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Xi and Putin Meet Ahead of Games, Show Solidarity; Gulf States in Attendance Despite Western Boycott; Russian Oil Giant Rosneft Signs Gas Deal with China; U.S. Pressed to give Evidence of Russia "False Flag"; Egypt Face Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations Final. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired February 04, 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]

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Welcome back. You're watching "Connect the World". And if you're just joining us, you're more than

welcome. The Olympic flame burning bright in Beijing and while the focus now shifts to the athletes ahead of what was tonight's amazing opening

ceremony?

All eyes were on the meeting between the Chinese and Russian leaders, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin offering a united front to the world as some

100,000 Russian troops remains at a mast.

Along the border with Ukraine, the two countries issuing a joint statement directed at NATO calling on the alliance not to expand further. China also

appearing to flex some diplomatic muscle with its placement of Taiwan's athletes directly ahead of athletes from Hong Kong a move that could be

seen as China implying Taiwan has the same status as Hong Kong, which is a special administrative region of China, some funding games.

International Diplomatic Editor, Nic Robertson, connecting us from Moscow tonight to this and Selina Wang is live in Beijing. And I'll get to you

Selina, momentarily. Nic, I do think it's important because it's got the Russian president front and center was this is not a new relationship by

any stretch.

There is little question. The Russian and Chinese leaders are aiming here to show a real symbolic, united front a real show of solidarity aimed

squarely at the West.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Absolutely, I think that - now their 38th meeting, that's where they're at. So these two

leaders have a long, long relationship, Putin's come in at a moment where he needs some big sort of international appearance and some heavyweight

cloud behind him.

And certainly, it seems that President Xi is giving him that propaganda platform, even sort of sharing in the message, the joint message, that it's

NATO, that sort of falls in Eastern Europe.

That it's NATO that needs to stop its eastward expansion, that it is the United States that's causing tensions in Eastern Europe. That was a joint

message, another message as well of deepening their strategic coordination, a message there for the world in that it was said in their joint statement.

This is a message of deeper economic ties have a vision for you know, sharing on high tech, green tech, going forward a chance for Russia to

perhaps pull in a little more money on their trade deals with China, scoring 100 million ton oil deal with Russia's state oil giant Rosneft

that's perhaps in the region of $50 billion worth.

Of course, this is at the time when President Putin needs that little economic backup, because he's facing potential heavy sanctions from the

United States and the European Union and from others.

So at every level of the economic level at the political diplomatic strategic level, this, this has been a chance for China to show where it

stands. And as we all know, you know, any seating at the big table, it all depends who's sitting next to the leader who gets the first meeting

President Putin getting in with the first meeting with President Xi since the pandemic began.

And the same applies to the athletes on the track there. It's the positioning heavy diplomatic overtones all the way around, Becky.

ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. Selina, these heavy diplomatic overtones, the geopolitics of look, they've loom large, haven't they ahead of the games,

you are actually there in Beijing. What's it like tonight?

SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, it's not just the diplomatic issues that are casting a shadow over these games. It's also COVID. These

games are being held under the strictest COVID-19 counter measures in the world.

And that does put a damper on the festivities, especially if you compare it to the 2008 games. Now here inside the closed loop, we are completely

separate from the rest of the population.

The local staff here they are confined as we are to our accommodations, the Olympic venues, all connected by dedicated transport heavy security around

the opening ceremony.

This real disconnect between the games that are happening in the host city and the people that are hosting the Games. The local staff here they have

to quarantine for an additional as long as three weeks before they can return and join and be with the rest of their family.

So when I talk to people inside the closed loop, the local staff here, there is some excitement but it's hard to feel like it's a big party when

there are just so many COVID-19 counter measures you have to follow.

Now in addition to that, when it comes to the opening ceremony, there were notable absences. You have the U.S. along with some of its allies, UK,

Australia and Canada staging a diplomatic boycott for these games as a statement against allegations of genocide in China's Xinjiang region,

allegations that China strongly denies despite mounting evidence. And this opening ceremony is also symbolic of the changing posture in China.

