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Connect the World
Family Recalls Fatal Shooting Of Protester; Pope Francis To Visit Iraq Amid COVID, Security Concerns; Russia Welcomes EU Review Of Sputnik V Vaccine; Brazil Reports Its Highest Daily Death Toll From COVID-19; Sao Paulo Governor On CNN As State Heads For "Red Phase"; Netflix Documentary Looks Into The Football Legend's Life. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired March 04, 2021 - 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)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Tonight people shut down in cold blood. That is the scene in Myanmar right now. Pro-democracy
protesters turned out again in large numbers on Thursday. They are undeterred following the bloodiest day in the demonstrations against the
military coup.
The UN says 38 people were killed on Wednesday, including at least five children and many others have been injured. They've been detained,
traumatized in the conflict. UNICEF now urging security forces to keep children out of harm's way. And we are getting an idea just how brutal
Wednesday was.
I want to warn you, you may find this next video difficult to watch. Security forces proceeded to kick and beat them. Keep in mind these
emergency workers are going out to help people. The UN takes up the Myanmar crisis on Friday.
Well, Paula Hancocks has been following these protests for us from Seoul in South Korea. It is an extremely difficult story to cover, as it is almost
impossible to get access to people on the ground. The internet has been blocked for a long time.
She has more now on Wednesdays bloodshed and she talks with the family of a young man who was fatally shot Wednesday giving us a story of one of the 38
people killed in a single day. And again, I want to warn you that her report also contains some video that you may find disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Protesters banging pots and pans on the streets of - in Central Myanmar, and aware it's about to turn
deadly. They duck and run for cover as security forces start firing.
22-year-old - is shot in the head. His brother carries him to a waiting ambulance, but it's too late. Reliving that moment he tells me my brother
was shot and fell down was coming from his mouth in his head. I dragged him away from them and he died in my arms.
His parents say he was the breadwinner of the family working at the local market. They were all at the protest together his mother says that was
separated when the shooting began. She says you're risking our lives to claim victory. We don't have any weapons but they are fully armed.
All can do this protest that shooting us with life bullets please help us. Makeshift hospitals were set up for the injured shooting a steady flow of
protesters with gunshot wounds.
TOM ANDREWS, UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR: And now we're seeing orders that police and military soldiers shoot people down in
cold blood. They're using 12 gauge shotguns they're using 38 millimeter rifles they're using semi automatic weapons.
HANCOCKS (voice over): Security forces were caught on camera taking three charity workers from the ambulance in Yangon and beating them with guns and
batons. The charity says that three are now in hospital with non life threatening injuries.
Is anybody safe at this point?
ANDREWS: No. No one is safe. I mean here ambulance - people that are there purely to save lives to help anyone who needs emergency medical care.
They're not here to hurt anyone. They're there to help everyone.
HANCOCKS (voice over): The level of force being used by security forces has increased since Sunday; dozens have now been killed across the country.
Activists on the ground where the actual death toll is far higher than that the United Nations has been able to confirm makeshift shrines are emerging
on the streets where protesters fell.
Funerals are becoming a daily occurrence as - family prepares for his funeral. They say they hope his death has not been in vain. His parents
praying the next fall will be the military dictatorship that took their son. Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: To Iraq now where historic people visit will go on scheduled despite a surge in COVID-19 cases and heightened violence. Pope Francis
will arrive tomorrow for a tour of Christian religious sites. He will be the first Catholic Pope to ever visit the country while the Vatican calls
Francis's trip an act of love.
But it won't look like trips of past crowds will be restricted and the government is deploying thousands of extra security personnel. Ben Wedeman
has been watching the situation in Iraq for us ahead of the Pope's visit, and he joins us now live from Baghdad.
Warnings ahead of time that this is a risky trip, not least because of the security situation and that of COVID and yet this trip as far as Pope
Francis is concerned, will go ahead why Ben?
[11:05:00]
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Because he has made it clear Pope Francis that he is determined to make this trip he is watched
since he was elected in the spring of 2013 the suffering of the Christians of Iraq and Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East during the onslaught of
ISIS and its brutal occupation.
And he wanted to come and express his solidarity, solidarity to a community that not long ago played a key role in Arab politics, and culture, but
increasingly feels marginalized really like strangers in their own lands.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN (voice over): A bell summons the faithful to the Church of - St. George, the City of Erbil in Northern Iraq. Christianity's roots run deep
here. Prayers conducted in the local dialect of Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke. But his flock which 100 years ago made up about 20 percent of the
population of the Middle East has dwindled to the low single digits.
