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Growing Concerns as Russia Sends Troops to Belarus; Russia Could Be Removed from SWIFT Financial Network; Tributes for Holocaust Remembrance Day during Rise in Anti-Semitism; Cuba Wants Ties Restored after CIA's Havana Syndrome Report. Aired 10-10:40a ET
Aired January 27, 2022 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Moscow has what it has been waiting for.
But are Washington's written responses to the Kremlin's demands enough to take the heat out of the simmering crisis over Ukraine?
Plus:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA, BELARUSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER: What's going on, on the territorial barriers (ph) with the -- all these military drills, is
very concerning.
ANDERSON (voice-over): An exclusive interview with the Belarusian opposition leader and what the tensions in Ukraine on her border mean for
her country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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ANDERSON (voice-over): And on the coronavirus front, out of school for 600 days. Why parents in New Delhi have had enough.
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ANDERSON: Welcome to the show. We are out of Abu Dhabi, 7:00 in the evening.
No resolution but the prospect of more dialogue and maybe more some progress. That's the view from Moscow today, after president Vladimir Putin
received the U.S. written response to Russian security proposals.
Now the Kremlin spokesman saying Mr. Putin has read it but will not rush his response. Russia's foreign minister also weighing in about Russia's
main demand of the U.S. and its NATO allies. Take a listen to Sergey Lavrov.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): There is no positive reaction on the main issue in this document. The main issue is our
clear position on the inadmissibility of further expansion of NATO to the east and the deployment of strike weapons that could threaten the territory
of the Russian Federation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: CNN connecting you to the many layers of this story. Sam Kiley in kyiv, Nic Robertson in Moscow.
That's where I want to start. Vladimir Putin has what he's been waiting for, this U.S. paper, responding, detailing responses to Moscow's demand.
Enough to take the heat out of this crisis, Nic?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, not a surprise from Moscow, because, of course, all of this had been telegraphed and said
many times in advance. They wanted it in writing, they got it in writing.
Lavrov said some of their secondary concerns were being addressed there and did seem to indicate that there would be space for conversation over those
secondary concerns that we heard about in detail from both Secretary Blinken and the NATO secretary-general yesterday.
And these are things like, you know, arms control agreements, troop deployments, agreements on that, reciprocity, even cyber controls and even
sort of space military dispositions, controls over that, that could be talked about and negotiated.
But that is secondary. And that was made clear. That's secondary and it is the primary thing that doesn't have -- doesn't have what the Russians want.
So this really is a moment where President Putin is going to have to decide his next step forward.
I think we have got a hint of, you know, concern from the foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, when he said we promised the American side, because they
asked us, you know, to keep this private, that we wouldn't publish it.
But then he said, well, but it also has been shown to all the NATO countries and to Ukraine and we think that somebody is going to leak it. So
I don't think we should be surprised if some of this turns up publicly somewhere.
But Lavrov is expected to speak more tomorrow and this is the timeframe we have been getting from the Kremlin as well, not today but pretty soon, to
get a firmer response. So maybe more and better indication of how they want to go forward tomorrow.
ANDERSON: All right. So bottom line, Putin is not going to rush to judgment about what he finds in this written response. And so Sergey Lavrov
says the U.S. failed to answer, as far as the Kremlin is concerned, the most important question about NATO expansion going forward, not least the
potential for membership for Ukraine.
Sam, what are we hearing from Ukrainian officials today?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are pleased with the outcome of both the NATO and the U.S. bilateral letter to Moscow.
They were shown both, they say, and they approved effectively the contents of it -- or at least they obviously don't have any kind of formal
consulting role.
But there has been a position held throughout this, both by NATO and the United States, that no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine.
[10:05:00]
KILEY: And no agreements or no mention of the Ukrainians without them being involved in the process. So they are very pleased with this because
it sets in writing what has been agreed and said in public.
