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Connect the World
Where is the International Aid Sent to India; CNN Gains Rare Access to Ukrainian Coastal Patrol; Protesters Training to Fight the Military; Mayor: Bogota Sees "Brutal Escalation of Violence"; Facebook Oversight Board Upholds Donald Trump Suspension; Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham Estate Launches Beer Brand. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired May 05, 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, CNN HOST: Well, this hour India's COVID catastrophe could be getting a lot worse. We start with sobering new COVID data from India
and a dire warning about the coming months.
The World Health Organization reporting India accounted for one quarter of all COVID-19 deaths, and nearly a half of all cases in the world in the
past week. And a new forecasting model in India predicting without a 15 day nationwide lockdown cases could more than double by the second week of June
to nearly 50 million and deaths could nearly double to more than 400,000.
That grim forecast coming amid the desperate search to find oxygen for COVID patients the High Court in Allahabad, calling the death of patients
due to a lack of oxygen "A criminal act and not less than a genocide". In New Delhi lawyers are going to court to force the government to release
oxygen supplies have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRABHSAHAY KAUR, ATTORNEY: It's extremely unfortunate that our central government and our state government cannot find it in themselves to bury
whatever issues they may have with each other politically or otherwise and work together just to save people's lives. Even this extent of death and
destruction can't make them work together. It is very, very sad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, CNN's Vedika Sud is on the ground for us, in New Delhi. And if 120 Indians dying an hour were not tragic enough, these predicted new
numbers are quite frankly, frightening. And with fears of a third wave Vedika now very real, what is the government doing to mitigate this worst
case scenario?
VEDIKA SUD, CNN REPORTER: Well, Becky, what the government did today was the Health Ministry in a press conference did mention that there would be a
third wave that India would experience, but they couldn't give us a timeline when that would hit India.
Imagine if this is not the peak of the second wave, given the numbers, you've just told us through that study, we're yet to reach a peak if you
believe those numbers. And those numbers are staggering. And if that weren't enough, we're talking about a third wave already.
You do know that the public healthcare system of India is near collapse after what we've seen over the last two weeks, the deaths, the people
gasping for breath the lack of oxygen and now the staggering numbers that mean that the deaths that we see now will not only almost double, but the
caseload will also be more than double, which is really staggering for India.
So at this point in time, we are already seeing that we are under pressure. And now these numbers are just going to make it worse. And like you pointed
out, this is really going to be shocking news for people if we really believe that study. And we've already seen people gasping for breath all
around. Yes, there is it coming in.
But you know, it's just not enough right now for the people on the ground. And if this is going to be what it is going to be when it comes to the
infrastructure medically in India, if those numbers are what the study projects, that I don't know what India is really going to see. Because I've
seen so much of gloom and doom already.
Personally as an Indian, I'm not ready to see more. And if those numbers really are where it stands in the coming days, we're talking about a month
from now. We've already collapsed as a medical system here. What are we going to see next, Becky?
ANDERSON: And that public healthcare system, of course, has been terribly underfunded for years, certainly not the sort of robust health care system
that you would need in a country if it were facing this sort of challenge. Look, you rightly pointed out the pledges are pouring in from around the
world on aid.
We're seeing images of aid arriving in the country, but it's not reaching the people that need it most why Vedika?
SUD: Well, the Government of India strongly denies that they're saying that distributing the aid that's coming in, but of course there is a problem on
the ground. And the problem is the logistical nightmare of all that aid coming in at once.
Now according to the Health Ministry, this aid is coming in a different hours in different days and the inventories are not matching, because of
which they have to once again go back to recounting everything that's coming in. There's already enough aid 4 million and more in different you
know, be it oxygen or be it Remdesivir or anything else that different countries are sending, but that's getting stuck in the pipeline.
[11:05:00]
SUD: Like I mentioned this, this is a logistical nightmare. And by the time they sort it out, it's really delaying this distribution of aid to all
those hospitals that needed. Currently the distribution has taken place across the India in central government hospitals.
But you've been hearing from Clarissa, you'll be hearing from Sam and from me that there are so many hospitals small scale, medium scale, and large
that have been even tweeting for health saying, we're running out of oxygen if we don't get oxygen within the next one.
There will be people who will suffer so clearly that it hasn't reached every hospital, it should be at this point in time. But like I said, the
government saying they're doing all they can and that aid will reach these hospitals soon, Becky.
ANDERSON: Look, there is a responsibility here from the government and states, there is also a responsibility from people on the ground, and they
still oftentimes do not seem to be taking precautions briefly what's going on?
