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Iran's Supreme Leader Accuses Saudis of Genocide; U.S. Troops Still Under Threat in Afghanistan; $300 Million Gem and Cash Heist in London; Rand Paul Under Fire from Female Reporters; Hillary Clinton Worried about Rand Paul in Race. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired April 09, 2015 - 13:30   ET

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

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[13:31:24] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer, reporting from Washington.

Iran's supreme leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, is now accusing Saudi Arabia of genocide for the air strikes against rebel forces in Yemen. Iran is also demanding an explanation for accusations by a Saudi general that Iran is training those rebel fighters.

The U.S. secretary of state, John Kerry, when one step further, saying Iran is in fact supplying those Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen.

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JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: There are obviously supplies that have been coming from Iran. There are a number of flights every single week flying in. We traced those flights and we know this. We're well aware of the support Iran has been giving to Yemen. And Iran needs to recognize that the United States is not going to stand by while the region is destabilized or while people engage, you know, in overt warfare across lines, international boundaries in other countries.

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BLITZER: Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, is in southern Saudi Arabia. He's joining us now live.

What can you tell us about these other reports we're hearing about that Iran has moved warships into the waters right off the Yemeni coast?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, what we're hearing, one is a destroyer and one is a support vessel for that destroyer. They're currently in international waters. They say they're there to protect Iranian shipping in the region, that they're there as an anti-piracy measure. Certainly, you will find NATO vessels out in those waters. Somali pirates prey on vehicle that pass down the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. This is what the Saudi general has said, that if those Iranian vessels try to stray from international waters into Yemen's territorial waters, there could be trouble. Right now, the coalition controls Yemen's territorial waters.

Also the Saudis taking stinging rebuts from the ayatollah saying that Saudi Arabia is wrong in what it's doing in Yemen, that it's killing civilians, women and children, that it's genocide, a war crime, that they should be tried at the International Criminal Court for these war crimes. He goes further warning Saudi Arabia, warning them to stop this involvement in Yemen. But even goes beyond that. This, perhaps, is what's really going to hurt the Saudi leadership here because he blames the Saudi leadership for making these mistakes and involving itself in Yemen because the leadership is young and inexperienced. Wolf, that is really upping the ante here when it's already at a very volatile state.

BLITZER: It certainly is. With United States out of Yemen, U.S. embassy evacuated, all U.S. military personnel withdrawn, AQAP, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which arguably could be the biggest al Qaeda threat to the U.S., seems to be gaining new ground. Is that right?

ROBERTSON: It is. In a town where one of their leaders was sprung from jail just a few days ago, al Qaeda there have taken control or taken advantage of the situation, robbing banks, taking control of government buildings. They've also gone into the naval port and taken nine of the small fast boats, two of the coast guard boats. The local tribes in that area, the confederation of tribes there are really not powerful enough to do anything about al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is spreading its reach, setting up checkpoints. They're not hugely strong, but they're growing in strength. This is just somewhere that we know about. There will be plenty of other places inside Yemen that we don't get reports from where al Qaeda is taking advantage. That's what everyone's concerned about -- Wolf?

[13:35:23] BLITZER: It's an awful, awful situation. And the Saudi ambassador to the United States told me this week not only Iran, but Hezbollah, from Lebanon, they've sent fighters in there, supporting these Houthi rebels as well. It's getting very complicated over there.

Nic, stay with us. We'll be in touch with you.

Nic Robertson in Saudi Arabia.

Up next, the threat of insider attacks a real fear for U.S. troops closing down the mission in Afghanistan. Stay with us. New information coming in.

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BLITZER: At least three people killed today in an attack in northern Afghanistan. The attackers were dressed in Afghan army uniforms. They stormed the offices of the province's attorney general. The attack comes a day after the Afghan National Army fired on American troops still left there in Afghanistan. One U.S. soldier was killed. The attack highlights the threats against American troops, other NATO forces still in Afghanistan as they try to wrap up their overall mission. Our senior international correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh, has a closer

look.

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NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is how it ends here. No helicopter evacuation from an embassy roof. Instead, Black Hawks bouncing around multi-million dollar bases far from the front lines and a race to ready the Afghans to go it alone before the U.S. leaves late next year.

This supply center for police is meant to supply uniforms and even ammunition to the whole east. But it's far from main roads with bad cell phone coverage. Doors don't have handles.

Afghans here tell us the water and electricity have problems. Asked who will maintain it. Finished four months ago, it, so far, hasn't saved anyone. The cost, $21 million.

(on camera): About 50 Afghans living here now. About 400,000 U.S. dollars taxpayer money. It's going to be difficult to get this done under the clock you're working under.

