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French Ambassador: We "Absolutely were not Informed" About Deal; Kabul's Female Government Workers Told to Stay Home; CNN Speaks to U.N. Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths; Gunman Opens Fire at a University, Killing at least Six; Polls Open as Trudeau Faces Cliffhanger Snap Election; Netflix "The Crown" Scores Top Prizes on TV's Biggest Night. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired September 20, 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]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: --once security pact caused a rift between some of the world's closest allies? I'm Becky Anderson.
Welcome back to "Connect the World".
European Union now demanding answers as to why the French/Australian submarine deal collapsed this as one of the top EU politicians tell CNN
there's a growing feeling in Europe that something is broken with relations with the U.S. and there's a certain lack of trust among allies.
Well, all of this comes in the wake of another submarine deal that has incensed France. The U.S. and UK, striking an agreement to allow Australia
to build nuclear powered submarines, meaning France lost its multi-billion dollar contract with Canberra for conventional subs.
France has recalled ambassadors to both Washington and Canberra, canceled a defense meeting with the UK and could try to scuttle talks on a trade deal
between the EU and Australia. We're getting your reaction to this story from Paris, in Washington and here in Abu Dhabi. So Cyril let me start with
you in Paris, and explain what the French reaction has been to all of this?
CYRIL VANIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Becky, we reached out to the French presidency and finally got their versions of events. So here's the blow by
blow account of what happened? According to the French presidency, they say they had heard concerns from the Australians over the nuclear. I beg your
pardon over the submarine deal.
They reached out but got no indication that the deal was potentially in jeopardy. They say they brought this up again at the G7 earlier this
summer, same thing, no indication that the deal might go south. They then escalated this with French President Macron hosting his - the Australian
Prime Minister, Mr. Morrison in Paris in June.
They brought this up Mr. Macron did not walk away from that meeting, thinking that the deal was in danger. However, he did send a lengthy letter
we are told by the French Presidency to the Australian Premier addressing concerns about the deal. They say the answer that Mr. Macron got was purely
an attempt to buy time.
Then fast forward to last week it was Mr. Morrison according to the French Presidency, who reached out to Mr. Macron just a few hours before the
official announcement of this new three way partnership that was going to kill the French submarine deal.
Mr. Macron wanting to know is our deal dead? All he heard back from the Australians was an official letter just hours before the announcement,
saying that yes, indeed the deal was dead all of this Becky, according to the French Presidency.
ANDERSON: Well, French absolutely incensed. John, you are at the White House. What's been reaction there?
JOHN HARWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well Becky, the White House is saying, first of all, that it is fundamentally a decision for Australia to
back out of that deal with France. Secondly, that the United States did give France some advanced notice of this. And third, that the alliance
between the United States and France is strong and enduring and it's going to stay that way. Here is Secretary of State Tony Blinken.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We've been in touch with French counterparts in the last 24, 48 hours to discuss Arqus, including before
the announcement. I'll leave it to our Australian partners to describe why they sought this new technology.
But as the president said, and I want to emphasize again, we cooperate incredibly closely with France on many shared priorities in the Indo
Pacific but also beyond around the world, we're going to continue to do so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARWOOD: So as much as this has stung France, and caused the reaction, including the recalling of the ambassador's. President Biden is going to
try to smooth over the situation with a phone call to Emmanuel Macron sometime this week. Very difficult situation sometimes that happens when
priorities change in international relations, and this is one the United States believes is in its interest to pivot to Asia, and they're going to
try to simply overcome the turbulence with France, Becky?
ANDERSON: Well, you've just heard viewers. Thank you, John from Antony Blinken, the U.S. top diplomat. Here is the French Ambassador to the United
States have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILIPPE ETIENNE, FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: A few days before the announcements last Wednesday, we had a meeting of the two ministers of
defense and foreign affairs of France and Australia. We absolutely weren't informed of the new horse chosen by Australia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well France, Sam clearly furious at this new sort of U.S. Security Alliance with Australia and Britain canceling a meeting of Defense
Ministers with London. Let's just step back for a moment and just explain if you will what the wider context is here?
[11:05:00]
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, from the French perspective, inevitably, Becky, there's going to be remarks of - the lying
Brits. This goes back and it goes very, very deep indeed inside the French military establishment, to squabbles over colonial Africa in the late 19th
century, when the French felt they had been stabbed in the back by the British.
