere and that's a very 480 00:17:21,809 --> 00:17:27,659 very important economic mission if you 481 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:29,009 like and this part of that opening up on 482 00:17:27,659 --> 00:17:31,799 that engagement has been in a very 483 00:17:29,009 --> 00:17:33,360 important element well I think it's a it 484 00:17:31,799 --> 00:17:35,190 is supposed to be it's positively 485 00:17:33,360 --> 00:17:36,840 received all over the world I just 486 00:17:35,190 --> 00:17:39,000 question whether it's the same in the 487 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:40,860 u.s. itself well I think people in the 488 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,840 united states are very open to 489 00:17:40,860 --> 00:17:44,789 engagement of cuba success it all the 490 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:46,350 polls indicated the people at the United 491 00:17:44,789 --> 00:17:48,419 States want to see normalize relations 492 00:17:46,350 --> 00:17:50,609 with Cuba the key 493 00:17:48,419 --> 00:17:53,039 factor has been the relationship or the 494 00:17:50,609 --> 00:17:55,109 feelings of the people in Florida that 1 495 00:17:53,039 --> 00:17:57,450 million-plus group of cuban-americans 496 00:17:55,109 --> 00:18:00,359 who have driven forward that aggressive 497 00:17:57,450 --> 00:18:02,340 a u.s. foreign policy towards Cuba the 498 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:07,320 country they left after the Revolution 499 00:18:02,340 --> 00:18:09,389 of 1956 are changing the younger 500 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:11,639 generation have grandparents they have 501 00:18:09,389 --> 00:18:12,840 family relations in Cuba and they want 502 00:18:11,639 --> 00:18:14,489 to go backwards and forward they seek 503 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:16,769 you were in different lights absolutely 504 00:18:14,489 --> 00:18:18,570 and the idea of blockade is no longer 505 00:18:16,769 --> 00:18:19,799 relevant to them they want to go back 506 00:18:18,570 --> 00:18:21,809 with some forwards they want to meet 507 00:18:19,799 --> 00:18:23,759 their families they want to invest they 508 00:18:21,809 --> 00:18:25,679 want to take up opportunities you you 509 00:18:23,759 --> 00:18:27,359 say measure Ozzy blockade but one of the 510 00:18:25,679 --> 00:18:29,549 sanctions really gonna end do you see it 511 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:31,230 happening soon well we want it to happen 512 00:18:29,549 --> 00:18:33,389 soon but it's been a very very long way 513 00:18:31,230 --> 00:18:34,889 the facts of the matter are the despite 514 00:18:33,389 --> 00:18:37,440 all the talk over the last year of 515 00:18:34,889 --> 00:18:40,320 rapprochement despite the new diplomatic 516 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:42,210 relations despite Obama's visit and the 517 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:44,519 four rounds of bilateral talks in two 518 00:18:42,210 --> 00:18:46,320 countries the blockade is very much in 519 00:18:44,519 --> 00:18:49,470 place during Obama's administration 520 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:53,700 alone 49 international companies have 521 00:18:49,470 --> 00:18:56,669 been fined nearly 20 billion dollars in 522 00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:58,350 total for just trading with Cuba my own 523 00:18:56,669 --> 00:19:00,389 organization the Cuba solidarity 524 00:18:58,350 --> 00:19:02,279 campaign we've had our bank accounts 525 00:19:00,389 --> 00:19:04,739 closed by the co-operative bank who have 526 00:19:02,279 --> 00:19:06,989 closed our bank accounts in London 527 00:19:04,739 --> 00:19:08,460 because of the blockade and the chief 528 00:19:06,989 --> 00:19:10,350 executive of the co-op has said is 529 00:19:08,460 --> 00:19:11,549 because of the u.s. blockade policies 530 00:19:10,350 --> 00:19:14,159 now if you have a small organization 531 00:19:11,549 --> 00:19:16,139 either Cuba solidarity campaign unable 532 00:19:14,159 --> 00:19:18,480 to trade with Cuba imagine what it's 533 00:19:16,139 --> 00:19:20,850 like for British and international 534 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,769 businesses who are unable to trade so 535 00:19:20,850 --> 00:19:24,239 the blockade has to end that has to be 536 00:19:22,769 --> 00:19:25,409 the first thing on the table well that's 537 00:19:24,239 --> 00:19:27,480 the question isn't it because is this 538 00:19:25,409 --> 00:19:28,799 another one of Obama's false promises we 539 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:29,759 obviously had it one of the first things 540 00:19:28,799 --> 00:19:31,049 he admitted he wanted to close 541 00:19:29,759 --> 00:19:32,450 Guantanamo that didn't happen do you 542 00:19:31,049 --> 00:19:34,350 think this really will be a long-term 543 00:19:32,450 --> 00:19:36,359 strategy that will be implemented 544 00:19:34,350 --> 00:19:38,879 sustainably for the Cuban people I think 545 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:41,279 we have to take President Obama at face 546 00:19:38,879 --> 00:19:43,259 value and and see that this is something 547 00:19:41,279 --> 00:19:44,850 that he believes in now whether that can 548 00:19:43,259 --> 00:19:46,559 be carried through by Congress obviously 549 00:19:44,850 --> 00:19:48,119 a lot of the elements of the blockade 550 00:19:46,559 --> 00:19:50,159 legislation have to be reversed by 551 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:52,320 Congress but there are still more things 552 00:19:50,159 --> 00:19:54,570 that the United States could do they 553 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:57,210 could lift the tourism ban on their own 554 00:19:54,570 --> 00:19:59,759 citizens traveling to Cuba and certainly 555 00:19:57,210 --> 00:20:01,500 the issue offer Gont animo has to be 556 00:19:59,759 --> 00:20:03,720 discussed you can't have 557 00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:05,940 normalized relationship with a country 558 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:08,190 when the bigger partner is illegally 559 00:20:05,940 --> 00:20:11,070 occupying your land against your wishes 560 00:20:08,190 --> 00:20:13,050 it's the only United States the only 561 00:20:11,070 --> 00:20:15,210 international based military base in the 562 00:20:13,050 --> 00:20:16,890 world that's positioned in a country 563 00:20:15,210 --> 00:20:18,540 that doesn't want it to be there that 564 00:20:16,890 --> 00:20:20,310 has to change we can't talk about 565 00:20:18,540 --> 00:20:22,980 normalize relations until that happens 566 00:20:20,310 --> 00:20:26,160 sure and of course the the real question 567 00:20:22,980 --> 00:20:28,110 is will this actually impact in terms of 568 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:29,670 trade in the favor of the Cubans because 569 00:20:28,110 --> 00:20:30,750 ultimately you know Obama's delegation 570 00:20:29,670 --> 00:20:33,240 had people representatives in the likes 571 00:20:30,750 --> 00:20:36,300 of PayPal and several huge organizations 572 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:38,580 that represent the kind of tourism and 573 00:20:36,300 --> 00:20:39,840 holiday and rentals and etc so are we 574 00:20:38,580 --> 00:20:41,730 actually gonna see sustained investment 575 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:43,410 they will actually benefit Cubans I 576 00:20:41,730 --> 00:20:45,360 think we will see a change and but it 577 00:20:43,410 --> 00:20:47,730 will take time I think international 578 00:20:45,360 --> 00:20:50,280 companies have been warned off of Cuba 579 00:20:47,730 --> 00:20:52,740 for many many years the fines as I've 580 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:54,690 said have been horrific and massive the 581 00:20:52,740 --> 00:20:56,910 only a couple of moscow british firm 582 00:20:54,690 --> 00:20:58,890 watg holdings was fined two hundred 583 00:20:56,910 --> 00:21:01,080 thousand dollars so it's still going on 584 00:20:58,890 --> 00:21:03,570 Commerce Bank the German bank was fine 585 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:05,640 over a billion dollars this year so 586 00:21:03,570 --> 00:21:09,480 these fines are still in place and that 587 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:12,270 is a major factor stopping international 588 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:14,340 trade cube is a wonderful place to do 589 00:21:12,270 --> 00:21:17,040 business it's a very stable society it's 590 00:21:14,340 --> 00:21:19,380 got a very highly educated workforce and 591 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:21,690 it's a population of 11 million people 592 00:21:19,380 --> 00:21:23,520 which needs investment there are many 593 00:21:21,690 --> 00:21:25,770 many opportunities for