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Connect the World
The Real Toll Of Coronavirus In Russia; Navajo Nation Enters New Three-Week Lockdown; Morocco And Rebel Group Polisario Front Tension Intensifies; "New York Times:" Trump Asked About Possible Strike On Iran Nuclear Site; Trump Removed U.S. From Iran Nuclear Deal In 2018; Dangerous Hurricane Iota Hits Central America. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired November 17, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: Well, this hour packed morgues telling a deadly story in Russia. I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome to
"Connect the World." Now they say optimism is the key to success, but that doesn't make the challenges along the way any easier.
We now have two vaccines with COVID-19 with success rates of between 90 percent and 95 percent after Phase III trials, but for all the enthusiasm
lives and livelihoods remain at an immense risk globally. There are now more than 70,000 people hospitalized in the U.S., for example, with the
Coronavirus, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
The U.S. currently averages more than 3,500 new hospitalizations a day. In Europe restrictions getting tighter with Sweden to ban gatherings of more
than eight people, remember, that country was one of the few not to go into lockdown, full lockdown, earlier this year.
While in France a number of people hospitalized with Coronavirus have reached an all-time high more than 33,000. One country that's also been
hard hit is Russia. Over the weekend we heard it had reported a record 22,000 cases in a single day, but an exclusive CNN investigation suggests
the official figures are only part of the story, particularly when it comes to how many people have died.
The official toll, as reported via Johns Hopkins University is more than 33,000, but a former government statistician tells us the real figure could
include nearly 100,000 additional people. Mathew Chance has been on the front line of reporting Russia's battle against COVID-19 from day one.
He has seen the utter tragedy that's unfolded and equally the desperate hunt for a viable vaccine Matthew connecting the story for us from Moscow
this hour with some exclusive access. What have you found, Matthew?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well Becky, as you mention Russia is one of the worst affected countries in the world when it
comes to COVID-19. They have got nearly 2 million confirmed cases across the country, and that death toll, which is horrific, according to official
figures, 33,000 people so far dead.
The Kremlin, you know, says that it's got everything under control. Don't worry. The pandemic has been brought under their control, but when you talk
to front line medics like we have, when you look at some of the harrowing video coming from hospitals and clinics and morgues around this country, it
paints a much, much bleaker picture.
I warn viewers that some of the images in this report are disturbing. This is the pandemic response Russia wants us to see, a vast state of the art
field hospital set up to manage the Coronavirus surge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just about to head into the - to the red zone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: It was a World Championship Ice Skating Stadium called the Ice Palace. Now the view from the stands is 1,300 beds, and the staff of highly
protected medics, apparently in control of this COVID-19 crisis.
We have all the necessary diagnostic equipment, including ultrasound and ventilators, the Chief Doctor on the left tells me. The Russian government
is taking serious anti-Coronavirus measures he insists, not just here in Moscow but far beyond.
[11:05:00]
CHANCE: But there's another side of Russia's raging pandemic. One the authorities would prefer that we ignore with shocking evidence of an
overloaded health care system buckling under the strain of COVID-19.
On social media there are heartbreaking scenes like this one of an ambulance medic trying in vain to get a 90-year-old patient admitted to an
overcrowded ward. I won't take her home to die, the paramedic shouts. Why do I have to weep and beg you to take in a patient, she cries?
The Russian authorities admit hospitals in some regions are at more than 95 percent capacity, but there's mounting evidence of a surging death toll,
too. In this video recorded last month and sent to us by an opposition linked Russian Doctor's Union a dead woman dangles unattended from her
hospital bed while other patient gasp for breath just feet away.
We lost another two in the ward overnight, says a male voice on the video. This is how COVID-19 is killing everyone, he says. There are horrific
scenes of inundated morgues, too some too graphic to show of corpses strewn across floors and stretches.
It's also emerged that official COVID death figures suspiciously low compared to other badly affected countries that may grossly understate the
real toll by excluding people who have presumed to have COVID postmortem, even those with pre-existing conditions that proved fatal due to the
infection.
If they were counted as in many other countries Russia's official death toll of over 33,000 people would be higher. Much higher, according to a
Former Governor statistician who has compiled figures on excess deaths and spoke to CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEXEY RAKSHA, FORMER RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN: I think its 130,000 people.
