Transcripts For KQED PBS NewsHour 20140419

Woodruff and its friday. Mark shields and david brooks are here to analyze the weeks news. Those are just some of the stories were covering on tonights pbs newshour. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by charles schwab, proud supporter of the pbs newshour. And by bnsf railway. Bae systems. Inspired work. And with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. And friends of the newshour. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Woodruff a final decision on a muchdebated extension of the Keystone Oil Pipeline has been delayed again, possibly until after the november elections. The u. S. State Department Today extended the federal review of the project indefinitely. It cited a Nebraska Court fight over the route. The pipeline would extend from canada to nebraska, then connect with existing lines carrying crude oil to refineries in texas. An avalanche on Mount Everest killed at least 12 sherpa guides today and left four others missing. The disaster was the deadliest ever on the worlds highest peak, in nepal. It happened just shy of 21,000 feet, about 8,000 feet below the summit. Guides had gone out early to fix ropes for climbers, including australian gavin turner. The experience was great. It was going well, and then suddenly there was a huge thud. We got covered by this enormous cloud of snow and snow dust, and, for a few seconds, i thought, wow, this is going to take me out. Woodruff hundreds of climbers and guides are at everests base camp, preparing to scale the peak next month, when the weather is mildest. Hope dimmed even further in south korea today for some 270 people, many of them high school students, who were on a ferry that capsized wednesday. Rescue teams kept up their efforts even as the ship sank from view. Jane dodge of independent Television News narrates this report. Reporter a last glimpse of the sewol before it disappeared beneath the waves early this morning. Two large inflatables now mark its position. The rescue operation has become more of a Recovery Process as bodies are brought ashore. There has been progress of sorts. Divers managed to gain entry to part of the vessel. Two divers opened the door of the Cargo Department and went in. They didnt find any survivors. Reporter anger at the south korean authorities once again boiled over today. Originally told their children were safe, families now wait to hear their fate, aware time is against them. translated they have to hurry. Reporter the captain is believed to be one of the group seen leaving the ship before it capsized. Here, hes wrapping himself in a blanket. Lee joon seok and two other members of the crew have now been arrested. It emerged today he wasnt at the wheel when the vessel started to list. Most on board were school children. The teacher in charge have been found in the gym where parents waited for news. In a suicide note, he said he couldnt live for himself and asked his ashes be scattered at the site of the tragedy. Investigators now believe an abrupt change of direction may have caused cargo to shift to one side and the ferry to tilt over. But its not the answers families want right now; theyre desperate to get their children back. Woodruff for now, the confirmed death count stands at 28. A powerful earthquake shook central and southern mexico today, but there were no reports of major damage. The epicenter was northwest of the pacific resort of acapulco, but the quake was felt in mexico city, as well. The shaking lasted about 30 seconds and sent people running into the streets. The u. S. Geological survey said it registered a 7. 2 magnitude. Around the world, christians commemorated the crucifixion of jesus on this good friday. In jerusalem, thousands of pilgrims lined the cobblestone streets of the old city. Some carried wooden crosses, tracing the traditional route that jesus walked. And in the philippines, some people had themselves nailed to crosses despite the Catholic Churchs efforts to discourage the rite. Theres a new warning on marijuana even as cities and states move to decriminalize it. A study of young adults finds even casual use of pot may harm parts of the brain that control emotion and motivation. Its unclear if the damage can be reversed. The study was done at harvard and northwestern medical schools and massachusetts general hospital. Its being published in the journal of neuroscience. Still to come on the newshour russialeaning separatists defy a deal to deescalate the ukraine crisis; one ranchers standoff with the government over land and cattle; the monthslong wave of political unrest in venezuela; mark shields and david brooks on the weeks news; plus, remembering one of latin americas literary giants. Despite thursdays surprise agreement by the u. S. , russia, ukraine, and the European Union to deescalate tensions in Eastern Ukraine, theres little evidence that any of the terms of the deal are taking hold in the country. Lindsey hilsum of independent Television News is in donetsk and filed this report. Reporter he was tidying up, not tearing down his barricade, the man in the world of tanks tshirt. He and his friends have no intention of handing back the Armored Vehicle they seized from ukrainian troops. In fact, in sloviansk today, it was clear that none of the pro russian protesters were going anywhere. People ive been talking to say theyre not very interested in what was decided in geneva yesterday. And theyre not going to abandon the municipal buildings theyve taken over or take down their barricades until the government goes because, they say, how did this government in kiev get to power . Exactly like this. By staying out on the streets. A ukrainian mig fighter