Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Russia Clamps Down on Turkish Food Imports; Cameron to Take Case for Airstrikes in Syria; Pope's Visit to Africa; Russia Strengthening Controls on Goods from Turkey; France Probes Radicalization of Transit Workers. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired November 26, 2015 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:18] MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: The backlash begins. Russia tamps down on Turkish imports after the downing of one its military jets.

The British prime minister prepares to make his case for bombing ISIS targets in Syria.

And the pope holds mass for hundreds of thousands in Nairobi, on the Nairobi, on the first leg of his trip to Africa.

Thanks for joining us. I'm Max Foster. This is CNN NEWSROOM.

(MUSIC)

FOSTER: Tensions are rising between Russia and Turkey this hour. Moscow is tightening controls on food imports from Turkey, accusing Turkish producers of failing to meet Russian standards. It comes two days after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet, prompting angry rhetoric from both sides.

The two sides are talking directly to each other. Turkey's semi-official news agency reported foreign ministers spoke on the phone and have plans to meet in person in the coming days. Russia's foreign affairs ministry said Sergei Lavrov expressed indignation over the incident on the phone.

Neither country is giving ground on its version of events. The rescued Russian co-pilot told reporters that Turkey gave no warning before shooting the plane down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPTAIN KOSTANTIN MURAKHTIN, NAVIGATOR (through translator): In reality, there were no warnings. Not by the radio, not visually.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: But Turkey insists it gave repeated warnings and released this audio recording says it proves its point.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Unknown air traffic position to Humaynim 040. This is Turkish air force speaking on guard. You are approaching Turkish air space. Change your heading south immediately, change your heading to south.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

FOSTER: Both two sides are disputing where the bomber was shot down as well. This map shows the conflicting accounts. Russian officials claim the fighter jet was attacked inside Syria, but parts of down plane fell inside Turkey.

We have guests and correspondents covering developments from Russia and Turkey. Standing by in Moscow is Jill Dougherty. She's with the International Center for Defense and Security.

But first, let's get the view from Turkey. CNN correspondent Ian Lee is live for us from Istanbul.

So, what sort of responses are we expecting today? Because everyone is concerned about this escalating.

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. And the real push today, Max, is for de-escalation. Now, on the Turkish side, they have said that they have no animosity toward Russia. They reiterated this a number of times that they will protect their territorial sovereignty and they will not allow Russia to breach it.

Now, Russia has breached it a few times in the past. And it was just the other day when they did shoot down that plane, really ramping up the tensions. But Turkey has said that Russia's rationale for that bombing run in the region in Syria was disingenuous. Also, Russia says that they are going after an ISIS target close to the Turkish border in Syria. Turkey has said that ISIS isn't present there and Russia was bombing the ethnic Turkmen, which Turkey has a close kinship with.

So, this is a sensitive area to begin with, and this downing of the plane has just ramped up tensions, although both sides, Russia and Turkey have said they will not go to war over this. Still a very tense time here in Turkey.

TURKEY: And the economic backlash is already begun, hasn't it? And there is a large amount of trade between Turkey and Russia. So, is there a concern on the impact on the economy there which is going to be the immediate response?

LEE: There is a lot of concern. I was down in the street yesterday talking to people about that. And that's probably the one thing that everyone brought up as their biggest concern. Russia is the second largest trading partner with Turkey. Turkey gets about 60 percent of its gas from Russia. They get millions of tourists a year in Turkey.

Now, we're hearing that the Russian government is telling people to stay away from Turkey as far as tourism. And we have these extra restrictions on Turkish food imports into Russia saying about 15 percent which doesn't meet their standards.

So, we do we see the measures that Russia is taking punitive measures as retaliation for taking down the plane. But we're also going to be watching what happens in Syria. Will Russia start to go actively against Turkish interests in that country?

[04:05:07] FOSTER: OK. Ian, thank you.

We're going to bring Jill now.

