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Scott Morrison: "Quad" Group A "New Anchor For Peace And Stability"; Diverse Ethnic Groups Unite Against Military Coup; United States Secretary of State: It Is Up To Iran To Re-engage; Candidates Brace For Final Stretch In Election; Israel Blames Jordan For Prime Minister's Cancelled UAE Trip; World Health Organization: No Need To Stop Using AstraZeneca Vaccine. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired March 12, 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: Well, it is 11 am in Washington D.C. It is 9.30 in the evening in Delhi. 1 in the morning in
Tokyo and 3 am in Canberra, leaders from those four countries known as the Quad are essentially coming together as a quad squad against China. Why?
Well, because Beijing's rise and growing power are this hour, changing the world in material ways taking power from elsewhere. And that matters all
the more because China has a very, very different approach or view of the world than many are used to there is evidence of that from Myanmar to Hong
Kong to increasingly the realm of space and beyond.
Let me take you through all of this. Just in the last few hours the leaders from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Alliance as it's known in its most
formal name, gathering virtually. It's the first time the leaders have come together at such a high level. Take a listen to Australia's Prime Minister.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MORRISON, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: This is something that we have been working towards for many years now. It has been a goal of ours to see
the latest meeting of the quad come together. There have been meetings of foreign ministers. There have been many other meetings.
But when governments come together at the highest level, this shows a whole new level of cooperation to create a new anchor for peace and stability.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, sit and covering this story from all sides. It's been our team John Harwood is with us from the White House. Selina Wang has the view
for you from Tokyo. And Selina first to you what are the key issues on the table today?
SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Becky, they are expected to discuss increasing capacity for COVID-19 vaccines as well as environmental
challenges and securing the Indo Pacific region. But as you say, Becky the real symbolism here is that these nations are all dealing with mounting
concerns over an increasingly assertive China.
Beijing for its part has criticized this as being an anti-China block has condemned it of being, "Emblematic and poisonous, Cold War mentality". But
in recent months, we have seen relations between China and each of these Quad nations deteriorate significantly.
Here in Japan, there is increasing alarm over Chinese incursions into the disputed East China Sea. When it comes to Australian China relations they
have soured since Australia called for an open investigation into the origins of COVID-19.
China has since slapped tariffs on many of Australia's agricultural products. And China and India, tensions have simmered ever since the border
skirmish. But even though we are seeing this meeting break new ground analysts tell me that there are limits to what this Quad meeting can
achieve?
Even though these nations agree that they need to be more assertive towards China's rise, they have struggled with disagreements and differences when
it comes to their strategic ties to China and their priorities. Becky?
ANDERSON: That's interesting. John, the Quad, clearly a key alliance for U.S. President Joe Biden, in regard to combating China's growing military
and economic power. And when I say clearly important, it will be if he wants to sort of embrace what he might be able to gain from this alliance.
But is it clear at this point what that might be?
JOHN HARWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it's not possible to measure in concrete terms, but as a counterweight, the United
States has got to find a way while it cooperates in some spheres with China, in particular on climate.
And we're seeing meeting with Secretary of State Blinken and the National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, with Chinese counterparts to try to foster
some of that cooperation. There's clearly in the economic realm a lot of competition. There's a military concerns in the Pacific region and so
having had the United States pull out of the Trans Pacific Partnership, which is something that was forged under President Obama during his term.
Joe Biden is looking for ways to counter China. He has indicated that he's not planning immediately to rejoin the Trans Pacific Partnership. So the
Quad is one means of doing that. And of course, the pandemic is the occasion for demonstrating the potential for U.S. leadership.
China has been aggressive in terms of offering vaccines to other countries, the United States has pledged money to Covax, the International Vaccination
Fund which is trying to help poor countries.
[11:05:00]
HARWOOD: Interesting question will be whether the United States frees up some of the AstraZeneca doses which it is sitting on because AstraZeneca,
which is approved in many other countries, has not been approved in the United States?
As the U.S. white ratchets up its own vaccine production. That is a potential area of big power diplomacy for the United States. That has not
been fully utilized so far, but that's part of the aspiration of the administration.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating. John, thank you. Selina before I let you go, Japan's Prime Minister is set to be the first foreign leader to visit the
U.S. - the U.S. since Joe Biden took office. What more do we know about this upcoming trip?
