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Connect the World
Trump Demands to Meet Whistleblower; Former Trump Official Deeply Disturbed by Whistleblower Complaint; Ukraine Fears Scandal Could Threaten Ties with U.S.; Giuliani Says He Will Not Testify without Consulting Trump; Saudi Crown Prince Denies Ordering Khashoggi Murder; Affair Allegations Pile More Pressure on U.K. Prime Minister; Examining China`s Growth During 70 Years of Communism; Staffers Describe Climate of Fear at Cathay Airline; Duke and Duchess of Sussex Visit Southern Africa; 32-Year-Old Mother Crowned Fastest Women in the World. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired September 30, 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: The U.S. President unleashes a tweet storm as the Democrats take their impeachment inquiry up a notch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN, SAUDI CROWN PRINCE (through translator): This was a heinous crime but I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Saudi Arabia`s Crown Prince denies ordering the murder of Jamal Khashoggi but says he takes full responsibility for it happening on his
watch.
China gives up to celebrate its 70th birthday under the shadow of anti- Beijing protests in Hong Kong.
Plus, the fastest woman on earth sprints to victory to claim another world championship title.
It`s 6:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi. It`s 5:00 in Kiev, 10:00 in the morning in D.C. I`m Becky Anderson, hello and welcome to our new two-hour edition
of CONNECT THE WORLD.
This hour on the defensive and hurdling into all-out attack mode U.S. President has unleashed a tweet storm. Using words like spy and treason to
complain about a whistleblower`s outing of his July phone call with Ukraine`s President. He says he deserves to meet his accuser, which, of
course, defeats the whole point of an anonymous informant.
He warns of serious consequences for whoever gave the whistleblower the information about that call. And he quoted the words of an Evangelical
pastor who predicted the U.S. would endure a civil war-like fracture if the President is impeached and removed from office.
Some of the most pronounced criticism was directed at the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Mr. Trump accusing Adam
Schiff of blatant and sinister lies and today questioning whether Schiff should be arrested for treason.
Schiff says his committee is moving fast on the impeachment inquiry now lining up witnesses and subpoenas. He expects the whistleblower himself
will testify soon.
Well, Joe Johns with us from the briefing room at the White House, Lauren Fox over on Capitol Hill and Clarissa Ward is in the Ukrainian capital of
Kiev. Where we`re learning more about the huge role played by Donald Trump`s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in all of this. Stand by everybody.
Joe, I want to get to you first. A frenetic weekend. Washington must have woken up this morning wondering what is next. What is the latest where you
are?
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you can look at it right there. The fact of the matter is the question going into the weekend
was how the President and his allies were going to mount a defense as the impeachment inquiry goes forward. We know there`s been a lot of tweeting.
The question now is what happens next?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What`s going on now is the single greatest scam in the history of American politics.
JOHNS (voice-over): A defiant President Trump launching a tweet storm Sunday writing, I deserve to meet my accuser. The so-called whistleblower,
claiming his lies were made in perhaps the most blatant and sinister manner ever seen. The President`s outburst coming after CNN learned the
whistleblower`s attorney sent a letter to House intel leaders and the acting director of national intelligence citing serious concerns that their
client will be disclosed publicly and that as a result, our client will be put in harm`s way.
Chairman Adam Schiff confirming a tentative agreement to have the whistleblower testify soon, stressing his committee`s taking all
precautions to keep their identity safe.
REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA): It will depend probably more on how quickly the director of national intelligence can complete the security clearance
process for the whistleblower`s lawyers, but we`re ready to hear from the whistleblower as soon as that is done.
JOHNS: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sending a firm message to the White House.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): Honor your oath of office to the constitution of the United States. Speak the truth. Don`t make this any worse than it
already is.
JOHNS: Pelosi speaking with her caucus in a private phone call about the impeachment inquiry Sunday saying, we have to be prayerful, somber and
nonpartisan. This isn`t about politics. It`s not about partisanship. It`s about patriotism. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy says the inquiry is
a waste of time.
REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY (R-IL): Why would we move forward with impeachment? There`s not something that you have to defend here.
JOHNS: Other Trump allies quickly jumping to the President`s defense.
