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Nations Pick Sides as Juan Guaido Declares Himself President of Venezuela; Interview with Alexandra Winkler Osorio, Former Deputy Mayor of El Hatillo, Venezuela; Interview with Tzipi Livni, Israeli Parliament Member; Israel in Political Turmoil as Early Elections Draw Near; Interview with Kang Kyung-wha, South Korean Foreign Minister; Trump and Kim Gear Up for Second Summit; Humanitarian Chiefs Talk Tackling Global Crises; Interview with Patrick Chappatte, Political Cartoonist. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired January 24, 2019 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:00] BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome, you`re watching CONNECT THE WORLD, with me, Becky Anderson, with a packed show for you this
hour. Live from Davos.
Well pick a side. That is precisely what the world has done when it comes to the unfolding crisis in Venezuela. Juan Guaido, the leader of
Venezuela`s National Assembly has declared himself acting President. A move backed by the U.S., the EU, and their allies but Russia, China, Turkey
and other countries closely aligned with them have pledged support for incumbent Nicolas Maduro who is due to speak in the next hour. My
colleague, John Defterios joins us here in Davos to discuss how the country got to this point and what happens next. First, let`s get you live to
Caracas where thousands have taken to the streets to protest Maduro`s government and journalist Stefano Pozzebon standing by. What`s the story
on the ground -- Stefano?
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: Yes, Becky, the story on the ground right now, is a lot of expectations. Yesterday, a historical day for Venezuela.
What could be the beginning of either a transition or a change in Miraflores. Definitely a change in many diplomatic relationships around
the world for Venezuela.
And what happens next? That`s the question that everybody is asking here in Caracas. Juan Guaido, the President of Parliament, who swore himself in
as acting President of Venezuela, with the task of calling for fresh, free and fair elections as soon as possible. Hasn`t spoken yet today and hasn`t
outlined how he intends to -- how he thinks the country should move forward, after yesterday.
Meanwhile, President Maduro has hunkered down in Miraflores, and said he will sever ties with the United States of America. Who came to the support
of Juan Guaido. And the situation could escalate dramatically because from White House, we are hearing that all options are on the ground when it
comes to restore democracy here in Caracas -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Stefano is on the ground in Caracas. John is with me here in Davos. John, how on earth did Venezuela get to this point, and to
Stefano`s point, what happens next?
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNNMONEY EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: You know, it`s extraordinary, Becky, every time we come to Davos, there`s some external
shock which gets the delegates buzzing. And that is certainly the case when it comes to Venezuela today. This is textbook mismanagement in a big
way. Five years of Nicolas Maduro, 15 years of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, and not attracting the foreign direct investment to keep their
number one resource afloat. This is a shocking number.
Let`s take a look at the production, where it stood December 2018, according to OPEC, just 1.1 million barrels a day. Roll back the clock to
2008, it was 3.2 million barrels a day, and they have the number one proven reserves in the world. Even more than Saudi Arabia. So basically, what
we`re seeing is an absolute collapse, a record for any country that`s not suffering from war.
And I just spoke to a top executive who`s been tracking Venezuela in the energy sector and said it has been 24 months straight of dropping oil
production, because of the economic crisis. When it comes to Davos, too, Becky, there is a sub plot here, the role of Vladimir Putin in Venezuela.
He`s on the hook for a lot of money, pumping in billions of dollars to support Maduro. $17 billion during the oil collapse in 2016 and `17. And
he pledged another $5 billion in 2018. He thinks that is a strategy in outpost and wants to see the communist government hold up. It`ll be
interesting to see what the Russians have to say here in Davos as a result of what we`re seeing right now in Caracas.
ANDERSON: John Defterios, on the ground here in Davos.
Well Russia`s deputy foreign minister had this warning for countries thinking of intervening in Venezuela.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGEI RYABKOV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER: We really feel that there are dangerous signs of something going on along these lines. We warn
everyone, and not just the U.S., but some others who may entertain these ideas, from this type of action. The resort to military power would be
catastrophic. We face now a scenario that may lead to further bloodshed in Venezuela.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[10:05:00] I want to bring in Alexandra Winkler Osorio. She`s a former deputy mayor for the El Hatillo municipality in Venezuela`s capital,
Caracas. She`s currently here in Davos to speak about her work, trying to find solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. First, we want
your reaction to what is going on at home.