WANG: Well Becky, this will certainly be a chance for the two countries to showcase their robust alliance amid these mounting concerns we've been
discussing from China. Now Japanese officials say that the two leaders are expected to discuss Pandemic measures as well as climate change and other
regional issues like dealing with North Korea.
They are also expected to discuss the Chinese incursions into the disputed waters of the East China Sea. Now, Biden has already reaffirmed America's
commitment to defending this region under the U.S. Japan mutual defense treaty.
Now we know that multilateral engagement is a critical pillar of Biden's China strategy. And what's also really telling is that next week, U.S.
Secretary of State as well as Defense Secretary is going to be making their first overseas trip here in Japan.
And I just spoke to Jeff Kingston at Temple University here in Japan and he says that this is a sign that Japan is feeling more confident and secure in
their relationship with the U.S. after years of volatility under Trump and this is America's way of saying to Japan that we're back. We're back as
your ally and we're not going to leave you out in the cold Becky.
ANDERSON: Selina and John always a pleasure. Thank you both. Now we want to connect you to one of China's very troubled allies and neighbors as the
West scrambles for ways to respond to the recent coup in Myanmar people are increasingly eyeing China for solutions.
It has been watering down condemnation of a violent crackdown. Myanmar's military leaders are being roundly condemned for their crackdown on
demonstrations like these and the UN says it is likely the military is committing crimes against humanity.
At least 80 people have been killed since the military ousted the civilian government on February the 1st of some in Myanmar sadly violence and
persecution have been a way of life for years. CNN's Paula Hancocks tells us how the country's many ethnic groups are now united in a common goal.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, unity among ethnic groups and those in the city in Myanmar has never been very strong. In fact, it's been
very scarce over recent years. But this appears to be one unintended consequence of the military crackdown on protesters in those cities.
Those in the ethnic areas that have been dealing with the military's brutality for decades now, and they are starting to find a new unity
against a common enemy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS (voice over): Villagers flee their homes in the mountains of current state, saying Myanmar's military is attacking violence and
oppression from the army that many ethnic groups across Myanmar have faced for decades. Sheltering in the jungle, the displaced rely on humanitarian
groups for food and medicine children continue their schooling wherever they can.
Group Free Burma Rangers beliefs and 6000 people are currently unable to return home in this one state alone.
DAVE EUBANKS, FREE BURMA RANGERS: The curve evidently was well planned beforehand. And we saw the pressure began to build in the ethnic areas here
in December last year and in January, and then after the coup even more.
HANCOCKS (voice over): Ethnic groups want self determination. The military has been accused of carrying out atrocities against them, most recently
against the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine State in 2017. The military general stand accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice and
Accusation they and the no deposed civilian government deny.
The one thing the coup has achieved, which even a nationwide ceasefire signed in 2015, could not entirely ethnic unity. With 135 different
official groups and a 70 year long Civil War, solidarity between ethnic groups and with those in the cities has until now been scarce.
Groups saw the ceasefire with the military is off, and they stand firmly behind the anti coup protesters.
LIAN HMUNG SAKHONG, CHAIRMAN, ETHNIC NATIONAL COUNCIL: So I think this is the time we're so united ethnics groups and the people the whole country,
the whole nation. We stand unite for democracy for equality for Federal Reserve. The people are very much aware that, you know, they don't want to
go back to military.
[11:10:00]
SAKHONG: They have suffering going on now.
HANCOCKS (voice over): 2000 teachers and students in current state protested earlier this week, escorted and protected by the ethnic armed
forces the KNU. Last month before security forces increased the level of force used against protesters a number of ethnic groups gathered in Yangon,
showing solidarity with the civil disobedience movement.
This protester says, we've been protesting against the military dictatorship for well over 70 years. We're not just starting now, it is
important to be here, as we don't know how long it might last? The protests in the cities may seem a world away from the displaced in the jungles but
the desire for democracy and hatred of the military runs throughout.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS: The Head of the Humanitarian Aid Group that we spoke to in Karen state said that he spoke to an elderly woman who told him that she had lost
count of the times that she had to flee her home and her village because it was being shelled by the Myanmar military.
But she also felt that nothing will change. She was unable to change it and that was simply her reality Becky.
ANDERSON: Well, from Myanmar, thank you, Paula. To the U.S. we've been connecting you this hour to China's growing dominance on the world stage.
Arguably no places feeling the weight of Beijing, more right now than Hong Kong.