But by putting it in writing, it also means that there is a commitment now. There can be no backsliding, if you like, no salami slicing, perhaps, in
the future. It is not obviously a written commitment to defend Ukraine in the event of war.
But it does mean that any effort to try to interfere with Ukrainian sovereignty with regard to joining NATO is now, completely and in writing,
off the table, Becky.
ANDERSON: The -- thank you, Sam.
Nic, back to you, Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department, speaking to one of our colleagues, Jim Sciutto, earlier on, about the Nord
Stream 2 pipeline, this is an important piece in the Europeans' tool kit here, something that the Russians want signed off on and activated.
Let me just run, for the sake of our viewers, this exchange between Jim Sciutto and Ned Price.
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NED PRICE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: Jim, I want to be very clear about this. If Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another, Nord
Stream 2 will not move forward.
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: OK. That's a direct answer.
I want to ask you, is Germany on board?
Of course, this is a German-Russian project.
PRICE: Well, look, I'm not going to get into the specifics. But we will work with Germany to ensure Nord Stream 2 does not move forward. You have
heard statements from our German allies, even over the past 12-16 hours, speaking to the strong measures, that the German government is ready and
willing to put in place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The Biden administration or those in Washington would like to believe that there was total unanimity when it comes to the approach by the
U.S. and the Europeans with regard to this crisis at present.
Frankly there isn't, is there?
And the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is one of those sort of bones of contention. I do notice that the Russian ruble is making gains today, suggesting at
least some optimism amongst traders that there is an off-ramp in all of this.
Your perspective at this point?
ROBERTSON: Yes, the ruble sort of has been doing a dive since December, when tensions were ramping up. And I think it was just a couple of days ago
this week it reached the lowest against the dollar since March 2020. So there was concern.
I think some of the -- a little bit of the heat has gone out of the conversation. The diplomacy has continued, the letter has gone forward.
Look, I think there is definitely philosophical differences about how to handle this standoff with Russia at the moment.
And the Germans, perhaps the French as well, but particularly the Germans in a different position to the British, the Americans and the Canadians and
the Danish and some of the others on this.
They definitely firmly believe that a political way forward is a better way forward than a military way forward. They believe that putting more troops
closer to President Putin's comfort zone, if you will, is going to be detrimental to getting a political solution.
But we heard from the German foreign minister today, Annalena Baerbock. And I think it's hugely sort of significant, the amount of diplomacy that has
been going on between the Germans and the United States and the Germans and the British and the Germans and others recently, as everyone tries to get
on the same page.
And Baerbock said very clearly that there will be "massive consequences," her quote, massive consequences for Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades
Ukraine. The language might not be tied up absolutely symmetrically on both sides. But I think they're both signaling the intent is there, that, you
know, invade; forget Nord Stream 2 for the near and probably medium future.
Thank you, Nic.
Nic's in Moscow, Sam's in Ukraine.
In the next hour of CONNECT THE WORLD, we'll get back to both of them. And I will interview Denmark's foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, who's been
hosting his Ukrainian counterpart today. And we'll talk about his threat of never-seen-before sanctions if Russia further invades Ukraine and the
prospects for a diplomatic solution.
The U.S. warning Belarus against letting Russia stage an attack on Ukraine from its territory. The U.S. State Department calls the buildup of Russian
forces there, quote, "an affront to Belarus' sovereignty." Prominent Belarusian opposition leader sounding the alarm from exile. CNN's Fred
Pleitgen with this report.
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FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Russia's army is increasingly encircling Ukraine. Vladimir Putin's troops now also
pouring into neighboring Belarus, allegedly for military exercises, all with the help of Putin's friend, Belarusian strong man, Alexander
Lukashenko.
Lukashenko falsely claiming the exercises near Ukraine's border are only a reaction to Ukrainian moves.
ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO, BELARUSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We were not the first ones to start paying attention to our southern border.
Ukrainians began to gather troops there. I can't understand why.
PLEITGEN: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has heard the lies all too many times. From her exile in Lithuania, she's been leading the opposition against
Lukashenko. And, speaking only to CNN, says the U.S. and its allies must act decisively.