ALEXANDRA WINKLER OSORIO, FORMER DEPUTY MAYOR OF EL HATILLO, VENEZUELA: While definitely, it`s a very historic moment now in Venezuela. It looks
like we are going on the path towards democracy, towards transition, towards reinstating rule of law, towards reinstating constitutional order
and we are hopeful we will be able to continue on that path.
ANDERSON: Well let`s discuss that. I want to remind our viewers there was a presidential election in May. The main opposition coalition boycotted
the election. But others did run. The electoral board -- the turnout I think was somewhere around 46 percent with Maduro winning about 68 percent
of the vote. It was the lowest turnout in Venezuela`s history, with many Venezuelans in the international community very critical of the vote. But
is this kind of regime change the answer?
OSORIO: The Article 233 of the constitution is very clear. If there is an absence of power of the presidency, the President of the National Assembly
has to swear himself in to office and take executive functions. That is what happened yesterday. That is why Juan Guaido took an oath to power and
decided to transfer executive powers towards the logistical branch. And that is why now we are creating this path towards transition and hoping
that now each and every one of the international community will continue to articulate with this effort.
ANDERSON: Well let`s discuss that. Because this is obviously a domestic issue over the last 24 hours, the opposition leader, as you have pointed
out, as gotten backing from around the world. There are people, even those who want to see Maduro out, who think it is a bad idea for the U.S. and
other countries to get involved. Doesn`t this set a dangerous precedent?
OSORIO: I think it sets a precedent that we want democracy back in Latin America. I mean it`s over 20 countries who have decided to back Juan
Guaido, especially over multi-lateral organizations, such as the Organization of American States, such as the Inter-American Development
Bank. Institutions are starting to articulate toward this effort, thinks we want to go back down to a path of democracy.
ANDERSON: The U.S. President was asked how far his support would go. And I want our viewers to have a listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you considering a military option for Venezuela?
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We`re not considering anything but all options are on the table.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does that mean you`re considering --
TRUMP: All options always. All options are on the table.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All options are on the table. So not ruling out American military options in Venezuela. Is that something you want to see?
OSORIO: I think the Venezuelan people can actually articulate the solution the best way possible. We are already taking steps towards that. Maduro
is every time getting more isolated from his allies, isolated from a popularity within the government.
ANDERSON: But this could be a unilateral decision by the States.
OSORIO: Not at all. I think yesterday, there was Columbia. Yesterday it was Peru. Today has been Georgia, has been Kosovo, the European Union,
France, Denmark, Switzerland just a few minutes ago.
ANDERSON: I`m talking about military intervention.
OSORIO: Everybody is backing up the way to find a democratic road in Venezuela.
ANDERSON: It`s been a pleasure having you on.
OSORIO: Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: Thank you very much indeed for filling us in.
OK, well, we are going to move on, there`s something you don`t often see, Donald Trump faced with a conflict, blinked. The U.S. President has
reversed course and now says he will not deliver a State of the Union address to Congress until after the government shutdown has been resolved.
Mr. Trump has been squabbling with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the speech. There have been talk Mr. Trump might deliver the State of the
Union elsewhere. But sources say he wants to do it in the House chamber. Something he could not do without Pelosi`s approval.
Well, meanwhile the U.S. Senate will hold a pair of procedural votes on plans to end the government shutdown in a few hours` time. But no one is
expecting those to pass. A Republican proposal would provide money for President Trump`s border wall, and Democrats will block that. The other
seeks to open the government without funding a wall, and while it will also likely fail, it may, just may get some support from Republicans.
Well, on Friday, government workers will miss their second paycheck. And if you are wondering why we`re not seeing more strikes and walkout, well,
it`s against the law for federal workers to go on strike.
If there is any bright spot in this ongoing political battle that is causing so much financial hardship for so many, it is that ordinary
Americans are finding ways to pitch in and help those federal workers affected by the shutdown. Find out how everyday people are lending a
helping hand. Do head to the web site CNN.com and click on impact your world.
[10:10:03] Let`s take a look now at how all of that turmoil in the U.S. government might affect Mr. Trump`s plans to roll out his so-called deal of
the century for Israelis and Palestinians. My next guest is an Israeli Parliament member and leader of the opposition Hatnuah Party. Tzipi Livni
has worn many hats in the Israeli government over the years including foreign minister and chief negotiator for Middle East peace talks. You
know to your own peril how important it is to maintain partnerships and build coalitions. As the U.S. gets set to welcome a new U.S. government,
effectively, with a Democrat-run Congress, what prospect now do you think of this much-touted peace deal.
TZIPI LIVNI, ISRAELI PARLIAMENT MEMBER: Unfortunately, hopefully we`re not passing the point of no return, but there is no hope for peace these days.