This after China's parliament approved a drastic overhaul of election rules on Thursday. Critics say it will reduce democratic representation and give
pro-Beijing candidates more power. Hong Kong's Chief Executive responding positively to the moves. Carrie Lam says the changes will resolve and I
quote her here, reckless moves that have torn Hong Kong apart.
Well, Washington has been strongly criticizing China's move to change Hong Kong's electoral system as Kristie Lu Stout reports. The U.S. State
Department calls it a direct attack on Hong Kong's autonomy. Have a listen.
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, a day after trying to pave the way for patriots to run Hong Kong the United States is slamming the move. A
U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price said that the changes are a direct attack on Hong Kong's freedoms, its autonomy and democratic
processes.
On Thursday, as expected the National People's Congress rubber stamped new electoral reform for Hong Kong. It will reduce democratic representation
for Hong Kong while screening candidates for patriotism.
We learned that according to the new plan, they usually pro-Beijing election committee will be expanded the election committee usually selects
the top leader of Hong Kong and a new vetting committee will be established that will screen candidates for the election committee for Chief Executive
as well as for the Legislative Council or the parliament here in Hong Kong.
Now, when that plan was rubber stamped in Beijing, it was welcomed by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam, who said that it was necessary to
screen out harmful elements in the opposition. Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARRIE LAM, HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE: They are trying to politicize everything that we put through the Legislative Council, and by advocating
and promoting this anti-mainland anti-government sentiment or even inviting external forces to impose sanctions on Hong Kong, which is not hurting the
government alone is hurting the people of Hong Kong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: Mainland Chinese officials say that this will improve the electoral system it will also strengthen Hong Kong standing as an international
financial hub. But when you talk to pro-democracy activists, they are very critical. They say that this is a big step backwards for democracy in Hong
Kong. Not only that, it's another sign of China's tightening grip on the territory, Becky.
ANDERSON: Well, Beijing's reach also extending above the planet as this week it took another leap into science and space. This is the new
generation Long March 7A rocket it successfully went into orbit after a failed attempt a year ago. It's carrying a satellite that China says used
to perform tests like environmental monitoring in space.
China says the rocket could be modified to reach the moon, Mars and asteroids. Now this was the country's sixth launch of the year, with dozens
more planned. So what's the bottom line here? Well, we've been connecting you not only to the way the world is, but to where it's going.
And it's a very vision very different to pretty much that which we see now. And it could frankly be less free and less open.
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: Well, I want to tell you about a really important initiative that CNN has coming up March 16th marks our annual My Freedom Day - labor is the
largest form of modern day slavery. 8 million people around the world fall victim to this damaging practice.
The CNN Freedom Project takes us behind the scenes of India's booming silk industry and the struggles of one young woman and her mother, who are
trapped in slavery.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Recently, we found a mother and daughter who were working in silk production and they were in bondage conditions. The mother
who has been working as bonded laborer for eight to nine years.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get trapped and working for someone in order to pay back that. What are you doing here in your work? What are you doing in the
factory? How long are you working?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm working at silk industry. I started this work three years ago. We work in the factory 11 hours a day and we get only 200
rupees.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you exactly doing in a factory what type of work?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have to remove the thread and the silk are made from that dust team water will come that is very bad smelling. And we are -
our hands are also started bleeding.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you afraid of?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm afraid of owner because he has given us a home to living. Where should we go? We cannot go anywhere. So we are afraid to show
off - and we don't know what he'll do with us after he see this video.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Be sure to tune into the CNN Freedom Project, documentary silk slaves starts Saturday 4 pm in London 8 pm in Abu Dhabi. Well, still ahead
as the Biden Administration tries to revive the Iran Nuclear Deal. Saudi Arabia says it should be part of those talks. We'll speak to a Saudi
diplomat up next.
And Israel and Jordan are caught up in a diplomatic tit for tat canceling trips on one another. Can they play nice? Well, I'll ask Jordan's Foreign
Minister.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We said we would attend, Iran so far said no, I think the ball is in their court to see if they're serious
about reengaging or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: America's Secretary of State Anthony Blinken there laying out that it is really up to Iran on whether or not to reengage on the 2015 UN-
backed nuclear deal. Now you'll remember that the Trump Administration effectively killed that nuclear deal by pulling out.
It comes days; just days after Teheran dismissed out of hand, the idea of talks. Iran refuses to re enter the deal unless sanctions are relieved.
Well, many in the region hated the old deal including here in the Gulf and in Israel.