SUD: Well, it's a nightmare we're reliving again, if these numbers don't hit people hard. I don't know what will Becky. It's so frustrating to see
what we've seen today. In the State of Gujarat, there was actually a huge congregation of women carrying water over their heads to a particular
religious place because they believed that if they do use this water, and they go into this religious area, they actually go to ward off evil and
COVID-19.
Can you believe there, such an archaic thoughts at a time like this when we losing people, every minute that I speak to you? And then what was the
response by the administration? They arrested 30 odd people, but accountability lies with people and it does with the district
administration as well. They should be held accountable for letting this happen. It's not that it just cropped out of the blue, did it Becky?
No, I did. So the administration should be held accountable as much as the people arresting 30 or people's re grow health when you have a congregation
of hundreds of women on the ground. And this should serve as another wake up call to the administration because we've seen the Kumbh Mela, which was
a huge religious festival. It was a super spreader and now we're seeing this Becky.
ANDERSON: Vedika Sud is on the ground, Vedika thank you. Well, as Vedika mentioned, the Indian government has issued a strong denial about any aid
delays, yet thousands of people are still suffocating to death while oxygen tanks reportedly sit in limbo for days at airport hangars.
As Clarissa Ward now reports the confusion around aid is just the latest example of what many people are saying is Prime Minister Modi's mishandling
of this pandemic. This is her report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): As a raging pandemic tour across the country thousands flocked to the streets
for political rallies with hardly a mask in sight. At one gathering, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the turnout. I've never seen
such huge crowds at a rally.
On that same day, more than 260,000 new cases of COVID were recorded in India. Shortly after millions of worshippers were allowed to congregate for
the end of the weeks' long Hindu Kumbh Mela Pilgrimage after all, Modi had already declared victory against COVID.
NARENDRA MODI, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER: In a country where 18 percent of the world's population lives, we averted a major tragedy by effectively
controlling the Coronavirus. We saved mankind from a big disaster by saving our citizens from the pandemic.
WARD (voice over): As a second wave of Coronavirus ravages this country, those words have come back to haunt Modi. Critics accused him of putting
his political interests ahead of the health of the nation.
YAMINI AIYAR, CENTRE FOR POLICY RESEARCH: We didn't even ask the question of what we needed to do based on learning from this last year in the event
that we'd have a second wave. A second wave was never off the table. You just had to look around the world. You don't have to be a scientist to say
that. We didn't anything instead; we celebrated a bit too prematurely Indian exceptionalism.
WARD (voice over): Now India's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse with shortages of everything from doctors and drugs to beds and
oxygen after years of neglect.
WARD (on camera): It was always going to be difficult to contain the spread of COVID here in India this is a densely populated country of nearly 1.4
billion people. The Indian government is blaming the rapid spread on this new double mutant variant and it says that it warns states to remain
vigilant.
WARD (voice over): Still, many doctors agree that the devastating toll of this second wave could have been mitigated with better preparations and a
coordinated response.
[11:10:00]
WARD (voice over): A short of victory against the virus, India began exporting the vaccines it was producing instead of inoculating its own
population.
WARD (on camera): How much responsibility does Prime Minister Modi bear for this?
AIYAR: He's the Prime Minister of the country. He takes full responsibility for all that we do good and all that goes wrong.
WARD (on camera): Do you think this will have an impact on his popularity?
AIYAR: I think as of now, what we have seen, especially over the last three weeks, is complete policy abdication. And certainly I hope that we hold our
government accountable for what we are seeing today.
WARD (on camera): The government has announced a raft of measures to try to combat this crisis, including drafting in medical students to help doctors
getting the Navy involved getting the Air Force involved, but some are saying simply that it's too little too late.
And while it's not clear what the political fallout might be for Prime Minister Modi, people are saying here that this problem is not going away.
One State Health Minister warning that there could be a third wave on the horizon. Clarissa Ward, CNN, New Delhi.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, lest we forget that what happens in India doesn't necessarily stay in India. It affects the entire world and especially
neighboring countries around the region. In Pakistan thousands of people ignore the federal ban on mass gatherings, raising alarm bells over super
spread events with scenes like this Shiite Muslims many without masks held a religious procession on Tuesday, despite please not to.
COVID cases are on the rise in Pakistan. So far, only around 5 percent of its population has received COVID vaccines nearly 3 million doses have been
issued, with another 19 million doses expected by the end of June.
Well, it's another record breaking day across Nepal for all the wrong reasons just today, the country reporting more than 8600 new COVID
infections that is a new high there. The trend in the past three days is worrying. More than 23,000 new cases were reported during that time with
each day shattering the previous day's numbers.