Jill, let's just quickly give an idea of past incidents involving Russian aircraft. Take a look at this. The European Leadership Network says between March 2014 and 2015, serious Russian Air incidents occurred in the areas marked by red dots that you can see, and lower risk ones in yellow.

Jill, we have seen some retaliation from Russia. What else will they do? Everyone concerned about some sort of military fight back.

JILL DOUGHERTY, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR DEFENCE AND SECURITY: The military part of it, both countries are saying they do not want war. That is not really the issue here. Russia is looking at ways to retaliate economically and diplomatically.

And, economically, you know, if you walk around Moscow, you know the relationship with Turkey is tight and very important. And the most important thing just a couple hours ago, Russia's consumer agricultural supervisor said that it is going to be tightening up controls on imports of food products from Turkey to Russia. That totals $1.7 billion.

It's very significant. It includes fruits, vegetables, meat, et cetera. And they're going to be looking they say at the borders, inspecting and also looking and inspecting places where food products are produced in Turkey. So, that's one.

Also, the latest, the consumer protection agency in Russia says it is looking at other products. It has concerns, as it says, about children's clothing, furniture and cleaning products.

Now, again, you have to remember, Max, that this is one way, especially those food imports that Russia has retaliated in the past and the recent past. Look at some of the imports from the European countries that Russia cracked down on as counter-sanctions in connection with Ukraine. Look at McDonald's here in Russia as counter-action to American sanctions as well.

So, these are economic things. They are very important. Also tourism, 3.3 million Russia tourists go to Turkey. Now, they have stopped selling for the most part, tourist packages to Turkey. The Russian foreign ministry is warning Russians that it could be dangerous to travel to Turkey.

So, this is a way that Russia at this point is going to retaliate and it is significant because of the relationship economically is quite important.

FOSTER: OK. Jill, thank you.

The French President Francois Hollande is due in Moscow later today. He is scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin. Mr. Hollande is trying to bring together world leaders in a multinational coalition against ISIS in the wake of the Paris attacks.

The French president wrapped up talks meanwhile with the Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, in Paris just a short while ago. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fighting ISIS which Mr. Hollande calls Daesh.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, FRENCH PRESIDENT (through translator): As far as the fight against Daesh is concerned, it comes down to the objective, is to destroy Daesh. We have to have the will of uniting and bringing together all those women and men who want to in this area, but with clear objectives that it is Daesh that has to be destroyed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: OK. Well, ISIS says it is responsible for the attack on a bus that killed members of Tunisia's presidential guard. Tuesday's explosion in Tunis killed 12 people, along with a suspected suicide bomber. The country is now under a state of emergency for the next month, just as France is. Nightly curfew is in effect in that capital.

ISIS targeted the nation two other times this year, attacking a museum and hotel. Most of the victims killed in the attacks were tourists.

Now, Doctors Without Borders calls the U.S. forces, quote, "grossly negligent" after U.S. military investigation into last month's deadly airstrike on the hospital in Afghanistan. Thirty people died in October 3rd. It was on the October 3rd. That attack, the top U.S. commander revealed, an aircraft mistakenly targeted the hospital in Kunduz instead of a suspected Taliban site.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN CAMPBELL, NATO & U.S. COMMANDER IN AFGHANISTAN: Based upon the information learned during the investigation, the report determined that the proximate cause of the tragedy was the direct result of avoidable human error compounded by process and equipment failures.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, in a statement, MSF says, quote, "The U.S. version of events presented today leaves MSF with more questions than answers.

[04:10:00] It is shocking that an attack can be carried out when U.S. forces have neither eyes on a target nor access to a no-strike list and have malfunctioning communication systems."

We're going to follow that for you. There's going to be more response to that no doubt today. Returning to the terror attacks there in Paris, joining me now is Regis Le Sommier. He is the deputy editor in chief of "Paris Match."

And the key moment today will be when President Hollande heads over to Moscow to speak to President Putin. And that was meant to be of the back of the Paris attacks. But inevitably, they're going to have to talk about this Turkish plane as well, because President Hollande has been on the around the world tour. He's been speaking to world leader. And they all discussed the same thing.

