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Blinken: Russian Aggression will be Met by United Response; Blinken Vows Unity Among Allies after Biden Predicts Russia "Will move in" to Ukraine; Hong Kong Culls 1,200 Small Animals over COVID Fears; Investigators: Former Pope Knew of Abuse & Church did Nothing; UAE: Houthis Used Cruise, Ballistic Missile in Attack; Drivers find Coral Reef Untouched by Climate Change. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired January 20, 2022 - 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, Atlanta. This is "Connect the World".
LARRY MADOWO, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: I'm Larry Madowo at CNN Center. Hello and welcome to "Connect the World".
United on Ukraine that is a message coming from the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a diplomatic mission meant push a coordinated response
to the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. This task is complicated by a U.S. President Joe Biden's comments predicting Russia will move into
Ukraine and suggesting that allies may not all agree with how to respond to a "Minor Incursion".
Those remarks getting panned by Ukraine's President who tweeted today there are no minor incursions and small nations, just as there are no minor
casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones. I say this as the president of a great power.
In the last hour we just heard from Secretary Blinken who vowed that the U.S. and its allies agree on how to respond to any Russian incursion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border and commit new acts of aggression against
Ukraine that will be met with a swift, severe united response from the United States and our allies and partners.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MADOWO: Nic Robertson has more on President Biden's comments on Russia and Ukraine and reaction from Washington, Kiev, and Moscow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice over): On the brink of a possible invasion, new satellite images show Russian troops and
armor mast less than 10 miles from Ukraine's border President Joe Biden expecting an attack.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: My guess is he will move in. He has to do something.
ROBERTSON (voice over): On what to do about Putin's anticipated move, Biden appearing less sure how the U.S. and allies would respond.
BIDEN: It depends on what it does. Its one thing if it's a minor incursion, and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, et cetera.
ROBERTSON (voice over): The White House quick to clarify, invasion, cyber- attack or paramilitary tactics will draw a united response if any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that's a renewed
invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe and united response from the United States and our allies.
Even so, Biden's apparent uncertainty, drawing withering criticism in Kiev, one official calling it a green light to Putin to enter Ukraine at his
pleasure. The diplomatic wobble, just as Ukraine's President was calming the country's nerves in a nationally televised address.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: All our citizens, especially the elderly, need to understand this. Everyone needs to exhale, calm down.
Don't run for emergency supplies like buckwheat and matches.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Concern over allies' cohesion, amplified by the French President calling for separate EU Russia talks and defense policy.
EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT: We need in Europe collectively to set our own requirements and make sure they are respected. And we need to be in
a position to make that happen.
ROBERTSON (voice over): The European Commission President faster right Macron's diplomatic doubts, insisting there is EU unity for any further
Russian attack.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT: We will respond with massive economic and financial sanctions. The transatlantic community
stands firm on this.
ROBERTSON (voice over): In Moscow where officials repeatedly insist they're not about to attack anyone, Biden's invasion comments, not for the first
time triggering a rebuff.
MARIA ZAKHAROVA, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: We are convinced that the purpose of this campaign is to create an information cover for the
preparation of their own large scale provocations, including military ones.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MADOWO: Nic Robertson there, reporting from Moscow. I'll speak to him in just a moment. But right now, I want to bring in Frederik Pleitgen from
Geneva where Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet tomorrow.
We heard the last hour Fred about Secretary Blinken setting the groundwork for his meeting with Lavrov tomorrow. And he said if Russia wants
aggression, it will be met in that direction if Russia wants diplomacy if we met in that direction, but Ukraine's sovereignty is not negotiable. And
that is something that NATO the U.S. and its allies will fight for. How is this likely to prepare for that meeting? How is that like to be received by
Russia?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you're absolutely right, first of all Larry. I think that he was trying to lay the
groundwork and also set the tone for that meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister and of course, that is something that really goes to the tone of
where the U.S. and its allies are coming from.
They are saying that obviously the sovereignty of Ukraine is not something that is up for negotiation but of course at the same time all sides are
trying to find a way out of this impasse in a diplomatic way.
[11:05:00]
PLEITGEN: And that's certainly also some of the things that we heard from the Secretary of State there in his speech that he gave there in Berlin. He
said, yes, if the Russians have security concerns, that of course, it's something that the U.S. is willing to address with the U.S. is willing to
work with Russia.
And that's really something that also that we've seen over the past couple of days over the past couple of hours where we've moved. I feel from a
trajectory where you've had the Russians obviously move more and more forces into that border area of Ukraine.
At the same time, the U.S. warning about a possible invasion, to now it seems as though much more diplomatic activity than we would have had in the
past couple of days or in the past couple of weeks where the Russians are saying they believe that there might be a diplomatic opening after some of
the things that they heard from President Biden, in his press conference yesterday.
