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Connect the World
More European Countries Pause Use Of AstraZeneca Vaccine; European Medicine Agency Chief: No Indication The AstraZeneca Vaccine Has Caused These Adverse Conditions; Lloyd Austin: China Has Modernized Military Over Past Two Decades; Families And Friends Say Slain Politicians Were Tortured; Former U.S. Ambassador To Myanmar Speaks To CNN; Rosamund Pike: Tragedy Of "I Care A Lot" Is That It Can Happen. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired March 16, 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, CNNI HOST: Well, this hour AstraZeneca has problems just keep on getting bigger vaccine safety versus vaccine politics butting heads
in Europe as with each passing hour, it seems another country is hitting the pause button on the Oxford University developed AstraZeneca vaccine.
You can see the map here countries big and small, temporarily suspending use of the product. The reason or reports that some people who received the
vaccine developed blood clots the reality only a few dozen out of more than 17 million who've gotten the AstraZeneca jabs have experienced this
potentially dangerous side effects.
And those pauses could not have come at a worse time, a third wave of the Coronavirus pandemic threatens Europe and new variants continue to spread.
Well, European Medicines Agency warns these suspensions will undermine the rollouts at a pivotal moment. The agency Chief saying the benefits of
taking the AstraZeneca vaccine outweighs any risks.
The EMA's expected to release a full report on Thursday. But even if it ends up endorsing the vaccine, which does seem likely, give them what they
have said to date. Has the damage already been done? And will it threatened vaccination efforts in other parts of the world? Fred Pleitgen joining me
now live from Berlin. What's the latest where you are Fred?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Becky. Well, I think that you're absolutely right. I think that there is a big
threat, that the confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine could be a further shake.
And I think one of the reasons for that is something else that you said it's very important here in Europe is that this vaccine has seen the
confidence in it shaken really from the beginning since it started being administered. If you recall for instance, the Medicines Agency here in
Germany initially only approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for people 65 and under and later reverse that.
But folks who are in Germany, a lot of them were very reluctant to take that vaccine now that started changing recently. And now the vaccine has
been halted once again. Of course, that is something that can shake confidence once again.
And I think also one of the things that a lot of Europeans will be looking at right now is that a lot of the folks in EU member states and when you
just saw that map of how many of these EU member states have now halted the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine?
A lot of them making that decision only today, when at the same time you have the European Medicines Agency coming out and saying, look, we still
believe that the benefits do outweigh the risks. And there is some criticism also here in Germany of the government's decision to halt the use
of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
There are many people who are saying exactly that. They're saying look, in this country, there were seven people will develop some of these very
dangerous blood clots in 1.6 million people who got that vaccine.
So certainly, government's coming under criticism for the way that they're handling it. But absolutely, also a big blow to the confidence in that
vaccine, which is so very important, not just here in Europe, but really around the world as well Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, we know that there is vaccine hesitancy, and perhaps our viewers will be surprised to learn there is an awful lot of it in Europe.
How has the reaction being in Germany?
PLEITGEN: Well, you're absolutely right. First of all, there is in Europe, there is a lot of vaccine hesitancy, there certainly is a lot of vaccine
hesitancy, but here in Germany as well, and a lot of it had to do with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
I was at a vaccination center about two weeks ago here in Germany. And they were telling me that they still had people coming. They're asking, for
instance, not to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, but to get the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, because they had heard better things about it because of
some of the things that politicians had been saying here in Europe.
So it has been an issue at the same time. Of course, a lot of people need a vaccine, a lot of people also needs the AstraZeneca vaccine, and especially
here in Germany, what they've done is a lot of the elderly people have been getting the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine because it was always approved for
people over the age of 65.
And a lot of people in key industries, like for instance, working in government agencies working in the police, teachers, for instance, have
been getting the AstraZeneca Vaccine and a lot of now very angry that that stopped. Let's listen to what some people have to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: AstraZeneca I've arrived here now and I'm told it's no longer being done because Ms. Merkel has decided AstraZeneca will no longer
be vaccinated. On caring for my mother who was 84 and I'm really upset and cross.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was supposed to be vaccinated today. And I arrived here and find out that it's no longer possible. I'm a bit shocked I have to
say honestly, because I feel a bit like I'm not being taken seriously and like being in a kindergarten for adults.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:05:00]
ANDERSON: All ages voices from Germany Fred Pleitgen, on the story for us in Berlin. Fred, thank you. While the vaccines offer hopes that there is a
light at the end of the tunnel. Italy is a reminder of just how far we still have to go to end this deadly pandemic?