[11:40:41] COL. J.B. VOWELL, U.S. ARMY: It's a challenge, make no doubt. It is going to be a challenge to get all the maintenance, supplies, resupply requisitions. I'm optimistic, though. Much of this didn't even exist in November.

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PATON WALSH: America's longest war is ending and it has left Afghanistan changed. Some of their police now die in old Humvees.

It is rare now for Americans to drive around here, flying over valleys where they once faced the Taliban who are now vying with ISIS for young, angry recruits.

This war is barely recognizable. The main threat here now rogue Afghans opening fire on foreigners. We were surrounded at all times by a security detail.

(on camera): Well, this is about as close to front line as these American troops will get here in Afghanistan. They are on guard against insider attacks. Their job now to train combat.

(voice-over): The Afghan military is marching to standstill. Recent figures suggest one in 10 of these new graduates will desert in the coming year.

Barack Obama has slowed America's departure, but only a fraction. Drones and Special Forces will fight on unseen, but to the leaders of power in what was once called the graveyard of empires, America will let go.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Nick Paton Walsh is joining us now live.

Nick, that base you were on is pretty close to that attack that took place yesterday. Is that the biggest fear right now, that U.S. remaining NATO troops have inside Afghanistan, so-called friendly forces, Afghan military personnel directly turn against them and kill them?

PATON WALSH: Yes. And it was actually extraordinary to go back to Afghanistan and see where U.S. troops are now. They're not involved in fighting. They're involved in high security missions between high security bases. Even on those bases, you have the guardian angels. That is a security detail, heavily armed that stand often between the American soldiers and the Afghans that are supposed to often be working with. A complex relationship they have. Not devoid of trust, but certainly trust challenged.

That attack that happened yesterday, NATO today says a total of eight American soldiers were wounded. That's a high casualty toll and one lost his life as well. So remarkable instant that occurred when they were leaving this governor's compound there yesterday. They were, in fact, attacked by an Afghan soldier. Had a heavy machine gun on top of a vehicle. A remarkable loss of life and injury as well.

That seems to be the enduring issue now simply because the training mission is so vital and those insider attacks are such a huge threat, so damaging towards it, it seems Taliban, insurgent elements are pursuing now -- Wolf.

[11:43:55] BLITZER: Nick Paton Walsh, always on the scene for us. Thank you very much.

The U.S. military has not yet released the name of the American killed in that attack in Afghanistan yesterday.

Still ahead, Republican presidential hopeful, Senator Rand Paul, just announced his candidacy. He's already making headlines, not necessarily for the reasons you might think. We'll update you on what's going on in the race for the White House when we come back.

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BLITZER: We're following a developing story out of France. Very disturbing. An investigation underway after hackers apparently loyal to ISIS pulled off a cyber attack on the global television network, TV5Monde. Those hackers blacked out all of the network's channels, posted is logos and messages.

The head of the network offered viewers this update after regaining control of the company's Facebook page.

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YES BIGOT, TV5MONDE DIRECTOR (through translation): On April 8th, at 10:00 p m. Paris time, TV5Monde was the victim of a very powerful cyber attack. This hacking led the entirety of our 11 channels to turn to black and, at the same time, we lost control of our social networks and Internet sites. All our teams are working hard to bring back all of our programs that you follow.

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BLITZER: Pretty amazing. The network says its firewalls were all up to date. They were considered to be highly secure. Only heightening the sophistication needed to pull off this unprecedented hack.

Let's go to London right now and a jewelry heist that seems ripped from a Hollywood movie. Police are trying to recover an estimated $300 million worth of gems and cash stolen from a safe deposit company over the Easter weekend. The thieves apparently rappelling down an elevator shaft, using a heavy duty drill to bore holes into the vault. Once inside, they forced open many safety deposit boxes.

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PAUL JOHNSON, DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR & LEAD INVESTIGATOR: The scene still remains chaotic down there. The vault is covered in dust and debris. And it's strewn with safety deposit boxes and numerous power tools.

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[11:49:42] BLITZER: They say there were no signs of force entry. Because of the long Easter weekend, the robbery wasn't reported until Tuesday morning when jewelers opened for business.

Here in the United States, Rand Paul announced his candidacy for president. His campaign got off to a rough start. Female reporters have suggested the Senator is abrupt with them. Look at this latest confrontation.

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SEN. RAND PAUL, (R), KENTUCKY: Why don't you let me explain instead of talking over me, OK?

UNIDENTIFIED NEWS ANCHOR: Sure.

PAUL: Before we go through a litany you say I've changed on, why don't you ask me a question? Have I changed my opinion?

(CROSSTALK)

PAUL: That would be sort of a better way to approach an interview.

UNIDENTIFIED NEWS ANCHOR: OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: Little rough moment.

I interviewed Senator Paul in "The Situation Room" last night and asked him to respond to the accusation he's not all that polite to female interviewers.