An ISIS mortar killed four years old - in 2014, outside his home and Qaraqosh near Mosul. His mother though Doha (ph) sees no point in staying.
If someone will take us away, I'll be the first one to emigrate, she tells me, I wouldn't hesitate one moment, me and my husband and my family will
get dressed and go and leave everything else behind.
Over the last century, revolutions, wars, chaos, oppression and intolerance have driven many Christians abroad. In the last 20 years, however, it's
gone from bad to worse, culminating in ISIS's reign of terror, from Iraq, to Syria, to Egypt.
The group gave Christians under its sway stark choice - tax on non Muslims, convert, flee or die. The Muslim majority in the Middle East will remain
indifferent to the plight of minorities called the Archbishop of Abele - believes, until the majority starts to tear itself apart.
Iraq's once dazzling diversity is fast disappearing, including the smallest communities, like the Mundane followers have a pre Islamic monotheistic
faith that has all but vanished from Iraq.
BASHAR WARDA, CHALDEN ARCHBISHOP OF ERBIL, IRAQ: What's frightening me is that during this period, no one has asked what we, for example, have lost
when we have a declining number of the - in for example. And now you see these Christians, they don't care about this, as they did not care when we
lost the Jewish community back in the 40s, and 50s, and 60s, and this cycle is going.
WEDEMAN (voice over): If that cycle carries on worries, Archbishop Warda, Iraq will destroy itself. 21 years ago - moved to Sweden, now home to a
large Arab Christian community. He's back in Erbil for a brief visit. Those who have left he believes have left for good. I don't think anyone will
return from Europe he says that would be difficult.
In a stadium in Erbil, rehearsals are underway for Pope Francis's upcoming visit. The first time a Pope from Rome, has stepped foot in this land where
Christians and so many others have suffered so much for so long. Their voices they hope are finally being heard.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN: And of course, his trip is not only just about showing solidarity with Christians, he's also on Saturday going to be going to Najaf where he
will be meeting with the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, one of the foremost figures in Shia Islam. And this comes just two years after he met with
Ahmed Tayyab, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo.
So he really wants to build bridges with the Muslim world in addition to the very important job of reassuring the Christians of Iraq that the Pope
and the Catholic Church stands behind them, Becky.
[11:10:00]
ANDERSON: That an historic moment here when he was on a trip here and signed the Declaration of Human Fraternity, of course, speaking to the idea
of coexistence, and living better together. I mean, how is this trip being received on the ground, by everyone across the religious divide as it were?
WEDEMAN: By and large, Iraqis are excited about this trip because it does recognize - it represents recognition by a world leader of the importance
of Iraq. And you know we talk about the divide between Christians and Muslims but on the ground, it's not altogether clear that really exists.
For instance, one church we visited here in Baghdad, were back in 2010 there's a horrific slaughter 58 people killed by terrorists from the
Islamic State in Iraq. While we were there, Shia women came to the church and wanted to knock on the door for blessings.
It's not unusual, throughout the Middle East where Christians and Muslims live together, where there is certain back and forth between believers who
share in the holiness of many of the places here. There have been some voices of opposition.
For instance, on Telegram, there was a message by someone by the name of Abu Ali al-Askari who purports to be a leader of the Kataib Hezbollah,
which of course, was the target of that strike a week ago by the U.S. just over the border in Syria.
He told Iraqis don't get over excited about this trip by the Pope to Iraq that he should really stay home in the Vatican and take care of the
problems there. He also suggested that all this talk about religious dialogue is part of some dark conspiracy against Iraq and Muslims, Becky.
ANDERSON: Ben Wedeman in Iraq. Thank you, Ben. Britain's Prince Philip is recovering in the hospital following a procedure for a pre existing heart
condition. Buckingham Palace says the surgery was successful and the Duke of Edinburgh they say will remain in hospital for a number of days. The 99-
year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II was first admitted to another hospital more than two weeks ago after feeling unwell.
Once controversial, the Russian COVID vaccine is enjoying a big thumbs up from a peer reviewed article but the European Union is giving Sputnik V the
once over. Anyway, I'll next talk to the Head of the Organization that made the Russian vaccine happen.
Plus, more people in Brazil lost their lives from COVID-19 on Wednesday than ever before. We'll speak with the Governor of the hard hit state of
Sao Paulo. Next generation may inherit the climate crisis but the pandemic taught us It can be contained will speak to an author who will tell us how?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: Alexey Navalny is being held in quarantine in a Russian detention center the whereabouts of the Kremlin's most prominent critic had been a
mystery after he was moved from Moscow jail last week.