Shops, restaurants, schools, museums all closed in cities across the country today amid a strict renewed lockdown. Our colleague Melissa Bell
takes us to Rome.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Italy, aiming to slow the spread of COVID-19 once again. In Rome, as in Milan, Venice and half of
Italy's region's authorities began on Monday morning, enforcing a new lockdown.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Essential travel or health reasons these are the exceptions. Our job is therefore to verify whether citizens actually
obeying the law.
BELL (voice over): For Italians who'd hoped until the last variant driven uptick that a coroner had been turned the new lockdown, which will last
until April 6th is a massive blow.
ETTORE TOMASELLI, OWNER, DAL BOLOGNESE RESTAURANT: One year later, and it feels like it never changed. And we close in March last year and now we are
back again close, working only with delivery and takeaway.
BELL (voice over): Difficult also for those on the front line the healthcare workers who dealt with the first wave and who now have to deal
with the third.
DR. ALESSANDRA SPEDICATO, ANESTHSIOLOGIST: Exhausted, we are feeling very close to depression. We were not allowed to have only days so other lives
during this year. And we experienced the death of our patients, the illness in our colleagues, so maybe I could say that we are facing a PTSD.
BELL (voice over): The pressure is now on Italy's new Prime Minister Mario Draghi's made improving the vaccination rollout his priority and wants 80
percent of Italians vaccinated by September.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BELL (on camera): Italian authorities are hoping that their new vaccination strategy will be a game changer. They announced over the weekend that their
aim is to give 500,000 injections per day. Here at this vaccination center just outside of Rome airport they had been delivering the AstraZeneca
vaccine. But just as we arrived, officials here were given the word that they were no longer allowed to distribute it.
One lady who had been turned away told us I was already unsure about it because Germany had stopped it this morning. AstraZeneca she said I won't
do it. I have a pacemaker, so I wasn't too sure about it and now even less a fresh blow to the vaccination campaign of a country that has so far only
fully inoculated 3 percent of its population. Melissa Bell, CNN, Rome.
ANDERSON: Well, let's bring up our Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is a familiar face I know to many of you, our regular guests of this
show. She has been with us throughout this pandemic and following today, the lockdown in Italy and indeed, this news around the Oxford University
developed AstraZeneca vaccine.
This is really important stuff help us understand this Elizabeth, is there proof that this vaccine causes blood clots?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky, there isn't proof there is no proof. What we've seen is that this vaccine has been widely
used around in various countries around the world. And some people have gotten blood clots.
The big question that has yet to be answered is did the vaccine cause the blood clots? Or were those people going to get blood clots anyhow because
unfortunately, people do get blood clots. So let's take a look at what's happening in Europe.
So there are 15 countries that have just suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. They say look, there's just you know, we're going to stop down at
least for a time and look into this. And there are four countries, the ones in yellow, where they've just suspended or they've just stopped using
certain batches.
Now let's take a look at the numbers. As I said a lot of people have gotten this vaccine. 17 million have received the AstraZeneca vaccine in Europe
and 37 have gotten blood clots and that's according to AstraZeneca. So there has been commentary from various regulatory agencies.
Let's take a look at what the government regulator in the UK has said there with the MHRA which is a regulatory agency there.
[11:10:00]
COHEN: This person said, given the large number of doses administered and the frequency at which blood clots can occur naturally, the evidence
available does not suggest the vaccine is the cause. So UK regulators do not think that the vaccine is the cause of these blood clots again, 70
million people, people get blood clots.
The question is, is it happening more among folks who got vaccinated with AZ than when with the AstraZeneca vaccine than people who aren't vaccinated
at all? Or people who were vaccinated with different vaccines, Becky?
ANDERSON: All right, that makes sense. And thank you for that. This is really, really important that we work out the sort of details here. As we
understand it, this decision to suspend the Vaccine was coordinated action by European Union heavyweights, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
And there are concerns that geopolitics are playing out here versus the UK after Brexit. The UK, of course, is where this vaccine was developed at the
University of Oxford. So here is the deal. A lot of people are now wondering do the benefits - given what you've just said - do the benefits
here outweigh the risks?
