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Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Shot, in Critical Condition; Russia Steps Up Strikes Ahead of Donetsk Offensive; Russia's Blockade Pushing Somalia Toward Catastrophe. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired July 08, 2022 - 04:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:30:00]

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this hour, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in a critical condition after being shot during a campaign rally. Authorities say he sustained a gunshot wound to the neck, was taken to a hospital by helicopter. Japan's current Prime Minister says Abe is undergoing emergency treatment. Police arrested a male suspect in his 40s, that they say used a homemade gun.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is attending the G20 Foreign Ministers Summit in Bali, Indonesia, here's what he had to say just a short while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: I do have to say, before we meet, how deeply saddened and deeply concerned we are by the news coming from Japan, about the attempt on the life of former Prime Minister Abe. We don't know his condition. We do know that apparently, he has been shot. Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, his family, with the people of Japan. This is a very, very sad moment, and we are waiting news from Japan. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is with me. You obviously, reported on Abe during his time in office because he was this towering figure on the world stage. He still is, isn't he. Just explain to people who don't necessarily know who he is how important he was in global politics.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: You know, I think Will King put it pretty well, when President Trump went to Japan and met with Shinzo Abe, Shinzo Abe rather than taking him into a formal meeting, which Trump never liked, took him to the golf course, they had hamburgers, they even switched hats as well, baseball hats. Which was really to connect with Trump, and that allowed him to have good relationship with Trump in relative terms, and for Trump to answer the calls.

Abe was a Japanese Prime Minister who really looked out to the world, rather than the region. In this was one of his defining characteristics. When he came back to being Prime Minister 2012 to 2020, in those first two years in office, he had almost 50 foreign trips.

So, you know, it's little surprise that we hear from, you know, not only the current Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressing his sadness, but from Scott Morrison, from Malcolm Turnbull, two previous Prime Minister from Australia, because he connected with them.

It's no surprise that we've heard from Narendra Modi expressing his sadness. Abe was the first Japanese Prime Minister to be invited to India for their Republic Day.

It's no surprise they've heard from Boris Johnson. Abe had connected and had a strong relationship with David Cameron, former Conservative Prime Minister -- 2+2 relationship.

No surprise that we've heard from Emmanuel Macron expressing his sadness as well because Abe had connected and had a strong relationship.

FOSTER: A truly uniting figure?

ROBERTSON: A uniting figure and taking Japan to the world stage and strengthening Japan's defense forces at a time when the world, the European Union, NATO, both former strong alliances with Japan under Abe's leadership. We're looking to Japan to play a bigger role for global security in the Pacific region. Abe was the man who was delivering that because it was in Japan's interest. But it was at the right time, of the time of China's ascendancy. When the United States and others were looking for stronger regional support. And Abe's personifies that.

FOSTER: Nic Robertson, thank you. That's the shock on the international stage.

Of course, more shock within Japan itself. Let's go to know Koichi Nakano, a professor of Japanese politics at Sophia University. Thank you so much for joining us. I just want to talk a bit about what we saw unfold earlier today. It was such a shocking scene for everyone, but a lot of people outside the country really surprised to see the former Prime Minister so unprotected. But that's the culture in Japan, isn't it. People have access to politicians and these moments are extremely rare.

KOICHI NAKANO, PROFESSOR OF JAPANESE POLITICS, SOPHIA UNIVERSITY: That's correct, I think of course you know in the pre-war period political assassinations became very common and that was the background of the rise of

militarists in the 1930s.

But in the post war period, there were of course rather shocking case of political assassination in 1960, and even more recently too, occasionally, there was a case of stabbing and even shooting of politicians including the shooting of the Nagasaki mayor in the 2000s. But of course, you know, still, the general norm here is that gun violence is extraordinarily rare, and something like was -- caught us by utter surprise and shock and horror.

FOSTER: Well, if we bring up images of the gun that was used, it's very clearly a homemade gun.

[04:35:00]

Because you can't buy guns, I mean it's a famously restrictive gun control laws there in Japan. So, the only option here was to, you know, make this bizarre weapon, but it actually proved highly effective as we've seen. This is part of the shock, isn't it, that a gun was used in a situation like this.

NAKANO: Yes, I guess so. I mean, of course, you know, even though legally of course, it's nearly impossible to get guns unless you are a hunter. And with a license and going through, of course, rather time consuming and demanding procedure. But in the past, there were, of course, racketeers and Yakuza, mobsters who had guns that were used in assassination cases like this. But I guess this is the first time when we see a handmade gun highlighted to be used in this kind of case.

FOSTER: We're just seeing there, the remarkable bravery as well of the security people that were there tackling this attacker. We're told he did not try to run away, although the images do suggest that. NHK reporting that, you know, he did not put up much of a fight. How is the nation responding today?

NAKANO: Well, there's a great deal of concern, and of course as the former Prime Minister seems to be battling for his life, everybody is hoping that he will be able to recover. Though the prospect may not be looking so good at this point. But at the same time there's been growing concern about the overreaction in terms of, you know, the suppression of freedom of, you know, freedom of speech.

