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Connect the World
Pandemic Out Of Control As Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving; Families In The Bronx, New York Are Going Hungry; Former European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini On CNN; Abiy Ahmed Promises To Protect Innocent Civilians; Ethiopian PM: "Final" Offensive Against Tigray Has Begun; Georgia Entrepreneurs Pay For $40,000 Worth Of Groceries. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired November 26, 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]
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: And the world continuing to pay their respect. So, the funeral, the burial we understand set to be a few hours
from now and of course Becky we will continue to follow that here on CNN.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: Of course. Thank you, Amanda. Well, as President-Elect Joe Biden announced his new team this week, my next guest
tweeted simply welcome back, America Federica Mogherini the Former Foreign Policy Chief for Europe. Next hour we'll discuss what team Biden means for
the U.S. and importantly for the rest of us. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN, Abu Dhabi, this is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Right now, it is an important day in America. It's Thanksgiving itself, the start of the holiday season for millions of people of different
faiths and backgrounds. Sadly, there is something more painful that may unite the states and many other states this year.
We can talk about the pandemic numbers in detail in a moment, but how this pain will really be felt? In the one empty seat at the table is a loss
repeated well over a quarter of a million times across the country.
Just yesterday almost 2,300 people died in America, and that number is accelerating. One expert warns daily deaths could double in the U.S. in
just a matter of months. Well, think, too, about those who have to spend the day in a crowded hospital where nearly 90,000 Americans are battling
COVID-19, a battle the U.S. President-Elect calls a shared one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: For those who have lost a loved one, I know that this time of year can be especially
difficult, believe me.
[11:05:00]
BIDEN: I know. I remember that first Thanksgiving, the empty chair, the silence. It takes your breath away. It's really hard to care. It's hard to
give thanks. It's hard to even think of looking forward. It's so hard to hope. I understand. I'll be thinking and praying for each and every one of
you at this Thanksgiving.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: U.S. President-Elect Joe Biden with more on what is going on in Miami, here's Rosa Flores.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanksgiving is a holiday typically spent together but as the Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations reach record
levels across the United States, health experts are urging Americans to stay apart this year to help prevent the spread of the disease.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: We all know how difficult that is because this is such a
beautiful traditional holiday, but by making that sacrifice, you're going to prevent people from getting infected.
FLORES (voice-over): Millions taking to the skies, anyway, ignoring warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and those
decisions are expected to spark a massive spike in new infections.
MICHAEL OSTERHOLM, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: People have to stop swapping air, it's
just that simple. If we don't, we're going to see many, many of our friends, colleagues and loved ones ending up in the hospital, and
unfortunately some of them not making it.
FLORES (voice-over): Nearly 90,000 people are now hospitalized with the Coronavirus and on Wednesday, over 2,100 people died from the disease for a
second day in a row the highest since May. One health expert fearing the death toll will keep increasing.
DR. JONATHAN REINER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: I expect that the daily death rate will double in the next ten days, so we'll be seeing close to 4,000
deaths a day.
FLORES (voice-over): With new Coronavirus deaths rising in at least 39 states this morning, a last-chance plea from some political leaders asking
residents to make smart decisions.
SYLVESTER TURNER, HOUSTON, TEXAS MAYOR: Unless they are family members who have been with you every single day, we're asking people not to congregate
in lowest numbers.
LAURA KELLY, KANSAS GOVERNOR: Strict adherence to these protocols will be more critical than ever in the coming days.
FLORES (voice-over): But after emphasizing avoiding travel to Denver residents.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm asking, I'm urging, I'm pleading with everyone, please stay home.
FLORES (voice-over): Mayor Michael Hancock now asking for forgiveness for flying out of state to celebrate Thanksgiving with family members. And for
many, food insecurity is their reality this holiday season. With long lines at food banks stretched thin, helping those struggling from the economic
fallout of the pandemic.
KELLIE O'CONNELL, CEO, LAKEVIEW PANTRY: We're seeing thousands of people, many whom have never had to go to a food pantry before.