The Head of Nepal's Red Cross says what is happening in India is a horrifying preview of Nepal's future if the spread of COVID 19 isn't
contained. Well, the spillover beyond India's borders also impacting diplomatic circles.
India's Foreign Minister announced that he would attend today's G7 meeting virtually despite traveling to London for that meeting. Foreign Minister
says he's been made aware of possible exposure to Coronavirus and is acting with caution to protect others.
In response to U.S. State Department going ahead with its planned activities, saying it has no reason to believe its G7 delegation is at
risk. Well, the influence of Beijing and the Kremlin looming large on that G7 agenda.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken aiming to bolster support for Ukraine when he heads there soon Moscow beefing up its Navy in the Sea of
Azov along the edge of Russian annexed Crimea. The Kremlin says it's just Military exercises but in an exclusive interview, Ukrainian Foreign
Minister told CNN' Matthew Chance he is gravely concerned about what he calls the creeping annexation of the Sea of Azov.
Before that interview, Matthew gained rare access to the Ukrainian postal patrol to see just how rough that body of water can be?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This is a first glimpse of Putin's latest Armada bristling with weapons in disputed waters between
Russia and Ukraine. Kremlin says these are just naval exercises. The missiles are real, but Ukraine, so is the threat. Ukrainian vessels on the
strategic Sea of Azov have been warned to steer clear.
CHANCE (on camera): Do I get on board?
CHANCE (voice over): But we gained rare access to a Ukrainian Coastal Patrol setting at in high seas the challenge what they say is Russia's
illegal naval corner something Moscow rejects. In recent weeks Ukrainian Navy says its boats have been harassed by Russia, with Moscow shifting its
military focus.
CHANCE (on camera): So we've come out here to the very rough Sea of Azov, you can see as Russian forces pulled back their troops from the border of
Ukraine, they're redeploying naval forces here into the Sea of Azov raising concerns in Ukraine and around the world, that the military pressure
they're replying on Ukraine from the land is now moved to the same.
[11:15:00]
CHANCE: (voice over): The Commander of the Patrol boat tells me how Russian forces are increasingly behaving aggressively. Blocking access he says what
should be shared waters, even stopping what are routine coastal patrols?
On the Russians make radio contact. This is boat 444 says the message reminding you to keep a safe distance. Confirm you're receiving the Russian
voice command. We see you Ukrainian sailor respond. We're proceeding according to.
CHANCE (on camera): Alright, so we've come to a stop now you heard the captain there say there's a Russian ship in the horizon. You can just see
it over there. It's a Russian Coast Guard ship we're about two nautical miles away, which is just over two regular miles. And we can't go any
closer. Because if we do, there could be some interception by the Russians to us and I think Ukrainian Coast Guard wants to avoid that.
CHANCE (voice over): It wouldn't be the first naval clash in the region. This is the extraordinary moment the Russian Coast Guard rammed the
Ukrainian tugboats in the area back in 2018. Russian ships also fired on Ukrainian naval vessels seizing three and escalating tensions in the seas
of Crimea annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
American ships have been challenged to this low pass by a Russian warplane witness from the deck of a U.S. destroyer earlier this year. Now tensions
on the seas are ratcheting up once more. This heightened alert on dry land to the Ukrainian Port of Mariupol we saw these marines on force protection
drills.
Naval officials say new Russian deployments at sea are forcing them to step up security and plan for a Russian attack.
CAPT. ROMAN GONCHARENKO, UKRAINIAN NAVY: Lat two weeks it became more dangerous.
CHANCE (on camera): More dangerous?
GONCHARENKO: Yes because Russia Federation sent to - several land and sheep from Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
CHANCE (on camera): So the Russians have set landing ships into the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. They're saying that that's for exercises?
GONCHARENKO: Yes, fisheries exercises--
CHANCE (on camera): Yes.
GONCHARENKO: But these ships still here in this area and in our vision that it can be dangerous for this area.
CHANCE (voice over): Back on the coastal patrol boat, we change course safely away from the Russian fleet.
CHANCE (on camera): What happens if we don't?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't have--
CHANCE (on camera): Not good?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It might be not good.
CHANCE (voice over): Not good at all when Ukraine feels so threatened on this turbulent sea of troubles.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that's Matthew Chance reporting. He's back from the high sea standing by for is now in Kiev some incredible access and some
incredible reporting there Matthew as ever. This one as we just said Blinken, Anthony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State is on his way to Kiev
to address these issues. What are you learning on the ground there?