COHEN: You know, Becky, it's such a hard question to answer because we don't know what the risks are. These people who've gotten blood clots, it
may have absolutely nothing to do with the vaccine. This vaccine may not put you at an increased risk for blood clots.
So we don't even know what the risk is. And that's what regulators need to figure out. So let's take a listen to the Head of the European Medicines
Agency who recently said something about this very topic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMER COOKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EUROPEAN MEDICINES AGENCY: I want to also stress that at present, there is no indication that vaccination has caused
these conditions. We are currently - we are still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19 with its
associated risk of hospitalization that outweighs the risk of the side effects.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: So that now is the tough work of regulatory - regulators all around the world really. The U.S. will be looking at this vaccine soon. Does this
vaccine cause unusual risks? And if so, are the benefits of the vaccine worth the risks, Becky?
ANDERSON: Elizabeth, it's so important to have you on thank you very much indeed for spending the time with us today. Well, folks, I want to bring
you an update now on what may seem like a relatively mundane and obscure meeting in an organization that is perhaps largely known for holding rather
dense and technical meetings bear with me here.
It is, in fact, buried under this headline members discussed trips waiver, LDC transition period and green tech role for small business. Well, it's
not exactly a scorcher is it? But what's underneath it vastly important.
It covers a proposal at the World Trade Organization originally submitted in October last year that essentially says parts of the group's
intellectual property rights should be waived as it relates to and I quote here, the prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19.
It's still not being passed, the deal would basically mean that all bets would be off and everyone could use the latest and best advice to help come
up with the best ways to combat the pandemic where they are, without the fear of legal repercussions when it covers industrial designs, patent
disclosures and things of that nature.
This is important stuff. It's not unending, it needs yearly review and it can be terminated. Well, there are a raft of co-sponsors, the group known
as LBCs, the world's least developed countries and others such as Mozambique, Pakistan, Mongolia, Egypt and Venezuela.
They have all got one thing in common, they are not in the "Rich World", their position pretty clear that quote, the waiver proposal represents an
open an expedited global solution to allow uninterrupted collaboration. But not everyone agrees.
Those against it point out "The role of IP as an incentive for innovation to fight the current and future pandemics you can see where they are coming
from and why". You will of course, know that such developments come from the so called developed world, the industrial world. And it is right that
IP law is an essential part of global commerce that is true.
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: But in a pandemic; we've seen things happen at warp speed during the pandemic, but despite the application coming in October and another
meeting on this in February, the deal has not been done the next meeting on this not scheduled until June. I've seen this framed as and I quote,
colonial powers prevail at the WTO.
The world ought to at every level surely come together in every way whatsoever to enable the rapid approval of any and all mechanisms legal,
health, political and otherwise, to help the world. Just something to think on and a note that we are always keeping our eye on stories like this on
every part of this pandemic. It affects us all wherever we live in the world.
Well, still to come tonight on "Connect the World" if you push we will push back. The U.S. taking that blunt message for China on the road we will tell
you what America's top diplomat had to say in Japan?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Very next on their guns with a serrated edge on one side and a blade on the other. I think that is what was used to pull my
husband.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Submerge about alleged killings and torture politicians arrested by Myanmar's military. You will hear that from their family members ahead
on this show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: U.S. is taking its message that America is back on the world stage to Asia and right to the neighborhood of China. Secretary of State
Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin kicked off their tour in Japan. This is Blinken's first overseas foray in his new role as America's
top diplomat and he did not mince his words.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We believe in democracy and human rights, the rule of law, because we've seen how our own countries are
stronger because we adhere to those values and because they're under threat in many places, including in this region.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the talks focus largely on China. Austin says Beijing built up its military while America wasn't watching.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. LLOYD AUSTIN (RET.), U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: For the last two decades we've been focused on necessarily focused on issues in the Middle East. And
while we were focused on issues in the Middle East, China has modernized its military.
In addition to that it has engaged in aggressive and in some cases coercive behavior and some of that behavior has been directed against our allies in
the region. And so our goal is to make sure that we maintain a competitive edge over China or anyone else that would want to threaten us or our
alliance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: Well, Anthony Blinken meantime warned that the U.S. and its partner in Region Japan will "Push back" against any Chinese aggression or
coercion. The two allies also talked about North Korea. Austin said they believe, both believe for denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula is a top
priority.
