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Syrian Rebels Plead for Humanitarian Ceasefire; Trainee in Cockpit During Pakistan Plane Crash; Trump's Controversial EPA Appointment; Activist: Ohio Abortion Bill Could be Death Warrant for Women, Girls; Merkel's Open Border Policy Becoming Liability for Re- Election. Aired 2-3a ET
Aired December 08, 2016 - 02:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[02:00:03] JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers around the world. I'm John Vause. This is NEWSROOM L.A.
After days of fierce fighting in eastern Aleppo, Syrian rebels are pleading for a ceasefire. Aleppo is falling quickly to government forces. Troops have taken back the old city. One activist calls the situation is apocalyptic, saying the few remaining hospitals are packed with people and there are no supplies. The Syrian Red Crescent says more than 100 people, and some bodies, have been evacuated from the old city on Wednesday.
Here's Fred Pleitgen reporting from Aleppo.
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FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENOR INTERNATIONAL CORRSEPONDENT (voice-over): This is what rebel desperation looks like during the nights, firing at jets in the sky, unable to stop them from dropping their deadly load.
And this is what the rebel's defeat looks like when day comes, thousands of civilians fleeing the old town of Aleppo only hours after government forces took most of it back.
Among them, this woman with her seven children, one of them, her baby.
"There was a lot of shelling behind us, a lot of shooting in front of us, and air planes above us," she says. "We barely managed to get out."
Most seemed weak and malnourished. Some resting, finally in safety in this former school. The smallest, a baby girl, is only seven days old, born as the battles were at their worst.
(on camera): It's remarkable some of the scenes we are witnessing here. Hundreds of people have come across the border crossing between eastern and western Aleppo. And many are taking shelter in buildings like this one, carrying only a very few possessions they could take as they fled.
(voice-over): Soldiers take us to the places they recaptured from opposition forces only hours before. We've seen Syrian troops evacuating elderly, and rebel barricades showing how intense the fighting was.
(on camera): Just look at the destruction here. We are actually in the old town of Aleppo right now. This entire area until a few days ago, was on the front line.
(voice-over): While this may not be the end of the opposition's fight in Aleppo, many of those fleeing describe the rebel's moral sinking and the harrowing conditions of the area.
"We didn't have food and barely any bread," this man says. "We were eight people. They would only give us two loaves of bread every two days, and that was it, for all of us."
While much of eastern Aleppo has been reduced to rubble, one thing expanding was the cemetery. This one ran out of space as the bodies kept coming.
Now that much of eastern Aleppo has changed hands, Syrian soldiers plant their flag on the ruins of the place have just conquered.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Aleppo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Joining us from Amman, Jordan, is Jomana Karadsheh; and in Moscow, CNN contributor and former Moscow bureau chief, Jill Dougherty.
Jomana, first to you.
What's the latest on the Syrian regime as they push in to the territory? How much is under opposition control?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTRNATIOANL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we know is 75 percent of eastern Aleppo is under regime control. By some estimates, it is 10 neighborhoods left under rebel control. That's a small patch of eastern Aleppo, where also tens of thousands of civilians, according to residents and activists, have moved into this area of eastern Aleppo as this advance has happened, as we've seen regime forces moving into eastern Aleppo. Still, in this part, yesterday, speaking to people on the ground, they described this constant shelling and bombardment. According to activists in eastern Aleppo, they say 60 people at least were killed, more than 100 injured in this constant shelling taking place. And the humanitarian situation is extremely dire. Talking to people, John, they are exhausted, terrified, hungry, because they are running out of food because this area is under siege. And they are not even -- they are struggling to find drinking water. They described scenes where there's bodies on the street with no one to pick them up. So, a really dire humanitarian situation. They are bracing for the worst yet to come.
VAUSE: Jomana, what's left of eastern Aleppo after what has been a relentless offensive? What are they fighting over at this point? KARADSHEH: As we have seen, John, the images that come out of these
neighbors recaptured by the Syrian regime, large-scale destruction, homes, buildings reduced to rubble. Very similar to other parts of the country where the Syrian regime in the past has declared victory, where you see this sort of destruction of what used to be.
Now, the big question is will the Syrian regime continue this fight, try to recapture what is left of eastern Aleppo with this large number of civilians still in there, or will we see any sort of deal to hand this part of the city back and for the rebels to exit?
[02:0539:] VAUSE: Jomana, thank you.
More on that from Jill Dougherty standing by in Moscow.
Jill, there was an interview by Syrian President Bashar Assad to a newspaper. When asked about a ceasefire, he said, "It is practically nonexistent. The Americans in particular are insisting on demanding a truce because their terrorist agents are in a difficult situation."