REGIS LE SOMMIER, DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PARIS MATCH: Well, President Hollande had been faced tough days and now, he was thinking at first it would be no problem to gather his grand -- his idea of a grand international coalition.

Now, obviously, as you said, the Turkish airplane incident is making things more complex, especially given the fact he first went to Washington and had a huge hug by Barack Obama, but not more than verbal commitment. He went to see, you know, he gathered last night with Angela Merkel. The Germans said they would send more troops to Africa to replace the troops in Mali.

You know, French have about 3,000 to 4,000 troops there. And those troops and especially, they're material, and the military equipment should be redeployed and should France take a tougher approach in Syria. So, there's been some movement towards France, but the toughest part is going to be today, because Vladimir Putin, of course, has a Turkish problem with the plane incident on the mind. And that's complicated the thing.

Some ministers are talking about coordination more than coalition today. We hope and France is hoping that some definite steps will be taken in order to terminate ISIS. But, today, you know, there's a huge debate and, of course, that will not end anytime soon.

FOSTER: To keep America happy, Hollande needs to convince Putin to only target ISIS positions in Syria, right? That would be the big progress. That's unlikely to happen. French officials are playing this down now.

LE SOMMIER: Yes. I mean, if Putin is targeting ISIS also, you know, the major criticism between -- you know, from the involvement of Russia in Syria has been that Putin is targeting other groups, what are the other groups? You know, you have Nusra, you have al Aram al Sham, you have (INAUDIBLE), all these groups with Islamic connection. It you see the latest video by al Qaeda, there's exactly, you know, 40 Syrian soldiers executed by Nusra in the video, you know, just much more like the ISIS style.

So, it is still very difficult on the ground to find the moderate rebels or people that the west could rely on and help, you know? So, this old game in Syria is very, very complex. Putin is targeting, of course, you know, Nusra and other rebels. The U.S. (AUDIO GAP). We still have the feeling of cold war where at this point everybody should unite against ISIS. That is the major problem.

FOSTER: They don't trust each other, right?

LE SOMMIER: They don't trust each other. There's always -- you know, and the question of the Kurds and that is very important.

The fact that the Sinjar offensive, there was not any Sunni Arab presence with the Kurds to take that town. It's much -- it's a problem. What are we going to do with the Sunni that ISIS has created? What -- you know, who's going to take over and invade Mosul for instance, or, you know, liberate Mosul as expected?

So far, we don't see what kind of troops can be put on the ground. If we want to defeat ISIS, this has to be done one way or the other.

FOSTER: OK. Well, we'll see what comes out of a meeting in Moscow later on -- thank you very much, Regis.

Up next, the city of Chicago is seeing demonstrations over the police killing of an African-American teenager. We'll have reaction from the family's lawyer, next.

And the pope's message to the faithful on the first stop of his African tour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:18:28] FOSTER: Protesters crowded the streets of Chicago for the second night over the shooting to death of a black teenager by a white police officer. The demonstrations are in response to the release of a video that shows the officer shooting Laquan McDonald 16 times during a confrontation. The officer is now facing first degree murder charges.

U.S. President Barack Obama shared his thoughts about the shooting in a Facebook post. He says he is grateful the protests in his hometown have remained peaceful.

But just who was Laquan McDonald?

Ryan Young has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Laquan McDonald was shot and killed more than a year ago, his death went by with little notice. But the release of a dashcam showing how the 17-year-old was gunned down by a police officer has propelled his case into the national spotlight.

SHYRELL JOHNSON, LAQUAN MCDONALD'S UNCLE: My nephew was shot in the back and in all other places 16 times.

PROTESTERS: Sixteen shots! Sixteen shots!

YOUNG: "Sixteen shots," the phrase protesters had been chanting as they call for justice of the slain teen.

McDonald lived a hard life growing up on the south side of Chicago. In December of 2000, at the age of 3, he was taken from his mother after charges of neglect and placed in foster care. Between 2000 and 2002, McDonald's moved three times before being sent back to live with his mother.