They've extended that over the years into thinking of the Anglo Saxon world as being a perfidious and untrustworthy. And there's nothing about this
deal that to the French perception would not reinforce that, but it's damaging to it very damaging for the United Kingdom, potentially in terms
of defense capability.
For example, last year, the United Kingdom and France stood up a 10,000 person joint expeditionary task force intended to go to be able to be
deployed jointly French and British troops around the world developing a lot of paratroopers, a 10 year project that was to get that standing up.
It's that kind of project that is, means that the two nations are completely interrelated as not only as NATO partners, but as military
allies, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier have been very much joined by British Royal Navy vessels in the past until the British got their Queen
Elizabeth class vessels going or more or less going.
They're all very deeply integrated militarily, and this pact is going to reset the clock, about 25 years back. And then on top of that, of course,
you have the frictions over the South China Sea, which is traditionally with China. And now we've got a bunch of NATO allies going at it over that
capacity to deploy in that arena, Becky.
ANDERSON: I just want our viewers to get a sense of how this is going down in Europe at the heart of sort of European decision making? EU foreign
ministers will meet in about six hours or so to discuss the fallout of this Australia, UK and U.S. deal.
In an interview with our colleague Christiane Amanpour earlier this is what Ursula Von Der Leyen who is President of the European Commission had to
say?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Do you see relations going, you know, in a negative direction, in that region with Australia?
You've already seen the French recall their key ambassadors over this issue?
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT: Well, there are a lot of open questions that have to be answered. And therefore, I mean, one of
our member states has been treated in a way that is not acceptable so we want to know what happened and why. And therefore, you first of all,
clarify that before you keep on going with business as usual.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Sam, just to pursue this sort of contextual stuff here, because it's important, what are the consequences of a sort of Indo Pacific
security alliance with the U.S., UK and Australia being described, by the way as a stab in the back by the French at this point? We - it's been well
telegraphed, as John rightly pointed out, that the U.S. at least is pivoting its foreign file as it were, to that region. Just how significant
is this?
KILEY: Well, it's very important indeed, it's the sort of issue that is really testing NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization there, there is
a sort of equivalent for the South China Sea for dealing with the perceived threat that China poses.
But this is a highly problematic, the French have always been somewhat one foot in one foot out in terms of the cultural philosophy towards NATO, they
have an independent nuclear deterrent. They are fiercely independent, but they have assets, they have very important concerns in the Pacific, as
does, obviously above all that the United States and Australia, Britain two very important trade area.
From the terms of international diplomacy, it is sort of disastrous, that these four allies are having such intense friction, when they should at
this stage be putting together a joint pivot towards what all of them would agree is the new challenge coming out of China?
And then on top of that, you've got the from the United Kingdom's perspective, being seen as the - as one as the French Prime Minister
described the United Kingdom as a vassal state of the United States. That kind of attitude already set within Europe towards Boris Johnson and
particularly, is beginning to solidify towards the whole of the United Kingdom.
And that again, in terms of trade deals and so on extremely unhealthy. So the net beneficiaries of this ultimately are China, and then Vladimir Putin
will be chuckling in the background, Becky.
[11:10:00]
ANDERSON: Well, Senior International Correspondent Sam Kiley based here, of course, with us in Abu Dhabi. Thank you and to John and to Cyril in
Washington and in Paris I appreciate it. Thank you very much indeed.
Well, before we move on, it is worth remembering a core principle of the game of politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies
when the United States was in its infancy, France became its first ally, helping to give it a decisive win in its Revolutionary War, and thereby
unshackling itself from British rule.
The U.S./French Alliance helped create the modern global order after World War II and they have generally remained friends in modern times. While the
frosty standoff over submarines continues for now, damaged pride can heal over time.
This photo is a reminder of that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Stands in between the Emir of Qatar and the UAE's National Security Adviser in casual
summer, where their meeting was described as friendly and brotherly and unthinkable just a few months ago because of diplomatic rifts between Doha
on the one hand, and Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. On the other now, though big smiles and signs more cordial relations are on the horizon.
