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Connect the World
Car Bomb Rocks Hezbollah Stronghold In Beirut; Egyptian Death Toll Climbs Above 500; 18 Crew Still Missing After Indian Submarine Sinks; A Year After Lonmin Massacre, Violence Still Problem In Marikana; Nigeria Announces Killing Of Boko Haram Number Two
Aired August 15, 2013 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA NEWTON, HOST: As the death toll rises in Egypt, mourners bury their dead. Now over the next 60 minutes, three key voices on what now for a country in crisis. We hear from the European Union envoy to Egypt. As diplomats prepare to meet next week, I'll speak live to the head of the orthodox Coptic church in the UK as churches are targeted in the violence.
And as Obama condemns the bloodshed, reaction from a former State Department adviser and Middle East expert.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is Connect the World.
NEWTON: We'll get to Egypt in just a moment, but we begin with a massive car bombing in Beirut. Thick black smoke filled the air after the blast rocked a Hezbollah stronghold, setting cars and buildings on fire.
Now authorities say at least 14 people have now been killed, more than 200 others wounded.
Now a mysterious Islamic group has posted a message on YouTube claiming responsibility.
And now we go to Egypt where the interior ministry issued a stark warning after violent new protests. It says police will use live fire to repel any further attacks on government buildings or security forces.
Protesters torched this building in a Cairo suburb, furious over yesterday's deadly crackdown on supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsy.
This is all that's left of their main protest site in Cairo right now. Security forces stormed two camps after dawn yesterday, triggering clashes that quickly spread across the country.
Authorities now say 525 people were killed, although Morsy supporters put the toll much higher.
Hundreds staged a new protest today outside a mosque where more than 200 bodies were awaiting identification and burial.
Many countries have now condemned the violent crackdown. And today, U.S. President Barack Obama joined in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: While we want to sustain our relationship with Egypt, our traditional cooperation cannot continue as usual when civilians are being killed in the streets and rights are being rolled back.
As a result, this morning we notified the Egyptian government that we are canceling our biannual joint military exercise, which was scheduled for next month. Going forward, I've asked my national security team to assess the implications of the actions taken by the interim government and further steps that we may take as necessary with respect to the U.S.-Egyptian relationship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: And now a hard-wrenching scene today at a Cairo mosque that became a makeshift morgue.
Bodies wrapped in white shrouds lay side by side on the floor while grieving relatives cry over them in absolute anguish.
Fred Pleitgen takes us inside.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're outside Amaan mosque (ph). It's only about 500 yards from where one of the main crackdowns happened here on Wednesday. And as you can see, many of the bodies from that crackdown were brought here to this mosque.
Now one of the things, of course, that's been very controversial since the crackdown happened is the death toll. The Muslim Brotherhood tells us that at some point, as many as 500 bodies were inside this mosque. We can't independently verify any of that, because when we got here some people had already come here to pick up the bodies of their relatives for burial.
Clearly, there are many, many people here who are mourning their relatives. Some of them broke out in tears, a lot of people clearly very emotional as you can see. They showed us (inaudible), they showed us (inaudible) tear gas cannisters.
One of the things that's absolutely clear is that scenes like this are going to continue to fuel the flames here in Egypt.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Cairo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: Now, the United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency meeting on Egypt and that's in about an hour-and-a-half. It's scheduled to begin. And then they will have this closed doors session to decide where they go next.
Many countries are very troubled by the crisis, including the United States. Now one of the Egyptian military's main benefactors, although they've cut off military exercises, but not military aid.
To talk more about this, we speak with Amy Hawthorne. She's a senior fellow with the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. She's also served at the U.S. State Department, helping coordinate policy on Egypt after the Arab Spring.
Ms. Hawthorne, really, when you think about the Arab Spring and you think of what's gone no now, if we look at Egypt, if you are the interim government right now, if you're the security forces, if you're the military, despite the brutal crackdown, are you saying job well done? We have managed to crush these protests and we can now continue as we see fit?
AMY HAWTHORNE, SENIOR FELLOW, RAFIK HARIRIR CENTER FOR THE MIDDLE EAST: I wouldn't think that they would assume that this is a job well done. It's very hard for me to understand the next steps that the Egyptian authorities are going to take after this to bring the situation under control.
To me, the actions yesterday, the brutal attack on the sit-in, is starting a huge new wave of instability in Egypt. And it's very hard for me to see what the clear path forward is to return the country to stability.
So I don't think it's the end of something, I think it's the beginning of something, a difficult chapter for Egypt.
NEWTON: And yet, as you say, another difficult chapter.
In terms of actually looking on when Barack Obama made his comments earlier today, what, if anything, can this condemnation from the U.S. really do to resolve the situation, to help resolve the situation at all?
HAWTHORNE: Well, I think that President Obama's words were very strong condemning the violence yesterday. He directly implicated the Egyptian government as bearing the main responsibility for the violence while also condemning violence that has been carried out by the supporters of President Morsy.