flew overhead. The authorities in kiev may rule the skies, but they have little power here on the ground. translated we will not remove the barricades until these jets and tanks have gone. Theyre threatening to shoot us and our children. Reporter so, are you going to take these barricades down, like they said you should in geneva . translated we will only go when people are left in peace, when we have freedom. Reporter it was the same story in the regional capital, where the leader of the self proclaimed donetsk peoples republic said hed only leave his government building if the president and Prime Minister in kiev did likewise. translated this is an absolutely nominal agreement, but everyone has to leave the buildings, including comrades yatensiuk and turchynov, who also occupy their place as the illegal result of a military coup. After they do, we will agree to follow suit. Reporter then, president ial candidate Yulia Tymshenko came to town. translated the purpose of my visit is to understand what ukrainians who live in donetsk are demanding from the central government. Id like to listen to these demands myself and find out how serious they are, to find a necessary compromise between east and west that will allow us to unify the country. Reporter shes not much loved here, but would like to be. In parliament in kiev, they were blaming russia for everything while also trying to sound conciliatory, hoping to hang on for the elections in a months time. The tension has, to some extent, abated in Eastern Ukraine, but nothings resolved and the government in kiev seems powerless to change that. Woodruff for more on ukraine, i spoke to president obamas Deputy National security advisor, ben rhodes, a short time ago. Ben rhodes, welcome. As we just heard in that report, a number of the people who are occupying these buildings in Eastern Ukraine say theyre not going to leave, theyre not going to give them up. Does that undercut the deal that was reached yesterday in geneva . We believe the russian government has a tremendous amount of influence with at least a portion of these protesters. We would like to see them use all their influence, their public statements, private comments to encourage these protesters to leave these buildings, to disarm. The Ukrainian Government is keeping its end of the bargain, took steps toward passing an amnesty law and well be watching this to see if the russians are using influence and if the protesters are pulling back. Woodruff even if some of the protesters listen to moscow, there are still others who say theyre ukrainian and they dont respect the government in kiev and theyre not budging, no matter what moscow tells them. What we see is actually the vast majority of the ukrainian people, including a majority of people in the east do support the unity of ukraine and the government in kiev, and theres a way to address the concerns of some of those minority populations including ethnic russias which is through a constitutional reform process and the Ukrainian Government committed to decentralization, rights of minorities proteg ticketed, protecting the right of russian language, so theres a path for the protesters to have grievances met through politics and not armed actions weve seen. Woodruff one of the arguments theyre making is theyre simply doing what the protesters in kiev have done which is take to the streets, hold their ground until they see the government doing what they want. I mean, why isnt that a valid argument . Well, theres a huge difference here, judy, which is the fact is, in the protest in kiev, you had tens and some cases hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets in these protests to have their voices heard. Weve not seen that by any measure in the east. What weve seen is very small protests in the hundreds and very or organized armed groups a coordinated fashion taking over these buildings. So this has not been a groundswell of popular opinion manifested by tens of thousands of people taking to the streets. Thithis has been small numbers f armed men taking over government buildings in a coordinated fashion we believe clearly with some support from moscow and feels much more like a play to destabilize the country rather than a Popular Movement that emerged organically as was the case in kiev. Woodruff even having said that, these protesters, again, pointing to kiev, is the u. S. Saying to the kiev government, we want these protesters in kiev who are occupying the midan to stand down . Theyre saying all Paramilitary Group should lay down arms and not occupy buildings, applying to the protesters in the west and east. The Ukrainian Government has taken steps to disarm extreme nationalists engaged in activities like taking over government buildings in the west as well. This applies not just in the east but across the country. Again, the government in kiev has made the commitments. Prime minister yatsenyuk went to the east to have dialogue with some to have the protesters. We believe the dialogue is important in ukraine as well as the international community. Woodruff but if ukrainians, if the protesters in Eastern Ukraine dont do what the u. S. Is asking, if russia doesnt do what the u. S. Is asking, the president and others have said there will be more consequences. But what weve seen so far is that the sanctions havent really had much of an effect on mr. Putin. What makes the administration, what makes the president think more sanctions will have an effect . Well, first of all, weve put in place a series of sanctions. We also have an executive order that gives us broader authorities to target individuals and entities that they control that are important to the russian economy and also potentially