I think that even the Americans are not talking about a deal of the century, but it is more about an American plan. And no connections with
the Palestinians, no connection between Israel and the Palestinians, and frankly our own government is taking us to more builds on annexation and
less talks about peace.
ANDERSON: And what do you hope to get from a new Democrat-led House in the U.S.? For Israel?
LIVNI: Listen, peace between Israel and the Palestinians is in the Israeli interest, and not waiting for the U.S. to initiate something. I hope that
also in Israel, people will understand that an American leader saying that two states for two people is a go, would understand that this is the
Israeli interest.
ANDERSON: Like the United States, Israel of course facing a lot of turmoil at home. Early elections on the horizon, April 9 I think is the date. And
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing possible indictment on corruption charges. Now something Benjamin Netanyahu, is using Trumpian tactics by
claiming the investigation against him is rigged and lashing out as to what he called fake news. You know this Prime Minister well. He gave you a
senior role in government two decades ago, I think it was back in 1996. He says he`s done nothing wrong and he will be vindicated. But you warn that
the Prime Minister is actually a threat to the pillars of Israeli democracy. Those are very strong words. What do you mean by that?
LIVNI: Because as long as he is facing indictment, he is trying to act against, against the free press, those that discover his corruption,
against the police, against the attorney general, and when his case will be brought to the courts, he would be, he would target them as well. And
these are the pillars of Israel`s democracy. So we cannot afford another term of Benjamin Netanyahu. That`s it.
ANDERSON: Is he going to go before he even gets the chance to stand for another election?
LIVNI: No, I don`t think so.
ANDERSON: You don`t think so?
LIVNI: When we`re talking about the decision of the attorney general, this is before the hearing. So it will take some time, but I hope that the
Israelis will understand that we cannot afford that democracy is a pillar of Israel, and Israeli`s based on being a Jewish democratic state. And as
long -- it`s not only about the corruption, but it is also about the unwillingness to accept justice, to accept law enforcement.
ANDERSON: He says he has done nothing wrong. Russia warning Israel to stop, what it calls, arbitrary air strikes in Syria saying that the country
must be -- not be the grounds for a proxy war. It has of course, for years and years. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to continue hitting Iranian
targets says Israel will never allow Iran to become entrenched in Syria. What`s your position on this?
LIVNI: I back this position. But this is not only an Israeli position. This is the position of other Arab states in an understanding that Iran is
a threat and let`s deal with Syria that they are after. We are facing Russia involvement. But here, the United States has decided to quit, or to
leave the region, and this puts Israel in a position that we are facing Iranian forces in Syria.
ANDERSON: At the beginning of this year, I spoke to a number of regional experts who said their biggest fear for 2019 was a conflict on the
Lebanon/Israel border. They see that as a real tinder box at this point. Is that a serious concern to you?
LIVNI: Yes, and it is connected. Because when we are talking about Lebanon, it is not about Lebanon, it is about Hezbollah and Lebanon and
Hezbollah is the proxy of Iran. Israel doesn`t have a conflict with Lebanon as a state. But we have Iranians that are getting against the
Security Council resolution, infiltration and transfer of weapons.
ANDERSON: Tzipi, I just wonder how big of a role this will be, how big a talker in this upcoming election.
[10:15:00] And how Netanyahu and his coalition`s position will be received and supported by the electorate.
LIVNI: Well in Israel, usually it`s not the economy. It`s security. But I hope that the Israelis would understand that when it comes to security,
what we represent is a combination of acting when needed, in military terms. But yet acting in political terms, acting against Hamas, but yet
opening new hope for peace with the other part of the Palestinian leadership. And those who are in Lebanon, it is not just about Syria, it`s
not only about airstrikes, but also trying to find a solution with Russia and the U.S.
ANDERSON: Tzipi, always a pleasure. Thank you.
LIVNI: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Tzipi Livni is the Israeli Parliament member and leader of the opposition Hatnuah Party, has been with us here on CNN.
In Davos, still to come, another big topic here at Davos is North Korea, with another Trump/Kim summit coming up. I will talk with South Korea`s
Foreign Minister about what Seoul is hoping for next. That`s after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We want to take a look now at an iconic image. U.S. President Donald Trump shaking hands with the leader of North Korea, once a sworn
enemy. This is from their meeting last June. But that was then, this is now. And a new summit between the two is on the horizon. Well the head of
those talks, Kim has said to be greatly satisfied after receiving a letter from Mr. Trump. We don`t know what the letter said. But it was delivered
today by a North Korean envoy who was in Washington last week.