The words were very strong. He talked about the importance of the U.S.-Egyptian relationship. But what he offered to demonstrate the seriousness, the depth of U.S. concern, canceling a biannual military exercise, I don't believe is commensurate to the situation in Egypt. I think that, indeed, this is the moment when stronger action by the United States is needed.
NEWTON: Do you think it would have been worthwhile to at least say the word coup, at least hold out the option of taking some of that military aid away?
HAWTHORNE: Actually at this point, I'm not sure that most of the emphasis should be placed on U.S. rhetoric. I think the U.S. has had some strong rhetoric. I think what has been less clear in recent weeks has been U.S. actions. The Egyptian military, I think, will find it easier to ignore or brush off some of the words that come from the United States, but actions that we take to really signal how concerned we are and the fact that this is not a moment when our military relationship can continue as it has in the past, that is something that will be more likely to have an impact. Although it may not have a decisive impact, it's still the right thing for the United States to do at this time. This is a watershed moment in Egypt.
NEWTON: A watershed moment after so much bloodshed already in the last few years. Amy Hawthorne, thanks for this. Appreciate it.
Now, we go to Arwa Damon who will give us the latest from the capital Cairo. She now is under curfew as arrests -- as many Egyptian citizens are right now.
Arwa, the kind of day, if you can just encapsulate the kind of day it's been today in Cairo and elsewhere.
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, if we compare it to what we saw yesterday, it most certainly has been significantly calmer. The families of the dead trying to cope with this monumental loss. At least 525 people killed, that is a number that we are expecting to rise.
43 members of the police force killed as well. There was a sizable funeral procession for them. We also saw incredibly heartbreaking images of mourners over the bodies of their relatives. They were pro-Morsy supporters killed at one of many flashpoints that did take place.
What we saw yesterday was not just a security force that's having to deal with Morsy supporters at those two sit-in areas, but with it growing and intensifying clashes throughout all of Cairo, and in fact the entire country.
And there's been a significant ripple effect to all of this. Morsy supporters and (inaudible) targeting police stations. They torched a government building that is part of greater Cairo itself. They attacked a number of other government institutions. The Ministry of Interior now saying that if such attacks do take place in the future its forces are authorized to use lethal force to deal with the attackers.
We also have been seeing the Christian community being targeted here. At least 30, if not more, churches were burned, looted, attacked in a span of just 24 hours. That's what the nation is trying to cope with right now, Paula.
NEWTON: Yeah, and quite a brutal retaliation there.
I mean, Arwa, in terms of figuring out where the interim government, where military goes from here, because of all the condemnation, because of the bloodshed, you know, they're saying look we're going to use live fire on anyone that interferes with government sites and with security forces. But having said that, does this perhaps start -- put them at a crossroads. Will they put down some type of plan for elections, for a democracy again?
DAMON: Well, technically speaking that plan is actually already in place. The amendments for the constitution are currently being debated. That is then eventually down the road going to be likely put forward in some sort of a referendum once those amendments are made. But that is also a process that is going to be fraught with challenges.
One of the main issues when it comes to the constitution right now -- and actually one of the main issues that is confronting Egypt is what sort of a role should religion be playing when it comes to government?
The Islamists, the Salafis, they obviously pushed through a constitution under deposed President Mohamed Morsy that created or gave Islamic institutions a lot more power when it came to governance. The secularists, others want to see those articles struck out.
There is a plan in place to hold elections.
But the big issue confronting this interim government right now is going to be how will they get the Muslim Brotherhood, given everything that has happened, and some of these other more hard-line religious groups, back into the political fold.
The government's attitude now is one of -- well, we've tried reaching out to them. If they don't want to come to the negotiating table, we cannot allow that to hold up our road map.
But if Egypt really wants to build those solid -- a solid foundation in terms of a nation it is going to have to find a way to create an inclusive system of governance, Paula, and that's yet another challenge that is facing this country right now.
NEWTON: Yeah, a significant minority of people in Egypt supporting the Muslim Brotherhood. They will have to be included somehow.
Arwa, thanks for this. Appreciate it.
Now, global reaction to Wednesday's crackdown has been swift. In 20 minutes, I'll be talking live to the EU's envoy to Egypt about Europe's response to the bloodshed.
Live from CNN Center, this is Connect the World. Still to come, more than a dozen dead and hundreds more wounded from a car bombing in Beirut. We'll take you there live.
Live from CNN Center, this is Connect the World.
India holds out hope as navy divers try to find sailors on a sunken submarine. We'll bring you the latest.
And the leader of an Islamist extremist group makes a grim pledge.
All that and much more when Connect the World continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEWTON: You're watching CNN.
And this is Connect the World with me, Paula Newton. Welcome back.
Now I want to get to the latest on one of our top stories, the explosion in Beirut. CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom joins us now there with the latest.
You know, Mohammed, as you were predicting unfortunately the death toll has risen. You know more than 200 wounded now. Are people starting to process the impact of this on Lebanon right now?
MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Paula, there's a lot of concern in this city right now. We've spoken to the Hezbollah media office throughout the evening. They said they had predicted that the casualties might go up. And in fact, as you just mentioned they have.
As of now, at least 14 killed, over 200 injured. Many are concerned that casualty number will go up throughout the rest of the evening and the morning hours.
This is something that really showcases just how volatile things are in this city. And it's really an indication of the growing instability that is being visited upon Lebanon due to the Syrian civil war.
Lebanon and Syria are inextricably linked. They have been for decades. But ever since the Syrian civil war started, the sectarian divide in Syria mirrors the sectarian divide in Lebanon.
This country is polarized. You have factions here that support Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. You have others that are against him that support the rebels. Those have really split along sectarians lines.
Hezbollah, the militants Shiite group, they made a decision in the last couple of months that they would send fighters into Syria to really support the Syrian regime in their fight against the rebels. Because of that, you've had rising anger from amongst the Sunni community here in Lebanon directed at Hezbollah. And many had predicted there would be attacks planned against Hezbollah because there is anger here that Hezbollah is making Lebanon participate more in the Syrian civil war, that the Syrian civil war is bleeding more into Lebanon as a result.
Well, last month you had a car bomb. There weren't that many casualties, but there was a car bomb in the same neighborhood in Beirut. I was on the scene there that day. I spoke to many people that day that said they're worried this is just the first of many to come.
Tonight, I've spoken to residents in that neighborhood. They say once again they're worried there will be more of these such attacks, that they will be targeting Hezbollah. And they're particularly concerned because this is a neighborhood that is heavily, heavily guarded.
Hezbollah is an organization that has a stronger military and security apparatus than in fact the Lebanese military does. So they're saying to me if this is happening now, won't it happen more?
And also there's been a video that's been released now by a little known group, we think it's a Sunni militant group, called the Brigades of Isha, the mother of the believers. They're saying that they have conducted this attack. In the video they have called Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah a pig. They've warned his followers to stop following him. And they're saying that they are able to strike out at Hezbollah at any time.
So a lot of worry at this hour that this sort of thing will just continue in the days and weeks to come -- Paula.
NEWTON: Dan, and unfortunately lead to an escalation of turmoil there in Lebanon. Thanks for following this Mohammed. Appreciate it.
Now a celebration for India's independence day were muted Thursday. The country is waiting for final word on the fate of those inside a Navy submarine that sank on Wednesday.
CNN's Mallika Kapur has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MALLIKA KAPUR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Rescue and salvage operations on the damaged submarine are going on behind these port walls. Navy divers are working around the clock to try and reach to 18 men who are still trapped inside. So far they have not been able to sight them.
The navy says the rescue effort is challenging, hampered by poor visibility, camped spaces, displaced equipment, plus the heat from the explosion has deformed part of the submarine, making access difficult. All 18 people, three officers and 15 sailors are feared dead.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over India on independence day, a day of great national pride for the country.
In his annual independence day address to the nation, the prime minister talked about the submarine tragedy.
MAHMOHAN SINGH, PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA (through translator): We're also deeply pained that we lost a submarine INS Sindhurakshak yesterday. 18 brave sailors are feared to have lost their lives. The accident is all the more painful, because the navy had recently achieved two major successes in the form of its first nuclear submarine, INS Arihant and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
We pay homage to the brave hearts we have lost.
KAPUR: What went wrong, what caused the explosions and the fire, the navy says it's difficult to tell. The submarine was recently refitted and upgraded and returned to service just a few months ago.
As Indians fly their flags and mark independence day, they say their thoughts are with those who gave up their lives for their country during India's freedom struggle and now those who were in service on the submarine.
Mallika Kapur, CNN, Mumbai.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: Nigeria's defense ministry says it has killed the second in command of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. This, after the leader of the group said it was time for Boko Haram to branch out to bigger targets, namely the U.S. CNN's Nima Elbagir has more from Nairobi.
(BEGIN VIDOETAPE)
NIMA ELGABIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The latest video message from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. Pausing throughout to burst into laughter, Shekau claims responsibility for a recent spate of attacks across the northern Nigerian states of Borno and Yobe.
The Nigerian government and its allies, Shekau says, have failed to contain Boko Haram, which adheres to its interpretation of strict Sharia law.
"We've killed countless soldiers," he says. "And we're going to kill more. Our strength and firepower is bigger than that of Nigeria. Nigeria is no longer a big deal to us. As far as we're concerned, we will now comfortably confront the United States of America."
The Nigerian military say a week before this message emerged, they had killed Shekau's second in command Mamadu Bama, something Shekau makes no reference to here, but military sources say they believe that could be behind this latest show of belligerence.
This message was released around the same time that news broke of worshippers being gunned down in a mosque in Borno state. It's not known who carried out the attack, but police sources told CNN it bore all the hallmarks of the militant group.
