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Suez Canal Authority: Stranded Ship Dislodged And Floating; Protests Turn Violent After Bloodiest Day So Far; Soon: Derek Chauvin Trial Begins With Opening Statements. Aired 10-10:20a ET
Aired March 29, 2021 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:01:30]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD. We'll bring you the opening statements of the
Derek Chauvin trial when those statements are made later this hour. First, I want to get you some breaking news from the Suez Canal. The ever given is
free and floating again. In just the last hour or so tugboats dislodge the bow of one of the largest ships to ever sell the seas from the muddy clay
on the banks of this seat Suez Canal.
Well, earlier workers managed to dislodge the stern. The ship had been stopped rock solid in the month -- in the mud for nearly a week. Freeing up
the canal for shipping traffic cannot come soon enough. Businesses around the world were already feeling the pinch from the pandemic. A shipping
slowdown was the last thing that they needed. Or more than 350 vessels have been waiting to use the canal.
Others are taking the long way around Africa. While the canal may be cleared soon, it could be months to repair the damage to the global supply
chain. Well, CNN's Ben Wedemann is in Cairo, following the breaking news for us and John Defterios here in Abu Dhabi work in the global business
angles on this. Let's start with you, Ben. What do we know at this point? This is a giant container ship. What's it up to and where's it's headed
now?
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN BUSINESS EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Well, it was just over an hour ago that it appeared that the effort that has been going on
around the clock since last Tuesday finally succeeded in freeing the entire ship, bringing it back into the middle of that stretch of the Suez Canal.
And it is now on its way north to the great bitter lake where we heard from Rabie, Osama Rabie who's the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority.
It would go to be checked to make sure that the ship is still seaworthy after this traumatic experience. But really starting from the early hours
of today Monday, it was a roller coaster of hopes and expectations. Just before sunrise, the news came out that the dredging operation along with
tugboats was able to free the stern of the ship and largely move it out of -- sort of its blocking position in the canal.
But there were points during the day when it appeared strong winds pushed it back, blocking the canal again. But now fortunately, the canal is open.
According to the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, navigation has resumed in the canal and there have been celebrations, the ships in the
canal blowing their horns. I'd like to say the horns behind me in Cairo are blowing in celebration as well but I think they're just blowing their horns
but I imagine most Egyptians at this moment are saying good riddance to the ever given.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. Ben is in Cairo. J.D., you've been looking at these - - the global business implications of what has been this skyscraper-sized ship, which is now wrenched away from the -- from the canals bank and is
being towed away as Ben suggested. Just what sort of disruption has this caused?
[10:05:20]
DEFTERIOS: Well, I tell you, this is a parking lot of vessels still, Becky. So, we have to think about trying to unwind these backlog that we have
right now. So, we peaked at almost 370 ships. And the volume there that we have in the canal on a normal day is about 50. Now, this is going be
interesting to see how much they can accelerate it. The Egyptian government said under President was easy.
We're going to accelerate and work 24 hours a day, maximum capacity, according to Lloyd's list is 80 to 90 vessels a day, but you have to figure
the time to rev up, get the ships into position, make sure that the safety precautions are taken here. So, best case scenario Lloyd's list says five
to six days of clear the backlog of ships that have been waiting there already. The CEO of Maersk not so confident.
He was saying six days or more and they're the largest shipping company in the world. Now let's break down what do we have here. We have at least 10
vessels that have livestock, we heard a lot about the cattle on these ships early on, we haven't had an update. So, we're eager to hear that, of
course. About 10 percent of those ships and I'm talking about maybe 370, overall 10 percent carrying oil and gas, petrochemicals.
Very critical supplies need to go into Lebanon and Syria, right, because they're short of fuel, their economies are in crisis right now. And to your
point, on the supply chain, we have auto parts, textiles, foodstuff, all locked up at this stage. Normally, we have about $10 billion a day in terms
of the value of goods passing through the canal, $400 million an hour, that has stalled. In fact, we've had dozens of ships that said, we're going to
go to the Cape of Good Hope, to the southern tip of Africa into European United States because they lost hope and patience right now.
So, there's a confidence issue, of course, for the Suez Canal before and now again, after this. Can you deliver on all the demand on this key artery
going forward? It's a crucial question that we have today. But think about the option here, Becky, if you didn't unlock it, and get it moving, we're
going to have to have a crane try to unload those containers and put them in an either another ship or on the side.
