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Blinken Meets Israeli, Palestinian Leaders; Israeli President Accepts Biden's Invitation to Visit U.S.; Israel Ambassador to the UAE: Look at Normalization With the United Arab Emirates to See the "Fruits of Peace" With Israel; Assad's Legacy: Catastrophic Civil War & Ravaged Economy; U.S. Resolution Wants Eritrean Troops Out of Ethiopia; Ethiopia Denounces U.S. Visa and Aid Restrictions. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired May 26, 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: One of the top U.S. officials touring the Middle East this hour on a mission to promote diplomacy and peace the U.S.
Secretary of State with offers of help and messages of hope and facts on a trip aimed at shoring up the Israel/Hamas ceasefire.
Antony Blinken this hour is in Jordan, and - final stop of what has been this regional tour for meetings with the Foreign Minister there and King
Abdullah. Well, earlier Blinken sat down with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, of course a key player in ceasefire
negotiations. In Commons at the U.S. Embassy Blinken praised Egypt's role saying the two countries share a common view of the future for Israelis and
Palestinians take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We've had in Egypt, a real an effective partner in dealing with the violence, bringing it to a close
relatively quickly and now working closely together to try to build something positive as we move forward.
If we both believe strongly that Palestinians and Israelis deserve equally to live in safety and security, to enjoy equal measures of freedom,
opportunity and dignity. And we're working on that together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, also in the region today, the British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, seen here in Ramallah. He is meeting both Palestinian and
Israeli officials on his trip. Well, before leaving for Egypt, the U.S. Secretary of State skirted the diplomatic tightrope between Israel and the
Palestinians with meetings and promises made two leaders on both sides as Nic Robertson tells us keeping the peace though, will not be easy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice over): Five and a half years since an American Secretary of State met Palestinian Authority
officials on their home turf. Antony Blinken came promising reengagement reopening the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem closed during the Trump
Administration and rebuilding in Gaza, hoping to shore up the ceasefire.
BLINKEN: In total, we are in the process of providing more than $360 million in urban support for the Palestinian people. And across these
efforts, we will work with partners to ensure that Hamas does not benefit from these reconstruction efforts.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Despite the ceasefire, Palestinian tensions with Israel remain high anger at a nearby funeral for a Palestinian man killed
by Israeli forces the previous night during what Israeli security sources describe as an attempted arrest of terror activists. More than money,
Palestinian leaders here want a U.S. commitment to help them.
MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT: We also hope that the future will be full of diplomatic and political activities led by the U.S.
with the assistance of the international quartet to reach a peaceful, comprehensive and just solution based on the international law.
BLINKEN: The first point is a vote of thanks to President Biden and you in.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Jerusalem praise from Israel's Prime Minister for U.S. support during the conflict and concern. Blinken could ensure money
for rebuilding Gaza doesn't rearm Hamas.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: If Hamas breaks the calm and attacks Israel; our response will be very powerful. And we have discussed
ways of how to work together to prevent Hamas rearmament with the weapons and means of the aggression.
ROBERTSON (voice over): It won't be easy. Hamas controls Gaza, not the Palestinian Authority, who Blinken wants to boost by channeling the aid
through them.
BLINKEN: There's a lot of hard work ahead to restore hope, respect and some trust across communities. But we've seen the alternative and I think that
should cause all of us to redouble our efforts to preserve the peace and improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nic Robertson joining me now from Jerusalem. Nic, it's an interesting trip isn't it? Many will say this is a diplomatic dance. What
has really being achieved at the end of the day is the shoring up of a cease which is an immediate solution to what is a much more complicated and
much more prescient set of issues going forward.
[11:05:00]
ROBERTSON: Yes, and I think, you know, if you're in the White House and you're in the Biden Administration, and you've set your sights as we
understand he has on relations with China.
China's viewed as the biggest foreign policy threat to the United States, then trying to deal with a very difficult and very intractable issue here
in the Middle East that has bedeviled you know, more than a half a dozen presidents at least already, is not a political diplomatic track for the
White House to willingly want to go down.
And I think what you've seen here is the Secretary of State walk about as far down that track as the United States is willing to go. To go further,
you get drawn into the difficulties you get drawn into the nuance.
I was listening to a Palestinian Civil Society Leader today, who was meeting who met with Secretary Blinken last night who was laying out a lot
of that nuance and a lot of the political capital that the United States would have to invest for Palestinians to get what they want out of this
situation.
And when you listen to that, very strong, very heartfelt desire for support for the United States, you can see that that is something that's going to
cost this White House a distracting amount of effort when they want to focus somewhere else.