In the last four years that Boko Haram has waged its campaign of terror, the group has targeted churches, government buildings, aid organizations, even schools. It's also attacked Muslims that it accuses of collaborating with the government.
Since May, Borno state has been under a state of emergency, including a complete communications blackout, as Nigerian authorities hunt suspected militants.
But local authorities tell CNN, with no end to the violence in sight, some residents are taking matters into their own hands by arming themselves against the militants. This, with the video message from Abubakar Shekau ringing loud. Whether Muslim or Christian, he says, we shall continue to kill anyone who stands against the will of Allah by opposing Sharia law.
Nima Elbagir, CNN, Nairobi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: Smithsonian scientists say a new species of animal has been discovered. Now the olinguito is a two pound mammal native to Ecuador and Colombia. It's described as a cross between a house cat and a teddy bear. I don't know, what do you think, is that a good description? And it is the newest addition to the raccoon family. OK, maybe.
This is the first time in 35 years that a new carnivorous species has been discovered in the Americas.
Live from CNN Center, this is Connect the World. Coming up, it was the labor conflict heard around the world. We'll look at South Africa's Marikana mining community a year on from a deadly strike right after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEWTON: You're watching Connect the World live from CNN Center. Welcome back. I'm Paula Newton.
Friday will mark a year since 34 miners were fatally shot during a strike at South Africa's Marikana mine. Now the tragic incident started over a wage war. And while the mine owners have taken steps to improve conditions, the community is still in a desperate struggle.
Nkepile Mabuse has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NKEPILE MABUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: He became known as the man in the green blanket, an outspoken leader during a wildcat strike at Lonmin platinum mine last August that shocked South Africa and shocked the world.
Police say most of the mine workers were armed and dangerous. But at the time, 34-year-old Mfememi Nauki (ph) told CNN theirs was a peaceful protest for improved pay.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): As you can see, we are not fighting. All we want is for the employer to respond to our demands, so that we can go back to work.
MABUSE: Nauki (ph) never made it back to work.
(GUNFIRE)
MABUSE: He and 33 of his colleagues died in a hail of bullets in a clash with police a few hours after that interview. Many say the scene was reminiscent of the dog days of white minority rule known as apartheid.
The government set up a commission of inquiry, but it's work has been marred by delays. A year after that dramatic shooting, I've come to the Eastern Cape where most of the victims lived. What I find is raw pain.
Nauki's (ph) family says his five children, wife, siblings, nephew and niece all depended on his pay.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First our parents died, then our eldest brother died. He was our last hope.
MABUSE: Who helps you now?
UNIDENIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I get a grant from the government for looking after my dead brother's daughter.
MABUSE: Labor unions say the average mine worker supports at least eight dependents. Last year, many were given hefty pay hikes after the chaotic period of labor unrest. But as production costs rise, companies say they've been forced to scale back operations, meaning fewer job options.
At this miner support office in the Eastern Cape I'm told poverty is on the rise.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Most people here are uneducated, many drop out of school to look for work, but there are no firms or factories that are hiring. The mines are their only hope.
MABUSE: Following the bloody tragedy at Lonmin mine, the company says it helped the families of the deceased with burial costs and has pledged to educate the children of its dead workers. But many more here say they're in desperate need of jobs and of hope.
Nkepile Mabuse, CNN, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: Now the latest news headlines just ahead.
Plus, world reaction to Egypt's crackdown: Europe responds to the carnage in Cairo. In about five minutes I'll be joined live by the EU's envoy to Egypt.
And a champion declares her career is finished. What made Marion Bartoli say enough is enough?
And he kept the secrets of eight different presidents, now the story of White House butler Eugene Allen is hitting the big screens. There's a preview ahead for you of The Butler.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEWTON: This is Connect the World. The top stories this hour.
Lebanese authorities say at least 14 people were killed in a powerful car bombing in Beirut. The blast rocked a Hezbollah stronghold in the capital's southern suburbs. A previously unknown Islamic group has now posted a message on YouTube claiming responsibility.
The United Nations human rights commissioner wants an independent investigation into the violence in Egypt. The UN security council meeting to discuss the crackdown is set to begin shortly. That comes as the U.S. State Department warns Americans not to travel to Egypt because of the political unrest.
A team from the UN is set to fly to Syria to probe allegations of chemical weapons use in the country's civil war. The government has agreed to the terms of the visit. Back in June, the White House said Syrian forces had used chemical weapons, but the government alleged rebels used them as well.
Nigeria's army says it has killed the second in command of the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram. That group has waged an insurgency in northern Nigeria for years. The military says Mamadu Bama was killed this month, and that was along with his father, who was the group's spiritual mentor.
Now, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is vowing new protests as the death toll from Wednesday's crackdown soars to at least 525. And Egypt's Christians say they're under pressure after dozens of churches were reported torched during the past 24 hours.