Well, the pair will head right to North Korea's doorstep as they travel next to Seoul. CNN's Blake Essig is in Tokyo for us. U.S. Security
Correspondent Kylie Atwood is at the State Department where we will start Kylie. Joe Biden making countering China a primary focus of his presidency.
What did you make of what Blinken had to say today?
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. So we have seen this from the get go right? Countering China becoming clearer and
clearer one of the priorities of the Biden Administration alongside reaffirming alliances, and that is exactly what Secretary Blinken and
Secretary Austin are doing in meeting with Japan.
And in meeting with South Korea this week, before Biden Administration officials sit down for their first face to face with Chinese officials
later this week. And I do think it's important to know that they're not just you know, saying that they're going to do this they're actually doing
it Secretary Blinken and Austin did meet with Japanese officials today.
And they spoke about reaffirming that alliance working on issues to counter any threats in the region. Obviously, that China is one of those it's right
on the doorstep of Japan. And I want to point out just exactly what Secretary Blinken said about Chinese coercion and what the Biden
Administration will do to confront that alongside its partner. So let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLINKEN: China use this coercion and aggression to systematically erode autonomy in Hong Kong, undercut democracy in Taiwan, abuse human rights -
and Tibet and assert maritime claims in the South China Sea that violate international law. We will push back if necessary, when China uses coercion
or aggression to get its way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ATWOOD: And of course Blinken and Austin were also confronted with comments from North Korea, just as they landed in Japan warning them that the Biden
Administration should not create a stink on its first outing here. And so it is a shot across the bow from North Korea, which has not responded to
messages that the Biden Administration has tried to send them in the last month.
But we're going to have to see how the Biden Administration plans to handle the challenge of North Korea. Their policy review is ongoing, and it's
something that they're definitely talking about with Japanese and South Korean allies.
ANDERSON: This is fascinating. Blake, what has been the perspective of this trip and of Blinken's comments, both from China and U.S. allies in region?
BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, generally speaking for Japan, this trip was a huge geopolitical win. I mean to think that the fact that
the Biden Administration sent their first cabinet level overseas trip to Tokyo really speaks to the importance of the U.S. Japan alliance.
You know, not only between the two, but obviously, you know, across the world is the most important alliance for these two countries. Now,
throughout the meetings, a number of topics of mutual interest were discussed, of course, a free and open Indo/Pacific region, the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and of course, an increasingly aggressive China specifically in the East in South China Seas.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi addressed that topic, towards the end of the meetings, here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOSHIMITSU MOTEGI, JAPENESE FOREIGN MINISTER: Issues of China were the topic which we spent the longest time on when we were discussing the
regional situation. We agreed that we strongly oppose any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Sea.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ESSIG: Our spokesperson for China's foreign ministry was asked about Blinken's comments as well as the meeting between the United States and
Japan shortly after the meetings took place. And here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZHAO LIJIAN, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: We think the cooperation and communication between Japan and the U.S. should strengthen regional
understanding and trust. It should be beneficial to cooperation among countries in the region, and beneficial to peace and stability in the Asia
Pacific region. And then it shouldn't target any third party or harm the interest of any third party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:25:00]
ESSIG: Again, a lot of anti-Chinese rhetoric today focusing against you know, when you when you talk about all the topics that were talked about,
really, China was a front and center Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating. I want to get back to you Kiley in Washington. Because the Biden Administration has been very clear that foreign policy
under this new administration should not veer too far from home. He wants foreign policy, and the positions that his team takes to be very clear why
they are doing it and what it means to the American public?
Does Joe Biden have bipartisan support in Congress for his administration's position with regard China at this point?
ATWOOD: I think he does. I do think there are a tremendous number of China hawks on the Republican side, obviously, you know, Biden is a Democrat, but
he has maintained that China is the biggest U.S. competitor at this time. And so by putting that front and center, I think that the Republicans here
in Washington, feel that that's a good thing.
They have seen that the Biden Administration has maintained that they're going to keep up competition with China. But there are concerns emerging in
Washington, particularly among Republicans about the administration's focus on climate change.