The spokesman for the Kremlin saying, there are certain things that they believe that they could build on at the same time, of course, both sides
are still extremely far apart. And the core issue remains and this is something the Russians have said once again today that the Russians want
written guarantees from the U.S. and its allies, that Ukraine will never become a member of NATO.
And that's simply something that the U.S. is not willing to do. Now, are there nuances where the two sides could come together, that could
potentially be the case? And also the U.S. could potentially it says there could potentially be other areas where there could be some sort of mutual
understanding, for instance, the deployment or non-deployment of strategic weapons in NATO nations, and possibly also, of course, in Ukraine as well.
It's something that President Biden alluded to yesterday, in his press conference so this meeting that's going to take place in a couple of hours
here in Geneva, certainly one of the Kremlin has said it believes is very, very important, obviously, Secretary of State Blinken, also saying it's
very important but also continuously making the point that the U.S. and its allies are fully on the same page and of course, fully support Ukraine as
well, Larry.
MADOWO: And about NATO he pointed out that, for instance, only 6 percent of Russia's borders touch NATO countries, and NATO is not the aggressor so
kind of trying to point out that Russia is not being honest in its complaints about NATO and Ukraine. Frederik Pleitgen in Geneva, thank you.
Ivo Daalder is a Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, and is President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He joins me from Chicago, thank you so
much for being here. There's a lot to get through in this Russia Ukraine standoff.
So let me start off with the big picture at the top. What do you think in your estimation that Vladimir Putin wants out of this situation?
IVO DAALDER, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NATO: Well, thanks for having me on. I think what Putin wants most of all, is to make sure that he can control
the destiny of Ukraine. He is deeply scarred by the end of the Cold War, where he was a KGB officer in East Germany, saw the wall come down in 1989.
And ever since we believed that the Soviet Union and Russia have been dealt a bad hand and he now thinks he has the power to try to reassert Russian
control over its immediate neighbors. And that's what this is all really about.
It's not about NATO. It's certainly not about a threat that Ukraine poses to Russia, Russia is a nuclear power of Ukraine is not Russia's the largest
military power in Europe. But Ukraine is a - is a relatively small power in Europe. Russia has a seat at the UN Security Council. Ukraine does not.
For all those reasons the real issue is who controls the destiny of Ukraine. And Vladimir Putin wants Moscow to do that rather than Kiev.
MADOWO: You're making a lot of the same points that Secretary Blinken made in the last hour about NATO and Ukraine in saying Russia is a great nation
and he could spend its energies in dealing with some of the challenges of our time. It could be a great nation.
But do you think he said the right tone going into the meeting with Sergey Lavrov tomorrow because Russia, for instance, insists it wants written
responses, press proposals, and the Americans just stopped going to do that?
DAALDER: Yes, the Russian demands really are non-starters as the United States and frankly, everyone in NATO, all 30 members of NATO last week told
the Russian delegation, the issue of who becomes a member of NATO is for NATO and that nation to decide it's not for Russia to decide.
The issue of how NATO protects and defense its members is for NATO to decide. It's not for Russia to decide that set if there are serious
security concerns that Russia has, whether it is regard to exercises, the deployment of certain weapon systems, the level of overall level of
military capabilities in Europe, the United States has made clear and NATO has backed this.
There is room for negotiation. There's room for diplomacy, there's room for us to sit down and have a serious discussion about security issues. The
ball really now is not in NATO's court. It's really in Russia's court. What does Russia want?
[11:10:00]
DAALDER: Does it want to have a serious discussion and a serious effort to negotiate agreements to limit military forces and reduce the risks to
security and stability Europe or does Russia wants something else which it cannot and should not have which is to control the destiny of its neighbors
countries who, after all, are independent sovereign, and not to be able to choose their own foreign policies and their own domestic policies.
MADOWO: Ambassador President Biden said yesterday that Russia would pay a serious and dear price for invading Ukraine. There's also the threat of
major economic and financial sanctions that has been made repeatedly and they're aware of that. Are any of these warnings do you think a deterrent?
DAALDER: Well, I would hope so I would hope that making clear what the costs are of a further Russian aggression against Ukraine, the severe
economic sanctions that President Biden and others have talked about the - deployment of additional U.S. and NATO troops into Eastern Europe, the very
part where Vladimir Putin would like to see troops depart from and, importantly, a much stronger commitment among Ukrainians, to become part of
the West.
After all, it's good to remember that before 2014, before Russia invaded Ukraine, for the first time, there was a mixed picture within the popular
position of the populations view on whether or not to join NATO. It's only after Russia attacked Ukraine that the Ukrainians really on mass became
interested in joining the West and joining the European Union and NATO.
So that too, is something that would come about if Russia were to attack. In short the best way forward here is to have a diplomatic course, I think
it's a good idea for the United States and Russia to meet in, in Geneva. And we hope that those are the beginnings of talks that deal with real
security issues, rather than trying to undermine the sovereignty of an independent country in the middle of Europe.