FLORES (voice-over): In a year with so much loss, President-Elect Joe Biden giving this message to the nation.
BIDEN: --we may be able to save lives. None of these steps we're asking people to take are political statements. Every one of them is based on
science.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That's Rosa Flores reporting. Much loved holiday traditions must now change for the times as we battle through the pandemic head on. Case in
point, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, it is an iconic event watched by millions of Americans and many of us around the world every year, it began
nearly a century ago, almost every Thanksgiving Day since, crowds of people have lined the Manhattan Parade Route to marvel at the massive balloons and
festive floats for this year it looks quite different. Listen to what the New York City Mayor had to say on Wednesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL DE BLASSIO, NEW YORK MAYOR: It will be different. It will be smaller. It will be made for TV. It is not a spectator event in person.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, our Evan McMorris-Santoro is live in New York City with more on this year's made for TV event. And an iconic event as I said
affected like so many others this year by the pandemic, Evan.
EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Becky. I mean, look if it's New York and it is Thanksgiving; it's a Thanksgiving Day Parade but
obviously this year a very, very different. This is about as close as any person can really get.
You can see their sort of one balloon back there, sort of the sad last balloon going through. This year, usually it is a 2.5-mile parade route
lined with people this year, none of that marching mostly made for TV event as you said.
It's come at a time that New Yorkers have had a tough year and this is the end of that year. I have one New Yorker here I want to talk about it
Nicole. This is Nicole, she is a New Yorker. She came out. She's been watching the parade every year for a few years now. Tell me what this year
means to you this Thanksgiving?
NICOLE MYERS, PARADE SPECTATOR: Most people didn't come out this year, New Yorkers. It's different, so much different. Usually we're front and center,
able to see everything. There's such a holiday spirit in the air. And this is really what sets off the holiday season for so many New Yorkers and
people around the whole world.
[11:10:00]
MYERS: It's completely different, and it was very important for me to come out today because we've watched it for so many years, we love it, and we
want to be here to support New York and everyone else around the world during the time that people need it the most, and this is when people need
holiday cheer, and I'm so glad that they decided to do it this today.
MCMORRIS-SANTORO: This is a different kind of holiday. How are you feeling overall about the end of this year and moving into next year and just how
this has been as a New Yorker?
MYERS: It's been a challenge as a New Yorker. We New Yorkers live in small apartments. We're all do, a lot of people are craving more space but it's
brought us a lot closer together. I mean, families have much more time to spend together this pandemic has been awful for everyone but the only
upside that I can tell you is that we've had more time to spend together as a family, and people are home instead of in their offices from 7:00 am to
8:00 pm.
MCMORRIS-SANTORO: Well, thank you so much. Thank you very much. Becky, that's been the feeling out here all day. We've been out here all morning.
There's a hope even though this is a different kind of parade you can't really watch. You're supposed to watch it on TV; you got to stay socially
distant.
There's a hope in New York that this Thanksgiving is the beginning of something different, maybe the end of this pandemic finally. Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes. Well, I can tell you that mood is echoed around the world. People are hoping that this is the back end of what's been a horrible year
and with news on vaccines of course 2021 hopefully will be more promising. Thank you, Evan.
Barely an hour journey on the subway from the glitz and glamour of what would normally be Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade a desperate situation, the
Bronx has been the borough that has been hardest hit by the pandemic and now many families living there are going hungry for the first time.
They're just some of the more than 50 million people in the United States projected to face food insecurity this year, according to the non-profit
feeding America. This has been the scene at several food banks across the country. Vanessa Yurkevich tells us how families are making it through.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The journey to get food through the cold and COVID-19 has been long and for Regina Status.
REGINA STATUS, NEW YORK CITY RESIDENT: I got to think of one day at a time and as long as you have for today you save for tomorrow, when tomorrow we
get help. Something is going to happen.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): And it did just in time.