sectors of the russian economy. We have seen president putin pause with the forces on the border where hes pass binged significant military forces and seen this destabilization taking place in Eastern Ukraine. We havent seen the worst Case Scenario which is russians coming across the border. So that is in place. But we have been clear that if we continue the see destabilizing activities that we believe are rooted in moscows policy, well move to additional sanctions. Again, if we start to go after additional individuals who are important in the russian economy and important to the russian leadership as well as the companies and banks that they are responsible for, we believe we can have a Significant Impact on the russians. In fact, weve already seen their forecast of the economy downgraded. Capital flying out to have the country. So it is having an effect. Just how much does its have to sink in for the russians to change calculus and pursue this through politics instead of force. Thats what we have an opportunity to do through geneva and if we dont see them follow through well move to additional sanctions. Woodruff ben rhodes, Deputy National security advisor. Thanks very much. Good to be with you. Woodruff now to a story that takes us out to the western u. S. , to nevada, where a standoff between the federal government and a local cattle rancher involving an armed militia almost turned violent. Hari sreenivasan is in our new york studio with this report. Sreenivasan armed militia men, pointing guns at federal officials, over cattle. For more than 20 years, nevada Rancher Cliven Bundy has refused to pay fees for grazing cattle on public lands, some 80 miles north of las vegas. The u. S. Bureau of Land Management says bundy now owes close to 1 million. He says his family has used the land since the 1870s. Last year, a federal judge ordered bundy to remove his livestock. He ignored the order, and two weeks ago, b. L. M. Agents rounded up more than 400 head of his cattle. Last weekend, armed militia members and states right protesters showed up to challenge the move. I came here because i dont believe the b. L. M. Has any authority, whatsoever. They have no Law Enforcement authority in clark county, and they have no business whatsoever destroying the pursuit of happiness of one of our friends and brothers. Sreenivasan rather than risk violence, the b. L. M. Did an aboutface and released the cattle. But the dustup has put longstanding disputes over western range rights squarely in the spotlight. Last night, Nevada Democratic senator harry reid blasted the protesters. These people, who hold themselves out to be patriots, are not. Theyre nothing more than domestic terrorists. And i think we are a country where people should follow the law. Sreenivasan the b. L. M. Now says it is pursuing a peaceful resolution through the courts. Were joined by ben botkin from the las vegas reviewjournal. How did this escalate into the standoff it was . Well, the entire situation leading up to the standoff took 20 years, was 20 years in the making. You had a couple of court orders that the b. L. M. Obtained to obtain the cattle, which that came because cliven bundy wasnt paying his grazing fees. But in the last few days before the standoff, you had a bunch of different types of groups and people, everyone from groups that call themselves militia to socalled patriot groups and others across the country gather together over the course of several days leading up to saturday, and at that point saturday the bundy family took the protesters, went up to the corral where the blm had rounded up their cattlele, and after a short and brief negotiation and standoff, the blm decided to release several hundred cows back to the family. Theres no formal agreement, but during that standoff, there were guns drawn from both sides, so rather than run the risk of bloodshed, the agency, at that point, decided to release the cattle. Sreenivasan so how many cattle are we talking about here in they rounded up a few hundred . Did they release them all back . They did release them all back. They rounded up about 350 to 400 or so over the course of about a week. It was intended to be a monthlong roundup that would have required gathering a few hundred more cows. That didnt happen. They stopped the roundup. So theres a lot of Unanswered Questions about whats going to happen next because theres no formal agreement between the blm and the bundies for the release of the cows. Sreenivasan so you were out there several days in the past couple of weeks. How many of the people that were out there to protest or to protect mr. Bundy were aware of the issues with the b. L. M. , and how many were there for their own sort of philosophical purposes, not recognizing the federal government . Id say the vast majority was there more for the broader philosophical stance. They werent necessarily familiar with b. L. M. Or ranching issues. They were more there because of their agreement with mr. Bundy, who has the expressed opinion that the federal government is overstepping its bounds and somehow infringing on his constitutional rights. So a lot of groups seized on him and looked at him as the figurehead for not just ranching or not just grazing but just these broader issues that they adadhered to. Sreenivasan are there still protesters out there . When i was out there a couple of days ago, there were about a couple dozen protesters. What once numbered in the hundreds is now down to just handful. Sreenivasan what are we talking about in terms of cash . How much does mr. Bundy actually owe . According to the agency, he owes a little over 1 million in grazing fees, and thats a figure thats accumulated over the last 20 or so