STEPHEN MILLER, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISOR: Salem witch trials have more due process than this.
[10:05:00]
The President of the United States is the whistleblower and this individual is a saboteur trying to undermine a democratically elected government.
JOHNS: But some Republicans refusing to fall in line. Former Trump Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert, saying he`s frustrated the President and his
team keeps peddling a debunked theory about Joe Biden and Ukraine.
TOM BOSSERT, FORMER WHITE HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISOR: I`m deeply disturbed by it. It is a bad day and a bad week for this President and for
this country if he is asking for political dirt on an opponent.
JOHNS: And Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger slamming one Trump tweet that quoted Pastor Robert Jeffress. Implying, removing him from office will
cause a civil war. Kinzinger writing, I have never imagined such a quote to be repeated by a President. This is beyond repugnant.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JOHNS: This process continues at a rapid pace. It does seem increasingly clear the whistleblower will testify. One question is whether that
testimony will occur in public or in private Becky --.
ANDERSON: Joe Johns in the briefing room at the White House. I want to get you to Kiev in Ukraine now, where Clarissa is standing by.
Clarissa, whichever way you turn it seems Rudy Giuliani, the personal lawyer to the U.S. President, sits at the center of this controversy. What
have you learned about his role as Trump`s man in the Ukraine?
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, essentially, we spoke to two people, they`re both mentioned in the
whistleblower`s complaint . They come from completely ideologically opposing ends of the political spectrum and they view this whole situation
very differently. But both of them do have one thing in common. They both agree very strongly that there is no doubt that Giuliani was actively and
ardently engaged in trying to ignite an investigation into President Trump`s opponents here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WARD (voice-over): Ukraine is struggling with the fallout of America`s political crisis. Officials here aren`t talking, but we tracked down two of
those mentioned in the whistleblower`s complaint each with a very different perspective.
Former diplomat Andriy Telizhenko said President Trump`s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani approached him in May for a meeting. Telizhenko is known for
his claims that Democrats colluded with Ukrainian officials against Trump in 2016. He says the two men spent six hours discussing a range of issues.
ANDRIY TELIZHENKO, POLITICAL CONSULTANT: My insights on what`s happening in the U.S./Ukrainian relationship and the DNC Ukrainian collusion was
mentioned. Mr. Giuliani also asked me about Vice President Biden, what my thought was, what my insights were on him.
WARD (on camera): So you had the sense that this was a priority for Mr. Giuliani?
TELIZHENKO: Yes. He doesn`t hide it. It`s his work. That`s what he was hired to do, to represent the President of the United States and his
personal interests.
WARD: By trying to further conspiracy theories about the President`s political opponents?
TELIZHENKO No, there is no conspiracy theories of that. We need to investigate this properly.
WARD (voice-over): Serhiy Leshchenko disagrees. He was an adviser to Ukrainian President Zelensky`s campaign and said Giuliani began applying
pressure to investigate the Bidens surely after the election.
SERHIY LESHCHENKO, FORMER CAMPAIGN AIDE TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY: I knew it for sure. Because for Giuliani it was the only interest in Ukraine to get
this information about Biden and to use this information in the U.S.
WARD (on camera): You think that he was focused on it for the President or --
LESHCHENKO: For sure. Not for his private purposes. We know who is Giuliani. We know what is his role. We know that he is acting not just a
private person but on behalf of his client.
WARD: So this wasn`t a secret.
LESHCHENKO: It was a clear act.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WARD: Now we should say that Giuliani has repeatedly defended his efforts here in Ukraine. He has denied any wrongdoing. This despite the fact that
previous and present prosecutors have found that there is simply not there, there, no proof of any sort that any kind of unlawful activity was engaged
in by then Vice President Joe Biden`s son, Hunter Biden, during his time sitting on the board of Ukrainian energy holding company, Burisma -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Clarissa is in Kiev for you. Let me get you back to Washington then. Clarissa, thank you.