CHANCE: 130,000 who have died in Russia with COVID-19?
RAKSHA: The cause of COVID.
CHANCE: And do you believe that the Russian government is purposely hiding the real cost of the COVID pandemic?
RAKSHA: Of course. They need to make people not afraid of the virus. It's very helpful for - for providing good pictures so we are Russians. We're
proud of our country it. Everything is good with us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: Russian authorities haven't responded to the allegations they are downplaying the figures, but outside the highly organized and spacious
field hospitals the authorities are happy to showcase there are signs Russia's pandemic is getting worse.
ANDERSON: And Matthew is with us, of course, in Moscow. That's a fascinating report, Matt. What's the latest with Russia's race for a
vaccine?
CHANCE: Well, they're still engaged in that race. There were interim results from their vaccine which is called Sputnik V which, remember, was
the first vaccine to be registered for public use. It was registered back in August, pre-dating everyone else in the world that has been developing
these vaccines.
Their interim results suggest that it has 92 percent efficacy which is right up there with all the other big pharmaceutical firms like Pfizer, et
cetera, Moderna who have recently released their interim results as well.
Those findings are going to be peer-reviewed in a prominent medical journal, but, I mean, the interesting thing is one of the reasons that the
- that the introduction, the early introduction of a vaccine in Russia has not had a massive impact or even a significant impact on the rates of
infection here and on the death rates it's because it's still very much being given administered to a narrow proportion of people.
Frontline health care workers qualified to get it, people in the test, teachers qualify to get it as well which is quite a few people in terms of
thousands it, but it's statistically insignificant when it comes to a country of this size, when it comes to trying to halt this pandemic in the
country or to slow it down.
It's going to be picking up. In the months ahead had the Russian authorities say they hope to boost production 5 million to 7 million doses
at the latest by January and, of course, with other vaccines under way around the world as well, it is going to take months before the effect of
them are really felt by ordinary people. Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes, very good point. Matthew Chance on the story of Russia thank you. Well, one of the worst COVID-19 hot spots in the United States is
Navajo Nation, a Native American reservation in the remote corner of three southwestern states.
You'll remember that I told you about this story last hour. I want to give you the full picture now because with Coronavirus spiraling out of control
there, the Navajo Nation is now under a strict three-week lockdown.
[11:10:00]
ANDERSON: People can only leave home for emergencies or to buy essentials. All government offices are closed and tourist who drives through can't even
stop all for good reason, to slow a surge in cases and a rising death toll.
CNN's Martin Savidge has been talking to Navajo Nation's residents including one woman who lost her sister in what are heartbreaking
circumstances. Martin is joining us now from Gallop in New Mexico. Just explain. I see the scenery behind you. It's a stunning place. I've seen it
for myself but COVID not sparing anyone it seems there.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No. It's a beautiful place with beautiful people, but indigenous people here in this country, especially
Native Americans, have suffered disproportionately when it comes to impact of COVID-19.
Now, there are a lot of reasons for that, many of them which pre-date the virus itself. You have poverty, of course, and also on top of that you have
lack of resources, and then there are the very ancient monsters as the Navajo refer to them, things like alcoholism, obesity and diabetes.
It's interesting that in this country we're going through, in most places the third wave of COVID-19. The Navajo have only seen two waves. This one
now is currently is the second wave. The reason they say they have been successful is that they have been very aggressive to educate and to
isolate, and they are hoping that this works again this time, too.
Here's what we found. Winter-like cold has returned to the Navajo Nation so as Coronavirus. Last spring COVID-19 devastated the sprawling 27,000 square
mile Navajo reservation that stretches across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
In May, per capita Navajo infection rates surpassed New York and New Jersey. Dee Dixson's younger sister among those impacted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DARLENE DIXSON, NAVAJO NATION RESIDENT: She went in to get tested, and she said she tested positive.
SAVIDGE (voice over): Just two weeks later Dixson listened helplessly over the phone as her sister's COVID battle ended in a distant hospital room.
DIXSON: I was talking to her and I was telling her, sissy, you can't go and you have to come home to us by 5:45 you just hear that tone of her heart
stopping and the doctor came on the phone and she said she was gone.
SAVIDGE (voice over): Now COVID's back. Navajo health officials warned of the virus's uncontrolled spread in 34 communities and fear an outbreak as
bad as spring or worse.