Ahead on the show, the Taliban assure humanitarian workers safe passage. Can the group be trusted? We'll speak to the UN's Humanitarian Chief Martin
Griffiths about his recent trip to Afghanistan. And the Acting Mayor of Kabul telling female government workers to stay home, the erosion of
women's rights in Afghanistan and the fight they are refusing to give up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hundreds of women who worked for the City of Kabul are now out of a job. That's after the Acting Mayor announced that women will only be
allowed to do jobs that can't be done like men, by men like cleaning women's bathrooms.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMDULLAH NOHMANI, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN ACTING MAYOR: However, if a work can be done by others male employees under the current condition until the
situation comes to a normal state we have asked them to stay at home. Their salaries will be paid as per usual.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the announcement came on the same day this group of women's rights activists held a protest and a news conference. They are demanding
that girls be allowed to attend secondary school and women to participate in government. Both of those rights have been ripped from them since the
Taliban took over.
CNN's International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson joining me now from Kabul. And Nic the voice of Afghan women there the protests are being heard
and are they cutting through at any point in time, it doesn't seem as if they are. What's the atmosphere at this point?
[11:15:00]
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: You know when you talk to Taliban officials about this, they'll tell you that they're going to
implement Sharia law and in Sharia law, and under their interpretation of it, they're going to give everything to women that are due to them.
But for them, it means different to other Muslim countries. They are essentially saying to women that we don't - we can't cope with you, because
we can't have you in the same place working in the same place as men.
So the women who are in the levels, one, two, and three, the government levels jobs, one, two, and three, they're being told to stay at home, then
they're not being paid. And the message has been that men will fill those jobs. And as we heard from the Kabul Mayor there saying exactly the same
thing.
So this is very much in the face of women. I've talked to women who have come up to us on the streets here to tell us about their plight, mothers,
you know, whose husbands are dead, but still need to raise the children and don't have an income.
But I think, you know, perhaps the strongest indicator over the weekend of the expectation for women's - and women in this country came when the
Taliban, essentially changed and ended the Women's Affairs Ministry and changed it into the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention Advice.
Essentially, the ministry representing women disappeared, and to be replaced by the moral police. So I think for people that are looking for a
Taliban 2.0 have they really reset from the past that would indicate not women are taking a backseat, girls aged 6 to 12 had not been invited to
school this weekend whereas the - whereas the boys were able to go Becky.
ANDERSON: And that message runs counter to the international community pushing for rights for women and girls. The international community Taliban
knows we'll need to be brought on side if they are to support this government with aid money going forward, because let's face it, most
pressing is the economic crisis in Afghanistan at this point, Nic?
ROBERTSON: Absolutely. If the Taliban do not behave in a way that the international community has said that they expect them to, and not even
come close to that we're talking here about an inclusive government that includes women and minorities.
So if women are not included into society, and international funding is withheld, the economy is going to - is going to be hurt. And when you look
around the city, taught to people in the city, the economy is already hurting, and it's hurting no one more than those who have been displaced
from their homes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON (voice over): On Kabul's fringes, families displaced by fighting, abandoned by the new Taliban Islamic Emirate government, literally just
getting out of the car and coming into the camp. People are surrounding us. They want to know how we can help them. And this is how bad the campus
human feces along the wall here is awful conditions.
The Taliban have won the war, but their problems running the country are piling up. It's the smell that hits you first, people literally forced to
go to the toilet right next to their tents where they're cooking. How many people in this camp here?
500 families he tells me, no sign here of any aid, no water, no food, no shelter, no toilets, and anyone coming from the Islamic Emirate offices to
talk to them and ask them what they need. His answer needs no translation.
You're running around. He shows me the long lists of the displaced. As he speaks a man in a high vis-vest with a stick in his hand interrupts it's
clear we have to go. We were told that we didn't have permission to film that that's why we're leaving it literally as we're leaving. We've been
handed all these numbers people thrusting phone numbers into the literally banging on the car now desperate for us, us to be able to help them in some
way and they think giving us their phone numbers is going to help.
Across town in the book market there is calm, too much of it books, books, books, but no one to buy them. No one is spending money he says they don't
know what's coming. The only books that are selling well are religious ones have 300 stores here. Only 20 remain open.
[11:20:00]
ROBERTSON (voice over): Another market, this secondhand goods trader says everyone is selling up to flee the country. So far, the Taliban is limiting
cash withdrawals to $200 a week. But that seems to be the only economic policy so far.
During Friday prayers, the call from the mosques, America is being blamed for Afghanistan's dire situation. The reality the economy is hurting. The
International Monetary Fund that warns of a looming humanitarian crisis. The Taliban won the war. But can they run the country? Right now they could
use international help.