[11:05:00]

WANG: Back in 2008, they had this extravagant ceremony with 15,000 performers over the course of four hours; it was much shorter this year

with just 3000 performance. Back then Becky, China was trying to prove something to the world prove that it was an emerging global superpower.

This time around China is not trying to prove anything to the world. They would like the approval, but they don't need it. And we saw that they were

joined by a different set of friends.

Back in 2008 you had George W. Bush, they're sitting shoulder to shoulder with Chinese leaders. This time, the guest of honor was Vladimir Putin. And

these games in this opening ceremony, Becky, is really a moment for Beijing to showcase a wealthy, powerful China and one under Xi Jinping that is more

authoritarian and increasingly at odds with the West, Becky.

ANDERSON: Selina, thank you. Nic is in Moscow, Selina is in Beijing, much has been made of who is not at the Olympics in Beijing. But let's not

forget that very many of the world's leaders or at least people represent them are in attendance.

Out of Gulf States for example, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince is there supporting the country's two athletes competing this year. The Qatari and

Emirati leaders are also there, although they actually don't have any athletes competing.

Here you see Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince landing earlier today, of course, who's who at the Olympics is part of a much wider picture of growing and

shifting relationships with China. And few understand this more than David Shullman.

He's Senior Director of the Global China Harbor at the Atlantic Council joining us live. The leaders of the UAE, Saudi and Qatar, for example, are

at the Olympics, despite only two Saudi athletes competing in the games, what is the message here, David?

DAVID SHULLMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, GLOBAL CHINA HUB, ATLANTIC COUNCIL: Well, as we just heard, you know, this is a really important moment for China to

show that it's, it's really emerged onto the global stage, it is getting global support for a risen China on that global stage.

And so the fact that yes, you have Vladimir Putin at the Olympics is important. But China has really touted the fact that it's not just the

Russian leader. You have according to China's statistics, 32 heads of state, or senior government officials, or heads of international

organizations at the Olympics in comparison to the 12 countries where there's an Olympic diplomatic boycott in effect.

And so, China trumpeting that, trumpeting the fact that you also have statements from leaders in countries around the world that aren't attending

the Olympics, supporting the fact that China is hosting this Olympics.

So the fact that you have the Middle East, in particular, sending these four leaders that you were referencing is really important and is

indicative of the fact that China's relationship across the Middle East has really deepened over the last several years under Xi Jinping.

It used to be a situation where, for China, it was kind of shying away from the region afraid of getting involved in regional security problems or

disputes. But now China is the Middle East top trading partner.

China, of course, is the world's top importer of crude half of that comes from the Middle East. And so we see a deepening relationship economically

in particular. And just last month, you had a bunch of foreign ministers from the Middle East, in China, talking about deepening relations with

Beijing, moving forward on a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

So this is happening really across the board in the economic space, and increasingly in the political and security space as well.

ANDERSON: That's right, the Gulf traditionally, very closely aligned with the United States, with the U.S. still providing most of the security in

the region.

There is a sense here, and we're broadcasting from Abu Dhabi, as you know, that the United States is trying to make these countries around this region

choose between Washington and Beijing, it's either us or them, and that's not going down well here. How do you read the positions here in the Gulf

and around the region and the leverage that Washington has or had going forward?

SHULLMAN: Yes, that's really the critical question, right. So as you have this, U.S. China rivalry deepening, globally, and as you have China's

influence increasing in the Middle East in particular, what is that going to mean for, for the United States partnerships and alliances with

countries throughout the region?

And I think, you know, we've seen that just in the recent in recent weeks, you know, you had these reports the U.S. saying that the UAE was going to

have a Chinese facility that had military applications and kind of to some degree are not UAE to shutter that facility, which they did.

[11:10:00]

SHULLMAN: But then you had just weeks later, the UAE kind of pulling back from a deal for U.S. F-35's reportedly having something to do with U.S.

pressuring the UAE on not using Huawei.

So you know that this kind of push and pull is something that, you know, the countries in the region are going to have to kind of get used to that.

And to some degree, they can probably benefit from it, you know, bouncing each the United States and China off one another.