MADOWO: I'd love to hear your reaction ambassador to comments from President Macron today at the European Union that the European Union must
act independently to guarantee security in Europe, especially in light of that Russian aggression that we're talking about listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MACRON: These next few weeks mislead us to bring to fruition a European proposal to build a new order of security and stability. We must build it
among Europeans, then share it with our allies within the framework of NATO, and then propose it to Russia for negotiation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAALDER: --has been going on for quite a while. And I'm a little surprised that the French President saying that in the coming weeks Europe needs to
build a proposal. I'd be interested to see how is what is that proposal? How does it differ from what the United States is putting on the - is
putting forward and what NATO has been discussing for the past few months.
I think at this point, the most important thing to happen is for Europe, the United States to stand together as one, as we deal with the threat a
major threat as Secretary Blinken in his speech in Berlin, put it to the European security order.
We're better off standing together than trying to divide each other and saying one organization is more important than the other. What's really
important is that we're all in this together and have to make clear to the Russians that invading another country in Europe is just not acceptable.
MADOWO: Ambassador Ivo Daalder, thank you so much for coming to talk to us. I appreciate your time.
DAALDER: My pleasure.
MADOWO: Let's now go to International Diplomatic Editor, Nic Robertson, who is in Moscow right now. Secretary Blinken, in his speech in Berlin, made an
interesting decision to speak directly to the Russian people Nic and said you don't want a pointless war with Ukraine. You deserve to live in peace
and stability. But this is not the way to get it. What do you make of that?
ROBERTSON: It's an appeal to try to go above the heads around the Russian government so that the Russian people understand that. You know, I think
the language that we're hearing and the context that Secretary of State Antony Blinken was setting out there is the context that they're very,
very, is the likelihood of a possible conflict here and the United States and Russia are going to be on opposite sides of it.
And I think that he is trying to set out very clearly the threat that Russia poses that this is an issue not just for the Ukrainians, not just
for the Europeans, but for all countries around the world that would have the sovereign - that would have the sovereignty of their nation to be able
to choose the future and the destiny of their nation. That's a democratic right.
And I think he wanted to put that pitch to the Russian people to say, you know, we are not coming at this as aggressive towards Russia, that NATO is
a defensive organization that Russia's messaging around this that is Russia on the receiving end of aggression, that that's not the right image that is
NATO.
Is it offensive infrastructure and that is Russia that's the country that's been responsible for invasions of Georgia of Crimea and stationing troops
in Moldova right now.
[11:15:00]
ROBERTSON: He said against the will of the people there. So I think his messaging to the people of Russia was United States and the European Union
are not the aggressors here, because he does see the very real possibility that of a conflict.
And if a conflict begins, you pitch nation against nation, and peoples very soon line up against peoples and I think this is really an effort to say
that we're not against the Russian people. This is a situation as we see it.
MADOWO: And that's why he said Russia has a decision whether it wants to engage in aggression or diplomacy, and it will match in whatever direction
it wants to go. Nic Robertson in Moscow, thank you.
Breaking news coming in to CNN right now, we're getting word of a large explosion in western Ghana. Police describe it as a huge blast and say it
has prompted a full emergency response. They're also calling for calm. No word yet on any casualties. We're following this story closely. And we'll
bring you updates as we get them right here on CNN.
Just ahead, the questionable art of political persuasion why Downing Street is being accused of intimidation and in Hong Kong despite public outcry to
save thousands of animals, authorities go ahead with a plan to try and stop COVID from spreading.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MADOWO: Intimidation and blackmail some very serious accusations being hurled at Downing Street right now. And they're coming from a member of the
British Prime Minister's own Conservative Party, who says lawmakers who are disenchanted with Boris Johnson are feeling the heat from number 10.
This coming as England further eases its COVID restrictions. Observers say Mr. Johnson's return to Plan A could help prop up his sagging support over
what's been called the party gate scandal. CNN's Nina dos Santos is at 10 Downing Street right now and joins us live. This is the second straight day
that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is getting incoming from his own party. And these claims of bullying and intimidation are quite straight serious,
aren't they?
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. And of course, they come from somebody Larry who's asked for Boris Johnson to step down and
been quite vocal for some time now about whether or not they have any confidence in the Prime Minister.
Remember the technicalities of unseating a sitting leader of the Conservative Party as such that, what you need is 54 members of the
Conservative Party or 15 percent of the amount that they have of seats in parliament to express that their lack of confidence in the Prime Minister
and that precipitates a vote of no confidence.
It doesn't feel as yet as though we're quite at that critical stage. But what this MP William Wragg is saying essentially is that for anybody who's
expressing their doubts or concerns might be willing to put pen to paper. They're facing some pretty serious pressure from some of the whips. This is
exactly the allegation that he made earlier today.