BLINKEN: The foreign reserves of Afghanistan are almost exclusively in banks here in the United States, including the Federal Reserve, other banks
about $9 billion. All of that has been frozen.
ROBERTSON (voice over): Early signs the pressure is taking its toll. The Taliban this week struggling to quell reports of a rift in their ranks
triggered when the Deputy Prime Minister, the main negotiator with the U.S. unexpectedly missing for several days.
This week, the Taliban's most powerful Military Commander Sirajuddin Haqqani told the UN frozen money must be released. He has a $10 million FBI
bounty on his head for ties to terrorism and Al Qaeda.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nic's reporting now the United Nations Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths, visited Afghanistan recently to survey the unfolding
humanitarian crisis.
And his first op-ed since starting in that post, he wrote, in part, counterterrorism measures have often hindered humanitarian work in areas
where armed groups are present, and at times, have even criminalized legitimate aid activities, depriving civilians of life saving aid precisely
when international law entitles them to it.
Martin Griffiths joining me now live from New York. And sir, it's good to have you with is the first time you and I have spoken since you took this
post. And before we talk about that trip to Afghanistan, and what you learned what you saw on the conversations you had with the Taliban, I do
just want to ask you about counterterrorism.
Over the weekend, the U.S. military admitting that its cobbled drone strike, August 10th, killed civilians, including an aid worker targeted by
U.S. Intel, this is not the first time a U.S. drone strike has killed civilians.
Now that the U.S. is moving to what they call these over the horizon counterterrorism techniques, it is absolutely clear; it's going to be a lot
harder to hit targets accurately without their Intel on the ground, and no U.S. troops there. I've got to ask you, given your op-ed on
counterterrorism, how concerned are you? And have you spoken to the U.S. about this?
MARTIN GRIFFITHS, U.N. UNDER-SECRETARY FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS: Well, we speak to the U.S. all the time about the humanitarian aid. And I would just
say this on that tragic event. It's a tragic, unnecessary reminder of the tragedy of the innocent, who are killed in this complex and in these
circumstances.
10 children were killed in that strike. And that reminds us that over 450 children were killed in Afghanistan in the first six months of this year,
and over 1200 were badly injured. And as you say it was the aid worker doing his job going about his business, who was the unfortunate and
unexpected target of that strike.
So from my perspective, it's a reminder that we need to do everything we can to build back Afghanistan to a stable country where these kinds of
strikes are not necessary.
ANDERSON: Let's talk about the humanitarian situation on the ground. And you will have just heard Nic's last report the situation for those in that
camp absolutely dreadful. You were in Afghanistan a week or so ago?
Early, very early on in this in this new - newly run country. Describe what you saw what people told you and you've talked about a sequences that the
Taliban leaders gave you while you were there. What did they tell me?
GRIFFITHS: Well, the Secretary General sent me to Afghanistan to begin the engagement with that Taliban leadership to explain to them what is the
basis upon which humanitarian action is conducted anywhere in the world, including in Afghanistan, we knew that the needs were going to grow.
[11:25:00]
GRIFFITHS: Indeed, there was a launch a week later as an appeal for over $600 million with an expanded humanitarian aid program. We wanted to be
sure that humanity - the Taliban leadership, who many of us have known for many, many years, understood the principles and the parameters of
humanitarian assistance.
And I discussed that very matter with Mullah Baradar and his key advisors during my - the first day of my visit to Afghanistan. I also discussed as
with both him and then with senior members of the Haqqani family the next day, the imperative of the protection of the rights of women and girls, and
how important that is not just for in the international engagement in Afghanistan, but for the prosperity and stability of the country itself.
An inclusive government, which protects rights, is the government that will stay and deliver for its people. So I had those discussions with the
Taliban leadership on those two days. Mullah Baradar gave me firm commitments first of all, on the first area on the needs of humanitarian
agencies to operate.
And these, Becky would include the need for humanitarian workers, both male and female, to operate, clearly and freely. The needs for humanitarian
agencies to act independently, to make assessments independently to deliver systems independently, not to have their premises taken over by militia or
other military, and the need for their independence to be a fundamental part of the relationship with Taliban.
He agreed with these, we then moved on to the issue of women and girls. And he told me that I almost quote verbatim that, yes, the Taliban have made
some public statements at that time they had already about the rights of women and girls, and these will be respected within the religion and
ideology of Afghanistan.