CHANCE: Well, first of all, in terms of the naval build up that Russia is assembling on the eastern seaboard of Ukraine in the Sea of Azov. That
report we just saw, Ukrainians are very distrustful that this is indeed exercises. They say they've been told things like this in the past, it's
resulted in something much more hostile coming from the Russians.
And even if they are exercises, they say they are, you know, basically rehearsals to military rehearsals to encircle Ukraine. So they're seen as
hostile and not welcome. But you're right. All of this comes as Anthony Blinken; the U.S. Secretary of State prepares to Ukraine rather than
prepares to host Anthony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State here for the first time.
And they're going to want to emphasize to him how important it is for the United States to maintain strong diplomatic and military support for
Ukraine in its standoff against Russia and of course against Russian backed rebels in the east of the country. The point they are trying to make and
this is what they say to us whenever we speak to them.
[11:20:00]
CHANCE: Is that Ukraine, they want treated as the eastern outpost of democracy. That's the phrase they're throwing out there to say, look, you
know, beyond our borders to the east, it's thousands of kilometers of, you know, basically Russia, other countries that are not democratic, that don't
support the rules based international order.
That President Biden and the Secretary of State say they're going to go to great lengths to try and support.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DMYTRO KULEBA, UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Gravely concerned, I think every country would be extremely concerned seeing how thousands hundreds and
thousands of troops and heavy military machinery is being massed along your border.
And you came from Mariupol from the Sea of Azov this is a low hanging fruit for Russia because basically, after the illegal annexation of Crimea and
the takeover of the control over the - Russia can conduct this creeping annexation of the Sea of Azov. And it's constantly reinforcing its military
presence there and disrupting trade routes. So this is a big problem for us.
CHANCE: But the Russians say these are just military exercises, both the naval drills and the maneuvers on land on the western part of Russia near
the Ukrainian border. They're just exercises they don't affect anyone. That's what the Kremlin says, aren't we in danger of overstating the threat
that Russia poses right now?
KULEBA: Well, when green men appeared in Crimea in 2014, Russia claimed this were not their soldiers, that it was not Russia. And yet the peninsula
was illegally occupied by Russian military forces. So at least today, they admit that it's them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: Dmytro Kuleba there setting out to me just how concerned this country is about those naval exercises on the way to the east of the
country, Becky.
ANDERSON: Matthew Chance in Kiev for you thank you, Matthew. Next, from the streets of Myanmar to the jungle--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How to handle weapons, different kinds of weapons and how to be able to defend themselves and the people?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If any of them even held a gun before?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nick Armed Groups to learn how to fight? And a group of policemen in Bogota are nearly burned alive. Why authorities response the ongoing
protests raises alarm the brutal escalation in violence in the Colombian Capital.
Plus, the developing world needs more vaccines and there is no time to waste could what's happening today, the World Trade Organization play a
role in helping this situation out. We'll dive into that with a special guest just a little later this hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Three fingers rose in the air, this sign known as "The Hunger Games Salute" became the symbol of a protest in Myanmar citizens using the
iconic gesture to unite together against military junta there. Well, now protestors are taking their movement a step further learning how to fight?
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: Doctors trading gurneys for guns and college students heading into the jungle to train with ethnic armed groups this latest escalation
showing just how desperate the situation there has become? CNN's Paula Hancocks spoke exclusively to the general leading what are these training
efforts?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Becky, these anti coup protesters are determined to keep coming out onto the streets and the military is
determined to continue with their brutal crackdown. So they know the risks when they are going out. They know the dangers and they are still insisting
on fighting for democracy. But now some of those protesters are deciding to do something else to try and make the situation slightly less one sided.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS (voice over): Learning the skill of stealth in the jungles of Myanmar. The sound of staccato masks the approach of the attackers, but
these aren't soldiers many of them are just students.
MAJ. GEN. NERDAH BO MYA, CHIEF OF STAFF, KNDO: They're quite young, mostly 24, 25 and some are nurses and hospitals and doctors.
HANCOCKS (voice over): Young men and women who have left their cities left their colleges and jobs to train to fight. Ethnic armed groups that
teaching them how to defend themselves against the brutal merciless military that has killed well over 760 protesters, according to one
advocacy group, since they seized power three months ago.
MYA: How to handle weapons, different kinds of weapons and how to be able to defend themselves and the people?
HANCOCKS (on camera): If any of them even held a gun before?
MYA: No, never.
HANCOCKS (voice over): More than 200 anti coup protesters have graduated from this one training camp alone and are heading back to the cities to
defend themselves against the military. This is happening - lands. The general leading the training says the protestors need weapons that would
not indicate whether he had provided any nor if bomb making this part of the course.