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry insists this time around they must be at the table for any renegotiations. It is complicated, folks.
That's this region in the Middle East. Well, I caught up with Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the UN and International Organizations
in Vienna.
I spoke to him Thursday, and I began by asking him if he has any confidence that the Kingdom would be consulted on any future talks between Washington
and Tehran. Have a listen to what he told me?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE ABDULLAH BIN KHALED BIN SULTAN AL SAUD, SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO UN: Well, we supported the JCPOA 2015 cautiously. We do find a lot of
shortfalls in this agreement. We believe that a new comprehensive agreement needs to be done. That includes the regional stakeholders that addresses
the ballistic missiles program in Iran and addresses the funding of terrorism. These are extremely important.
ANDERSON: So just explain to me what it is that Saudi Arabia wants next?
AL SAUD: We want something that will stop Iran from advancing their ballistic missiles program that will stop them from funding the military
militias and proxy forces around the region and to stop the activities in the region.
We have seen Iranian high ranking government officials basically come up and extort and blackmail the Board of Governors that will address that they
will be non compliant with the JCPOA that they will increase the enrichment of uranium that they will increase the centrifuges?
ANDERSON: Do you believe that there is enough support in Congress to ensure that any new talks have a much wider narrative than in the past?
AL SAUD: I certainly hope so. This is something that the international community as a whole, have to take seriously. Of course, we have higher
stakes and swill in the region, but Iran has proven to be untrustworthy. If we go back to the JCPOA on the lifting of sanctions on Iran, we have seen
this money go to what I stated earlier, which is disruption in the region.
We have not seen the money go to the prosperity of the Iranian people. We have not seen the money go to the development of Iran. These are things
that are extremely concerning, and they are paving the way to acquire a nuclear weapon. And here, we really have to stop and say until when we will
give Iran the benefit of the doubt.
ANDERSON: Iran firmly rejects that it firmly rejects that it will - is close to building a nuclear bomb to which you say what?
AL SAUD: I see that everything they have done on the ground is aiming to acquire a nuclear weapon.
ANDERSON: What's your evidence?
AL SAUD: The enrichment of uranium, the installation of advanced centrifuges, all of these things that are not complying to the JCPOA have
only - may show us that they are trying to reach acquiring a nuclear weapon. And that's something extremely dangerous.
ANDERSON: So with respect, they have actually passed every inspection by the IAEA.
AL SAUD: Well, I think that after the director general visited Iran, there have been questions that haven't been answered correctly. There have been
some - I can't go into the details, but from what was said publicly, there are some things that are still unanswered.
ANDERSON: What's your feedback from Washington at this point? How far is the Biden Administration do you think likely to bend in order to get these
talks up and running? Again, Tehran is demanding that the U.S. lift the sanctions regime? Do you believe that that's a possibility?
AL SAUD: Well, on the other side, we also see the United States asking for Iran to comply to go back to its compliance in the JCPOA in order for them
to sit on the table. That being said Iran still refuses to sit on the table even before going back to its compliance.
ANDERSON: President Trump showed unwavering support for the Kingdom while in office. He signed a major arms deal with Riyadh supporting the war in
Yemen, and oversaw the killing of the one of the Kingdom's biggest enemy's General Soleimani.
The Biden Administration, by contrast, wants to recalibrate the relationship releasing the intelligence report implicating Prince Mohammed
bin Salman in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and he has publicly said that he wants to recalibrate relations with Saudi.
We've just seen Sergei Lavrov in the Kingdom. Is the Kingdom ready to pivot away from America should Washington not be deemed a viable partner going
forward?
[11:25:00]
AL SAUD: Well, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States is a historical relationship. It's a relationship based on aligned emphasis
in the region and the world. So that's something that will not change by administration that we've seen that in the past, I think and I hope that
this relationship will go on.
As for having the Foreign Minister of Russia in Saudi Arabia, we also have a good relationship with Russia and with many countries in the world. So
there is one thing that we have to be very clear about the sovereignty of the Kingdom and its leadership as a red line that we will not entertain the
thought of discussing.
So whether the report was out or not, that's something that fine by us, but there is a red line and we will not entertain the thought of crossing that
when it comes to our problem.
ANDERSON: During his candidacy, Joe Biden, called Saudi Arabia a pariah state with no redeeming social value, and yet he is opted not to directly
punish the Crown Prince for his role in Khashoggi's murder. He won't - the Crown Prince from entering the U.S. or way criminal charges against him.