years since he stopped paying them. Reporter and what about the local authorities . What are they planning to do in the next week or two . Well, the local authorities have not given any indication of what they will be doing, if anything. The local police were at the scene where the standoff was, so that they did have a hand in helping the event reach its conclusion. So, at this point, things have really been kind of in flux. The bundies have indicated the b. L. M. Has sent four asserted letters to them that theyve chosen not to open at this point. The b. L. M. Hasnt said whats in those letters, so, at this point, things are pretty unpredictable at this point. Sreenivasan ben botkin from the las vegas reviewjournal. Thank you so much. Thank you. Woodruff in march of last year, the 14year rule over venezuela by the controversial and charismatic hugo chavez came to a dramatic end when the leader died of cancer. His handpicked successor, Nicolas Maduro, was elected president soon after. As maduro marks the end of his first year in office tomorrow, divisions have deepened in a country that has become violent in recent months. Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Margaret Warner reports. Reporter late last week, after more than three months of sometimes deadly street protests throughout venezuela, president Nicolas Maduro met with his political opposition. The sixhour televised session brokered by the vatican and three south American Foreign ministers attracted record ratings on venezuelan tv, reflecting the nations anxiety at the street violence that killed more than 40 and posed the biggest challenge to the government in more than a decade. The alternative to finding an accommodation, said, maduro, is a dark one. Imagine, it would be the beginning of an armed, violent civil confrontation, bloody, bloody, and no one would win anything. Reporter what began in january as demonstrations against rising crime mushroomed in february into massive marchs with hundreds of thousands protesting the scarcity of goods in security and the arrests of demonstrators. Today there remains smaller but fervent localized protests in neighborhoods with barricades. The target, president maduro. Maduro struggled to maintain chavezs aura but is swamped by an economic slide that brought this oilrich country 57 inflation and near empty store shelves. And a further explosion in venezuelas rampant crime, creating what the u. N. Says is now the secondhighest murder rate in the world. This has made life unbearable for 19yearold student Christian Alejandro martinez. He never protested before, but after having his house robbed, car keys and car stolen, hes taken to the streets. He and fellow students feel their future is slipping away. We cant see it on the horizon. We are studying, but we dont really know if were going to ever achieve our careers. We dont know if were going to go out some day at night and get shot at. So how can you live in this situation . Reporter and martinez has no faith in maduro as he did in chaaavez. I do believe that hugo chaaaz had a plan, a plan that had ideals and a way of thinking that it would be better for the community. Reporter chaaavez called his plan bolivar in socialism, the goals were social justice, empowering the poor with expanded Government Services and redistributing venezuelas vast oil riches to finance it. This is what chaaavez represented, this is what i think he put his finger on legitimate grievances in venezuela. I think for maduro and followers, this is a revolution hes committed to continue. The problem is this is a model that has obviously failed and obviously is unable to deliver basic goods to people, a reasonable economic environment with security protections. Reporter why dont it delivering anymore . Two reasons says former venezuelan Development Director now at the Carnegie Endowment for intentional peace. The problem is the 21s 21st century socialism required two things that are no longer there. One based on a model of one person with decisions. Its what happened for 14 years. Nobody else is involved. Reporter and chaaavez depended on venezuelas huge oil reserves the Worlds Largest to fund his programs. But the maggot of that sector has cost the countrys oil income to slip. The production has gone down. Lack of investment in the oil industry again, that chaaavez is not a model of investment. Its a model of spending. Reporter to test the publics view of this a newshour crew went to san cristobal. You cannot go out on the streets and get what i want to feed my child. I always have to stand in line at the supermarket thinking about if i get back home alive. Reporter she doesnt stay long at her neighborhoods barricades. Shes afraid to take her young son and helps the protesters with food and water. She has no confidence in maduro. Maduro wants to do the same was he cant. He wants to be like chaaavez but is not. Reporter there are still those sticking with maduro, like marlene who lives with her mother in caracas, and depends on programs. This is a basic grocery but with very low prices. A pack of flour called two bolivars. On the open market, its 35 or 50. Why . Because capitalism is structured in a way that we the poor cant buy what we need. Reporter she says her faith in chaaavez and maduro endures. Chaaavez was a leader. He built schools for people who did not know how to read, and now many more people know how to read. This is socialism, and chaaavez transmitted this to president maduro. Maduros made mistakes. Nobodys perfect but hes trying to lead things in a positive direction. Chaaavez was always seeking their votes. He always spent money before elections. That is why he won. Reporter 50yearold caracasbased engineer