DR. JILL JIM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NAVAJO NATION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: The cases just have been increased. There is no plateau. There's no flattening.
SAVIDGE (voice over): How many ICU beds do you have here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have 14 in Navajo area. Here at this site we have six.
SAVIDGE (voice over): Last time the Navajo sent many of their cases off reservation to larger hospitals in New Mexico and Arizona. Health
volunteers poured in. That's not likely this time. Hospitals nationwide are struggling to find beds for their own critical cases, so the Navajo are
preparing to fight alone, locking down the entire Navajo Nation for three weeks announcing the news on Navajo Radio.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning. I hope everybody woke up feeling good, feeling that they want to stay home and take care of themselves.
SAVIDGE (voice over): Under the order, people can only leave their homes for emergencies or essentials. Government offices and businesses must
close. Learning is online. Gas stations and grocery stores can open but under limited hours and capacity using strict sanitizing procedures.
Checkpoints like this one are designed to limit off-nation travel. Meanwhile, non-residents and tourists can pass through. They just can't
stop. Face masks, already mandate it had, now are encouraged to be worn indoors with family.
JONATHAN NEZ, PRESIDENT, NAVAJO NATION: And we're like an island in Navajo Nation so if you have record-breaking numbers all around us, it will come
in to that nation or that area, and that's what's happening today.
SAVIDGE (voice over): Aggressive screening continues. Officials say more than 50 percent of the nation's residents have already been tested and more
than 250 contact tracers work to isolate transmission.
Health officials have identified sites to quarantine thousands and to place hundreds of hospital beds. Native utility crews race to bring electricity
to some of the roughly 30 percent of Navajo who live without it saving them searching for firewood or fuel and running water to about the 40 percent
who have none to make hand washing and hygiene easier.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With this little help it will greatly improve their lives.
SAVIDGE (voice over): So far the strict lockdown has received little pushback perhaps because even those who have already endured agonizing loss
realize there is still so much more the Navajo could lose.
[11:15:00]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To keep us - to keep us safe, to keep us alive that's what the lockdown is for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE (on-camera): The Navajo know medically they are no match for COVID- 19. They don't have the resources so it is prevention, and they realize the lockdown is the best weapon they have. The truth, is Becky, it's the only
weapon they have.
ANDERSON: Martin, thank you very much indeed, Martin Savidge reporting there. We've got a lot more for you here on "Connect the World" including a
pro-democracy group in the Western Sahara says it's declaring full-scale war against Morocco. The group's representatives to the U.N. joining me
live next.
And before he leaves office U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to order a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq despite numerous
warnings from top military officials.
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ANDERSON: We'll update you now on a story that we watched break over the weekend and one that we are going to follow for you as it develops the long
simmering conflict in a remote desert area in Northern Africa that could explode into a wider regional mess. Now, if you are a regular viewer of
this show you'll remember that we told you about a pro-independence group in the disputed Western Sahara know as the Polisario that has effectively
declared war on Morocco.
We're going to hear from a representative from the group in a moment but for now both sides are accusing the other of pushing ordinary people,
civilians, at risk and as clashes accelerate other countries from Algeria to Israel are picking sides. CNN International Correspondent Arwa Damon
lays out everything you need to know and how this long running tension could become a new flashpoint for the region?
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The Western Sahara is partly populated vast deserts swath threatens to be the latest flashpoint in a
region rife for conflict and is located to the Southwest of Morocco and is mostly controlled by the Moroccan state.
But about a fourth of it is the south declared Sahara Arab Democratic Republic whose independent movement has known as the Polisario Front. Both
sides went to war in the mid-1970s after Spain ended its war. And tens of thousands of Sahara still live as refugees.
The U.N. negotiated a truce in 1991 but tensions have long been simmering. In the last few days the Polisario leader issued a decree ending a
commitment to the nearly three decade long ceasefire over a border confrontation and the group said it launched attacks on Moroccan forces.
Morocco, has announced it will launch military operations on the buffer zone and blamed the front for blocking the goods and people. For its part
the Polasario front said it's morocco that violated
Morocco whose territorial claims include the Western Sahara's Phosphate deposits and fishing waters had announced that it would presume military
operations at a key crossing on the buffer zone between both territories.