international 594 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:28,620 business and particularly US business so 595 00:21:25,770 --> 00:21:30,510 it will help the Cubans want investment 596 00:21:28,620 --> 00:21:32,460 is what they need to develop their their 597 00:21:30,510 --> 00:21:34,230 country and they need that development 598 00:21:32,460 --> 00:21:36,420 they want it and they need to see that 599 00:21:34,230 --> 00:21:38,190 progress so it's something we hope will 600 00:21:36,420 --> 00:21:39,570 come come out of this visit and out of 601 00:21:38,190 --> 00:21:41,430 the discussions they're going along at 602 00:21:39,570 --> 00:21:44,640 the moment and there was this a 603 00:21:41,430 --> 00:21:47,880 fantastic picture captured of Raul 604 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:49,980 Castro holy of obama's hand which was 605 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:53,010 supposed to be a fist pump but Obama 606 00:21:49,980 --> 00:21:55,530 health is high and loose so apart from 607 00:21:53,010 --> 00:21:57,720 that a little incident I think it looked 608 00:21:55,530 --> 00:21:59,760 quite a successful trip this whole 609 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:02,040 apartment I just wondered when they 610 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:04,590 stood there in Revolution Square with 611 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:06,930 che guevara behind them looking really 612 00:22:04,590 --> 00:22:10,320 literally upon them how do you think he 613 00:22:06,930 --> 00:22:13,050 would have regarded this this this visit 614 00:22:10,320 --> 00:22:13,820 and even Fidel who still life how would 615 00:22:13,050 --> 00:22:15,680 they have seen 616 00:22:13,820 --> 00:22:17,270 well I think the Cuban people were all 617 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:19,490 Fidel the Cuban people will see it as a 618 00:22:17,270 --> 00:22:21,530 victory I think they've had 50 years of 619 00:22:19,490 --> 00:22:23,750 aggression and now finally the US 620 00:22:21,530 --> 00:22:26,540 president has come to them the Cubans 621 00:22:23,750 --> 00:22:28,730 haven't given up anything it's the 622 00:22:26,540 --> 00:22:31,190 United States that need to change is the 623 00:22:28,730 --> 00:22:33,980 United States unilateral blockade it's 624 00:22:31,190 --> 00:22:35,900 the United States financed aggression 625 00:22:33,980 --> 00:22:38,030 against Cuba so it's the united states 626 00:22:35,900 --> 00:22:40,790 that still has a long way to go cuba 627 00:22:38,030 --> 00:22:42,410 doesn't have to do anything to build a 628 00:22:40,790 --> 00:22:44,540 normalized relationship with the United 629 00:22:42,410 --> 00:22:47,120 States it's a purely a one-way ticket 630 00:22:44,540 --> 00:22:48,920 and we very much see this as a victory 631 00:22:47,120 --> 00:22:51,380 for Cuba but the Cuban people are very 632 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:53,690 patient they've had a long period of 633 00:22:51,380 --> 00:22:55,550 waiting on patiently and respectfully 634 00:22:53,690 --> 00:22:57,650 they're not asking for anything special 635 00:22:55,550 --> 00:22:59,990 they're purely asking for a normal 636 00:22:57,650 --> 00:23:01,730 relationship with a neighbor based on 637 00:22:59,990 --> 00:23:03,170 mutual respect and understanding well 638 00:23:01,730 --> 00:23:04,250 the Cuban solidarity campaign has no 639 00:23:03,170 --> 00:23:06,260 doubt been a neighbor of the Cuban 640 00:23:04,250 --> 00:23:07,820 people for many many years what does 641 00:23:06,260 --> 00:23:08,990 this mean for you as an organization 642 00:23:07,820 --> 00:23:10,640 obviously with these steps in the right 643 00:23:08,990 --> 00:23:12,440 direction what was what's the future for 644 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:13,970 you guys Oh as I said there's still a 645 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:15,410 long way to go with the blockade we've 646 00:23:13,970 --> 00:23:17,420 gone tanomo there was still a number of 647 00:23:15,410 --> 00:23:18,860 issues around the migration issues the 648 00:23:17,420 --> 00:23:21,650 Cuban Adjustment Act the wet foot dry 649 00:23:18,860 --> 00:23:24,350 foot policy which encourages Cubans to 650 00:23:21,650 --> 00:23:26,990 to leave the island there's still United 651 00:23:24,350 --> 00:23:28,910 States intervention within Cuba the 652 00:23:26,990 --> 00:23:31,960 Congress