Edgar Rodrigues longo posed to chaaavz concedes he did improve the imawlt of life for many of venezuelas poor but says science of economic implosion are everywhere now. Whats more, he says, maduro doesnt have the political skills to handle the countrys changed circumstances, demonizing his opponents or those who suggest he should change force. There is a future if the president recognizes the other point of view, but he speaks only for himself and his people. We are talking for the other half of venezuela and the president is ignoring us. Reporter the newshour contacted the Venezuelan Embassy in washington for an interview to explore the governments perspective. We got no response. Earlier this month, maduro in an op ed in the New York Times took no responsibility but cast blame on chaaavez. The antigovernment protests are carried out by people in the wealthier segments of society who seek to reverse the gains of the democratic process that have benefited the vast majority of the people, he wrote. Now is the time for dialogue, we have extended a hand to the opposition. Maduro didnt mention his government jailed a top member of that opposition, a former mayor lopez, for charges of unrest. Whats more, statistics do not back up maduros claim that this is an uprising of only the wealthy. Venezuelas never had so many wealthy people. Venezuela did not have such a large middle class and even the Election Results show that about half the country is against the government. That means there are millions of very poor people that they claim to represent, that the government claims to represent that are taking to the street. Reporter Michael Shifter thinks theres a bit more merit to maduros charge. I think their expression of the profound discontent thats widespread in venezuela, but i think its a mistake to interpret the protests as reflecting necessarily the majority opinion of venezuelans. Reporter there appear to be low expectations for the talks between the government and opposition. Maduro didnt even attend the meeting that resumed this week. But if they dont produce any sort of reconciliation, whats the alternative . A second year for maduro and postchaaavez venezuela that is worst than the first. Woodruff and to the analysis of shields and brooks thats syndicated columnist mark shields and New York Times columnist david brooks. Welcome, gentlemen. So the state department, the Obama Administration announcing, i guess surprising everybody today, mark, with this announcement that theyre delaying the decision on what to do about extending the Keystone Oil Pipeline. The reaction is all over the place. The canadians are upset. House Speaker John Boehner said its shameful. The environmental groups are happy. Yes, and i think the last point is the key. The people who care most passionately and intensely about the pipeline are those who are opposed to it, not unlike gun control, except entirely different cast of people and voters, but the environmental groups are they are cheered and they are an important constituency for the democrats heading into what looks to be a stormy 2014 election, and i dont think the white house or the state department, for that matter, wants to alienate that group at this point. Reporter so you think its purely political . Largely political . Serious consideration heres that im totally unaware of, im sure, but first blush, that would be my take. Woodruff david, how do you read this . Same. Its been about six years since they have been entertaining this and everyone ive spoken be over that time believe that they want to improve this thing eventually but not at politically unopportune times. Nationally, about 65 of americans support it and 22 oppose it. Its the 22 who happen to be in the democratic base. Woodruff well, we could talk about this a long time but i want to ask you about the story we just heard hari reporting a few minutes ago, mark, and that is nevadas standoff between a cattle rancher and the federal government. He has refused to pay his grazing fees over the last several decades. Theyre saying he owes Something Like 1 million. There have been people armed standing there saying that these federal agents shouldnt be there. Does this Say Something about whats going on out west . It does. Its a revolution, a rebellion started, judy, more than a generation ago, now. But, i mean, you know, looking at the equities of the situation, this man, mr. Bundy, the a free loader. Other ranchers pay grazing fees which are not owners so that their cattle can graze there. The responsibility of the bureau of Land Management is to make sure that that land is available for the next generation for multiuses, not simply grazing, but for others as well and preservation. So i dont understand it. I give the folks at fox news great credit. This has been an orchestratedlyproduced operation there, but theyve tapped into something that there are some people who are just totally outraged at anything the federal government does. The federal government of the United States owns 87 of nevada and has essentially for quite a while. Reporterwhile. Woodruff so, david, does this man have a legitimate grievous against the federal government . Not the way hes doing it. Hes selfdiscrediting, the way hes doing it you felt go out west and hear grievous against the b. L. M. , and i think theres frustration working with the b. L. M. And it comes in waves. Were certainly not at a high wave. In the clinton years, you heard of high frustration, when the revolution was at its peak, but now you have lowlevels. So this doesnt represent a mass movement. It seems like more pseudomilitia activity than a genuine rebellion. Woodruff so no sense this will spread to other parts of the west . I certainly have not heard that in my visits out there. Woodruff lets talk about what was the lead of our program tonight, mark, and thats ukraine, the surprise deal reached yesterday in geneva between the United States, russia, ukraine and the European Union, trying to defuse whats been going on there. Today, the reporting is all about these protesters in the eastern part of the country saying were not going anywhere. Where is this headed . I honestly dont know, judy. I will say that it appears that mr. Putins plan and the russians plan is to partition the ukraine and this certainly, they call it generalization, but it is a partition of an eventual partition of sorts. Whether its to destabilize or delegitimize the elections of may 25, we dont know, but putin made a statement saying Russias Federation Council has provided the president with the right to deploy armed forces in ukraine. Anybody who talks about himself in the third person makes me nervous. Hes referring to himself. He says i really hope that i am not forced to use this right. I think that, you know, the situation has grown more serious and worse in the past, and the lack of sense of celebration on the part of the president or secretary kerry in announcing the agreement, their expectations seem to be minimal. Woodruff david, worse despite the deal yesterday . I agree with mark. Obamas reaction is remarkable. They have the pseudobreakthrough and the president is realistic about it, that it probably wont amount to much. What happens in geneva may be about the timing, what happens in donetsk and place where is more militia groups are taking over buildings, thats a sideshow. The main show is in Vladimir Putins brain. Its streaking theres just one person who matters here and the brain as he revealed it even in speeches this week is pretty aggressive, pretty assertive growing increasingly more assertive. It seems to me, in our response, we need a psychiatrist more than a Foreign Policy apparatus. We need to understand what is going to upset and disrupt him. Im afraid the way weve done the sanctions has not been well tailored to a Psychological Campaign against vladimir putin. Weve ratcheted it up slowly, hindered by the europeans. But beginning slowly, that will arouse his contempt, certainly not respect or fear. It might have been smarter if we could have done it with europeans, having all the sanctions unleashed right away to send a sharp shock at him. The next debate is what to do with the ukrainian army, how to help them, lethal, nonlethal aid, but somehow getting inside his head, which is the main arena, it seems to me the crucial task boof woof mark, go ahead. Just one point. I guess where i disagree with david is on the sanctions. You have to bring the russians along im sorry the europeans along. We are dealing here and i give the president credit that he has not done the macho swagger to make this a matter of his manhood or earn his varsity letter. I think that has been strong and to his credit. We are dealing with the Third Largest Defense Budget in the world in the russians. Only the United States and china has larger Defense Budgets. They have 270,000 troops, 50,000 of which are at the border of ukraine. Ukraine has an army of 77,000, judy. Its not a firstclass, firstrank. Were dealing to the point if it comes to military confrontation of realities here, and i think what may be a cautionary note for the russians is that theyve seen us in iraq, for example, where invasion is a lot easier than occupation, and i think, you know, perhaps that will hold things back, but i agree with david that the sanctions have to be accelerated and intensified and thats going to require the cooperation and some suffering on the part of the europeans. Woodruff thats interesting you point it out about russian defenses because a lot of focus is on how relatively weak the russian economy is as compared to others. But david, the point is its the military establishment in russia we should be worried about . Yeah, american troops are not going to ukraine, but really were trying to deal with an autocrats head, how do you get him to think twice . I think the way you get it is not through kind gestures where he says, well, theyre not being too provocative, i can relax, theyre not scaring me. I dont think thats the way he thinks. I do think he thinks in a much more brutal terms. Now, the debates going on within the white house or at least was a couple of weeks ago, if were aggressive in sending aid to the ukrainian army, does that send a shock to putin or does it give him a pretext to invade . And i think the administration decided maybe correctly that its more likely to give him a pretext to be more aggressive. Nonetheless, i think hes not a guy whos going to respond to our own selfrestraints, hes going to respond to a unified sort of assertiveness. Woodruff all kinds of things i want to ask the two of you about in the few minutes left. I want to ask you, mark, about the Pulitzer Prize this week. Among others, to the guardian newspaper, to the Washington Post for the reporting they did on the National Security leaks from Edward Snowden. I guess my question is what was your reaction . Did you see honoring the newspaper the same as honoring the man who delivered the leaks . No. Woodruff whos been seen as both a traitor and hero . No the pulitzer award goes to the dominant, most Important News story in coverage, in reporting, and i think its hard to argue this wasnt the most Important News story and the reporting done on it was quite professional. The fact that, along wit, comes Edward Snowden is in no way, in my judgment, recognition of him as an heroic figure. He was central to it. He was indispensable to it. But