And also, that this is happening at a time when the voting date is only two days from today. And the major parties including the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has suspended campaign for today, and other major parties also ensued. But the voters will be deprived of a precious opportunity to talk about issues, to hear about the issues, and to have informed debate before the voting takes place. And in that sense, all the reaction to terrorism may actually play in the hands of those terrorists who want to, you know, horrify us to of course control us through terror.

FOSTER: This could be a turning point, couldn't it, with the election cycle that we're seeing. Because as you say, there is going to be -- you know, the security services there are going to say we have to protect politicians, we cannot possibly allow this to happen again. But as you say, that does toy with the political culture of Japan. You know people to have direct access to their politicians. Do you think there will be a huge amount of resistance within Parliament to any tighter security at events like this?

NAKANO: Well, there's been debates about of course the insults, and you know, on the internet, the harassing -- particularly of female candidates. And in some ways, it caught us by surprise that Prime Minister Abe who's on the right of the political spectrum, you know, becoming a target -- of course, also a man. And of course, better protected than most politicians on the campaign trail. Because of course, he had security guards. Most politicians and candidates do not have anybody around. And of course, female candidates have also been harassed from time to time.

So, I think, you know, there is going to be some debate about this, but of course at the same time Japan has a very strong peace culture, and everybody I think appreciates that we are able to, you know, mingle with the politicians without having to go through body checks and so forth.

And so, maybe in the short term there's going to be a strong reaction. But I think there is still a very strong concern about the political sort of exploitation of this very unfortunate and very, you know, disturbing event to change the Japanese political culture.

FOSTER: Koichi Nakano in Tokyo, thank you very much. Our thoughts with the nation, and particularly with the former Prime Minister.

Now the war in Ukraine is fueling a famine thousands of miles away. Ahead on CNN NEWSROOM Clarissa Ward shows us how that impact is being felt.

[04:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Updating you on our breaking news out of Japan. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is said to be fighting for his life this hour after being shot whilst giving a campaign speech in western Japan. He's now listed in critical condition. This was the moment he was attacked, seconds later the alleged gunman was tackled by security personnel. He reportedly used a homemade gun. Local fire officials tell CNN Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says Abe is undergoing emergency treatment. Abe's wife reportedly is now at the hospital.

In Ukraine, Russia is laying the groundwork for the next stage of its offensive in the east, but Ukrainian forces are fighting back.

This is video of Ukrainian troops firing at Russian positions on Thursday. Ukraine says Russia is now stepping up artillery strikes in the Donetsk region, with dozens of towns and villages coming under fire in the past 24 hours. Russian infantry also has some success, they say in advancing in the region but about 45 percent of Donetsk is still in Ukrainian hands.

And down south, Ukraine has raised its flag over the Snake Island after Russian troops pulled out last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin now says Russia will fight the war to the bitter end, but he is blaming the West for it.

Meanwhile, Ukraine slams Turkey's decision to release a Russian ship allegedly packed with stolen grain. Ukraine has asked Turkey to detain the Russian flag vessel which had sailed from the occupied port of Berdyansk. But the ship was released by Turkish authorities on Wednesday evening. Ukraine's grain that helps to feed millions of hungry people around the globe, aid agencies warned that Russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports is putting them at risk.

In Somalia, Russia's blockade of Ukraine wheat export combined with years of drought have left the country facing a humanitarian catastrophe, Clarissa Ward joins us live now from Mogadishu -- Clarissa.

Clarissa Ward, CNN chief International correspondent: That is right, Max. Somalia is no stranger to hunker. In 2011 a quarter of a million people here died in a famine. Then again in 2017.

[04:45:00]

The international community and government actually managed to prevent another famine, but the fear now is that Somalia is in the midst basically of a perfect storm. Four failed rainy season, on top of that economic downturn on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the blockade of its wheat is really threatening to push this country over the edge.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): On the edge of the Na'im Camp just outside Somalia's capital, Zamzam Muhammad shows us the fresh graves of those who have died here.

ZAMZAM MUHAMMAD, NA'IM CAMP DIRECTOR: 1, 2, 3.

WARD (voice-over): There are 30, she says in total. The victims of this country's record drought. As the camp administrator, Muhammad is tasked with burying the dead.

MUHAMMAD: (Speaking a foreign language)

WARD (voice-over): From that corner to this one, she says, this line of graves is all children.

WARD: It must weigh on your heart to have to bury these little children.

MUHAMMAD: (Speaking a foreign language)

WARD (voice-over): You feel such sadness when you bury a baby, she tells us. I'm a mother and I can feel their pain as a parent.

Some 500 yards away, Nourta Ali Homey has yet to visit the graves of her three children. Severely malnourished, they died after contracting measles.

NOURTA ALI HOMEY, MOTHER: (Speaking a foreign language)

WARD (voice-over): I cannot bear to go she says, the grief, I would feel.

Aid agencies warned that Somalia is marching towards another famine. Nearly half the country is hungry. Some 800,000 people have been forced from their homes this year alone.

WARD: So, two months ago, this camp didn't even exist. Now, there are more than 870 families living here.

