Transcripts For DW Quarks 20240711

Things. Stay home and then be tested for the virus. Im burnt off in berlin. This is the day were going through challenging times. We had a terrorist attack and we hike around a virus infection rate. That is, does that last 3, unfortunately has the highest infection rates in europe at the moment. 500. 00 cases term 100 times in half a sentence. So we decided to act decisively and implemented a short but sharp 2nd lock down for 2 and a hop weeks. I think it makes sense because we dont know how the situation will develop if we do nothing naturally. Was also coming up in his new memoir, a promise to land a former u. S. President barack obama opens up about his relationships with other leaders such as german chancellor Angela Merkel and his friendship with president elect joe biden. I was thrilled to see its become a brother, a genuinely good friend. Tom was one of my earliest supporters when i 1st launched my presidency, so i personally invested in them. I think this gives us a chance get back to the kind of competent, caring government that we so badly need as you our viewers on p. B. S. In the United States and to all of you around the world. Welcome. We begin the day with austrias new strategy to squash the coronavirus and to salvage christmas. Today, the country began its 2nd nationwide lockdown after a partial lockdown proved unsuccessful. In reducing the number of new infections for almost 3 weeks, people will only leave their homes if their jobs are deemed essential or if they need to exercise, buy groceries or buy medicine. Thats it. For as much as it is strict austrias lockdown is also ambitious. It is supposed to slow the spread of the virus significantly and be followed by a Mass Testing Program. The goal to test everyone, all 8800000. 00 people in the country. So much of austrias lock down depends on public cooperation, and that is true everywhere when everyone is not on board. The consequences are the tragic scenes now playing out in the United States, the austrian Prime Minister has issued one urgent request to his nation. Dont meet anyone. Viennas commercial district was full of people on monday night. Locals want to shop before the lockdown since only Grocery Stores and pharmacies can remain open during the next 3 weeks. Home goods and electronics are especially sought after right now. Oh man, im so and im looking for a camera for any learning for my son so that he can take part in live online lessons. Come and show it. Does that is what im looking for. Everything that i need. I dont know how long the lockdown will last, supposedly until december 6th, apart from shops and restaurants, schools and Daycare Centers are also closed from tuesday. But here in vienna, many establishments offer childcare for kids with working parents or those who cant take part in online classes at home. She was with me the whole time during the 1st lockdown. I made my sometimes i had to have a zoom conference and she was sad the entire time. Shes an only child and she doesnt have anyone else our busiest. And since she had me, man, there are exceptions to the current curfew. People who must work in person visit a doctor or buy groceries may leave their homes going for walks and exercising outdoors, has permitted but only with social distancing. And there might be more signs of life outside than there once during this springs lockdown. Because this time, playgrounds and parks are staying open, partial walk the walk to steroids. You can say when you look out your window, can you, can you tell the difference . I certainly cant today, things are very tranquil when the lockdown came into effect. Things did shut right down and the contrast to yesterday was amazing because the lock that was announced on saturday. So everybody got ready for monday and stormed the stores. There were lines out the door, everybody wearing face masks, so it immediately became apparent why the lockdown was necessary. Lockdowns work or not popular, but its what it was required when people were left to their own devices, the infection rates were off the charts. And were still seeing the effects of that nearly 6000. 00 infections just over the past 24 hours. Intensive intensive Treatment Centers and hospitals are in danger of being overrun. I think austria only has about 522. 00 beds left, switzerland heat capacity today. It needs to be stopped. The government plans to also test the entire population. When this lockdown is finished, talk to me a little bit about the logistics, hear me. This sounds like a job for the military. If austria work to follow the slovakian model, it would indeed require the military testing more than 8000000. 00. People would be a monumental task. But chancellor of the boston courts is going to convene a meeting of experts tomorrow morning at the chancellor. And even ahead of that meeting, whats now coming out is that what is more likely is that some sort of targeted testing will be pursued. What they didnt, slovakia was they use these antigen tests which are not very accurate. And theyre not really meant to test populations where youre going to have a lot of people testing negative. Its good to prove that people were positive, but it doesnt accomplish what you need to accomplish to find out where you have clusters and why they built. The big mystery in austria is why the in infections started to increase the rapidly in some areas. So this Mass Testing Program will be clarified after this big meeting tomorrow, whether australia pursues a slovakian model is yet to be seen, but probably