As you know, as Nic has been pointing out, we see a very imperfect record, since then. I asked Mullah Baradar to put this into writing. He sent me a
letter which was read out at that launch of that $600 million deal. And we understood, right from the get go, that the performance that the compliance
with these promises, was and is and will be our real focus.
Of course, it's intolerable, that women and girls are not given right to education. And we've seen that in recent decisions. So we're working on
that with the Taliban. Humanitarian assistance has got to also --
ANDERSON: I have to put this to you - let me just put this to you because this is really important. It is still unclear if young girls will be
allowed to go to school. And it's not clear that women will be able to go back to the workplace, in government positions.
I mean, UN officials have said that these assurances can act as a benchmark against which the Taliban will be tested. But frankly, Martin they're
failing. From your interactions with them, do you trust them? Are you comfortable working with them going forward?
And will this money that's been pledged off the back of that letter being read out to donor countries? Will this money be forthcoming if they
continue down this route? I mean, it's a very basic question at this point.
GRIFFITHS: Well, it is and you're - you should ask that question to donors whose money it is their decision as to whether it will be provided. There
was very generous pledges as you go at that at that conference. But I had this Becky, when I was there in Kabul, the Taliban leadership, the Haqqani
leadership, were very frank in saying that they had yet to understand the responsibilities of governing this country.
Nic has made this point very vividly in his report to you on the program. They became the unexpected rulers of Afghanistan. They have no great record
of ruling. I know that from the last time they tried. And we see it in the performance.
So we see imperfect performance of compliance with those promises. Humanitarians need to address the situation as it is Becky and we will
continue to do so. We will continue to go around the country back working with the people. And we will continue to advocate for those rights and
principles.
There's not going to be an easy ride. And we're going to watch very carefully to see if there is compliance for those promises.
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Martin, I know that we have run out of time. So I'm going to leave it there for the time being. But please come back and talk to us
again. It's as important as we understand Antonio Guterres has said that food could run out in Afghanistan by the end of the month with 14 billion
people on the brink of starvation and the assessment on the ground is very, very dire at present.
We'll have you back and ensure that our viewers get a sense of what's going on the ground as these days and weeks go by. Thank you. Well, a sad day in
Russia, police are investigating a school shooting there as the country learns the outcome of this weekend's election. We are live in Moscow with
an update on both of those stories. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, a horrifying beginning to the week in central Russia, a gunman stormed the campus of a home state university and began shooting,
that's about 1300 kilometers east of Moscow.
State media broadcast this video of the suspect walking across the campus in black clothing, carrying a weapon. Well cameras also caught students and
staff jumping from windows to escape the attack. So far there's been conflicting reports of whether the government is alive or dead and no word
as yet.
On the motif or meantime Russia's ruling party which backs President Vladimir Putin is on track to retain a majority in the lower house of
parliament after weekend elections. The apparent victory for the United Russia party happening amid claims of fraud which the head of Russia's
Election Commission dismisses as hype.
That's despite videos on social media that appear to show some people shoving multiple ballots into boxes or voting at multiple polling stations.
Russia also outlawed the political movement of the imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
We get Matthew Chance in for you now from Moscow on the latest on what are both of these developing stories. And before we talk about these elections,
we must talk about what we know of the details of this shooting. Matthew any further detail at this point?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's still a bit sketchy. We still don't know whether the suspect has been apprehended dead
or alive but has been stopped. There are at least six people that have been killed according to the authorities in perm, which is about 700 or so miles
away from the Russian capital, Moscow.
Another 28 people according to the latest figures that I've seen have been left injured, presumably some of them in their attempt to escape from the
shooting. We saw those dramatic images of people jumping out of second and third floor windows and hitting the ground with that considerable force.
And so, that's obviously a concern. Vladimir Putin, the Russian President has got on national television, offering his condolences of course to the
families who have lost what he calls children in this attack.
[11:35:00]
CHANCE: And he's vowed to then to dedicate the resources of the state to try and find out, you know, what caused this and to trying to do everything
they possibly can to make sure it doesn't happen again, Becky.
ANDERSON: Well, anything further you get on that, of course, I know you will get to our viewers immediately. This attack is of course, coming at a
crucial time in Russia, elections currently underway, somewhat filled with controversy, correct?
CHANCE: Yes, I mean, they're very controversial. I mean, it's been a big win for the ruling party that supports sort of Vladimir Putin. But that win
has come at the cost of widespread allegations of vote rigging.