Now, according to North Korean state media, Kim says he believes in the U.S. President. Well beyond the praise and handshakes and letters has
Pyongyang taken any steps toward ramping down the nuclear program? The South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is calling for concrete
results from last month`s meeting. She is here with me in Davos. And when you talk about concrete results, you mean what exactly, Foreign Minister?
[10:20:00] KANG KYUNG-WHA, SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Well I think the two leaders in their first summit came out with a broad agreement. First
that the North Koreans would completely denuclearize, that the two would start building better relations and the two would work toward lasting peace
on the Korean Peninsula. And the Americans would be willing to provide security guarantees. So they have the broad pillars of what the next steps
should be, what the outcome of the second summit should be. Of course, the denuclearization is not just a U.S., South Korea, it`s a global issue.
It`s a security issue that`s been on the Security Council agenda for many years. So we expect concrete action, movement on the denuclearization
track in the first instance.
ANDERSON: What sort of evidence is there that North Korea has in any way scaled back its nuclear work?
KYUNG-WHA: We keep a close eye and there are reports that the program continues. But it has said that it has closed down its test site. It has
said that it is dismantling its long-range missile testing and launch site. We have yet to go and see and verify that. The North Korean leader has
also indicated his willingness to dismantle the whole Gijungdong industrial complex which is the core of their nuclear program but that the North
Koreans would do that under certain conditions, meaning getting something that the North Koreans need, in terms of whether security guarantees or
some lifting of the sanctions.
ANDERSON: Ten rounds of talks and counting between the U.S. and South Korea, and still no accord to replace the 2014 deal for troop costs that
expired last year. For where are you at with those?
KYUNG-WHA: Yes, we are not there yet, but we are --
ANDERSON: Getting closer?
KYUNG-WHA: You know, we are both very keen to get to an agreement as quickly as possible. We are beyond the deadline. We need an agreement
that we can pass through Congress. We need a National Assembly approval to have this ratified. So we are very mindful of the domestic expectation,
but also the figures that the U.S. has presented. So this is still a back and forth. We`re not there yet. But we`re very much hoping to close the
gap.
ANDERSON: Is this a U.S. President that you trust to do the right thing by South Korea?
KYUNG-WHA: Well, he has committed a tremendous amount of political capital on engaging North Korea to denuclearize. And I think we go to his
determination to produce concrete results. And we hope that the weeks leading from here to the second meeting will involve active negotiations
between the two sizes to get to the nuclear issue.
ANDERSON: Donald Trump was promoting the second summit on Twitter, tweeting, just a couple of hours ago. The fake news media, love saying, so
little happened at my first summit at Kim Jong-un. Wrong! After 40 years of doing nothing with North Korea but being take tonight cleaners, and with
a major war ready to start in a short 15 months, relationships built, hostages and remain home where they belong, no more rockets or M`s
(missiles), being fired over Japan or anywhere else and more importantly no nuclear testing. This has more than ever has been accomplished with North
Korea and the fake news knows it. I expect another good meeting soon. Much potential!
How useful is a tweet like that?
ANDERSON: Well, what he says in that, of what North Korea -- what we have achieved on North Korea, yes, no testing, and that is huge. The North
Koreans have also indicated that, you know, concrete step, we need to make sure that those steps are taken, and that means sitting at the negotiation
table and making sure that the steps are taken. But I think you know, this is a program that`s very well advanced and it`s going to take time. We
have to take a deep breath and be optimistic but also realistic.
ANDERSON: And you are working very hard, I know, reviewing various packages of incentives that Washington could actually bring to the table in
the meeting. Can you share the source of options that you are suggesting or debating at this point?
KYUNG-WHA: You know, I don`t want to pre-empt that discussion. But we are in close consultation with the U.S. and my team, you know, just brain
storming, drawing out the road map going from here. But there are things, you know, the North Koreans have asked for security guarantees, and that
could mean a number of things. We think that a declaration of end to war is a good incentive in this regard. It doesn`t change the armistice
regime.
[10:25:00] It is a statement of goodwill going forward on denuclearization and on building lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. That`s one of many
elements but I think we`ll see what the outcome is when the negotiations take place in earnest.
ANDERSON: Foreign Minister, complete denuclearization, that is still the goal, correct?
KYUNG-WHA: Absolutely. Absolutely. And it`s not just South Korea, U.S., it is the goal of the international community.
ANDERSON: With that, we`ll leave it there. Thank you.
