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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Russian Warplane Shot Down in Syria; Obama & Hollande to Discuss ISIS Strategy; Worldwide Travel Alert; Patriots Top Bills to Stay Perfect. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired November 24, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning: Turkey shooting down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, claiming its air space was violated. Could this increase the war on ISIS in Syria?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: The escalation in Syria happening just hours before France's president arrives in Washington trying to build an international coalition to fight ISIS.

SANCHEZ: Terror threats triggering worldwide travel alert. What's behind the warning as we get new information on how the Paris terror attacks were carried out?

KOSIK: Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Alison Kosik.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Boris Sanchez. Tuesday, November 24th, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Glad you join us. Glad to be here with you this morning.

KOSIK: Good morning to you.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Boris Sanchez. Tuesday, November 24th, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

[05:00:02] Glad you join us. Glad to be here with you this morning.

KOSIK: Good morning to you.

And breaking news right now: Turkey confirming it shot down a Russian warplane near its border with Syria, claiming the plane had violated Turkish air space and ignored several warnings. Russia insisting that the plane was over Syrian air space the whole time.

The downing of this Russian plane potentially complicating the fight against ISIS and efforts to remove Syrian President Bashar al Assad from power.

CNN's Ian Lee tracking the latest development live from Cairo.

Tell us more about what brought this plane down. IAN LEE, CNN REPORTER: Alison, let me give you a timeline of what

happened. You can see in this video, dramatic video of this SU-24 bomber jet crashing along Syria and Turkey. We are hearing from the Turkish military that two of their F-16s shot down this plane. They say it was an unidentified plane at the time after violating its air space. Ten times they warned it during the five minutes prior to shooting it down about entering its airspace.

Now, this plane belongs to Russia, according to the ministry of defense in Moscow. They said the plane did not in fact violate Turkish air space. But what we are hearing from Russians is the two pilots of the plane were able to eject.

Now their fate is currently unknown. We are hearing the reports that at least one of the pilots has been captured. And the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is reporting that Russian helicopters are patrolling the area where the pilots have landed looking for them right now. The fate of the pilots is unknown.

This spot is in the western part of Syria, north of Latakia. ISIS is not known to be operating in this area. It looks like this Russian plane was going after other rebel groups. This is an area that has ethic Turkmen population, a population that has received sympathy as well as solidarity from neighboring Turkey. Turkey has warned Russia about attacking these people in the past.

Now, Russia has violated Turkish air space before. There was talk between the United States and Russia about coordinating flights to make sure something like this didn't happen. This is likely to escalate the situation in Syria right now, as you have Turkey, a NATO member, shooting down a Russian plane.

KOSIK: And as the fight against ISIS continues, this could complicate matters for France to unite countries to fight ISIS.

Explain a little bit more about that background.

LEE: Well, really, up to this morning before this plane was shot down, you had the French president on a mission going to the United States talking to President Obama. He is going to talk to Angela Merkel of Germany and as well as Vladimir Putin in Russia about trying to get a coalition to go after ISIS and hit them hard.

We have seen a lot of air strikes recently against ISIS in particularly targeting their streams of revenue, their oil tankers, which they get roughly 50 percent of their revenue. But it is going to make it more difficult for the French president to get some sort of coalition especially after the downing of this airplane.

France has had a fairly good working relations with Russia. They are hoping to bridge the divide between the United States and Russia. But this downing of this Russian airplane will just make that a lot more difficult in the battle against ISIS. Really, the big winner of this is going to be ISIS, as it will make it more difficult for some sort of unified coalition to go directly at ISIS.

KOSIK: All right. CNN's Ian Lee, thanks so much for that.

SANCHEZ: Complicated situation making it more complicated.

More breaking news at this hour: a worldwide travel alert from the State Department as the FBI issues a new warning to U.S. law enforcement. The travel alert warns that groups like ISIS and al Qaeda, quote, "continue to plan terrorists attacks in multiple regions". It urges Americans to exercise vigilance in public places and to be aware of events around the world.