He has said, though, that he won't be invited to visit anytime soon. So the U.S. administration has basically signaled that the diplomatic cost of
totally isolating Saudi Arabia is simply too high. And that has been criticized by many in Washington. Has that being caused for relief inside
the Kingdom.
AL SAUD: No, that's the United States issue. And Saudi Arabia, we have seen - we have seen contracts at the highest levels. We have seen that the
Secretary of State has come out and has backed Saudi Arabia and has said that he does not accept what the targeting of civilians in Saudi Arabia and
that the United States will support Saudi Arabia in defending itself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and to International Organizations in Vienna talking to me there. Well, you
know what they say the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a new result. Up next in Tel Aviv as Israel
gets ready for its fourth election in less than two years.
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ANDERSON: Welcome back. You're watching "Connect the World". It is just half past eight here in the UAE.
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: I'm in Abu Dhabi this is our Middle East Broadcasting Hub. They say the third time's the charm. But for Israeli voters hopes are now banked
on the fourth election in less than two years, the country heading to the polls in just under two weeks. So how did we get here again?
Well, the margins between the parties are razor thin and power sharing coalitions formed after previous elections holding up as well as well a
house of cards Sam Kiley, with us now from Tel Aviv for you. Sam, the last time I was in Israel, I was told of the same third time ice cream, what do
you get the fourth time a headache? What's the lay of the land this time around?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you say headache. There's actually something of a political migraine that has gripped Israel,
you wouldn't know that there was a general election on March the 23rd.
There are hardly any election posters, even though people are out now able to go to bars, restaurants and so on because of the success of the Israeli
vaccination campaign, something that Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to cash in on in terms of his very desperate effort to continue to remain the
Israeli Prime Minister.
Now it was his failure effectively to put together a viable coalition that would get budgets and other essential piece of - pieces of government
legislation through that has led to these elections. The latest opinion polls, Becky, and as we know, and you often points out, they are extremely
unreliable, sometimes here in Israel, things are very radically different sometimes on actual election night.
But they are showing effectively anybody but BB camp, neck and neck with the pro-Benjamin Netanyahu camp. At both sides, if you like showing around
58 seats, each potentially for the committed of 120 seats, ultimately meaning that in the anti-camp, they would probably have to rely on Arab
voters to get over the mark for 61 votes.
And so indeed, would Benjamin Netanyahu a small breakaway Arab party has not yet ruled out an electoral coalition. And if he were to get their
votes, according to the polls at the moment, which are potentially unreliable, that could tip it for him to 61.
So everything to play for Benjamin Netanyahu, but things has been going a little bit more right for him in the international arena, Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes. And stand by because we're going to get to that. And I want to get the point of view from Israel's neighbor, Jordan. I'm coming back to
Sam. The Israeli Palestinian conflict is one of Jordan's key issues. Earlier I spoke with the country's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ayman Safadi,
and I asked him where Jordan stands on Middle East peace, in light of this upcoming Israeli election? Have a listen to what he told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AYMAN SAFADI, JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: All that the two states solution is being undermined by, again, illegal measures that will make the
viability of that solution completely eroded.
As such we'll continue to work with partners in the region in Europe, and there would be no United States administration that has sent many positive
signs thus far to restore hope and move forward. That said electioneering as a period of elections is a period of stalemate where no major decisions
are usually made. That is one challenge.
The other challenge is that pitchy politicking and electioneering that is manifested on more aggressive measures, again, like expansion of
settlements at a pace that we have not seen for years.
Rhetoric that does not commit to the land for peace formula, which was the basis on which the whole peace effort was started and gambling with the
rights of the people of the region and all countries of the region to live in peace and security.
If you saw these are major challenges against which the only thing that needs to be done is to continue with the explaining that this is playing
with fire that this is dangerous for all parties Israelis, Palestinians, the region and the world in the writ large.
ANDERSON: Foreign Minister, we are six months in now from the signing of the Abraham Accords where the UAE where I am and Bahrain reached
normalization agreements with Israel. Of course not long afterwards, Sudan and Morocco followed suit. How does normalization by these countries impact
the prospect for peace, peace negotiations and ultimate peace at this point?
[11:35:00]
SAFADI: Well, again it depends on how Israel reacts to them. It sees them as an incentive to move forward on the right track towards achieving
comprehensive peace and solving the Palestinian/Israeli conflict on the basis of the two state solutions, then, all those peace treaties, including
the older peace treaties between Jordan and Israel, and Egypt and Israel will play an important part in ensuring that our efforts succeed.