TSIKHANOUSKAYA: What's going on, on the territorial barriers (ph) with the -- all these military drills, is very concerning. And Belarusians are
watching this very attentively. And we understand that regime now in very weak position. And maybe they could, like, use Belarusian territory for
Kremlin's aims.
PLEITGEN (voice-over): She had Lukashenko on the ropes in 2020; a housewife and mother, she took the reins after her own husband, the
politician, Sergei Tikhanovsky, was jailed by Lukashenko.
According to the U.S. and its allies, Tsikhanouskaya beat Lukashenko in the presidential election but he rigged the election.
What followed were peaceful protests against Lukashenko and then a brutal crackdown, that jailed or exiled most of the opposition, including
Tsikhanouskaya.
Lukashenko managed to stay in power, mostly thanks to Vladimir Putin, she says, effectively making him Putin's stooge and putting Belarus' army at
the Russian president's disposal.
TSIKHANOUSKAYA: We don't know what steps he can do to keep his power, not to look like loser in this situation. But he also understands that he's --
this over. And he's just prolonging all these political games and turmoil (ph) to Russia.
PLEITGEN: While Tsikhanouskaya continues to fight for change in Belarus, she remains devoted to her family, ultimately admitting she is sometimes
afraid, especially since her husband was recently sentenced to 18 years in jail, after a trial the U.S. and the E.U. called a sham.
TSIKHANOUSKAYA: I'm scared every day, scared for people in Belarus, scared for my own family. But you have no choice. You have to go forward, knowing
that we are a strong nation.
PLEITGEN: While Lukashenko has become an international pariah, essentially hijacking an E.U.-flagged plane to arrest an opposition blogger and
unleashing a migrant crisis on the E.U.'s doorstep this past fall. He does remain in business, not just thanks to Russia but also China.
Xi Jinping recently called for deeper economic ties, despite U.S. and E.U. sanctions.
But Tsikhanouskaya believes allowing a massive Russian force in the country will further discredit Lukashenko.
TSIKHANOUSKAYA: This is invisible resistance but it is going on every day. So I'm sure that I will back to Belarus, the same as hundreds, thousands of
other Belarusians and our political prisoners.
PLEITGEN: And the U.S. clearly also sees the threat that Russia could use Belarus as a possible launching pad for an invasion of Ukraine. The State
Department's spokesman saying that Lukashenko would face, quote, "a swift and decisive response from the U.S." if that were to happen -- Fred
Pleitgen, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, should Russia invade Ukraine?
One especially punishing sanction could be removing Moscow from the global banking network known as SWIFT; that's short for Society for Worldwide
Interbank Financial Telecommunication. But you will never hear it referred to as such. You will simply hear it referred to as SWIFT.
Now this drives the majority of international money transfers and settlements of trades, which makes it so important. It was founded in 1973
to replace what was then the dated telex system and now connects around 11,000 financial institutions.
So what would it mean to kick Russia out of SWIFT?
CNN reporter Anna Stewart has been looking into that for us and she joins us now from London.
We shouldn't underestimate the importance of this. So let's just remind our viewers -- or at least inform our viewers -- what this could mean for
Russia, were it to happen.
ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When we look at the spectrum of sanctions, this is really at the extreme end. And this would be damaging
for Russia's financial system, for its economy.
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STEWART: SWIFT really underpins financial transactions all through the world by 11,000 institutions, 200 countries. And you know it is worrying
because Russia, in 2014, with illegal annexation of Crimea, was so worried it would get cut off from SWIFT then they actually came up with an
alternative, called SPFS but it is not a viable option.
It can't possibly replace what is a global, standardized, trusted system that the whole world uses.
Now what would it do immediately in terms of the Russian financial implications?
You could see huge capital outflows from any firm in Russia that relies on foreign financing. You could see massive currency volatility. In 2014, when
this was first a concern for Russia, their finance minister then said the economy could shrink by 5 percent.