So it's not easy. And it's not something that the White House willingly wants to do. And they don't believe that the key politicians on either side
are in place right now. Becky, it seems to me right now, this band aid that Secretary Blinken has put on the ceasefire. That's about the best it's
going to get at the moment. Of course, everyone hopes for more, but we're not there.
ANDERSON: You're back in Jerusalem. It was incidents in Jerusalem a couple of weeks ago or more that provided the powder kegs, as it were for this
latest escalation in violence. What's the atmosphere like now?
ROBERTSON: You know, the land rights issues whether it's a Sheik Jarrah neighborhood or another lands rights issue that was in court today, still
generates anger and frustration on the Palestinian side. And there's a sense from Palestinians that Israeli police in their actions are being
tougher than they were previously.
And Palestinians were telling you that it's because the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees his political success at the moment and holding on
to power through being tougher on Palestinians so that that marginalizes the political, the potential political influence of Israeli Arab
politicians from forming a coalition that could not Netanyahu out of government.
That would be the perception on the Palestinian side. And then that left the door open for uncertainty from the Israeli perspective, that, you know,
that they could see that the current tensions within the Palestinian political environment that the elections were canceled, that Hamas
potentially saw a chance here to leverage itself up and gain some more influence and support in Jerusalem and in the West Bank by taking military
action against Israel.
They saw an opposite - they saw an opportunity there. When you weigh these, when you weigh these things up, you do see just how desperate the views
are? And how big the gap is in the middle? And how hard it would be for the United States and it is for the United States to put its hands across that
gap and pull both sides to a to a position where they can develop trust at the moment and certainly that doesn't exist right now, Becky?
ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in Jerusalem for you. Thank you, Nic. Well, though efforts to help the Palestinian people recover from what has been
this latest round of fighting, certainly welcome. For many civilians living in Gaza, the future remains bleak.
For more than a decade they've been living under a blockade with very little chance of leaving the territory even temporarily. Ben Wedeman spoke
to one man who says it's like living in the world's biggest open air prison. Here is Ben's report from Gaza.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In Gaza city's main square, Mohammad Abu Gumbos (ph) and his friends show off their
break dancing skills. Muhammad's dream is to compete outside Gaza. But there's a problem. Travel from Gaza, he says is almost impossible.
This narrow strip of land on the Mediterranean, home to 2 million people has been under an Egyptian Israeli blockade since Hamas took over Gaza in
2007. Among other things, the blockade was intended to isolate Hamas and prevent the militaries from smuggling in the arms.
But since then, Hamas and other groups have been able to manufacture launch tens of thousands of rockets into Israel and Hamas 14 years later is still
firmly in control.
[11:10:00]
WEDEMAN (voice over): In - as residents queue for food donated by Egypt, Qatar and Malaysia. About half the population is dependent on food aid.
Unemployment is almost 50 percent. I asked the young people in the crowd the same question.
WEDEMAN (on camera): Have you ever in your whole life traveled outside Gaza?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No travel.
WEDEMAN (voice over): Everyone gave the same answer. No, never. Like the others that - she's never stepped foot outside Gaza never been on a plane
or a train. Gaza is hemmed in by Israel to the north and the east Egypt to the south.
Israel and Egypt allow a limited amount of goods strictly controlled into Gaza but exporting is difficult. Israel bombed - plastic ware factory the
day before the ceasefire went into effect. His 12 employees are now without work. And even before the hostilities, try as he might Muhammad never
received permission to export his products via Israel.
We met all their conditions he says, but we never received an answer from them if we can export or not. People here whether they support Hamas or
not, and many don't. They're all serving the same sentence says Analyst Mkhaimar Abusada.
MKHAIMAR ABUSADA, AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY-GAZA: Gaza has become the biggest open air prison on the first event.
WEDEMAN (voice over): If the blockade isn't lifted, this may be the closest to flying some of these children will ever be. Ben Wedeman, CNN, Gaza.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, coming up as Gaza picks up the pieces. We'll take a deeper look at the Israel/Hamas ceasefire and the wider push for peace. A
conversation with Israel's Ambassador to the UAE is just ahead. And - our open in Syria but inside and outside the country many are calling the
voters sham we'll have the latest on the presidential contest there.
Then U.S. action on Ethiopia's war ravaged Tigray. I'll connect you to two of the main players who led the drive on Capitol Hill for more human rights
and humanitarian aid in the region.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Let's do more on our top story now the push for Israeli/Palestinian peace. America's top diplomat is in Jordan this hour.
