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U.S. First Lady Addresses Racial Injustice In Speech; Blake's Attorney: Videos Show Blake Was Not Being Aggressive; Hong Kong Lawmakers Among New Arrests Over 2019 Protests; Iraq's Crippling Dual Crises: COVID- 19 & Oil; 2019 Australian Fires Linked To Climate Change; Lionel Messi Tells Barcelona He Wants To Leave. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired August 26, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: Well, welcome back. A country divided. This hour we look at the stark differences in how Americans are
confronting racial justice. The issue again thrust into the spotlight after yet another police shooting of a black person.
In Kenosha in Wisconsin, there is outrage and now deadly violence sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake. While some 1200 kilometers away in
Washington, Republicans seem bent on stoking the so-called culture wars as they make the case to re-elect Donald Trump at their party's convention.
Let me just walk you through both of these stories. Jacob Blake is now paralyzed from the waist down after being shot by police. There is still no
word from them about why he was shot in the first place. And this hour police are looking for whoever shot to death two other people during a
third night of protests in Kenosha.
Another person was wounded. And I want to show you this disturbing video taken by someone at the protests just as the shots rang out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He shot that guy in the stomach. People are getting shot all around us. People are getting shot everywhere, guys. He shot that guy
in the stomach.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So that's the reality on the ground in the U.S. State of Wisconsin. But what about the reality painted by the American president?
Because Republicans are trying to sell Mr. Trump as a champion of black Americans, notably showing him issue a pardon to a convicted bank robber
who is now an advocate for prison reform.
That's even as the cadre of guests that the second night of Republican the shindig gave well what can only be described as pretty incendiary speeches
on issues ranging from abortion to the environment to really just freedom. It is a very us versus them dynamic and one designed to be red meat to the
base.
First Lady Melania Trump came out to directly acknowledge America's racial injustice and called for people to rise above it. She spoke from the White
House Rose Garden as President Trump looked on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MELANIA TRUMP, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: I urge people to come together in a civil manner so we can work and live up to our standard
American ideals. I also ask people to stop the violence and looting being done in the name of justice and never make assumptions based on the color
of a person's skin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:05:00]
ANDERSON: My next guest is a Republican who turned the other way this election, backing Joe Biden, not Donald Trump. He recently wrote an op-ed
saying, "America, we have lost our way". He is Former Ohio Governor and Former Presidential Candidate John Kasich joining me live. Sir, first, your
reaction, if you will, to the events in Wisconsin and that new video we just played out for our viewers.
JOHN KASICH, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, look, I think the most important thing is that in our country, we have always recognized the
importance of protest. Protest which comes from the ground up changes leaders at the top. It requires a peaceful manner of protesting.
The violence that we're seeing erupt across our country, it's not only frightening people all across our country, but it's just dead wrong. And
this story now has twists and turns with perhaps some sort of a vigilante who showed up in the middle of the protests and saw their way towards
deadly violence.
Everyone in America, all of the political candidates and every person in this country has to reject violence. Protests are fine. Martin Luther King
was the greatest advocate of peaceful protests, saying that it's important to seize the high moral ground, and even with the beating and the gassing
and the jailing that he went through, he always resisted violence.
So we have to be very clear about this. We will not tolerate the violence. While we believe that protests are a vital part of change in our country.
ANDERSON: This hour, John, we have started with a look at the stark differences in how Americans are confronting racial justice, and we have
taken a look at what is going on in Kenosha and the shooting of an unarmed black man once again. And just sort of set that off against the narrative
that we are hearing from this Republican National Convention. Is this a narrative that you are proud of as a lifelong Republican?
KASICH: Well, I'm an American before I'm a Republican. The Republican Party has always been my vehicle, never my master. And I think there are two
things going on at the Republican Convention. One is an appeal to the base, not just on the issue of race, but there's been a lot of appeals to the
base of the Republican Party covering a number of issues, not interested in appealing to anybody outside the base.
But I think if you look at Mrs. Trump's speech, the First Lady's speech that was an approach that was more consistent with bring us all together.
That was an appeal to those who are disaffected Republicans and weak independents who have traditionally voted Republican but may turn away.