But it's going to be complicated going forward. And we're going to see the Chinese, I think, in particular, really making a push towards trying to

create wedges between the United States and its allies and partners, as they do in Asia, as they do in Europe, and taking advantage of any space

that there appears to be between the U.S. and its partners.

That all said, you know, I think the you know, it's clear that while China has made a lot of progress in the economic relationships in the region, the

U.S. still remains, you know, the security partner of choice for most countries.

And the importance of that was only underscored just a couple of weeks ago with the U.S. reaction to the Houthi missiles being fired. So that still

will remain, you know, a key factor and no one's saying that China is - placed the United States, but this right, rivalry will really be a defining

characteristic for years to come.

ANDERSON: Yes. And to a degree, it's uncomfortable. I mean, the reality is, as you rightly pointed out that countries like this one, the UAE needs

relationship with both the U.S. and with China.

It looks east and it looks west. And this is, you know, ultimately, this is business follow the money. Not so keen to get caught up in this sort of

these diplomatic spats. I just wonder, finally, what the perception in Washington and from your sort of vantage point is of the sort of arrivals

the sort of symbolism that we've seen in these international arrivals.

I mean, you know, the story was, who's not going to go the story now really is who is at the Olympics, as opposed to which countries have boycotted it

in a diplomatic way, correct?

SHULLMAN: Absolutely. I mean, I think that the, you know, you can look at the, the governments of the countries that are primarily sending leaders,

not all of them, some are democratic countries, but most of them are non democratic.

And that and the fact that the United States was not able to rally more than 12 heads of state, from democracies around the world, indicates the

challenge that the United States and the administration is going to face in trying to rally a more united approach to China's repression at home, its

aggression abroad, at a time when you have resurgent authoritarianism around the world.

And coming back to the Middle East, I mean, I think, you know, the nature of the fact that you have non democratic regimes in that region, you know,

is also a key factor for why China's, you know, kind of going to be able to have arguably an easier path to building ties there.

And even just in the recent meeting, that I cited, Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China was talking about a thinly veiled criticism of the United States

for you know, its patriarchy, external patriarchy over the Middle East and intervention, Middle East affairs.

China, of course, famously says that it doesn't care what sort of regime is governing a country. And that may make things easier for China as it builds

those relationships going forward.

ANDERSON: Yes, I'm glad you did point out. And I think it is important to point out that the attendees there are fairly representative of the world's

sort of systems as we see it, yes, there are some less than democratic representatives or representatives of less than democratic countries.

But there also there are - there is a good majority of a good number of countries who would deem themselves democratic and including, of course,

the Secretary General of the U.N. and the Head of the W.H.O. It's been a pleasure talking to you, Sir. And we'll have you back. Thank you.

SHULLMAN: Thank you very much.

ANDERSON: While the diplomatic boycotts have loomed rather large in some countries in the West, at least, the U.S. Olympic team is doing its best to

steer clear of the controversy, have a listen to what the U.S. Olympic Committee President had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUSANNE LYONS, PRESIDENT, U.S. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE: We were very opposed to having the athletes bear the burden of trying to send a

message that the government wanted to send. We think that diplomats and government agencies should be working one with the other to resolve the

world's differences.

And we think that the athletes should be able to do what they do best, which is come together with other athletes from around the world in a

demonstration of peace and harmony.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[11:15:00]

ANDERSON: And you can keep up with the latest Olympic news on our website of course go to cnn.com for the latest results middle council so to up

close look at that China's efforts to defend the bubble and keep COVID from impacting the competition.

That's the computer of course through CNN app on your Smartphone. France is going to help the UAE this country here the United Arab Emirates protect

its airspace.

Following a series of missile and drone attacks French Rafale fighter jets, which are based here in Abu Dhabi will patrol alongside UAE forces. The

Iran backed Houthi rebels so militia group have claimed most of the attacks and the UAE says most were intercepted.

Well coming up after the break Russia unveils new energy deals with China as the two countries leaders meet. We'll have more on Russia's pivot to

China. Plus millions of Ethiopians will be in dire need of humanitarian assistance in the coming months and the conflict in the north isn't the

main reason. My interview with UNICEF's man on the ground is just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well, Russia and China are bolstering their energy alliance with a huge new gas deal. Russia's biggest oil producer, Rosneft announced it

will provide nearly 100 million metric tons of oil to China over the next decade.