Lauren, so it`s clear the House Intelligence Committee does want to get information from Rudy Giuliani. Subpoenas on his interactions with
Ukrainian officials will likely be issued, we are told, this week. But will he testify to the committee? He was asked that on Sunday. Let`s have a
listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDY GIULIANI, U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP`S PERSONAL ATTORNEY: I wouldn`t cooperate with Adam Schiff. I think Adam Schiff should be removed.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS: Are you going to cooperate?
GIULIANI: I didn`t say that. I said I will consider it.
[10:10:00]
STEPHANOPOULOS: You said you wouldn`t do it. You said you will not cooperate with Adam Schiff.
GIULIANI: I said I will consider it. I have to be guided by my client, frankly. I`m a lawyer. It`s his privilege not mine. If he decides that he
wants me to testify of course I will testify even though I think Adam Schiff is an illegitimate chairman.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So you can call that rather vague the way he answered that. What are you hearing, Lauren, on The Hill about whether or not he will, indeed,
testify?
LAUREN FOX, CNN POLITICS CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Well, Becky, Congress is in a two-week recess at this current moment. But that`s not stopping the
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff from moving forward in his investigation. We expect that subpoenas of documents related to
Giuliani could come as soon as today. And Schiff said yesterday that there may very well come a time when we want to hear from him directly. So that
outlines to you exactly where Adam Schiff is at this moment and the answer is, perhaps he does want to talk to Rudy Giuliani.
Also this week, the committee will hear testimony from the intelligence community`s inspector general behind closed doors. We also know, according
to Adam Schiff, that there has been an agreement made with the whistleblower for that person to testify behind closed doors. Now when and
where that would occur exactly is still a topic of discussion. Because, of course, they want to protect the whistleblower`s identity.
But a lot of action up here on Capitol Hill, despite the fact that they are in a two-week recess. It just sort of gives you a sense of how seriously
Democrats are moving forward with this probe -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. They`re connecting this story, Lauren, Joe and Clarissa, thank you all.
Let me just take you through a new poll showing growing support among Americans for an impeachment inquiry. This CBS/YouGov poll shows a majority
of Americans, 55 percent, in fact, now believe an impeachment inquiry is necessary. Now as you might expect, support very high among Democrats and
Republicans strongly oppose the probe.
But it shows a shift and this is what`s important. Prior to the events of last week, polls consistently showed support for impeachment proceedings
below 50 percent overall. Another poll asked how serious of a problem is it that President Trump encouraged the President of Ukraine to investigate Joe
Biden and his son. Nearly two-thirds believe it is serious. More on this as you would expect as we continue with what is our new extended CONNECT THE
WORLD with me Becky Anderson.
Well it`s not just Mr. Trump`s call with the President of the Ukraine that`s being looked at, but also some others. Including a call with Saudi
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. And now we`re hearing from the Saudi Royal again on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi who died almost a year ago to
the day. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE, CBS "60 MINUTES": Did you order the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?
MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN, SAUDI CROWN PRINCE (through translator): Absolutely not. This was a heinous crime. But I take full responsibility as a leader
in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What does that mean, that you take responsibility?
BIN SALMAN: When a crime is committed against a Saudi citizen by officials working for the Saudi government, as a leader I must take responsibility.
This was a mistake and I must take all actions to avoid such a thing in the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The CIA, of course, still believes that the Saudi Crown Prince ordered the journalist to be murdered inside the Saudi consulate in
Istanbul last year. To this day Khashoggi`s remains have not been found. But the Saudi Arabian government says an investigation is being carried out
with multiple Saudi officials dismissed from their posts and other people detained.
CNN`s Nic Robertson has been following the story since the very beginning. We were both in Istanbul as the story was unfolding at the beginning of
October last year. He joins me live from London. Good to have you, Nic. A year on what do you make of what we have heard from Mohammad bin Salman.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: You know, I think the fact that he`s addressing this, Becky, is a real indication here that the
very highest levels in Saudi Arabia, they recognize that this is a stain on their reputation, that Khashoggi`s killing does not put them in good
standing with the international community. To re-set their relations with the international community and do the kind of business across all
platforms that they want to do they need to be able to -- they need to be able to deal with this substantially and I think this is a first step
towards that.
The Crown Prince there saying that it is -- he takes it as his responsibility to hold those to account who are found, you know, who are
found guilty here. What he does say, however, is that the charges are being considered.