STATUS: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No problem.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Days before Thanksgiving Agatha House Foundation a local food pantry in the Bronx, New York, made a special Thanksgiving
delivery, filled with everything she needs for her and her two teenage daughters.
STATUS: It's just a relief that I don't have to purchase all of that.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Over 50 million Americans like Regina won't have enough to eat in 2020 in part because of the pandemic Feeding America, the
largest hunger relief group in the U.S. projects that 8 billion meals will be needed in the next year to feed food-insecure Americans.
CLAIRE BABINEAUX-FONTENOT, CEO, FEEDING AMERICA: About 40 percent of the people, who right now are turning to food banks for help around the
country, are people who never before relied upon the charitable food system.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Regina is out of a job, her car was totaled months ago, and she's not receiving unemployment. She now relies on a once a week
delivery from the food pantry.
Day to day is your pantry stocked or what does it look like day to day?
STATUS: Just surviving. That's all I can say. We just have to survive it.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): The 15th Congressional District here Bronx has the highest food insecurity rate among children in the country. At the Agatha
house, they're hoping to take this stigma out of needing extra help.
JEANETTE JOSEPH-GREENAWAY, FOUNDER, AGATHA HOUSE FOUNDATION: We have to look in and try to imagine ourselves in the position what we would want for
ourselves not just to give them a cardboard but to make them feel love, special.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): This small operation says it seen a 100 percent increase in need.
JOSEPH-GREENAWAY: Even with a little that they get hopefully there someone - building one of their neighbors that they can invite for a plate of food.
STATUS: Yes, got to give Miss Mame some stuff.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Despite her struggles to put food on the table.
STATUS: You're welcome Ms. Mame.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Regina is sharing what she has with her neighbor and remains grateful for this Thanksgiving.
STATUS: Even if we didn't get the Agatha House or we would just have a regular chicken every day, just to say that you was alive to eat it, that's
a blessing in itself.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, Bronx, New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, let's see America.
[11:15:00]
The Joe Biden must now look to fix and his impending presidency being welcomed by America's European allies. We'll talk to the Former Top EU
Diplomat about the president-elect's new team and what changes we might see down the line.
And after weeks of conflict, the Ethiopian government has launched a final offensive saying the gate, two pieces, now closed more on that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: I know the country is growing weary of the fight. We need to remember we're at war with the virus, not with one another, not with each
other. This is a moment where we need to steel our spines, redouble our efforts, and recommit ourselves to the fight. Let's remember, we're all in
this together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that is Joe Biden, of course, President-Elect Joe Biden, talking about the U.S. coming together as a nation. And when it comes to
looking beyond America's borders, Biden has some changes in the pipeline. His message is the U.S. is back in the game.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: America's back. We're at the head of the table once again. I've spoken with over 20 world leaders, and they all are literally pleased and
somewhat excited America's going to reassert its role in the world and be a coalition builder.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that's something my next guest seems to agree with. The EU's Former Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini just tweeted a video of
Biden's cabinet picks and said "Welcome back, America". Well, she joins me now from Bruce in Belgium. Welcome back America, you said Fredericka.
Welcome to the show. Where does team Biden start or where at least do you hope they will start?
FEDERICA MOGHERINI, FORMER EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF: Well, first of all, great to join you, Becky. Good morning to you, and good evening
from here. Yes, it's a feeling of welcoming back our main partner, the United States.
Europe has probably missed this partnership for the last few years, and, well, I think the list of - - to do list is very long on the world stage
combating the virus together. We're in this together also across the Atlantic I would say globally.
The economic effects of the pandemic, they're going to hit hard our societies in America, in Europe, and elsewhere. Climate change, I'm so
happy to see my good friend John Kerry back on this topic that I know he's passionate about, but also some key security and foreign policy issues.
I think of reinvesting truly in the NATO military alliance. I think of rejoining hopefully the Iran Nuclear Deal, I think of working together hand
in hand across the Atlantic with the United Nations on the crisis and the words that are affecting our region, but beyond our region, our world from
Syria to Libya many countries in Africa.