we saw the part he played yesterday in mr. Putins press conference in russia. Woodruff thats why he certainly did not rise to heroic status, i wouldnt say, in that capacity. Woodruff david . Ell, you know, i find him repellant as somebody talked about internal conversations in the newshour at the New York Times and broadcast them, i would find that person repellant and doubly so when its National Security secrets when hes sworn an oath to do so. So im no fan of him. As for press coverage and whether it deserves recognition, i have complicated views. Im a little made nervous by the fact they really benefit by what i think was a reel pellant, unpatriotic act. On the other hand, i must be honest about what we do in the media. A lot of our leaks and best stories come from people who are betraying confidence, from someone whos vee lating oath, some seek rior an understanding of what goes on. So we live in a business where we try to expose the truth but sometimes, as Janet Malcolm said years ago, we do it by relying on betrayal or some violated confidence, we do it sometimes by being not totally honest with the people were dealing with, not being dismonths but by sort of seducing information out of people. And so this is a morally complicated business were in like most businesses, and i dont have total problem with what the Washington Post did but dont have total comfort with it either. Woodruff you were saying yes. No, i understand, i think davids point is well made and well taken, and i dont know how you make him essential to the story woodruff snowden. Hat hes done is he made himself accountable for it. He did break the law, broke the oath that he took and has not accepted the consequences and refuses to do so. But i think its impossible to deny that it started and the president acknowledged this, a muchneeded, longoverdue conversation, that i think were finally going to see as a consequence of these stories some element and some urgency in judicial review, in congressional review of whats been going on, and we found out that this n. S. A. Apparently was collecting a lot of information, simply could collect a lot of information. Us the true uh that sometimes good people produce good outcomes and sometime vice vers. Woodruff in your case, two people do two good outcomes. Ive refriday. Mark shields, david brooks, we thank you both. Thank you. Woodruff finally tonight, we look at the seminal work and the life of author and Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia marquez. Hari joins us again from our new york studio for this appreciation. Sreenivasan his poetic words evoked love and longing, fantasy and fatalism, and worldwide admiration. Gabriel Garcia Marquez was the most popular spanishlanguage author since Miguel De Cervantes in the 17th century, outselling all other Spanish Literature except the bible. His novels and short stories exposed millions to latin american life, and to magical realism, a style he discussed in an interview some years ago. translated i lived in a supernatural world, a fantastic world where everything was possible, where the most wonderful things were just daily things. Sreenivasan Garcia Marquez first gained fame with the epic novel one hundred years of solitude, published in 1967. It sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. His birthplace in colombia, the small town of aracataca, was the inspiration for the village depicted in the book. Biographer gerald martin. translated the colombian government created a system of National High schools and scholarships for disadvantaged students. Garcia marquez won a scholarship and leapt through that window of opportunity a little bit like alice entering into wonderland or into magical realism. Sreenivasan the authors other beloved classics include love in the time of cholera, autumn of the patriarch, and chronicle of a death foretold. And in 1982, his collective body of work won him the nobel prize for literature. Garcia marquez was also known for his leftist politics, and for years, was denied a u. S. Visa over his support of fidel castro and criticism of u. S. Military interventions in vietnam and chile. But last night, fellow authors, including mexican writer jorge hernandez, said his literary contributions will be whats remembered. translated its a sad day, but its the first day of the first 100 years of an infinite solitude that we all share. No matter what language or what country, we must embrace all of his millions of readers. Not just today, but in five centuries, people will continue to speak of Gabriel Garcia marquez and the literature he gave us. Sreenivasan Gabriel Garcia marquez was 87 years old. We take a closer look at the life and literature of Gabriel Garcia marquez with william kennedy. Hes a journalist, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of the albany cycle novels, and was a longtime acquaintance of Garcia Marquez. For the uninitiated, what is it about his work that resonated so much first with Latin Americans and then with the rest of the world . I dont know. He had the secret, you know. He found the secret of how to tell the story of the human race in a single book, the great latin american novel became one of the great world novels of all time, and he did it with accessibility. It wasnt complex or exalted it was exalted prose but exalted in an accessible way, beautiful writing, funny, great wit, and very profound insights into what constitutes the family and the family of man, and he did it with such finesse and such control. Sreenivasan speaking of 100 years of solitude, you were one to have the first reviewers and quoted as saying the first piece of lit chiewrd since the book of genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race. That