[11:20:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM WRAGG, BRITISH CONSERVATIVE MP: In recent days, a number of members of parliament have faced pressures and intimidation from members of the
government because of their declared or assumed desire for a vote of confidence in the party leadership of the Prime Minister.
Additionally, reports to me and others of members of staff at number 10 Downing Street, special advisers, government ministers and others,
encouraging the publication of stories in the press, seeking to embarrass those who they suspect of lacking confidence in the Prime Minister is
simply unacceptable.
The intimidation of a Member of Parliament is a serious matter. Moreover, the reports of which I'm aware would seem to constitute blackmail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANTOS: Well, Boris Johnson has responded to this saying that he's seen "no evidence" of plotters having been blackmailed. And a spokesman told
journalists earlier today from number 10 Downing Street, that obviously is a quite serious allegation. They don't have any evidence that this has been
happening. But if they are serious allegations, then yes, of course, they should be looked into.
The backdrop to all of this still is also the fact that there is an ongoing investigation into whether laws and rules were broken during the time of
the lockdown this time last year, when of course, though, these allegations of gatherings taking place at a time when those would have been outlawed,
so yet again, more headaches for the government.
Again, Boris Johnson having to come out and explain from one day to the next, another allegation of something that might potentially be wrong,
Larry.
MADOWO: And we're still waiting to that investigation of those boozy parties and whether Boris Johnson lied to Parliament. So still another
couple of days that we're going to be watching where you are at 10 Downing Street. Nina dos Santos, thank you.
New developments now in the investigation into side of this synagogue segue rather in Texas. Two men have been arrested in England. Police say the
suspects may be connected to the host of taking incident at the Beth Israel Synagogue near Fort Worth in Texas.
The FBI says the standoff was terrorism related. Investigators to UK Media two teenagers who are arrested on Sunday have been released. Any moment now
Australian lawmakers, Austrian lawmakers rather are set to pass a law making COVID vaccines mandatory.
Austria is the first European country to do so. The mandate would apply to all citizens aged 18 and older. Pregnant women and people who have
recovered from COVID in the past six months are exempt.
This is coming as the country saw its highest single day COVID numbers ever on Wednesday, nearly 30,000 new infections.
Despite China's relentless zero COVID strategy, Beijing is reporting five new COVID cases with just two over two weeks to go until the Winter
Olympics. Officials have sealed off another building, this time a warehouse where four workers were found to be positive.
The buildings those four people lived in have also been put under lockdown. Ahead on the show, a German law firm investigating historic sex abuse in
the Catholic Church says a former Pope knew what was going on and did nothing.
We'll have more on that - reports. And later displaced Syrians are facing an unbearable factor and ongoing war, COVID and severe winter storms that
have proven deadly for even the youngest refugees.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:25:00]
MADOWO: Welcome back. I'm Larry Madowo at CNN Center and you're watching "Connect the World". In Hong Kong a troubling updates in the fight to save
thousands of pets. Authority said they've euthanized more than 1200 small animals despite public please to save them. Kristie Lu Stout has more from
Hong Kong.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In zero COVID Hong Kong, it's come to this, owners surrendering their small pets after a call order
from the government over COVID-19 fears, an outrage from animal welfare workers on Tuesday.
Authority said that they will euthanize around 2000 hamsters, rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs over COVID-19 transmission concerns after a
worker and 11 Hamsters at the little boss pet shop tested positive for the Coronavirus.
On Wednesday Hong Kong authorities strongly advise people who purchase hamsters after December 22 to hand over their pets to be tested and
euthanized.
DR. EDWIN TSUI, CONTROLLER, and CENTER FOR HEALTH PROTECTION: We can - with the possibility that the shopkeepers was in fact, was actually infected
from the hamsters.
STOUT (voice over): The import of all small animals has been suspended. All pet shops selling hamsters have been asked to halt operations until their
animals test negative and around 150 customers of the Little Boss pet shop have been sent into quarantine.
STOUT (on camera): We have not seen the transmission of COVID-19 from pets to humans.
VANESSA BARRS, CHAIR PROFESSOR, COMPANION ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE: It does still at this stage in the pandemic with you know over several 100
million human cases of COVID. We haven't seen any pet to human transmission.
STOUT (voice over): The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of pet spreading the virus to people is low. And many Hong
Kong netizens are outraged. Tens of thousands have signed online petitions against the culling of small animals.
One Petitioner writes small animals have lives, please respect these poor lives and stop making inhumane decisions. Along with a video of his pet a
Facebook user posts, I won't hand over my hamster this government is inhumane. And an artist depicts the Grim Reaper looming over a crying toy
pet.