[11:20:00]
MOGHERINI: Situations that without our common work, without our partnership, don't have any hope of being solved.
ANDERSON: Yes, interesting. I want to talk to you about Iran, but I do want to make the point that I think the restoration of what America would see as
its sort of democratic values including those of human rights and the issue of climate change.
When I talk to sources, to people who make decisions on foreign policy around this region of the Middle East, they have highlighted the change in
the American leadership from Trump to Biden as key on those two points, climate change and the restoration of human rights and democratic values.
So those are interesting. Let's talk about those. I do want to start though with Iran because I know that's an issue very, very close to your heart.
You're very much involved on the European side not just sort of the building of the JCPOA but the actual sort of how it worked during the years
it was running.
Although Joe Biden has pledged to return to the deal, he does say, Federica that it needs to be updated. I spoke Mara Rudman yesterday a lady I think
you will know well, whose name has been floated as a potential Senior Adviser to Joe Biden on foreign policy. Have a listen to what she told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARA RUDMAN, EXECUTIVE VP, POLICY AT AMERICAN PROGRESS: There are challenges that this new team will face around the world based on how
President Trump and his administration have proceeded, and the Iran file I would put firmly in that category. I believe this team, certainly
President-Elect Biden, as well as those he's designated in the important lead positions have the experience, have the knowledge base.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. And we talked about the fact there are two parts to a potential Biden policy on Iran, part one being the restoration of the JCPOA
as it stands and getting Iran and the U.S. back into compliance and then part two which is something that's really important to those I speak to in
this region which is addressing the ballistic missile program and Iran's malign behavior in this region.
Federica, do you believe after four years of a Trump Administration and its maximum pressure campaign on Iran, that the U.S. under Biden is approaching
Iran now from a position of strength or weakness?
MOGHERINI: I think the incoming administration has the knowledge, the experience and the understanding, first of all, of the fact that the JCPOA
is a nuclear related agreement, and so it's not supposed to be an Iran policy covering all aspects, but this is a very important building block on
which other positions, other policies and other agreements may be might be made and developed in partnership with allies both in Europe and in the
region may be.
But the point is without the full compliance of the JCPOA, it would be impossible to address any other issues because the nuclear fight will
constantly be under way. So I think this step-by-step approach makes a lot of sense.
Rejoining the agreement, having Iran going back to full compliance with agreements because Europeans have kept the agreement alive, but it's not in
a good shape. So first step, full compliance from all sides to the agreement and then building on this, exploring the possibilities of having
a more cooperative regional order, arms control, definitely a different regional dynamic that was needed and actually started to be put people in
place, but then after a few months, the administration and the United States changed and everything was interrupted.
ANDERSON: Joe Biden has said his foreign policy will take a more multi- lateral approach aimed at repaired Washington's relationships with key allies. His approach to Iran will likely, as we've been discussing, prove
his commitment to that.
I know that you have said that Europeans will feel, "Less lonely come January". He has made some significant first calls to European leaders. I
think we should point that out. But do you believe that this multi-lateral approach is actually possible in a world where it actually feels like
multi-lateralism has had its day?
MOGHERINI: You know it's not only possible. It's very much needed. There's no way and I think President-Elect Biden has pointed this out very clearly.
[11:25:00]
MOGHERINI: There's no way that any country in the world, no matter how big and powerful it is, no matter if it is even the United States, no way it
can solve alone the crisis under - was up to date. From the virus that is affecting our lives literally to the economic impact of it, climate change
this requires cooperation internationally.
So I think that the major expectation will have the major challenge for the new administration will be to shift from an approach that was based and is
still based today in the White House on competition and zero-sum gain to an approach that builds partnerships to solve common problems.
Then obviously America has its own interests. Europe has its own interests. In many cases they converge and on all those cases would be happy to work
together. On some other issues there might be the possibility of having minor divergences, and that's perfectly fine.