Its Antony Blinken's final stop on what has been a tour aimed at cementing the truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Now earlier the U.S. Secretary of State met with the Egyptian President praising Egypt for its role in negotiating this deal. Meanwhile, the
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has accepted U.S. President Joe Biden's invitation to meet in person in Washington in the coming weeks.
Well, earlier this week, Blinken also spoke with the UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed about boosting stability in the region.
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: Well, for more on the conflict and the push for peace and how regional stakeholders may get involved? Let's bring in Israel's Ambassador
to the UAE Eitan Naeh and before we get into the politics today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. And you are at the first Holocaust Memorial
exhibition ever to be held in this Middle East region your thoughts on that, if you will?
EITAN NAEH, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO UAE: Well, certainly an extraordinary exhibition, to be here in Dubai. And to see the exhibition here in another
country, I think the first of its kind, certainly in the region, knowing about the misconception of the Holocaust, the Holocaust denial that is
pretty prevalent here in the region.
And to see this exhibition is really a first step for a much wider development, and gives you a real perspective and a real hard look into
what is the UAE Holocaust education, tolerance as a local FS (ph), and really gives me as a son of a Holocaust survivor, great hope about the
future of peace and normal relationships between Israel and certainly the UAE.
ANDERSON: And it is great hope that I want to discuss tonight and I want to get your thoughts on what has been this latest escalation in violence
between Israel and Palestinians. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas does seem to be holding for the time being so that we have been here before
in 2009 in 2014.
War, temporary truce, then war again, ceasefires have never solved the underlying issues between Israelis and Palestinians. And clearly, it is
those underlying causes that must be addressed to achieve a long lasting, viable peace for the benefit of both Palestinians and Israelis equally.
And I use that term equally, because it is a term that the U.S. and the Secretary of State has been using liberally on his tour through the region,
your thoughts?
NAEH: Well, the thing what we saw in Gaza only demonstrates how important is what we build now with the UAE and other Abraham Accords countries. We
are building a new model of peace. What we saw in Gaza was, the people of yesterday fighting the wars of yesterday against peace missiles, using
missiles against civilians to solve problems or to create problems.
And what we see here is a completely different model. We spoke before about tolerance. We spoke before about normalization, we spoke before about
building relationships between people about education for peace. Learning about the each other's our history, our shared history.
And I think that when you come from the Middle East, our corner in the Middle East, and you come here, you see a huge difference and what we try
to help - what we try to build. And what we're doing here is building the exact opposite of what we see - what we saw in Gaza. Gaza, firing rockets
at Israel.
ANDERSON: Right. Hamas told Israel, that it was the recent violence, the threat of forced expulsions of Palestinians from their homes in East
Jerusalem, Israeli police raiding the Al Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. And that was the spot for their latest volley of rockets into
Israel.
I don't want to get into with you, the tit for tat that followed. What I do want to discuss is the UAE's statement that was released, urging Israeli
authorities to "Assume their responsibilities in line with international law to provide necessary protection to Palestinian civilian's rights to
practice their religion and to prevent practices that violate the sanctity of the holy Al Aqsa Mosque" and the UAE calling on Israel to preserve the
historical identity of occupied Jerusalem.
The UAE, one of a number of countries, Arab countries that have normalized relations with Israel and as such have direct lines of communication with
Israel these days and as Ambassador here in the Emirates, what was the message locally sir?
[11:20:00]
NAEH: I think the message was clear. The message is first of all, the UAE has relations with Israel. They can talk directly with Israel. I think that
that the message from the UAE was very clear. Missiles, rockets, won't solve any problem, whatever the problem is, whatever the grievance is, the
answer is not firing rockets at civilians.
I think that the message from the UAE is to sit down to recognize Israel to normalize relationship with Israel to abandon terrorism that they have been
engaged in that. I think that the message here is, as I said, clear, peace and normalization as a way to solve problems.
ANDERSON: Well, back in the summer, the UAE's Minister of State for an Affair Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stood alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, and
then President Donald Trump at the White House for the signing ceremony of what are known as these Abraham Accords.
And at the time, he said that these accords would, and I quote him here enablers to continue to stand by the Palestinian people and realize their
hopes for an independent state. Look, the UAE has not played a lead role in mediating the current ceasefire, as we understand it, but from sources, I
do understand that there have been significant discussions behind the scenes.
At this point, when we consider Jerusalem and the issue of Palestinian rights, are you worried that this recent escalation could further slow the
pace of normalization and the benefits of the Abraham Accords at this point?