MYA: This is responsibility to protect lives if we don't train them, who's going to help them.
HANCOCKS (voice over): The military has not responded to our requests for comment. But it has been carrying out airstrikes in these areas since late
March. Chanting for the people the protesters spend three to four weeks in the jungles before returning home.
MYA: Well, they're very determined. They're very like the hard working people they want to achieve something. They want - they will never give up.
Because they say there's nothing to lose anymore.
HANCOCKS (voice over): One 18-year-old who is manning a roadblock in the City of Bago last month, when dozens of protesters were killed, many of his
comrades had traveled to the ethnic areas for training, were hiding his identity for his safety.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have two groups, one to pick the neighborhood, and the other went to get training. When they come back, they will teach us
what they've learned.
HANCOCKS (voice over): Doctors, nurses, students being trained into an unofficial defense force shows just how quickly the situation has
deteriorated in Myanmar. And how much more violent the days ahead could become.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS: Now clearly after three or four weeks of basic training, they are still not going to be able to come up against the military and the Major
General says that's not what he's trying to do. He doesn't want them to be fighting in the streets against the military because they simply wouldn't
win.
What he's hoping is that he can give them some basic knowledge make them wiser when they are on the streets protesting and tell them to think and to
work with their heads, not their hearts, so they can continue protesting and hopefully, stay alive Becky.
ANDERSON: Paula Hancocks on the story. Thank you. Well, up next can the "World Trade Organization" meeting today help speed up COVID vaccine
development around the world? This is an issue where quite simply there is no time to waste. And a U.S. Congressman says the horror engulfing India
could play out elsewhere unless there is action. That Congressman joining me live up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Well, Amnesty International has published what it calls deeply alarming video footage from Colombia showing what they say is Riot Police
using lethal weaponry against tax reform protesters. Now Amnesty says that includes rifles and semi automatic weapons as well as tear gas and water
cannon.
Well, recent riots have led to the deaths of at least 19 people across the country; the Capital Bogota has seen a massive escalation in violence. The
Mayor there said that at least 30 civilians and 16 Police officers were hurt in what is the latest round of demonstrations on Tuesday.
The Mayor talks about a horrifying incident when 15 policemen were nearly burned alive after rioters locked them up inside a police station and set
fire to. Well, Journalist Stefano Pozzebon is in the thick of it in the Capitol. And just described the atmosphere, if you will, and how these
policemen actually did escaped with their lives?
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: Exactly Becky. The atmosphere here is as you can see, so far peaceful, but tense, there is tension. In Bogota, we were
ahead of the march just as we were preparing to come up and speak with you and the rapidly the march has advanced and taking over our position.
Right now in the morning in Bogota it is peaceful but as they say there is tension in the area due to these two issues that essentially the protesters
are out onto the streets to protest. The one is the economic inequality that has been exacerbated by the dramatic impact of a COVID-19 into local
economy.
And the other is the police, the allegations of police brutality, and also the allegations of violence on behalf of the protesters a situation where
the call for - quite concerted effort is very much urgent at any point Becky. Right now here in Bogota there is no police onto the streets. We
haven't seen anti-riot police this morning, just yet.
But the tension is palpable and there is more and more is expected in the next few hours and in the next few days Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, and listen, stay safe because it's clearly you know, anything can happen in a situation like this. You are in Bogota, what's
happening around the country? How are people coping around the country at this point, because that is where we have seen deaths?
POZZEBON: Yes, exactly. The epicenter of the clashes so far has been in the southwest, the City of Cali, which is the third biggest city of Columbia
that has seen several more than five people killed in clashes. It's a situation that we can't underestimate how much damage COVID-19 has done to
the Colombian economy?
According to recent figures by the government itself 3.6 million Colombians fell back into poverty during the lockdown during the pandemic. And this is
a situation that is bringing together the countryside, the farmers and the urban force, the classes that lives in the slums like in many other
countries, in South America, in Latin America.
And Becky this is why it's a common issues across the nation, while Bogota hasn't seen so far, at least, no casualty and, thankfully, there is rising
tension across the whole nation.
ANDERSON: Stefano Pozzebon in Bogota for you this evening viewers thank you.
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: Well, across the board Brazil's National Congress has finally started its inquiry into how President Jair Bolsonaro has handled the
COVID-19 pandemic. Former Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta gave the opening testimony. Now he talked about the lack of public communication and
a plan during the early days.
He said the President was warned about the consequences of ignoring science. President Bolsonaro facing calls for impeachment, but he has
dismissed this inquiry as an offseason Carnival.