The FBI warning also reveals new information on the Paris attacks advising U.S. officers to watch out for suspicious people during surveillance on soft targets. It says analysts believe the terrorists in Paris used that kind of surveillance, along with tactical planning, military style training and coordinated attacks.

And there is new physical evidence. A possible explosive vest discovered in a trash can in a Paris suburb. French media report the vest was found in the same area where suspect's mobile phone was traced just after the attack.

[05:05:04] CNN's Max Foster joins us now from Paris with the latest live.

Max, we understand that there were bolts and TATP, the explosive that was discovered on some of those other vests, as well. Have you received confirmation from French officials that that's the case?

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We haven't. But our affiliate BFM has got very good contacts, and they're suggesting exactly that, that there was explosive in this material in the bin, which was the same explosive used in the Paris attacks. Also some bolts were in there. It does look like an explosive vest.

And this extra bit of information, Abdeslam's phone tracked to the same area. Now, it complicates things massively, because the assumption was Abdeslam was in Brussels. He had been taken there by some contacts of his, but also seeing him in a suicide vest. Now, we find out that potential his suicide vest is in Paris. Is he here?

What's frightening is that 11 days on. He is still on the run. The authorities don't seem to know where he is. Don't have any information on him, which also suggests that he is being protected by someone.

But the man on the run is still out there and he could be here. So, that's very worrying to people. Separately, this other cell phone found the bin outside the attacks at Bataclan Theater, it had a map on it of the theater. It had some encrypted information and text message on it, which does seem to suggest this was a more sophisticated attack than we realize, military style sophisticated attack with surveillance being carried out before the attacks.

Which is why the U.S. security officials are being told to start consider looking out for surveillance of soft targets, anyone carrying out any sort of surveillance, any sort of scouting out. It has gone to a completely different level, as countries around the world, including the U.S., try to work out a similar attack if that could happen on home soil.

SANCHEZ: Now, Max, Abdeslam's family said he aborted the part of the terror plot. Is this finding suggests that the story is being corroborated?

FOSTER: Well, it plays into that theory that he got rid of his suicide vest on the evening of the attack. But the issue with the narrative is that he did head toward Brussels. He would have dumped his suicide vest in the north of Paris towards Belgium. This was found in the south of Paris.

So, a lot of things that don't add up here, but certainly, his brother has done interviews, most recently with "Paris Match" yesterday, where he convinced his brother to pull out at the last minute and did not want to carry out on the attack. Could be an ISIS target which is why he is laying low.

So, there's lots of questions here. I'm sure security officials there in Paris know more and they are not letting on because they are trying to get to the bottom of the investigation. But at the moment, it does seem like a very confusing picture. We just don't know where this man on the run is.

SANCHEZ: We certainly hope French officials do know more.

Max, thank you.

KOSIK: Belgium remains on high alert today amid official warnings of possible terror attacks. In Brussels, soldiers patrol the streets and subways and schools still shutdown until Wednesday at the earliest.

And now, Belgian officials charged another suspect in connection with the Paris attacks.

For the latest, let's bring in CNN's Frederik Pleitgen. He's live in Brussels.

So, Fred, are you getting any indication that authorities are getting any closer to the suspected terror cell and its possible attack that could mirror Paris?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are still searching for him. That is the reason, Alison, why you have seen so many arrests take place in the past 42 hours or 48 hours, Alison.

Twenty-one people have been taken into custody. Now, at this point in time, 17 of those people we just learned early this morning have been released. But you are absolutely right, one of them remains in custody. He has indeed been indicted on charges of being part of a terrorist organization and also for implication in the terror attacks that happened in Paris last Friday.

So, they certainly are trying to come closer, but at the same time, they have not managed to track down the cell they believe might be plotting similar attacks here in Brussels. That is why you see the security measures still in place that you have seen in the past couple days.

I want to show you some of them, because we still have military vehicles here patrols the streets, soldiers on the streets as well as police officers on the streets. There is not very much public life going on. If we fan this way, we can see the soldiers behind me trying to keep the peace here.