not likely. Ok, correspondent steve shades with the latest tonight from vienna. Steve, as always, thank you. Are going to stay in austria now id like to welcome biologist Norbert Novotny to the program. Dr. To me, its good to have you with the partial walk down, did not bring down the number of new infections in your medical opinion. If this total walked down for the next 2 and a half 3 weeks, is that the right solution . Theres a whole body vintage. While these powers are locked down for almost 2 weeks, now, at least not hold new infections and the sound decline in. You know, the law to date, though, im pretty sure that a complete lockdown, the hart locked down during the upcoming 20 days. It should burke at the hall in her place like it or theyre never belgian or in public. There are a number of other countries which successfully hardtalk successfully and as we heard, thats not necessary. But i think even manage to got a hold of it all capacity public about it in the i. C. U. Was to balance after the walk down. We understand that austria wants to test the entire population for the virus. Do you know, maybe you could explain to us, will these tests before the presence of antibodies or will these tests before the actual presence of the virus . You know, i think the idea is in the last few days to test for vitals. In order to find the pill infected in order to say, you know, theres 2 weeks before christmas or shopping at that time and not with you know, a lot of lot of police during that time i think probably will not imply a population or im more thing targeted to certain groups of people, for example, teachers because one is definitely going to take them better and on the 7th and spangles into schools, open schools for people aged 14 to 18 and testing the teachers will make sense and some other groups, dr. Novartis joining us tonight from austria, dr. We appreciate your time in your insights tonight. Thank you. Most of them. When i have a night i was thrilled to have become a brother, a genuinely good friend, kamel as one of my earliest supporters. When i 1st launched my presidency, so i am personally invested in them. I think this gives us a chance to get back to the kind of competent, caring government that we so badly need. And every president has been held to a different standard relative to this president. I think donald trump breach so many norms. So so made a basic assumptions about what a president should or should not do that you cant come up with a comparable set of behaviors in the past. You know, those kinds of things, which in some ways we became numb to over the last several years. I think that its the stuff that can be fixed and joe and comma will set a different tone. We are now seeing in the middle of a pandemic, the consequences of not having a Good Public Health infrastructure. Because no matter how good your Health Insurance is, if everybody around you is getting sick and then youre at risk as well. Well, that was former u. S. President barack obama talking about americas Coronavirus Crisis and the president and Vice President elect. And he says, will rescue the country. Obama is talking a lot this week to kick off the publication of his new memoir entitled a promised land. The book with more than a 1000 pages covers the years 2009 through 2011 includes key moments during his tenure, such as the arab spring uprisings in the arab world. And the fallout from the 2008 Global Financial crisis. It features many leaders who are still in office today, switches america. Heres a taste of what obama writes about the german chancellor. The more ive gotten to know until america, the more ive come to like her, ive found her steady, honest, intellectually rigorous and instinctually kind. But she was also conservative by temperament, not to mention a savvy politician who knew her constituency. And whenever i suggested to worry that germany needed to set an example by spending more on infrastructure or tax cuts, she politely but firmly pushed back yaba rock. I think maybe thats not the best approach for us. She would say her face pulling into a slight frown as if id suggested something a little told it is rare to read such a candid and well written account of a european leader by a former us president. To take advantage of this tonight, weve invited jeff rocca, president of the American Institute for contemporary german studies at Johns Hopkins in washington, d. C. Jeff has worked in the u. S. State department, the white house, and here in berlin at the u. S. Embassy. Jeff, its good to have you on the program tonight. I hope youve had a chance to glance at the passages about the german chancellor. What surprised you most in obamas description of her and of their relationship . Well, thanks for having me on brant. I think what you see in that passage is the complexity of the american obama relationship. It, you know, we think about when barack Obama Left Office and the warm close relationship that they exhibited. But it didnt start out that way. You know, it started off with barack obama having campaigned in berlin during the 2008 president ial election, which merkel was not very enthusiastic about. And it also started off with very strong differences of opinion between the United States and germany, about the fiscal stimulus that came after the financial crisis of 2008200918, few other issues as well. So what you see here is that it took some time for the intellectually strong and very distinct personalities to find their working relationship and to make it a productive one. You know, we know