Now this deal was unveiled earlier during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the

Olympics opening ceremony, of course. Anna Stewart is covering these stories from London. I mean, this is a big deal. Just how big, let's get a

sense of that from you, if you will, and could China ever replace Europe is Russia's biggest market at this point?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, that's certainly a conversation, isn't it? There's deal today from Rosneft 100 million tons of oil over a decade.

That accounts by my calculations between one and a half and 2 percent of China's overall oil annual needs. So it is sizable.

The question is would this have happened without the Olympics because actually Russia has been pivoting towards China in terms of trade for years

now. And we've seen that particularly actually just over the last couple of years.

In fact, last year, trade accounted for $146 billion. And you can see just how much they increased by over 30 percent, both in terms of exports and

imports. And energy is such a huge part of that equation. And it's not just oil. You mentioned gas.

There's been so much focus at the moment on the fact that Europe is Russia's biggest gas market, given the tensions we're seeing given the

potential for sanctions disrupting that, could Russia simply divert much of its gas to China.

It's just not that simple. Now they are working on it since 2019. Russia has been exporting increasing amounts of gas to China through a new

pipeline. It's called The Power of Siberia. We can show you a Gazprom map of where that goes.

It's got a limited capacity currently around 10 BCM. It will ramp up to about 48 that's billion cubic meters. You'll see there though a dotted line

on the left. Now that is something of a pipe dream because that would connect Yamal, a really gas rich region of Russia to China via Mongolia.

[11:20:00]

STEWART: Now this is because Russia would very much like China to be its main market, I'm sure for natural gas, not least given the situation we're

seeing right now in terms of tensions with Europe.

But also, the fact of the matter is, Europe is trying to focus much more on renewable energies and move away from gas, which is part of a whole

separate gas crisis we're seeing in Europe, this is a pipe dream.

And that is some of the problems, some of the capacity issues we see Russia would love China to be an even bigger part of its overall trade equation.

But it'll take years, it'll take so much investment, and that is something that will be very difficult to happen if it is imposed sanctions by the

West.

ANDERSON: I just wonder whether it's clear whether China can afford to pivot to Russia. I mean, when we consider it, it's, you know, it's not

really like Russia is going it's going to fill in the gaps at this point, really, is it?

STEWART: No, and I think it's really interesting when we consider this relationship because it's not an equal friendship. Yes, China is Russia's

biggest market. But if you flip it the other way around, Russian accounts actually for just 2 percent of China's overall trade?

China's biggest partners are the U.S. and Europe. So although it may agree on a diplomatic side of things on geopolitical stages, when it comes down

to trade and the economics of the situation, it may not be such a steadfast friend, particularly if the West doesn't pose sanctions on Russia.

And I think the annexation of Crimea in 2014 was a really good case in point because China stood with Russia, in many ways on a diplomatic stage.

But then you look at trade, and actually the year following that trade fell by 29 percent. The situation may have changed ever so slightly, but really,

we are looking at a slightly one sided friendship here. Russia relies much more on China.

ANDERSON: Thank you, Anna. Amazon shares soaring after the company's strong earnings report. Here's a look at where they stand right now. Now, Amazon

announced quarterly sales jumped 9 percent more than $137 billion.

Retail giant also said it's raising the cost of memberships to Amazon Prime and these shares just keep going. Amazon is a - Sea Giant, of course in the

retail world and so it follows that Amazon Chief Jeff Bezos would build a giant yacht.

In fact, this super yacht is so big that it can't fit under an iconic bridge in the Netherlands. Well, the ship builder wants the city of

Rotterdam to temporarily remove the bridges middle section so that the new yacht can pass through official saying no decision has been made.

John is to talk all things - Amazon CNN's Nada Bashir, she's in London. I wanted to call this a ship. But actually I think I'm right in saying these

super yachts are super yachts and they'll only be a ship that they have more than 12 bedrooms.