KYUNG-WHA: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Foreign Minister.
Coming up, more from Davos, we`ll hear from humanitarian leaders about how they are tackling some of the major challenges facing all of us, the global
community, that is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to Davos. You`re watching CNN. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson.
And our top story, a nation in crisis. One of the men claiming to be Venezuela`s President, incumbent Nicolas Maduro, is due to address the
country`s Supreme Court in the next hour. This after Juan Guaido, the leader of the National Assembly declared himself acting President on
Wednesday. He laid claim to the presidency on a day of mass anti- government protests around the country. Now, the U.S., the EU and their allies have backed him. Russia, China, and Turkey, though are firm in
their support for Maduro who has accused the United States of backing an attempted coup.
[10:30:00] Let`s get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are on our radar right now. Australia`s Foreign Ministry confirms a popular
Chinese-Australian writer has been detained in China. Beijing says Yang Hengjun is being held on suspicion of endangering national security. The
53-year-old novelist used to work for the Chinese government, and according to a family lawyer, has made frequent trips to the country in the past.
Well, the search has resumed for the plane carrying the football player, Emiliano Sala, despite fading hopes. Meanwhile, a voice message details
his last known moments on board the flight which vanished on Monday over the English Channel, and the message to friends, Sala jokes about the
airplane falling down in pieces.
Well the Democratic Republic of Kong go has a new President following weeks of controversy surrounding the election. Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in
earlier today despite accusations of vote rigging. The African Union says it has serious doubts about the election results.
And one of the sharpest Brexit warnings to date now coming from Airbus. The company says it may move future business out of the U.K., if the
country crashes out of the European Union. In the event of a no deal Brexit, Airbus CEO says potentially harmful decisions would have to be
made. Britain`s Brexit Secretary says he`s taking that warning very seriously.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHEN BARCLAY, BRITISH BREXIT SECRETARY: I personally taking very seriously the warning from the chief executive of Airbus. But I remind the
Honorable Lady that he supports the Prime Minister`s deal, many businesses regard the deal as the way of delivering certainty through the
implementation period. But what the chief executive and others in the business community are clear is they want a deal to avoid the uncertainty
of no deal and that is why he is backing the Prime Minister.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Brexit unsurprisingly one of the major talking points at the World Economic Forum here in Davos. I just want to show you a moment from
a panel discussion earlier today. The host, Geoff Cutmore, asked the audience if the British people should be offered a second referendum now
that we know how vexing it`s divorce from the European Union is going to be. He asked for a show of hands for those in favor of another vote, and
here is how the room responded. An overwhelming show of hands in support of a second referendum. And it is not though for the Davos crowd, of
course, to decide.
One of the most important things that happens in a place like Davos is the chance for business leaders and politicians, NGO workers, to have serious
conversations about what can be done to tackle some of the main challenges that we are facing as a global community. That`s all of us. Well I got to
moderate one such conversation between the executive director of the World Food Program, David Beasley, and President of the International Rescue
Committee, David Miliband, and we focused a lot of our conversation on the situation in Yemen. I began by asking if we are anywhere close to
achieving what are known as sustainable development goals.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID BEASLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: People there say that you truly can achieve, for example, zero hunger by 2030? And the
answer is absolutely. With the wealth in the world today, the technology, and the experience that we have on the field around the world, with great
partner, we can do it. Are you going to do it? The answer is with the wars and the conflicts that we`re facing today, it is pretty much a zero
chance of achieving these SDG`s.
The main driving force, I mean, for example, just in two years, the severe hunger rate -- and this is what`s so heart breaking, because for the last
200 year, the poverty rate has been going down, down, down, the severe poverty rate going down, down, down. In the last two years, the severe,
severe hunger rate has spiked from 80 million to over 124 million people. And the question is what`s the most dynamic driving force causing that?
Man-made conflict.
DAVID MILIBAND, PRESIDENT AND CEO, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE: The truth is the tools that have helped achieve monumental improvements in the
life chances of literally millions of people over the last 30 years, in stable but poor states, are not appropriate for the unstable states. The
unstable states that leave humanitarians unable to get access, which is true in areas that are controlled by some armed opposition group, northeast
Nigeria, being a good example. It`s true also in the conflict states like Yemen which is the world`s largest hunger crisis today.
[10:35:00] It`s true also in countries that can`t get out of the cycle of civil war or uncivil war, poor governance, corruption, poverty, that`s
turning them round and round, population growth, that means that people there feel condemned. Not to admire and achieve the SDG`s, the goals, but
miss them. And that is why this is today`s conversation. We have to not just shift focus. We have to shift strategy.
