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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Obama Terror Speech Avoids "Islamic" Label; Record Cold Across the Country; Ukraine Calls for U.N. Peacekeepers

Aired February 19, 2015 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Obama lays out the case for fighting ISIS, saying the U.S. is not at war with Islam. But his critics are asking how he can fight extremism if he refuses to link it to Muslim radicals.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Record shattered cold. More than 80 million are in the path of an arctic blast. Just how cold is it going to get?

BERMAN: Wicked cold.

Falling apart. Ukraine asking for peacekeepers to enforce what is left of the crumbling cease-fire. Is peace possible in that country's war-torn region?

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. It is Thursday. It is February 19th, 4:00 a.m. in the East.

This morning, President Obama striving for a balance between the battle against violent extremism and respect for mainstream Muslims around the world. Speaking at a three-day White House summit on countering violent extremism, the president carefully, carefully avoided the label of Islamic extremism. It's controversial choice. Critics say Islamist militancy should be dealt with head on.

But the president says he doesn't want to give religious legitimacy to groups like ISIS and al Qaeda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They are not religious leaders. They're terrorists.

(APPLAUSE)

And we are not at war with Islam.

(APPLAUSE)

We are at war with people who have perverted Islam.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ROMANS: Senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta following the very latest on this story. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, President Obama defended his decision to stay away from those terms like "Islamic extremism" and "Islamic terrorism" because he said he doesn't want to give groups like ISIS and al Qaeda any Muslim street cred by somehow referring to the groups as religious figures.

The president pointed out that Muslims are the victims of ISIS much more often than people from other religious groups. And he also noted, the young Muslim Americans killed in a high profile murder case in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The president then said that people of the Islamic faith, that we offer our love and we offer our support. But his biggest applause line at this countering violent extremism summit came when he rejected critics who say he's taking too soft an approach in describing groups like ISIS. Here's what he had to say.

OBAMA: We all know there is no one profile of a violent extremist or terrorist. So, there is no way to predict who will become radicalized. Around the world and here in the United States, inexcusable acts of violence have been committed against people of different faiths by people of different faiths, which is, of course, the trail of all of our faiths.

ACOSTA: But the president was also trying to strike a balance saying that Muslim leaders in the U.S. we need to do more to push back on this notion that there is a clash of civilians going on. White House officials note that this nuanced stance by the president is controversial. Press Secretary Josh Earnest conceded they have taken flak on this language they are using, but that they welcome it. The president will give one more speech on the subject later today when he addresses hundreds of foreign officials from around the world at the State Department on the global challenge posed by violent extremism -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Jim Acosta for that.

New this morning, an Iraqi official tells CNN that ISIS militants have killed at least 40 police officers and tribesmen, most of them burned to death. CNN cannot independently confirm this information. But the Pentagon says it is analyzing the report and imagery. And now, the question is, where and how will ISIS strike next?

I want to bring in CNN's Ian Lee live from Cairo with latest.

Good morning, Ian.

IAN LEE, CNN REPORTER: Good morning, John. We know that Peshmerga fighters are strangling Mosul, the main ISIS

city in Iraq on three sides. The ISIS has been probing this line of the Kurdish defense, the Kurds right now not pushing further in toward Mosul, but defending their lines. The ISIS fighters probing -- going after each area and seeing where the weaknesses are.

We saw an attack, a massive attack just a couple of days ago by ISIS fighters on Peshmerga lines that killed over 40 ISIS fighters. ISIS is very aware that coalition air strikes could take place, that airplanes are in the region and they take advantage of the weather. When they can probe these lines, when it is overcast and at night, that's when we saw that major offensive and air strikes couldn't target them because they were so close to the Kurdish fighters. They risk bombing them as well.

But this is all happening as the government is preparing for an offensive against Mosul. They will coordinate with the Peshmerga fighters. But that is still some time off -- John.

BERMAN: Every day, seems to bring a new low in terms of ISIS depravity. There are now reports that this group is trafficking in human body parts?

LEE: Well, this is being reported by the Iraqi government that ISIS is doing this. They did not offer any evidence to support this claim. We haven't seen any other report that proves this. It would be a very difficult for them to harvest organs, to traffic them.

