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The Politics of the Syrian Refugee Crisis; Mali Hotel Attack Survivor Speaks Out; Stocks Lower Around the World; Paris & Brussels on High Alert for Terror Attack; Paris Terror Attacks: American Band Describes Concert Hall Attack. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired November 23, 2015 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00] REP. BOB GOODLATTE (R), CHAIRMAN, HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Feasible means of communicating with the government on the basis of individual refugees, nor is there the ability to go in and interview neighbors and business associates and so on about whether people are indeed national security risks. That's unlike most other countries in the world where the United States has an embassy and has people on the ground, consulate (ph) offices that can perform that kind of work.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Let me show you a study done by the Migration Policy Institute that puts the numbers in perspective. They say that there have been 784,000 refugees resettled in the U.S. since 9/11. Three, only three of those, have been arrested for planning terrorist activities. And those, they describe, that were arrested, the plan was barely credible. So those are extremely low odds in terms of letting Syrian refugees in, or any refugees in. So why doesn't that giving you comfort?

GOODLATTE: Well, because the FBI director said there are major problems. And of all those refugees, only a tiny percentage so far. I would say - I don't have the numbers in front of me, but last year about 1,600 or 1,700 were admitted from Syria. So far this year, about 200. And if the FBI director certifies, as the House passed bill, that this problem has been resolved, and they certify that each of the refugees is not a national security risk, that is not an unreasonable burden to bear given that the United States, as you point out, the number of refugees. We are by far the most generous nation on earth in admitting refugees to this country. Two-thirds on an average year of the U.N. recommended refugees from around the world are admitted to the United States. And one-third to all the other countries in the world. So we have nothing to apologize for in the generosity of our refugee system. But we also have a legitimate concern when -- and it's not just the FBI director, by the way. Other national security leaders have talked about the difficulty of vetting Syrian refugees. So I think this is a practical measure that the House has passed and the Senate should do the same thing.

CAMEROTA: Well, some of the things that the national security directors and Director Comey, who you're citing, have said is that, yes, there's nothing that is completely without risk, of course, but that they do believe they have lowered the risk. In fact, they've lowered it dramatically since 9/11. And that they're feeling comfortable with the direction that it's going in, the vetting process is going in. But on a larger point, what President Obama has said is that the message that it sends to shut out Syrian refugees from the U.S., who is seen as being a generous country and having open arms, that the message it sends to the world is more dangerous than letting the refugees in.

GOODLATTE: Well, then the president ought to lead. He ought to get out and point out to the rest of the world that the United States is, by far, the most generous nation on earth with regard to admitting refugees into this country. And if his FBI director will certify that the program works, as called for by the legislation passed by the House, he shouldn't have any concern by that.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

GOODLATTE: But if he says it's too onerous because the director won't certify it, then, quite frankly, I think the president needs to look in the mirror in terms of how the United States looks to the rest of the world.

CAMEROTA: So, congressman, if not here, to the mainland of the U.S. for the refugees, where? Where do you recommend the Syrian refugees who have to get out of their country, because it is so war-torn, where should they go?

GOODLATTE: Well, I've visited refugee resettlement areas in Jordan. And the United States, again, by the way, is by far the most generous nation on earth in terms of supporting, taking care of Syrian refugees in Jordan, in Turkey, and we certainly would be willing to provide resources wherever they may be needed to keep them safe while the situation remains not just unresolved but in total disarray in their own country. The overwhelming majority of them want to return to their home country.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

GOODLATTE: We should focus on what it's going to take to make that happen so that when it does, they'll be able to return home. We have 45 million, according to a recent study, displaced persons around the world who cannot live in their homes because of various reasons. And addressing those reasons is far more important to me than it is trying to figure out how to move 45 million people around the world.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

GOODLATTE: So, to me, national security needs to be a consideration, but taking care of refugees where they are needs to be an important consideration as well.

CAMEROTA: Congressman Goodlatte, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY.