Well, World Trade Organization meeting right now to decide on whether to waive an intellectual property agreement on pharmaceutical products? Now,
this is important. The proposal is sponsored by India and South Africa and its intention is to try to speed up COVID vaccine development. No country
needs it more right now than India.
The debate has landed at the feet of the U.S. Trade Representative and there could be a snag according to people familiar with the matter. There
are divisions within the Biden Administration over whether to ease some payment restrictions on vaccines.
Well, Lloyd Doggett is a member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. He says the horror in India could play out again and again in other
countries if we don't act now and blocking access to vaccines, he says is anti humanitarian. Congressman Doggett joining me now from Austin in Texas
sir, thank you.
Many of your colleagues in Congress and in the House of Representatives are of Indian descent; the largest Indian Diaspora is in the United States.
Clearly people have huge concerns. This is what representative Ro Khanna said earlier this week to CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. RO KHANNA (D-CA): It is personal for me. I have family there. Fortunately, they're safe. But every day I'm hearing stories of someone who
is getting COVID who can't go to the hospital who is sick. In some cases, we've heard people who passed away a few days because they don't have
oxygen.
They don't have medical care. It's really devastating. And there is not an Indian American family in my district who I've talked to who isn't affected
who doesn't know someone who has had COVID who has not been able to get into the hospital. It's a humanitarian crisis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Congressman, I do want to get to what is going on with regard these vaccine patients in a moment but firstly to what is going on in
India? As we speak 120 people an hour losing their lives. America sending millions of dollars of taxpayer funded aid equipment, but that aid is not
getting to the people who need it most. What's your message to the Indian government this hour?
REP. LLOYD DOGGETT (D-TX): Well, I first would say that like my colleague, Ro Khanna that pain is felt right across Central Texas, with the Indian
American Community here and so many others of us we put a candle on our porch, to symbolize the unity major collections are going on to try to
support the people in India.
I think there were some serious mistakes made in India in handling this. But it is a serious mistake for the United States not to share the recipe
for these vaccines. Clearly, we have not had enough vaccine for either Americans are for the rest of the world.
And the best way if you have a shortage of vaccine is of course to make more of it and to have more manufacturers making more of it, instead of
leaving this as a monopoly for a handful of pharmaceutical manufacturers.
ANDERSON: Well, you tweeted and I quote, blocking access to vaccines is anti humanitarian. Its anti diplomatic and it weakens American influence
for good on the global stage. You're backing the #freethevaccine campaign. Just explain what it is about this proposal that's being debated at the WTO
in Geneva today? That's important and why it is that you support it?
DOGGETT: Well, South Africa and India have petitioned for a waiver exception to be made in the agreement for trade related aspects of
intellectual property rights, what we refer to as a trips waiver, so that the recipe can be shared without intellectual property, litigation and
objection.
It's important to note that in the case of Moderna, one of the major vaccines, it was financed its manufactured research and development
distribution almost entirely by United States taxpayers. So I say our taxpayers have an interest in what happens.
We needed more manufacturing in the United States for Americans, but we will not survive well in America if everyone else is infected by this
pandemic and it's not stopped.
[11:40:00]
DOGGETT: For the United States to have a goal of 70 percent immunized by July 4th, that the President announced yesterday, is extraordinary. But it
is also extraordinary to know in India that we have 2 percent immunized in South Africa less than 1 percent across Latin America, very small numbers,
even our neighbor Canada, only 3 percent.
The United States and the European countries need to be working together to share this vaccine recipe with the rest of the world to stop a pandemic
that will have more variants that come back to our shores if we don't stop it everywhere.
ANDERSON: Well, they are not. This proposal sponsored, as you rightly point out by India and South Africa is facing pushback from countries in the EU
and by the United States. You've petitioned the President Joe Biden for support. Are you confident that you have the President's support at this
point?
DOGGETT: I would say that I'm hopeful. Yesterday he said he was still deciding I think the time for deciding has come to an end, what we need is
action. Fortunately, we have a dynamic new Trade Ambassador in Catherine Tie I'm a personal friend, I think she shares our concerns. She is under
the initial restraint of the xenophobia of the Trump Administration, which colluded with Big Pharma to stop the spread of this vaccine recipe around
the world.
Clearly, the administration is hearing from many people in Big Pharma and the pharmaceutical manufacturers that also have influenced what's happened
to the United Kingdom. There are contradictory conflicting pressures there. I hope that because I believe they share our goals that we'll see some
significant progress today or soon thereafter.