NAEH: I think that the lesson from the recent escalation is quite the opposite, as if we have to further enhance the relationships, if we have
one state, we have to further promote and progress in our relationships.
Because, again, what we saw here and what the Abraham Accords represent is a departure from yesterday, departure from the rounds of violence,
departure from everything that when you suffer to into a new model, and the thing that the more we do it and the more we show others in the region,
look at what we're doing?
Look at how we enjoy the fruits of peace? Look what it brings us here? The more they may say to themselves, well, why not us? And I think that this is
the message. This is the message that the UAE is broadcasting to the region. And they think and I hope that the region will listen.
ANDERSON: With respect sir, I must press you on this because it is clear that the UAE's position is very much in tune with so much of what we hear
around this region with regard the issues of Jerusalem and the issues of Palestinian rights.
And as much as we understand that this was a decision a sovereign decision by the UAE, to enter into normalize relations with Israel for the benefit
economically and on a business basis for this country, their position is clear on the rights for Palestinians. So I ask you again, are you concerned
that unless there is a change in the approach by Israelis, that normalization, and its benefits will slow here?
NAEH: Look, I can't see into the future. I'm not concerned about the UAE approach, if that is what you're asking. I'm concerned about the
Palestinian approach, about Hamas approach, about the approach to peacemaking, this is what concerns me.
And as about Israel/UAE relationships, as far as we can see, so far, they're progressing. And what the UAE will try to bring to the table is its
experience in peacemaking, and whether the Palestinians will choose again to fire rockets? I hope not?
Whether they choose violence? Well, I think we showed them clearly that this is not the way in so many words in so many ways.
ANDERSON: Let's be quite clear, Hamas does not control Jerusalem and Israel does. Its changes there that are needed those are underlying causes. Do you
support a change? Do you support equality of rights for Israelis and Palestinians going forward?
NAEH: Well, you know, you asked me before about freedom of religion and worship. It's not just for one it's for all.
[11:25:00]
NAEH: Jews have rights as well as Muslims in Christians to pray in the Western world and not to be disrupted by rocks that are being thrown from
the Temple Mount - they're praying worshipping. So freedom of religion, freedom of worship, goes around.
It's for all not just for one party so if I'm concerned about and what worries me is that yes they want freedom of worship, Israel said all along
that there won't be any change the status quo, but it stands for everybody. Jews had been praying in Jerusalem. Jews will pray in Jerusalem. Jews will
visit the Temple Mount. It's their right as much as it is for everybody else. And that's what--
ANDERSON: It is a change to the status quo that is of course sought by Palestinians. It is a change to the status quo, which is sought by
Palestinians. Let me just put this to you sir. The recent unrest has also sparked a lot criticism from Democrats.
Let's just pursue this line of inquiry because I'm really interested in your response to this. There is - there has been a lot of noise from
progressive Democrats in the U.S. Congress. I spoke to one of them recently who wrote a letter to Secretary Blinken urging him to put pressure on the
Israeli government to stop the home expulsions and the violence, just have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MARIE NEWMAN (D-IL): Our recommendation here Israeli government stop committing these atrocities and if you truly want peace and to live side by
side with the Palestinians, then do it. Stop picking fights because we know what happens?
The cycle of violence is almost exactly the same every time. Settlers come in, steal land and homes. And it gets very ugly. And then Hamas inserts
itself separately, and responds. So if I were the Israeli government, how about stopping the cycle?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And she described Israel's government as committing human rights violations. I just want to put this to you should nothing change? And
should the underlying causes of the Palestinian struggle not be addressed? Do you worry about a sea change in support for Israel from Washington
support that Israel has always relied on?
NAEH: Look, I'm serving here in the UAE, as Israel's Head of Mission in Abu Dhabi. So I can tell you about what they saw here during the Gaza campaign.
And what I saw here is a huge difference that we saw years ago, if you can compare it to 2014.
In the words of young Emiratis, who told me that for the first time, they have a chance to hear and to listen to the other side. So far, they only
had one side. You know, I was born in Israel. My father was born in Israel. I'm a sixth generation Israeli.
Pretext and, you know, excuses for violence I mean, no shortage. 100 years ago, 1921 it was a bench that the Jews put in the in the Western world in
order to sit down was during a whole day of praying in Yom Kippur, the Western world. That was the reason a bench for an outbreak of violence and
the massacre of Jews.
So excuses we had a lot in the last 100 years. Our eyes are turned to the future. We want to see a succession of violence, the future of Jerusalem,
and the future of the status quo in Jerusalem is a no doubt and Israeli government has said it numerous times.