But his time in foster care wasn't over. In June of 2003, at the age of 6, he's taken from his mother again after state investigators find his mother's boyfriend abused him by leaving cuts, welts and bruises on his body.

[04:20:07] McDonald's life appears to stabilize when he's placed with a great-grandmother and she becomes his legal guardian. But at the age of 15, his great grandmother dies, living his life in limbo again.

Just several months later, McDonald is arrested for marijuana position and spent four months in juvenile detention before moving in with his uncle in May of 2014.

Five months later, with PCP in his system and a knife in his hand, McDonald was gunned down by Officer Jason Van Dyke on the night of October 20th of 2014. Earlier this year, McDonald's mother received a $5 million settlement from the city of Chicago.

And the release of this video showing McDonald's death has led to first-degree murder charges for Officer Jason Van Dyke.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Well, the attorney for Laquan McDonald's family says the video is clearly an indication that it was an unnecessary shooting. Robbins spoke to CNN about this case. And this is what he had to say when he thought about a cover-up by Chicago police.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE ROBBINS, ATTORNEY FOR LAQUAN MCDONALD'S FAMILY: I think that is the case here. You have a spokesman from the police union putting out a false narrative about the act of self defense. In fact, he was shot walking away. He wasn't threatening anybody.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, if you want to find out more about the new dashboard video that provoked such an outcry, just head to our Web site CNN.com. We are following the latest developments from the protests on the streets of Chicago to the officer at the center of it all.

Now, Pope Francis celebrated a mass in Kenya. His first ever in Africa.

The Vatican says this was to be the pope's largest event in Kenya with more than 300,000 attendees. The pope's six-day trip highlights the issues in Africa and up to 238 percent since 1980, according to a survey. After the pope leaves Kenya on Friday, he'll travel to Uganda, where he is expected to meet with the country's president, teachers and young people there.

On Friday, the pope heads to the Central African Republican. One item on his agenda: a visit to a mosque.

CNN correspondent Robyn Kriel is live at the University of Nairobi right now and joins us.

Just describe the atmosphere there, Robyn.

ROBYN KRIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): It was electrifying. The mass has just concluded. People throughout the mass singing and dancing, praising Pope Francis. He got a standing ovation when he arrived. He was driving in his Popemobile.

Yesterday, Max, the pope took a four-door dark Honda from the airport, from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and drove that in the Vatican motorcade. Most of the onlookers, and many onlookers on the road waving at him couldn't believe that that was the pope.

I think that is part of his message. He is -- part of his message of (INAUDIBLE). His own Vatican and he is out carrying to Africa. He also mentioned it last night in the speech, speaking about corruption and speaking about the need to look after the poorest and the most vulnerable.

FOSTER: Tell us about the trip to the mosque.

KRIEL: The trip to the mosque, this is another one of his highlights of the journey. He is visiting Kenya and Uganda first this morning. Max, he met with leaders to talk about religious cohesion, including Muslims, Hindus and Jews. He's apparently not in new (INAUDIBLE). He has always been focused on this religious cohesion, especially in Kenya where Kenyan is battling al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab where they've had several attacks. Uganda has well has fallen under the knife of al Shabaab back in 2010 with the Kampala bombings.

So, he is talking about the need for peace and the need for tolerance. Of course, he goes to a very active conflict area, the most dangerous place many press say that the pope is visited. Christians versus Muslims, there was an upsurge in violence in the last three weeks, prompting a near cancellation of the trip. So, he is visiting a mosque there, as well as the refugee camp, talking about the need of looking after refugees, as well as migrants because there are thousands of migrants crossing across the Mediterranean and Europe as well.

FOSTER: OK. Robyn in Nairobi, thank you very. We will be back with you during the amazing trip with those crowds there continues.

[04:25:01] When we come back, making their case, the leaders of Britain and France set to argue for even tougher action against ISIS amid a war of words between Turkey and Russia.

