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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Obama, Putin Take Syria Issue to United Nations; U.S. Launches Airstrike on Taliban Taken Town; Trump Unveils Tax Proposal. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired September 29, 2015 - 04:30   ET

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

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[04:30:21] ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: President Obama face-to-face with Russian leader Vladimir Putin clashing over Syria and Ukraine. The frosty exchange, ahead.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, the U.S. launching a new attack on an Afghanistan city taken by the Taliban. We are live.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

KOSIK: Good morning. I'm Alison Kosik. It's 30 minutes past the hour.

The White House claims it has new clarity of Russian objectives after the first face-to-face sit down between President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin in two years. But that clarity and some military coordination in Syria seems to be all the U.S. has achieved at this point. The two leaders toasting at lunch, but look at them. They're kind of having an icy glare there. Then shaking hands stiffly before meeting for 90 minutes in the United Nations conference room.

President Obama and Putin also facing off in U.N. speeches, outlining drastically different visions for how to fight Islamic terror. Putin calling it an enormous mistake to refuse to cooperate with the Assad regime and its battle against ISIS.

And President Obama blaming Bashar al Assad for the power vacuum that has allowed ISIS to spread.

This morning, President Obama hosts a summit with leaders from dozen of countries fighting ISIS except for Putin who is not expected to attend.

For more, let's bring in CNN international correspondent Matthew Chance.

How much of an issue is it that Putin will not be attending this meeting today?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I don't think it is necessarily going to spell the end of any cooperation with Russia and the United States. In fact, the big takeaway from the Russian perspective on that frosty meeting that you described was the essentially, there is a relationship now between the two leaders that didn't exist a year ago. So, that is progress.

One of the aims of the Kremlin of going to the United Nations and meeting with president Barack Obama was to make Russia relevant again. That aim to some extent has been achieved. Vladimir Putin was front and center of the conversation about diplomacy in Syria, about how to end the war and President Obama did agree that he would work with Russia and also Iran and other countries as well in achieving an end to the bloodshed in Syria.

So, that's some progress that we can take away from this. Of course, areas of disagreement of Syria over the future of President Assad, the Syrian leader. Russia wants him to stay. Washington essentially wants him to go.

There were other areas that were addressed as well, particularly by President Obama. Not least the situation in Ukraine where Russia has annexed Crimea, part of Ukrainian territory originally and he is accused of having forces backing rebels in the east of the country.

Take a listen to what President Obama had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We recognized the deep and complex history between Russia and Ukraine. But we cannot stand by when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a nation is flagrantly violated. If that happens without consequence in Ukraine, it could happen to any nation gathered here today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHANCE: That's essentially, Alison, a justification for the sanctions that the United States is imposed on Russia because of the activities in Ukraine. But I think U.S. officials will acknowledge privately, if not publicly, that the sanctions have had little effect on policy of Russia in Ukraine and further sanctions and further animosity will not have much effect on Russia and its policy in Syria as well.

So, the takeaway from me is that the two countries are going to now work together to some extent.

KOSIK: And even work together to some extent on the crisis in Syria. You know, the big sticking point is what is going to happen with Assad? Obama really is digging in his heels that Assad has to got to go, Putin is saying, no, he's got to stay.

CHANCE: We don't really know from the speech to what extent President Obama is digging his heels in. He said, I'm paraphrasing, things cannot go back to the way they were before. He didn't specify what they would go to.

But you're right. There is a major disagreement between the two countries on what should happen to Assad. Vladimir Putin backs him to the hilt. He has seen as a bulwark against the Islamic State and other rebel groups. He's seen as a guarantee of Russian influence in Syria as well.

But I think it would be a mistake to think that Vladimir Putin is in some way married to the idea that only Bashar al Assad can lead Syria in the future.

[04:35:03] He wants to guarantee Russian interests. If it's Assad, fine, but it could be somebody else as well.

KOSIK: OK, a meeting leading to some progress. Matthew Chance, thanks for that.

ROMANS: All right. Afghan security forces back by a U.S. airstrike, trying to recapture a northern city that fell to the Taliban one day ago. The fall of the city of Kunduz, a critical, critical blow to the Afghan government, giving the insurgents a key base of operations beyond their strongholds in the southern part of the country.

For the latest, I want to bring in international diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson.

Nic, this is a -- Taliban taking of a city being able to get a foothold. We have not seen this in a very, very long time.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: This is the biggest Taliban gain since 2001. It's the first time they have taken the city. This is strategically important because it sits on a major highway linking Afghanistan to the northern to the country to the north, Tajikistan. It's significant economically because Kunduz is a well off, affluent farming community.

It is a blow to the morale of the government. The government on the ground has more troops in the army and more policeman as well. What we understand is they pulled out of the town when the Taliban were advancing.

This is also a batting that's been coming for some time. Taliban have been building strength to the north of Kunduz since the spring of this year. It has been clear to everyone that they would want to take Kunduz, and they moved in and the army moved out, which raises questions.