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PAUL: I think I've been universally short tempered and testy with both male and female reporters. I'll own up to that. And it's hard sometimes. As you know, like during our interview now, I'm looking at only a camera. I can't see you. It's hard to have true interaction sometimes, particularly if it's a hostile interviewer. So I think that interviews should be questions and not necessarily editorializing. So if you get two minutes of editorializing by the interviewer that draws conclusions, you feel somewhat at a loss on the other end. You can't see the person who you think is mischaracterizing a position and not really asking a question. And I think I should have more patients, but I think I'm pretty equal opportunity. If I get annoyed -- I was annoyed with a male reporter this morning. So I will have to get better at holding my tongue and holding my temper. But I think it's equal opportunity, not directed towards one -- you know, male or female.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Despite this bit of a controversy, Senator Paul is doing well at the polls.

When we come back, we'll discuss why Hillary Clinton may be worried about Rand Paul in some important battleground states. Stay with us.

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[13:55:26] BLITZER: Republican presidential hopeful, Rand Paul, has been on the campaign trail a couple of days, but already looking like the man to beat at least in the three important swing states.

Senator Paul talked about it in a stop in New Hampshire.

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PAUL: I think what you're seeing early on with polling is that when you see me polled against Hillary Clinton in the purple states and in some blue states, we do better than any other Republican. We believe that's because we attract Independent voters better than any other candidate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Let's assess with our chief political correspondent -- analyst, Gloria Borger; and CNN senior Washington correspondent, Jeff Zeleny.

Jeff, he's right. Let's take a look at this swing state poll as it's called. Colorado right now, Senator Paul 44 percent, Hillary Clinton 41 percent. Iowa, another swing state, Paul 43 percent, Hillary Clinton 42 percent. Virginia, another swing state, Hillary Clinton slightly had 47 percent, Paul 43 percent. He makes a fair point.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: He does but he also didn't say he has to win the Republican primary first, which is Republican voter and Independent voters. But, look, he does make a good point. Hers numbers comes back down to reality. Her supporters knew it would happen. It's a sign that the e-mail troubles and other things are hanging over her are taking a hit. That's why she needs to jump in now. She needs to go back on offense and start defending these things and start introducing herself to give voters something fresh about her as opposed to all this negativity about her.

BLITZER: Gloria, there's more evidence in this poll showing she's by no means a slam dunk. If she does get the Democratic presidential nomination in important battleground states, look at this. The question was, would you say Hillary Clinton is honest and trustworthy or not? In Colorado, honest and trustworthy, yes, 38 percent, no, 56 percent. Iowa, 43 to 49 percent. Virginia, 40, 52 percent don't believe she's honest and trustworthy in an important state like Virginia.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: It's difficult for a candidate to start out underwater on the honest and trustworthy scale. She's also under water with Independent voters. That's really important in swing states. Whether hangover from the Clinton years or Benghazi or whatever, Hillary Clinton does have a trust deficit starting out. It's something she's going to have to work to regain with the American public because the thing that helped Barack Obama the most when he ran for presidency both times is that people trusted him to do the right thing all or most of the time. That's an important number when you're up for president.

BLITZER: Given the Electoral College role in the United States to get a president elected, the polls could be misleading as opposed to key battleground state polls.

ZELENY: Without a question, because of New York, because California and big states with high populations. That's not how presidents are elected. We can't say it enough times in the next year and a half, these candidates are elected with battleground states. All are critical to her, especially if you add Florida if Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio is in the mix.

BORGER: Right.

ZELENY: Florida is a challenge for her. These battle ground states are challenging. She's going to fight hard in Iowa and New Hampshire to get a jump start on the general election.

BLITZER: Mark Rubio is going to announce next week, the Senator from Florida.

BORGER: Yeah, he is. We presume some time in the next five to seven days Hillary Clinton is also going to formally let us know that she is running for the presidency. The field is starting to kind of form itself. We still have a few Republican candidates that we've got to hear from.

BLITZER: Jeb Bush is apparently going to delay the formal announcement for a few months. Is that right?

ZELENY: At least a few weeks. I'm not told before hay. By a week, less than a week, every Democrat believes Hillary Clinton will be in the race traveling to early states.

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BORGER: She's going to be in it to win it. I've heard that before.

[14:54:41] BLITZER: We'll see if she has a big announcement or a little tweet.

Guys, thanks very, very much.

That's it for me. Thanks very much for watching. Remember, I'll be back 5:00 p.m. eastern in "The Situation Room."

For international viewers, "Amanpour" is coming up next.

For our viewers here in North America, "Newsroom" with Brianna Keilar today starts right now.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, there. I'm Brianna Keilar, in for Brooke Baldwin.