And of course, the real issue is that the main opposition the real critical opposition in Russia has not even been allowed to stand in this election.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE (voice over): Russians have been casting their votes. But the critics this is Democracy at its worst accusing the Kremlin of blatant
election fraud. Some actually caught on official cameras. What's the woman in black on the right awkwardly trying to shield the ballot box as a hand
appears from behind the Russian flag.
You can see it repeatedly stuffing papers inside. Election officials say they even know these votes, but critics say thousands of violations
including ballot box stuffing and forced voting are being ignored.
The total with candid 12 cases of ballot stuffing in the whole country in just 8 districts, the Chief Election Commissioner brags on Russian state
media this is the hype like from some information sources she adds.
From self-imposed COVID-19 quarantine near Moscow, the Russian president has shown using a controversial online voting system, which critics say
allows even more opportunity to manipulate results. The system needs a mobile phone for verification.
And there are questions about how Putin who insists he never uses one was able to cast his vote. Kremlin says he used an assistance denying this
whole scene was staged.
But critics accused the Kremlin of carefully ensuring a win despite flagging opinion polls, not just with the infamous poisoning of prominent
critic Alexi Navalny last year, which officials deny, but also the moves since then, branding his supporters extremists banning them and other
opposition figures from standing for office.
One rights group estimates hundreds of thousands of activists have been affected. To dense the ruling United Russia party, Navalny's team have
promoted what they call smart voting using apps and videos like this one to show Russians which candidates mostly old communists stand the best chance
of unseating incumbents.
Controversially, Google and Apple have agreed to block the material in Russia caving in to Russian legal demands. But even Kremlin critics have
been allowed to stand. So they face extraordinary pressure.
Like this candidate in St. Petersburg, who found rivals on the local ballot paper had adopted his name and appearance to confuse voters. Russia's own
election officials have called this a disgrace.
CHANCE (on camera): When it's just across the street.
CHANCE (voice over): We met one veteran anti Kremlin activist himself poisoned twice and now barred from standing at a Moscow polling station. He
admits this election may be lost. But Kremlin efforts to cling to power indefinitely, he says will backfire.
VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA, RUSSIAN OPPOSITION POLITICIAN: We have a situation in Russia, where there's now an entire generation of people that has no other
political memories, except Vladimir Putin's regime, he has been in power now for 22 years, that is a mind boggling fact.
And if the regime is preventing people from changing the government at the ballot box, sooner or later, people will change the government.
CHANCE (on camera): Another Russian Revolution.
KARA-MURZA: Unfortunately, again, it gives me no pleasure to say this.
CHANCE (voice over): But for now, revolution seems a long way off. Even winning a single seat in this tightly controlled Russian election would be
something of an opposition coup.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: Well, Becky, in fact, the Communist Party of Russia did much better than was anticipated in this elections of getting almost 20 percent of the
vote, that they were of course responsible for the original Russian Revolution.
But over the past several years, they've been much more supportive of the Kremlin, and nothing that has happened here over the past three days than
anything really to loosen the grip on power of Vladimir Putin, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. Matthew Chance is in Moscow. Matt, thank you. Well, could there be new hope for Lebanon on the horizon? Members of its Parliament are
finally getting to vote on what is a long awaited cabinet.
[11:40:00]
ANDERSON: The country has a new government, led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati faced with a daunting task fixing what is this collapsing economy
and almost as if on cue, problems began right at the start of today's session in Beirut, when the electricity failed.
One of the world's oldest and most sophisticated cultures Lebanon has been suffering for months through regular power cuts and shortages, much of that
being blamed on mismanagement by previous officials and politicians.
Let's face it, many of whom are still around in that room today. Well Canadians are heading to the polls as the pandemic rages coming up. Justin
Trudeau's political gamble to hold a snap election were live in Montreal for more, and in ShowBiz News, the Prince of Wales becomes the king of the
small screen. The latest from the Emmys is right ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, it's voting day in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau now in a tight race as he seeks a third term he is facing stiff competition
from conservative - tool. Voters will need to decide if Mr. Trudeau's decision to call snap elections will actually go in his favor.
He is facing criticism that he is trying to capitalize on a smooth-ish COVID-19 vaccine rollout to gain more power. Paula Newton is live in
Montreal. Outside a polling station as I understand it and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has just walked into, Paula.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you just walked into him what some people may not be used to; he's waiting in line with everyone else. And I
can tell you there are quite a few dozen people ahead of them. Remember, these are COVID restrictions here in place in the middle of a pandemic.