[10:15:00]
We know the trials began in January this year, that charges are being considered, and they will be, if found brought against those people
responsible.
The difficulty I think for the next step of this process for accountability, if you will, is to have more transparency with the trial,
which is lacking at the moment. Sort of build upon what the Crown Prince has done here which is to try to step forward from this killing, move the
country beyond this, move the narrative about Saudi Arabia beyond this heinous crime, is going to take more than just him speaking about it. It is
going to require a level of transparency about the trial, which is lacking to date.
ANDERSON: A couple other things. Firstly, the Crown Prince addressed many topics in this interview, including the recent Saudi oil attack. Just have
a quick listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you think was the strategic reason that Iran struck Aramco?
BIN SALMAN (through translator): I believe it`s stupidity. There is no strategic goal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nic, he called the attack an act of war during that interview. But in the same breath there, referring to it as an act of stupidity. What,
if anything, does the Crown Prince`s words add to the ongoing questions about what happens next with regard to Iran?
ROBERTSON: So he`s framing this as Saudi officials have done from the beginning as not a strike against Iran but a strike against the
international community. Thirty percent of the world`s energy supplies come from the region, 20 percent of the world`s trade passes through the region,
4 percent of the world`s GDP is generated in the region.
And what he`s saying is, if there`s a war, a wider war in this region, because the issue isn`t addressed, Iran`s aggression here isn`t addressed,
by the international community, then all of this is at stake. And I think when he describes it as stupidity, it`s because he does not see a -- or
believe that there is a strategic reason behind Iran doing this. But also, he`s trying to engage the international community in galvanizing some
concrete action that would stop Iran doing this again in the future.
But these are very strong words, an act of war, is very strong language to be using here and the international community is concerned about an
escalation. And as yet, a comprehensive agreement on how to handle Iran on this issue hasn`t yet emerged.
ANDERSON: Finally, Nic, and away from that interview, which was important and very interesting to listen to. News out of the kingdom of the death of
the bodyguard of the Crown Prince`s father, King Salman, shot, it`s reported by a friend. What more do we know about the circumstances of this
event?
ROBERTSON: Well, this was a bodyguard who was seen so many times close to the King. So a very, very well trusted member of the Royal court and the
protection in the Royal court, was visiting a friend along with another friend who`s also in the Royal Protection Squad. They got into an argument,
the other friend from the Royal Protection Squad got into an argument with him. He left the house. The other member left the House. He came back with
a weapon, shot this highly respected bodyguard. Then when the police arrived got into a shootout with the police and the killer himself, again
another Royal Court bodyguard, was shot and killed by the police.
Now, this is the narrative that`s emerged from the Saudi authorities from the police. Of course there`s much speculation, you know, the Twitter
sphere in Saudi Arabia, which is alive to all these sorts of things that happen there, about why this happened and the implications, et cetera and
what the real motivations were. But to the best of knowledge that we have at this time, this was two friends arguing who pulled weapons on each
other, as improbable as it seems, that is what appears to have happened.
ANDERSON: Nic Robertson out of London for you today, Nic, always a pleasure. Thank you. Well the Crown Prince also spoke about this woman,
Loujain al-Hathloul, jailed for protesting her freedom. I`ll be speaking to her brother in an hour in what is a new expanded edition of CONNECT THE
WORLD.
There`s a lot more coming up as well. Allegations and denials, more pressure on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the nature of his
relationship with an American businesswoman.
Plus, as the Royal couple tours Africa, hear what Prince Harry has to say about his love for African parts and his concerns about conservation.
[10:20:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: About with just a month to go until Britain is due to leave the European Union. The U.K. Chancellor says that a no deal exit is still
possible. Boris Johnson is under fresh pressure today for reasons other than Brexit, while Parliament continues to sit in London, remember no
longer suspended, it`s day two of the U.K. Conservative Party conference in England. An event being overshadowed by sexual misbehavior allegations
against the Prime Minister. He is being forced to deny that he touched a woman`s thigh at an event 20 years ago.