Navalny's lawyer says the opposition leader will remain at this jail about two and a half hours drive from Moscow until he's taken to a penal colony
to serve a two and a half year prison sentence. We'll connect him with Moscow and CNN's Matthew Chance, Matthew?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky thanks very much. Well, it's actually common practice in Russia for these - for
prisoners to sort of get - out of contact for some time, while they move them to the location, they're going to spend their more permanent prison
sentence.
And in the case of Alexey Navalny, he was we sort of lost him for about a week. Nobody knew where he was his lawyers, his family, and of course, us
as well, but eventually we surfaced in the region of Vladimir, which is a short distance from Moscow, but yes, 100 kilometers or so outside of the
capital.
And is that a detention center there, where he's being held in isolation, with a couple of other prisoners. They tend to do that, before they put
them into the main sort of penitentiary as well, they'll serve out the majority of their sentences.
It's unclear at this point, which penal colony Alexey Navalny will be sent to you, but he'll probably be sent according to Russian media reports to
one of the penal colonies also in that same region, the Vladimir region, close to the detention center, where is currently located.
Now, one of those penal colonies, at least, has quite a notorious reputation for being very disciplinary and there's a lot of speculation and
media reports that that's the one that Alexey Navalny will be eventually sent to.
And one of the former inmates we've spoken to who went there saying that no, it's very tough often times, inmates aren't allowed to speak to each
other. And there are very strict rules and any minor infraction of those rules can lead to kind of further discipline and punishment and isolation.
So it looks like Alexey Navalny Russia's most prominent opposition leader facing two and a half years behind bars now may not have a very easy time
of it, Becky.
ANDERSON: Matthew Chance on the story. Thank you, Matthew. Well, a man bankrolling Russia's COVID vaccine says he is fine with the EU's review of
Sputnik V more from Kirill Dmitriev in just a moment.
A reminder, the European Union has fumbled the block's inoculation campaign and does want to get back on track but it is taking its time to check the
Russian vaccine after Moscow approved it last year before large scale clinical trials were underway. It has to be said more recently though, a
peer reviewed article in "The Lancet" medical journal confirmed that Sputnik V is highly effective against Coronavirus.
Well, Kirill Dmitriev is keeping his cool about the EU review. He's the Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which is spending big money on
the vaccines production and rollout. I spoke with him a short time ago here in Abu Dhabi. I started by getting him to explain what he describes as a
misunderstanding with the EU ahead of today's news take listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIRILL DMITRIEV, CEO, RUSSIAN DIRECT INVESTMENT FUND: The key thing is that this review has started report tours from three different countries have
been appointed, and will be completely open about sharing information about Sputnik about our production facilities.
As you know Sputnik is already registered in two EU nations, we get lots of direct requests to work directly with different EU nations. But we'll also
continue with this EMA process and be completely open about it.
ANDERSON: How do you respond to criticisms and insinuations that Russia is using this vaccine as a geopolitical tool to increase its soft power?
DMITRIEV: It's not about politics. And basically, we feel that it's just enemies of the vaccine, who run out of all of the other arguments and all
the arguments that have to come Sputnik is a political one, but hopefully they will get over this too.
ANDERSON: Tell that to the European Commission Chief who went as far as to cast doubt on Russia's intentions publicly. She said and I quote overall, I
must say, we still wonder why Russia is offering theoretically millions and millions of doses while not sufficiently progressing and vaccinating their
own people? This is also a question that I think should be answered.
DMITRIEV: So several points, I think, first of all, we can only provide and we were clear about this around 15 million people doses to you starting
from June.
[11:20:00]
DMITRIEV: So it's about 10 percent of EU population. We are not trying to portray ourselves as great saviors of Europe; we can just play our role.
Secondly, vaccination in Russia is going very well. And people just need to know the numbers so for example, if you look at full vaccinations, we
actually have doubles the number of full vaccinations in UK because UK is perceived as a great lead on vaccinations.
And it is, but it has three months between the first and second shot and we just have three weeks. So actually doubles the number of people receiving
full shorts have been vaccinated in Russia versus UK. So I think we should stop thinking about sinister motives.
We should recognize as Sputnik registered in 44 nations. And today we go to Lagos and Sri Lanka, which by the way, altogether population of half of UK.
So we need to be mindful, really off trying to work together. And I think Kevin Bridges is much better than trying to put political barriers.
ANDERSON: We must be mindful of working together is effectively your response to Ursula Von Der Leyen's comments. How damaging could this be to
EU/Russia relations going forward? I realize now that there is a process and I realized now that the EU is possibly going to authorize this Sputnik
vaccine, but there's been an awful lot going on behind the scenes.