I think that what we see is - what we saw, certainly when Hamas fired - started firing rockets in Jerusalem that has no - that has got no excuse.
We have seen no condemnation a wide condemnation for that and I think this is what we should focus about. This is where we should focus on the--
ANDERSON: It is really--
NAEH: --status quo, freedom of worship and praying freedom of religion are to all sides, Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.
ANDERSON: And it is really important to get your perspective and I am really pleased that you joined me today at what is the first Holocaust
Memorial Exhibition ever to be held in this Middle East region. So we do thank you for that. And that holds certainly provides some hope for the
future. Thank you, sir.
Well, a decade long Civil War thousands of people dead and an economy in tatters. So why is Syrian President Bashar Al Assad confident of victory as
the country votes? We will explore that just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: The site of dissent even after crushing war in Idlib, Syria hundreds of protesters turning out today to denounce the country's
presidential election, which is underway as we speak. Many experts and activists call vote fast and a sham one rigged for incumbent President
Bashar Al Assad.
Well, he cast his vote today in the former rebel stronghold of Duma surrounded by cheering supporters. Bashar Al Assad has been President of
Syria since 2000. For the last 10 years of that rule, he has presided over what has been a catastrophic civil war that has killed hundreds of
thousands of his own people more now from CNN's Jomana Karadsheh.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's as if the last 10 years never happened. It defined Bashar Al Asad running for all but
guaranteed for seven year term in an election labeled a sham and illegitimate by the U.S. and other countries.
Running against two obscure government sanction candidates, no one's expecting any surprises. After all, Assad claimed nearly 90 percent of the
2014 vote during the civil war that pitted his supporters against those who wanted to overthrow his regime.
JOMANA QADDOUR, HEAD OF SYRIA PORTFOLIO, THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL: The international community should treat this, as I said, a non event. It's
absolutely not changing the economic conditions on the ground. It's not changing the political conditions on the ground. Syrians are just as
oppressed, they will be just as oppressed on Thursday as they are today.
KARADSHEH (voice over): After a decade of a war like no other the world has seen in generations most of this broken country with help from allies
Russia and Iran is back under Assad's control. But Syria today is a shadow of the country he inherited from his father more than 20 years ago.
Syrians are facing the hunger crisis, the majority living in poverty, more than half can't afford a basic meal, according to the UN. But through it
all Assad continues to cling on.
QADDOUR: The Assad regime and its allies. They just want to continue to confirm that they will not budge an inch despite everything the country has
been through in 10 years, despite the fact that they're struggling to keep the country alive economically.
They are still adamant about not changing single. From Bashar Al Assad's perspective this is an existential crisis. He will fight to the death he
said this many years ago, his supporter said this. I said well, we will burn down the country.
KARADSHEH (voice over): And the country burned 12 million displaced hundreds of thousands of lives lost more than 120,000 like Ali Mustafa (ph)
must have vanished into the black hole of the regime's prison system. His daughter Wafa counts the days since she last saw her father, more than
2800. That's nearly eight years.
[11:35:00]
KARADSHEH (voice over): She's been fighting for his freedom and for that of others forcibly disappeared by the regime.
WAFA MUSTAFA, SYRIAN ACTIVIST: I think of my dad obviously, and I feel him every day. But now more than ever, it's just heartbreaking. My dad is
probably being tortured. Luckily, if he's still alive, while Assad is being elected for another term, it makes me feel very angry, very sad, very
disappointed, and feeling helpless. And this is the point where I asked myself is everything I'm trying to do pointless, just pointless?
KARADSHEH (voice over): Wafa describes the election is a silly play. But that doesn't make it any less painful or dangerous.
MUSTAFA: This is also a message to all dictatorships, and to all war criminals around the globe. That yes, you can commit more crimes, you can
use chemical weapons against your own people, and you can actually bomb your country and detain millions and displace them and kill them, and you
can still get away with it and you can still be elected for another time, and you can still be called the president.
KARADSHEH (voice over): This election, a clear message to the world, Assad has not only survived, he is here to stay. Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, Istanbul.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Syrian officials have repeatedly denied allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity insisting they target terrorists. Well,
I want to bring in Qutaiba Idlbi. It'll be - he is the Special Representative of the Syrian Opposition Coalition to the United States and
a fellow at the International Center for Transitional Justice.
And before we talk about these elections, I just want our viewers to get a sense of your journey. You grew up in Damascus. You were jailed, and
tortured twice as I understand it at the start of the revolution, before you eventually escaped to the United States. Just tell us about that
journey and how you got to where you are now?