If Israel sees them as an alternative to addressing the core issue, which is the Palestinian issue, then the conflict will only deepen, because you
will not have solved the core issue. It is not because there has been no peace treaties between Israel and the Arab states that we have a conflict
is because we have the Palestinian Israeli conflict that we did not have those peace treaties.
So ultimately, we all want peace, we all want peace to be comprehensive. Jordan is has been a peacemaker for decades. But again, it depends on how
Israel reacts? Thus far the reaction that we've seen is not encouraging because it was seen by Israelis as a substitute for solving the Palestinian
Israeli conflict as an excuse to reject commitment to the land for peace formula, and that is not going to bode well for anybody.
ANDERSON: His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan and the Crown Prince were just in Riyadh earlier this week, reviewing ties between the two countries
and discussing joint cooperation. There have been reports that if Saudi Arabia were to normalize relations with Israel that the fate of one of
Islam's holiest sites, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, of which Jordan is custodian, could be up for grabs, to which you say what?
SAFADI: The Hashemite custodianship of the Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem is a historical custodianship that goes back to the great
grandfather of His Majesty the King. It is a custodianship that has the support of all Arab Muslim countries indeed of the world. Rumors are
abundant such theories of conspiracy or abundance.
But the truth is, Saudi Arabia does support the Hashemite custodianship and the Hashemite custodianship is a historical one that is rooted in history
that is accepted and endorsed by the Palestinians and that is recognized for its important role by Arabs, Christians and Muslims all over and the
international community indeed.
ANDERSON: Let me ask you this. Jordan's Crown Prince was meant to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque this week but canceled the trip due to a dispute over
security and safety arrangements at the site. What happened Foreign Minister?
SAFADI: Well, what happened is simply that His Royal Highness wanted to go say the prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque on a holy occasion for Muslims all over
the night of Isra (ph) and Mirage. It was a religious visit to Al-Aqsa and to some of the churches in Jerusalem as well.
We had made arrangements with Israel on regard - in regards to getting to Al-Aqsa. Last minute, Israel reneged on those agreements. They violated
their obligations as an occupying power. And they also have violated the right of freedom of worship. So that's something that we are extremely
unhappy with and angry about.
And, again, a religious visit for worship, at an extremely holy occasion, was disrupted by Israeli images that we do not understand and we do not
accept.
ANDERSON: Israel's Prime Minister meantime was due to take an historic trip to the UAE where I am, but decided to postpone it last minute laying the
blame squarely at the feet of Jordanian authorities citing difficulties in coordinating his flight through Jordanian airspace. Is this true?
SAFADI: Becky, you reneged on an agreement with Jordan, you disrupt a religious visit. You create conditions that made this holy - this religious
visit on a holy occasion impossible. And then you expect to come to Jordan and fly out of Jordan. Let's be serious here. Later, there has been a
request for fly over Israel decided ultimately not to go ahead with the visit. And I think that this question should be really addressed to Israel
as to why it canceled the visit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That is the Jordanian Foreign Minister. Not mincing his words at the end of that, what do we make of all of this? Well, let's bring back Sam
Kiley. Sam?
[11:40:00]
KILEY: Excuse me? Well, I think that the level of irritation showed by Jordanian Foreign Minister there, which you and I know, is something that
is very rare indeed from the Jordanians always, extremely measured in what they say, should not be underestimated.
And it's been exploited here politically, of course, by Benny Gantz, one of the main rivals for Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, who also
happens to be as part of the coalition deal.
The Defense Minister yesterday condemning and almost lampooning the efforts made by Benjamin Netanyahu to try to get to the UAE in order to - in the
view of the Israeli political classes have a kind of international statesman like presence in the last few days of the election campaign.
And that blew up in his face because of his undiplomatic relationship with Jordan. There are two countries in the Middle East that matter, most of all
to Israel security, and they are Jordan, and Egypt. Neither country has warm relations anymore with Israel.
This sort of incident is extremely damaging, indeed, there are very close links indeed, between Israel and Jordan and Gabby Ashkenazi, the Foreign
Minister has been on several meetings on the border, effectively between the occupied territories and Jordan to try to keep that relationship alive
whilst Benjamin Netanyahu, in the view of his critics has behaved like a wrecking ball.