The way the Taliban operated in the past, when they take cities like this back in the old days, it is because they had support in the cities. And there's evidence there to support that the army moved out, we're told, because they felt they had poor leadership, their support in some parts of the town for the Taliban because they feel the government is corrupt.

So, these are the issues the government is fighting against. When and if and it is expected they will, retake the town in the coming days.

ROMANS: "The New York Times" reporting, Nic, that, you know, the Taliban moved ion, they let out a bunch of prisoners out of jail cells who seemed to be celebrating in town as well.

Let's talk about the advance to try to retake the town. The U.S. airstrike giving them cover, giving the Afghan army cover. What do we know about the retaking the town?

ROBERTSON: Well, they say they have retain the police headquarters, that they've retaken the jail where the 500 prisoners were freed from by the Taliban. Of course, we know airstrikes are difficult to use in an urban environment. So, they will perhaps be able to strike the Taliban supply lines and Taliban grouping on the edges of town.

But inside the town itself, we understand the casualty toll yesterday is perhaps in excess of about 250. The Taliban leadership, and let's not forget, the Taliban has just got a new leader, Mullah Mansour, this is a big plus for him. He has said that the Taliban should avoid civilian casualties and civilians should carry on with their lives and they will be safe.

So, the way this will play out, potentially, a firefight in a densely populated urban environment. Many people will have fled the town. But how much damage of property will ensue as the fighting goes ahead. That's -- how that happens and how that's perceived by the local population is going to determine how easy and how hard it is for the government to hold on to that town of Kunduz.

ROMANS: All right. Nic Robertson, thanks for that analysis and context. Thanks.

ROMANS: ISIS is proving to be a recruiting machine. U.S. intelligence experts believe 30,000 foreign fighters have traveled to Iraq and Syria to join the terror organization since 2011. That's double last year's assessment, and as many as 250 Americans are among those recruits, that's according to "The New York Times".

Later this morning, a homeland security task force will release a report citing gaping security holes in Europe make it easier for foreign fighters to join ISIS and for jihadists to travel to the West.

ROMANS: Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards testifies before the House committee today. She is expected to tell lawmakers defunding the organization will leave 650,000 women with reduced or no preventive health care in the first year alone. Richard says other government approved health care facilities cannot pick up the slack if Congress strips Planned Parenthood of federal funding.

KOSIK: Well, it looks like Congress could pass legislation averting a government shutdown this week. A stopgap bill to keep government funding at its current levels through December 11th cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Monday. The measure could be approved in the House tomorrow, preventing a shutdown with only hours to spare. A big shocker there.

They always wait until the last minute. Conservatives view December as a better time to challenge President Obama on Planned Parenthood funding since new leadership will be in place in the House. [04:40:04] ROMANS: All right. The number two Republican in the House

making it official. He wants to be number one. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy entering the race to replace John Boehner as House speaker next month. It appears he has very little competition. McCarthy making hundreds of phone calls to fellow lawmakers, promising to fight for conservative principles if he's elected to that post.

All right. Time for an early start on your money this Tuesday morning. Asian shares down. European shares also lower. Leading the drop, commodity stocks.

Why? Worries about a global slow down led by China. That is sending prices for raw materials like oil, copper and iron lower. Shares of mining giant Glencore yesterday, plummeted. Look at this. Investors are worried how the company will service its huge debt load. Shares bouncing a bit from that nosedive this morning.

Another sector, biotech. Yesterday, Valeant pharmaceuticals dove 17 percent after congressional Democrats pushed to subpoena the company. They want answers about big price hikes for two heart drugs.

KOSIK: And Donald Trump one-on-one with CNN, giving details on his tax plan. Who he says will benefit, but will it work? Next.

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KOSIK: Welcome back. After weeks of vaguely sketching out the outlines of his tax plan, Donald Trump finally has lifted the veil, and he's promising drastic cuts for rich, middle income and poor Americans while closing some tax loopholes.

[04:45:08] But now that experts can actually look at the details, some are saying, hmm, there is no way Trump can keep his other promise to not run up the deficit.

CNN's Sara Murray has details.

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SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Good morning, Christine and Alison. Trump has faced plenty of criticism for being a substance- free candidate. But he changed his tune yesterday at a press conference here in New York where he unveiled his tax plan. Now, he teased it as a plan to benefit the middle class. And while it certainly does that, it also offers a hefty tax break for high income individuals.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The economy will just be absolutely like a rocket. It's going to go up. This is my prediction. This is what I'm good at. This is really my wheelhouse.

And I think you're going to create tremendous numbers of jobs. I'm also going to bring a lot of jobs back into the country, because so many other countries have taken our jobs, they've taken our base, they've taken our manufacturing. So, we're going to couple that with this tax plan. But we're going to have a country that really is going to rocket again. And we haven't had that for a long time.

MURRAY: Now, Erin Burnett caught up with Donald Trump yesterday to ask what his plan would do to his tax tab.

ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR: Donald Trump's tax plan, you -- will you pay more money? Will it be millions and millions? Hundreds of millions? How much more will you pay?