But I and my colleagues are calling on faith leaders on business leaders, recognizing public health leaders to join us and continue to encourage the
administration to act and act immediately. Because if we get the trips waiver is India and South Africa have requested, it will still take a
number of months before you can actually have this manufacturing begin, while we watch each day the horror of what's happening in India, in Latin
America in too many other places.
ANDERSON: The counter argument to this, of course, is that, you know, throwing the global supply chain into flux at a time when, as you rightly
point out, Americans are getting vaccinated quickly, but there are still in the process of getting vaccinated and is the wrong decision. Do you think
there's any merit in that?
DOGGETT: I don't. We already have an example of where Pfizer licensed to Sanofi the ability to make 125 million doses of their vaccine for use in
the European Union. This can be done. Yes, there are supply chain issues about ingredients and the like.
But we can't simply say because there are limitations that we will not make available to the rest of the world, the hope that America and Western
Europe have for their own citizens. We're all in this together. It is by the very name, a pandemic, something that affects the entire world.
And I've worked not only with colleagues toward the administration, but toward American citizens to say you have a stake in this. We will - we know
that the South African variant we know a variant from Brazil from the UK.
If we don't solve this place everywhere in the world, it's Americans who will ultimately be sick and die as a result of are looking to inward
instead of recognizing we are citizens of the world.
ANDERSON: It does seem remarkable that what 16, 17 months into this pandemic, we still have to remind people that we are only as strong as our
weakest link. Congressman, thank you very much indeed for joining us.
DOGGETT: Thanks so much.
ANDERSON: We are taking a very short break back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: Facebook's Oversight Board has decided to uphold its suspension of Donald Trump's account. His account has been suspended since the January
the 6th Riots at the U.S. Capitol. This also includes the Former President's account on Instagram which of course is owned by Facebook.
All is not lost for Trump. The board ordered Facebook to review the ban within six months. Now this decision comes as the Former President launches
his own social media site called "From the desk of Donald Trump". Our Chief Media Correspondent Brian Stelter joins us now for a slightly deeper dive
on the Oversight Board's decision.
It does sort of feel as if this Oversight Board is just sort of punted this decision for six months kick the can down the road, as it were, is that
what we're seeing?
BRIAN STELTER, CHIEF MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's the ultimate hot potato. The Former President is a hot potato. It's been thrown to the
Oversight Board. Now the Oversight Board throwing it back.
But in the meantime, Facebook does continue to ban Trump and that is the lead headline here. Trump is not going to be allowed back on the platform,
despite a lot of predictions that this board would side with Trump. You know, this board is made up of activists, free speech advocates,
journalists and others who care deeply about free expression.
And the thinking was that they were going to side with Trump and say that, you know, the now he's been in a timeout period, and it's time to bring him
back. Instead, the board is saying Facebook needs to clarify its rules. They say an indefinite suspension; a permanent suspension is too much and
needs to be clearer.
But for now, Trump remains banned. And, you know, this is, as we've been saying, a precedent setting case. This is not the only world leader that's
going to face these questions in the future.
ANDERSON: He hasn't gone quiet. He has launched his own social media site. What do we make of that?
STELTER: He's launched basically a blog where he can post the statements that he now writes, in lieu of tweets his, you know, staff sends out these
statements multiple times a day. Just now he's blessed on a statement complaining about Facebook, and insisting that technology companies "Must
pay a political price for this alleged censorship".
That is the new narrative from the right in the United States that there must be revenge, there must be retribution for these technology companies.
If these private companies having their own rules, having their own decision making processes about who can be on the platforms?
Certainly that's a dramatic change from how we would normally think about the business relationship with Republican Party leaders, right? Typically,
big business and the GOP have been seen as allies. But now you have not just Trump, but many of his supporters saying these tech companies must be
punished.
ANDERSON: Mr. Stelter is in the house. Thank you, sir always a pleasure.
STELTER: Thanks.
ANDERSON: News, just into CNN, Baghdad hosted more than one round of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran. That is, according to Iraq's President, the
President did not say exactly how many rounds happened and in fact, specifically declined to do so. The President did not comment on whether
the talks or any progress on Yemen but said he thinks there is positive development by the interested parties in making that happen.
More on that, of course, as we get it an incredibly important story in this region. We see the Saudis and the Iranians talking in Iraq, as we see the
JCPOA talks of course continue in Vienna this sort of twin track going on at present.
An election in Scotland tomorrow could have consequences well beyond its borders the question of independence high on voters mind more on that after
this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: Scottish voters go to the polls on Thursday in an election that could lead to a new referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.
Voters split pretty much down the middle on whether to break from the UK 42 percent yes and 50 percent no, 8 percent still undecided.