It is a very difficult situation, of course, for the residents of Brussels. But at least now they are starting to find out when all of this might end. They're hearing that the subway will open again tomorrow. The schools will open tomorrow.

However, the highest state of alert, the terror threat level four, is something that's going to continue to remain in place unless next Monday. That is, of course, pending maybe finding the cell that could be behind what they believe might be attacks that are being plotted here.

The big key, however, Alison, remains -- are they going to find Salah Abdeslam?

[05:10:00] Are they going to be able to bring him into custody? It's unclear whether or not they're closer at this point in time, Alison.

KOSIK: OK. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen, thanks for that.

SANCHEZ: French President Francois Hollande will be at the White House in about five hours for an Oval Office sit down with President Obama. As the ground shifts in the war against ISIS, the two leaders set to discuss how to intensify and win that fight.

CNN's Joe Johns has the latest from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Alison and Boris, ahead of President Hollande's visit here to the White House to meet with President Obama, no indication from the administration that there will be any major change in strategy against ISIS. The White House press secretary saying President Obama is interested in talking about building on the relationship between the allies, France and the United States.

But that what is more important is the symbolism of the leaders of France and the United States meeting together at a time of need, for France, which is the United States' oldest ally. Listen.

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Frankly, what President Obama is interested in doing is showing I think in a very visible way, the solidarity that the United States of America feels with our allies in France, even at this very difficult hour.

This is a nation that's grieving. This is a nation that's concerned about the security situation inside their country. And they can and should take a lot of solace in knowing that the most powerful country in the world has its back and is standing with them in this difficult time.

JOHNS: One sticky issue is whether Hollande can help the United States and Russia heal some of the issues between them so that they can put up a united front against ISIS.

One of those issues is Syrian President Bashar al Assad. The United States has said he has to go. Russia has been accused of trying to prop him up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Hollande clearly trying to build a coalition. He is meeting with Angela Merkel tomorrow, and then Putin on Wednesday.

KOSIK: And then we have this Russian jet possibly shot down, which obviously complicates matters even more.

SANCHEZ: Yes.

KOSIK: All right.

SANCHEZ: Ahead, Donald Trump doubling down on his claim that American-Muslims celebrated on 9/11. That story next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:16:15] SANCHEZ: We are following breaking news at this hour.

The Turkish military confirming its F-16s shot down a Russian war plane near the Turkey/Syrian border. Turkey claims the Russian jet repeatedly violated its airspace and ignored repeated warning, at least 10.

Russia says its SU-24 remained on the Syrian side of the border.

The downing of a Russian jet by a NATO country likely to complicate efforts to fight ISIS in Syria, and the U.S. efforts to remove Bashar al Assad from hour in the country. We'll bring you more details as we get them.

KOSIK: The pictures are amazing, to see that.

Donald Trump is sticking to his story. Despite growing skepticism, the Republican frontrunner insists he watched on TV as Arab residents in Jersey City, New Jersey, celebrated the 9/11 attacks. Trump says there's no way he is wrong because he has, quote, "the world's greatest memory."

We have more from CNN's politics reporter Sara Murray.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Good morning, Alison and Boris. A defiant Donald Trump was here in Columbus, Ohio, standing by his previous comments that he saw people cheering in New Jersey when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. Now, even though government officials have disputed this claim, as well as a number of news organizations and fact checkers, Donald Trump was not willing to back down. In fact, he even went on an extended rip, saying people on Twitter agreed with him, and saying he remembers the day 9/11, saying he saw bodies fall from the Twin Towers from his own apartment.

Now, all of this comes as Donald Trump is ratcheting up his national security rhetoric in the wake of those Paris terrorist attacks. He went a step further talking about waterboarding.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This morning, they asked me a question this morning. Would you approve waterboarding? Would I approve waterboarding?

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

Yes. Would I approve waterboarding? I said, let me ask you a question. On the other side, they chop off our young people's heads and they put them on a stick. On the other side, they build these iron cages and they'll put 20 people in them and they drop them in the ocean for 15 minutes and pull them up 15 minutes later.