Plus, in a fight against radicalization, we'll meet a Belgian imam teaching children the true meaning of Islam.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Max Foster in Paris.

And here's a quick check of the top stories this hour.

Pope Francis held a mass in Africa. More than 1 million people showed up at the University of Nairobi for the historic moment. The pontiff called for dialogue and solidarity to deal with conflict and terrorism. Kenya is the first leg of his three-country trip.

The British Prime Minister David Cameron is set to make his case to lawmakers for the U.K. to join coalition airstrikes against ISIS in Syria. Currently, the U.K. is participating only in strikes on militants ion Iraq.

Two days after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet, Russia says it's tightening controls on Turkish food imports. The Russian agriculture ministry said Turkish products have repeatedly failed to meet Russian standards.

Well, the British Prime Minister David Cameron is preparing to make his case before the parliament, for the U.K. to begin airstrikes in Syria.

British lawmakers approved air raids in Iraq more than two -- more than a year ago actually. But they specifically ruled out action in Syria.

Let's bring in CNN's Phil Black live outside parliament. The argument being that if you are bombing in Iraq, you might as well bomb in Syria from Downing Street's point of view, Phil.

[04:30:04] PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Max. The British prime minister believes that if you're going to take the fight to ISIS, then you need to do it in their heartland, which is Syria.

As you touched on there, the British is part of the air campaign against ISIS in Iraq, but it acts there at the invitation of the Iraqi government. So, there's no question of the legality of that action. That was a relatively easy sell to the British parliament when that campaign begun.

Syria, however, is more difficult. As we know, the British government has gone to parliament before to request permission to take military action in Syria. That was back in August 2013, but it lost that vote. That was different, though, because back then, Britain wanted to strike the Syrian regime because of the chemical weapons against its own people. This is about ISIS. The British prime minister argued that Britain needs to be part of the international coalition striking ISIS in Syria.

He doesn't need parliamentary approval. It is part of the convention going back to the original vote on the Iraq war. But that other legacy from Iraq is the deep skepticism here, political skepticism of that sort of foreign military intervention. And so, David Cameron today will be trying to overcome that skepticism that it is Britain's responsibility to pick up its share of the fight because ISIS represents a threat here as well.

But the toughest part of the sell and the reason why a lot of British MPs aren't fully behind the action is because they believe that airstrikes alone are not enough alone. They want it articulated as part of a broader strategy to return Syria to some form of peace and stability.

So, that will be David Cameron's challenge today. And the strength of his performance, just well he does that, will ultimately determine if parliament does have a full blooded debate on this and whether the issue does actually go to a vote.

FOSTER: You assume that his party will back him, but the two main opposition leaders are against war effectively or against air strikes. Do you think enough of their party members, though, might switch over to the Cameron point of view?

BLACK: Well, he needs a majority. And he can't be certain of a majority from within his ranks alone, even though the conservative party, his party holds a majority in parliament. It is not expected that not all of them will back this move. So, he will also crucially be trying to persuade those opposition members. And really those members are the key targets of this debate or speech, if you like, attempt to persuade people today. That's what he will be seeking to do.

So, he'll be looking to do this with the speech and in the coming days, lobbying and persuading, using his ministers to go to key members to try and get their support, secure the numbers. If he feels he's got that and he must believe he is close, otherwise he wouldn't be makng this speech today. But once he's secure in the knowledge that he's got the numbers, he will bring this issue to a vote here in parliament, possibly as early as next week -- Max.

FOSTER: Phil, thank you. Back with you as we get the details of that announcement.

Now, the Russian agriculture ministry says Turkish products have failed to meet Russian standards. This comes two days after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet.

Sarah Lain joins me now from London. She is a research fellow with the Royal United Services Institute focusing on Russia and the former Soviet Union. She has also spent time living in Russia.

It's going to hit Turkey pretty hard, this economic sanction. But, really, what is Russia trying to achieve with this?