The problem is there is a dissonance between what she says and what we've seen over the last three and a half years, and the question is, what do
people here in the country, the voters; think about this approach of a softer Republican Party, a softer message out of the Trump Administration?
Will they buy that? The issue of Coronavirus, you know, where there's been an argument made that the president was on top of it. Are Americans going
to believe that? I think probably not. So we just have to see. When we get through the conventions and get to Labor Day, then we're going to begin to
understand where the people of this country are as it relates to this election.
ANDERSON: If Donald Trump doesn't win this election, and the polls suggest he's not a frontrunner in this, but nothing is over until it's over, of
course, how would you like to see the Republican Party reshaped?
KASICH: Any political party is about ideas, and I think it's important that we begin to realize that the millennials and the gen-xers are the majority,
that the baby - are now not as important as they were. And I think we have to consider the concerns of the baby boomers and the gen-xers.
And I think the Republican Party has to become more positive. It has to have real solutions on health care, real solutions on what we're going to
do about the tremendously growing debt, what we're going to do about reviving this economy?
These are ideas, and I think the party for a significant period of time has been the party of negative and not the party of additive. I think political
parties are there to express ideas, exciting ideas, and not hide from the big issues of the day, including things like race, and including things
like the wealth gap.
Republicans have got to start taking positions on these and not think back to 40 years ago as to what life was like under Ronald Reagan, who I greatly
admired and served with and knew.
[11:10:00]
KASICH: Those are 40 years ago. Now we have to get into where we are today.
ANDERSON: I feel like I'm having a deja vu here, because we were having similar discussions, certainly discussions about the demise of the
Republican Party this time four years ago, in 2016, and here we are, John, today. I just want to play some sound.
KASICH: Let's think about the Democrats - Becky, let's just stop for a second and talk about the Democratic Party. Because you're seeing great
pressure inside the Democratic Party with the hard left demanding more say, with the hard left complaining that they didn't have enough attention at
the convention, with the hard left saying, well, Joe Biden doesn't really get them and all that kind of stuff.
That's my analysis as opposed to what Democrats might tell you. So there is great disruption in the Democratic Party, great disruption in the
Republican Party and that could set the stage, Becky, at some point in the future not for something that could dominate, but the creation of a third
party.
It is very possible we will see that in the country. We've seen it throughout American history. We just have to wait and see how that all
works out. Nobody has got it all right at this point in time.
ANDERSON: You wrote an opinion piece last month that I name checked at the top of this interview saying, and let me quote here. Now more than ever,
Americans must reject those forces that seek to divide us and instead unite as one people with the individual freedoms to fulfill America's promise to
pursue all of our own varied, beautiful dreams, now and tomorrow. John, do you see America as forever changed by Mr. Trump?
KASICH: No, I don't really think that's true because America is driven by people, by the public. And, again, it's from bottom up, not top down. The
concern I have, and part of the reason why I made that speech, Becky, is because we're now beginning to see tremendous division among the public.
And if the public can't agree on certain basic principles, then there's no clear message being sent up the line to the people who are the
policymakers. So we're disrupted right now. And what is it going to take? I have one view here that some people think is controversial, to me its
common sense.
I think that the systematic rejection or erosion of faith in a higher power, faith in God, has allowed people to cancel others out, allowed
people to not treat their neighbors as they would like to be treated.
I think there is an element of spirituality that can help us bring people back together, to put ourselves in other people's shoes, to understand that
the fighting and the division doesn't serve any of us well in a country that's too divided.
Do I think it can change? I do think it can change, but it's going to be incumbent on some specific people in America. Who they are and how they
rise, I'm not quite sure. I hope to play a role in that, in bringing people together.
ANDERSON: With that we're going to leave it there. Mr. Kasich, we really appreciate your time today. Thank you very much, indeed.
KASICH: Thank you. Let's do it again. Thank you, Becky.
ANDERSON: We will. Thank you. All right, back to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. There is disturbing new video of the incident as Blake's
family a waits answers about why he was shot? Sara Sidner has more for you.
SARA SIDNER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anger and anguish in Kenosha, Wisconsin as protests continued for the third night, police deploying tear
gas on demonstrators staying out after curfew after bottles were thrown at them as unrest grows in response to what happened to Jacob Blake, the man
shot seven times in the back by police as three of his children looked on.