What are the cards left to play for the Americans at this point?
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CONRIBUTOR: Not a lot. The Syrians and Russians will not go for a cease fire or truce because their argument it just allows the opposition terrorists to rearm, regroup and fight again. There's no way they will go with that. If you look at the rebels right now, there's not a lot of hope either. They have almost nowhere to go unless they break out or some sort of agreement to let them come out of the city. Right now, I don't think there are a lot of cards that the United States or the West or those rebels can hold. They are surrounded and it looks like it's a matter of time before the government will take over Aleppo.
VAUSE: Has all this gone to script for Vladimir Putin? It seems he hasn't given inch to the United States or the West throughout the besiege on Aleppo.
DOUGHERTY: There's been a lot of wrinkles and developments and in the midst of all of this you have secretary Kerry and minister Lavrov talking and talking. They are the only people that think anything is possible at this point. I think you would have to say Putin has achieved his objectives. One was to rescue the Assad government. When I say "government," I mean government, the state, not necessarily Assad. The Russians have no illusions either. They are not in this for Assad personally. They are in it for the state. In their view, it's pretty black and white. It is either the state of Syria or the terrorists. In their mind, it's better to deal with the state, achieve that objective. The opposition forces whom the United States and the West have not been able to get to coalesce in to one group are in disarray. Russia has shown its faithful friend to an ally. That's a soft-power message to other countries in the region that Russia will stick with you. I think you would have to say Putin achieved a lot of what he wanted to achieve.
VAUSE: Assad was also quoted in that newspaper interview saying, "It's true that Aleppo will be a win for us, but let's be realistic, it won't mean the end of the war in Syria, but it will be a huge step towards the end."
In terms of Russian support, are they in it for the long haul or do they continue through support in a significant way as they have over the last couple of months?
DOUGHERTY: I think they continue. You have the incoming president of the United States, who's been complimentary of Putin's actions in Syria and has been complimentary of the government of President Bashar al Assad, he tends to look at it in the same way that Putin does, in black and white terms, terrorist or government. He'd rather be on the side of the government. They are looking at it a month from now, when you have an American president that sees eye to eye, maybe you can get the Americans on board with some type of cooperative agreement to work an agreement on terrorism. That is something Putin has wanted for a long time, and now I think he sees it could be in his grasp.
VAUSE: Jill, thank you.
Jill Dougherty in Moscow and Jomana Karadsheh in Amman, Jordan, thank you to you both.
We head to Pakistan now and a deadly plane crash. The bodies are being removed from the crash site to Islamabad. The Pakistan International Airlines plane went down in rugged mountains on Wednesday. The airline said a pilot made a May Day call saying he lost control of one of the two engines. All 47 on board were killed, including two infants. And a former Pakistani pop star was on the flight and he tweeted this photo and he called it heaven on earth. The flight was headed to Islamabad where it crashed.
Sophia Saifi is there for us now.
Sophia, we are hearing a trainee was in the cockpit at the time the plane went down raising the question of who was flying the plane?
[02:10:38] SOPHIA SAIFI, CNN PRODUCER: Yes, John, these were questions released overnight. This is not information shared by Pakistan national international airport airlines earlier. A spokesperson confirmed on the record there was a co-pilot in the cockpit but he was not flying the plane. He was a trainee pilot in the sense that he was en route training. However, he was fully qualified otherwise. And he had nothing to do with flying the actual plane. The pilot that made the May Day call was the captain of the plane, who had over 12,000 hours of experience of flying this EPR-42 plane that went down yesterday -- John?
VAUSE: Sophie, one of the passengers on the flight was a pop star. He's been described as a man who was the voice of a generation.
SAIFI: He was the voice of Pakistan's Millennials. He was the sound track -- his voice is the sound track to so many memories Pakistanis have growing up in the '80s and '90s, coming out of an era of military dictatorship in the '80s. He was the lead singer of Pakistan's most popular to date and first boy band. He was what one would call Leonardo DiCaprio or a Brad Pitt. Afterwards, he became a religious preacher, but managed the popularity and fan following even to his death -- John?
VAUSE: OK. Sophia, thank you very much for the update. Sophia Saifi there in Islamabad.
Rescue efforts continue in Indonesia after the powerful earthquake. The 7.5 magnitude tremor struck in Aceh Province as many were preparing for morning prayers. Officials say at least 102 people were killed, including young children.
A short break. When we come back, the president-elect makes a controversial choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency. We will have Donald Trump's latest appointment.
Also, why one activist says that Ohio's governor is approving a death warrant for women and girls if he approves a controversial abortion bill.