GOODLATTE: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: What is - what's your take on this topic? You can tweet us using the #newdaycnn. You can also post your comment on facebook.com/newday.

Chris.

[08:34:51] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, another attack we've been reporting on is what happened in Mali. And survivors from that eight-hour siege on that hotel are now telling their stories. One American woman even writing her husband what she feared might be a farewell e-mail as the attackers roamed the hallways. That story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Not one, not two, but now three Islamist groups are claiming responsibility for Friday's deadly attack on a hotel in the capital of Mali. At least 22 people were killed, along with two of the attackers. Mali is now widening its investigation, hunting more suspects, and survivors are telling their stories. For that, CNN international correspondent David McKenzie brings us the story.

David.

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Chris, good morning.

Here at the Radisson Blu Hotel, there were scenes of mayhem, chaos and murder on Friday as two, maybe three gunmen came through the security barricade and started shooting at random. I spoke to a senior member of the Center for Disease Control, who is here to help the country. She describes her horrible ordeal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHIE FAZEKAS, AMERICAN MALI ATTACK SURVIVOR: I e-mailed my husband and I just - I said something like, there is something going on and I want you to know that I love you. And then when - a few hours later when the fire down the hallway, I wrote another e-mail and I said, I do believe there are shooters here and if I don't make it, I want you to know I love you, and family and my CDC, but I am coming home.

[08:40:14] I do this because I love doing this work. And where we are in the world that we need to continue on.

MCKENZIE: You're committed to the work no matter what?

FAZEKAS: No matter what. It's - this wasn't about Mali. This was about what I call idiots. I'll be back.

MCKENZIE: Was there any point really, any moment where you thought, OK, this is it. This is - this is the end of the road?

FAZEKAS: When the shooting came down the hallway, I was more nervous. I wasn't sure. But it - I - it wasn't going to end. I'm - I was going home. I knew I was going home. That's - that's the end of it.

MCKENZIE: So when the signal came, what went through your head?

FAZEKAS: Oh, gosh, I'm so glad to see you guys. I - I don't know much French, but I could say merci beaucoup, merci beaucoup. I said it all the way down the hall and I'll say it again. These guys, every one of them that I mentioned, put their lives on the line for me that day. And I so appreciate that. And there's a group of people who can't make it out. And my heart goes out to their families. But I believe they were here doing what they love and what they're committed to. And if that day were to come for me, someone would be saying that about me as well.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCKENZIE: Well, Kathie says, extraordinarily, she wants to come back to Mali, finish her work. She's now home in Atlanta. And she says that she really credits the Malian special forces, helped by American security teams, for getting her out.

Michaela.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: What an incredible account. Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

Now for the five things you need to know for your NEW DAY.

At number one, France launching new air strikes from their newly deployed aircraft carrier targeting ISIS in Syria and Iraq. British Prime Minister David Cameron prepares to call for U.K. air strikes against ISIS in Syria.

Brussels under the highest terror alert amid threats of an impending attack. Authorities rounding up some 16 people in a series of anti- terror raids, as the international manhunt for the eighth Paris attacker intensifies.

President Obama back in Washington following his trip to Asia. He's urging Americans not to overreact to terror threats and is promising to destroy ISIS. He will meet with French President Hollande tomorrow. He will speak with him about strategy in the fight.

Secretary of State John Kerry on the first leg of a three-day trip to the Middle East. He is in the United Arab Emirates today to talk about the civil war in Syrian. Then he'll head to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Chicago leaders gearing up for possible heated protests. Officials this week set to release video showing a white cop gunning down a black teenager.

And you can get more on the five things by visiting newdaycnn.com.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: OK. Thanks so much, Michaela.

So, it is time for "CNN Money Now." Our chief business correspondent, Christine Romans, is in our money center.

So, Christine, tell us what stocks are doing?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Alisyn.