that by the end of his tenure, we can say that obama was even in chanted by the german chancellor. He was not in chanted by the french president sarkozy. This is what he writes about him. What sarkozy lacked in ideological consistency. He made up for in boldness, charm and manic energy. Indeed, conversations with sarkozy or by turns amusing and exasperating his hands in perpetual motion. His chest thrust out like a bantam cox. His primary barely disguised interest was to be at the center of the action and take credit for whatever it was that might be worth taking credit for. As much as i appreciated the fact that sor cozy had embrace my Campaign Early on, it wasnt hard to tell which of the 2 european leaders would prove to be the more reliable partner. And jeff obama is calling the french president there a fair weather friend. Thats not the nicest compliment you can give someone. Can you tell us . Is that how the state department viewed sarkozy at the time . Well, i dont think we would look at it that way. I think, you know, like many other french president s, and indeed, if you look at the french diplomatic tradition, air france is interested in action and in shaping the environment around them. And their sarkozy is not any different from his predecessors. Or you might also say from emanuel macro today. And i think in my experience as a diplomat, the, you know, you have this balance in europe. On the one hand, you have often ambitious french leaders who are trying to get something done to make something happen. And you have a certain caution and circumspect approach by, by germans who either are worried about footing the bill or perhaps there are concerned about how theyre very different Public Opinion will accept the idea of ambitious action in which germany is a part so. So i think for an american leader like obama, you need to have a bit of both. You need to have someone likes our cozy. Who wants to see things happen and who wants to be part of it. But you also need someone like on america who is able to take a long view and can have a sustainable policy that is going to, you know, see that she can stick to for a long longer period. You mention policy, obama also did a huge part of his book to the euro crisis, and he is, hes not calling to germany and france when he describes their treatment of greece. This is what he writes as the debate about greece, heated up public discussions inside some of the original e. C. U. Countries would sometimes veer beyond disapproval of the greek governments policies in venture into a broader indictment of the greek people. Or as i dove, or here one e. U. Official of undetermined origin. Tell another, well i was washing my hands in a g. 8 summit lavatory. Theyd dont think that we dont think that they like us. I notice that they merkel and sarkozy rarely mention that german and french banks were some of greeces biggest lenders, or that much of the greeks accumulated debt had been racked up by buying german and french exports. Facts that might have made clear to voters why saving the greeks from default amounted to saving their own banks and industries. Thats rather scathing, and i would say your average observer would not have picked up on obamas disapproval of the german and french approach. Would you agree with that . Well, over time there have been disagreements, and the one that youve just described is a good example. But there have been, there have been others. And obama, early in his presidency, was concerned about, you know, we dont remember it much now, but about the, the trade deficit and about germanys export driven economic model. So this is, this is a consistent theme of that. The more progressively oriented Obama Administration at times took a very different view of the International Economic priorities and is especially the recovery plans that would be most effective if you think to take into consideration the financial crisis that marked the start of obamas term that he inherited from president bush and then what, what we saw even more starkly during the eurozone crisis, a few years after that. So i think that, you know, this is, you know, the difference if we compared to the last 3 or 4 years, is that the german american and the European American relationship in those times was embedded in a larger, shared purpose. And a fundamental understanding that we were hoping to go in the same direction even if we chose different paths. And thats why you could have disagreements about specifics. But without it calling the fundamentals of the relationship into question. Are i just right, the president of the American Institute for contemporary german studies . Jeff, its great to have you on the show tonight. We appreciate your insights as well. Thank you for a pleasure. Thanks. It was one of the biggest jewel heist singerman eve, the green vote break in the city of dresden one year ago. Now theres been a breakthrough in the case follies of arrested 3 suspects in a massive operation here in berlin. But they say they have not found any trace of the 1000000000 euros worth of precious gems that were stole. It was the pride of dressed and green vault, 18th century jury of immeasurable worth. Items that once were worn by german kings and queens us. But since the smash and grab burglary a year ago has been no trace of them. But there could be of the thieves in berlin, more than 1600. 