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[02:16:05] VAUSE: South Korean lawmakers are expected to vote on an impeachment vote for Park Geun-hye. Ms. Park has been linked to a corruption scandal. For weeks, opponents have demanded she step down. has denied wrongdoing. Says she will resign if that is what the national assembly wants.
Some of the same people Donald Trump bashed during his presidential campaign are getting top jobs in his cabinet.
As Sara Murray reports, the president-elect is getting advice from an unlikely source as he makes his transition.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARA MURRAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Donald Trump may have held a dim view as the generals as a candidate --
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me.
MURRAY: -- but as president-elect, he is changing his tune. After selected General Michael Flynn as national security advisor, and retired General James Mattis as defense secretary, a source tells CNN Trump has chosen retired General John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump also announcing he will tap Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to serve as the next ambassador to China.
TERRY BRANSTAD, (R), IOWA GOVERNOR: I'm proud to have supported Donald Trump for president. I think he will make America great again.
MURRAY: All of this as Trump puts another in industry on notice today. After striking a deal with Carrier to keep jobs in the U.S. and warning Boeing about its prices, now Trump may be taking a closer look at pharmaceutical companies. Telling "Time" magazine, "I'm going to bring down drug prices. I don't like what is happening with drug prices."
Trump's dabbling in the private sector is all part of the job, he said as he defended his threat to scrape a deal with Boeing to build new Air Force One jets.
TRUMP (voice-over): That's what I'm here for. I will negotiate prices. Planes are too expensive.
MURRAY: But even though Trump's words, whether on television or Twitter, can move markets, he brushed aside concern he's using the social media platform to air grievances on everything from Boeing to Broadway shows to "Saturday Night Live."
TRUMP: I think I am restrained and talk about important things.
MURRAY: As the often-unpredictable billionaire maps out plans for his White House, he is relying on an unexpected source for guidance -- President Obama.
TRUMP: I have asked him what he thinks are the biggest problems of the country, what are the greatest assets going forward. And we have a very good dialogue. I do like him. I love getting his ideas.
JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president is responsive to your request and phone calls from the president-elect. So, he's pleased he can offer advice and assistance that may be useful to the incoming administration.
MURRAY: Today, Trump is basking in his first accolade as president- elect. "Time" magazine naming him 2016's Person of the Year. But Trump already taking a view with their headlines.
TRUMP: I think putting "divided" is snarky. But again, it's divided. I'm not president yet, so I didn't do anything to divide.
MURRAY: And while he may not want to take responsibility for unrest in the nation, he is already claiming credit for accomplishments preceding his tenure in the White House.
TRUMP (on camera): I hope I'm judged from the time of the election as opposed to January 20th because the stock market has had a tremendous bounce and people are seeing very good things for business in this country.
MURRAY (on camera): Donald Trump is continuing whirlwind pace of fleshing out his White House. His transition team said he has chosen Linda McMahon, the former CEO of the WWE, to lead the Small Business Administration. A source familiar with the decision said that Donald Trump was impressed with her business experience and thought she would be the right fit for the job.
But In a controversial pick, Trump senior advisers say he has chosen Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general, to be the next head of the Environmental Protection Agency. In a sign that Pruitt could face dissenters on the Hill, Democrats are already going after him, calling him a climate change denier. Sara Murray, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[02:20:07] VAUSE: Environmentalists are outraged over Pruitt's selection to head the EPA. He sued the agency over its regulation of power plants. He's a friend of the fossil fuel industry, a climate change denier, who claimed the debate is far from settled, even though nearly every scientist says climate change is real.
Meanwhile Trump is lashing out at a union boss who criticized his deal with an air conditioning company. Trump said he kept 1100 jobs at a Carrier plant from moving to Mexico. But Chuck Jones is accusing him of halfway delivering on his promise to save jobs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHUCK JONES, UNION PRESIDENT: They are counting in 350-some-odd more than were never leaving the country at all. So -- the purest number is 800. I appreciate Mr. Trump getting involved and saving as many people's lively homicide as livelihood. But I wish he would have had the numbers down and been up front with the 800 people's jobs staying in Indianapolis because we have a lot of our member when the word was coming out of 1100, they thought they would have a job. Then they find out, the next day, after -- the next Friday, most likely they weren't. 550 were still going to lose their jobs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Didn't take long for the president-elect to respond. He tweeted, "Jones has done a terrible job representing workers" and appeared to blame unions for companies leaving the country.