SARAH LAIN, RESEARCH FELLOW, ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE: Yes, it will take it hard, but it also could potentially hit Russia hard specifically if they start with energy sanction. Economic ties with Turkey and Russia is strong. Russia is sending a non military message to Turkey in the wake of the downing of the Russian aircraft.

This has happened before. Russia does this when it falls out with former partners. We saw in Georgia and Moldova as well when it banned imports. So, it's another tool that Russia uses to express its obviously opposition to what Turkey has done.

FOSTER: Can we assume then that Russia has ruled out military action against Turkey?

LAIN: You have also seen a build-up in Syria from Russia's military to fortify air defense capabilities in response obviously. And this is, you know, from Russian perspective, this is for the protection against any potential hits from Turkey, but also raises tensions potentially because, obviously, if there was any incident, further incident between Turkey and Russia, it would put NATO in an awkward position if the hit came from Russia. Both sides have ruled out interests in escalating this.

[04:35:03] But, clearly, Russia has moved its missile cruiser into the near Syria, in Latakia, it's also fortifying its air base with air defense systems. So, clearly, Russia is responding on this.

FOSTER: This is about to come up in conversation as President Hollande visits President Putin today. President Hollande has been on this whirlwind tour, meeting with President Obama and David Cameron, Matteo Renzi today, also Angela Merkel yesterday. They have no doubt discussed this between them.

What sort of message do you think President Hollande can take from the west effectively to Moscow to try to calm tensions down there? Because Turkey, of course, being a NATO member.

LAIN: I think ultimately Hollande will -- I mean, Hollande's message is really that we need to unite against Daesh. But I think the message is that it is in no one's interest for this to become a side show to an already very complex situation in Syria. The main objective I think Hollande will stress is that they're fighting terrorism in Syria and to have a sort of side war with Turkey is an absolutely of no interest. So, I think they'll try and get the conversation and objective clear and back on track in Syria.

FOSTER: He is trying to build a grand coalition, isn't he, about -- against ISIS. Trying to bring the U.S. and Russia closer together and perhaps coordinate on the ground. Do you think he's got any chance of making that happen?

LAIN: I think basically, you have seen greater cooperation particularly between Russia and France after the terrorist attacks that Russian and France experienced. So, that's obviously what's binding them together at the moment. And Russia's entry into this conflict, Russia has made it clear it's very much on Russia's terms. Russia has its own objectives and it will follow them.

So, I think there is absolutely scope for further cooperation. But I think it will become more difficult once objectives start to be achieved as to the future of Syria. Russia expressed desire to be at the forefront of the decision making process.

FOSTER: President Obama said there is no way he will consider working with Russia unless Russia commits to only targeting ISIS positions in Syria. That's going to be something that perhaps President Hollande will try to get through. But that's going to be very difficult, even more difficult following this incident involving the Russia airplane, right? Because President Putin is going to have greater result to carry out his own strategy in Syria.

LAIN: Absolutely. I think that will now include hitting, obviously some of these Syrian Turkmen villages, continuing to hit them. Russia said today that it will continue to conduct airstrikes near the Turkish border. So, I think a classic condition, absolutely.

Russia obviously has stepped up its targeting of ISIS in the wake of the Paris attacks as a show of solidarity with France. But the strategic objective of Russia is not just to hit ISIS, to bolster the Syrian government by hitting other rebel groups as well. And that moment, there really isn't much room from leverage from the U.S. side because of how hard sort of Russia has gone into Syria with the airstrikes and its alliance with both the Iranian and the Syrian governments. So, I think that will be a hard push.

FOSTER: OK, Sarah Lain, thank you for joining us from London with your analysis.

Now, a state regional secretary in Venezuela was killed in a rally on Wednesday. Less than two weeks before parliament election. According to the country's Democratic Action Party, armed assailants in a vehicle shot and killed Luis Manuel Diaz. In a statement, the party said it condemns the assassination and is calling for an immediate investigation immediately.