Authorities still not explaining what caused the officers to fire. A second video now shows the incident from another angle with Blake appearing to
struggle with officers before he walks around his SUV and is shot. The man, who filmed the first video that went viral, which shows the shooting, told
CNN what he saw Sunday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't hear Jacob say anything at all, but I heard the officers screaming, drop the knife, drop the knife. I didn't see a knife in
Jacob's hand. He pulled his pants up with both hands.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIDNER: Blake's attorney says he was not violent.
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BEN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR JACOB BLAKE: We're seeing very clear, if there was a scuffle or what have you, he's not swinging at the officer, he's not
doing anything to attack the officer, he is trying to get away. There is nothing in that video that justifies this brutal, excessive use of force on
Jacob Blake Jr., point blank, period.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIDNER: This morning the U.S. Justice Department and FBI reviewing whether to launch their own investigation into the shooting?
[11:15:00]
SIDNER: While Blake's family is demanding justice, saying he is now paralyzed from the waist down and may never walk again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACOB BLAKE SR., JACOB BLAKE'S FATHER: They shot my son seven times seven times like he didn't matter. But my son matters.
ZEITHA BLAKE, JACOB BLAKE'S SISTER: How much more inhumane treatment are we going to have to deal with before the world makes a change?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIDNER: Athletes also speaking out with reports some NBA players are considering boycotting the first game of the playoffs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARCUS SMART, BOSTON CELTICS: We tried to protest but it's not working, so something has to be done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIDNER: Blake's mother sending this plea for peaceful protests.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIA JACKSON, JACOB BLAKE'S MOTHER: Please don't burn up property and cause havoc and tear your own homes down in my son's name.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Sara Sidner reporting from Kenosha, Wisconsin. James E. Ward Jr. is the Pastor to Jacob Blake's mother. He is also the author of the book
"Zero Victim: Liberate yourself from the power of defeat." See that book here. He joins me here from Chicago. Sir, I know you know the family. What
kind of man is Jacob Blake?
JAMES E. WARD JR., AUTHOR, "ZERO VICTIM: LIBERATE YOURSELF FROM THE MENTALITY OF DEFEAT": Hi, Becky, thank you so much for having me on your
show. I do know the family. I want to be clear, I am the Pastor of Jacob Blake's mother, Julia Jackson, and also his grandmother, Jane Johnson, but
I don't have personal interaction with Jacob.
So I can just speak on behalf of Julia. That plea that she just made, the video that she has put out by her own words, a call for peace and a call
for these things that are tearing our society apart to not happen in the name of her son, I can certainly speak to that.
And I think your last guest, Governor Kasich, really set this segment up. I would love to work with him and others in this regard. Becky, we're having
more conversations about criticism and controversy than we're having conversations about change and compassion.
We're more concerned with right versus left instead of right versus wrong. We have to call a ceasefire. We have to come back to deal with the
spiritual and the moral foundation upon which civil law that governs a society has been built, and we have to deal with matters of the heart if
we're ever going to change it.
That is my area of expertise, so to speak, in terms of being a Pastor, being a spiritual coach, and we have to let the legal team do what they
need to do, we need to let the politicians do what they need to do, but there is a faith component, a spiritual component we never get to, and that
is why I believe we don't see the lasting change we all want to see.
I want to be a leading voice and serve with others in bringing about this change to make sure we eliminate these atrocities from our society.
ANDERSON: You're making an awful lot of sense and I'm glad that you heard that interview with John. I do hope the two of you can work together going
forward. Jacob's mother who you know well, giving this impassioned plea, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: Do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts as I pray for my son's healing physically, emotionally and spiritually. I also have
been praying even before this for the healing of our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: How are the family doing? How does a family cope with a situation like this?
WARD JR.: Yes, well, Becky, let me share this with you. As I listen to that plea from Julia, being a Servant Pastor to Julia, I understand the emotion,
the theology that's behind those statements that she made. I'm so proud of her. She did an amazing job, and she's really doing something great to help
our nation.
But let me explain to you about this heart piece, which is so important. Becky, there are three types of law that govern a society. There's
spiritual law, moral law and civil law. Publicly we're only familiar mostly with civil law. But spiritual law and moral law are important.