00 officers from around the country raided several apartments, taking laptops, potential evidence, and arresting 3 suspects. For 2 of the arrested suspects, the judge in charge has issued an arrest warrant the 3rd suspect, who will still be brought before the judge. The Prosecutors Office in reston expects an arrest warrant there as well. The police have also launched an International Search for 2 additional suspects. All of them have been identified as german citizens who belong to the socalled criminal clan, seen organized Crime Networks whose members are mainly of middle eastern origin. Geminis capital bolen has become a stronghold for them in recent years. And the challenge for police and prosecutors. The jury heist is the 2nd high profile robbery in germany. In 2017, a 100 kilogram gold coin was stolen from a berlin museum. The theft to the same criminal clan that is now in the focus of investigations around, dressed in green belt and my colleagues gone from d. W. Arts and culture is here to talk about this. I mean, really, this heist itself was spectacular. Oh yeah. It is a like something out of a movie. I mean, this is almost exactly a year ago, november of last year, early in the morning in dresden. And what the thieves did is 1st, they set fire to electricity junction point, so that the power be cut off on the block so that those street lights were out. And they went to ground floor of this museum, tore the bars off a window ground floor window, went through with an axe straight to a display case of the jewelry smashed up, grab the jewels and got out there within 5 minutes. But its too late. Theyre already gone. Their getaway car was found later not far from, from, from the site burned out. And they took jewels with them that are worth what . A 1000000000 1000000000 euros is the, is the guesstimate that they, that they put out there. But really, i mean, to talk about these, this is this, this, this treasury, this is from just the strong 18th century saxon leader. This treasury is the equivalent of the British Crown jewels. I mean, its the prices, the, the, the cultural value, the, the financial value is priceless. And thats why its been so important the police to try and catch these people and to try if they can to find these jewels because they cant be replaced. Theres no way that this is not the 1st big Museum Robbery that weve seen in germany. And police are telling us that there is a connection maybe to previous ones. Yes. Seems a direct connection because one of the people who was arrested today for the green belt robbery has already been convicted of another robbery. Other happened in 2007. This one was mentioned in the piece, this huge gold coin that was stolen from another german. You see him 300 kilograms coin worth of across the 4000000. 00. That was the police think was, was taken, melted down and then sold off one of the people who was arrested for that. He was sentenced in february, but he was out on bail pending appeal. And he was then picked up this morning and that is the fear here is that once these jewels are stolen they will never be seen again. Yeah, i mean, this is, people said last year when the robbery happened, our experts said these pieces are so famous. They couldnt be sold legally, they probably even be sold illegally. The fear is that they were the pieces were just broken down, maybe cut, cut and then and then and sold off. There are some small hope that maybe some havent been, they could be recovered. But those those hopes seem to be getting smaller by the day since they were there. Always got thank you. Well, the day is almost done, but the conversation continues online. Youll find us on twitter either at u. W. News or you can follow me at brant galts t. V. And remember whatever happens between now and then, tomorrow is another day well see you than ever but green meaning for time my sons to Clear Climate change. Trailblazers is what counts and if c o 2 balances the minor detail. In order to work during the pandemic, many projects something to prove without an ecological Impact Assessment just doesnt add up. So how does one google 3 times 90 minutes on d w. W . Talk show strong, clear positions from the internet, the 1st to every week. We get to the point on a current topic. Opens controversial commitment right now, but to the point, its a long world to go beyond the obvious to live as we take on the world. Were all about the stories that matter to you country. What ever it is to cut the budget made for mines. This is it was just weeks before he leaves his u. S. President , orders thousands of troops leave afghanistan. The head of nato says, pulling troops out of afghanistan could make the country a haven for terrorists, yet again. Generals at the pentagon and leaders in the u. S. Congress are also warning against any withdrawal from washington. Also coming up this is exclusive d. W. News video of an airstrike in ethiopias cheaper province. The defiant region has ignored a government ultimatum to surrender. Ethiopias defense minister says the military offensive on seagrave will be over within a week. And huge police raids in berlin in connection with last years a labyrinth theft of precious jewels. Police have arrested 3 suspects in the green vault robbery, but they say no. Of these spectacular stole an 18th century worth more than a 1000000000. Im burnt off. Its good to have you with us. The United States has announced that it will be bringing some troops home from iraq and afghanistan by mid january u. S. President. Donald trump suggested that he wanted to accelerate the troop withdrawal from both countries by the end of his term in office, which is mid january. The pentagon says just 2500. 