Up next, the imam teaching children to turn towards Islam and away from ISIS.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:42:15] FOSTER: Now, the French President Francois Hollande takes a diplomatic push for a global coalition against ISIS to Moscow today. He'll meet later with the Russian President Vladimir Putin. He welcomed the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi here to Paris earlier today, after talk with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday. He has been busy for him.

Meanwhile, investigators are working to piece together the network of terrorists that carried out the Paris attacks nearly two weeks ago.

Martin Savidge reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tonight with an international manhunt under way, new details emerging about the second suspect on the run, Mohamed Abrini, last seen here at a gas station in France with Salah Abdeslam shortly before the November 13th attacks, traveled to Syria in 2014. And like Abdeslam, he was able to make his way back to Europe undetected, a major concern for investigators.

Also tonight, new fears radicalized Islamic workers are infiltrating the French transportation system, a report revealing concerns about airport employees with access to commercial airlines at France's two main airports. Officials say since January, 50 employees at Charles de Gaulle airport have been denied access to secure locations due to suspicions they may have been radicalized.

French transportation union have been complained that some bus drivers refused to acknowledge women, and have been found preying inside their bus when they were supposed to be driving their routes. One of the Bataclan theater attackers was a bus driver as recently as 2012.

Meanwhile, French military jets are stepping up the battle against ISIS, pounding targets inside of Syria and Iraq.

MANUEL VALLS, FRENC PRIME MINISTER (through translator): There is no alternative. We have to destroy ISIS.

SAVIDGE: Martin Savidge, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Well, while France and Belgium crackdown on jihadists, an imam in Antwerp is working to teach children about the true meaning of Islam. He's also committed to keeping their young minds from being radicalized.

Senior international correspondent Nima Elbagir has more on that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Some people, he's saying, do bad things, and think they're doing good. And when those people arrive before their god, they will say, Allah, I did this for you.

Imam Sulayman Van Ael is teaching his usual after school class. Today, he is asking the children if what happened in Paris was an Islamic act.

This boy refers to a verse in the Koran. He says, if you murder one person, it is if you kill all of humanity.

[04:45:01] Imam Van Ael runs a Muslim values after school children for Muslim children in Antwerp. Since the attacks in Paris and the prominent role Belgian jihadists were discovered to have played, this program has taken on a new urgency.

IMAM SULAYMAN VAN AEL, MUSLIM EDUCATOR: Most of the children now, they are exposed through many means, like, especially through social media, like there's no child that doesn't have Internet at home.

ELBAGIR: Van Ael converted to Islam 20 years ago. In the intervening two decades, Belgium has emerged as Ground Zero for radical Islamic force in Europe, providing per capita the highest number of jihadist fighters joining the ranks of ISIS. Children as young as 9 and 10 are being exposed to the jihadist thoughts and ISIS worldview.

(on camera): Some of the children you are working with, they will have older brothers who have gone to Syria.

VAN AEL: Yes.

ELBAGIR: How do you combat that? How do you -- how do you stop a child following in their older brother's footsteps?

VAN AEL: I think that what we try to do in general is to make a difference between this is your brother as a brother and these are the deeds of your brother.

ELBAGIR (voice-over): Van Ael set up this after school classes to provide an alternative, he says, to the radical messages the children are being exposed to.

Next month, he is moving to a new facility where he can accommodate 300 students. But it has come at a price.

(on camera): You have been threatened repeatedly by ISIS.

VAN AEL: In the beginning, I stopped teaching, because it was -- it got to me, you know? It is not something that is easy. But at the end, you say, you know, if your goal is good, then it's worth going for it. And whatever happens happens, you know? It's too important. It's not just about my life.

ELBAGIR (voice-over): The classes will continue in spite of the risks. The need here is greater than ever.

VAN AEL: If I am erased, there will be somebody else that thinks like me and will keep on going.

ELBAGIR: Nima Elbagir, CNN, Antwerp.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Now, the terror alert in Brussels remains at the all- time high.

