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Sign of Hope in Syrian Peace Talks; Zika Virus Continues to Spread; Cambodia Making Strides in Saving the Asian Elephant; Winners at the SAG Awards. Aired 3-3:30a ET

Aired January 31, 2016 - 03:00   ET

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

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NATALIE ALLEN, CNN HOST: A sign of hope in Geneva as Syria's opposition signals a willingness to negotiate for peace after all. The Zika virus continues to spread to the Americas, sparking fears of a potential global pandemic. And Cambodia is making significant strides in its quest to save the Asian elephant. It's all next here on CNN NEWSROOM. We're live in Atlanta. Thank you for joining us, I'm Natalie Allen.

We begin with a small sign of hope from the Syrian peace talks in Geneva. The Umbrella Group representing Syria's rebels, now says it will join negotiations with the U.S. special envoy. The envoy's goal, a nationwide seize fire among all factions except ISIS and the Al Qaeda of deleted Al-Nusra front (ph). The rebels had earlier said they would sit out the talks until the Syrian government agreed to stop attacking civilians.

CNN's international diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson joins us now with the latest from Geneva. And Nic, you probably understand and sure they're covering this, how difficult it was to get this side to the table.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, the high negotiating committee, the opposition group here and they're in the hotel behind me, just across the road. They got there late last night. Many, many days, they were sort of in consultations for about four days to decide even if they would come here.

Now, they have arrived in Geneva. They have arrived, if you will, something under a cloud. It's been raining since they arrived but I know it hasn't anything to do with them. But the cloud that they're under, if you will, is that they are still saying that they are not going to go into the U.N. buildings, they're not going to go into the negotiations proper until they can get a confirmation and clarification on some of the demands that they're making that are part of the U.N. security council resolution that put in place these talks.

That is, humanitarian access to areas that are besieged like Madaya where we understand, 16 people dies in the last few days from starvation. They want an end to the aerial bombardments that continue and they want to see some prisoner releases, particularly with women and children. So, what they're saying at the moment is, they will only talk to the U.N representative Staffan de Mistura from inside their hotel over there.

We caught up with one of the spokesman from the HNC last night. This is what he told us.

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SALIM AL-MURSLAT, HIGH NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN: We are ready. We are here to make this s success. We are ready to start negotiation. But at least, we should see something, you know, on ground there in Syria. We should really stop these massacres against our people. So, please help us.

You know, save our children. Save the remaining children of Syria. Then, you know, we are willing to do anything that really put an end to this war.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: So, maybe it just emerges as all semantics at the end of the day. That they want to have their first line of conversation and get those assurances before they go into the talks proper. Maybe they're going to stand firm and really wait it out until they do get some of those demands met that they want.

The government delegation from Syria met with Staffan de Mistura on Friday. The talks are already up and running. They're already proximity talks. So, the two sides don't actually have to meet face to face. So, it does seem that this has begun but it's not quite on an even footing yet Natalie.

ALLEN: And Nic, they seem like reasonable requests that they're asking. Any word or hint to what the government representatives think of these requests or how they might respond?

ROBERTSON: Yes, that's the key question and Staffan de Mistura was asked that on Friday just immediately following his two hour meeting with the government representatives. He didn't get into detail. The government representatives didn't talk when they left those meetings. So, it's unclear precisely what the government's thinking.

And in a way, that's what the HNC, the Higher Negotiating Commission, the opposition, is doing here. They really come to test the willingness of the Syrian government. The reason that they're holding on to these particular points is, they believe that they're enshrined in the words of the U.N. resolution, resolution 2254 passed in December, paragraphs 12 and 13.

And if you can go online, you can read it. It's all there. But the wording of those paragraphs leaves it open, do you have the seize fire before you get into talks? Do you get these humanitarian corridors opened up as part of the process of the talks? Or are they -- is it really clear that they should start, all this should happen before the talks begin?

[03:05:03] The opposition have a very clear view on that. Staffan de Mistura has said, "Let's get here and let's talk about it." He's due to meet with them, we're expecting, in the coming hours, Natalie.

ALLEN: All right, Nic Robertson covering it for us there in Geneva with the critical talks. We certainly hope something comes from it. Thank you, Nic.

Turkey is condemning what it calls a violation of it's airspace by a Russian warplane. The foreign ministry says, "The jet was warned in both English and Russian before it crossed into Turkish airspace from Syria Friday." As you know, Russia is involved in air strikes in the Syrian war.

Well, the allegations that were made against Russia, Russia called them unfounded propaganda. Turkey's military shot down a Russian plane in November 4, entering it's airspace, killing one crew member. Turkish officials say the plane ignored several warnings, a claim Russia disputes.