00 troops will remain in each nation. U. S. Troops have been stationed in afghanistan since 2001, and in iraq since 2003, the acting u. S. Defense secretary says the troop drawdown fulfills an election, important to the outgoing president. Before years ago, the President Trump ran on a promise to put a stop to americas endless wars. Today its Just Announced at the pentagon, president , tropics, keeping that promise to the american people. President trump understood that the way to end those wars was a dot to adopt a peace through strength approach to the world. He rebuilt the american military, which had been decimated by defense seaquest ration under the Obama Administration. He required our allies to step up their game. Our that was the acting defense secretary, the 1st time weve seen him since the defense secretary, a spear was fired last week. About this story im joined now by our washington correspondent, oversell a good evening to you all averse to talk to me about how this decision is going over in washingtons defense community. Well, theres been a lot of criticism brand even from within his own party, from the republicans look when he is trying to make good on a Campaign Promise he made. And youve heard the new acting defense secretary miller speak, explaining basically the same point that donald trump made the promise to bring home american soldiers. Thats what he has done in the past in syria, 2900, for instance, the russians and the turks strongly benefited from that. Move the allies, the American Allies that fought alongside the coalition against isis were the ones who had to pay for that move. And now its happening again in a canister and in iraq and analysts already called is a huge gift for the taliban. We heard nato secretary general stoltenberg speak. He said that afghanistan could become a platform for International Terrorists once again. So throwing the country back year is. Now one thing we have, we do have to keep in mind though brant is that these troop withdrawals take time. And its unclear whether the administration will be able to fulfill this promise until january 15th. Theres not much time left until and we date and were hearing also that mitch mcconnell, the Republican Senate majority leader, and a close ally of President Trump, that he opposes the withdrawal. Take a listen to what he said erupted, withdrawal of u. S. Forces from afghanistan. Now, would hurt our allies and the light your life. The people who wish us harm violence of fucking afghans are still rampant. The taliban is not abiding by the conditions of the socalled peace deal. The consequences of a premature american exit would likely be even worse than program obamas withdrawal from iraq back in 2011, which fueled the rot of isis and a new round of global terrorism. Speaking of the peace deal with the towel we bond saying that the taliban they havent lived up to there in the deal. What are the shortcomings . Yes, so this peace deal that was signed between the United States and the taliban. Included a gradual withdrawal of u. S. And nato troops until the end of 2021. Now the taliban committed for peace talks with the Afghan Government and these peace talks, they began in september, but they stalled just very soon after they actually began. And now with these new things, with these new developments, the u. S. Pulling out of afghanistan and of iraq. Of course, that certainly does not give a big incentive for the taliban to put any effort in these peace talks. Do we know why its president elect joe biden . What he will do once he takes off there is january 20. Well, interesting, lee, at 1st glance, his plans look quite similar to the ones of donald trump. He says and describes in his plans that he wants to pull out a vast majority of the american troops because he knows that American Voters are tired of these war assignments. Now, the big difference here, of course, is that he wants to do this in accordance with the agreements that the United States have made with nato. For instance. Also, he makes very clear that he wants to keep some troops on the ground to focus on counterterrorism operations, for instance. So no big difference on the 1st side, but certainly a better position for the Afghan Government to continue their peace talks or g. W. S. All over salads. With the latest in washington tonight, all over. Thank you. And we have this report that has just come in iraqs military says 4 rockets have hit baghdads heavily fortified green zone. And this area is home to the seat of iraqs government, as well as foreign embassies. At least 2 people have been injured. Officials say the rockets struck just 600 meters from the u. S. Embassy. And that the rockets were intercepted by an air Defense System installed by the u. S. Earlier this year, there has been, as of yet no claim of responsibility. If the o. B. S. Prime minister has announced what he says would be a final military operation against a province after local leaders ignored his surrender all to made it earlier. Today, the federal government carried out what it called surgical airstrikes on t. V. Regional capital. The government has so far resisted International Pressure for mediation in the conflict, but for well from 2 weeks of fighting has the potential to destabilize the entire region and has already started. What the United Nations says is a humanitarian crisis. Ethiopian air force fighter jets on a mission and the skies above tikrit. I captured by d. W. Journalist on the ground. Local t. V. Later showed what appeared to be buildings damaged by the air offensive. The escalating violence has sent thousands, spilling