They're vitally important, and we have to deal with those things primarily for this reason. Becky, you cannot legislate morality. You cannot legislate
the sentiments of the human heart, and being a Christian Pastor, Matthew 15 through 18; Jesus says that evil, murder these things come from within.
They come from the heart to devour people. If we want to improve our nation, if we want to improve our society and eliminate these things, we've
got to go to the route of the human heart.
[11:20:00]
WARD JR.: And I'm just here to reinforce, to strengthen Julia's voice as she humbly shares her faith. I believe this is time for us to come
together. I really encourage our viewers to go to my website at jameseward.junior and write about this as you mentioned in my book
"Zerovictim.com"
I get a chance to speak internationally about these issues. This is a time that I want to call on others out there in the faith community to join me
that we can do something about this to eliminate this once and for all.
ANDERSON: Let me play you a clip from the First Lady, Melania Trump, sir.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. TRUMP: I urge people to come together in a civil manner so we can work and live up to our standard American ideals. I also ask people to stop the
violence and looting being done in the name of justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Your reaction, sir? Those words must resonate with you.
WARD JR.: They do resonate, but let me kind of frame that a little bit. Here's the issue, Becky. When you talk about unity, for example, it's such
a broad, generic word. We throw out these ideas, we need to come together.
Becky, think about this analogy a pile of bricks sitting over in a corner is just a pile of bricks. But you know what a beautifully designed home is
also a pile of bricks. What's the difference, the way that those bricks are arranged and the way that they function in relationship to each other and
so we make this general cause, I honor First Lady Melania's voice in calling for unity?
We just don't go deep enough. We don't get into a comprehensive conversation about what this is, what unity is, and here's the issue, to
establish the common denominators. A third grade student understands that to add and subtract fractions, you got to get the same number on the bottom
of the fraction.
When you get the right common denominators, it's easier to add the numbers at the top. That is where I want to help, which I believe this we can
introduce a new way of looking at these things to really get results this time. I'm calling on leaders. I want to come together with other leaders. I
really believe we can get to the bottom of this.
ANDERSON: Well, certainly there is some serious work to go done, and I applaud your efforts in wanting to be involved. Thank you, sir.
WARD JR.: My pleasure.
ANDERSON: Donald Trump has made no secret of his distaste for China. Now his top diplomat is carrying that message. We're going to look at the
tension between the two superpowers we'll play out in the coming election one reason for that tension getting tough on Hong Kong protesters, the
latest arrests coming just an hour or hours ago.
We'll have the details on that for you, and a huge shock for the world. Super star Lionel Messi says he wants to leave Barcelona. Where will he go?
We'll tell you some of his possible destinations a little later this hour.
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[11:25:00]
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MIKE POMPEO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: China has pulled back the curtain on the predator aggression of the Chinese Communist Party. The president has
held China accountable for covering up the China virus and allowing it to spread death and economic destruction in America and around the world. He
will not rest until justice is done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo there telling the Republican National Convention back home his boss is the only one who can take on
China. In the front line of U.S. criticism, China is Hong Kong and the new reality under what is the new Beijing-backed security law.
For example just in the past couple of hours, Hong Kong police have arrested 16 people allegedly for taking part in protests last year. That's
according to a police source who adds two of the people arrested are local lawmakers. Ivan Watson joining us now from Hong Kong with more, what do we
know about these two Hong Kong arrests, Ivan?
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the two lawmakers that you mentioned they filmed their arrests earlier this morning
here in Hong Kong. They are Ted Wei and Lance, and according to police they are part of a group of some 16 people who were arrested and charged with
crimes like unlawful assembly, dishonest use of computer, property damage, perverting course of justice and rioting.
They've all been linked to two protests of July of 2019, July 6th and July 21st. The lawmakers are saying that - they're arguing that this is a
perversion of justice, one of them saying that he was trying to help mediate on July 6th. This was at the height of the protest movement, the
anti-government pro-democracy protests that we saw from months in Hong Kong last year, which have largely been crushed, I would argue, in 2020.