DMITRIEV: Well, first of all, I think it's about missed opportunities. And I will mention to you, for example, for the first time ever, that in August
of last year, even before our registrations, we reached out to Moncef Slaoui, Head of Operation Warp Speed in the U.S., and basically said, look,
we have this machine, we believe that works.
Let's work on it together. We believe that will be great if we combine our efforts. And we received you know, a polite no, three weeks after. And I
think, you know, Europe, we are working already. As you know, with Hungary, Slovakia, there is great interest from Italy, Austria, Czech Republic and
others.
And we shouldn't lose opportunities to save people's lives. I think this should really be at the core. And people should recognize as you had a
great interview with "The Lancet" magazine. We have efficacy at 91.6 percent. We're based on safe human adenoviral vector platform. So that
should be the focus and not politics.
ANDERSON: So what about the U.S. under a Biden administration? Because last August when you reached out to the Head of the Warp Speed Operation that
was under the former Donald Trump Administration. So have you spoken to the new U.S. administration?
DMITRIEV: Not yet on this issue, but we see very interesting steps that they're doing, for example, the idea of having Merck produced some of the
vaccines for Johnson & Johnson. And by the way, Johnson & Johnson is very much very similar technology to Sputnik essentially it's our first shot,
adenovirus 26.
So we see in approaches, they're doing two vaccines. And we believe that by the way, Sputnik shot can be a booster shot for many of the U.S. vaccines
for many of the European vaccines. And it's very important in fighting mutations.
So no approaches from us yet, except in Twitter, we put a little comment to Moderna and to Pfizer, we said open your eyes to Sputnik. And we'll put a
nice phone - so maybe they look at our Twitter account. And we can start working together at some point.
ANDERSON: You want the Biden Administration to come to you at this point do you?
DMITRIEV: Well, I think again, you know, I've been doing lots of outreaches to see over the last years. And I think we are just at the point where we
believe cooperation with the U.S. and Europe is great. I think vaccine development and fighting COVID is a great bridge that can be non-political.
And by the way, you know there is so much polarization in the U.S. Democrats, Republicans in Europe; I think we need to learn, despite our
political differences to do some great things jointly.
ANDERSON: While the global uptake of Sputnik V has now skyrocketed almost against the odds. When last you and I spoke, it was an enormous amount of
cynicism about the speed at which this vaccine was developed, and whether the data would hold up? Clearly it has, and we congratulate you on that.
At home in Russia is a different story. The vaccines are approved there yet only 4 million Russians have had a jab. And that is far short of the
ministry's target as I understand it, if 60 percent of adults immunized by the middle of the year.
Many of those who were independently polled said that they worried about taking this vaccine back at home. Most respondents cited potential side
effects of the vaccine as the main reason they don't want the jab. Why is public confidence so low in the vaccine in Russia?
DMITRIEV: So several points Becky. So first of all, we'll vaccinate everybody who wants to get vaccinated by June. And we believe this is
actually around half of the population of Russia. And if you look--
ANDERSON: Yes, why--
DMITRIEV: If you look at Europe, typically you have half people for vaccines half people against vaccines.
[11:25:00]
DMITRIEV: But frankly, it's also a little bit of a consequence of very negative disinformation campaign against Sputnik that was waged from
August, not only in Europe and the U.S., but people specifically, were waging it, including BBC, including Financial Times, including some other
people were actually thinking of creating a wall of shame for some of the people who were really notoriously attacking Sputnik.
And this created some issues, but we see growing confidence of people because no side effects, no allergies, really, you have very proven safe
platform of human adenoviral vector, and you have great immune response of people. So empirically, we see significant surge of people who want to get
vaccinated.
And by June, we believe we will vaccinate around, you know, 14 million people, and this will be a significant number.
ANDERSON: So why then has President Vladimir Putin not yet been vaccinated?
DMITRIEV: Well, again that obviously is a question to president but you've had, you know, lots of our ministers, lots of our key people vaccinated.
You know, my parents were 74 years old were vaccinated. So there is really big confidence in Sputnik.
And you see it not only in Russia, you see Sputnik consistently been ranked as a preferred vaccine in Argentina, as the preferred vaccine in Slovakia,
because people understand it's really based on platform. They said - for decades.
ANDERSON: But sir with respect surely, if President Putin agreed to get the jab that would boost public trust, agree or not?
DMITRIEV: Well, again, this is a question and see--
ANDERSON: Agree or not?
DMITRIEV: I'll tell you. I'll put that--
ANDERSON: Would you rather that he took the vaccine.