WARD (voice-over): Conditions are dire and the world's attention is elsewhere. Thousands of miles from the frontlines of the war in Ukraine, the impact of Russia's invasion is being felt here. Food and fuel prices have skyrocketed as Russia's blockade of Ukrainian wheat threatens global supplies.

MOHAMUD MOHAMED HASSAN, SAVE THE CHILDREN COUNTRY DIRECTOR: The wheat that is consumed in Somalia, 92 percent of it comes from Russia and Ukraine when you put together. So, the price of wheat has doubled, in some areas, you know, 150 percent increase.

WARD: So, you had climate change, COVID, but the war in Ukraine is really threatening to push Somalia over the edge.

HASSAN: Yes, definitely. Yes.

WARD: And what about if the war continues in Ukraine, if that blockade remains in place, what impact will that have here?

HASSAN: I cannot imagine what will be the impact.

WARD (voiceover): The stabilization ward at the Banadir hospital offers a glimpse of what may be to come. There are no empty beds and many desperately sick children.

HAFSA MOHAMMED HASSAN, DOCTOR: He's unconscious.

WARD (voice-over): Dr. Hafsa Mohammed Hassan works around the clock to keep her youngest patients alive.

WARD: How many years have you been working in this hospital?

HASSAN: Eight years.

WARD: Eight years?

HASSAN: Yes.

WARD: Have you ever seen so many children being brought in with malnutrition?

HASSAN: No, this is the worst situation I'm seeing. And the number of the cases are increasing day by day, the hospital is very occupied with these cases.

WARD: Are you overwhelmed?

HASSAN: Yes. It's overwhelming. The situation is overwhelming.

WARD (voice-over): In one bed, we meet her Harada Abdi and her four- year-old son Mohammed.

HARADA ABDI: (Speaking a foreign language)

WARD (voice-over): I already lost three children in this drought, she says softly.

WARD: So, you came here to save your son? How do you cope with that kind of loss to lose three children? How do you get through the day?

ABDI: (Speaking a foreign language)

WARD (voice-over): I can't cope with the situation, she says. I just pray my remaining children will survive.

It's a prayer shared by so many women here, one that the world has yet to hear.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WARD (on camera): Part of the problem, Max, facing aid agencies here, is that because the world is understandably so focused on the situation in Ukraine right now, it's been very difficult for them to raise awareness and raise funds to avert a catastrophe here. So, the UN says they've only managed to hit just under a third of their target of $1.46 billion. Another aid agency official warning that essentially, if they do not get that funding soon, within weeks potentially parts of this country could be in a state of famine -- Max.

FOSTER: OK, Clarissa Ward, thank you for bringing us that really important story live from Mogadishu. We'll be right back.

[04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: We're following breaking news out of Japan where the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in critical condition after being shot. This happened as he was giving a speech in Nara, in western Japan. Authorities say he sustained gunshot wounds to his neck. He was flown to hospital by helicopter. Police were quick to arrest the gunman described as a man in his 40s. NHK quotes police saying, he used a homemade gun. His motive at this point isn't unknown. Let's go to CNN's Selina Wang in Beijing. What are we hearing from the hospitals -- Selina?

SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, all we know right now is that he is still in critical condition, earlier there were reports that it was unclear at the status of Abe. And regardless of what we learn in the next few hours, Max, this is reverberating around the world.

Here in Beijing, major reaction from officials here as well. One of Abe's legacies was to pave the way for this more hawkish security stance from Japan when it comes to China. In fact, experts tell me that more recently he had been behind the scenes urging the current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to take a stronger stance when it comes to security issues.

And Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, he had said he was shocked to hear the news.

[04:55:00]

He added quote: We are following the developments and hope that former Prime Minister Abe will be out of danger and recover soon. We would certainly like to extend our regards to his family.

Now during Abe's leadership, one of his toughest tasks was contending with the rising China, frosty relations were already in a deep freeze between Beijing and Tokyo earlier on, and Abe's leadership over the disputed Senkaku, Diaoyu islands. But critics say that throughout his many years of leadership that relationship certainly didn't get any better, in fact it may have even gotten worse.

One of his big legacies was strengthening ties with the U.S. to cope with the more aggressive China. Of course, is a famously cozy relationships with President Trump, then former President Trump, he had a very regular sustained conversations with him, something that other world leaders did not know how to handle with the mercurial U.S. president playing golf with Trump. And he also, Abe bolster security alliances across the Asia Pacific region as a way to deal with growing anxieties around China.

But Abe, he was also an incredibly divisive figure, he wanted to restore Japan's military prowess. He wanted to restore national pride. He wanted to revitalize the economy, to mixed reviews. And I used to be based in Japan, Max, and it is hard to overstate just how shocking this is to the national psyche, not just because of the political giant he is, but because he is considered one of the safest countries in the world and gun violence is almost nonexistent -- Max.

FOSTER: Selina, thank you. This is a fast-moving story, were getting lots of developments all the time. We want to bring you the accurate information. It is a huge shock to Japan. But indeed, the world. This was a towering Prime Minister on the global stage, with connections and -- around the world. We'll bring you more details on that. We're going to cross now though to "EARLY START" with Christine who will have the very latest for you, and other world news. Did you

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