And the other lawmaker was actually wounded in July 21st when a group of men in white shirts armed with sticks attacked the pro-democracy
demonstrators at a subway station. The opposition accused the police of colluding with that gang armed with the white sticks, charges that the
police have denied. Bigger picture here Becky by our account there have been at least 14 elected opposition lawmakers and district councilors who
have been arrested in just the last three months.
This fits a pattern of a larger crackdown on the organized political opposition here in Hong Kong that just happens to come with Beijing
imposing a national security law on the city that critics, including a growing number of foreign governments argue rip up the autonomy that Hong
Kong is supposed to have the democratic freedoms that are supposed to be ensured here until the year 2047. Becky?
ANDERSON: I want to zoom out just a little bit, Ivan, to the wider geopolitical issue. We've heard Pompeo's speech. What message is that
sending to Beijing? And quite frankly, how will it be received?
WATSON: This is part of a drumbeat of criticism and sanctions that have been imposed by the Trump Administration on China. The most recent just
came in the last couple of hours. The State Department and the Commerce Department have imposed sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals and
on 24 Chinese state-owned enterprises that they accuse of being involved in the island building project and the militarization of those islands in
disputed areas of the South China Sea.
This is just one of a number of flashpoints between Washington and Beijing. They include Hong Kong, for example. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on top
officials here in Hong Kong for the alleged removal of democratic rights and the autonomy here on other human rights issues.
It's clearly part of a campaign issue for the Trump Administration, but it's also a sign of just these shredding relations between China and the
U.S. ironically one area where the two countries are still cooperating is trade.
A phase 1 trade agreement agreed upon between Xi Jinping and Trump late last year, that still is moving forward where relations elsewhere,
consulates being closed in tit for tat moves are signs of the increasing tension, the likes of which we haven't seen, really, in a generation
between the two largest economies. Becky?
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Sure, you're absolutely right. Ivan, we've been watching quite the lightning show flash behind you, a good visual matter for perhaps for
storms brewing between Washington and Beijing absolutely. Thank you, sir always a pleasure.
Well, coming up, we take you to the front lines of Iraq's COVID crisis. Doctors call for basic medical supplies as cases rise and hospitals there
reach breaking point.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, from struggling economies to conflict, the Middle East is already dealing with multiple crises, and now adds to that the crippling
effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. In Iraq, among other pressures, the pandemic is ravaging an ailing health sector already paralyzed from decades
of corruption, wars and of sanctions.
Iraq is now the fourth worst hit country in the region with cases currently rising by several thousand a day. I want to introduce you to this front
line hero, Dr. Saleh Khamis. Here he is preparing to head into a COVID ward. He told CNN that hospitals in Iraq are reaching a breaking point and
urgently called for greater access to basic medical supplies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SALEH KHAMIS, IRAQI DOCTOR: Now we're going to deal with another wave, but we have the disadvantage for hospitals are being already full. My last
shift at our medical center, I had in my COVID-19, we had 55, 54 patients.
It's going to be much worse if things stay the way they are in regards to the beds available, in regards to the medical services that can be provided
and the major simple issue of oxygen. This is our response to virus and oxygen must be available at every turn. Let's mention the big hospitals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Let's bring in Iraq's Deputy Minister for Health and Environment, Jassim Al-Falahi. He joins me from Baghdad versus Skype. And it is good to
have you with this hospital is clearly overwhelmed. Cases are rising by the thousands now every day. Are you losing control at of the situation in
Iraq?
JASSIM AL-FALAHI, IRAQI TECHNICAL DEP. MIN. FOR HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT: Well, thank you very much. Really I think everything is under control.
We're not losing the situation. As you know, we are facing serious challenges pandemic COVID-19 pandemic. Globally I see these challenges, and
all the American health system or the health system of the world is facing really a huge influence.
[11:35:00]
AL-FALAHI: In my country you know, a passing indicate of - instability. And this had a very bad reflect on the infrastructures and all sectors
especially the health sectors we are in need, success of an increase in the population.
We have more than one million a year, and really we are in need for renewing for the infrastructures we got in hospitals and the medical
centers. Ten of our medical employees and the medical institute and the hospitals, they are doing in a very good situation.
Although we have really a real deficit in many things because you know, there is an increase in the increase of the infection, and the medical
health system and the medical people are doing their best in order to occupy.