Now Nicola Sturgeon Scottish Nationalists - sorry, let me say that again. The SNP, Scottish National Party is polling close to a majority and she is
vowed to put that independence question to the people. But this make or break moment for Scotland's movement for independence is far from a done
deal.
They were obvious and found that while some voters are excited about a possible break with the UK, others are just weary of politics after years
of economic uncertainty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARIE MACKLIN, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, HALO KILMARNOCK: And like the start, so we're going to be doing them across the whole of the UK.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice over): Carbon neutral regeneration in Scotland's Rust Belt.
ROBERTSON (on camera): This was a Johnnie Walker whisky factory here not too many years ago?
MACKLIN: It was a controversial site.
ROBERTSON (voice over): 700 jobs gone overnight, nearly 10 years and much investment later. CEO Mary Macklin is helping bring high tech jobs to her
hometown Kilmarnock. She's getting the keys just days ahead of a huge moment in Scottish politics.
MACKLIN: This project wouldn't have been possible without the 3.5 million pounds from the UK Government and the Scottish Government. And if you take
me down the road of independence referendum debate, so I'm happy to answer this question.
ROBERTSON (voice over): It's the question all Scots are about to answer.
ROBERTSON (on camera): This election is about more than who gets to govern Scotland. It could lead to the breakup of the United Kingdom. The Scottish
National Party promised a referendum on independence if they get a majority. You guys are going to be voting?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
ROBERTSON (on camera): You know which way?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: SMP.
ROBERTSON (on camera): Why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because--
ROBERTSON (on camera): Not because of independence?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I absolutely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think of a SNP I'm not convinced with their arguments, their independence--
ROBERTSON (on camera): Is the independence a big issue for you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well as to an extent, yes.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Scotland's glory days riding last century's Industrial Revolution faded here long ago poverty, drugs, crime,
unemployment, all up faith in elections to change it not so much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just kind of a bother--
ROBERTSON (on camera): Because?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm fed up with politics.
ROBERTSON (voice over): For Businesswoman Macklin getting hope into Scotland's former industrial heartland is more important than under which
flag?
ROBERTSON (on camera): Would you be voting for a pro-independence party?
MACKLIN: That's an international question. And it's not about should the country independent or not as the time right for that independence debate?
ROBERTSON (on camera): Is it?
MACKLIN: No.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Across the country and pretty IML close to the English border. The sea is the town's lifeblood. Here, Brexit buffeted
incomes, turmoil from independence, is a price worth paying, according to the town's biggest employer.
ROBERTSON (on camera): Could you really handle a border a hard border 20 miles down the road from here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, that could be very tricky. I think, you know, currency as well. There are issues there have to be resolved and done
satisfactorily.
JAMES COOK, MANAGING DIRECTOR, D.R. COLLIN & SON: I think we're a very proud country and I think we have the skills to you know, to make better
decisions for us. This is part of the bagpipes. It's 14--
ROBERTSON (voice over): World famous Bagpipe Maker Stuart McCallum is also wrestling the independence question.
[11:55:00]
ROBERTSON (on camera): How would an independent Scotland affect your business?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a family thinks it could be pretty good for him because it's what identity and we're very proud to be Scottish.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Bagpipes proving popular during lockdown, a business is doing well. He voted for independence in 2014. But now--
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sitting on the fence at the moment with that, to be honest. I don't know could be good or bad for us. I think we've had too
much change going on recently saw.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Over the past year polls have predicted support for independence and a little over 50 percent. In recent weeks, the numbers
have softened. And right now, the undecided like Stuart McCallum hold the balance Nic Robertson, CNN Kilmarnock, Scotland.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, dram of whisky can often not go amiss. In the highlands, there could soon be a royal special joining Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham
Estates launching an exclusive line of beer. Cheers to that. It's called "The India Pale Ale" has been developed from organic - Barley grown on the
grounds of the Queen's Norfolk Country Retreat.
The bottle even branded with a crown Sandringham is among the Queen's personal assets serving as one of her main sources of income. One has to
assume that it will be served at Balmoral has Scottish estates. Good luck, your Majesty. And good night to you wherever you are watching in the world,
it's a very good evening from Abu Dhabi. Stay safe, and stay well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAIN ASHER, CNN HOST: There are alarming new predictions about COVID cases in India. Here is what's coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AIYAR: He is the Prime Minister of the country. He takes full responsibility for all that we do good and all that goes wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: India's once popular leader is now under fire for his handling of this crisis. Plus--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: We can't go any closer because if we do, that could be some interception.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
END