QUTAIBA IDLBI, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE, SYRIAN OPPOSITION COALITION: Thank you so much, Becky. And, you know, good afternoon to you or good evening.
As you said, I grew up in Damascus; my family was a little bit more oriented. But in essence, I grew up in that same prison we see - and today.
I remember when I was in high school, our teachers would be bused, you know, on the elections day, to go to the election centers, where they
didn't really have not only they were not, you know, had a choice to vote, you know, yes or no on Assad, but they were actually forced to vote with
blood in front of security officials who are running election centers.
In a way Syria was - and still is the kingdom of silence, where Assad continues to push forward this badly produced image of democracy on the -
literally on the blood and bodies of people that he has killed throughout those 10 years of war.
Today is Assad's today's visit to Duma where he cast his vote is clear evidence of that where he wanted - he went to the same city he bombed with
chemical weapons, just eight years ago. I was I think, among the lucky ones. I survived torture twice and then the third time I had to escape
Syria, because Assad's regime decided to go after my 16-year-old brother when I didn't deliver it myself.
I had no option then other than leaving Syria, and eventually making it to the United States. But, you know, back then, you know, living in Syria, I
remember the moments of, you know, 2000 when the constitution changed, just to fit Assad, to take the, you know, the presidency after his father. It's
exactly the same thing we see today.
The constitution designed in 2012 and the laws that came after really just designed this phrase just for Assad to move forward. Candidates can, you
know, no candidate can run for presidency unless they get approval from the - from 35 members from the parliament that Assad controlled.
The Supreme Court in Syria, which is appointed by Assad, is the one who need to approve any candidate. And then no Syrian, who has been living at
the country for 10 years can run for election, which is again designed to push away all those Syrians who run away from war in the past almost half
of the Syrian people who run away from the war in the last 10 years.
ANDERSON: Well, the UN the international community, many voices from the international community calling this election illegitimate. I want our
viewers and you to have a listen to what Bashar Al Assad had to say in response to those comments, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SYRIAN PRESIDENT: All the statements that we heard recently from Western countries, most of which have a colonial history that
evaluated and determine the illegality of these elections. As a state we do not care at all about such statements.
[11:40:00]
AL-ASSAD: But what is more important than what the state says or does not say is what the people say? I think that what we've seen during the past
few weeks is the clear enough answer to all of those statements. And it tells them that the value of your opinions is zero. And your value itself
is 10 zeros.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I can only imagine what you - what your response to those comments is? Do you envisage a Syria without Bashar Al Assad in power at
all?
IDLBI: I dream about Syria without Assad, to be honest. But the problem is at the moment with the lack of will from the international community to
push forward for a political transition in Syria. It's hard to imagine this dream coming true to be honest.
Assad has stayed for over 10 years, but he stayed over a destroyed country. Today in Syria, we don't really to be honest, we don't have one Syria, we
have four Syria divided between different controlling parties.
My hope is that, you know, in that part of free Syria, we have in the north, to be able to establish a secular governance model, were we able to
show Syrians what was - what is the Syria that we dreamt for in 2011 looks like?
Regardless of you know, whether Assad maintains his control over, you know, half of Syria or not, I think the challenge for especially in the political
opposition is to show Syrians that this is what we have came out for in 2011.
And then established that model where we can attract Syrians, you know, to come to those areas is kind of like an East West Germany model. Today in
northern Syria you know, I talked to a lot of people in Damascus, businessmen, regular people. And I get calls all the time people asking me,
how can we make it to northern Syria to find the new opportunities for ourselves?
Even those areas that are not, you know, governed by, you know, a perfect governance model, sometimes it's just a little bit of chaos. But it still
provides hope for all of those Syrians, including those who are living under Assad today.
ANDERSON: The 10 year anniversary of the Arab Spring just passed earlier this year. And it is sad to say that Syria couldn't be in a worse place at
this point. The Obama Administration was heavily involved in that decade or beginning of that decade of civil war.
I just wonder what you hope to see from Washington at this point, this is an administration, which, quite frankly, has not put the Middle East front
and center on its own in its foreign file.
IDLBI: Absolutely. And it is worrying to be honest, that we don't see the Middle East at the forefront of priorities, even though the administration,
you know, have been pushing forward human rights as a priority has been pushing forward foreign policy for the middle class.
My message is that if we really care about human rights, Syria is the place to actually be engaged. If we really care about great power competition
with China, Russia, and Iran as well Syria is the place where we are being challenged in the United States, from Russia, from China and from Iran.