is high praise. Why . Well, i kept reading the back and id say to myself, this is a classic work. And it kept going on. And i would say, by god, its an abundance of it, it just doesnt end. Its classic. And when i was finished with it, i was baffled as to how to review it because it was so phenomenally impressive to me. The story was so complex, and it takes you over, you know, 100 years in a family, and in a society that stands for everything. And it was a believable, credible story. He turned the fables, the myths of our lives and amidst it the greek myths, the irish myths, the spanish myths and made it everyday currency in the lives of these people that he invented. It wasnt mystical. It wasnt improbable. It wasnt a fairytale. It was the ghost walked, the ghosts disappear, come back, grow old, and it was just a very natural progression of life and told in these wonderful anecdotes that he strung together to create this world and this family of juan diaz, it was like nothing else. I mean, when you read the book, youve never read a book like this before. Sreenivasan you knew him personally as a friend. What was he like a person . What was it like to hang out with him . Well, it was fun. He was a great conversationalist. He was a story teller. Everything he told had a funny twist to it. He had a great wit, and he was a great guy. But he was also he wouldnt monopolize the conversation except if you wanted him to. He was an easygoing conversationalist, and then a great presence. Sreenivasan william kennedy, thanks so much for your recollections. Woodruff again, the major developments of the day prorussian separatists refused to give up their weapons or the government buildings theyve seized across Eastern Ukraine. The state department announced a new delay in approving the Keystone Oil Pipeline project. Environmental groups praised the move; republicans, including house Speaker John Boehner, were harshly critical. And in what may be the deadliest single incident on Mount Everest, an avalanche killed a dozen sherpa guides. Four others were missing. On the newshour online right now, a group of students in detroit are planning to make a trip to michigans capital to protest a zero tolerance approach to school discipline. That might not seem like much of an undertaking, but theyre making the 90mile trek on foot. Its part of a threeday march called youth voice. Read about that on our rundown. All that and more is on our web site, newshour. Pbs. Org. And a reminder about some upcoming programs from our pbs colleagues. Gwen ifill is preparing for washington week, which airs later this evening. Heres a preview ifill we are going deep on the cry vies in ukraine, on the politics of healthcare and the politics of money and on the troubling face of domestic terrorism. Thats later tonight on washington week. Woodruff on tomorrows edition of pbs newshour weekend, correspondent dr. Emily senay reports on a groundbreaking new class of drugs, and why they cost more in the u. S. Than elsewhere in the world. Phillip deluca found out his bone marrow wasnt producing enough normal red blood cells and if the levels slipped too low, it could be lifethreatening. Delucas medication procrit is known as a biologic, a relatively young and revolutionary class of drugs. The b biologic medication helped but is also extremely expensive. I was shocked. I had no idea that this could cost this much. Reporter why is it so expensive . Some critics say because theres no system in place in this country that would make generic biologics available, but they are sold overseas and at a much lower price and have been for nearly eight years. There they are known as asbiosimilars. Woodruff and well be back, right here, on monday, with a conversation with former Supreme Court Justice John Paul stevens on his proposed changes to the constitution. Thats the newshour for tonight. Im judy woodruff. Have a great weekend. Thank you and good night. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by at bae systems, our pride and dedication show in everything we do; from Electronics Systems to intelligence analysis and cyber operations; from combat vehicles and weapons to the maintenance and modernization of ships, aircraft, and critical infrastructure. Knowing our work makes a difference inspires us everyday. Thats bae systems. Inspired work. Ive been around long enough to recognize the people who are out there owning it. The ones getting involved, staying engaged. They are not afraid to question the path theyre on. Because the one question they never want to ask is, how did i end up here . I started schwab with those people. People who want to take ownership of their investments, like they do in every other aspect of their lives. Bnsf railway. And the william and flora hewlett foundation, helping people build immeasurably better lives. And with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. And. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Captioning sponsored by Macneil Lehrer productions captioned by Media Access Group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org  report with Tyler Mathisen and susie gharib. Good evening, and welcome to a special edition of nightly business report. Im susie gharib. And im Tyler Mathisen. Spring is a time of renewal, a time of hope, a time when the weather warms and we put winter in the rear view mirror. The overarching question for the first several months has been did the Severe Weather during the winter really hamper Economic Growth or are things worse than we think . Spring is here finally and signs are starting to take route. Were seeing a rebound in some of the Economic Data and retailers are seeing improvement but are