ANDERSON: Absolutely, and we've heard from a doctor who says he is in need of medical supplies. And clearly there is a real need. What support do you
need in Iraq and is the international community doing enough to help?
AL-FALAHI: Yes, of course. As you know, as I mentioned, really there is a huge impact on the medical health. We are now facing an increase or
successful increase in the cases, as you know. And I think that without the support of the international community, really we are in need to support
them specially.
And the social medical supplement although the Iraqi government did their best and now a new government make the Coronavirus and facing the
Coronavirus as a priority in their governmental program.
ANDERSON: I know that Iraq is preparing for a major religious commemoration this weekend. It's known as Ashura. And because of what's going on with
regard to COVID, there will be a lot of restrictions. What will this year's commemoration look like, sir?
AL-FALAHI: Yes, of course, you know, we have a religious habit and also we have many, many like this especially in Ashura because this is the Muharram
month, and as you know there is certain activities every year.
But now in COVID-19, - agreed to make people aware of overcrowding and they're insisting in every Friday in their declaration about the separation
and also they should follow the restrictions and the rules of the Ministry of Health.
Really, they are supporting us a lot. And as we see now, a lot of all this manifestation has been minimized as much as possible and also they are
insisting on wearing a mask and the social separation.
ANDERSON: Okay.
AL-FALAHI: Especially in this critical time.
ANDERSON: No. And clearly, a mass gathering like this is, it's so important these restrictions are in place and we hope for the best. Iraq is suffering
dual crises after April's OPAC cuts which saw a significant reduction of a million barrels of oil a day for Iraq. How much of a knock-on effect is
this weakened economy, drop in oil revenue, how is that having an impact on the country's fight against COVID?
AL-FALAHI: Yes, of course. As you know, the financial crisis is not really less harmful than the COVID-19 pandemic crisis impact. And as you know
we're depend mainly on the oil production as a main source of economy.
Iraqi government now play a greater role and now they do their plan or a new plan by his Excellency the Prime Minister, Mr. Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. He
do the best in order to make a multi-economic sectors or multi economic sources especially on the entrance and - on the taxes and other economic
resources in order to support. And I think there is a national, regional and international activity to support our country.
ANDERSON: You are the minister of health and environment, of course Iraq one of the most vulnerable countries in the region to climate change. Given
your current oil crisis, how crucial is it, sir, for Iraq to move away from its dependence on oil, and how realistic a proposal is that?
[11:40:00]
AL-FALAHI: Yes, that is very important question. As you know, I'm following our - I am responsible for the environmental issue really. And although I
am a medical employees with regarding Paris Agreement according to Paris Agreement, we are a classified as one of five the most vulnerable for the
climate change.
As you know, we are depending mainly on the - especially in water resources from transferring the real resources from our neighbors. As you know we're
depend mainly on oil production. The Paris Agreement makes some sort of reflection for the oil production and usage.
So now for about four years we are starting to depend about what's called the green economy with the support of the United Nation Organization so -
to make some sort of multi-sector economy depending upon the green resources and minimizing the mitigation.
And we do some sort of adaptation of our infrastructure according to the international criteria. Really it is not - because the environment,
especially in Iraq like other sectors are facing a huge destruction because of decade of - and facing the terrace activities.
In addition to deflection of a lot of area regarding the land degradation - incidence of the sandstorm, that's all, will affect the ability of our
country to face impact of climate change. In addition to the - there is some sort of deficit in the water resources in addition to the food
security.
ANDERSON: Okay. And with that, we're going to leave it there but a wide- ranging discussion. I'm so pleased that we've had it. But in the first instance, what's most pressing at present is ensuring that the country can
keep this COVID pandemic under control, and we do hope that that is possible. Thank you, sir.
From Iraq to California, as we've just been discussing, climate change affects us all, and right now there are devastating wildfires in the
American West. The losses are heartbreaking for people who have quite simply lost everything.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Scientists are usually cautious about linking national disasters to climate change. But in Australia, you're looking at it, researchers have
concluded increased greenhouse gas emissions clearly played a role in the conditions that led up to these fires and their spread.