So that is why this is such an important measure. We've already had warnings in recent weeks from a Russian senator in the state media, saying
that, if this were to happen, there would be repercussions, financial fallout for the likes of Europe and the U.S.
And that is true.
ANDERSON: There is precedent for this, isn't there?
STEWART: There is. In 2012, Iran was cut off from SWIFT as well. Not easy to do because SWIFT is a cooperative. It views itself as mutual. But
America was able to pressure it then and it could happen again.
The difference between Russia and Iran, Russia's economy is much bigger, much more interconnected financially. So the ripple effect you could have
for Western firms would be far greater.
There is also, of course, the risk of real retaliation. And that is something we keep coming back to and something that will likely deter many
of the Western allies from wanting to use this as an option. There is the risk that Russia decides to suspend gas exports to Europe. And that's
something, of course, that Europe relies on -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Absolutely, Anna, thank you.
Well, a somber day as people pay their respects to lives lost during the Holocaust. It comes amid the backdrop of rising anti-Semitism. I want to
take a look at what is fueling that increase just ahead.
And the CIA has all but dismissed the so-called Havana syndrome. One Cuban official tells CNN his country is still feeling the effects. You'll hear
from him just minutes from now.
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ANDERSON: Well, this is Holocaust Remembrance Day and people around the world today are paying tribute to the millions of lives lost.
Here is a look at the Israeli Pavilion at the Dubai Expo, which is preparing for a ceremony soon. The commemorations come amid an uptick in
anti-Semitism. And as some coronavirus anti-vaxers invoke the Holocaust, they compare vaccine mandates to persecution of the Jews and others in Nazi
Germany.
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ANDERSON: My next guest says trivializing the Holocaust fuels anti- Semitism. Nachman Shai is Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs and he joins us now by Skype.
An emotional day of prayers, speeches and candlelighting here and around the world, sir. Your sense, your reflections today, if you will.
NACHMAN SHAI, ISRAELI MINISTER OF DIASPORA AFFAIRS: Well, as an Israeli, a proud Israeli, I'm first to say that we have a state. I mean, we look
backward to the Holocaust and we talk about it momentarily, I am looking around and I see a Jewish state, safe, secure, in our homeland.
You know, 85 after the Holocaust, we have a place that we feel safe, we can protect ourselves, we won the war. Literally, I feel like we won the war.
But of course, history, back to history, time of the world to combat anti- Semitism as much as we can. I think we met last time in Malmo, Sweden, when you came and the -- for the international conference on combating anti-
Semitism.
So it is very strange to feel that, in so many years after Second World War, after the Holocaust, anti-Semitism is rising, is on the rise. There is
more anti-Semitism in our world now than it was 20 or 40 years ago. We monitor the social media network (ph). We watch the public sphere and we
see more anti-Semitic content and --
(CROSSTALK)
SHAI: -- anti-Semitic text on Jews.
ANDERSON: It is remarkable. As it is remarkable that we are seeing these celebrations, for example, or the commemoration, in Dubai today, no small
part, of course, due to the Abraham accord signed some 18 months ago.
But as you rightly point out, in Europe, protests against COVID-19 restrictions and public campaigns promoting vaccines against the virus have
included Holocaust symbols and imagery, such as the yellow star.
Sir, where do you believe there is this inappropriate and dangerous distortion coming from?
SHAI: Well, anti-Semitism is there all the time. It has been there for generations. But each generation there is another reason for anti-Semitism.
And right now this scapegoat is the Jews. There is a coronavirus all around the world.
Why don't we blame the Jews?
But the Jews gain some profit from the corona, they sell the vaccines, so they make a lot of money on us. On the others, maybe they are the producer,
maybe they circulate (ph), the Omicron now around the world. The Jews somehow historically are to be blamed for the world's problems, for the
world's disasters. That was --
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Yes, we recently -- we recently saw Robert Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaxer, comparing vaccine mandates to laws in Hitler's
Germany. I want you to have a listen to this.