Well, the Zika virus is not active in 24 counties. Its rapid spread has lead to growing concern about the potential for a global pandemic. The mosquito born virus has been linked to a neurological birth disorder called microcephaly. Colombian officials report more than 20,000 cases. That's nearly double the figure from just 10 days ago. Those staggering numbers have lead to increasing concern about a global pandemic.

The World Health Organization warns, it could affect as many as four million people in the Americas in the next year. No cure or even treatment currently exists for the virus. Brazil as we know is ground zero for this outbreak and they're helping to lead the fight to slow it's spread and find a vaccine because as you know, Brazil hosts this year's summer Olympics. CNN's Shasta Darlington has more from Rio de Janeiro.

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SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The epicenter for the Zika virus pandemic is right here in Brazil but the crisis is increasingly international. President Dilma Rousseff spoke by phone to President Barrack Obama on Friday and they agreed to work together to try and combat the mosquito that's spreading the virus. (Inaudible) said they could do research together and really try and speed up the development of a vaccine. That's of course because there isn't one, there isn't a cure right now here in Brazil since the virus was detected in the first half of last year.

That means that more than 4,000 cases of babies born with microcephaly have been reported. These are babies with small heads and underdeveloped brains. This has been linked to the Zika virus. Now, President Dilma Rousseff says, "More needs to be done and quickly."

DILMA ROUSSEFF, BRAZIL PRESIDENT [through translation]: We are losing the battle against the mosquito. As long as the mosquito keeps reproducing, each and everyone of us is losing the battle against the mosquito. So, we have to mobilize so we do not lose this battle.

DARLINGTON: Keeping track of Zika is difficult. It's often asymptomatic. Brazilian health officials say that up to 1.5 million people have already been affected. They've dedicated 200,000 soldiers and health workers to going door to door, trying to eradicate the pools of water where the mosquitoes breed.

In most cases, the mosquitoes breed inside people's homes. So, getting rid of that plant water, getting rid of the tanks of water where the drinking water is stored. They're also fumigating. The problem is, they've really had a mixed success so far. It's the same mosquito that spreads the Dengue fever.

And last year, there were record number of cases in Brazil of Dengue fever. With the Olympics just six months away here in Rio de Janeiro, this is gaining a lot of urgency. Officials here say they'll step up efforts as the games get closer. Visiting the venues on a daily basis, making sure that any contact with mosquitoes is minimized, they're also betting on the weather. The games are going to come in August, that'll be smack dab in the middle of the winter right here in the southern hemisphere and that the mosquito population will naturally drop off. Shasta Darlington, CNN, Rio de Janeiro.

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ALLEN: Ahead here, Donald Trump hopes to fly up in the Iowa caucuses, Monday. Find out if a brand new poll is giving Trump the edge over his rivals. Plus, hidden cameras capture a rare view of endangered wildlife in Cambodia. Why this sighting is a sign of success for conservation efforts, we'll have that.

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ALLEN: We could see a nail biter in Iowa Monday. The U.S. Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are barnstorming across the state, making a final push for undecided voters before Monday's crucial caucuses, less than 48 hours away now. Republican frontrunner Donald Trump is gaining additional momentum against main rival Ted Cruz in a brand new influential poll. The poll from Bloomberg politics and the Des Moines register gives Trump a five point edge over Cruz. Marco Rubio is third.

On the Democratic side, Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are virtually neck and neck. Clinton has 45 percent to Sanders' 42 percent but that's within the margin of error meaning, they are statistically tied. Well, Donald Trump has drummed up huge noisy crowds at his events but will those crowds turn out at the caucuses in Iowa on Monday? Our chief U.S. correspondent John King takes a look at how Trump is revolutionizing the political landscape in Iowa.

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JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF U.S. CORRESPONDENT: It is Iowa's defining question, but they will wait hours in the cold to hear him speak. Will they do what it takes to deliver victory Monday night?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any questions about the caucus, where to go? Is everyone a registered Republican already?

KING: These are the forms needed to register to vote or to switch a registration to Republican on caucus night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're an independent, it's OK. We'll take you.

KING: Donald Trump is rewriting the Iowa rule book.

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: By the way, I'm totally pro FNO which ...

KING: Big rallies and a coalition that spans the idealogical spectrum.

TRUMP: I love the evangelicals, they've been so great to me.

KING: Christian conservatives, moderates, independents and political newcomers by the dozens. People like, Shane Bollmann not only plans to caucus for the first time, but is organizing for Trump in Denver, Iowa and plans to deliver a speech at his local precinct.

SHANE BOLLMANN, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Can't stop, can't quit, got to keep going until the end.

KING: Bollmann says he's learned to filter the Trump rhetoric his wife winds obnoxious.

BOLLMANN: He's not like, verbally correct on things, you know, banning all Muslims in the United States. OK, I read into that a little bit between lines and, OK I understand where you're coming from, I do like your point. He didn't come across perfect but, I understand you.