They fear that their focus there could potentially eclipse challenging China on other issues, because if they're willing to work with China on
climate change what they have said they are willing to do, they are a bit fearful that that could mean they're not going to challenge China on some
of the other issues.
Now, the Biden Administration is going to be meeting with Chinese officials later this week, as I said, and I do think that it is notable that they
have said that they're going to be discussing a number of concerns that by the Biden Administration about actions that China has undertaken in the
region, with the Uyghur camps, all of these issues, so they are not putting climate on a higher pedestal at this time. So we'll have to wait and watch
and see how that turns out, Becky.
ANDERSON: And we thank you. We must remember the former administration's efforts with regard North Korea and the love letter between both Donald
Trump and the North Korean Leader. Let's just get you a take from North Korea on all of this and I quote here we take the opportunity to warn this
new U.S. administration trying hard to give off powder a small in our power small in our land.
It is she wants to sleep in peace for the coming four years it better refrain from causing a stink at its first step that is the leaders. Thank
you both.
Well it security forces and processes clash in Myanmar, a geopolitical tug of war underway to determine what comes down the road in that region? A
Former U.S. Ambassador will be here to talk about that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: We'll now connect you to a fight for democracy in Myanmar that is sadly turning deadlier by the day. United Nations now says at least 149
people have been killed since the military coup started there on February the first and that's including dozens of protesters killed during rallies
against the coup this past Sunday.
Other sources put the overall death toll even higher. United Nations says hundreds of people are still missing an information about them is hard to
get. Protesters are not the only victims of this crackdown, according to family and friends.
Politicians are being rounded up and killed. Paula Hancocks has that story but a word of warning. Her report does contain some graphic images. So if
you don't want to see those now please turn away.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): And all too familiar scene in Myanmar these days, the funeral of yet another killed by increasingly
violent security forces. Khin Maung Latt was a member of Aung San Sui Shi's National League for Democracy.
A 58-year-old politician who was supposed to be part of the new democratic Myanmar instead fiercely critical of the military coup witnesses say he was
taken from his home in Yangon in the middle of the night by security forces and was dead within a day.
His family showed us photos of the body, which showed wounds suffered while in the hunter's custody a wound at the back of the head one friend says he
believes it is clear what happened to a traveler.
He says the wounds he received could only be from intense torture. The military has not responded to our request for comment. Just days later, -
was arrested in the early hours of the morning. He too was dead within a day. Footage of his body shows significant injuries to his abdomen and
face.
The - says he fell from a building onto a steel fence while trying to escape. His wife says there is no steel fence near their home. She says the
soldiers have bayonets on their guns with a serrated edge on one side and a blade on the other. I think that is what was used to kill my husband. His
neck is sewn up as well, they cut his neck and start his stomach and killed him brutally and inhumanely.
The U.S. State Department has condemned "Security forces actions that resulted in the deaths of two NLD members". The UN Envoy for Myanmar says
she's heard direct accounts of prisoners being tortured. The nighttime arrests continue, including NLD member - seen here on CCTV footage being
pushed into the back of a military jeep last week.
His family says they've heard nothing since one of hundreds that have disappeared hundreds more are in hiding. I am constantly on the move he
says, constantly switching places. I too have been to prison for over 10 years. I was tortured - to sign confessions.
I can't be arrested again - widow says she has lost all hope and direction but has to carry on for their 10 year old son. She says she's heartbroken
but proud of her husband for showing the world how brutal the military can be. Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That's Myanmar's military flexes its muscle to keep power. My next guest believes China is trying to protect its turf speaking about
China to "The New York Times" recently, my next guest said and I quote, they consider it their sphere of influence. No doubt about it.
He added they are very wary of American influence in Myanmar. Derek Mitchell is a Former U.S. ambassador to the country. He joins us now from
Washington, Former Ambassador to Myanmar. So let's start with China. Beijing has spoken out against the violence, but refrain from directly
condemning the military coup.
Many demonstrators see China as an ally of the military. And on Sunday, Chinese violence factories were set on fire during these protests.
Myanmar's largest trading partner and closest neighbor. China of course has more scope than the west to influence what happens next in Myanmar.
You have said the government the Chinese government sees this coup as a moment of opportunity. How so sir, explain if you will?
DEREK MITCHELL, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO MYANMAR: Well China - thank you for having me on. First of all, but China as you say they're interested,
first and foremost of their own interests. Protect their own interests they have - they need the resources. Myanmar is a very resource rich country and
China needs the resources they have.