Vincent Kompany, captain of Belgium's national football team, grew up near Molenbeek where the alleged ringleader of the Paris attacks lived. He told CNN how shaken he was by the attacks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VINCENT KOMPANY, BELGIUM FOOTBALL CAPTAIN: It's very upsetting, obviously, for three days, after probably the attacks, but as well as information came through that it was related to my city. You know, for me, it was hurtful. I love my city. I love the people that live there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, Kompany says sport can help the cultural divide in the country. Check out our interview with Vincent Kompany on "WORLD SPORTS" at 12:30 London Time.

Up next, Donald trump facing new criticism. This time mocking someone with a disability. We've got video. Make up your own mind, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:52:09] FOSTER: Donald Trump seems to have dug himself into a deeper hole even as he tried to defend himself. The Republican frontrunner is facing criticism for appearing to mock a reporter with a disability. It happened on the campaign trail in South Carolina while he was defending his claim that he saw thousands of Muslims celebrate the collapse of the World Trade Center towers downing.

The reporter he came at has debunked that claim. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Written by a nice reporter. Now, you got to see this guy, I don't know what I said. I don't remember. He's going, I don't remember. Maybe that's what I said.

This is 14 years ago. He still, they didn't do a retraction?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, that reporter he is talking about is Sergei Logeski who works for "The New York Times." As you can see, he suffers from a chronic condition that impairs movement of his arms. A "Times" spokesman says they find it outrageous that Trump would ridicule the man's appearance.

Joining Trump that day were some special guests. For the first time in his campaign, his son and two daughters, along with this wife Melania all joined him on stage.

And Mrs. Trump stepped up to the microphone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MELANIA TRUMP, DONALD TRUMP'S WIFE: Good evening. Isn't he is the best? He will be the best president ever. We love you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, Mrs. Trump has previously stayed off her husband's campaign saying she wanted to be home for their 9-year-old son.

The current U.S. President Obama carried on a more bizarre American Thanksgiving tradition Wednesday by pardoning a turkey. The public voted on which turkey was pardoned. Either Honest or Abe, they voted Abe, but Honest was also pardoned.

Obama seized the opportunity to make his daughters laugh with some good, old bad jokes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is my seventh year of pardoning a turkey. Time flies, even if Turkeys don't.

(LAUGHTER)

MALIA OBAMA, FIRST DAUGHTER: That was good. That was good.

BARACK OBAMA: I thought it was pretty good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Even the U.S. astronauts will celebrate this Thanksgiving. Men and women of the International Space Station will eat smoked turkey and candied yams, and corn bread. It is not prepared quite the same way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: I'm Max Foster in London -- Paris even. I forgot where I was.

Thanks for joining us. "EARLY START" is next for our viewers in the U.S. For our international viewers, stay tuned to "CNN NEWSROOM" with Manisha Tank.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:58:48] ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: Tensions rising between Russia and Turkey. New fallout after Turkey shoots down the Russian jet.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And breaking overnight. New confrontations between protesters and police in Chicago. Demonstrators angry over the shooting of a black teenager.

Good morning and welcome to "EARLY START." I'm Boris Sanchez.

KOSIK: And I'm Alison Kosik. It's Thursday, November 26th. It's 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Tensions rising this morning after the Russian warplane that it claims flew over its territory. A defiant Russia responding with heavy bombardment against Turkish-backed rebels. Syrian opposition activists describing it as retaliatory bombing in the same area where Russia's heavy bomber went down on Tuesday.

Now, Russia's foreign minister is suggesting the downing was no accident, saying it was a planned provocation. Turkey making no policy for it, backing up its claim the Russian pilots were repeatedly warned with this audio recordings. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TURKISH AIR FORCE: This is Turkish air force speaking on guard. You are approaching Turkish airspace. Change your heading south immediately. Change your heading south.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: Russia is strongly denying that claim, putting forward the rescued pilot. He told reporters, quote, "There were no warnings, not via the radio, not visually."

For the latest, let's bring in CNN's Ian Lee. He's live in Istanbul.