ANDERSON: Let`s drill down if you will and take a deep dive into a country you have named. I know you`ve both been to recently and take a look at the
situation on the ground and just sort of flesh this out somewhat. Yemen, David, what did I find?
BEASLEY: You know, we were there a year ago. We talked about this. And it was dramatic, it was bad then. And if you recall a year ago, I was
pretty, pretty vocal about the blockade, Saudi blockade, the coalition blockade. And the lack of funds that the coalition should be provided for
their brothers or cousins in the neighborhood. This is their neighborhood. And so I was pretty tough on them. But we worked through that. We got the
blockade resolved. In fact, the coalition has been really stepping up with funds. I`ve had tremendous conversations explaining why we need what we
need, the UAE has been a remarkable turn-about to work with.
Now, a year later, access is extremely difficult into the hinterlands. The problem we`ve been having, and this is the last couple of month, one of the
reasons I was on the ground there, was to meet with the Houthi leadership and explain, we`ve got access difficulty, people are going to starve.
Because of the lack of the access that we need, and access doesn`t just mean a truck down a road. It means the monitoring, it means the visas, it
means the equipment. There`s a whole litany of things that we need to be able to assure that the commodities or the moneys go to the right hands.
ANDERSON: David, you`ve said that they are stealing the food from hungry people`s mouths. And you said that is a crime and it has to stop.
BEASLEY: In some of the Houthi-controlled areas, there`s no question. We have been seeing and are seeing some food diversion. And this is the
reason we`ve been saying, if we have the monitors in place, we have the equipment in place, we have the personnel in place, we can minimize this
risk, and maximize the assurance that every child in Yemen doesn`t go to bed hungry or starving.
So when I sat down with the Houthi leadership, I laid out, we`re not asking anything of you that we don`t ask of any other war zone conflict-ridden
area. It doesn`t matter. And when I went through it, we made some headway. And so they`ve signed agreements in the last week, on
registration, biometrics, giving us more visas, but we`ll see. Let`s see how it goes. Because we` running into headaches every hour.
ANDERSON: You`ve being on the ground recently as well, cautiously optimistic?
MILIBAND: No, I`m not yet cautiously optimistic. I mean, I think we got to keep sounding the alarm on behalf of the people of Yemen. The
humanitarian emergency is in fact a political emergency with three aspects. One, remains the flow of food, but also fuel. Because you`ve got this
vicious circle where the lack of fuel is driving up transport price, that`s driving up --
BEASLEY: And we deliver the food.
MILIBAND: But there is not enough flow into the ports, and then up through the country. Second political emergency are the bureaucratic impediments
that are put in place by both sides, I`m sorry to say. We have about 300 staff in the country. In the north, under Houthi control, in the south,
under the government, or its allies. So we`re represented in both parts of the country. There are bureaucratic obstacles. As David says, visas,
check points, interference, by both sides. That`s a political emergency that`s costing the lives literally of the Yemeni people.
The third aspect of the political emergency is that the war is going on. Despite the cease fire in Hodeidah, the main port, for 80 percent of the
food aid, but also the sides to the conflict are fragmenting, especially in the south. Where you`ve got different groups that are now fighting and
you`ve got radicalization. So it`s a growing political emergency in which the lack of humanitarian goods, the lack of humanitarian access feeds into
the wider conflict. And that`s why it is so urgent for the U.N. process of building not just a cease fire but a genuine political peace process is so
important.
ANDERSON: You and I were at a meeting recently with the U.N. envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, who`s been working extremely hard. Making some
progress, getting these Stockholm talks off the ground. We know there will be more talks likely in Jordan, we don`t know when. But when you and I
were with him recently he was very quick to minimize expectations. I think everybody is so desperate for things to happen quickly on the ground. Now
there is the possibility of a political solution as opposed to a military solution, which nobody wants.
[10:40:02] I think people wanted this to happen quickly. Is Martin, right?
MILIBAND: He is a diplomat, not a magician. And the truth is that his room for maneuver is constrained, yes, by the opinions of the parties, the
talks. Remember it`s the Hadi government that`s represented there with the Houthis. But also by the backers and then by the wider international
system. And the truth is, we`re living in a time when too many nations are retreating from their global responsibilities. I would include the United
States in that, which has been the anchor of the global system.