Despite the outrage authorities have continued with the call. So far, city officials say they have euthanized over 1200 small animals over COVID-19
transmission fears. More are expected to be culled by the end of the week. Mr. Chan a volunteer from the Hamster rescue group says--
MR. CHAN, VOLUNTEER: What I worried the most is the traumatic experience for the children.
STOUT (voice over): The hamster rescue group says it intercepted at least a dozen hamsters at a culling center today and volunteers plan to adopt them.
STOUT (on camera): To many of the city the hamsters are seen as the latest casualties of Hong Kong's zero COVID policy. Kristie Lu Stout CNN, Hong
Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MADOWO: A damning report has emerged from an investigation into historic sex abuse in the Catholic Church. A German law firm found that Pope
Benedict the XVI knew that there were priests who abused children and he failed to take action.
The firm's report covers the time that former Pope was the Archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982. Investigators say Benedict continues to deny the
allegations. CNN is contacting his long term secretary for a response. Our Delia Gallagher is in Rome and joins me now. This is really embarrassing
for the Catholic Church for the former Pope. How is the Vatican reacting?
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Larry, the Vatican put out a statement just a few hours ago. They had not yet read the report. So
they said just an initial statement that they will be examining closely the contents of the report. The report is more than 1800 pages.
It spans 75 years, and there was a press conference today from which we have the highlights from the investigators about what the report contains.
But obviously the response from the Vatican is going to wait until they comb through much of the report.
[11:30:00]
GALLAGHER: Now, importantly, in addition to the accusations against a Pope Emeritus Benedict the XVI about mishandling four cases of sexual abuse
while he was Archbishop in Munich.
There is also an accusation against the current Archbishop of Munich, who is Cardinal Marks, who is a man very close to Pope Francis and still in
office.
He's an adviser to the Pope. He did give a brief statement to the press just a short time ago saying again, he hadn't had time yet to read through
the whole report. He'll be giving another press conference next week to answer questions. But he expressed his shock and shame he said, at the
results of the report. So it will this is a developing story, Larry, obviously, in terms of what is going to be the Vatican's response to this.
The Pope Emeritus did participate in the investigation. He wrote a lengthy detailed account of what he knew and when. So it will be interesting to see
now, just what the Vatican wants to do in terms of what the investigators have said about what the Pope Emeritus knew whilst he was Archbishop.
It's important to say I think that this report was commissioned by the Archdiocese. So it is a historical reckoning that they wanted to have, as
many Catholic Archdiocese are doing throughout the world, so that they can understand what happened and obviously try and, and make it better in the
future.
So it's something that has been happening in places around the world. Of course, the importance of this one is that it has to do also with the Pope
Emeritus, Larry.
MADOWO: Delia Gallagher in Rome, thank you. And joining me now Attorney and victims advocate Mitchell Garabedian, he is known for representing
survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Thank you so much for being here, sir.
What's first, your reaction to this news that we just been talking about? That former Pope Benedict the XVI fails to act over for child abuse cases
when he was Archbishop of Munich.
MITCHELL GARABEDIAN, ATTORNEY & SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIM'S ADVOCATE: Pope Benedict's inaction is indicative of a lack of moral concern the Catholic
Church has the safety and protection of children. It's shameful. And the police should be given the report so they can investigate these crimes.
This cover up within the Catholic Church from top to the bottom as is indicated by this report now we're at the top. Pope Benedict has denied
accusations such as these in the past. He should be held accountable, just like any other individual who practices is the cover up of sexual abuse of
children. It's shameful. It's terrible.
MADOWO: And he's not the only one. It also like dealios is telling us deals with our current Archbishop who also says he's not read the report. And
when he's read the report, you'll have another statement. So what does it tell you that it deals with somebody who is still actively in ministry?
GARABEDIAN: Well, this is the practice this is the blueprint, the Catholic Church is used for decades upon decades upon decades, to version cover up,
protect the pedophiles act as though the church is the victim.
And this report really supports what that procedure by the Catholic Church and it has to end it has to stop. As we're speaking right now, children are
being sexually abused by priests and then the abuse is being covered up. Pope Benedict has led by example, by practicing cover up of the wholesale
sexual abuse of children. Again, this is not right.
MADOWO: A lawyer in these cases has said that he believes former Pope Benedict can in fact be accused of misconduct in four cases. But how
difficult would it be to try such a case in court?
GARABEDIAN: Well, there are problems with the statute limitations, and there are problems with supervisory accountability. But this report shows
it indicates that Pope Benedict acted in a criminal way and he should be held accountable.
Children are helpless that to be taken care of they did to be loved, not allowed to be sexually abused. We're talking about two priests, the Pope
Benedict covered up the abuse of and in the report, it talks about how you look the other way.
And this again, it has to be looked at by the police. Pope Benedict should be held accountable. The moral authority of the Catholic Church has once
again been weakened worldwide by these revelations of the cover up.