DMITRIEV: No, I'll put it in a different way. So you know, in the beginning, when people were attacking Sputnik's in Russia would force
people to do the vaccine. And obviously, you see that nobody's forcing people to do the vaccine. So again, it's up to individuals to decide. And
of course, it's a choice to every individual to do and we should respect each individual's choice.
ANDERSON: In retrospect, do you regret the decision to push the vaccine through so quickly, considering the vaccine hesitancy at home? And indeed,
the wall of shame, as it was that you've suggested that you did face internationally?
DMITRIEV: Becky, no. It was perfect execution. And the world now recognizes that it was done perfectly, because in August, we had the vaccines that was
working that was saving lives. We started vaccinating our high risk people in September, October, and November.
And frankly, UK and U.S. followed our suit, because phase three for Moderna and Pfizer will only get finished in two years. So they also registered
their vaccines before phase three is complete. And I think we recognized in terms of emergency we moved very quickly, and Lancet confirmed it was the
right decision.
And again, it was a very good choice because we knew it's a safe vaccine. And we had all of the data already in August.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Kirill Dmitriev speaking to me here in Abu Dhabi earlier on today. Well, richer nations weigh multiple options for vaccines these days.
Poorer countries like those in the Amazon Basin are becoming COVID hotspots. We'll speak with the Governor of Brazil's largest state as the
ICUs across the country are on the verge of collapse.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: There are growing calls in Latin America for a swift collective response to a surge in COVID-19 cases. The Director of the Pan American
Health Organization says equitable access to vaccines in the Americas must be a global priority.
Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, and parts of Panama and Guatemala have become hotspots, while Brazil just reported its highest daily death toll from the
virus. On Saturday, the country's largest state Sao Paolo will enter what's called a Red Phase of restrictions. The State's Governor says urgent
collective measures are necessary to control the spread of sending the shift. Well, CNN's Shasta Darlington has the latest on the situation in
Brazil.
SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here in Brazil, more than 1900 people died from COVID-19 on Wednesday, a new daily record in a country where the
total death toll has already surpassed a quarter of a million.
The Health Ministry also registered more than 71,000 new cases, bringing the total number of cases to over 10.7 million and pushing the health
system to the limit ICUs across the country near or at capacity, with one third of state governments reporting ICU occupation at over 90 percent.
The new wave of infections and deaths has been blamed on a more relaxed attitude with a rash of big parties around carnival time, as well as a more
contagious variant. The Governor of Brazil's biggest state Sao Paulo announced on Wednesday that more restrictive measures known as the Red
Phase would be imposed starting this weekend.
That means all but essential businesses must close. Governor Joao Doria warned that the state's health system was on the verge of collapse if
drastic measures weren't taken. He joins a growing list of Mayors and Governors who have imposed tighter measures in the hopes of slowing the
spread of the Coronavirus.
Brazil has vaccinated less than 4 percent of the population and the National vaccination program has suffered from repeated delays and
political infighting. Shasta, Darlington, CNN, Sao Paulo.
ANDERSON: Well, joining me now from the capital of the State of Sao Paulo is Governor Joao Doria sir thank you for joining us. A Red Phase is the
toughest of measures. How did the situation in your state get so bad? And as a Governor do you take responsibility for this situation?
JOAO DORIA, SAO PAULO GOVERNOR: Thank you. Thanks for having me again. The health system in Brazil is on the verge of collapse. President Jair
Bolsonaro's denial has contributed to this. Vaccines, Syringes and ICU beds are missing. There is no national coordination to combat the pandemic in
Brazil.
It will be very important for the President and Governors to send the same message to the population. That is, unfortunately doesn't happen in Brazil.
Mr. Bolsonaro Becky continues weakening the health protocols. It makes more difficult to end with this pandemic. And in fact, it's only getting worse,
worse and worse--
ANDERSON: You blame Brazil's President for what is going on and in turn he blames the Governors and Mayors. At one point suggesting that "The invoice
of the deceased should be sent to the Governors and Mayors. And he singles you out for criticism in the way that you have handled the pandemic in your
state.
Firstly, how has he responded to your latest decision to implement this Red Phase? And once again tonight, are you taking some responsibility for the
situation in your own state?
DORIA: Well, Becky, unfortunately, yesterday we had the highest number of deaths in the country and also here in Sao Paulo. People died from COVID.
That's why we are in a hurry for more vaccines. We can't keep losing lives in Brazil.
[11:35:00]
DORIA: And we are doing our job in the states and the federal government disabled the financing of COVID beds in a full second wave of the pandemic.
It's incredible but that's true. We had to go to the justice for the Minister of Health to comply with this, with its obligation. This is
unacceptable.