I covered these stories before. They have to harvest the organ just hours, really just right after the death of the person, and transport it immediately. It is a lot more difficult to get money this way than let's say archeology -- selling artifacts or selling oil. But this is a major concern and it is out in the realm of possibility. We know ISIS has done all sorts of atrocities -- John.

BERMAN: Ian Lee for us in Cairo this morning -- thanks so much, Ian.

ROMANS: This morning, a humanitarian aid worker killed while in the hands of ISIS militants is being remembered in her hometown in Prescott, Arizona. Kayla Mueller's family says she will live on in the acts of kindness she performed working with Syrian refugees.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC MUELLER, KAYLA MUELLER'S BROTHER: Only now will you be able to see how much you really did and truly did for this world by looking down on it from above. I love you. You can rest in peace knowing that you changed this world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: ISIS says that Mueller died in a Jordanian air strike. The Pentagon rejects that claim, saying it does not know how she died.

BERMAN: About six minutes after the hour.

A huge swath of the U.S. dealing with bone-chilling cold through tomorrow. The arctic air is affecting, what, 25 states --

ROMANS: Even Florida.

BERMAN: Even Florida.

Some could shatter record lows. So cold, Niagara falls partially frozen. That is pretty, but freezing. Temperatures hit 13 degrees below zero this week. Schools from Chicago to Kentucky are closing as a precaution.

ROMANS: With temperatures so cold, the snow has no chance to melt. And that's a really concern. Take a look at the partial roof collapse at a shopping plaza near Boston. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Meantime, crews had to rush to save two people who became buried in snow when it fell off a Boston ice rink. We're told, they were hurt, but are expected to be OK.

BERMAN: Check out this picture from outer space. That is New England right there. Simply covered in snow. Isn't that crazy? It's like a blanket of snow all over new England. That picture, obviously, by NASA this week showing how bad things are.

So, how long will the record-breaking temperatures continue?

Let turn to meteorologist Pedram Javaheri for an early look at the weather -- Pedram.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: John and Christine, what a historic spell of weather ahead of us over the next couple of days. More than 130 million people underneath wind-chill advisories or warnings, at least over the next 24 or so hours. The expansion goes from Indianapolis all the way towards areas of central and southern Florida. Wind-chills down on South Beach could even be to the upper 30s over the next couple of days.

But again, take a look, freeze warnings and also watches across the citrus growing regions. So, certainly, something worth noting for people across areas of Central Florida, if that is how you make your living down there.

But take a look at the perspective. High pressure in place, generally clear skies. Temperatures dropping to minus 12 in Minneapolis, 14 in Atlanta, again down in the 40s across areas of Tampa.

We are talking 25 to 30 degrees below average. Minneapolis, high today is 7, 30 in the norm. Chicago, 1, that's among the coldest high temperatures this late into the season since the 1960s for Chicago.

And some of the coldest weather since the Clinton administration, down around the nation's capital, 17, it should be 48. And also, New York City in the 20s, when you should have double that temperature at 42 degrees. This pattern, unfortunately, looks to be a long-lived one over the next few days, guys.

ROMANS: I don't know what bill Clinton has to do with it. BERMAN: I know. Blaming the Clintons here for the cold. Wow.

ROMANS: It is cold. It is cold. All right. Thanks, Pedram, for that.

New this morning, the president of Ukraine is calling for United Nations peacekeeping mission to enforce the latest cease-fire between the government and pro-Russian rebels. Now, that true signed last week shattered in the fierce battle for the crucial rail hub of Debaltseve.

On Wednesday, Ukraine withdrew most of the troops from that city.

Now, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is seeking help from the U.N. and the European Union.

For the very latest, let's turn to CNN's Erin McLaughlin. She's live in Moscow for us.

Good morning, Erin.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.

Well, Moscow is rejecting the Ukrainian president's calls for a U.N. peacekeeping mission to be deployed in Eastern Ukraine. Russian's ambassador to the United Nations saying that that proposal would serve to frustrate the current agreement. But it has to be said, the current agreement already seeming pretty frustrated with Western officials accusing Russia as well as the separatists of violating the cease-fire agreement in Debaltseve, that key strategic transport hub, the site of recent fighting.