There is a strong attitude here and one that's reflected, I think, where you are Becky in the Emiratis, and that you could go around the
Palestinians on so many of these issues. So Benjamin Netanyahu in the and the Emiratis announcing, for example, a $10 billion investment fund from
the Emirates to come into Israel to invest in agri-tech and high tech and, and other areas.
That was something that should have been part of the Netanyahu campaign. And it is a very real amount of money, a very serious amount of money for
Israel. A sign of very great enthusiasm for economics, but none at all, for the future of the Palestinians and a much, much more important, delicate,
strategic relations that Israel has with its two nearest neighbors, both of whom they were actually involved in conflicts with, with one another these
two countries have peace deals.
The other relationships are normalization deals. They have never been in conflict between Israel, for example, in the Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, or
Morocco, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, there are still a myriad of questions still around this trip by Benjamin Netanyahu, from Israel to hear the UAE. This trip that wasn't,
as it were, be that as it may, just before we let you go, this election in Israel, we are just two weeks or less than two weeks and counting at this
point. There will be people around the world who say, is Israel looking at a future without Benjamin Netanyahu in any way, shape or form at this
point?
KILEY: For none of the previous elections, that the poor Israeli population, I think it would be safe to say he's had to endure over the
last two years - three in the past is it has it has the future of Benjamin Netanyahu been guaranteed? It is not guaranteed at all in this election,
but he will be back in court facing an array of corruption and mismanagement charges in early April.
So he would definitely like to at least be in the prime ministerial seat at that time. It is very, very, very difficult to call and dangerous to do so
in Israel based on the opinion polls. But the indicators are at the moment that it is by no means beyond the realms of credibility that the anti-
Benjamin Netanyahu camp, which includes centuries, and a lot of right wing parties could oust him.
I think that and that whatever happens in Israel after these elections, there's not going to be a left wing government. You will either have
Benjamin Netanyahu as the leader of a right wing government or somebody else or some other people, because there's also talks of potentially
sharing the Premiership in the future but - so we know that there is going to be a right wing government in Israel. We don't know who will head it? I
think is the sound thing to say, of the upcoming elections.
ANDERSON: Sam Kiley is in Tel Aviv for you this evening. Sam, thank you. Well, coming up on "Connect the World" in hockey it is critical to keep
your eye on that puck. We're going to show you a game that puts the focus on something else climate change.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: Well, we're following developments this hour on precautions being taken in Europe, several countries have paused their rollouts of the Oxford
AstraZeneca vaccine. Now, European Union regulators are investigating a possible link to reports of blood clots.
The World Health Organization, however, says there is no need to stop using the shot. Well, the UK also urging its citizens to continue getting the
vaccine. Its Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment explained to me his reasoning behind that decision.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NADHIM ZAHAWI, UK MINISTER FOR COVID VACCINE DEPLOYMENT: The regulator has looked at this up till now I think we've administered over 11 million
AstraZeneca doses. And they absolutely think that any adverse incident including a blood clot is actually within the parameters of safety of
AstraZeneca and they monitor the situation very, very carefully very closely.
And they've been very clear that people who have an appointment should continue to take the appointment and have that safety or have a first dose
of the oxygen AstraZeneca vaccine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. And a lot is at stake here, not least. As we want to encourage everybody to get vaccinated when they can so we also must report
on the details as we understand that. We certainly don't want to encourage any sort of anti-Vax sort of narratives out there.
Melissa Bell is in Paris, those who paused their rollouts, then of taking precautionary measures, it seems it's not certainly these blood clots were
linked with the vaccine. What will the process look like for determining if they are Melissa?
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Well, these individual health agencies in these countries in Denmark, for instance, has given itself 14
days to try and look in to that question of whether there might be a link?
But as you say, AstraZeneca, also pushing back against this today defending its vaccine, saying that there was nothing to suggest there was any
evidence that there was an increased risk as a result of being inoculated with their vaccine.
And clearly this has caused a divide in Europe. You those countries who have announced suspensions either the AstraZeneca vaccine, totally or of
particular batches of it other countries like France and Germany, the Netherlands, standing by it and saying that they will continue to use that
vaccine.
The French Health Minister speaking out last night Becky and saying look, 5 million people have now been vaccinated in Europe. There are about 30 of
them that are replaced that have reported problems. Of course, these things need to be investigated. But there are two dangers here.