The lack of engagement there means for all of those great powers, that we're not serious about advocating human rights. We're not serious about
our global power, competition, and ensuring, you know, view as well around the world.
And we are not I mean, more importantly; we are not serious about the future lives of the Syrian people. Main thing that the administration needs
to work on is to ensure real engagement on Syria, which unfortunately, we haven't seen so far from the current administration.
I hope in the next, you know, few weeks or a few months, especially with a lot of challenges coming ahead, like the renewal of the cross border
authorization in the UN Security Council, like post elections in Syria and what's going to happen in northern Syria between northeast and northwest?
These are a lot of challenges that are awaiting the administration. I hope to see some positive movements that would reflect really to middle class
Americans that we are serious about the goals we have presented in the last campaign.
ANDERSON: Fascinating insight. Thank you, sir. Be sure to join me tomorrow, folks same time, I've got an interview with the Danish Immigration
Spokesman Rasmus Stoklund during which we talked about his country's controversial plan to revoke resident status for hundreds of Syrian
refugees that's here tomorrow, same time, "Connect the World". We are going to take a very short break tonight. Back after this so didn't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: Misguided and regrettable Ethiopia telling the U.S. what it thinks of Washington's decision to restrict visas for any Ethiopian or
Eritrean government officials who stand in the way of a resolution in the war ravaged Tigray region.
CNN has been to the region reporting on a wide range of atrocities there and led to the U.S. Senate unanimously passing a resolution this month,
calling for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Ethiopia's Northern Tigray region.
Well, my next guests are Karl Von Batten who Heads the Von Batten-Montague- York, Washington D.C. Advocacy Group that led the push for this U.S. resolution on behalf of the Tigray Center for Information and
Communication.
In Chicago, Seenaa Jimjimo runs the Oromo Legacy Leadership Advocacy Association, which started working with the U.S. Congress five years ago.
And it is an absolute pleasure to have you both here this evening. Thank you.
Karl, let me start with you. And I just want to discuss what further details you have about how these new U.S. sanctions and visa restrictions
will work? As we understand it, they will be based off the findings of the joint Ethiopian Human Rights Commission investigation with the UN into
what's happening in Tigray, is that correct?
KARL VON BATTEN, MANAGING PARTNER, VON BATTEN-MONTAGUE-YORK, LC: Hello Becky. Before I answer your question, I just want to say thank you to CNN,
you know, all standard reporting was the linchpin they got this true. So thanks very much. I appreciate it.
I can't really give them a lot of details about what the U.S. going to do potential sanctions? We've not really dive into the information yet, as
change sooner with restrictions. When we get the clarity of informed people about this, we'll let you know.
But right now, the Biden guys are working on this right now. And so when I have more information, I'll let you know. But at this time, I can't - yet.
ANDERSON: If this is a joint investigation, as we understand it, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission is an Ethiopian state appointed body.
BATTEN: Sure.
ANDERSON: Our viewers will be wondering I'm sure whether a government that's being investigated should be allowed to be part of the
investigations mechanism? I wonder how you feel about that.
BATTEN: I think its insanity. And that's why the Senate Resolution calls for an independent investigation, no joint investigation. It's like having
- and Khmer Rouge, you know, take part in their investigation into their crimes. It makes no sense.
And that's why the U.S. Senate was very, very loud in - demand them to have independent investigations. And I do believe the Biden people are going to
push for that, too. Right now, we're assessing what's going on. The president is an outstanding person.
He was waiting for the Senate to say something before he did anything, you know, because again, we know the White House is in charge of foreign
policy.
[11:50:00]
BATTEN: And based on all our discussion, we knew Biden waited for the Senate to say something. And as soon as the Senate spoke loudly, he acted.
He's a wonderful fellow. And he, you know, he takes his time. But he responds, and I do believe, and this is my personal opinion here that the
push is for no investigation and not a joint investigation. And again, this is my personal opinion.
ANDERSON: Seenaa, what do you make of all of this, this move by the U.S.? Is it enough? What are you calling for at this point?
SEENAA JIMJIMO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OROMO LEGACY LEADERSHIP ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION: Thank you so much Becky. Honor to be here. Yes, I do think it
is a very good start. Obviously, as you mentioned, we've been working with the U.S. government for five years, to remove the single largest in
Ethiopia that nationals don't know about it.
And they are the number one target of the Abby. Abby came to the power in 2018, on the back of Oromo protests, over 5000 Oromo had died between 2014
and 2018, which Abby was part of the system for seven years. And he came to the U.S. and I've met him about four times, where he asked for forgiveness
for the crime that he did under TPLF, along with the TPLF or other parties.