It would have taken days, if not weeks to do it. So the global community tonight saying jeez, , what a relief? That's the answer.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. And Ben, there are those who say this has been the biggest crisis in the canal since the 1956 War, alluding, of course, to
the Suez Crisis, as it is known. The Egyptians will not want another crisis in this artery of life anytime soon. Well they?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No, of course not. And we have -- we did see, for instance, between 2014, 2015 Egypt at the
inspiration of a president, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi spent $8 billion to create an extra lane to the Suez Canal to facilitate further passage of ships but
they didn't do it in that particular area. And of course, the Egyptian government promised Egyptians that there would be real dividends in terms
of economic returns from that massive project and they haven't really materialized.
And, of course, one of the long term worries regarding the Suez Canal is that other options are coming up. The Chinese Belton road projects, the
reports of pipelines from the Gulf to Israel, talk about opening up arctic routes between Asia and Europe. And so, the Suez Canal, part of the reason
why it was expanded was in anticipation of these sort of projects. But yes, the Suez Canal opened in 1869, with a lot of promise but it was closed for
eight months, between 1956 and '57.
After the 56 war, it was closed from 1967 to 1975 because of other hostilities, between Israel and its Arab neighbors. So it's had a rocky
history. And it hasn't ever really lived up to the promise that Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who came up with the idea of the Suez Canal had dreamed
of it. Had never was really realized and certainly this incident of the past week underscores the vulnerabilities of the Suez Canal.
Having said that, we've also seen an incredible effort by the Egyptians and their partners, the Dutch and the Japanese and others to finally get this
canal up and running again. Becky?
[10:10:07]
ANDERSON: Yes. Absolutely. Appropriate international effort. Ben, thank you for that. John Defterios in Abu Dhabi. Always a pleasure. Thank you.
Well, a trial of the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd is about to begin in the United States. Derek Chauvin is
charged with murder and manslaughter after disturbing video showed him digging his knee into Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes as the 46-
year-olds flat man pleaded for air. He uttered the words, I can't breathe. Well, that single phrase spark one of the largest racial justice movements
in the U.S. in over 60 years.
And it didn't take long for those words to be echoed around the world from London and Geneva to Sydney and Rio de Janeiro. A global reckoning over
racial injustice played out in the streets of major cities with protesters demanding justice. Whilst though, the Floyd family's attorney held a press
conference outside the courthouse. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN CRUMP, FLOYD FAMILY ATTORNEY: Today starts a landmark trial. That will be a referendum on how far America has come in its quest for equality
and justice for all. We know if Josh was a white American citizen and he suffered this painful, torturous death with a police officer kneel his neck
nobody, nobody will be saying this is a hard case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Omar Jiminez has been covering this story from the very beginning. He has the latest for you now from Minneapolis.
OMAR JIMINEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, a court is just now getting into session ahead of opening statements in this highly anticipated trial.
But despite all of the pressures and all the hype leading up to it, the only thing that will matter now is what happens within the walls of this
courtroom specifically when it comes to the cause of George Floyd's death, and the intent of Derek Chauvin.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIMENEZ (voice over): The eyes of a movement, one that sparked protests worldwide in the name of George Floyd shift to a courtroom in Minneapolis.
JUDGE PETER CAHILL, HENNEPIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT: Anything else for the record?
JIMENEZ: Now to opening statements in the trial of Derek Chauvin. The former Minneapolis Police officer has pleaded not guilty to the charges he
faces, second degree unintentional murder, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder in the death of George Floyd.
Outside the courtroom, emotions will be running high. There have already been multiple protests throughout the city. All the way up to the eve of
opening statements.
CHIEF MEDARIA ARRADONDO, MINNEAPOLIS POLICE: They have done so peacefully and they've assembled and gathered peacefully. We will continue to expect
more demonstrations.
JIMENEZ: But the destruction that happened in May 2020 in the aftermath of Floyd's death is still fresh on the minds of city officials and it's why
the building that houses the courtroom has virtually become a fortress due to increased security measures, but the major is saying there's more to
come.
MAYOR JACOB FREY, MINNEAPOLIS: Residents should be expecting a gradual increase in law enforcement and National Guard presence as we progress
through the trial.
JIMENEZ: The first step in this trial --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How does that make you feel?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm OK with that.
JIMENEZ: -- was getting through jury selection, which lasted exactly two weeks --
CAHILL: You will serve on our jury.
JIMENEZ: -- resulting in 15 jurors, 14 of which will be part of the trial.
CAHILL: This 15th juror was to make sure that we're going to have 14 people show up on Monday.