Several U.K. newspapers report he gave public money to a woman he was allegedly having an affair with when he was mayor of London. Nina dos
Santos joins us from Manchester where the party faithful are gathering and no doubt discussing these reports on the front pages of British newspapers.
How is the Prime Minister responding at this point?
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very tersely is the answer there, Becky. And just about half hour or so ago when he was entering the
conference hall here, he was door stepped by another broadcaster and asked about some of these allegations. Did he squeeze a journalist`s leg when he
was their boss at the "Spectator" magazine back in 1991? His terse response was no. But I think the public want to focus basically with us getting on
with delivering Brexit.
Now when it comes to the other allegations that have surfaced over the last couple weeks, in other Sunday newspaper, the same Sunday newspaper, in
fact, the "Sunday Times" those surrounding a U.S. internet entrepreneur, named Jennifer Arcuri, that is where things could get a little bit more
serious here.
Because over the course of the weekend it transpired that the police watchdog will be considering this matter to determine whether or not it`s
worth mounting an investigation. The essential allegations are in the "Sunday Times" newspaper that Jennifer Arcuri, and Internet entrepreneur,
benefitted from tens of thousands of dollars of public money because of her proximity to Boris Johnson. At a time when a subsequent investigation into
a relationship with Boris Johnson alleged that she may have been having a personal relationship with him at the time.
Now Boris Johnson over the course of the weekend told the Sunday morning talk shows that he didn`t declare any interest in this relationship at the
time when he was mayor of London because, quote, there was nothing to declare and that everything has been done entirely above board and entirely
properly.
[10:25:00]
Now how is all this going down here at the Conservative Party conference? Well, as you can see behind me from all the banners, really Brexit is the
subject of the day and basically getting beyond Brexit. That is why we`ve got the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, delivering a big speech
just now. I believe it just wrapped up here in the conference hall behind me. All of that is to shift the focus towards increased public spending,
post-Brexit, to shield the economy, and focus on the domestic agenda spending on things like hospitals . Al of those types of things that Boris
Johnson, when he campaigns in the 2016 referendum on EU membership to leave the EU, he said that country could eventually spend on after it had
divorced itself from the EU -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Not just people there at the party conference you want to get beyond Brexit, I am sure. Nina, thank you.
Let`s get you up to speed then on some of the other stories on our radar right now.
Nationwide protests have turned violent in Haiti. A photographer for the "Associated Press" shot and wounded outside the Senate in Port-au-Prince.
Now opposition groups are calling for President Jovenel Moise to resign. He`s been linked to several corruption scandals.
Torrential rains have claimed at least 50 lives in northern India. Most of the casualties are from mud houses that have collapsed. Monsoons have led
to evacuations, closed schools and disruption in train services. There`s also a fear of diseases spreading.
CNN has learned that commercial version of the Boeing 737 Max did not have safety features installed in an earlier military version of the plane.
Accident investigators have linked two deadly 737 Max crashes to flaws in the flight control system. More than 300 people were killed.
Hong Kong`s flagship airline Cathay Pacific has been firing workers who support pro-democracy protests. Just ahead, why the company says there is
no room for compromise.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Bottom of the hour in Abu Dhabi. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me Becky Anderson. Back to our top story this hour, the Presidential
impeachment inquiry in the United States.
[10:30:00]
Lawyers for the whistleblower who revealed Donald Trump`s phone calls with Ukraine`s President now say that President`s attacks are putting their
client`s life in danger. Mr. Trump`s allies say he did nothing wrong when he froze military aid to Ukraine and asked for an investigation of
political rival Joe Biden.
Meanwhile in Ukraine, there is growing concern over the potential fallout in all of this. It`s one of the poorest countries in Europe. The President
there and his government depends on the United States and other allies, both for security and economic aid. Next hour, we hear from a U.S.
Democratic Congressman for more on this. Do stay tuned for that.
While China is gearing up to celebrate National Day, Hong Kong bracing for more protests. Beijing wants Tuesday`s celebrations marking 70 years since
the People`s Republic of China was founded to go off without a hitch. But Hong Kong police say months of protests have now moved one step closer to
terrorism, as they describe it.
Over the weekend we saw fires being set and petrol bombs being throw. Police predicted this year`s National Day will be dangerous.