Russian officials, though, denying that, saying that Debaltseve was not subject to the cease-fire agreement, because prior to the agreement. The separatists had the cities surrounded, Russian officials also accusing the West of trying to use Debaltseve as a pre- text for further sanctions.

But, you know, right now, given the fact Debaltseve is currently in the hands of the separatists, the hope is, is that the fighting will finally stop. The cease-fire might just take effect and agreement may be able to move forward -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Erin McLaughlin, clearly, a lot of developments over the past few days in that situation -- thanks, Erin.

A lot of developments over the past few days in that situation.

BERMAN: Ten minutes after the hour.

Officials at UCLA Medical Center are scrambling to contain a drug resistant and possibly deadly superbug. At least two patients have died and seven more infected after exposure to the bacteria, which is called CRE. UCLA is notifying about 100 other patients who may have also exposed. It is believed this infection was transmitted during complex endoscope procedures. Officials say doctors did follow recommended decontamination procedures.

ROMANS: All right. Time for an early start on your money.

European markets are lower. Greece is expected to ask for an extension of its bailout program today. No deal has been set. The U.S. stock futures are lower right now. Yesterday's stocks mostly fell after the Federal Reserve expressed concerns about low inflation.

BERMAN: They don't know what to do.

ROMANS: Very low inflation.

The central bank said it is in no hurry to raise rates for fear of damaging the economy. So, watch this space.

Uber expects to raise $1 billion. It expanded its latest round of funding to $1.8 billion. The company says this is further proof of how much confidence investors have in the fast growing car service. But the timing seems question able. Competitor Lyft is also trying to raise funds. Uber now valued at $40 billion.

BERMAN: A lot of money.

ROMANS: Sure is.

BERMAN: All right. Jeb Bush distancing himself, or trying to, at least from some members of his family in a big forum policy speech. What he says about his brother, also his father, both former presidents, also the war in Iraq.

And new hope -- new hope for women battling an aggressive form of breast cancer. Why doctors are calling the new treatment a possible breakthrough.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Welcome back.

Let's return to Ukraine. Our Nick Paton Walsh is in rebel-controlled Debaltseve where Ukrainian troops just withdrew.

Some amazing reporting, Nick, the past couple days as you watch the cease-fire basically crumble, and Ukrainian troops retreat from that very important rail hub. What are you seeing now?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, we are inside Debaltseve now as I stand. Around me is remarkable scene of devastation. A lot of Ukrainian armor left behind. One Ukrainian soldier (INAUDIBLE) lots of destroyed armor and destroyed houses everywhere.

I was in the down two weeks ago and it looks remarkably different, even though it was still already bombardment. The destruction is remarkable, just at this crossroads I'm standing at, before you're heading to the center of town. This victory here for the separatists, as they call it, is withdrawal the Ukrainians call it is planned and remarkable turn of events in Ukraine.

What we don't know is the full scale of the death toll in the battle. It occurred mostly during the cease-fire. But it may well have been the bloodiest periods, judging by the destruction, there must have been lots of lives lost here, both on the side of Ukrainian defenders and those civilians trapped in the middle of this.

We saw one woman here walking out with a wheelbarrow, just frankly, traumatized, unable to leave her basement for days, the sound of constant shelling. It is very hard to describe the look on her face and horrified how she must have been. We still hear the constant sound of shelling. One person I spoken to here says it is fired upon Ukrainian positions rather than these positions here.

There is, I have to say, a remarkable sense of quiet in the town despite the devastation. What remains, potentially, are the Ukrainian force, from where I'm standing one outskirt before we head to the center of (INAUDIBLE).

Back to you, Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Nick Paton Walsh in Debaltseve, inside Debaltseve, Ukraine -- be careful. Thanks, Nick.

BERMAN: It's so important here. Nick was there a few weeks ago. So, he has seen the change first hand and he has seen the city which has now fallen, just completely fallen, to the pro-Russian rebels.

ROMANS: Fallen amidst a cease-fire.

BERMAN: Fallen amidst a cease-fire, key development in that country.