MADOWO: You talk about accountability a lot, but this is probably the most high profile Catholic official to be accused of being complicit.
So in a way we're kind of in uncharted territory here, but also the former pope is a man who's advanced in age who's got failing health. So where do
we go from here? How do you find accountability in a case like this?
GARABEDIAN: Well, I believe there should be a police investigation. Here in Boston Cardinal McCarrick has been charged criminally for sexually abusing
a child. And the age should not be a defense. It's very important that accountability be bizarre.
[11:35:00]
MADOWO: I apologize. I have to jump in here, Mitchell, I apologize. I have to jump in here because we want to take you to President Biden, who's
making some comments about the Russia Ukraine standoff.
BIDEN: Severe and coordinated economic response that I've discussed in detail with our allies, as well as laid out very clearly for President
Putin. But there is no doubt let there be no doubt at all that Putin makes this choice.
Russia will pay a heavy price. There is also not the only scenario we need to be prepared for. Russia has a long history of using measures other than
overt military action to carry out aggression.
And paramilitary tactics, so called gray zone attacks, and actions by Russian soldiers not wearing Russian uniforms. Remember, when they move
into the Donbas, the little green men, they weren't they were daily with those who were Russian sympathizers and said that Russia had nobody in
there.
Well, that includes low green men and uniforms as well as cyber-attack. We have to be ready to respond to these as well and decisively united ways
with a range of tools at our disposal.
Ukrainian foreign minister said this morning, that he's confident of our support and resolve and he has a right to me. Now, let me turn to the topic
of the day. By enacting the bipartisan infrastructure law, we demonstrated the Democrats and Republicans can actually work together to get something
done.
MADOWO: U.S. President Joe Biden there trying to clarify comments he made on Wednesday about any Russian invasion of Ukraine. He said now, if any
assembled Russian units cross the Ukrainian border that is an invasion.
Because there's gotten a lot of attention for - he said how NATO Allies was played over how to deal with a small incursion as opposed to full blown
invasion. And the Ukrainians were stunned by that a lot of allies have been trying to clean it up.
The White House tried to clean it up before but now he himself clarified those comments. He was speaking a short while ago at the White House. We're
going to take a quick break right now on "Connect the World", we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MADOWO: An - I apologize and to take that all over again. And unbearable situation just got even worse for Syrian refugees on top of dealing with
the Coronavirus pandemic and serious ongoing civil war.
Severe winter storms have left three children dead at refugee camps as the region braces for the coldest winter in 40 years. The aid group care is
warning that hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians are at great risk.
Turkey has taken in millions of Syrians. I want to go now to Istanbul and CNN Senior International Correspondent Arwa Damon. She has been covering
the plight of refugees for years. This is a really heartbreaking story, Arwa. You are familiar with the conditions in these camps what they like,
and how did this children die?
[11:40:00]
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's really heartbreaking, Larry, because these could have been prevented. These deaths
could have been prevented, the injuries could have been prevented, this level of suffering could have been prevented.
Because even though yes, this is the coldest year on record in the last 40 years, every single winter, similar stories emerge. These refugees live in,
in incredibly unsafe living conditions. The tents are very flimsy; they cannot withstand the pressure of the snow on top of them.
One of those children, who died, died when the tent collapsed due to the volume of snow that had accumulated on its roof. The other challenge that
these families face is simply keeping themselves and their children warm.
They don't have proper shoes, they don't have proper clothing, they don't have proper blankets. They don't even have proper ways to heat the tents.
On the one hand, fuel in Syria is very expensive.
They can't use that to try to heat up the tents in these makeshift heaters that they have. So what did they do? They resort to burning things like
plastic. Two sisters, Larry died when their tent burnt down, and they were just three and five years old.
And this winter, especially aid organizations are saying that the situation is going to become much, much worse. Just take a listen to what some
resident's insights who are dealing with these conditions had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The tent collapsed over our heads and I was trapped inside with the children. We have nothing left to eat or drink.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We pulled the children who had no one to help them out of the tents that collapsed. The Civil Defense couldn't reach us as the
roads were blocked.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: The aid organizations Larry, that are able to operate inside Syria, especially the local ones are saying that they were struggling to try to
reach those needs because of the volume of snow that had accumulated.
Another issue is that you're also getting snow plus rain which is leading to a lot of flooding in some areas. Just generally wide spread suffering.
And aid organizations this year are saying that unless assistance is increased, keeping in mind that they have constantly struggled with funding
more people are going to suffer.
One hospital Larry in the area said that they are getting people with respiratory problems on a daily basis. And people have been burnt every few
days.
MADOWO: Really sad developments for people who have already lost so much, Arwa Damon in Istanbul, thank you. We're learning that Monday strikes on
the United Arab Emirates were more involved than we initially thought.
The attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels marks a concerning escalation of the Yemen war. CNN's Sam Kylie has more from Abu Dhabi.