Well 70 years ago China was a remarkably different place than it is now. David Culver takes a look at the country`s rapid rise.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If practice makes perfect then preparation for China`s National Day will make for a
seamless ceremony. For weeks students, soldiers and residents meticulously rehearsing their choreographed steps of military might and nationalistic
pride, reflecting China`s meteoric rise. What was a struggling nation, today China is the world`s second largest economy and growing.
October 1st marks 70 years since the founding of Communist China. On that day, all eyes will be looking here Tiananmen Square. It is the symbol
center of the People`s Republic, drawing folks from all over the country to its capital, Beijing.
Photographer, Gao Yuan, has been capturing the changes here through his lens.
GAO YUAN, PHOTOGRAPHER (through translator): We`ve gone from solving the basic problem of having enough food to eat and clothes to wear, to today
people having money to travel for fun.
CULVER: China today is the world`s leading manufacturer and exporter. It boasts the world`s largest standing army. And if global success was not
enough, they`ve become the first nation to ever land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon.
(on camera): All of this happening under a single Communist Party, led today by President Xi Jinping. A leader who has become increasingly
powerful as his country has become wealthier.
(voice-over): But China`s many advancements have come at a cost with pollution and air quality issues, widespread development is also taking a
toll on the environment. The ongoing trade war, slowing China`s economy. These mounting concerns now driving away many of its elites. Yang Zi has
called Beijing home for the past 20 years. She works long hours as a sales director. It`s afforded her a life of leisure and middle-class luxury. But
at 40 years old she`s burnt out and now wants out.
(on camera): When the average person looks at you, they would see somebody who seemingly has everything. Beautiful home, a car, access to technology.
Why leave?
YANG ZI, BUSINESSWOMAN (through translator): Materially I`m very content, but this is not what I`m pursuing for my life. Everyone in China is busy
and everyone is under pressure. Not just me. I`m an example of the majority of the middle class.
CULVER (voice-over): She worries about healthcare, education, food safety and fears social morality here in China has eroded beyond repair.
ZI (through translator): Everyone Russia`s about four work and it`s all about money and self-interests. This is not how I want to end up. I want a
higher degree of happiness and a better quality of life.
CULVER: She`s bought a place in Italy planning to leave behind her rapidly changing homeland. Change that`s led to the anniversary ahead, an elaborate
show for both China and the world. Watching you`ll likely ask yourself, is it all a fancy facade destined to crumble or precursor to China becoming
the new world leader?
David Culver, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well as Beijing fumes over the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong it`s putting immense pressure on major companies to take its side.
Dozens of Cathay Pacific staffers, for example, have lost their jobs because as Andrew Stevens now reports, they say they express support for
the pro-democracy movement. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN CORRESPONDENT/PRESENTER (voice-over): Rebecca Sy worked as a cabin crew at Cathay Dragon for 17 years. It was her first and only
job.
REBECCA SY, FORMER CATHAY DRAGON FLIGHT ATTENDANT: I really loved my job. To me, it`s a very special.
STEVENS: On August 21st, Rebecca was fired.
SY: They asked me only one question, does this Facebook belong to you? I said yes. They immediately said, I`m sorry I have to go for the process.
Now I announce that you are being terminated with immediate effect.
STEVENS: She says that she was never told why she was sacked.
SY: I was shocked, very disappointed, frustrated.
[10:35:00]
STEVENS: Rebecca has participated in some legal protests but says her Facebook page did not violate the code of conduct. Rebecca also represented
about 2,000 Cathay Dragon cabin crew in her union and says she had good relations with the company until the Hong Kong protests. Protests which
forced the airport to close, canceling hundreds of Cathay flights.
Cathay has crackdown on staff involved in demonstrations. The airline itself is under pressure from China its most important market. Beijing has
banned any Cathay staff who are involved in protests from flying into China. The hardline from Cathay has had a chilling effect say staff. They
call it white terror. This Cathay staff member who supports the protests spoke to CNN on the condition of anonymity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In terms of a white terror, I would say if you are unsafe, is uncertain, me and some of my colleagues, we have the time to say
it, we want to know is it our last day today because tomorrow we may not be able to get into the building anymore.