And blamed the Polisario Front for blocking the movement of goods and people for its part the Polisario Front said that it is Morocco that
violated the ceasefire with these actions.
[11:20:00]
And claims that civilians were attacked. The U.N. which maintains a peace keeping operation has been trying to preserve the ceasefire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANE DUJARRIC, SPOKESMAN FOR THE U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: The Secretary- General regrets that these efforts have proved unsuccessful and expresses his grave concern regarding the possible consequences of the latest
development.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: This may be unfolding in what is a remote corner of the African Continent, but like so many other conflicts, the consequences can be far-
reaching in a region that already knows too much war. Arwa Damon, CNN, Istanbul.
ANDERSON: Well, my next guest is the Representative of the Polasario Front at the United Nations. He says Morocco is occupying the Western Sahara and
that, "Morocco cannot have its own cake and eat it, too".
Dr. Sidi Omar is a Diplomat and Academic from Western Sahara and he is speaking to us on behalf of the Pro-Independent Polisario Front. And sir
thank you for joining us. Negotiations involving Morocco, Algeria, Mauretania and your organization have been at a standstill since 2019.
Your president tried to reach out to the Moroccan government as I understand it. How do you reignite discussions at this point?
DR. SIDI OMAR, POLISARIO FRONT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE U.N: Well, thank you very much for having me. Well, frankly speaking at the moment it's very
difficult to talk about any peace and negotiations because Morocco has already launched a military attack on our land and our people to which we
have had to respond.
So it all depends on the developments on the ground but if you just allow me very quickly to remind your viewers that the whole crisis started when
Morocco launched an attack on a group of civilians who were protesting peacefully against Morocco's illegal occupy in Western Sahara, a violation
that the United Nations also justified, too.
And that was the end of this almost 20-year cease-fire that we concluded with Morocco under the auspices of the United Nations to organize a
referendum to United Nation and as we know Morocco has been allowed with the help of international actors actually to block this referendum with
impunity.
ANDERSON: The Sahara Press Service said on Saturday that the Polisario Front has launched attacks against the Royal Moroccan Army in the Western
Sahara, quote, and I quote here causing lots of lives and equipment and disrupting its military plans. Now the Moroccan government has not yet
comment on these claims. What is your response?
DR. OMAR: Well, first, let me underline that the Saharan people, the people of Western Sahara, have never wished to return to war. It was - it's been
imposed on us. All that we want is to be given a chance to live freely in our land, in peace, all our neighbors including Morocco but it was Morocco
to blame for reigniting war in the Western Saharan which obviously you have as you have said in the documentary - that will have dire consequence on
peace and security in the region.
So indeed, we're now an open war where the two parties are engaged along the Moroccan area in Western Sahara.
ANDERSON: So, are you prepared to fight that war because Morocco's King on Monday warned that his country would react with, quote, the greatest
severity to any attack in the Western Sahara?
DR. OMAR: Indeed. We have declared that we've resumed it and - struggle for liberation. A war that we fought against Morocco for 16 years in the end of
which we forced Morocco to sit on the negotiating table and agreeing with us on the settlement plan that led to the ceasefire and hope of a self-
determination referendum which as I said before has not been a help because Morocco has allowed to block it in the face of the outrageous in action by
the United Nations.
So you can imagine it that 30 long years of waiting for the referendum to be held, for us exercising maximum restraint and being extremely patient
have just emboldened Morocco to go on and continue occupation of our lands. So we've been left with no option but to resume our armed struggle against
Morocco and we end the occupation of our land and bring freedom to our country.
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: Who is involved in this conflict aside from the people of Western Sahara and Morocco? We see proxy wars sadly or interference from other
countries in conflicts around this wider region on a regular basis. I wonder if you can just give us a sense of whom else is involved, who you
have been in touch with in the international community and whether you've received any support from any other parties.
DR. OMAR: This consulate is an international is actually situation of an international conflict between the Saharan people led by their legitimate
representative, anti-Polisario and the occupying forces of Morocco. These are the two parties in these conflicts in Northwest Africa. They are the
two parties who have negotiated the peace settlement and the two parties who are now engaged on the ground in Western Sahara.
One, we have engaged obviously. It is the United Nations Secretary-General and the Security Council, as you know, Western Saharans is before the
conflict started is an issue of decimalization of the account of the United Nations and United Nation is responsible - for remaining our people to
exercise the right to solve two nations.