The point is the approach you have towards the word "problems." Do you go alone on this and then you fail - you're destined to fail - or do you try
to build alliances to address them effectively? I think this is the key point.
ANDERSON: And as you explain that, I'm thinking of how different the world might have been in the way it's coped with COVID had we not had this sort
of multi-lateral approach so damaged in the past four years.
Europe, of course, is really struggling with what has been a harsh second wave. Some countries forced to introduce very severe lockdowns. I wonder
whether you worry Europe's struggle to cope has revealed fishers in the European project that could prove very damaging for Europe going forward.
MOGHERINI: No. I think on the contrary, this pandemic and the second wave and the economic shock wave that are produced in our societies, in our
economies, is actually strengthening our ties because we all realize now that without the economic scale of the European Union, our countries alone
would not cope.
And we have put in place a solidarity mechanism both on the support but also on the economic recovery. That is literally saving not only lives but
also economic perspective of restoring some form of normalcy in our economic activity.
So if it was not for the European Union, European countries would be much more exposed and European citizens would be much more exposed to the impact
of this pandemic. So I would say on the contrary, this is bringing us together more and more and it is showing the added value of cooperation and
coming together.
ANDERSON: I just wonder how you're better aligns some of those countries on the periphery who have demanded quite some deals of their own from Europe,
has Europe has come together to help itself as it were. And Europe is going to be stuck with a very, very, very big bill at the end of all of this.
MOGHERINI: This will be a bill that we'll all have to pay some - not only Europe. I think we have challenges everywhere in the world. Let me just
correct you on one point. We don't have any periphery in Europe. We are now 27. Each of the member states, each of the 27 is the core of Europe.
Obviously I'm going to speak from Eurasia where a Director of the College of Europe - this is the heart of Europe, but the graphical periphery is not
a political periphery. Each member state counts. And yes, we have challenges.
Sometimes we have serious challenges. I think of some issues we have on respect of rule of law and human rights in certain member states, but no
democracy is perfect. By the way, the United States will have now to, I think, address the shortcomings in its own system when it comes to
equality, human rights, citizens rights, fighting discrimination.
These are challenges that our societies have, sometimes our institutional systems have. And I think the important thing is to see them, not to deny
them, to address them forcefully, to be accountable to all our citizens and to promote diversity in our society.
This is - that America and Europe share. Sometimes some of the political institutions in some of our countries deviate or tend to deviate at least
partially from those values, but the important thing is that we keep trying to improve our response to these deviations.
ANERSON: Frederica, it's going to be fascinating to talk to you as the Biden team, particularly the Biden foreign policy team gets its feet under
the table gets their own desks as it were post-January 20th.
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Now this transition period is under way. You and I should talk again as we begin to see their policies revealed. It's been fantastic
talking to you about what we might expect going forward. We're going to take a very short break back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We have been following developments out of Ethiopia for weeks now as regional conflicts spiral toward an all out war. The Ethiopian Prime
Minister says the final offensive has begun in the Tigray region.
According to a statement, the last, "Peaceful gate open" was closed after Tigray forces refused to surrender to his 72-hour ultimatum. Of course, we
have no access to what is going on actually on the ground. Officials have cut off internet access for the region of Tigray but take a look at these
aerial shots.
This is the same place where a little over two weeks ago the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported hundreds of people were murdered the human
cause of conflict where so many civilians are caught in the middle. Let's bring in David McKenzie who's been following the story for us. He is out of
Johannesburg. What do we understand to be the latest on the ground, David?
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, on the ground as you said it's very difficult to get an exact sense of what's happening Becky. We do know
that earlier on Thursday the Prime Minister does say that the final phase in his words, of this law and order operation will commence which in
reality potentially is a major ground or air offensive on a city of some half a million people the regional capital against the breakaway leadership
of that region.
Now, indications at this stage are that fighting maybe hasn't reached the capital at this point, but we do know that if the military moves on masse
on this city, you could have a very steep toll indeed, the Prime Minister saying they want to avoid harming civilian's heritage sites, universities,
and religious institutions.