There is a fourth wave going on in Canada. And Becky that really gets to the heart of the matter in terms of Canadians really not wanting these
elections and really especially in the first few weeks of the campaign, it became the central issue.
People wondering why Trudeau even called this election, it looked politically expedient. But as this campaign wore on, he certainly had
already paid a bit of a political price. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON (voice over): In the last lingering Days of Summer, a snap election seemed to rude intrusion for so many Canadians. It's the middle of a
pandemic, not even two years since the last one. And it was tough to dodge especially this campaign. It was ugly, this the token moment.
[11:45:00]
NEWTON (voice over): Protesters many of them opposing vaccines through gravel a Justin Trudeau and stopped his campaign. His rivals have hit him
rhetorically calling him selfish for calling the snap election in mid- August, trying to capitalize on good poll numbers to secure a majority in parliament.
At first, those favorable polls collapsed for Trudeau, for a few weeks even trailed the main rival Conservative Party leader, Erin O'Toole, who accused
him of attempting a power grab.
ERIN O'TOOLE, CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADER: We're actually in the middle of an unnecessary $600 million pandemic election called by Mr. Trudeau for no
other reason than himself.
NEWTON (voice over): The Angry loud anti vaccine chants of Canada's People's Party, energize the Trudeau campaign and put the pandemic squarely
in voter sites.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to trust science; we're going to trust the experts. We're going to make sure that anyone on the plane or train is
vaccinated.
NEWTON (voice over): Here in Shefford, Quebec an hour from Montreal, it's a district or riding that is voted for three different parties in the last
decade. Organic farmer Isabelle Hauver was looking on with sheer exhaustion. She like so many Canadians wanted to hear more about enduring
issues like climate change.
ISABELLE HAUVER, FARMER IN SHEFFORD, CANADA: I won't be going on, oh, what this little event on the right or this little event on the left, you know,
that bothered me or that made a big thing on the news. You know, that's not really the, to me, that's not the big picture of it.
NEWTON (voice over): But time and again, the election pivoted back to the pandemic indivisible ways. The local New Democratic Party candidate says
the People's Party imported a brand of disinformation.
PATRICK JASMINE, NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE: And not believing in truth. Sorry to say that Trump didn't help on that issue.
NEWTON (voice over): A short drive away, the People's Party candidate is pressing her points to voters. And she says they're listening.
GERDA SCHEIDER, PEOPLE'S PARTY OF CANADA CANDIDATE: Because we give them freedom of choice, we believe in a choice as opposed to forced vaccination.
NEWTON (voice over): This is still a tight race with Trudeau favored to win but perhaps with no more political power than he started with. The campaign
may not change Canada's leader or even its parliament, but it has already left its mark on the very character of politics here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: You know, Becky, the issue of the pandemic and COVID is very, very important right now for the selection. I can tell you the lineup not just
here but all over Canada. Right now we are seeing longer lines, more restrictions, fewer workers for the fewer polling stations, and a lot of
people are speculating that that may affect voter turnout and really make the result tonight even more unpredictable.
I can guarantee you it will likely be a very long night with Canadians wondering what kind of government and which leader they'll wake up to.
Becky.
ANDERSON: Good luck on that long night Paula Newton reporting. Thank you. Well, the White House says the U.S. will ease travel restrictions on all
foreign visitors if they are fully vaccinated. The move announced a short time ago is set to take effect in November.
The Biden Administration says, "This new international travel system follows the science to keep Americans and international air travel safe".
Well, very fitting announcement is the U.N. General Assembly opens tomorrow at U.N. headquarters in New York.
And as tradition dictates Brazil's President is set to deliver the opening speech show openly defying the U.N.'s vaccine requirements. CNN's Rafael
Romo has more on Jair Bolsonaro's vaccine skepticism.
RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He once said that Coronavirus was a - xenia a little flu. Last December he suggested that a Coronavirus vaccine can
turn people into an alligator or a bearded woman.
And now Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a controversial Right Wing former military officer is attending the U.N. General Assembly, even though
he hasn't been vaccinated and rules require it during an interview that was broadcast online last week. Bolsonaro dismissed vaccines.
Why I would get vaccinated, he asked adding that in his case, his antibody levels are so high. He doesn't need any vaccine. Let's remember that the
President tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2020. In a statement released last week New York Mayor Bill de Blasio thanks assembly President
Abdulla Shahid for requiring proof of vaccination to enter the U.N. General Assembly Hall.