And while speaking all of the international conflict that will indeed if it is allowed to continue have dire consequences and regional peace insecurity
in region South Africa.
ANDERSON: As the politics of this continue and escalate at this point, and we've been listening to your reasons why and to your explanation of how
this has been going on for as long as it has. Just describe life for people on the ground, if you will?
Politics can infuse the headlines. How does what is going on, on the political front and on the sort of military front affect the life of daily
people - well, the daily life of people of apologize?
DR. OMAR: Well, if you have a legal occupation going on for almost 40 over or for decades, you have people living in the occupied territories of
Western Sahara and daily aggression and land that has been sealed off from international community.
No one is allowed to enter the Western Sahara that has been converted into the largest precinct on world so you can imagine what situation all the
people are living are there of these continuing operation.
Now, of course, with the war going on we expect the Moroccan occupying authority to intensify its aggression against our people and I want and I
plead from you respected channel to all international - to come to the aid for our people in the occupied territories will be subjected to law and
repression one of the Moroccan authorities as the war goes on.
ANDERSON: The Moroccan King reportedly speaking after a telephone call with U.N. Secretary-General has said that rebut remains committed to a cease-
fire and has decried the closing of the key highway that crosses between the territories on Mauretania that blocks the trade routes, of course, your
response of his words of a commitment to a cease-fire?
DR. OMAR: This is a bluff. It was Morocco itself that has violated the ceasefire, and Morocco itself has actually acknowledged publicly that they
launched a operation, a military operation of Friday morning local time of Western Sahara.
So we don't believe that Morocco generally committed to any ceasefire nor Morocco is seems to give impression that it really or generally attached to
the ceasefire. This is a bluff and again it is too late because the war has unfortunately started.
ANDERSON: Sir, we appreciate you joining us and giving us your time. Thank you for this interview.
DR. OMAR: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Turning from the Western Sahara to the Middle East, the American President making some big foreign policy decisions before leaving office
including potentially withdrawing thousands of troops from the wider region.
That's just ahead and it's the last thing they needed in Central America, the horror of another hurricane blasting through the region even as people
are searching for those missing from a deadly storm two weeks ago. We'll be live in Nicaragua for you after this.
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ANDERSON: As U.S. President Trump is winding down his time in office it seems he is returning to his 2016 campaign promises in the Middle East. CNN
has learned that his U.S. Military Commanders expect Mr. Trump to order troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan reducing numbers to 2,500 in
each country by January 15th.
Now this is a move many U.S. officials oppose but does fall in line with Trump's promise to get the U.S. out of what he calls endless wars. Former
Defense Secretary Mark Esper even issued a memo against the withdrawal, a move that might have added to him getting fired and the NATO Secretary-
General has warned against a premature withdrawal.
In close allies like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell breaking ties with the president over this potential move. CNN's Barbara Starr connects
Mr. Trump's decisions with the effects in the field.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: The Secretary-General of NATO weighing in a stark warning saying the price could be very high in his
words if troops leave Afghanistan too soon, but President Trump has ordered initial planning to begin to have a troop drawdown in both Iraq and
Afghanistan.
The president's plans for U.S. troops call for this to be completed by January 15th, just five days before he leaves office. What he is talking
about is a draw-down in both countries 2,500 left in Iraq and 2,500 left in Afghanistan. When you look at what's at stake here.
There are currently about 3,000 U.S. troops in Iraq there is about 4500 in Afghanistan that may be the more critical area at the moment because the
Taliban had promised to reduce violence and they are not living up to that promise.
So the question, is of course, if the U.S. has this very significant drawdown in troops, what leverage will be left in that very fragile country
for the Taliban to live up to the agreement they promised? Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
ANDERSON: We're learning of another possible national security threat during this presidential threat. "The New York Times" reports that last
week President Trump asked his senior aides what options he had for striking Iran's primary nuclear site.
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: The question came one day after international officials said Tehran uranium stockpiles reached twelve times the limit set in the Iran
Nuclear Deal, and as you may recall the president pulled out of that agreement two years ago.
Well, my next guest reacted to that "New York Times" report with this tweet. Trump has always been about himself. There's no principle he won't
violate if it can hand him a personal benefit so no surprise there. The part I find unconvincing is that Pompeo opposed the idea.