Well, this even though this is enormous, it probably doesn't have more than 12 bedrooms, so it can be called a super yacht anyway, be that as it may,

let's get to those earnings first. They were better than expected. I think Jeff Bezos is better off to the tune of some 20 billion today. What pushed

these numbers higher?

NADA BASHIR, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Becky, that certainly is a good question. And we are seeing these numbers rising and right now you'd expect that to

be the focus for the Amazon founder. But really, the headlines have all been on this super yacht, this 19th century bridge in Rotterdam is quite

the iconic and historic bridge there in the Netherlands.

And they now local authorities are being asked to temporarily take the bridge apart in order to allow this super yacht not quite a ship to pass

through. Now, let me tell you a little bit about what we know so far.

The Super yacht is currently in the process of being built in Rotterdam. And as we understand it, it is near completion. But in order to get to the

ocean to get to Jeff Bezos, it will need to cross beneath this bridge. And as you mentioned, it is simply too large to do so.

And now local authorities are considering taking apart this bridge in order to allow the superyacht to pass beneath it. Now, as you said, this is still

under consideration. But even the question posed by Jeff Bezos and the shipbuilding company has caused quite the debate amongst locals, take a

listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The more mornings you have the more power you get, even though it goes against principles of the city. The city says we're not

going to do it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What can I say? I guess big money wins again, as always, but it will also create some employment of course, and I think that's

important for this region as well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASHIR: Now we have from local officials, who have acknowledged the boost this has generated to employment. And this is an important and significant

project for Rotterdam which is the maritime capital of Europe.

[11:25:00]

BASHIR: We've also heard fierce criticism not only from locals but often from politicians. The Green Party local councilor has asked why the city

should be expected to jump to the request of Jeff Bezos. Given that this is such an iconic and historic monument in --Rostam.

And we've also heard this debate spread further afield. Let me quickly read your tweet from U.S. House Representative Adam Schiff. He said, if Jeff

Bezos can pay to dismantle a bridge in the Netherlands to fit his super yachts, then his company should have no trouble paying their fair share in

taxes so we can build bridges in America.

Now as we understand it, ocean co the shipbuilding company and Bezoz have said they'll fit the bill, but this request is still under consideration.

But as it stands, it could mean that Bezoz won't get his superyacht delivered as quickly as he'd expected, Becky.

ANDERSON: Thank you, Nada. Well, while Jeff Bezos adds to his fortune, Melinda Gates Melinda French Gates, as she is now known, is reportedly

changing her mind about where to distribute hers.

The ex wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates may not now give the bulk of her nearly 11 and a half billion dollars to the Bill and Melinda Gates

Foundation. That's according to an unnamed source quoted in The Wall Street Journal who says French Gates is expected to donate to other charitable

groups.

Well, the U.S. says Russia could fabricate Ukrainian attacks to justify an invasion, what Moscow is saying about that claim is just ahead. And

Ethiopia has been at war with itself for over a year. But now it's fighting another battle and the situation is desperate.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well, Russia is denying U.S. claims that it is making a propaganda video showing a fake attack by Ukraine. Stay with me on this.

The U.S. says this could be a pretext for an invasion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calls the allegations delusional.

Moscow has more than 100,000 troops as you will be well aware near the Ukrainian border but insists it has no plans to send them in. Well, where's

the U.S. proof? A fake attack video is being planned.

I want to play for you an exchange between the State Department spokesperson and a reporter for the Associated Press. Listen now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NED PRICE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: This is derived from information known to the U.S. Government. Intelligence information that we

have declassified, I think--

MATT LEE, ASSOCIATED PRESS DIPLOMATIC WRITER: OK, well where it is, where's this information?

PRICE: It is intelligence information that we have declassified.

[11:30:00]

LEE: Well, where is it? Where's the declassified information?

PRICE: I just delivered it.

LEE: Ned, you made a series of allegations and statement.

PRICE: Would you, would you like us to print it out the topper because you will see a transcript of this briefing that you can print out for yourself.

LEE: That's not evidence. That's you saying it. That's not evidence. I'm sorry.

PRICE: What would you like in that?