And he asked for forgiveness in an opportunity to transition the country into democracy. And instead of democracy, he, you know, one in his own way,
but today, the Saturday statement of - from the administration, it is a very good and clear message that administration have been very lean and
very king.
ANDERSON: So just from both of you. Seenaa let me start with you. The Ethiopian government has responded to the U.S.'s decision saying and I
quote here, it should be understood the government cannot be compelled to sit down and negotiate with the TPLF. I want to give you both an
opportunity to weigh in on that statement from the Ethiopian government Seenaa firstly you if you will.
JIMJIMO: Yes. Yes, Becky so that instruction in the Abby administration just about a month ago. He labeled the TPLF and the Armed Group of Oromo
Liberation Front what he calls it a - as a terrorist organization. He rushed and asked the parliament to approve it. That way he will not
negotiate.
But let's be honest, Becky, that Abby have targeted Oromo more than anybody. Oromo's has the largest ethnic group of 50percent of the Ethiopian
population. And Abby - the Oromo, he came to power in April 2018. He declared state of emergency in a western part of Oromia and have been
killing Oromo's non-stop.
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission came out just two weeks ago, where they saw children five months been in prison since July of last year that the
international community have not said anything.
So Abby is literally the fact that he cannot negotiate with the TPLF, which he labeled as a terrorist organization. And he was part of this previous
system that labeled the Oromo Organization as a terrorist organization. So it is not surprising Becky.
ANDERSON: Karl, very briefly your response.
BATTEN: I think it's a joke. It makes no sense. He labeled TPLF a terrorist group so he doesn't have to negotiate with them. I think we should have
negotiation. You know, one thing we're going to be pushing for is a national dialogue. We're hoping that now that the Biden - calls for a
dialogue in Washington, D.C., where we get all the stakeholders to come here and have a Camp David type of discussion.
He has to negotiate with TPLF. We know they represent a group of people that are my clients who don't work with TPLF. But now so far these before
setting population in the country, and so he has to talk with them and other groups to you know, Somalis and over this issue doing that too.
And so, you know, we have to have a national dialogue, you know, and I do hope that they will come to your senses. And understand that this is a road
to nowhere. I think that the U.S. government has taken its time. And it's important that we have some action. And so I'm going to push for more
sanctions. And I hope he talks to the TPLF and other groups out there.
ANDERSON: Right. Real action and not a cosmetic fix I'm sure it's what you're looking for at this point. Seenaa, you are a representative of an
Oromo Group, the largest ethnic bloc in Ethiopia. And you have said that the international community cannot remain complicit or ignorant to the
reality there. We've got about a minute and a half; just tell us about the growing violence in that region. And do you fear a potential civil war in
Ethiopia at this point?
JIMJIMO: Becky, what's happened in Tigray obviously is horrific. And we've been speaking up about that from day one when the - called. However, Becky
let's remember Tigray account to 6 percent of Ethiopian population whereas Oromo account of 50 percent of the population, yet the International
Committee have not said anything.
[11:55:00]
JIMJIMO: Just two weeks ago, a young man ninth grade student. He was publicly executed in front of 200 people, his mom and dad in his crime,
allegation in the Oromia regional government came out saying that is the direction we give to the authority.
And then the silence of the International Committee said, Abby, that it is OK to kill Oromo as long as you don't kill the children's, which is a wrong
message, because Ethiopia cannot be a piece. The region cannot be stable when you have a 50 million Oromos who are protesting are being killed a day
and night that international community must really speak up if you want to bring a peace and stability to region.
It's not something like you can ignore. As Oromo we feel frustrated, Becky, because we've been protesting in Washington, D.C. for years. We've been
speaking about Abby from the day he came to power that he - as he - the international community when - was killed last - Becky, that thousands
Oromos came out. In 2020 Congress wrote a letter but still we have yet to see, but there is no way around.
ANDERSON: Right. I'm going to have to take a break at this point. I'm just right up against some timing here. But thank you, we will have you guys
back and we will continue to report on this story. Thank you. We're going to take a very short break back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Before we let you go a birth announcement for you Tasmanian Devils have been born in the world of Mainland Australia for the first time
in more than 3000 years. Seven babies born in New South Wales just months after conservation is introduced these species back into a sanctuary last
year.
Tasmanian Devils died out on Australia's Mainland after the arrival of Bingos, a species of wild dog and since then their numbers have dwindled
even on their own island of Tasmania. Look at those. Thank you for joining us. Wherever you are watching in the world, it's very good evening to you
from Abu Dhabi.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