Now, details of the attacks are still emerging. Senior international correspondent Arwa Damon, though, was able to go to one of these churches that came under attack. I want you to take a look, now, at her report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Amid the scorched walls of the Virgin Mary Church in a small village outside of Cairo, 67-year-old Shenouda El Sayeh steadily, silently sweeps, seemingly oblivious to the others around him. "I'm sad," he says. "My religion tells me to come clean. I clean the church. The church is my home."
The Islamist pro-Morsy mob attacked at night, looting and then torching the building. What makes it all the more painful is that the perpetrators are from around here. They know some of them.
At least 30 other churches across the country were attacked in less than 24 hours. Egypt's minority Christian community once again finding itself in the crosshairs of a battle over which they have no control.
The violence started after Morsy's ouster on June 30th, Father Boktor Saad tells us. "They started organizing marches and demonstrations, chanting outside the church, chanting 'Down with the church.'" He says he will continue to preach about the need for peace and tolerance, but it is going to take time to heal Egypt's many wounds.
DAMON (on camera): While we've been filming inside, some of the people kept on closing the door. They're worried that those who carried out this attack would see us here. They're concerned about our safety in all of this as well.
And even while this cleanup operation is underway, there are still great fears that similar attacks are going to become more frequent in the future.
DAMON (voice-over): As we depart, gunfire on the overpass. We're signaled to go back. Someone tells us it was a demonstration, an ominous sign, perhaps, of what's to come.
Arwa Damon, CNN, Kafr Hakim, Egypt.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: And joining me now is general bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, Bishop Angaelos is in our London bureau. I thank you for joining us. Can you tell me what evidence you have about how many churches were attacked and burned in Egypt and who was responsible for the violence?
BISHOP ANGAELOS, GENERAL BISHOP OF THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH UK: Well, the evidence we have at the moment will point to at least 50 churches being attacked in the space of 24 hours. As to who the perpetrators are, we don't know yet, but I would very much doubt that something like this that was so synchronized in such a small amount of time would be an active -- just random act of anger.
If it is, it actually indicates a much deeper problem needs to be addressed which hasn't been addressed in recent years and especially in the last year.
NEWTON: So, 50 of your places of worship, your culture, your heritage, just up in flames and gone in these neighborhoods?
ANGAELOS: Absolutely. Some of them were even heritage sites that date back to the fourth and fifth century. But more than that, they are places of worship. They're -- we as a church are very hands-on in our ministry, so people, as the gentleman said in your clip, actually feel that these churches are their homes. So, they have been very personally violated.
NEWTON: Yesterday on this program, we had a spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood deny that any of these attacks were carried out by the Muslim Brotherhood. What evidence do you have that that group was involved at all, and if they are involved, can you describe to me the tensions that have been simmering for the last few months between Coptic Christians on the one hand and the Muslim Brotherhood?
ANGAELOS: I think I need to differ -- make a difference between our instinct and evidence. We don't have evidence of who it is at the moment. That is the job for the investigators and the security services, which I hope will come through transparent investigations as we go on.
It is, however, directly linked to the crushing of the mobs in Cairo. It happened within hours. And having so many churches attacked and burnt in a small space of time, I think, demonstrates some sort of link. I think that time will display that there is a link of sorts. What it is at the moment, we're not exactly sure.
NEWTON: How palpable right now is the fear, physical fear, in the Christian community in Egypt? But also, fear that there is no place for them in this kind of a divisive, very divisive and very violent -- piece -- sorry, program that is going on right now in terms of this path that they are trying to take to some semblance of democracy. Do you feel many times that you're at the outside looking in?
ANGAELOS: I think we have for a long time. But since the uprising in 2011 and over the past two years, Christians have become more and more engaged, because I think there is a general feeling within the country that it is now equal citizens of an equal state wanting to make this work.
So, no, I don't think there's fear. There is concern. There is concern, there is alarm. I think when you look back to the bombing of the church in Alexandria on New Year's Eve, what we found was that there was a much greater presence of Christians a few years later at our Nativity or Christmas celebrations than there were before.
So, I don't think there is fear. But there is a real concern that this could happen anywhere. And there's a real concern as well that there has been instigation of this, there has been inflammatory rhetoric, there has been hate speech. And if this continues, then of course these incidents will continue to occur.
NEWTON: And there have been complaints about the lack of protection. Do you feel that there will be more of an effort on the part of authorities to try and protect members of your community and your heritage, your churches?
ANGAELOS: I'm hoping that there will be protection for Christians as everybody else. We're not asking for special treatment. And of course, we can't stop every crime. There will be crime. Anywhere in the world, there is crime.
What we would hope, of course, is that it is -- that there is sufficient protection to start with, but even in the instances where there aren't sufficient people to stop everything, at least there are very clear and decisive investigations that lead us to someone being brought to justice.
NEWTON: Bishop Angaelos, thank you for your time tonight in trying to describe what is an incredibly difficult situation for your community right now. Appreciate it, thanks.
ANGAELOS: Thank you.