But it is not just them. There`s a generalized retreat into trying to solve domestic problems and leaving to one side those common international
problems. And that leaves people like Martin Griffiths, trying to leverage actions from the competence on the ground, but without the kind of wider
political support that is so essential. We know from Syria, we know from Afghanistan, that when countries like the U.S. retreat, all sorts of
maligned actors move in. And the danger in a place like Yemen is that it`s not geo strategically important enough for either the U.S. or for Russia
and it therefore becomes a playground for the region to fight out its battles.
ANDERSON: David`s right. There is a real vacuum at present in global leadership. So what happens next?
BEASLEY: In some of our private conversations, I`ve had with leaders, I said, you know, we got so many conflicts and so many things, I said, I
would like to ask the leadership, slow down a little bit. Why don`t we just focus on ending one. Why don`t we bring all of the powers to be,
quietly, privately, whatever it takes, and let`s just end one. And then let`s go to the next one. But right now, it seems like we`re making very
little headway in any conflict. And it`s growing. And it`s like when we do make some headway here, something pops up over there. And this is why
you`re seeing the hunger rates spike up.
Because we know, as I said to the Europeans, I said you think you had a problem with Syria, a nation of about 20 million people, when you had
destabilization, a small degree of infiltration of those few million that did migrate into Europe. I said, you think that was an issue, wait till
the greater Sahara region from the Red Sea to the Atlantic, of 500 million people, is further destabilized because of conflict, poor governance,
climate extreme, and the list goes on. And until we -- it`s one thing to talk about present, ongoing conflict, it`s another thing to bring
stabilization by addressing the root cause. And this is what I have been seeing in countries around the world, and the major Western donors, it`s
like you`ve got leaks in the roof, as water lines up there. There are water lines that are leaking and everybody is fighting over where to put
the buckets. I might, why don`t you go up there on the roof and let`s agree to fix the root cause by addressing the root cause.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Fix the roof for not just the leaks. That`s one of the messages coming out of our conversation, and an extremely important one. David
Beasley, and David Miliband, here in Davos.
This is CONNECT THE WORLD. Coming up, we live in a world that often seems beyond satire. In a world increasingly cartoonish. What power does the
humble sketch still have then? That`s next.
[10:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: A warm welcome back to a chilly Davos in Switzerland. This is CONNECT THE WORLD. I`m Becky Anderson.
We live in a time that often seems beyond satire. Britain voted to leave the European Union over two years ago, but less than six weeks to go, that
is six weeks to go, it still hasn`t figured out how it is going to do that. In the U.S., the President is a man who found fame on a reality TV show,
and who is being forced to deny he is a Russian agent. And in Turkey, a journalist walked into his country`s embassy, and was never seen again. In
a world so absurd, how can the political cartoon compete? Well joining me is Patrick Chappatte. He`s an editorial cartoonist for major American and
European news outlet, including "The New York Times." He`s also the co- founder of the Geneva-based Cartooning for Peace Foundation, which we will talk about. Welcome.
PATRICK CHAPPATTE, CARTOONIST: Hello.
ANDERSON: Is your life a lot more difficult, or has it been made a lot more difficult during the absurdity of the world that we live in today?
Or is it easier? I mean with people like Donald Trump, it is actually difficult to caricature a man who is himself a caricature. So it is making
our job more difficult. He is just exhausting us journalists and cartoonists. It is a 24-hour thing. So yes, Donald Trump is one big
issue. I`ve been drawing him for the last two years.
But, yes, otherwise, the world of cartooning is under pressure, you know, and that`s why I`m here in Davos. We are presenting cartoons from all over
the world. And it is a chance to be doing so.
ANDERSON: Well let`s have a look at some of these cartoons from all over the world. Because these are yours.
CHAPPATTE: Well they are.
ANDERSON: There are some fantastic ones here. In many places -- I mean you are talking about how the sort of, you know, the world has made things
a lot more difficult for you, and the topics that you cover, but in some places, it takes incredible courage, doesn`t it? The Turkish artist, Musa
Kart, faces more than three years in jail. You awarded him the highest prize, given out by your foundation, in 2018. Is there a limit to the
personal risks that artists should take to defend freedom of speech? Particularly in or under authoritarian regimes?
CHAPPATTE: Well, there should not be that kind of limit. As you said, Musa Kart is a citizen of Istanbul. I mean, so close to Europe. And when
we created the Swiss foundation Cartooning for Peace, who is an honorary chair was Kofi Annan, who was the inspiration, with a cartoonist, Plantu,
and we co-founded the foundation. And we gave the international prize to Musa Kart last year. And just one week before the prize, we learned that
he had been condemned to, as you said, three years, and nine months in jail. Three years and nine months in jail, for drawing cartoons. He was
one of the journalists who was working with the Cumhuriyet, the opposition newspaper, which pretty much means the independent newspaper. One of the
few in Turkey. And that`s the price of a citizen of Istanbul, 50 years after a human rights declaration, has to pay, for just doing his job.