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ROBERT KENNEDY JR., PROMINENT ANTI-VAXER: Even in Hitler Germany, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland, you can hide in an attic like Anne
Frank did. I did in East Germany with my father and met people who had climbed the wall and escaped.
So it was possible. Many died, surely; it was possible. Today, the mechanisms are being put in place that will make it so none of us can run
and none of us can hide.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Sir, what is your response to him?
SHAI: Well, first of all, our response is, as I said before, the first response is the state of Israel. OK, we have a place in the world. Safe,
for us, Jews, starting with. But that's not enough. There are 8 million Jews living around the world and we have to protect them and we have to
make sure that there will not be a tek bano (ph).
But any that would happen in call away (ph) just 10 days ago was an anti- Semitic attack on American soil, on American -- the loud (ph) democracy in the world. In that democracy, we can see and detect anti-Semitism from
right and left.
So we have to get together. Europe, for example, European Union, bravely represented plans, a plan (ph) for the next decade.
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SHAI: Offering safe place for Jews, fostering Jewish life in Europe, on the one hand and, on the other hand, preparing and pushing forward a lot of
activities combating anti-Semitism -- law enforcement, (INAUDIBLE). I can give you a whole list of steps represented.
And I praise them for that because this is the way. Take a joint action -- and not only in Europe, in the United States, anywhere in the world. Today
is an international remembrance day for Holocaust. So we plead with the entire world to get united and combat anti-Semitism.
ANDERSON: With that, we'll leave it there, sir. We appreciate your time and your thoughts today. Thank you.
Relations between the U.S. and Cuba seemed to be frozen as soon as they started to thaw. We'll hear from one Cuban official, who says it is time to
put Havana syndrome allegations in the past and move forward with warmer ties.
Also ahead this hour, parents in India's capital demand the government reopen schools. Why they are fed up with COVID school closures and now say
enough is enough.
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ANDERSON: Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. It is 28 minutes past 7:00 here. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. You're more than
welcome.
It is rare that Cuba and the CIA ever agree on anything. But occasionally it does happen. Case in point, the CIA's report last week concluding that
the so-called Havana syndrome is unlikely to be a nefarious plot against Americans and, in most cases, the mysterious symptoms people have been
suffering, they have been reported, they can be explained by other factors, such as undiagnosed medical conditions.
A high ranking Cuban official tells CNN it is time for the United States to restaff the embassies and normalize relations. Patrick Oppmann spoke to the
vice minister at the Cuban foreign ministry about the situation. He now joins us live from Havana.
Patrick, you are our man in Havana. I always enjoy saying that.
Have we heard from the U.S. State Department on all of this?
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PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, after the CIA report that essentially said that Havana syndrome, as far as they can tell, is not
really a syndrome; it's just a group of people, many who have very real symptoms.
The State Department head, Antony Blinken, came out and said that, you know, he's talked with many of the people, who have suffered from these
kinds of symptoms. He knows their suffering is real.
But he did say that, at this point, the CIA, despite an exhaustive study and attempts to gather intelligence around the world showing any kind of
foreign plot, has come up empty.
It remains a baffling mystery because so many people, people that I know who served in Havana, really do feel that they suffered some kind of attack
and are still carrying the symptoms with them.
ANDERSON: Well, the Havana syndrome symptoms weren't just experienced in Cuba.
Do we know anything more about these sort of extended myriad of cases?
OPPMANN: Right, Becky. Sorry, a little trouble hearing you there. But what was interesting about the interview I did yesterday with the Cuban
official, is he pointed out that, you know there have been cases around the world.
They started being reported in Havana but, since those first cases reported in more than five years ago, literally China, Russia, Austria, there have
been thousands of -- nearly a thousand cases reported around the world.
And Cuban officials say they are the only country to date that has been punished, essentially somehow blamed for being involved in it -- at the
time were thought to be attacks against diplomats. And they say they want that to change, that punishment to be reversed.