NEWTON: Now, world leaders have rushed to condemn the crackdown. The country's ambassador to the UK says the government needs to take drastic action to restore order, but he insists the military-backed leadership wants to give all Egyptians a voice in running the country, including the Muslim Brotherhood.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASHRAF EL-KHOLY, EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UK: What the Egyptian government did and the police is an obligation from any state towards its people to defend their interests and to protect them. And 48 days of occupying an area in Egypt, stopping civilians going to their homes or their businesses or their schools is unaccepted in any community.
But we are trying to involve them in the political process. The Muslim Brotherhood are part of the fabric of the Egyptian society, and they are part of the fabric of the political society, and they have to be -- in the future parliament and the election. They have to run it the way they want it. And the mediation is starting at this point. We want an inclusive parliament and an inclusive government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Now, the European Union's foreign ministers plan to meet early next week to talk about Egypt's future. The EU envoy to Egypt says that Wednesday's bloodshed didn't have to happen. Bernardino Leon co-led a mediation effort with US deputy secretary of state William Burns. He joins us now, live from our Madrid bureau.
Mr. Bernardino, what a difference even just a few days makes here. What are your impressions now about where you go next with any kind of plan to head towards democracy, to head towards reconciliation?
BERNARDINO LEON, EU ENVOY TO EGYPT: Well, there is only one possibility for Egypt to overcome the huge challenges it has, and this is an agreement, a political agreement. It is going to be more and more difficult if this confrontation continues, but the international community, and I am sure many Egyptians will keep trying.
So, we have to build on the confidence-building measures we proposed a few days ago. But knowing that the gap in trust is wider and wider every day.
NEWTON: In terms of what you've been able to accomplish in words and deeds today in communicating with the interim government, is anyone coming up with a what next to try and reconcile some of the divisive forces on the ground right now in Egypt?
LEON: Well, unfortunately, our main interlocutor in the government was Mohamed ElBaradei, the vice president who resigned yesterday. He was saying very clearly in his letter of resignation that he thought that a peaceful way could have been possible, and it is exactly the same thing we are saying from the international community and that Cathy Ashton and John Kerry said very clearly in their recent statements.
So, after Mohamed ElBaradei and others are leaving the Egyptian government, it's difficult to say whether they will be interlocutors in the coming days and hours, ready to talk about this. But what I am sure is that sooner or later, all Egyptians, and especially the people involved in this decision, will understand that this confrontation leads nowhere and will start -- and will resume these dialogue with the Muslim Brotherhood.
NEWTON: OK, but that could take a long time and a lot more bloodshed in between. What you're saying is quite pessimistic.
It's almost like you're saying that right now there isn't anyone on the other side of the table willing to give the Western community, an Western diplomat a look in to say, look, this is our path, can we bring elections forward a bit? Can we look at the at the constitution a little bit more clearly?
Anything -- any hope that you have that that will go forward? I think many people are wondering if the Western community has any leverage at all left in Egypt?
LEON: I think we have leverage, and I think the United States and the European Union are very important partners. For Egypt, the United States is a key partner from political and military perspective. The European Union is a very important political actor in Egypt, but it's also the main trade partner, it's also the main source of investments, it's also the main source of tourists.
In other words, I don't think Egypt can survive -- and I would like to remind that the Egyptian economy is in a terrible situation -- if there's no Western support. So, we have leverage. This is why we were the main interlocutors in this confidence-building measures with both sides.
And it's not a matter of pessimism or optimism. It's true that what happened yesterday does not allow us to have a lot of optimism in Egypt, but at the same time, I think that sooner or later, the reality will impose dialogue because confrontation will later insist we'll get nowhere.
NEWTON: Well, Mr. Leon, live from Madrid, we certainly hope you're right. Appreciate your time this evening.
Now, live from CNN Center, you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. A tearful good-bye from a top tennis player as she says au revoir to her sport. More on Marion Bartoli's surprise retirement. That's a little later on the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEWTON: Now, some people say music is the language of the soul. I'll buy that. Now, in this installment of Blueprint, we meet Pieter-Jan Pieters, a designer who set out to transform our bodies' movements into music.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PIETER-JAN PIETERS, DESIGNER, SOUND ON INTUITION: I'm Pieter-Jan Pieters. I had to choose between music school and design school. I couldn't get into music school because I couldn't read notes, so I designed the project Sound on Intuition. I designed it while studying at the Design Academy.
It's a serious of instruments that translate your movement into sound, kind of digital music instruments. What I did is I just checked what electronics are out there, for example, in factories for calculating distance. So, I took that kind of sensor, built it into the device that can make your sounds go up or down.
So, you have one that's the height, the walk device. It transforms your movement of your hand into sound, so if you want to reach, have a high note or low note, you can reach high or low.
There's a finger device, so it's based on the idea that everybody always taps with his finger on the table to get a rhythm. When you tape your finger, you get a sound, but then when you bend your finger, the sound changes.
The third one is a heart rate sensor. It can transform your heart into sounds.
The last one I built was the scanner. You can just draw music, like a line that goes up and down, and then you scan the line, and it will play the drawing in real time.