has just recently passed 30 653 00:23:28,910 --> 00:23:34,520 million dollars worth of money to fund 654 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:36,440 dissent in opposition within Cuba so 655 00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:38,030 directly intervening in in a foreign 656 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,710 nation so there's a long way to go but 657 00:23:38,030 --> 00:23:42,440 at the same time weird an organization 658 00:23:39,710 --> 00:23:44,300 will spend a lot of time now celebrating 659 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,740 many of the achievements of the Cuban 660 00:23:44,300 --> 00:23:47,810 Revolution not only in health and 661 00:23:45,740 --> 00:23:50,300 education but particularly in culture 662 00:23:47,810 --> 00:23:52,220 music dance and so on we're organizing 663 00:23:50,300 --> 00:23:54,380 exhibitions and events around the 664 00:23:52,220 --> 00:23:56,600 country really looking at how Cuba has 665 00:23:54,380 --> 00:23:59,060 achieved something that I think we can 666 00:23:56,600 --> 00:24:00,710 all look to cube is not perfect but 667 00:23:59,060 --> 00:24:03,260 there's many things in Cuba that we can 668 00:24:00,710 --> 00:24:05,930 admire and certainly people across the 669 00:24:03,260 --> 00:24:07,580 South the developing world look to Cuba 670 00:24:05,930 --> 00:24:09,440 as a sustainable model of development 671 00:24:07,580 --> 00:24:11,870 and one which they want to learn from 672 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:13,070 well I'm certainly sold we'll have to 673 00:24:11,870 --> 00:24:14,210 have you back Rob thanks so much for 674 00:24:13,070 --> 00:24:17,320 joining us on board this morning thank 675 00:24:14,210 --> 00:24:17,320 you very much for having me thank you 676 00:24:18,220 --> 00:24:22,460 and now of course it's time to hear what 677 00:24:20,419 --> 00:24:24,440 you think on the realms of digital and 678 00:24:22,460 --> 00:24:27,820 social media what's buzzing away Gayatri 679 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:30,799 well Brussels these suicide bombers who 680 00:24:27,820 --> 00:24:33,470 created these monsters actually Amy 681 00:24:30,799 --> 00:24:35,169 Wyatt says the terrorism against Muslims 682 00:24:33,470 --> 00:24:37,779 in the middle east and in the West 683 00:24:35,169 --> 00:24:41,269 racism it's a feeling of not belonging 684 00:24:37,779 --> 00:24:44,359 which is about right definitely see 685 00:24:41,269 --> 00:24:47,210 Aaron says Saudi oil wealth and Western 686 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:48,679 grid I think look there's a lot of 687 00:24:47,210 --> 00:24:52,580 parties involved in this it's a very 688 00:24:48,679 --> 00:24:53,720 very busy situation but it's it's 689 00:24:52,580 --> 00:24:55,789 annoying that we have to put labels 690 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:57,320 obviously on nations and people because 691 00:24:55,789 --> 00:24:59,480 no real religion obviously represents 692 00:24:57,320 --> 00:25:03,019 terrorism doesn't absolutely not now 693 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:05,720 this us rapprochement with Cuba is that 694 00:25:03,019 --> 00:25:09,350 President Obama's legacy we asked keith 695 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:12,080 fox says obama said isolation has not 696 00:25:09,350 --> 00:25:13,879 worked it's time for a new approach it's 697 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:16,639 actually the same intent with new 698 00:25:13,879 --> 00:25:18,769 methods and sean karen says clean water 699 00:25:16,639 --> 00:25:21,379 free education and health care for all 700 00:25:18,769 --> 00:25:24,590 the people of Detroit can but dream of 701 00:25:21,379 --> 00:25:26,269 that sochi Viva Cuba exactly and that's 702 00:25:24,590 --> 00:25:27,470 all of you got time for this week and 703 00:25:26,269 --> 00:25:30,230 that's the end of this episode of 704 00:25:27,470 --> 00:25:32,330 Sputnik with me Joseph Italian for 705 00:25:30,230 --> 00:25:34,369 George Galloway emeka a tree you can 706 00:25:32,330 --> 00:25:36,559 stay in touch with us on social media on 707 00:25:34,369 --> 00:25:40,399 Twitter at RT underscore Sputnik on 708 00:25:36,559 --> 00:25:43,929 facebook Sputnik on Russia today until 709 00:25:40,399 --> 00:25:43,929 next week it's be marvelous 710 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:55,260 you