[11:35:00]
MITCHELL: They want access to the Indian Ocean, and roads and rail can run to the Indian Ocean, they use pipelines that run from the Indian Ocean to
China for oil and gas. That's what they care most about; simply protecting those interests and anything else they will see as a problem of instability
on their border.
So really, what they're, you know, they're taking advantage of the opportunity here for the world to condemn what's going on inside the
country, and maybe find a way to cut a deal with the military. So that these interests are protected, which is all they really care about.
ANDERSON: There will be those who are watching this show who have seen the latest UN response and quite frankly, we'll call it anodyne, and more
platitudes with regard Myanmar without Chinese support at the as a permanent member of the Security Council, what next?
MITCHELL: Well, we should keep trying to get China to show some support for this. This is not some great power competition or about their own interests
in the country, because in fact, if there is instability on their border, or the people don't consider their government legitimate, they will not be
suppressed.
And they will take it out against those countries that have shown to be on the side of their oppression, rather than those on the side of their
freedom. But assuming China does not come along; there are other countries that have interest and influence. Starting with ASEAN, ASEAN typically does
not get involved in internal affairs of their neighbors or their members.
But this is coming at the expense of their reputation; this is going to come at the expense of their stability and their development. And they have
to do more and you see it from Indonesia and Singapore, they recognize the need to do something, they've got to turn up the heat in some substantial
terms, either as individual countries, or as an organization.
Japan and India have enormous interest in the country, they keep talking about the well will push them to China, if it's very misguided, very short
sighted, they need to also turn up the pressure and show that they are on the side of the people the country, which is the future hope of the
country, rather than this murderous effort relative, keep them down.
ANDERSON: And I want to talk about the country's future. You were America's first Ambassador to the country, Myanmar after President Barack Obama eased
decade's long sanctions in 2012. At the time, Myanmar was emerging from years of geopolitical isolation and military rule. Military rule, of
course, is where it is back. And now, can democracy still be saved sir? And what role could America play at this point?
MITCHELL: Well, look at the people all over the country, the one thing that is unifying this incredibly fractious country, a country that is divided
along ethnic and religious lines, it is the longest running civil war in the world. And yet people united for democracy for their freedom against
military.
They are tired the half century they had of military rule that ran this promising country into the ground. And they are they have gotten a taste of
the freedom of past decade, and are united and saying no, we're not in our generation, not again. So there is hope for democracy. There absolutely is.
And we're seeing that on the streets of the country, as difficult as it can be. What can the United States do? We have to stay true to them. We are - I
am very appreciative of what the Biden Administration is doing and leading the effort on targeting sanctions on getting the international community to
come along. It's a hard thing to do.
There's more they can do. But we can never legitimize this government. We can never give it credence. We have to just shine a light on it and not
forget about what's going on there and just stay in solidarity with the people best we can through our actions.
ANDERSON: Yes, standing in solidarity is important. But look, 149 people have been killed since the beginning of this military coup. And that number
you and I know could be much, much higher. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reiterating today on his trip to Japan that the military his
actions are I quote him here a direct attempt to overturn the results of a democratic election.
Let's be blunt here. There is an awful lot of talk and yet little is being done to materially change this deadly bloody situation on the ground. Is
this the international community failing the people of Myanmar?
MITCHELL: Various - of this much more that international community can do let's be blunt as well. What is being discussed by some people in the
country and I hear it from friends. Save us can you use your military to come in here and take out this military, there is not going to be a
military solution to this. We are not going to solve it from the outside. We have to be blunt, but there's much more we can do to impose a cost.
[11:40:00]
MITCHELL: What the military cares about is their money, their power their families, they care about national sovereignty, some, but more about their
money in there. So we have to shut down that money. We have to attack the reputation. We have to get their neighbors to wake up to this challenge.
We can't simply accept the slow rolling, as you saying murder of the democratic hope of these people, whether we can assume a military invasion,
which is what people there want, I just don't see that as much of a possibility. But we have to, we have to do more.
And I agree. And I think all of us wringing our hands to figure out a way that we can make this military changes calculation, one thing that we know
is that there are those in the military that recognize that this is wrong. We know that because people in the military voted for Aung San Sui Shi, and
the NLD in the last election, that this path only leads to ruin.