Well, let's talk about that tweet in "The New York Times" report with Trita Parsi himself; he joins us now via Skype from Washington, good to have you
with us. You've also tweeted that Donald Trump's pro-Likud donors may have offered him funds for his post-presidency if he did indeed attack Iran. Do
did you have any proof to support that claim?
TRITA PARSI, AUTHOR, "LOSING AN ENEMY": Well, what we know is that - on the same day that Trump apparently had that request to the intelligence and to
the Pentagon for bombing options. Had a meet with Trump and Trump had requested funding support for setting up a new TV network to compete with
Fox. As you Trump has now turned against Fox.
It is not in any way shape of form the type of smoking gun evidence but you have circumstance evidence combined with the last four years. I mean,
what's the strategic motivation for United States to pull out of this deal in the first place?
All of the things people warned would happen if the United States did this have now occurred as you reported. 12 times the amount of LEU than the deal
had permitted the Iranians to have is what they are having right now in Iran, things that would not be taking place had Donald Trump not pulled out
of this in the first place. Had he not been listening to the very same people who clearly have been advocating with a war with Iran? You don't
hire John Bolton and they claim that you don't want to have a war.
ANDERSON: He sacked him of course and said he was always banking on about going to war. Be that as it may, that's backward looking not forward
looking. Let's stick to the kind of to where we are at this point Trita.
We're not unfamiliar with the U.S. policy towards Iran in the final days of a departing U.S. administration, the infamous October surprise, of course.
In this "New York Times" piece it says that although officials left the meeting believing a missile attack inside Iran was off the table, Mr.
Trump, of course, may still be looking at ways to strike Iranian assets.
It is not clear, I'm in region and speak to sources all the time, that he would have the support of his gulf allies were he to do that. Do did you
believe that that would dissuade him from any potential strike?
PARSI: We have seen that from the GCC states or primarily from Saudi Arabia and the UAE there has about a very dramatic push for Trump to push
constantly ramp up pressure and adopt a very confrontational style of policy towards Iran.
When it has come to the brink of war, however, precisely because of them realizing that Trump alternately is not going to be coming in support of
them or defend them and that they themselves would end up becoming the subject of Iranian counterattack. We have seen that they have gotten a
little bit of a cold feet.
That's how we're different from a scenario in which the United States itself would go into war with Iran. I mean, we should not forgot that the
Embassy was the de facto ruler of the Emirates, was pushing the United States back in 2010 very aggressively to take military action against Iran
as we saw that through the WikiLeaks.
So the history and we saw what the Saudi - Former Saudi King was urging the United States to do to cut off the head of the snake. Hesitation we've seen
I think has more to do with the fact that they realize that if there's a war that the U.S. is not leaving. The U.S. would not come to their aid and
support and defend them against Iran.
But if it is a war that U.S. itself is leading and is taking a very aggressive posture to really knock out Iran I haven't seen much evidence
that the GCC states or at least Saudi Arabia and the UAE would be opposed to that.
ANDERSON: Well, there certainly a narrative which is headlined by deescalate from the UAE's point of view. That's certainly the narrative
that you hear at present. What happens - sorry? We're talking 2020.
Let talk about a Biden Administration going forward. What is your sense of how Joe Biden may lead his foreign policy and what do you think the foreign
policy with respect to Tehran at this point?
[11:40:00]
PARSI: I think the Biden Administration has made it quite clear that they are looking for way to be able to reenter the agreement whether that's a
formal reentry or whether that is just a compliance for compliance temporary solution. They have also made it clear that they would like to
see an additional agreement on top of that which would be a separate agreement.
But nevertheless would require the JCPOA to first to come back into full effect meaning that the Iranians would have to go back into compliance as
well. The question mark I don't think is so much as to whether that's what their desire is. The question mark is they willing to leave the political
will and move with the speed that's probably is necessary to get?
They are mindful of the fact that the Iranians are having their elections in June of next year which means that there is just going to be a brief
window of potentially maximum four months to be able to get this movement. And that's coming at the same time as Biden himself will have whole set of
other issues that will compete for his attention and for the attention of his administration as a whole.
ANDERSON: For sure. In a recent op-ed you wrote and I quote you here Biden's window is shorter than Obama's and the mistrust is deeper curtsey
of Donald Trump's betrayal of the nuclear deal. But he can make up for that by starting the messaging right away instead of waiting until his
inauguration by which you meant what? What sort of messaging are you referring to?