KING: To drive Iowa is to find Trump support everywhere.

ASHLEY: I'm Ashley, volunteering for the Marco Rubio campaign.

KING: This is a Marco Rubio office in Cedar Rapids.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you so much, Neil (ph).

KING: And this, a Jeb Bush phone bank in West Des Moines. Both areas were Mitt Romney's strongholds four years ago. And as Rubio and Bush fight for those establishment voters, they find plenty of Trump supporters.

STEVE GRUBBS, CHIEF IOWA STRATEGIST, PAUL CAMPAIGN: There's no doubt that Trump has changed the dynamic of the campaign for everybody.

KING: Steve Grubbs is Rand Paul's Iowa strategist this cycle, a caucus veteran who says, "Those who doubt Trump's Iowa team, don't know them." GRUBBS: Trump's got good people in Iowa working. And so, you know, I trust that they are doing the groundwork they need to do.

KING: The Marion Avenue baptist church is Tiny Washington, Iowa, one of the rural towns vital to Ted Cruz. All are welcome here. The Cruz backer, Pastor Joseph Brown concedes, he is exasperated at Trump's success with conservative Christians.

JOSEPH BROWN, CRUZ SUPPORTER: God is the god if the second chance but Donald Trump has not had a life transformation moment.

[03:15:00] He has had an idea to become the president of the United States of America.

KING: Brown leads a network of nearly 200 pastors Cruz implored this week to do more to highlight Trump's passed support of abortion and gay rights.

BROWN: You know, I'm praying, it's going to take a miracle but I'm praying that people will wake up to the fact that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

KING: It's too late to sway Carter Nordman.

CARTER NORDMAN, STUDENTS FOR TRUMP, STATE LEADER: Our entire family loved The Apprentice, love watching it.

KING: His first vote will be for Donald Trump, Monday night.

NORDMAN: We need a president to run this country like a business and who better than a very successful businessman?

KING: Carter, a high school basketball player is the state leader of Students for Trump, another key piece of the Trump Iowa coalition.

NORDMAN: I'm the caucus leader in my county though (ph) and there's a movement going on. We have many, many students coming to caucus for the first time. I mean, teachers say all the time that, they've never heard so many students talk about an election before. Without a doubt, Trump dominates the talk here. Now, the test, do the faces and feet that made this a caucus campaign like no other, line up one more time, Monday night? John King, CNN, Pella Iowa

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ALLEN: Derek Van Dam's here, talks of weather. But, you know, first of all, what are they expecting in Iowa, Monday?

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, they're narrowly going to miss a major blizzard that's going to impact the state on Tuesday. But for the caucuses on Monday, I think they're going to be safe. And that'll be interesting to see. Well, it doesn't appear that the weather will impact the voter turnout, so.

ALLEN: OK.

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ALLEN: All right. So, keep your dogs inside.

VAN DAM: Keep your dogs inside.

ALLEN: All right.

VAN DAM: Good advice.

ALLEN: Thanks Derek. Well, a British helicopter pilot was shot and killed during an operation to fight poaching in Tanzania. Roger Gower was shot in mid-air by poachers in the Maswa Game Reserve, Friday night. He was able to land the helicopter but died before help arrived. Gower was involved in tracking down and arresting elephant poachers, those responsible for his death have not been caught.

Of course, poaching is a reason the world's elephants are critically endangered. But in one corner of Cambodia, there has been an amazing find, a sign of success.

ALLEN: Green as far as the eye can see and beyond. This is the Central Cardamom Protected Forest in Cambodia. 14 years ago, the government, along with conservation international set aside 400 hectares. The aim, give the endangered animals who call this land home, a chance at survival.

In 2015, wildlife officials set out to see if it worked. They installed camera traps on trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of illusive wildlife, especially the rare Asian elephant. They were reported this day. 12 elephants came into view, moving though the night, grazing and interacting. It is the largest group of wild Asian elephants seen here in a decade. Also important, young elephants are in the herd. Peter Seligmann, founder and CEO of conservation international spoke with us from Cambodia.

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PETER SELIGMANN, CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL CEO: We think there're now are probably many more because we have very few camera traps in the area.

[03:20:03] So, to be able to catch a herd of 12 means that it indicates that the population is healthy. So that, just regarding elephants is really big news.

ALLEN: Asian elephants are more endangered than their African cousins. Both are routinely killed for their tusks or meat. Their habitats are overrun by humans and illegal logging. The Cardamom Mountains are one of the largest reservoirs of nature in Cambodia, home to one third of the country's endangered and rare species and critically important to people too.

SELIGMANN: These forests are the source of the freshwater that's required to keep the Tonle Sap which is the largest freshwater lake in Southeastern Asia., productive. And the fish in that lake are enormously populous. There are more fish in Tonle Sap, in this one lake that in all of the lakes in North America combined. And this lake provides 75 percent of the protein that the people of Cambodia depend upon.