We have to appeal to some within the military make a different calculation. And hopefully, I hope that they can push back against the route that they
on which is only destructive to the country and to themselves.
ANDERSON: Ambassador, thank you.
MITCHELL: Thank you.
ANDERSON: You're watching "Connect the World". Up shortly, Rosamund Pike, no stranger to winning acting awards, but she won't let them in the house.
I sat down with this creative with a conscience to talk women in film and why she is deeply invested in every character that she plays.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Today is my freedom day. The day that we shine a light on the scourge that is modern day slavery around the world and what we can all do
to stop it. For the fifth straight year CNN has called on youngsters all over the world to lead this day of action.
Well, I saw firsthand what students at the American community school here in Abu Dhabi are doing to raise awareness. This morning I was on the
school's campus, got to hear some of the students ideas on spreading the word about modern day slavery have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BELA KOSHY, 11TH GRADE, AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Freedom to me means to be able to stand up for what I believe in and to speak and act
independently and to advocate for those who can't. So something that I'm really passionate about is migrant worker rights.
Although there is a labor law, oftentimes this isn't enforced and workers can get trapped in a cycle of debt bondage which could restrict their
freedom of movement. So something that I've been working on is the ACS labor values, and these values will protect the human rights of the workers
at our school, including during the construction of the new campus.
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: That's fantastic. What does freedom really mean to you? When you when you started thinking about this project, which is an incredible
project from well done to Bela? What did - what did freedom really mean? How did it resonate with you?
KOSHY: Freedom means to be able to do whatever you want, and however you want, without anything restricting you. So for example, these values will
be able to protect the rights of the workers and have they been able to be free from any debt that they may face.
ANDERSON: Good for you. Good for you excellent. Sharif and Aden, I know you. You've both been working on an initiative together. Tell me about it.
SHARIF HASSEN, 11TH GRADE, AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Yes, so he and I are both part of the leadership of the body that nations program is yes, which
has really been a staple of the high school for a couple of years now. And part of that is because the student body is so active politically, and
socially.
And so what we do is simulate the UN Committee, General Assembly and other sort of committees, their debates on a plethora of those issues. And so, by
providing opportunity to students, we allow them to come and collectively solve these issues from multiple different perspectives, which is something
that they're really passionate about.
ANDERSON: Aden, this you're looking at this through the prism of the sustainable development goals, as I understand it.
ADEN COPPENS, 11TH GRADE, AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Yes. Recently, we held a panel with our service coordinators and people that have done real change
in the world. And I'm interviewing them to talk about how anyone can sort of walk the walk.
And we were able to discuss the different types of STDs that we collect corporate and to understand that our everyday like lifestyle, so you talked
about no poverty talked about, STD's time as well, which is to mention like the - 16 institutions--
ANDERSON: Fantastic.
ADEN: --kind of search platform for that we're able to talk about change and hopefully inspire people in the future to continue with--
ANDERSON: Amazing and I, you know, using the Model United Nations to work through the ideas behind modern day slavery is so important very briefly.
So I just want to hear from you. What are you doing? What are you up to?
MATTHEW AYOUB, 9TH GRADE, AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Well, here we are in 2021, and people are still being deprived of their most fundamental human
rights, the rights to be free. And this past year, I've been taking activism and I've really come to realization that the younger generation is
the main leader of change, and we are capable to change a lot and spread awareness.
We also - we represent peace and we represented the future and if we work together, we can eradicate modern slavery, and make the world a much better
place.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Don't forget Garden Gnomes. How about burying awards near the rosebush instead and leaving a little bit sharing. That's what Rosamund
Pike says she is doing with the Golden Globe that she won last month. His Best Actress in a Comedy crime for Netflix's "I care a lot". There are -
what's the dark - it will be a dark comedy I have to say there are a number of other trophies down there apparently.
I spoke with Rosamund Pike recently and began by asking her to explain how she felt when her name was announced at the globes? You got to see her
reaction. Take a listen.
[11:50:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROSAMUND PIKE, ACTRESS: It is surreal. I still try and analyze what is it that goes on in your body that moment your categories called is called
because literally your heart is like it's going to jump out of your desk. And then you think am I actually frightened of winning?