ANDERSON: The Syrian-Palestinian cartoonist, Hani Abbas, another prize winner of your editorial cartoon award. Let`s have a look at some of the
work. In 2012, he posted this cartoon on Facebook, depicting the flower of the Syrian revolution as immortal. He was threatened by the government`s
Secret Services and had to flee to Switzerland. Can cartooning really bring peace?
CHAPPATTE: That`s a good question. Cartooning for peace, that`s a nice choice of words. The question -- the real question here is how do we do it
to avoid cartoons from bringing more division, because cartoons are divisive. We know that, we all know that. There is been the Danish
cartoons controversy. It led to a huge misunderstanding over the planet . A cartoonist got killed two years ago -- four years ago in Paris. So the
big question -- and that`s why we`re gathering a network of 184 cartoonists from over 60 countries -- is to try to have a dialogue, to have a dialogue.
We are all keeping our differences, of course, of opinion.
[10:50:00] They`re not going to be a single sense of humor on this planet. No way. But one thing we need to do is to -- freedom of expression is the
right to say what you want, it`s also the possibility to listen. That`s what we want to do. Bring together different voices.
ANDERSON: You`ve said that cartoons -- and I quote you here -- possess the power of the visual shortcut. In two seconds, they short-circuit your
brain and go straight to your gut.
CHAPPATTE: And that`s what makes them maybe dangerous for many. That`s why cartoonists are facing so many threats today. We are talking about the
extremists, we mentioned Charlie Hebdo. We are talking about governments We mentioned Musa Kart. You just showed a cartoon earlier from Hani Abbas,
for the cartoon that you showed, that seems so innocent to us, it`s such a subversive cartoon. He had to flee Syria and he`s now a refugee in
Switzerland. Others -- a friend of his, cartoonists didn`t do it, didn`t make it out of Syria. He died in the prisons in Assad under torture.
ANDERSON: It is a pleasure to have you on. I`m sure there are times when you find what you`re doing funny.
CHAPPATTE: It is funny. Because humor is going to save us. We need humor more than ever.
ANDERSON: Thank you,
CHAPPATTE: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Patrick Chappatte who is the editorial cartoonist and cofounder of the Cartooning for Peace Foundation. It`s a joy having you on, sir.
CHAPPATTE: Thanks a lot.
ANDERSON: From the drawing the absurd to paying it, I tell you, how much do you reckon you would have to fork out to stay in Davos tonight? And
it`s tiny and there`s a shared bathroom. $100? $500? $1,000. Not even close. Stick around. I`m taking a short break. After this, you will see
something you will hardly believe. Believe me.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You`re watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I`m Becky Anderson. Welcome back.
Nicolas Maduro do to speak to Venezuela`s Supreme Court in just a few minutes. That`s after Juan Guaido, the leader of the National Assembly,
declared himself acting President on Wednesday. A move backed by the U.S. and its allies. Incumbent Maduro accusing the U.S. of orchestrating a
coup. CNN will bring you of course the latest from Caracas as it unfolds.
Well, there we are. Another spectacular showing from the World Economic Forum. The world comes to Davos and we come to connect you to that world
here. Drilling down, with captains of industry, ministers and drawing conclusions with artists, all in the same frigid breath. Of course they
all have one thing in common. They have to get some kick. Now that easier said than done. Not just because of the karaoke, let me tell you.
Check out this room. A pretty tight 12 square meters. What do you reckon it would run you for tonight?
[10:55:00] Go ahead. Pick a number. No, higher than that. Higher. Higher. You`ll need to cough up $10,000 to get in here tonight. Yes, my
eyes were watering from the cold, now that price tag, but don`t sweat it, it comes with a lot, like towels. Yes, plural, towels, with an "S."
Generous linens, heating -- always good for not freezing to death here. Also listed, toilet paper. Also, do you have to share the bathroom. To
save money on my trip, I just don`t sleep.
That does it for us from Davos, for yet another year on CONNECT THE WORLD. I`ve come to almost everyone since 1999. And we will be back next one,
too, I assume. Thanks for coming along for the ride. A bustling three days. I`m Becky Anderson. Up next, you`re at the "I-DESK" with Robyn
Curnow.
END