One U.S. state is on the verge of effectively banning abortions. Lawmakers in Ohio approved a bill that would prohibit abortions once a fetus has a heartbeat, usually around six weeks. No other state bans abortions until the 20th week of pregnancy at the very earliest. The American Civil Liberties Union plans to fight the bill if it becomes law.
Trial attorney, Lisa Bloom, said earlier she believes girls will die if this bill becomes law.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LISA BLOOM, CNN LEGAL CORRESPONDENT: This will be one of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the United States. And let's be clear, under the current law, it's unconstitutional, because, under the current law, in the famous case of Roe v. Wade, no state can ban abortion before the fetus is viable, which is much later in the pregnancy, approximately 25 weeks. They can't ban abortion at six weeks of pregnancy.
What the Ohio lawmakers have done is said we are emboldened by the election of Donald Trump because he's anti-abortion and he said he will appoint justices to the Supreme Court who would reverse Roe v. Wade. They are hopeful, if this law is passed, it goes to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court uses it as the case to get rid of Roe v. Wade.
VAUSE: Just purely from a medical point of view here, six weeks in, most women don't even know they are pregnant.
BLOOM: That's correct, especially girls who get pregnant. It's their first time and they are scared and unsure. They generally do not know by six weeks. This is really devastating law if it gets passed.
Let's be clear, if we are banning most abortion in the state of Ohio -- we have many Republican controlled states in the country -- girls will die, women will die, just like they did before Roe v. Wade. They will resort to coat hangers, back-alley abortions, and they will die.
VAUSE: John Kasich, who said he is anti-abortion, signed 17 anti- abortion laws in Ohio. Any indication that he could veto the bill? And how long does he have?
BLOOM: I would expect him to sign this bill as you say. He's made it clear he is anti-abortion. I don't know the time period he has. It is usually seven to 10 days in most states. I would expect him to sign it because he knows it will be immediately struck down by the courts. So, what the Ohio lawmaker is doing is the shot across the bow by activists like myself. They will be hit with a court challenge because only the Supreme Court has the ability to reverse a Supreme Court law. It sets a dangerous precedent. And this is what is happening with the election of Donald Trump. We are seeing these things all over the country, especially when it comes to abortion rights.
VAUSE: The latest example of states taking the initiative to challenge Roe v. Wade and the right for women to have abortions across the U.S.
BLOOM: This is a severe rollback of women's rights, the right that my mother and her generation and our grandmothers fought for. The right to control your own body, the right to determine whether you will bring a pregnancy to term or not is a such a fundament issue in a woman's life, and the choice should belong to her. And to have it taken away from women and decided by the government is a severe rollback of women's rights. And it's what we knew would happen if Donald Trump is elected. I think some of us are shocked it's happening this soon. He's not president yet. But the Ohio legislature, which is Republican controlled, has chosen to do this and make a bold statement against women's rights.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[02:25:43] VAUSE: Ohio's governor has just over a week to decide if he will sign the bill. If he does nothing, it becomes law.
Two young people are in custody in connection with the wildfires that killed at least 14 people in Tennessee, both charged with aggravated arson. The fire started late last month in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and spread to the town of Gatlinburg. Authorities say the suspects could face additional charges. The case could be tried as adults.
Time for a quick break. "State of the America" with Kate Bolduan is next for our viewers in Asia.
And up next here NEWSROOM L.A., Angela Merkel's migrant crisis and now two murders may impact her bid for re-election.
Also, the U.S. observes the 75th anniversary of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.
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[02:30:12] JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM live from Los Angeles. I'm John Vause, with the headlines.
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VAUSE: To Germany now, where the established order is facing a tough fight. Angela Merkel hoped to win a fourth term as chancellor in the country's election next year. But her decision to open Germany's borders has angered many voters.
And as Atika Shubert report, it's led to a much tougher tone.
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ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A grisly crime, a woman raped and murdered, and her body found in a nearby river. The attack happened in October. These pictures were blurred by local TV out of respect for the family.
Police, citing DNA evidence, have arrested and charged a 17-year-old Afghan refugee who arrived in Germany last year. The case has played into public fears of a refugee crime surge.
Merkel is facing pressure from voters and her own party for allowing more than 890,000 asylum seekers into the country last year.
Initially, Germans opened their doors, and there was a special word for it, (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE). But the numbers began to strain social services.
And then came New Year's Eve in Cologne. Police reported mobs of, quote, "North African, Middle Eastern men," sexually assaulted hundreds of women in the fireworks chaos.
Suddenly, refugees no longer seemed welcome, often viewed with suspicion. Clashes broke out between residents and refugees in east Germany. Arson attacks on refugee housing skyrocketed. Support for anti-immigration far-right parties surged.