PARSI: Well, the United States has a tradition of only having one president at a time, and I'm sure that President Biden or President-Elect Biden would
respect that. However, there are signals that can be sent right now to clarify what the intent is in order to make sure that once he is president
he doesn't have to spend the first two months with the Iranians to try to clarify the intent and convince the other side that he is serious about
diplomacy.
That's where I think there's an opportunity for him to already now to send some clear signals, perhaps with an interview with your network, to clarify
that he would like to go back into a complete comprehensive and swift compliance for compliance deal with Iran.
And I think on his first day it would be wiser him to do some humanitarian gesture. The sanctions that the Trump Administration has imposed have been
devastating to the Iranian population, particularly mindful of the fact that the Trump Administration intensify those sanctions in the mix of the
pandemic.
One of the request the Iranians had was to be able to get a $5 billion loan from the IMF to be able to fight the virus. The United States put a stop to
that. He can reverse that decision and in return the Iranians need to do confidence building measures in order to improve the atmosphere.
Essentially this would be investments into their atmospherics of diplomacy.
Those are things that can be done right now. The Iranians can release some of the duel citizens, dual Iranian and American citizens that they have
been holding unfairly, unjustly for several years in order to improve the atmospherics and maximize the likelihood the diplomacy can be successful
given the fact that it only have a very short window to make it successful.
ANDERSON: This is a fundamental challenge for the Biden Administration, and Iran's nuclear program is going to be a priority not necessarily as you
rightly point out its top priority because it has a number of competing issues in what is a divided world that Biden picks up after a four-year
Trump Administration.
But this will be important, and it has been made clear by those who have been building foreign policy narratives for Joe Biden that the JCPOA
compliance for compliance deal is something they are more than interested in reviewing with the addition of work around the ballistic missiles
program and Iran's tendencies for expansionist sort of activities around the region, call it will what you want Malay activities around the region.
Is that going to be something that Tehran is going to be prepared to countenance, to sign up to and indeed, do you expect that there will be
regional players involved in any negotiations going forward not just those that sat down around the table with Tehran the last time.
PARSI: I think for any successful add on agreement I think is very important to separate this JCPOA. There first needs to be a nuclear
agreement that both sides are adhering to and respecting and then there's an opportunity to address these other very, very important issues.
Well, that negotiation I actually believe it is essential that the Saudis, the Emiratis and others from the region are at the table as well because
it's going to be directly about their security but it is also going to be about their policy.
[11:45:00]
PARSI: If there's going to be demands on the Iranians in terms of their ballistic missiles, which I think is completely legitimate to raise, and
rest is short is also going to have to be a conversation and the negotiation about the massive amount of weaponry that the Saudis and the
Emiratis are buying from the United States or their involvement in parts of the region call it what we may you know malign or whatever kidnapping the
Lebanese Prime Minister or the UAE's involvement in Libya et cetera.
All of those things need to be on the table in order for us to finally be able to have some sort of a new arrangement in the region. It does not
necessarily solve everything. It does not necessarily right away bring about pace but creates rules for how these countries will interact with
each other and how they will resolve their conflicts?
There are no such de-conflicting mechanisms in place right now and we cannot create those if it's only the U.S. and Iran at the table. The other
countries have to be at the table as well, but it also means that their policies will also have to be on the agenda.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. Good to have you on, your insight is extremely important as we begin to get a sense, develop to talk about and explore
what we might see as a Joe Biden foreign policy going for in less than 70 days to go until inauguration. Of course Trita, thank you.
We've seen Donald Trump look to box in Iran in every way but they're not the only country gathering American ire China often taking the brunt of the
American power well, now Australia and Japan agreeing principle at least to a land mark defense treaty.
Remember, they're both close American allies and both can have very diplomatic relations towards China. Well, the countries prime minister is
announcing the so-called reciprocal access agreement after their first face-to-face meeting. Scott Morrison's office says the deal was six years
in the making. Well, now defense forces can be deployed more quickly and with less administration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MORRISON, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: What this ethic says is that - Japan as liberal democracies have a lot in common and we have a strategic
interest with them all, and so this relationship which is effectively a status of forces agreement that we'll seek to conclude next year, the only
other such agreement is with the United States which occurred back in 1916.