Here in Sao Paulo, Becky, we created a quarantine plan that respects the evolution of the pandemic, to open or close the various sectors of our
economy. This week, we had to start the Red Phase, as you said, in the whole state, only essential services we will open as - schools, it's a
strict measure.
But social isolation, it's necessary at this time in Sao Paulo. And we decided to keep the schools open, respecting the face to face frequency
limit of 35 percent of students to assist children in social, vulnerable situations without access to technology to conduct virtual classes, and
children with parents who work in essential activities. These schools are a space to protection. And most of the time, the only guarantee Becky that
the - with it.
ANDERSON: I hear your argument that the federal government has, you say been at the heart of the issues for Brazil. The country is only vaccinated
as you rightly point out less than 4 percent of the population. It's safe to say the country's vaccine portfolio is much stretched, the rollout is
anemic.
This has been caused, not least by political squabbling, but I must press you on this point, sir. Because we have reported time and time again of the
Bolsonaro attitude towards COVID-19 the fact that he has seen this as a quote hoax, you know, a term that was associated with the attitude of the
Donald Trump Administration.
But I have to ask, because we are - as we witness in the states and in other places around the world, when it comes to state and sort of local
level it is the Governors and the Mayors who have a responsibility to ensure that the best is being provided for their people and that their
rules and regulations are in place.
So once again, I just have to ask you, do you concede that there is some responsibility on your part at this point?
DORIA: Well, Becky, my responsibility as Governor of Sao Paulo is to help people and save lives. That's what we are doing here. But President
Bolsonaro could have bought vaccines for Brazilian since October. And he has started doing this only now. Now is today.
The situation of the health system in Brazil, at the moment is very difficult. We are in the collapse. ICUs are already crowded in many cities
in Brazil. We have denialist's president who encourages gatherings and condemns the use of masks. That's incredible.
But it's happening right now in Brazil and Governors are trying to save lives by purchasing vaccines and increasing brazenly health service to the
population in Brazil and we are doing exactly this in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo to the button - with the Chinese laboratory Sinovac Becky has already made
35 million doses of the vaccine against COVID available to the Brazilians.
ANDERSON: Let's and let's talk about the other vaccines that are now coming on tap. The government said it intended to buy 100 million doses from
Pfizer. Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has been gaining a foothold in - Brazilian pharmaceutical company has reached an agreement with Russia for
10 million doses, although the vaccine still hasn't been authorized for use in the country. So just very briefly, sir what is the status of vaccine
distribution at this point?
DORIA: Well, Becky, we need more vaccines as quick as possible to save lives, mainly because of the new variant of the virus as you said at the
beginning of interview. Unfortunately, Brazil has to fight to virus Coronavirus and Bolsonaro virus and sadness for our Brazilians.
And we are going to deliver here in Sao Paulo, another 65 million doses of the - vaccines in the next few weeks. If it were not for this initiative of
Sao Paulo, Brazil at this moment Becky would be without vaccines.
[11:40:00]
ANDERSON: With that, we'll leave it there sir. We thank you very much indeed for joining us. Once again, the Governor of Sao Paulo, a state that
has just entered its Red Phase.
Well, the EU has had a troubled rollout of COVID vaccines as we have discussed now for weeks on this show. And we are learning that Italy is now
taking steps to keep more doses in the block. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Italy is using its EU powers to block the drug maker
AstraZeneca from exporting 250,000 doses to Australia.
This comes after AstraZeneca failed to get all the doses it promised to Europe. No word yet from the drug company or from Australia. But it's one
of the few bits of good news during the pandemic global carbon emissions dropped last year. Can we keep it up we'll meet an Author who is banking on
the next generation to do just that?
And he is arguably the most famous football player in the world the new Netflix documentary shining a new spotlight on the life of Pele. The film
directors join us in just a few moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDRESON: It was a rare silver lining during the pandemic, global carbon emissions fell last year by 7 percent. That is not an insignificant amount
2.6 billion metric tons. What's the word from scientists in five countries who reported their findings in the journal "Nature Climate Change" but they
also had a warning the drop will be short lived unless we speed up the demise of fossil fuels.
In fact, we are already starting to see a rebound in December global emissions have crept up 2 percent higher than they were in December of
2019. That, of course was before the pandemic. Well, my next guest is trying to get the next generation to think about stopping climate change.
Naomi Klein has written a book for young adults that you see on the screen here called "How to change everything". It's described as the young humans
guide to protecting the planet and each other.
And Naomi Klein joining me now and it's a pleasure having you on. The young humans guide briefly what's the gist?