LEE: I would like to see some proof that you that you can show that--

PRICE: Not you have been--

LEE: That shows that that shows that the Russians are doing that, that I've been doing this for a lot of time--

PRICE: I know that was my point. You have been doing this for quite a while, you know that when we declassify intelligence permission?

LEE: That's right. And I remember--

PRICE: We do so in a means, we do. We do so within - protecting sources and methods.

LEE: That's not going to fall. I remember a lot of things. So where's the declassified information other than you coming out here and saying.

PRICE: Matt, I'm sorry, you don't like the format. But we have declassified -

LEE: That's not the format, it's the content.

PRICE: I'm sorry, you don't like the content. I'm sorry, you, I'm sorry you are doubting the information that is in the possession of the U.S.

government. What I'm telling you is that this is information that's available to us, we are making it available to you, in order for a couple

reasons.

One, is to attempt to deter the Russians from going ahead with this activity. Two, in the event, we're not able to do that in the event, the

Russians do go ahead with this, to make it clear as day to lay bare the fact that this has always been an attempt on the part of the Russian

Federation to fabricate a pretext.

LEE: Yes, but you don't have any, any evidence to back it up other than what you're saying. It's like you're saying, we think we have information.

The Russians may do this. But you won't tell us what the information is.

PRICE: That is the idea behind deterrence, Matt. That is the idea behind deterrence. It is all hope that the Russians don't go forward with this.

LEE: And when you ask what the information in, you say, I just gave it to you. But that's not what you--

PRICE: You seem not to understand. You seem not to understand the idea of deterrent. We are trying to deter why Russians are moving forward with this

type of activity. That is why we're making a public today. If the Russians don't go forward with this, that is not ipso facto an indication that they

never had plans to do so.

LEE: Then it's un-provable, my God.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, CNN's White House Reporter Natasha Bertrand joining us now, from the U.S. Capitol. That was a tense exchange, Natasha. And to the

veteran AP reporters point, has the U.S. actually presented any actual evidence to back up what's known as his false flag operation claim? And

what's the purpose of Ned Price flagging it as it were now?

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: They haven't presented any concrete intelligence or evidence that might back up these claims that

they're making.

And the source familiar with the matter tells us that this video doesn't actually exist yet that what the U.S. government has been warning the

public about is the possibility that Russia has been preparing to make such a video for pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.

Now, the reason they're published publicizing this now is because they're trying to create kind of a pattern, showing that they have intelligence

suggesting that Russia has a range of options at its disposal to launch an attack and make it look like it was a Ukrainian provocation.

So they have these hundreds of thousands of troops buildup on the border, as you said. And they are poised to attack but they need an excuse that

will allow them to say to the international community, that they were just defending themselves.

And so the U.S. is trying to get ahead of any so called false flag operation here, as these talks with the Russians yield no major

breakthroughs. Now, the Ukrainians have also been apprised of this video.

And they've been pretty much in lockstep with the U.S. on this intelligence assessment and intelligence information over the last several months in

terms of having it shared with them, not necessarily in terms of how they've interpreted it. But take a listen to what Ukraine's Foreign

Minister Dmytro Kuleba said about this video.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DMYTRO KULEBA, UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The United States shared this information with us shortly before its publication, warning that such

information is available. In principle, what was made public does not surprise us, because since 2014, we have seen many insidious actions of the

Russian Federation.

And the fact that it does not stop at anything, it attempts to falsify something, and once again, accuse Ukraine.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERTRAND: So this is something that Ukraine obviously has seen before. They are not surprised by this. They do not necessarily see this as evidence

that an invasion is imminent. But they are watching this very closely because they recognize that Russia is capable of engaging in these tactics,

Becky.

ANDERSON: Thank you. If you're a regular viewer of the show, you will know that armed conflict has been plaguing Ethiopia for well over a year pushing

the country to the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe.

[11:35:00]

ANDERSON: Ethiopians are also grappling with another crisis one that brings back devastating and traumatic memories.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice over): This is what much of Ethiopia's lowland region looks like today, dried up streams, and millions without food and water. Three

consecutive years of little to no rain have brought on severe drought in four main areas, and the impact has been devastating.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We expect the solution to this drought only from Allah. The cattle have suffered, many have died, human and cattle are

suffering due to the drought.