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The United Arab Emirates has come out with an unusual statement in line with their enemies in the
Yemen. The Houthi rebels who on Monday killed three people here, one Pakistani and two Indians and injured another eight in some kind of
airstrikes.
Now at the time Houthi is claimed to have conducted airstrikes using ballistic missiles, using drones and using cruise missiles. This has now
been confirmed as having taken place by none other than the Emirates Ambassador to Washington DC Yousef Al Otaiba, this highly influential
diplomat.
One of the leading figures in Emirati foreign policy is expected alongside his counterpart, Ambassador at the United Nations to take this information
to the United Nations and require action against the Houthi rebels.
They've also asked the United States to re designate the Houthi rebels as a terrorist organization notwithstanding the fact that the Saudi led
coalition conducted airstrikes in retaliation for the attacks on Abu Dhabi, killing at least 12 people according to the Houthis and according to the
Houthis, among them women and children.
But the use of ballistic missiles, the use of cruise missiles against the target this far from Yemen will be worrying minute military analysts both
here and in Saudi Arabia.
They have in the past used Iranian type technology to strike a long distances into Saudi Arabia using a very large missiles of the type, often
referred to as Scud type missiles if a similar missile was fired, or several of them was fired.
At the Emirates, it appears according to Mr. Al Otaiba, that some were intercepted. But there still seems to be consensus here in the emirates
that those weapons that got through that cause the actual damage here were probably drones. But the site that was targeted to the south of the city a
very large refined oil distribution center.
[11:45:00]
KILEY: In other words, a distribution center where highly inflammable products like a petrol and diesel were being distributed is seen as a very
deliberate attack not just on infrastructure, potentially to cause a much bigger, more catastrophic loss of life are driven entirely by the Houthis.
Sam Kiley, CNN in Abu Dhabi.
MADOWO: Coming up on "Connect the World" digging out from a nightmare for relief is finally making its way to Tonga after a double disaster.
We'll look at the hardships Tonga could face next. And an underwater treasure of life and color how did this coral reef stay hidden for so long
answers in a few minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MADOWO: Aid is starting to arrive in Tonga five days after a volcanic eruption and tsunami, communications are slowly starting to come back up.
But with such utter devastation, the challenges are enormous. CNN's Blake Essig reports.
BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For several days, Tonga was essentially cut off from the rest of the world because of Ashfall and damaged communication
lines. That likely won't be fixed for several weeks.
But finally, some good news, with the main runway of Tonga's International Airport cleared of volcanic ash; planes carrying humanitarian aid and
disaster relief were finally able to reach the island.
Both New Zealand and Australia flew in aid flights on Thursday with Japan also planning flights. The first flight to land carrying supplies came from
New Zealand and included water containers, temporary shelters, generators, hygiene and family kits and communications equipment, because Tonga has
essentially been COVID free throughout the pandemic.
Tongan government officials say that today's delivery of supplies was contactless and that the aircraft were only on the ground for a short time
to avoid creating a possible COVID outbreak.
Now as a result of the eruption and tsunami, the United Nations says about 84,000 people that's more than 80 percent of Tonga's population have been
impacted by the disaster, and information from outer islands still remains scarce.
While outside support is now starting to arrive. People on the ground say drinking water is their biggest concern. But that might not be the case
moving forward. That's because Tonga Speaker of the House says the country could be facing a food shortage after farmers told him that all agriculture
has been ruined as a result of the massive eruption and tsunami, Blake Essig, CNN, Tokyo.
MADOWO: So the recovery is going to be a long haul if you look at those images. Teresa Moore is a model actress and activist from Tonga. She lives
here in the U.S., but she's in touch with people back home and she's been hearing about some harrowing escapes.
Teresa, thank you so much for coming to talk to us. I know it's difficult to reach people back home because internet and communications have been
down, but those that you have been able to contact family and friends, how are they doing?
TERESA MOORE, TONGA MODEL AND ENVIRONMENTALIST: Thank you for having me, Larry. So it's been some heartbreaking stories from my beautiful homeland,
Tonga. There were many friends that were affected by this earthquake, sorry eruption and tsunami. First of all in Tongatapu in Nuku'alofa which is the
center of the town there was Exodus and they'll cause gridlock.
[11:50:00]
MOORE: And there was many families that were trying to find each other. There was for 20 minutes, there was a satellite connection. So people were
calling friends abroad, and you know, crying and trying to through the traffic, you know, move to higher land. So that was harrowing stories.
And then some of our dear friends owned resort on the West Coast, which has been tragically damaged. If you look at photos there today, you see bare
land with literally not a single shred of a building left.
And those friends of ours escaped literally with waves laughing at their tires while they were trying to drive away. And thankfully, they made it
safely inland to like inland farms. But the pictures of devastation are heartbreaking.