But in an interview with Reuters the same day, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said it's a rule that he cannot enforce.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONIO GUTERRES, UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL: Of course we as Secretariat cannot tell the head of state if he's not vaccinated that he
cannot enter the United Nations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:50:00]
ROMO: Bolsonaro was immediately targeted by the opposition after declaring he's not getting vaccinated before going to New York. Erika KOK, a
Congresswoman from the leftist Workers Party blasted the President on Twitter.
New York demands proof of vaccination from the U.N. assembly she wrote. And can you imagine which political leader did not get vaccinated and will
bring more international shame to the people of his country?
With more than 21 million cases Brazil ranks third in the world for the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 infections. More than 590,000 people
have died of the disease there since the beginning of the pandemic. Rafael Ramos, CNN Atlanta.
ANDERSON: Well, still ahead, the queen of drag is now a leading line at the Emmys report makes history on televisions biggest night. Send me a powerful
message of inclusion to America and to the world.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, from the Queen of England to the Scarlet Witch television showcased its best and brightest that the Emmy Awards last night. Rita
Wilson helped open the ceremony alongside stars like Cedric the Entertainer and LL Cool J.
"The Crown" and the Mandalorian were among the big winners. One division - reports drag race also scoring top prizes. Stephanie Elam is in LA. It's
been a long night for anybody reporting on this. You look great on it. What are your key takeaways?
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think the British should be feeling rather happy today is what I'm thinking. Becky, when you take a look at the
winds. I mean, obviously on the comedy side, Ted Lasso was the big winner there as everyone expected that it would be I realize he's not British. In
fact, he's quite the antithesis.
But still, you have some British actors that one besides Jason Sudeikis one. And then on the supporting actor side you had Brett Goldstein one who
was very much like Roy Kent because he kept getting bullied for his foul language during his acceptance speech.
And Hanna Waddingham, who won for her portrayal of Rebecca on Ted Lasso, she had the speech of a night, take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANNA WADDINGHAM, ACTRESS: Jason, you've changed my life with this. And more importantly, my baby girls and I will I will. Because I'm honestly I'm
so privileged to work with you. I really am.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM: About Hanna Waddingham is, she also played the woman who was torturing Searcy in Game of Thrones. If you watch that show and she got
left to the mountain, if you know what I'm talking about. You're right now going oh my god, that's her. Yes, it is.
Also worth noting that on the comedy side, Jean Smart won for her lead role in hacks. This show also walked away with writing and directing awards, so
big night for them. And then if you look on the drama side, the crowd had a fantastic night. People really love the season.
You're talking about Princess Diana, Prince Charles and the drama there. So you had several winners here, you had Olivia Colman winning you had Gillian
Anderson winning, you had Josh O'Connor winning and Tobias Menzies is winning as well for the show.
[11:55:00]
ELAM: Of course, some people were pulling from Michael k Williams to win in this category versus Tobias who played Prince Philip for his portrayal in
Lovecraft country. He died after voting close, but so many people loved him. They loved him back in the day on the wire.
So they were hoping he would get his Emmy. That didn't happen. But they still managed to acknowledge him and all that he's added to our television
viewing over the years for sure.
ANDERSON: I have to say, I mean, Olivia Colman just keeps delivering, doesn't she? And she's so fabulous when she wins awards and picks up, she
says sort of British about the whole thing. Stephanie, it's always a pleasure. Thank you.
ELAM: You too, Becky, take care.
ANDERSON: Well, in tonight's parting shots, the sound of hope after seven years of silence. A bell tolls the church in Mosul once devastated by ISIS.
This was a symbolic moment for the Iraqi Christians who gathered at the church over the weekend.
Some even called it a moment of rebirth. Several churches of course, were destroyed in Mosul under ISIS rule. Iraq has some of the oldest Christian
communities in the world.
Before the 2003 U.S. invasion, there were one and a half million Christians in the country around 80 percent of them have since fled, an important day
to be sure for those Christians who stay behind in Iraq.
And that is a good night from us here in Abu Dhabi from the team working with me. We wish you the best. Larry Meadow is up next with "One World".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LARRY MADOWO, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: World leaders are set to meet this week under a cloud of crisis. Here is what's coming up?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need 11 billion shots to vaccinate the world. The United States has donated about 600 million.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
END