Is that the fear - is that fear the winning because I know having lost but the feeling goes away when your name is not read. So I think it's some
paradoxical fear of the limelight which is I know so strange, but it's - it is something like that.
ANDERSON: What's the story here?
PIKE: Marla Grayson has found a loophole in the state legal system where she - where she works, and she have found a way of in cahoots with a doctor
who's slightly manipulating the truth. Together with her agency, which is an agency which offers legal guardianship for elderly people?
She's found a way of taking a case rapidly to a family court and having a case brought before a judge where an elderly person on the right to their
doctor is not given a legal guardian that they haven't requested nor has a family member requested.
ANDERSON: What was it about Marla's character that was most intriguing to you? You have said that this is the most exciting female character that
you've read in years.
PIKE: I relish the chance of a female character that is completely devoid of shame. I think shame lingers in the background of many female
characters, even brave and brilliant and heroic ones shame is a sort of key shadow in many female characters.
I also think films about ambition, are usually very delicious and very interesting. And usually they center on a man. She's one of these women who
when other people see danger, she sees opportunity. And I think she knows the games that men play, she knows that men will try and control women.
She sees it we see early on in the film when the lawyer comes into her with the assumption that he's going to be able to buy her. And Marla doesn't
react like that the expectation of the men she comes up against.
ANDERSON: When you accepted your Golden Globe, you said my quote, you're here. Maybe I just have to thank America's broken legal system for making
it possible to make stories like this. What did you mean by that? And do you believe there are lessons to be learned out of this movie?
PIKE: I think almost everybody will get to the end of the film. And we'll look at whether what she does is actually possible. And they'll find that
it is possible and it does happen. And these stories are based in truth. And that's, you know, that's the tragedy that underpins this very dark
comedy that we've made is that this can happen.
ANDERSON: In recent years you've played courageous characters and biopic like Journalists, Mary Colton in 2018 is a Private War or Scientist Marie
Curie in Radioactive in 2019. In "I care a lot" you take a completely different role moving from heroin, to an anti heroin and icy cool legal
guardian in preys on seniors. Is it more challenging to channel anti heroine characters?
PIKE: The biggest challenge is always to play somebody who has lived and if that person has lived recently, as in the case of Mary Colton. Death is
still very much you know his very role to the people in you and loved her.
That is the biggest responsibility that I can imagine and that I've experienced because, you know, you want to bring something that's as close
to documentary as you dare while not being the person that you want to embody that person fully and any bum note is going to resonate horribly
through the movie.
ANDERSON: Listen, 2020 has been a - it's been a tough one for so many people and--
PIKE: Yes.
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: --I'm not sure how much time you did have free but as you reflect. But as you reflect on 2020 what are your thoughts?
PIKE: Oh, I have so many thoughts. You know, I have a big overriding thought, which is how are we going to solve the financial crisis? I have
big ideas that, you know, really there should probably be attacks on the very richest of people in the world to cover it.
I do believe that there are really strong arguments in support of that. And I think we - something has to be done in that has to be looked at in a
serious and kind of open minded way. I think it's also delivered, you know, harrowing, harrowing times for so many people.
And of course, some people have benefited hugely, it's - it's in some ways plumbed that divide that we've been living with, you know, it's opened up
that hole even wider. But shone a light of where we all need to change. I mean, on a personal level, I've not been able to work.
I've had, but on another level, I've also had space to think, you know, it's given me creative time to see where my - where my brain goes, when
it's not under pressure. And I play music again, for instance. And, you know, I'm sure I'm not alone in taking up something that I've neglected for
years through lack of time.
And I've also realized how important headspace is, and how important you know mental clarity and calm is. And I've been working with two guys in
Bristol developing an app called "Luminate", which is using this stroboscopic sequencing from the flashlight on a smart phone to subtly
alter your consciousness.
And as you experienced a session in a darkened room with the camera light quite close if you're like me. And I think for most people who've tested
and tried the app, you go on a journey of pure escapism where you get quickly in touch with what your consciousness might look like.
And you see colors you see patterns. It's like a complete brain rinse or a brain reset. And that has 100 percent come out of all the things I've been
thinking about through 2020. So that's illuminate and that's - you know what an actress's mind does when it's read from the day job, I suppose.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: She is a delight as you our viewers, so look after you as Rosamund says both body and mind. Good night, stay well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:00:00]
END