And bushfires like these in New South Wales last year are predicted to get even worse. So if one day in the future, some kids look up at you slightly
bemused and ask, where were you when the climate crisis was really flaring up and what did you do to stop it, well take a look around.
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: This is what we're all doing. This is it. And it's not just in Australia, of course, no way. Over in America's richest state, California's
more than 50 wildfires are scorching the earth, is clear and urging a visual metaphor for the way that we treat our planet as you will ever find.
Let me give you some sense of the scale of the blazes. Just one of them, the largest there is now this hour 24 times the size of Manhattan. And only
a small part of it is under control. Let's get to my colleague Dan Simon who is out in Napa for us and has been speaking to families looking to
leave the state for good. Dan?
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Becky. Thanks to favorable weather conditions, crews are continuing to make progress on these fires, but still
a long way to go, and you have tens of thousands of people who have evacuated their homes, and for a lot of these folks, this has become
something of an annual experience. Take a look.
The grapes are plump as harvesting is about to begin in California's wine country. But this annual late summer tradition is now accompanied by a more
ominous one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is five years straight we've had terrible fires that are real scary thing. This is the new normal.
SIMON: You evacuated in 2017?
DAVID STALNAKER, NAPA COUNTY RESIDENT: A couple times.
SIMON: 2018?
STALNAKER: 2018 once, and I think we did once in 2016 and then this year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: Very good. Five evacuations in four years for David and Marianne Stalnaker this time their good luck had run out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARIANNE STALNAKER, NAPA COUNTY RESIDENT: We've been together for 43 years. Everything we built together is gone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: Their home in Napa County along with dozens of others in the Berryessa Highlands neighborhood has been reduced to piles of rubble.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STALNAKER: Everybody was very fire wise safe here, but it just went to the canyons. There's nothing you can do about it. It's just sad. It's a
reality, I guess.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: The reality is marked by these troubling statistics. Five of California's most destructive wildfires in history taking place here in
wine country in just the past few years. More than 10,000 structures destroyed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULLIAN NOLAN, NAPA COUNTY RESIDENT: I just started hysterically crying.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: Jillian and Cassidy Nolan, along with their four children, had just moved into their new home in June. Cassidy is a former marine who had done
two deployments in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CASSIDY NOLAN, NAPA COUNTY RESIDENT: The feeling is the same. There's despair, there's sadness, there's sorrow, there's destruction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: More destruction, in fact, than any family should have to endure. In 2017, Jillian says her mother lost her Napa home to the devastating atlas
fire. A year later, she says her sister lost her home to the tragic campfire that ravaged the town of paradise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NOLAN: Bad luck with fire. We have no idea, really, what comes next.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: Given all the tragedies and the potential for more fires, they're not certain if they want to stay in California. The Stalnaker weighing
their options as well as they look for lost treasures.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STALNAKER: We just poured so much money into this home in the last few years as well. We've been doing some sort of --- we had it painted, you
know, we've just redone the whole thing, redone the rooms all for naught.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: Well, experts say, because of climate change coupled with an abundance of dry fuel, whether that's because of a drought or from wildfire
suppression, they say these massive wildfires are really the new normal in California. Becky?
ANDERSON: Thank you, Dan. Still ahead on "Connect the World," delayed by the pandemic, jeopardized by the port explosion, the Beirut spring
festival, though, decides the show must go on. An angry Barcelona fans take to the streets begging their club to keep unsettled superstar Lionel Messi
more on that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: Well, it's a story we didn't think we would ever be reporting on here. Lionel Messi wants out of Barcelona. Shocking, yes, but it is 2020,
after all. For more we're joined by Don Riddell. What a year, Don, and it is only, what - I don't know why I'm looking at my wrist; I don't have a
watch on. Anyway, it probably wouldn't tell me the date. It's only August.
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Nearly September, but yes, we shouldn't be surprised by anything happening this year. Becky, when you're
the best player in the world, you expect to be playing for the biggest team winning all the big trophies. And if you're considered one of the best
players of all time, then you're not going to put up with mediocrity for very long.
For so long, Barcelona and Messi were a perfect match. At one point, the Catalan side was even considered to be the greatest team ever assembled.
But that definitely is not the case anymore. Barcelona has been getting weaker and weaker in recent years, and the 8-2 threshing by Bayern Munich
and the Champions' League seems to have been the final straw.