But this could be a very bloody battle should it come to that because Tigray officials of the former Tigray regional powers have said they refuse
to surrender and will dig in and fight and even shift into a non- conventional fight. Now what's at stake here, really it is worth remembering this Becky? This is a crucially important country and the horn
of African, East Africa the seat of the African Union.
[11:35:00]
MCKENZIE: Ethiopia has seen relative peace for many years now but there's a worry that an expanded conflict could bring in its neighbors and could lead
to a very severe civilian situation, in terms of people fleeing and people dying.
Already we know that tens of thousands have fled over aboard into Sudan, but we don't know exactly what's happening in that part of Tigray, and
there were already fears of humanitarian issues according to the UN before this conflict started, so the next few days could be critical, but the news
today is that final push has been announced if not yet executed, it seems, by the federal authorities.
ANDERSON: David, thank you for that. My next guest is the Spokesman for the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, which is investigating grave human
rights violations in the Tigray region including the massacre earlier this month.
The Contra, the commission says their probe found what it calls atrocity crimes which may amount to crimes against humanity. Aaron Maasho joins us
now from Attest, Ababa. Before we talk about that incredibly important investigation, what do we know about what is going on, on the ground?
The government, we know, has promised now this final push. They say the gates are closed. What's going on, sir?
AARON MAASHO, SENIOR ADVISOR, ETHIOPIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Thanks for having me. The unfortunate response is we don't know. As you're aware and
as you've stated, the region is closed off, but at the same time, we have expressed our concern regarding this offensive on the capital of Tigray,
and it is of vital importance.
It is of vital importance that extreme caution is exercised when it comes to avoiding civilian harm because this is a city of half a million people.
At the same time, there is no sign that they're closed off, and we're not receiving any information. So there's very little coming out of that
region.
ANDERSON: This is what your boss had to say about what's going on at present. Let me just play this for the viewers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIEL BEKELE, ETHIOPIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CHIEF: They have personally visited the crime scene, a mass grave scene. They're seeing
bodies lying around in the town actually because they arrived when this was very fresh. So we've been able to get a look at what's transpired from the
victims and their families.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANERSON: So you've got or have had a team on the ground. What have they been telling you, sir?
MAASHO: Yes. So by closed off, I meant, you know, other parts of Tigray, in particular the capital of the region. But, yes, we did manage to deploy a
team of experts on the ground in there. They were on the ground from the 14th to the 19th of November.
So we issued preliminary reports from our findings of our investigation. It's an utterly gruesome incident that took place close to around 600
people who were either bludgeoned to death or stabbed to death - took place. The team on the ground was witnessed bodies littered on the ground.
It's an absolute horrific incident. And you know this was a premeditated attack. So what happened was the day before November 9th, the day of the
attacks, there were already activities that led - that were - that suggested it was clear that something was going to take place.
What happened was the town has four exit points. Those exit points were already closed off for people who anticipated such an attack. They were
prevented from leaving. And then the following day around just before noon, the attacks ensued.
So what happened before that is, you know - in Ethiopia, your identity cards state your ethnicity. So what happened was militia members, police,
and also members of this group, an informal youth group, they were able to actually identify who was who and they knew who their targets were.
[11:40:00]
MAASHO: And then rampage followed was total carnage that led to up to 600 people killed. We're saying it's really possible that even more people the
death toll could be even more than that. We've spoken to--
ANDERSON: There was a communications blackout in the area at present. Let me just go on to say. Let's just - let's be very clear. There's a blackout
in the area, internet, mobile phones and landlines all down. So CNN has been unable to neither verify any claims from either party nor contact
those accused in your report.
I have to say with all due respect, how can the international community be confident of the findings in the report if they've got no way to verify
them? That is a question that you will be if not already being asked.
MAASHO: Well, look, I have 100 percent faith in the organization. We're led by an individual who has expertise. The Chief Commissioner worked for human
rights. He was the Head of the African Division and before that he worked for Amnesty International. In addition to that the team that we assembled
that were deployed on the ground themselves is professionals.