JIMENEZ: Their identities remain unknown for now. Sunday night a vigil was held the Floyd family in attendance, a reminder of what many feel is at
stake.
PHILONISE FLOYD, GEORGE FLOYD'S BROTHER: I didn't ask to be in this fraternity that nobody wants to be a part of. Think about my brother every
day, every night. I think about his kids but they won't have to go through what we're going through.
JIMINEZ (voice-over): As the trial moves forward. Witnesses will be called by both prosecutors for the state and the defense for Derek Chauvin. Among
what we know will be talked about dash a portion of a 2019 George Floyd arrest for which he was never charged. But one more he ended up being sent
to the hospital instead of jail. And interaction with police defense attorneys for Chauvin argued was similar to May 2020. The paramedic from
that day in 2019, is also expected to testify.
JUDGE PETER CAHILL HENNEPIN, COUNTY DISTRICT COURT: The whole point to here is we have medical evidence on what happens when Mr. Floyd is faced with
virtually the same situation. Confrontation by police at gunpoint, followed by a rapid ingestion of some drugs.
[10:15:01]
RICHARD FRASE, CRIMINAL LAW PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: Our system of justice is a bit on trial. Can we give Mr. Chauvin a fair trial because
that's essential? Can we give the state a fair chance to find him guilty under the law and the evidence?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JIMINEZ (on camera): And we've seen protests throughout all of this, including up to minutes before court got back in session, the latest a
silent kneeling protests representing the amount of time Derek Chauvin's knee was on George Floyd's neck. Now this trial is expected to last up to
four weeks all the while a city, a family, a movement, watches anxiously to see what criminal accountability looks like 10 months after George Ford's
death. Becky?
ANDERSON: Omar Jimenez in Minneapolis for you. And we'll get you the trial of Derek Chauvin just as soon as it begins. That is within the next 10
minutes or so.
Before that protest turned violent again in Myanmar following the bloodiest days so far since the February the 1st military coup there. Demonstrators
in one northern town through fireworks and other items and you can see smoke from burning debris in the videos here. This after some 114
protesters were killed by security forces on Saturday.
Meantime, fighting intensified in the southern ethnic region of the country and militia stepped up its attacks and it says the military responded with
airstrikes. Three people at reported killed and 3000 fled across the border to Thailand. Officials there are preparing for an even bigger influx. Well,
activists say more than 450 people have now been killed since the February 1st coup began and outrage is growing.
The U.N. Special Envoy calling for coordinated action against the junta including a war crimes investigation. The U.S. and European Union also
condemning the military actions in the U.K. is urging its citizens to leave Myanmar. CNN's Will Ripley following the story for us from Hong Kong. Will?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky, you know, we really have to paint the two very different pictures of life in Myanmar right now
because you mentioned how Saturday was the deadliest day in this crew that is actually less than two months old. We'll hit that milestone later this
week. You have soldiers using machine guns, grenades, there were military jets, launching the first attacks against villages in 20 years forcing, as
you said, thousands of people to flee across the border into Thailand and 1000s more into the jungles to safety.
You had soldier shooting into residential buildings, conducting night raids, dragging people out of their homes in terror and arresting them. You
had state T.V. telling protesters that if they assembled, they could be shot in the head or the back. And yet droves of people still turned out
because they're angry because they feel that the military leaders stole the results of their November general election from them and decided to take
back control of the government because of course Myanmar had 50 years of a brutal military dictatorship.
Many of these protesters are young people who came of age after that time, they didn't have any vivid memories of the brutality that was so common
during that 50-year dictatorship. But what they have now are camera phones, social media, and so they're taking these images, sharing them with the
world. At the same time, Becky, you had the senior general leading the coup, throwing himself a lavish dinner and a parade because Saturday was
also Army Appreciation Day.
Walking the red carpet in a white jacket talking about protecting the country and striving for democracy while his soldiers are on the streets
shooting in some cases young children.
ANDERSON: Will Ripley is following the story from Hong Kong for you. Thank you, Will. Opening statements are set to begin in the trial of Derek
Chauvin. The former police officer accused of murdering George Floyd. We will get you to the states up next.
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[10:21:05]
ANDERSON: Well, the trial of the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd is about to begin in the United States. Derek
Chauvin shaven is charged with murder and manslaughter after disturbing video showing digging his knee to Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes
as the 46-year-old black men pleaded for air. He uttered the words, I can't breathe.
That single phrase sparked one of the largest racial justice movements in the us in over 60 years. Let me get you to my colleague Jim Sciutto in the
U.S.
END