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CARLOS FERNANDEZ DE COSSIO, VICE MINISTER, CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: The logical step by the U.S. government with this evidence, with what they know
now, would be to put aside the excuse used at the time of all attacks and then normalize the function and the operation of their embassy in Havana
and ours to normalize the operation of our embassy (INAUDIBLE).
OPPMANN: Do you feel Cuba is still being punished?
FERNANDEZ: Cuba is the only country that has been punished because of this, which proves there was no justification, which proves that this was a
government (INAUDIBLE) operation to use the excuse of symptoms suffered by the diplomats to take (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OPPMANN: And, Becky, many people will say that Cuba, a country criticized by the U.S. for its human rights records, doesn't deserve better relations.
But what we're talking about here is basic services: the ability for Cubans to go and apply for visas, something they have not been able to do
since the mysterious incidents were first reported. There are over 100,000 Cubans waiting for visas. There is no staffing at the U.S. embassy in
Havana to take care of those kinds of services.
ANDERSON: Thank you, sir.
Let's get you up to speed on what is going on as far as the coronavirus is concerned.
People in England can breathe a bit more freely after officials lifted some COVID restrictions. They say the successful vaccine rollout allowed them to
return to what they consider plan A, nixing the requirements on masks indoors and making COVID passes voluntary at large events.
As lawmakers debate mandatory vaccines in Germany, the country is seeing its highest number of coronavirus cases ever. They reported more than
200,000 infections over 24 hours. There were 188 COVID-related deaths.
Parents are pushing Delhi's government to reopen the schools. They have been shut for more than 600 days during the pandemic. A petition has gone
to 1,600 signatures and it was brought to Delhi's deputy chief minister. CNN's Vedika Sud is there.
VEDIKA SUD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So there have been parents on Wednesday who have gone ahead and petitioned the government here, via the state or the
federal government.
They have asked for schools to be reopened; 1,600 people, parents, rather, signed that petition. On Thursday, which is earlier today, there was a
meeting held by Delhi administration. There has been unfortunately no word on reopening of schools.
Now one of the biggest concerns for these parents is the mental health issues that children can have, the anxiety issues they can have, staying
away from school, which, according to them, as far as younger kids are concerned, they stayed away for almost 600 days since the outbreak of the
pandemic.
[10:35:00]
SUD: The older children have been away from school for even as many days as the younger ones. In fact, the younger ones could have been away for 650
days, according to the parents.
According to UNESCO, in the petition the parents have written, that one of the longest school closures has been in India. And that is something they
want to see changed within the next few days. No word from Delhi administration yet. We spoke to a petitioner who is also a parent about her
concerns.
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DHARINI MATHUR, INDIAN PARENT: 650 days plus of schools being closed for primary schoolchildren in India. All the older kids only had it marginally
better. As parents we believe our children lack a voice, they lack a vote.
And unlike spilobees (ph) or restaurant lobbies, pushing for reopening, someone needs to speak up on behalf of our children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SUD: "Someone needs to speak up on behalf of our children," is what the parents have been saying. As of Wednesday evening, Delhi reported close to
7,500 new daily cases of COVID-19, much less than earlier this month.
The daily cases were over 20,000 at that point in time, Becky. That's another reason the parents want schools to reopen. But only 1,600
signatures, not more, indicated some parents are nervous to send their children back to school.
These parents petitioned the state government as well as ministry of education in India, saying get into a hybrid system, online and offline
classes, so that those parents who are willing to send their children to school can go ahead and do that.
On a personal note, I have a 6-year old, enrolled two years ago. She hasn't seen more than seven days of school in almost 23 months.
ANDERSON: Difficult. Thank you.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson.
Still ahead, he's only 24 and he has one of the purest swings in golf and he has very lofty ambitions. Collin Morikawa tells me what those ambitions
are.
Also, a penalty shootout decided who will meet Morocco in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Find out who that is after this.
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