Stocks around the world falling this morning. European and Asian shares are mostly lower. U.S. stock futures are down slightly too. A big reason for that, a global selloff in commodities. Oil prices are down, tumbling really, and copper is near a six-year low.

Breaking news this morning, the biggest drug merger ever. American drug company Pfizer and Irish drug maker Allergan in a deal worth $160 billion. If regulators approve it, it creates the world's biggest pharmaceutical company. Also it moves Pfizer's headquarters overseas and cuts its tax bill through a controversial move called inversion. Have you heard of this? It's legal. The White House is trying to make it more difficult for companies to take advantage of this. They call it a tax dodge essentially. Expect outrage and vigorous discussion about corporate taxes on the campaign trail, Chris.

CUOMO: Inversion sounds much better than tax dodge.

ROMANS: Yes, it does, doesn't it?

CUOMO: All right, Christine, thank you very much.

So we have news of more raids, more arrests and more fear in Belgium this morning. Authorities are shaking the terror tree as hard as they can. The problem is, too many apples falling on their head. They don't know if they can follow all the leads. The concerns are being called unprecedented. We will take you to life in Belgium, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:48:31] CUOMO: We have news of new airstrikes being launched by France today, targeting ISIS in Syria and Iraq. These strikes are coming from their just deployed aircraft carrier in the region, the Charles de Gaulle, the only major platform for this in the region is now France's ship. In Belgium, authorities arresting another 21 people in anti-terror raids all around Brussels. It seems the more they do, the more they learn and yet, the more apprehension there is of what comes next.

So let's get some perspective. From Paris, we have Nic Robertson, international diplomatic editor, and CNN contributor and French journalist Mr. Stefan de Vries. I lean upon you both once again for understanding of this situation.

Nic, let's start abroad, this round of strikes off the Charles de Gaulle that shows a new capability. What's the tactical significance?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, the French president said that once the Charles de Gaull was operational that it would have effectively multiply by three times France's capacity to have airstrikes inside Syria and Iraq, as well. So this effectively gives France the ability to strike more quickly on target, on ISIS targets.

We also heard the British Prime Minister was here in Paris today and told the French president that the French could also count on using the British air base RAF Akrotiri, that's in Cyprus, for aircraft. So what France now has in the Mediterranean is a much stronger, firmer footing, which will enable it to keep up the pressure on ISIS. The difficulty, or let's say the challenge, is going to be to find the effective ISIS targets to hit that's going to have an impact on that organization.

[08:50:09] CUOMO: Oh so that's going abroad. Nic, thank you very much. Stefan, let's turn to the homeland there in France. The state of emergency now authorized and in effect. Your concerns go to what happens over time with personal liberties and incursions. But right now, it seems the front seat fear is that the more raids they do, the more they learn about what was out there just under their nose. How is it going in terms of getting a handle on the threat?

STEFAN DE VRIES, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: That's one of the main issues here in France. Actually gathering the information the last year has already been improved since the Charlie Hebdo attacks. But the main issue is analyzing all of this information. Over 800 house searches took place the last week since the state of emergency came into effect. Over 100 people have been detained - well, are at house arrests currently. So - But it's not clear whether this information, after last week, all these arrests, have actually led to new information.

We see that the theater is now actually moving towards Brussels. And once again, one of the main issues of the European intelligence services is exchange of information. There was a lot of criticism on Belgium earlier this week that they had let things go out of hand in the suburb of Molenbeek, Brussels. And I think the Belgium authorities now want to show their European partners that they're making - they they're doing a real job of getting rid of these terrorists and this - maybe that explains the reason why Brussels is still in a lockdown.

CUOMO: And Brussels pushing back on the French that they weren't giving them enough information. So we're hoping that one of the things that's born of this tragedy is better cooperation. We are seeing some of that.

A slightly different issue to get your take on, Stefan, at home. Despite what happened in Paris, President Francois Hollande immediately said, sure, we're still going take Syrian refugees. Life goes on, he said. What's the perspective on the dialogue in the United States right now from there?