NAOMI KLEIN, AUTHOR, "HOW TO CHANGE EVERYTHING": Sure. Well look, I think young people really get this better than adults to be frank with you. And
so the idea for the book is to give some tools to this amazing generation of young people who are the ones staging climate strikes.
Who are watching these nature documentaries that are really scaring them about what the future holds, and do a few things given the basic science of
what is going on in the natural world? Do some political science about how we ended up here? What are the policies that have kept us from acting
decisively to lower emissions?
As you as you said earlier, it is possible to do but it takes real policy it takes real commitment and giving examples of young people who are
already changing the world with their activism and really give some tools for credible hope for young people.
[11:45:00]
KLEIN: So it's not saying, you know, you can change this just by biking to school, though, that's great if you want to do it, but it's really going to
take movements. And so there's lots of ways that we lay out for young people to plug in.
ANDERSON: And young - there's been a really impressive movement of youngsters who clearly do care enormously about what they are inheriting.
What about though, those kids that quite frankly, don't care about these issues? How do you and we get them to care?
KLEIN: Honestly, I have yet to meet a young person who doesn't care about the natural world. This - we are part of nature. It's as we get older, that
we become disconnected. So you know, I think as parents, as educators, as aunts and uncles, what we really need to do for young people is create
opportunities for them to be in nature to build on that inherent connection, that inherent love for the natural world that's already there.
So that young people can fight for the future from a place not only of fear, because the fear is really there among young people, but also a place
of love, right? Love for the forest for the ocean for animals, and look, read any kid's book. The main characters are usually animals so young
people do care about the natural world.
The frightening thing that I see is that is the sense of hopelessness. You know, even if you think about Greta Thunberg's story, right, she talks
about learning about the climate crisis when she was just 11. And feeling totally overwhelmed, and like there was nothing she could do.
So I think it's less about convincing people they should care, and more about convincing young people that there's something that they can do that
they can be part of a broader movement where they don't feel alone and isolated.
ANDERSON: Many have been holed up, of course, over the past year, just when there was some momentum, you know, for these kinds of youth movements COVID
hit. And as we said earlier, it seemed as if the climate was actually getting some respite due to the COVID pandemic.
Now, though, things are slowly getting back to normal. And so far, it seems our old behaviors and habits that have a direct harmful effect on the
environment. I wonder what that tells us.
KLEIN: Yes, I mean, one thing I would say, I do a fair bit of work with young climate activists. And they have been organizing throughout this
period of lockdown of quarantine. You know, they're very tech savvy. So they have stayed connected. They've really been using this period to
educate themselves.
I've done lots of webinars with young people. They miss each other absolutely. They're social creatures, but they haven't stopped organizing.
So I think that we're going to see a big rebound, speaking of rebounding, as soon as it is safe for us to gather from the youth led climate movement.
And, yes, so I think that they, in many ways are ready to organize. And you know when you hear this message from young people, and it's very
consistent, saying to adults saying to politician, treat the climate crisis like an emergency.
I think one of the big lessons of the COVID era is that we have seen actually what it looks like when political leaders do treat an emergency,
like an emergency do treat a crisis like a crisis. There is action at scale, there is huge collective action. There is big policy, right?
I mean, we are seeing factories retooled to make ventilators and masks, and so on. And so I think that when you compare that to like the sort of action
we see in the face of the climate crisis, like setting targets, 30 years in the future, a lot of talk, not a lot of action.
I think young people are coming out of the COVID period, and saying like, OK, we know it's possible to treat a crisis like a crisis. We know, you
know how to do it, adults, and you certainly have enjoyed doing it when it comes to the climate crisis.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating. Good point to close out. And thank you very much indeed for joining us. We'll have you back.
KLEIN: Thank you so much.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Naomi. Pele has become synonymous with greatness. The new Netflix documentary, Pele looks back on the life of the legendary
football player. The film's directors, join us next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: Right, he's a legend in football, and now he was lost on the pitch more than 40 years ago. Pele continues to be a force in what is known
around the world as the beautiful game. He remains the only player to ever win three World Cups and he holds a Guinness World Record for most career
goals.
Many football fans around the world know Pele's feats on the field. Now the new Netflix documentary, simply called "Pele" explores his story off the
pitch. Just have a look at this.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)
ANDERSON: Joining me the directors of the film David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas. They won a British Sports Journalism Award in 2017 for the
documentary "Crossing the line", the story of the US Olympian Danny Harris. And they join me now from London. It's good to have you chaps David and
Ben, welcome.
Pele has been retired for over 40 years. I can't believe it. I remember watching him as a kid, and he's arguably still one of the most famous
athletes in the world. David, what prompted you to make a documentary about him now?