STEVENS: Cathay recently revised its staff code of conduct which includes posts on social media. Staff are told to speak up if they see a breach of
the code. Employees tell CNN that dozens of workers have been fired.
In response to CNN, Cathay says they don`t comment on specific cases but the dismissals are always in strict accordance which the terms of their
relevant employment contracts. They added that they are required to follow regulations prescribed by the authorities in mainland China. There is no
ground for compromise.
And it`s not just the airlines that are caught up in the protests.
LEE CHEUK-YAN, HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS: It`s also spreading to other sectors. It creates an atmosphere of fear among the workers that you
have to be in line with the political stand of the company.
STEVENS: Many of Hong Kong`s biggest companies, including its biggest bank HSBC, are now publicly condemning the violent protests and calling for a
peaceful resolution. But it`s clear that the protests are moving from the streets to the offices and factories of Hong Kong. In this new less defiant
battle line it`s freedom of speech that`s coming under threat.
Andrew Stevens, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Connecting your world here on CNN. Coming up, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on a tour of all African countries. The latest on their
ten-day trip is after this.
Plus, the fastest woman in the world also a new mom. How the Jamaican sprinter is balancing motherhood and breaking barriers.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:40:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM NOLAN, AMATEUR STORM CHASER: Look at you. You`re beautiful!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well that amateur storm chaser downright giddy at this dangerous sight as he captured video of a rare tornado touched down in central
California. Residents have been experiencing unusual weather over the weekend. Fortunately no damage reported.
Speaking of whirlwinds. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on the final leg of a whirlwind ten-day tour in southern Africa. A packed itinerary, it has
to be said. The couple toured South Africa and Prince Harry visited Botswana, Malawi and Angola. Conservation and environmental issues have
been a frequent theme on the trip. And Harry even penned an op-ed about that. Let`s bring in Max Foster who`s been following Prince Harry`s and
Meghan`s tour. Max, to anybody who knows anything about Prince Harry, they will know that he has a real place in his heart for Africa, conservation
extremely important to him. This is sort of upping the ante, right. Just how significant do you think what he said there might be going forward?
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it is. Because he`s also become a bit of an expert in anti-poaching . He`s been here so many times.
Gone out on so many expeditions and he`s really speaking from a position of authority. That`s really what he was pointing out himself as well in this
op-ed in the "Telegraph".
In it he`s trying to change the stigma really attached to people that are interested in conservation. He says, they shouldn`t be dismissed as hippies
and then he issues this rallying cry. He calls for humankind to overcome greedy apathy and selfishness to guarantee its survival on the planet. So
he`s really trying to say this is a crisis. This is an environmental crisis and we need to address it.
He also brought his wife into the mix when he was over in Malawi . He was in a school for young girls and what he did was arrange a Skype call so his
wife could call in to these girls. During this tour she`s really emphasized this cause that she really believes in and is central to everything that
she does, which is female empowerment. And actually you saw a lot of girls affected by that . She`s becoming a bit of a star here, has to be said, a
bit of rehabilitation I think of the couple, they really seemed to be coming across as very genuine because they`re picking events that they
really care about. And that sort of works against this narrative that has built in the U.K. media that perhaps they`re hypocritical. So it`s been
quite positive of them, I think.
ANDERSON: A successful trip. Thank you, Max.
A 32-year-old Jamaican sprinter has been crowned the fastest woman in the world. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce crushed the women`s 100 meters final in the
world championships in Doha and she is also a new mom. Her son Zyon just less than two years old. Let`s -- I certainly say go girl. It`s one of
those blink and you`d nearly miss it moments that 100 meters. World Sport Rhiannon Jones in the house. What an athlete and what a story -- Rhiannon.
RHIANNON JONES, CNN WORLD SPORT: What an athlete indeed and what a mom. What away to celebrate her latest title, she shares, as you saw there, the
victory lap with her little Zyon and she wasn`t the only new mom winning medals on Sunday. More coming up shortly.
ANDERSON: Thank you for that. We`re going to take a short break. Back after this.
[10:45:00]
(WORLD SPORT)
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