All right. Jeb Bush says he is his own man. Trying to put distance between himself and brother, George W. Bush, and his father, George H.W. Bush. This was Jeb Bush who really is running for president right now, really -- his first major policy speech. What did he say?

Let's get more from CNN's Athena Jones.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATHENA JONES, CNN REPORTER: Good morning, John and Christine.

Governor Bush was very, very critical of President Obama's handling of foreign policy issues as expected. This comes at a time when our CNN polling shows that the American public is growing increasingly critical of the president on that front.

But the bigger question here in Chicago during the speech is how Governor Bush would distinguish himself from his father and from his brother on foreign policy issue and other matters. Let's listen to what he had to say.

JEB BUSH (R), FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: I've also been fortunate to have a father and a brother who helped shape America's foreign policy from the Oval Office. I recognize that as a result, my views will often be held up in comparison to theirs. In fact, this is a great fascinating thing in the political world for some reason. Some times in contrast to theirs.

Look, just for the record, one more time, I love my brother. I love my dad. Actually love my mother as well. Hope that's OK. I admire their service to the nation and the difficult decisions they had to make, but I'm my own man.

JONES: Now, unfortunately for those in the room who are eager to hear more about what Governor Bush would do differently than his brother and his father, the two Presidents George Bush, he didn't really go far beyond that, that statement that we just heard. He did say that every president inherits a changing world and changing circumstances. He said for instance, back in 2003, during that invasion of Iraq, there was no Twitter, there was no ISIS.

And so, a changing world, and a changing circumstances are going to require a change in approach -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: It is surprising he had to say I am my own person and make my own views, because he's in a unique position to having two track records before him, very big track records before him, he's got to lay it out on his own. And he has 100 percent domestic background, you know? All of his policy choices have been domestic.

BERMAN: It was smart to do it now, do it this early in the process because later on, I'll say, look, I've already gave a whole speech about how I'm so different from my brother. Of course, he laid out no actual policy differences between himself and George W.

ROMANS: He made it clear he's different than Barack Obama, the current president, and his policy.

BERMAN: And he they are not related, as far as we know.

ROMANS: No.

The defense lays out its case in the American sniper murder trial. What the accused killer's family revealing about him on the stand?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right. This morning, we are watching the trial of Eddie Ray Routh, the man accused of killing "American Sniper" Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. Routh's legal team trying to build its insanity defense expected to call to the stand mental health and V.A. doctors who treated him before the murders.

On Wednesday, some of the people closest to Routh testified about what they call his erratic behavior.

Ed Lavandera is following all the developments in this case -- Ed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and John, the "American Sniper" trial is now focused on the testimony of those closest to Eddie Ray Routh, including his sister and girlfriend. If you remember, it was Eddie Ray Routh's sister that was the one that called 911 and alerted authorities that her brother was the one who killed two men at a countryside gun range. She talked about how when Eddie Ray Routh showed up at her house, she was someone she did not recognize as being her brother and one point, she told him I love you, but I hate your demons.

And we also heard from Eddie Ray Routh's ex-girlfriend, a woman by the named of Jennifer Reed (ph), who says ironically enough that the night before the murders, Eddie Ray Routh dropped to his knees and out of the blue proposed to her, asked her to marry him. But also that night, she described a darker scene where she says that repeatedly, she had to ask him if he was seeing and hearing things, and that Eddie Ray Routh told her yes. She also says that in the weeks leading up to her, his temper was very short and his behavior was very erratic. And then, at one point, he held her and her roommate at knifepoint inside of her apartment.

This all tapping into what defense attorneys are trying to get this jury to see, that Eddie Ray Routh was extremely troubled. However, prosecutors have focused extensively on his drug use, including the smoking marijuana and drinking whiskey the morning of the murders -- Christine and John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Ed Lavandera, thanks for that, Ed.

There is new hope for women battling an aggressive form of breast cancer. Researchers say a cocktail of two so-called magic bullet drugs, plus standard chemotherapy can extend the patient's lifespan by 16 months. It is designed for patients Hcr-2 positive breast cancer which is more often than not terminal.

BERMAN: As President Obama addressed the fight against ISIS and terrorists around the world, he explains why he will not call it Islamic extremism. What do you think of the president's answer? Does it go far enough? That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)