First of all, as you mentioned, the fear that this might instill in some we heard overnight that Thailand was delaying the start of its AstraZeneca
vaccine rollout in order to await the results of those European investigations.
And of course, that other problem for Europe which is all about supplies, ever since this vaccine was launched in Europe has been beset at the heart
of political rounds of delivery delays of export bans.
[11:50:00]
BELL: And now this, it's from start to finish it's been a very difficult process.
ANDERSON: Melissa, it's always a pleasure. Thank you very much indeed for joining us. Melissa Bell is in Paris doing the Europe story for you. A sign
of just how severe the Coronavirus situation does remain in some places is.
Is this Italy has just approved a national lockdown over Easter weekend. Non essential shops will be closed for that weekend and people will be
allowed to leave their homes only for work or emergencies. The lockdown is part of a new set of restrictions passed by the Italian cabinet on Friday.
Now the country is trying to fight a surge in cases in recent weeks driven by those fast spreading variants. Well, with the pandemic has shown as one
thing for sure it's that we must take notice of the stark existential threats no matter how remote they may seem?
And that's why next where CNN's Fred Pleitgen takes to the ice, while the ice is still around next up, a hockey game with an important message about
climate change.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You've heard of the miracle on ice. The Olympic hockey game between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which was more than 40 years ago,
the U.S. pulled off a surprising win in a game that was immortalized in film and is still talked about this day.
Well, Russia is hoping a hockey could lead to different kinds of miracle today. It used a gloriously pristine and endangered lake to draw attention
to global warming. CNN's Fred Pleitgen went down to check it all out for us. What are you seeing Fred?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Becky. Well, it really is a remarkable place that we were able to travel to. Right
now we're on an island called - which is in Lake Baikal. And you can see there is some amazing rock formations right at the edge of the ice.
That's the shaman rock which is sacred to the local population here. But then if you go around here, you can just see what a vast area Lake Baikal
is and of course, the ice on Lake Baikal. Right now, you can see its strong enough for cars actually to be driving over that ice.
The local population here is telling us that the winters are getting shorter here as well. And that's of course, one of the main reasons why
those NHL stars put on that hockey game that I was able to play in as well. Let's have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN (voice over): A power play to help save our planet. Russian hockey legends playing a match on the majestic Lake Baikal the largest freshwater
reservoir in the world organized by all time NHL great Vyachesla Fetisov was now the UN's Patron for Polar Regions.
VYACHESLA FETISOV, UN PATROL OF THE POLAR REGIONS: We play on ice and as you're known ice is melting everywhere, not only in north and South Pole.
It doesn't need to be the rocket scientist to see what's going on?
PLEITGEN (voice over): I had the privilege of being allowed to play in the match on a rink made of ice blocks at this stunning venue. The initiative
is called "The Last Game" which plays hockey in places endangered by global warming around the world endorsed by the UN and even blessed by Pope
Francis.
Of course the reason for this game is very serious the warmer our earth gets, the less space there is for games like ice hockey and other winter
sports as well.
[11:55:00]
PLEITGEN (voice over): Lake Baikal is one of those endangered areas its gigantic holding more freshwater than all of America's Great Lakes
combined, a fifth of the world's unfrozen reserves. But there are a lot of unresolved problems here from unregulated tourism to harmful industries.
The Russian government also recently relaxed regulations protecting the lake. And Russia is one of the country's hardest hit by global warming.
Record temperatures for several years have led to a massive melt of its permafrost leading two giant sinkholes and releasing even more greenhouse
gases, as well as massive wildfires that further increase the world's temperatures.
FETISOV: This is the catastrophe which no vaccine could define that.
PLEITGEN (voice over): And while hockey won't save the world's climate, at least the organizers hope it will cause some to take action to try and
preserve the natural playing fields of the game that so many loved so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: So there you can see Becky, a really cool hockey game in a beautiful place but also, of course, some very serious connotations. And
the Siberia area of Russia certainly is one of those front lines for the battle against global warming.
There are so many things that have been happening here over the past couple of years, not just those wildfires that we saw on the report, but also a
massive flooding as well. And if you look at the projections for that part of Russia, it certainly seemed as though it's set to get even warmer in the
coming years, Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes, thanks, Fred, who knew you were so nimble on your feet? Stay safe stay well, wherever you are watching in the world. It is very good
evening from the team working with me here in Abu Dhabi and those who work with us around the world. Good evening.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JOHN KING, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm John King.
END