MADOWO: They're truly devastating. And you are familiar with this country. You're from there. What do you want people to know about Tonga? And
especially how can they help? What sort of help is needed right now?
MOORE: Yes, so just to give a background Tonga is a beautiful Polynesian island. It is isolated in one way that makes it so special because the
culture is so authentic. The land is lush and beautiful.
There's lush gardens with papayas and bananas, growing beautiful reefs with fish. It's famous for the whale migration. And its long history of people
in the South Pacific, being Mariners and having celestial navigation from Tonga.
And the most important part is the Tongan people who are a deeply spiritual and family oriented people. And they're very kind hearted and they really
need our help right now. There is so much devastation.
I think they say 70 percent of the crops are destroyed, livestock is destroyed. There's need for food and water, so humanitarian relief from
people around the world would be greatly appreciated.
MADOWO: And I know you've been encouraging people to donate to some charities, which ones are the ones that do you think are putting in work
really directly reaching the people?
MOORE: So since I was a child, the Red Cross has been very active in the region. I would recommend viewers, please to donate to the New Zealand and
Tongan Red Cross they have a special Tsunami Relief Fund.
It's called the Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund. If they could donate to that, because this will be one emergency relief which is food, water, medical
supplies. But in the long term sustainable need for the country is to rebuild homes infrastructure schools, to ensure that Tongans have a
sustainable society moving forward.
MADOWO: Teresa Moore, thank you so much for coming to talk to us and you speak so passionately about your country. We hope everybody has a chance to
rebuild because it's so beautiful. I hope we all have a chance to visit as well. Thank you so much.
MOORE: Thank you so much. Thank you.
MADOWO: And for more information on how you can help the people of Tonga please visit our website that's on cnn.com/impact. A rare coral reef has
been discovered in the South Pacific that appears to be unharmed by climate change.
Now scientists are trying to unlock its secrets in an effort to help save reefs around the world. CNN's Jennifer Gray reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER GRAY, CNN METEOROLOGIST (voice over): Divers ready their breathing equipment. And down they go. An amazing discovery before their eyes, a rare
and unique coral reef ecosystem found off the coast of the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.
At three kilometers long the reef is one of the largest in the world to lie at the depths of more than 30 meters. The majority of the known coral reefs
are found at depths of up to 25 meters. This area of ocean is unique.
Its middle ground between shallower waters in the deep ocean floor but still has enough light for coral to grow and reproduce. These giant row
shaped corals are in pristine condition some reaching two meters in diameter.
Now the scientists are examining them in an effort to find out if there could be other large reefs at the same depth yet to be discovered. But it's
not an easy task.
JULIAN BARBIERE, HEAD OF MARINE POLICY, UNESCO: That may be one of the reason why we don't find you know deep reaps you know because you know the
conditions for diving there are quite complicated. When you're going over 40 meters to 50 to 70 meters, you cannot go there with your usual scubas -
you need some special - purchase.
GRAY (voice over): For this expedition led by UNESCO these divers are using state of the art computer controlled breathing equipment known as re-
breathers. The special helium base gas mixture allows them to stay down longer and go down deeper.
The divers take photos of the reef during their mission while also measuring and taking samples to study it further.
[11:55:00]
ALEXIS ROSENFELD, FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER: So now we're going to explore the first 100 meters on the reef of Rose corals. In any case, we will try to
see if there is a colony and at what depth it stops. So here we go into an unexplored world. Explore the unexplored; it's quite motivating and
exhilarating.
GRAY (voice over): Positive news about coral reefs is rare. Rising sea temperatures, pollution and overfishing are the reason about half of the
coral reefs have been lost since the 1950s.
But this discovery means there's much more to learn about coral reefs and their surroundings that could help scientists better understand and predict
climate change. According to UNESCO, only 20 percent of the world seabed has been mapped.
BARBIERE: You can only protect what you can measure and as we are trying to set targets for global ocean conservation around the world. You know, this
is the basic information that you need to start, you know, establishing marine protected areas in the world.
GRAY (voice over): This mission was only a first attempt. More expeditions are planned in the coming months to further investigate the reef.
BARBIERE: Coral reefs is one of the most studied ecosystems so when we discover a major new jewel in the crown, it's quite unique.
GRAY (voice over): Jennifer Gray, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MADOWO: That really encourages me to go diving. Finally, we have some good news for all of you, Lord of the Rings fans, Amazon's highly anticipated
prequels series, finale has a name and a plot. The Ring of Power, that's what it's called in this set to set thousands of years before the events of
the beloved trial trilogy.
It has been confirmed that a certain Dark Lord will make an appearance as episodes explore how the 20 rings were forged, and their source of evil.
The series is set to start streaming on Amazon's Prime video service in September.
So no other say not all who wander are lost thank you for watching. I am Larry Madowo in Atlanta. "One World" with Zain Asher is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