Would I approve waterboarding? You bet your ass I'd approve it. You bet your ass.

MURRAY: And while Donald Trump has faced plenty of scrutiny about reiterating the claims of seeing people cheering in New Jersey as well as his support for waterboarding as an interrogation technique, it's clear he has no plans to soften his rhetoric.

Alison and Boris, back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: OK. Sara Murray, thanks for that.

And time for an early start on your money. European stocks are lower this morning. So are U.S. stock futures. And the global selloff in commodities continues.

We're looking at stocks for the week, coming off their best weekly gain of the year. But looking to see some caution so far in the shortened holiday week which is usual around this time of the year. It could be more of the same today if futures hold.

And Fed Chair Janet Yellen pushing for a cautious approach to the pace of interest rate increases. Yellen was responding to a letter from Ralph Nader urging her to take of savers frustrated by the Fed's lack of movement on rates. Yellen responded, "An overly aggressive hike would under cut the expansion, necessitating a lasting return to low interest rates."

That's Fed speak for -- yes, we very could go ahead and raise rates as early as December, but we're going to go ahead and do it low and slow, kind of do it in small little increments and slowly, not to shock investors.

SANCHEZ: Some say they have been putting it off for a while.

KOSIK: Yes.

SANCHEZ: Monday night football. The New England Patriots trying to remain undefeated against the Buffalo Bills. This coming down to the final minute and not without controversy.

[05:20:00] Coy Wire has this morning's bleacher report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSIK: The Patriots stay unbeaten, but their latest victory, uh-uh, did not come easy.

SANCHEZ: Coy Wire has more on last night's game and today's bleacher report.

And, Coy, maybe the game shouldn't be that close, right?

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, exactly right, Boris. Good morning to you and Alison as well.

That Buffalo Bills defense, key injuries, and even controversial inadvertent whistles couldn't stop the Patriots and their push to perfection. Tom Brady threw for 277 yards and a touchdown in Foxborough last night.

But it could have and should have been two. Watch the third quarter, Brady scrambles, finds Danny Amendola.

[05:25:01] But before he can make the catch, the officials blow the whistle to stop the play. The inadvertent whistle takes away a potential score. Luckily for the zoo crew, it did not cost Pats the game though. New England squeezes by the Bills with a 20-13 victory and move to perfect 10-0.

Here's your water cooler knowledge nugget of the day, the Patriots have now won at least ten games for 13 straight seasons. They are a machine, Alison.

All right. This video is the reason the NFL is asking why St. Louis quarterback Case Keenum was not removed from the Rams game on Sunday for the necessary evaluation by a team's physician, or an unaffiliated neuro trauma consultant as required by the concussion protocol. After getting smashed to the turf and then seemingly semi responsive, struggling to stay on his feet. Keenum remained in the game.

After the game, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he did not see Keenan stumbling. And the Rams trainer on the field felt he was fine. Well, the NFL did not agree. In a statement, the NFL told CNN as early as today, they will, quote, "reinforce with all involved the need to ensure these injuries are identified and addressed in a manner consistent with our protocols", end quote.

Big Major League Baseball news, guys. Former player Dave Roberts will be the next manager of the Los Angeles dodgers. He'll become the first minority manager in team history. The same franchise where Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Although they made the playoffs the last three years in a row, they hope Roberts is the key to winning their first World Series since 1988.

Now, remember, tonight on TNT at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, the Golden State Warriors look to become the first team in NBA history to start a season perfect 16-0 -- Alison, Boris.

KOSIK: OK. Are you going to be watching?

SANCHEZ: I will. I looked at the next dozen names that the Warriors are playing. Not exactly the top tier of the NBA. We could be in for a long streak with them.

KOSIK: Yes. All right. Coy Wire, thanks for that.

WIRE: You're welcome.

KOSIK: Breaking news: Turkey shooting down a Russian war jet near the Syrian border. The war on ISIS could get more complicated. We are live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)