TRUMP: I will probably end up paying more money. But at the same time, I think the economy will do better so I'll make it up that way. But I will probably end up paying more money. I believe in the end, I might do better because I really believe the economy is going to go boom, beautiful.

BURNETT: Betting on growth.

MURRAY: So, there's a little something for everyone in this. If you are at the bottom of the scale, your new rate is zero. If you are a middle class family, you might be getting a tax cut, but it seems that the big winner here might be the wealthy.

Back to you, Christine and Alison.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Sara Murray, thanks for that, Sara.

Another university cutting ties with Bill Cosby. Brown University rescinding the comedian's honorary degree, 30 years after it was awarded. The school's president sending a letter to students, calling Cosby's conduct, quote, "grossly inconsistent", end quote, with Brown's values. Fordham and Marquette Universities rescinded Cosby's honorary degrees last week.

KOSIK: "Fast and Furious" actor Paul Walker's daughter is filing a lawsuit against Porsche on his behalf, that's according to "The Associated Press". And the suit claims the street legal race car he died in lacked proper stability control, as well as safety features to protect occupants and keep it from catching fire. Walker was riding in the passenger seat of Porsche Carrera GT when it collided with a power pole and several trees. This happened in 2013. He and a friend were killed in the accident.

Trevor Noah making his debut on "The Daily Show." How did he do and his family is opening up about his success. That's next.

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[04:51:48] KOSIK: "The Daily Show" is back with a new host. Trevor Noah got right to work on his premier episode last night. The South African comedian lampooned the pope's visit, John Boehner's resignation and, of course, his own role on the show.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TREVOR NOAH, HOST, THE DAILY SHOW: The truth is, now, I'm in the chair, I can only assume that this is strange for you as it is for me. Jon Stewart was more than just a late night host. He was often our voice, our refuge, and in many ways, our political dad.

And it's weird because dad has left.

(LAUGHTER)

And now -- and now it feels like the family has a new stepdad. And he's black.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: OK. So, how did he do? The show generally getting good instant reviews in the U.S. But how are people back home reacting to Noah's newfound stardom?

CNN's David McKenzie is in Johannesburg for us this morning.

So, what do you think?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Alison, I think South Africans were just as surprised when he was announced as "The Daily Show" host after just appearing three times and replacing Jon Stewart after 16 seasons.

So, I think there is a sigh of relief when they feel he did OK. You know, South Africans have not seen the show yet. They'll see it as a rerun later today here in South Africa.

But there is a deal of pride, of course, in Trevor. He is a well- known figure in South Africa. In fact, a household name.

Many people point to the fact as a comedian here in South Africa, he progressed from being what his colleagues say as vanilla and, you know, unoffensive to being an edgy comic towards the end of his career here in South Africa.

So, you know, it will be interesting to see if he takes that approach in the U.S. and if he can gain the trust of the audience to push those boundaries a little bit as a South African comedian and taking on a bigger stage, it has to be said -- Alison.

KOSIK: All right. One show down, many more to go to win over viewers. David McKenzie, live from Johannesburg, thanks for that.

ROMANS: And a billionaire coming out in full support of Donald Trump. Why he says Trump is the president we need, next.

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[04:58:03] ROMANS: Hi there. Welcome back. I'm Christine Romans. Let's get an early start on your money this morning.

Asian shares close down, European shares are mixed and Volkswagen falling further right now. Commodity stocks leading the way down today. They are falling on global demand concerns. Yesterday, a real ugly day. The Dow dropped 313 points for a minute there. During the day, it was below 16,000. The NASDAQ had the worst one day decline since August 24th. Remember that day? That's when the Dow took that unprecedented 1,000-point nose dive.

Declines across the board, broad based declines, bio-tech stocks hammered particularly hard.

All right. Big buzz this morning about the billionaire investor Carl Icahn. Carl Icahn going all in for Donald Trump. Icahn releasing a video, releasing it this morning saying he doesn't agree with everything Trump says on all the issues, but he says the country needs someone to, quote, "wake it up".

Icahn agrees with Trump's plan to eliminate the carried interest loophole, something that Trump said he wanted to do yesterday. That's that loophole that allows fund managers, hedge fund managers, to be taxed at a lower rate. Trump has said he would make Icahn his treasury secretary if elected.

You need a dose of caffeine? Good, because today is National Coffee Day. And there's a whole bunch of free stuff out there to celebrate. At Dunkin' Donuts, you can get a free cup of hot or iced dark roast. At Peet's coffee and tea, a free small cup with any food item. At Krispy Kreme, a free small coffee and original glazed doughnut.

KOSIK: Don't believe without the doughnut, if you're at Krispy Kreme.

ROMANS: I'm going to go now. You can just --

KOSIK: Don't forget the doughnuts.

She's not going anywhere because EARLY START continues now.

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KOSIK: President Obama and Vladimir Putin face-to-face. Tensions high as the two world leaders offer starkly different views at the U.N.

ROMANS: Breaking overnight. The U.S. launching a new attack on an Afghanistan city taken by the Taliban.