So this is a significant evolution of this relationship, but there's no reason for that to cause any concern elsewhere in the region if anything. I
think it adds to the stability of the region which is a good thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Scott Morrison there. On its knees and desperate to survive pandemic, the airline industry searching for a way to end the travel
quarantines with self-isolations, the plaguing international travelers United Airline says it may have the answer and what its CEO is telling CNN
is up next?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: For air travel, the big COVID concern isn't really a surprise. The question is how can you be sure that the person just inches away from
you isn't contagious? That uncertainty has been a major issue for the airline industry and for international travelers who also plagued by
quarantine restrictions, of course.
Now United Airlines is out with a plan testing everyone, passengers and crew, taking its New York to London flight. Well, CNN's Richard Quest was
on board the first flight that the airline says is guaranteed to be COVID- free. Have a listen.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN EDITOR-AT-LARGE: New York airport, once a thriving hub for travelers now a comparative ghost town. As COVID-19 runs rampant
throughout the United States and Europe many travelers are shunning plans, worried about catching COVID on their travels.
More onerous quarantine restrictions when they get there and when they get back. International travelers face specific problems, a patchwork quilt of
quarantine restrictions and regulations. For instance, who is going to fly to London if it means they have to quarantine for 14 days if they are just
going on holiday?
Testing could be the way to avoid lengthy quarantines, and United is experimenting with testing all passengers over the age of 2 for free on
select New York-to-London flights. They guarantee everyone on board, crew and passenger has tested negative.
You have to think of this not about what's happening now with one flight to London, but imagine that this the way it is going to be for multiple
flights across the ocean as testing becomes more accepted by various governments.
Then you're going to have five, ten, who knows how many flights with passengers doing the COVID test. Yes, we're ready. The nurse will see me
now. Now that was a piece of cake easy for me, a potential lifeline to the ailing airlines. United's Chef Executive Scott Kirby told me they are
trying to prove to governments that testing is the answer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT KIRBY, CEO, UNITED AIRLINES: We're hoping that a negative test can give confidence to governments around the world to let people come in and
avoid the quarantine requirement because as you know if there is a two week quarantine people simply aren't going to travel in these international
markets.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUEST: Public health experts remind us testing has its limits. There's a small chance the test could be wrong and the risk someone could have the
virus and still be in the incubation period, testing negative in New York but testing positive in London.
A recent attempt to reach our cruises in the Caribbean required all passengers to test three days in advance, come on board only to end up with
seven passengers contracting the virus. United's Chief Executive says he knows testing is not a 100 percent foolproof but beliefs as the world waits
for a vaccine, testing, air filtration system and in hands cleaning along of course with masks help passengers get back into the friendly skies.
We're now on our way to London and I've since - one of the perspective passengers did test positive for Coronavirus. United had a plan in place
for such an eventuality and that person has been isolated and is being taken care off.
As for the flight, the airlines - was a great success. After all, it's managed to weed out those passengers that would have been a greater risk to
others. As a result, the rest of the passengers can fly with greater confidence and safety. Richard Quest, CNN aboard UA 14 heading to London.
ANDERSON: Let's hope we see some progress there. Well, the most active Atlantic storm season ever rages on. Hurricane Iota still number 30 is
still counting Central and South America. Let me get you a look at some of the scenes from there and indeed some of the damage after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: Hurricane Iota's catastrophic winds and life-threatening flooding pounding Central America this hour. It's the second deadly hurricane to hit
the area in just two weeks. This one made landfall in the Northeast of Nicaragua over night as this strong category 4 storm with sustained winds
just shy of 250 kilometers an hour.
It's just the latest major storm in a record-breaking busy hurricane season. Even as the storm weakens over land it is bearing down on many of
the same areas that are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Eta. That storm wiped out entire communities and dozens of people
are still missing.
We did have a live reporter for you, Journalist Maria Lily at Delgado who is riding out that storm in Nicaragua's Capital. She just had to cancel
coming on to the show in just the last few minutes because the weather is so bad.
We are going to keep trying to get you on the ground though and to get you the very late as we can. We wish everyone in the path of that storm of
course the very best. Do stay safe. Take care can, and to all of you it's a very good evening from Abu Dhabi.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