It started as a kind of a music instrument project, but then when I got to finish it, it opened up a lot more doors. For example, a woman came up to me and she said, oh, this would be perfect for autistic children. They feel like they're in the instrument understands them and they don't have to learn to play it.
(MUSIC FROM PIETERS' DEVICE)
PIETERS: I like playing music, I like doing design, and now kind of designing music instruments and playing your own design is kind of the ultimate happiness. It feels good.
(MUSIC FROM PIETERS' DEVICE)
PIETERS: I'm pretty excited to meet Hein Mevissen. I'm excited in a way that he can give tips or where I can pitch extra room to grow.
HEIN MEVISSEN, DESIGNER AND DIRECTOR: I really like it. I like the intuitive part about it. I think it will be us in the future in everything, even with computers. Also the graphic programs, even film.
OK, so can I give it a go?
PIETERS: Yes, of course. Pull that.
MEVISSEN: Can I try this one?
PIETERS: This one.
MEVISSEN: He brought it back to us small, basic in a way. But the basic is new.
(MUSIC NOTE FROM PIETERS' DEVICE)
MEVISSEN: You really hear that song as well.
Design is evolution or devolution, you go back and you can go forward. It evolves, but it uses always stuff from the past.
I also believe products have to have a sense of fun in them and humor, which this has, I think.
PIETERS: After meeting with Hein, it wasn't about redesigning, but I think it was about creating new options, creating kind of new possibilities.
MEVISSEN: Nothing is more beautiful than you see your own thing that you created to see it -- people want it, that people buy it. When he keeps his heart in it, then he will succeed.
(MUSIC FROM PIETERS' DEVICE)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: Coming up after this short break on CONNECT THE WORLD, an all-star cast takes on a true life story. A new movie tells us the tale of a very special butler. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEWTON: Now, one of the world's best tennis players is walking away from her sport. Marion Bartoli says her body has had enough. Her career seemed to be in full swing. Just weeks ago, she won the ladies' championship at Wimbledon. Now, her good-bye was very emotional. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARION BARTOLI, 2013 WIMBLEDON CHAMPION: It's never easy, and obviously there is never a time to say that whatever, but that was my -- actually, that's much of my character, and -- sorry.
(CRYING)
BARTOLI: And it's time for me to retire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Gosh, does she look upset. Now, Bartoli made that announcement after a tough loss in the second round of the Cincinnati Open. It's come as a big shock, though, to many in the tennis world, that includes Don Riddell, who's here to give me some insight into what happened here. So, what's this all about?
DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, nobody saw it coming, even the people closest to her, I think, had absolutely no idea. Earlier in the day, her agent even was saying how with her increased marketability coming with the Wimbledon victory, they were looking at negotiating two or three more sponsorships,. So, clearly, a lot of people taken by surprise by this.
But she said it's because she's in so much pain. She's been playing tennis -- 28 is young for anybody, but in tennis, you've already had quite a long career by that point. We know she's been suffering with hamstring problems since Wimbledon, but she's also revealed she's been suffering with pain in her Achilles, her shoulder --
NEWTON: Wow.
RIDDELL: -- her hips, her lower back. And she said it's just got to a point where she just doesn't want to have to deal with it anymore. But it does seem like quite a -- rash decision to come out straight after a loss and say that, and we wonder if she really means it.
NEWTON: She's so emotional there, she's clearly distraught, clearly have had enough. Certainly a break would be good. You've been around these tennis pros, you're on -- you know what it's like to be on the tennis circuit. Isn't her agent, her doctor, her family -- she's a young woman, she's 28, she's had a lot thrown at her even in the last couple months.
Did they just kind of miss the signs that she needed a break? Maybe miss the Cincinnati Open, go to the US Open. What's going on?
RIDDELL: If she really means it, then she really means it, and she's the boss. I'm sure a lot of people will be trying to talk her out of it. I'm sure her agent will be definitely trying to talk her out of it because she's entering or would have been entering -- or would have been entering a particularly lucrative part of her career.
But if she doesn't want to play on because she's no longer feeling motivated or because if it really is that painful, then I guess she really is done.
You might suggest, though, that if her team and those closest to her had had any inkling that this was coming, they would have said to her, look, take a couple of weeks off. As you say, miss a couple of tournaments, and then see how you feel.
Because a lot of good things were going to happen for her. She's a top ten player, she's the Wimbledon Champion. The really is the pinnacle of a tennis career.
NEWTON: Absolutely.
RIDDELL: She'd have gone back to Wimbledon as the defending champion next year and been treated like royalty, and now she's not even going to get to experience that, which at the very least is a shame.
NEWTON: We have seen, in the women in particular, kind of drop in and out of the circuit. I'm sure you can name the famous examples. Has something changed? Has it become more physically grueling -- so much more physically grueling in the last 10 or 15 years that people are saying, look, I just can't do this?