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ALLEN: The forest preservation is a success story. Thanks in part to its remoteness. 90 percent is inaccessible. No roads in, no roads out, giving the animals who live here more room to roam and hopefully survive.

Well coming up here, the winners of the Screen Actor's Guild awards. What that might mean for Oscar predictions. We'll break it down.

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ALLEN: The Screen Actor's Guild awards or SAGs are often seen as an indication of who make take home an Oscar in a few weeks. On Saturday, Leonardo DiCaprio won the SAG for best lead actor for his role in the Revenant. Brie Larson won for her performance in the film, Room. And the top award went to the cast of Spotlight which is nominated for an Oscar for best picture.

All right, we are definitely in the thick of things for the Hollywood awards season. And Kim Serafin joins us from Hollywood. She's senior editor of In Touch Weekly. Hi there, Kim.

KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, IN TOUCH WEEKLY: Hi, how are you doing?

ALLEN: I'm good, thank you. Thanks for being with us. So, this was the Screen Actor's Guild. We're up to that. We've had the Golden Globes. We have the Oscars to come. So, remind us, those of us who just live normal lives, what the Screen Actor's Guild Awards are really about.

SERAFIN: Yeah, it's the award season here in Los Angeles, here in Hollywood, all leading up, of course, to the Oscars. But this is the Screen Actor's Guild Awards, this is voted on by the actors. So, all the awards are about actors. It's not about production design or sound or anything like that. It's all about the acting awards. But a lot of people look to the Screen Actor's Guild Awards because the actors are the largest voting branch for the Academy, for the Oscars.

So, a lot of times, whoever wins the Screen Actor's Guild, it really predicts who will win an Oscar.

ALLEN: So, let's talk about the fact that the Oscar is criticized for lack of diversity. But these awards, the first award actually handed out, wen to an African-American woman.

SERAFIN: Yeah, very interesting because clearly, if anyone was paying attention know that the Oscars have gotten a lot of attention because of the lack of diversity. But in very stark contrast, at the SAG awards, it was a very diverse show. In fact, Idris Elba who won two SAG awards got up and at one point when he was introducing Beasts of No Nation, he said, welcome to diverse T.V. because you did have a lot of nominees, a lot of nominees -- a lot of winners, Uzo Aduba for Orange is the New Black.

Viola Davis won for How to Get Away with Murder. Idris Elba as I mentioned won two awards. He won for Beasts of No Nation. A lot of people thought he should've been nominated for an Oscar for Beasts of No Nation. He was not. And in fact, his name is the one of the nems that comes up when people say, "Where was his name when we're looking at all of these 20 white actors that were nominated?" So, a very different story we're looking at when we're look at the Screen Actor's Guild Awards.

ALLEN: Well, let's talk about two of the big winners were for best actor and best actress.

SERAFIN: I think everyone was looking to see who would win best actor. It was Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant. I think this pretty much says that he is the lock for an Oscar. He did win the Golden Globes. He won the Critic's Choice Award. I mean, Leonardo DiCaprio I think clearly is someone who deserves an Oscar. This was his ninth SAG award nomination but his first win.

So, it's kind of his time. It is his year.

ALLEN: Right.

SERAFIN: For sure.

ALLEN: And it might as well be -- maybe Brie Larson's year as well.

SERAFIN: Yeah, Brie Larson who won for Room. And now, of course, Jennifer Lawrence is probably her main competition when you come to the Oscars. But Jennifer Lawrence for Joy did not get a SAG nomination.

ALLEN: Yeah.

SERAFIN: So, very interesting. Brie Larson I think still probably is the frontrunner for an Oscar but very interesting because Jennifer Lawrence was not nominated for a SAG award. So, with her in the mix in the Oscars, that kind of throws everything into turmoil. So, we don't know for sure who will win. It's not as clearcut as Leonardo DiCaprio is for best actor.

ALLEN: So, we'll have a big drum roll for best actress when we get to the Oscars perhaps.

SERAFIN: Yeah.

ALLEN: And they also handed out an award fro ensemble cast for comedy and film. And it's interesting that two films really were really good this year for ensemble cast. But one about brave journalist won.

SERAFIN: Yeah, Spotlight was the winner of the SAG award for ensemble cast after they vote in the Screen Actor's Guild Award. But this is often a predictor of who will win best picture come the Oscars.

ALLEN: A glowing night and a diverse night for Hollywood and of course, beautiful dresses on the red carpet as well. As always, Kim Serafin watching it for us, thank you so much Kim.

SERAFIN: Great, thanks so much.

ALLEN: And thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Natalie Allen. "MARKETPLACE AFRICA" is up next.

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