But, yes, I understand those concerns, and I hope the country will open up, the authorities will allow further investigation. I mean, look. This is - I
mean Ethiopia - although they haven't - they didn't treat such levels like Micadra (ph). Massacres have been talking place in Ethiopia almost on a
daily basis that's the unfortunate reality.
Our organization has been deploying investigators on the ground and issuing reports. We've been - we raise our concern whenever the need arises. So
this - so I can understand and I acknowledge that there's a need for more investigation to take place ours is preliminary, and then we will have full
reports with further input gathered and we'll release a full report eventually as well.
ANDERSON: Let me just ask, I want to read a bit from the report for our viewers and I've got some questions that I know I'm sure our viewers would
have. It says, and I quote, victims explained to the EHRCO organization that even though this atrocious massacre was carried out by - Tigray youth
group, other residents who were Tigray themselves helped several of them survived by shielding them in their homes and churches and in farms.
I wonder what we know about this group and why they're perpetrating these acts if people from their own tribe oppose them. Can you just explain, you
know, the sort of demographics on the ground, if you will?
MAASHO: Yes. So the border area - is an area where you have plantations for assessing and all those types of poses mostly. So you have that - there is
a lot of migration from elsewhere in Ethiopia. Seasonal workers who arrive there spend months working on the farms.
So they're not - the ethnically they're not from that particular region, but in the run-up to this incident, we've had all sorts of really poisonous
rhetoric being spewed around. There were tensions already.
Also, this incident took place against the backdrop of the imminent - onset of hostilities between the federal government and the Tigray authorities.
So all that led all those rhetoric all that tension led to the outbreak of violence.
But at the same time - one need to highlight is that the sad reality is people have lived side by side for a long, long time amid all this
rhetoric, all this tension that is - that has existed in Ethiopia for the last year or two, it's eventually blew up, it eventually erupted.
As for this group, throughout Ethiopia the sad reality is we've had an increase of many informal groups set up along their own ethnic lines, very
aggressive, very much - you know, their claim is that they're going to defend their own people, but the reality is massacres are taking palace,
sometimes at the hands of these informal groups that have spread throughout the country.
And this one in particular it emerged recently. The first time that we heard about them, it was maybe, I don't know, four, five, six months ago.
[11:45:00]
MAASHO: But that's the reality in Ethiopia right now it's a country where you have - where ethnic tensions are rising, have risen for the last year
or so and massacres are taking place almost on a weekly basis.
As our organization in the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has been dealing with such massacres all the time. It's quite depressing reality
really.
ANDERSON: Well, we appreciate your time. Important to have you on, on a day that the Ethiopian Prime Minister has said that the final offensive against
Tigray has begun as you and I have been discussing, is impossible for us to know what that means because we do not have any access on the ground nor
communications to report on what is going on.
But we will do our best. We continue to report on this story as best we can, and we'll have you back. I say thank you very much indeed for joining
us. No matter how hard our authorities may try and make this to cover as a story, we will cover this story. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: These Dubai entrepreneurs are meeting in person for the first time through group of Pilipino founders and
business owners who have come to each other's aid on line throughout the COVID pandemic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IRISH PEREZ, CEO & CO-FOUNDER INSTORIYA: The main idea of the communities actually support each other, share your startup ideas, share some
strategies, opinions of, hey, I have this product, what do you think about it.
DEFTERIOS (voice-over): Irish is the Founder of Instoriya, a tech-based company that prints and delivers photo books. Launched last year, her
company was just kicking off when COVID-19 struck. The global fallout has been devastating to many startups including Irish's that rely on face-to-
face networking events to advertise and secure funding.
She says this community has filled that void and helped keep her startup afloat. Nearly 10 percent of her revenue now comes directly from members of
the group. It also opened doors to new investments and corporate partnerships to say nothing of the more intangible support this community
supplies.