Now Messi wants out with a year still left on his contract, but the fans just cannot even conceive of the idea of seeing him leave and having their
great club without him. They are angry at the way Barcelona and its borders handled recent events, and many of them, as you can see, gathered at the
Camp Nou (ph) stadium on Tuesday to express their emotions.
If he leaves, and by the way, that is still a really big if, it will of course be a massive football story. Amanda Davis has the latest on this.
And she joins us now from London. Amanda, lots of the players change clubs throughout their carriers, the notion of anyone in this era staying at just
one team is incredibly rare. And I guess that's why it hurts so much for these fans. He's just a Barcelona icon.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes, absolutely, and those fans really don't have to be very old to remember how they were the greatest team on
the planet with the greatest player on the planet? That, however, is a different debate which we will park for now, but there is no doubt that
Lionel Messi and Barcelona have been synonymous for so long.
They have been so intrinsic to his success; he has been so intrinsic to their success since he joined at age 13. He then made his competitive debut
in 2004. And together they really dominated the European game for so long, didn't they, winning Champions' League trophies, dominating in the league.
Messi as an individual winning a record six World Player of the Year trophies, helping Barcelona to more trophies than any other player and it's
for that reason that there's really mixed emotions from people here.
He, for so long, has said he wants to see out his career at Barcelona. But you alluded to where they have fallen, too, these days, the humiliation,
the devastation of that defeat in the champions' league just a couple weeks ago.
And for whatever the truth what we're hearing about this release clause and its expiration or not, whether or not a team would have to pay 700 million
Euros, some $826 million to secure Messi or not.
It is for what he has done for the club for such a long time that the likes of former players like Colis Peele and Gary Leneka have really come out
publicly in support of Lionel Messi.
Leneka tweeted this. He said if Messi is to leave FC Barcelona by activating a release clause, then I hope the club tries to help, not hinder
him. He's been fiercely loyal and their greatest ever player. It would be terribly sad if he finished with the fight between player and the club.
I have to say Don, the verge coming out of the club today with the unveiling of the newest signing Francisco Strizkov (ph) the sporting
director has very much spoken of Messi as the future, saying Barcelona has rebuilt itself on many occasions throughout its history and has always come
back stronger.
[11:55:00]
DAVIES: Our thinking is to have - alongside the best in the world. But despite that, it hasn't stopped some brilliant names across social media.
Basically any club, every club in the world staking their claim to the man.
The reality is that whether this release clause is in place or not. If Barcelona do allow some kind of wiggle room, there are many clubs in the
world that will be able to afford him. The clubs we're talking about all have mouth-watering story lines, don't they?
The possibility of reuniting with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Inter Milan is another club. That would see the renewal of that rivalry with
Cristiano Ronaldo or PSG of course and Neymar. There is a long way to go, but there's no doubt everyone will be following every step of the way.
RIDDELL: Yes, you call it right, never mind that eye-watering release clause, just paying his wages beyond that would be beyond most clubs on the
planet. But Pep Guardiola, the Man City could be possible.
And I know premier league fans would really be excited to see him in the premier league. All right, we'll find out where this goes in the coming
days and weeks. Amanda Davies, that's all we got time for just now. Becky, back to you.
ANDERSON: I would love to see him in the EPL. Before we leave you tonight, I want to pause for a moment to remember Lebanon. After all, the adversity
the country has been facing and continues to face, there is still joy and solace in the form of music.
Artists taking part in the delayed Beirut spring festival are expressing their condolences and their thoughts for all those affected by the port
explosion earlier this month. Organizers chose to hold the event online to, as they say offer a glimpse of light after the blast destroyed much of the
city.
The festival will continue in its virtual form until September 1st, when, of course, Mr. Macron has promised he will return to Beirut, the French
President calling for political change. This explosion, he said, should be the start of a new era.
Tomorrow I'll be joined by the Director General of UNESCO live from Beirut right here on CONNECT THE WORLD. She said health mobilized the
international effort towards pushing the week instruction efforts in the wake of the devastating explosion there. Thank you so much for joining us
this evening. Take care, stay safe. See you tomorrow.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