RIDDELL: Well, it is -- first of all, playing on the tour is grueling. You're living out of a suitcase for most of the year. So, that's tough anyway. But the women's game has become so much more physical now, and it does take a real toll on your body, there's no doubt about that.
NEWTON: OK. You'll -- we'll always say that's Wimbledon champ, that's great, and we certainly wish her all the best.
RIDDELL: Absolutely right.
NEWTON: And maybe it's just a break. Don, thanks, appreciate it.
RIDDELL: All right.
NEWTON: OK, now, "The Butler" is the talk of Tinseltown ahead of its release this weekend. It's based on the life of White House Butler Eugene Allen, who served faithfully under many US presidents. Dan Lothian met up with Eugene's son to find out more about the man who inspired the movie.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FOREST WHITAKER AS CECIL GAINES, "THE BUTLER": I'm Cecil Gaines. I'm the new butler.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a Hollywood story built on the life of a humble man, Eugene Allen, the real butler who lived and worked in two very different worlds.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You hear nothing, you see nothing.
LOTHIAN: Allen didn't just work but mingled with the rich and powerful, heard their stories, held their secrets. Like walking into an unlocked vault, his legacy lives on in this modest home a few miles from the White House, where Allen and his wife raised their only son, Charles.
CHARLES ALLEN, EUGENE ALLEN'S SON: When the presidents, when they got to the point where they could talk comfortably around us, that's when you know you kind of like fit in. They would just talk around you. Because he wasn't going to divulge anything.
LOTHIAN: Not even to his wife of 65 years, played by Oprah Winfrey.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to hear long stories.
OPRAH WINFREY AS GLORIA GAINES, "THE BUTLER": I don't hear, because they done swore him to some kind of secret code.
(LAUGHTER)
LOTHIAN: But Allen's son says the butler who served eight presidents from Truman to Reagan was far from a silent witness to history.
ALLEN: They respected his opinion. He was a respected man.
WINFREY: That moment in the film where Cecil Gaines goes in and says, the white help is making more than the black help here, and I think that's not fair and we should get equal pay, that is his way of warring.
LOTHIAN: A proud black man who wasn't defined by a racial stereotype, the line between butler and friend could be blurred.
EUGENE ALLEN, WHITE HOUSE BUTLER: Most of the first ladies at Christmas would invite our wives and children down for a Christmas party. Mrs. Eisenhower used to give all the children a toy at Christmas.
LOTHIAN: Toys, ties, paintings.
C. ALLEN: These two paintings here were done by President Eisenhower. He'd be out there on the porch, and Mr. Ford, Mrs. Ford would call, my mother called. She said, "Gene, the president wants to talk to you."
(LAUGHTER)
C. ALLEN: They were nice people that way.
LOTHIAN: Nancy Reagan and her tough-as-nails reputation seemed to have a soft spot for Allen, even if her personal attention sometimes rattled him.
C. ALLEN: She was looking for him, and somebody said that --
LOTHIAN (on camera): She's looking for you.
C. ALLEN: They said, "The first lady's looking for you." He used to think --
LOTHIAN: That meant trouble, right?
C. ALLEN: "I'm in trouble!"
JANE FONDA AS NANCY REAGAN, "THE BUTLER": I'd like to invite you to the state dinner next week.
WHITAKER AS GAINES: I'm going to be in there, Mrs. Reagan.
FONDA AS NANCY REAGAN: No, not as a butler, Cecil. I'm inviting you as a guest.
LOTHIAN (voice-over): He became emotionally attached to all the first families, but especially the Kennedys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A proud banner is lowered.
LOTHIAN: John F. Kennedy's assassination rocked Allen to the core.
LOTHIAN (on camera): That was the first time you saw your father cry.
C. ALLEN: First time.
LOTHIAN: The first time?
C. ALLEN: Yes.
LOTHIAN (voice-over): Following JFK's funeral, Allen was with Jackie as he celebrated her children's birthday. In times of mourning or in the midst of the nation's racial conflicts or a controversial war, Allen was just a step away from power, yet the butler never sought attention, and years later, shunned multiple offers to tell or sell his story until his wife passed away.
C. ALLEN: I said, you owe this to Mom, man. I said, this is not about you. The fact that my mother wanted my father recognized and this happened, it means everything to me.
LOTHIAN: Dan Lothian, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: OK, well, tonight's Parting Shots, families visiting a zoo in eastern China this week were left feeling rather disappointed. As one young boy stood outside the African lion enclosure, he noticed that what was supposed to be a lion was actually a barking dog.
Now, in fact, it was a Tibetan Mastiff dog. Now, with now warning or explanation, the zoo had replaced many of the fearsome animals with tamer substitutes. Foxes were standing in for leopards, rats were found in the snake cage, and more dogs were found in the wolf enclosure.
Now, one zookeeper said the lion had been sent away for breeding, but it's though the zoo may have been trying to cut costs. Now, I really hope someone locates those animals and they go to their rightful place yet again. Oh, strange!
I'm Paula Newton and that was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thanks for watching.
END