ANDERSON (voice over): And it could get much worse. According to UNICEF, more than 6.8 million people will need urgent humanitarian assistance by

midyear across Ethiopia's drought affected areas.

GIANFRANCO ROTIGLIANO, UNICEF ETHIOPIA REPRESENTATIVE: The droughts are coming on regular basis in these areas nowadays. That was not the case

maybe 50 or 60 years ago, and it maybe, really, really bad situation that the famine situation.

ANDERSON (voice over): Gianfranco Rotigliano is UNICEF's man on the ground in Ethiopia. He says the organization urgently needs $31 million dollars to

provide water, food, nutrition, medication and educational support to drought affected areas.

ROTIGLIANO: The impact of children not going to school is so clear. I mean, we lose generations to take --these days. So resources are limited. But

they are now shifting all the resources they have to find the draft.

ANDERSON (voice over): Why Rotigliano mostly blames climate change for this disaster. That's clearly not the only factor here. In November 2020

fighting erupted in Ethiopia's northern degree region. It's now spilled over into other parts of the country. Analysts say the conflict is

exacerbating the drought provoked crisis.

ABDULLAHI BORU HALAKHE, SENIOR OFFICER, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE: Naturally, whatever concept to cause, people will stop doing all the

economic activities that you know would help them. And so therefore, conflict in the western region of Ethiopia has made drought in that area

very difficult.

And if the funding for this year or next year comes through humanitarian appeals, I think that is just a temporary fix.

ANDERSON (voice over): This is not the first time Ethiopia has experienced severe drought, shocking images of starving children in the 1980s laid bare

the horrific realities of the damage it can inflict. And while nobody wants to see that happen again, UNICEF fears it might.

ROTIGLIANO: --not step in yes, we may face that is a global issue and a global issue - international community has to tackle. And we are in the

frontline and we are facing catastrophes that should be avoided, but very consumed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have been displaced due to the drought. The drought forced us to drop out of school. Our teachers also have left. Our cattle

are all dead. But I want to continue my education.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, if you'd like to support the people of Ethiopia, you can head to unicef.org and contribute to its funding appeal. Any amount, of

course, counts folks.

Well, a dramatic rescue effort is taking place in Morocco. Crews are trying to reach a five year old boy who has been trapped in a well since Tuesday.

Workers have dug deep down and now they are digging across.

It's been a delicate operation as they tried to ensure the ground doesn't collapse. Food, water and oxygen have been sent into the well, the mission

has captivated Morocco's people pray, this little boy comes out safely. And our thoughts of course are with him too, well just ahead.

Well, let me tell you there was a lot of dancing in the streets of Egypt last night because well the country has its eye on a very big prize. It's

not theirs though, yet.

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[11:40:00]

ANDERSON: Well look, we could talk about penalties, we could talk about a bit of luck, but in the end only one thing matters when it's the second of

the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Teasing you here, those are the faces of the Egyptian fans, Amanda Davies joining us with their story.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes Becky, and stark contrast to the images coming out of Cameroon and Yaounde because Egypt got past the hosts

knocking them out of the Africa combinations at the semi final stage.

We have to say it wasn't the best semifinal despite all the hype and anticipation. But as you said it's just a case of making it into the final.

It went down to penalties at Egypt haven't lost a penalty shootout in six attempts now.

And you know, as an English fan, we know how quite what an achievement that is. Absolutely, but yes. So Egypt into the final against Senegal on Sunday

looking for a record eighth Africa Cup of Nations final but it would be that first since 2010.

And of course we've heard from that - this week talking about what a first trophy with his country would mean to him. He very much hoping to lead from

the front to get his hands on that trophy - last.

ANDERSON: Fantastic. That's World Sport coming up after this break with anchor Amanda Davies. And that's it from us tonight, slightly different

timings for you tonight. We will see you Monday have a good weekend, wherever you are watching in the world, don't go away though because a man

is back after this.

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(WORLD SPORT)

[12:00:00]

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