National statistics show some crimes, like burglaries and petty offenses have gone up since the beginning of the year, but less than 1percent of sex crimes and even fewer homicides are tied to immigrants of any kind. Still, Merkel is defending her decision to open Germany's doors.
ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translation): I have also asked you for a lot. I know that very well and I cannot promise the demands in the future will be any less because we have to do what the times demand from us.
SHUBERT: Merkel needs to show she can win back public confidence, but with brutal crimes like this in the headlines, she faces an uphill battle.
Atika Shubert, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: The U.S. is marking the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the surprise attack by Japanese imperial forces that killed 2500 Americans and changed the course of World War II.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R), ARIZONA: The events of that infamous day, the day that summoned the might, courage and compassion of the American people to a world war, and the beginning of our country's rise to its preeminence of the world, a preeminence we maintain to this day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Those few remaining survivors are recalling how the experience shaped their lives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED PEARL HARBOR ATTACK SURVIVIOR: -- for 10 years. It took nine torpedoes and take on water and begin to sink and was on fire, above the water line. So, I was relieved to see my home of 10 years signaling and on fire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[02:35:14] VAUSE: U.S. President Obama will visit the "USS Arizona" memorial later this month. Shinzo Abe will be with him, the first Japanese prime minister to do so.
Pope Francis is using strong language from ancient Greek to take the media. During an interview with a Belgian magazine, he said, "The media should be very clear and transparent and not fall prey to the sick, as in of (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANUAGE), which is always wanting to communicate scandal and ugly things, even though they may be true." He went on to say that, "People who consume scandalous information are engaging in (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)," the consumption of feces.And then the pope excused himself.
Still to come here on CNN NEWSROOM, Actor Johnny Depp made $48 million in the past 12 months. We will tell you why the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star may not be worth it. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: The superstar, Johnny Depp, is one of the biggest franchises in box office history, but like his character, Jack Sparrow, it appears he is guilty of daylight robbery, at least on the earnings front. He has made "Forbes'" list of Most Overpaid Actors. Second place to a one-time box office titan, Will Smith whose movies failed to draw a crowd. And "Magic Mike" star Channing Tatum was third on the list. A-listers George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts also made the top-10.
OK. With the holidays fast approaching, there's always that one person who is impossible to buy for, so there's a temptation to get them something totally unuseful22.
As Jeanne Moos found out, some gifts defy belief.
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[02:40:] JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Gift giving has hit rock bottom with this $85 stone. Before you use your phone to share a photo of the Nordstrom rock, give your device a nap in the phone bed.
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON, FOUNDER, HUFFINGTON POST: You tuck them in.
MOOS: Two items so unique comedians don't have to make a joke to get a laugh.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: This is what they call a medium, leather-strapped stone.
(LAUGHTER)
MOOS: It had people stumped. It is from somewhere special, from the moon, somewhere, anywhere?
No. Nordstrom says it is a smooth Los Angeles-area stone wrapped in rich vegetable-tanned leather, created by artist, Peter Maxwell.
Even the store guessed at its purpose, a paper weight, conversation piece, work of art.
KIMMEL: It looks like a baked potato in leather pants.
(LAUGHTER)
MOOS: The rock's own parody account tweeted, "Already wearing my lederhosen."
And if the $85 medium is too pricey, there's a $65 small. Oops, both sold out online.
The up-scale version of the Pet Rock from the '70s that came in a cardboard carrier with air holes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, he's nice looking, too.
MOOS: Unlike the Pet Rock, the $100 phone bed has a practical purpose.
Sleep crusader, Arianna Huffington, said good night smartphone.
HUFFINGTON: Which is really a charging station that looks like a bed.
MOOS: It has 10 charging ports, enough for a Smartphone orgy. Your tablets slide underneath.
The idea is to ban the phone from your bed.
HUFFINGTON: This phone bed belongs outside of everybody's bedrooms.
MOOS (on camera): Of course, you can splurge and get the phone bed and the leather rock.
(voice-over): Combine the two and let your stone sleep like a rock.
Jeanne Moos, CNN --
KIMMEL: If I buy a rocket in a leather pouch for $85, it better look like this.
(LAUGHTER)
MOOS: -- New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Well, Madame Tussaud's in London is having fun with the royal family, dressing them with those ugly but festive Christmas sweaters. There they are, the wax works. William and Kate are wearing conjoined sweaters and Queen Elizabeth has a tasteful corgi. All part of the Christmas Campaign to raise money for Save the Children.
Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM live from Los Angeles. I'm John Vause.
"World Sport" is up next.
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[03:00:11] ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Closing in. Syrian's president says a victory --