out beyond ethiopias borders. Aid groups say 25000, people have fled to sit down since the fighting broke out half of them children. Some may not see death, fathers or husbands again. Well, i dont think, you know, we came with the clothes on our backs. I dont know where my husband is. Ive been looking for him for 5 days. And i dont know where he is. An exclusive interview with t w. Ethiopias minister of defense says his countrys fight was with rebel groups. Group that you really must occur in ethiopia. Gross violation of rights and then they contradicted your p. R. Therefore it is the operation is part of getting this good looks at the state t. V. Pictures claim to Show National forces liberating towns, but hundreds are reported to have been killed. Nevertheless, the government continues to resist calls for external mediation, so im sure they let you 2 of the so lonely or internal affairs. So, and also it doesnt that many, many times it is really going to be a complete get within a week. Therefore, we dont consider it. It is a big, its a something internet. But she cried. Regional t. V. Appeared to show footage of captured eritrean troops with whom the rebel forces have also been fighting. Ethiopias Prime Minister has promised a quick end to the conflict with his quote final and crucial military operation. He said then hed be ready to reintegrate the swelling numbers of refugees. Now trying to survive on the banks of the to kiss the river and sit down. Well tonight, europe remains very much in the grip of a 2nd wave of the pandemic. France has announced that its number of confirmed corona virus cases has now passed the 2000000 mark. The u. K. Reported almost 600 coronavirus related deaths on tuesday. Its highest daily toll since may and surging figures in austria have led to a strict 3 week lockdown to avoid overwhelming hospitals in intensive care units. The measures include the closure of restaurants, non essential shops, and they switch to remote learning. For most students. Turkeys president has also announced the reintroduction of restrictions on public life, citing a significant increase in new cases. A partial curfew is among the new measures. It was one of the biggest jewel heist in germany in decades. Now it looks as though theres been a breakthrough in the case of the green vault break in at one of the countrys most famous museums. Last november, thieves made off with an estimated 1000000000 euros worth of precious gems from the museum in dresden. But early this morning, suspects here in berlin got a predawn wake up call from the police. It was the pride of prestons green vault, 18th century jewelry, immeasurable worth. Items that once were worn by june in king, then queen. But since the smash and grab burglary a year ago, there has been no trace of them. But there could be of the thieves in berlin, more than 1600. 00 officers from around the country, raided several apartments, taking laptops, potential evidence, and arresting 3 suspects of the of im talking about so much of it for 2 of the arrested suspects. The judge in charge has issued an arrest warrant to please the 3rd suspect who will still be brought before the judge. The Prosecutors Office in reston expects an arrest warrant there, as well, so much of clean up and always the stuff to feed him push to get that the police have also launched an International Search for 2 additional suspects. All of them have been identified as german citizens who belong to the socalled criminal clan, seen organized Crime Networks whose members are mainly of middle eastern origin. Germanys capital bolen has become a stronghold for them in recent years. And the challenge for police in prosecuting the jury heist is the 2nd high profile robbery in germany. In 2017, a 100 kilogram gold coin was stolen from a berlin museum. The theft was linked to the same criminal clan that is now in the focus of investigations around, dressed in green bolt correspondent nina hawes of was in dresden. She sent us this update all 5 suspects. The 3 men who were detained in balance in our current district on Tuesday Morning and are now in detention awaiting trial, as well as the 2 people who are still on the run. A members of the remo family. Now thats a notorious german arab criminal clan. Thats dominated ballons underworld for some 30 odd years. As for the 2 people who are still on the run, there are 221 year old male twins and Police Believe that at least one of them has fled in a gray rental car. The police have issued the number plate of that car and theyre hoping for the public to give them some clues as to the whereabouts of that person. An International Search warrant has also been issued. Now, as for the jewels themselves, the massive raid that happened in berlin is not occurring district didnt prove successful in terms of finding them, but police have not given up hope to find them. Having said that, the experts say that its extremely difficult to sell those gems because theyre so well known and so precious. And so there is big concern that they might have been smashed into individual pieces which can be sold more easily on the international market. And that would of course mean that they would be gone forever if there was, you know, has a reporting there. This is g. W. News up next. G. W. Business was brought up. What stick around youll be right back in the height of Climate Change africas most of whats in store for him is going to come for their future comfort in megacities, the coasties, just in such systems are every day counts for us and for our planet