PEREZ: So it's been actually a good support for us because we know that we're not alone fighting this one. We're trying to support each other and,
you know, motivate each other that we can actually get through this, you just have to survive.
DEFTERIOS (voice-over): Networking is the key ingredient of success for any startup, so, too, is quickly adapting to the change in a business
environment.
[11:50:00]
And of the pandemic, Irish and many entrepreneurs like her has put online networking at the heart of her business. Creating an online community, she
believes, will power her startup to the next level. John Defterios, CNN, Dubai.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This hour Diego Maradona's lawyer calling for an investigation into the emergency response to his call for help. The lawyer claims it took
an ambulance more than half an hour to get to Maradona's home, what he calls "Criminal idiocy".
Still right now many pouring into the Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires where Maradona is lying in state, the lines we're told going on for
kilometers. The footballing legend passed away Wednesday of heart failure. We'll get you to Buenos Aires now where Maradona is set to be buried later
today. And to Journalist Diego Laje and Diego what is the mood like where you are?
DIEGO LAJE, JOURNALIST: Hi, Becky. Right now Argentines are asking themselves what has happened why we are so sad and that is what we can see
here in - just meters away from the Presidential Palace where he is being laying in honor for hours already?
It will end in two hours. Why could this be a problem because there are 2.8 kilometers of line to see him? That's about two miles of people waiting to
see Maradona. Will they make it in two hours? It looks very difficult because all these people have to go through a number of checks.
They have to, of course, go through temperature checks to see if they have fever. We're in the middle of a pandemic that has registered over 1 million
cases in Argentina and over 30,000 deaths. So many are asking what's going to happen in the next few hours.
How will this play out when the fans who love and want to pay one last homage, one last good-bye to their superstar will see those wishes
frustrated? Police source told CNN that actually another line that was coming down one of the main avenues - also to come down to this place, to
the - square, has been stopped by police because that would have multiplied the number of people coming to pay a last good-bye, to pay a last honor to
the fabled football super star that everybody loves here.
So many questions are looming over what may have happen? Riot police has been mobilized behind me. The camera doesn't get to take it, but behind me
riot police has already containing crowds that try to push to enter this area where I'm talking with you right now, Becky.
ANDERSON: Right. Diego Laje is in the midst of things. As you can see, those lines on the shot that we can see stretching some distance, some two
miles as Diego points out, and then more as well. These crowds continue to swell and I'm afraid to say as I look at this that doesn't look to be an
awful lot of social distancing there.
Diego Maradona is being mourned in Bones Aires. He died yesterday at the aged 60. We're taking a very short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK0
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: As we've been reporting throughout today's program, an estimated 50 million Americans don't have enough to eat on this Thanksgiving Day. So
imagine how it might have felt when this happened at a grocery store in Atlanta? A group of entrepreneurs took over the registers for two hours
paying for every unsuspecting customer's purchase at the checkout.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JASON LOBDELL, ENTREPRENEUR: I'm still working on Cloud Nine after seeing those faces and getting all those hugs from the grannies and wiping them
tears. It was just a good feeling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Just look at that cash register tape. The final total more than $40,000 in groceries a group says they are just happy to give back to the
community. You know that inspiring story before we leave you because we just can't too many of them these days.
Would you drive more than 1600 kilometers in the snow for a stranger? Well, that's exactly what one Canadian man did when a woman and her kids were
stranded in British Columbia. She was flying her family from Georgia to join her husband in Alaska where he is currently stationed in the military.
When the drive got treacherous in calendars wind tree, weather the woman went online to ask for help. That's when Gary Barth saves the day. He drove
them the rest of the way with a trailer in toe but the kindness didn't stop there. CBC reports donations from the public paid for Barth's flight back
home.
If I've said it once, I've said it hundred times there's a lot of good in the world. Remember what Mr. Rogers used to say. Look for the helpers, and
when you do, you'll see that they're all around and you can be one yourself. Be good, be kind and look after yourself and others. Stay safe.
Good night.
END