DE VRIES: Well, you must know that France is actually taking very, very little refugees compared to other European countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden. And interestingly enough, the refugees don't even want to come to France because they know that there is an atmosphere of xenophobia, that they - the extreme rite is doing really, really well and that they will basically - well, they will not very well received here in France. So that's not a big issue.

Of course, any refugee now is one refugee too many in the heads of many French people. And in two weeks from now, there will be regional elections. These are the last elections before the presidential ones in 2017. So very important elections. Since the attacks on Friday the 13th, Marine Le Pen, which is the leader of the Front National, the right-wing party, is doing much and much better than she already was doing before the attacks.

So the French do approve the measures Francois Hollande has been taking since the attacks, but they also lean to the extreme right parties.

CUOMO: Nic Robertson, the greater war will be the coalition of European and Middle Eastern states coming together to fight in Syria. How close do you think we are to that in light of the recent U.K. developments?

ROBERTSON: Well, you know, you have the British prime minister coming here today to meet with the French president. David Cameron has said he will be speaking to parliament later this week. He wants British air craft to be able to strike inside Syria to join France and the United States and others on that.

The French president going on later this week, he will go to Washington tomorrow, he will meet with the German chancellor Angela Merkel, he will meet with the Russian president Vladimir Putin later this week. These are all significant meetings when you're talking about bringing the European nations together on what to do about Syrian.

But you know perhaps one of the most significant meetings that's not getting a lot of conversation right now, one of the most significant meetings to that end, what to do in Syria, is happening, or could be happening today in Tehran. President Putin in Russia is in Tehran at the moment having meetings there. The big difficulty between the United States, its allies and Russia and is what to do about the future of President Assad. That is somewhat of a sticking point before move forward tackling ISIS and the big (ph) around here.

So the key for Russia that doesn't particularly feel attached to Assad in the future, Iran does. So can Putin persuade Tehran to give up Assad and we can move forward to the next stage in Syria? So you got these really important diplomatic meetings happening right now. Hollande, whose country has been hit, Putin, whose country has been hit, both by ISIS. There's a lot of moral authority there. Can they use that to drive the compromises that are necessary to get real action in Syria?

CUOMO: Nic Robertson, thank you for raising that issue. An important one, to be sure. Stefan de Vries, as always, appreciate the perspective. Gentleman, be safe in the days ahead.

Alisyn.

[08:54:53] CAMEROTA: OK, Chris. Eagles of Death Metal, that was the American band that was playing inside the Paris music club when the terrorists opened fire, they are speaking out about the attacks for the first time. This is the interview you cannot miss. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: All right. So members of that American band are reliving those horrifying moments when terrorists stormed the Bataclan concert hall in Paris. They are speaking out to Vice and they talk about the attack and the lengths that the audience went to to survive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSE HUGHES, EAGLES OF DEATH METAL: Several people hid in our dressing room and the killers were able to get in and killed every one of them, except for a kid who was hiding under my leather jacket.

SHANE SMITH, VICE JOURNALIST: Killers got in your dressing room?

HUGHES: Yes.

SMITH: Wow.

HUGHES: People were playing dead and they were so scared. A great reason why so many were killed is because so many people wouldn't leave their friends. So and - so many people put themselves in front of people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA: That poor, young man.

CAMEROTA: I know. We've been waiting to hear from the band because they witnessed everything. They were on stage when the attackers came in. And the fact that they all survived is remarkable.

PEREIRA: Remarkable.

CUOMO: Right. I mean look, that could have been a lot worse. But we always say this, and it sounds trite but it's still true, is that people made it out of there by sticking together. They were, in that moment, a part of what resistance is to terrorists in the first place. It's a horrible situation to be in, but they certainly hung together.

PEREIRA: They certainly did.

CAMEROTA: All right. That's it for our show. Time now for "NEWSROOM" with Carol Costello.