DAVID TRYHORN, DIRECTOR, "PELE": I think the timing felt right. You know, Pele has just turned 80. I think it's a story that a lot of people know.
But they have a slightly superficial knowledge of. So I think we wanted to ultimately give Pele that context. So people can understand how he became
this mythical figure and why he became known for the film to become known for.
ANDERSON: So Ben, just give us a little of that context, then who is Pele when you peel away the jersey as it were?
BEN NICHOLAS, DIRECTOR, "PELE": Well, it's really it's really a story about Pele and Brazil. And we zoom in on this period between 1958 his first World
Cup and 1970 his last World Cup, but it really becomes about Pele's kind of personalized identity and also Brazil's national identity.
Because Brazil, before Pele, and after Pele, are two totally different places in terms of cultural and national kind of, and also the way they
feel about themselves as a country so what we wanted to do is really explain the context behind how does it happen that this guy emerges as a 17
year old and completely changes the fortunes of a country and the self belief of a country?
What is the context behind that? What's the meaning behind that? So we were trying to, in a way, explain the myth, but also humanize the myth. Also key
into Pele on a human level, so that we could - those were our two main things at the beginning. Can we explain the myth? And can we also humanize
the myth?
ANDERSON: And I'm sure you have done a fantastic job in both. And this is a man of footballer who, sort of against the run of plays as it were David
decided to stay in Brazil. And as his reputation or his legacy, do you think in any way been damaged or tarnished by never playing in Europe, for
example?
TRYHORN: I don't think so. Because I think you have to remember the era he was playing in, you know, Brazil won three World Cups between 1958 and
1970. And so while they didn't have a national league at that time, you could argue that the regional leagues, in which he was playing, were just
as strong as anywhere else in the world.
It was a slightly different world. So I don't think his legacy was tarnished at all. I think part of the film, you know, we don't really get
into these sort of cross generational comparisons that people like to do. But I think we are showing people that this guy, he was the pioneer. He was
the very first. He was kind of your Elvis or Neil Armstrong if you will.
[11:55:00]
TRYHORN: And while players may be better than him they cannot tread in his footsteps.
ANDERSON: Yes, no, that's fascinating because the obvious film would be, you know, how does Pele stack up against Messi, Maradona, Ronaldo, et
cetera? But I mean, I think you've got a really, really tight and fascinating conceit to this film.
It highlights Ben Pele's lack of stance on the military dictatorship in Brazil. And you said the main criticism against him there is apolitical
stance, and - teammate goes so far as to describe him as submissive? And do you think that athletes and celebrities have a duty to speak out about
politics perhaps? Again, that's changed as, as the generation is, has moved on, as it were.
NICHOLAS: I think that's - I think it's really easy to sit here in 2021 and say Pele should have done this Pele have done that. I think what we'd say
about that is that, and this comes from spending time with him as well as kind of searching back through all the archives.
I think he was he was a real kind of 50 star. He emerged at the end of the 50s. And for whatever reason, he really suits that era. He really suits
that kind of old Hollywood kind of star and to cope with becoming the King of 17 to cope with becoming this guy who has mythical status.
I think he creates this kind of Pele character to deal with that. And that works really well, when he first emerges. When the mid 60s start to come in
and you have people like Muhammad Ali start to kind of be more radical to kind of challenge the establishment.
Pele, I think for the first time is out of step. And in the film, we see this but for better or worse, he kind of decides to stick with the program.
I'm the king; I bring joy to people through my football. I've enjoyed people by representing Brazil, and I'm going to stick to that. I'm not
going to kind of step outside that. And he obviously pays the repercussions of that slightly. But I think that's the decision he makes.
ANDERSON: Yes, amazing. We've got less than 60 seconds. So David, very briefly, you got to speak with people who haven't spoken individually to
the media before friends and family. How did you do that? How did you secure those interviews?
TRYHORN: I think when Pele's name is mentioned in Brazil, people always want to be involved. He's still such a hero there. And I think when you
talk to friends, family, anyone former presidents musicians like we did, as soon as they knew that Pele was involved in filming, then they were
desperate to also be involved.
ANDERSON: Sure. Ben and David it sounds like an ice cream doesn't it? To both of you, well done terrific work. And I'm looking forward to seeing the
whole thing. I'm sure it's terrific. Super, thank you so much.
TRYHORN: Thank you.
NICHOLAS: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Thank you for joining us, wherever you are watching in the world, stay safe, stay well wear a mask. It's very good evening from Abu Dhabi.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, I'm Becky Anderson. Thank you for watching "Connect the World" this evening.
END
