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Huge Cyber Attack hits Nearly Every Single Federal Agency; American Woman Mauled to Death by Lion in South Africa. Aired 11:30a- 12:00p ET.

Aired June 05, 2015 - 11:30   ET

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

[11:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: New today, it could be the biggest cyber-attack ever on U.S. government systems and it hit nearly every single federal agency. The details we're learning today are unprecedented and frankly unnerving.

BOLDUAN: Yes. Hackers believed to be from China. They might have gotten the social security numbers including the job assignments of nearly four million current and former federal employees and that could include workers in sensitive areas of the government like the defense department. The intrusion happened back in December. It was discovered in April. U.S. intelligence says China was behind the attack. Chinese officials though call the accusations irresponsible.

BERMAN: I want to bring in someone who knows a lot about this. Former U.S. ambassador to China and also former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman. Governor, Ambassador, thank you so much for being with us.

JON HUNTSMAN, FORMER US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: A pleasure to be with you. Thank you.

BERMAN: So these cyber shenanigans take and a really much more than that take place just a week or so after we have seen a military face-off between U.S. planes flying over these man made islands in China that China is holding onto. We're staring them down militarily and we're having this cyber-attack on U.S. government systems. Is there a sort of cold war here we're beginning to see between the United States and China that is simmering or worse?

HUNTSMAN: Well, what we're seeing is the modern day manifestation of the two most powerful countries in the world. It will only going to get worse in terms of the cyber aspect which I think should be shocking to everybody in terms of the Chinese are behind it and suspect they are were able to obtain by getting the information on 4 million people.

I mean, for intelligence agencies, this is an absolute treasure- trove. And what's happening in the South China sea of course will play out for some time to come because these are issues around sovereignty and not easily resolved. This is why in today's world we're talking about the Middle East and ISIS and how to put pieces back together again. There really isn't enough talk about the U.S./China relationship.

It's the transcended relationship of the 21st century and probably the one that we've got to spend the most time on at the highest levels of government. It's received I think insufficient attention as of today.

BOLDUAN: I mean, I've got a couple questions kind on the cyber front. But when john brings up man-made islands in the South China sea, you wonder what does the Chinese government if it is the Chinese government, want with this information but also how threatening are all of these maneuvers? We heard from former deputy director of the CIA Mike Morel, he is saying that all of this together, all of this together could lead to a war between the U.S. and China. Do you think that's possible?

HUNTSMAN: Well, it's a highly completive relationship. And it's going to remain a very competitive relationship for a long time. And It means the United States is going to have to be at its very best in terms of how we operate in the Asia Pacific region and in terms of assets and strategy and policies we put forward. In terms of the defenses that we put in place against cyber-attack.

Because let's face it cyber, as we're all waking up to again this morning, is the newest domain of warfare. Traditionally, we've looked at sea and land and space and now cyber is probably the fourth domain the warfare. We traditionally haven't recognized it as such and our defenses are totally inadequate.

BERMAN: And they are recognizing it today. When they are admitting the four million records not even taken. You know, what do you think if it was the Chinese military or if the Chinese military somehow are connected to this or behind this, what do they do with 4 million records? Social security numbers, payroll records?

[11:35:00] HUNTSMAN: Well, we'll know shortly who the aggressor was. If it wasn't the state, it was probably a state linked group. If wasn't a state linked group, it may have been one of many private organizations linked to universities within China who do this routinely and they're very good at it.

But I would say there's a real motive here and the motive is to better understand the organization of the U.S. government and what better way to get in personnel files and having been through this myself several times, you fill out this highly invasive SF-86 form which details your whole background, where you have lived, who you're related to, addresses, et cetera, et cetera.

So this not only allows somebody, maybe the Chinese in this case, to understand how our government is organized, who is in key slots, but also some very specific personal information that even security codes are sometimes based on. So this is one step toward gaining greater access to intelligence so it's a step by step approach but I have to say this one with 4 million people involved would have to be considered a real treasure-trove for at least the counter espionage efforts on the part of China. BOLDUAN: Absolutely, governor, a quick final question for you.

Because this relationship will be an issue on the campaign trail for sure. I just want to get your take on kind of the state of where the race for the White House stands right now. Specifically because during your time as Ambassador to China, you served with then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I have heard your father say that Hillary would make a fine president. I want to get your take on where things stand. Do you think Hillary Clinton would make a fine president?

HUNTSMAN: Well, I'm not in a position to be able to make those political determinations. I would only tell you that as Secretary of State I was able to work with her. She was hard working. She was professional. She was on top of the issues and we'll see how she does on the campaign trail. As a Republican, as a registered and committed Republican, I'll no doubt be finding the best candidate in that field.

But the world is growing ever more complicated and I heard it said that the 2016 election cycle will bring with it much more talk about national security and foreign policy. I hope that's the case because we've been meandering too long in terms of America's role in the world and what our interests are and how to deal with allies and friends and indeed a broader overlay, a strategy, that will get us well into the 21st century.

This all have been lacking and we have a perfect opportunity around the 2016 election cycle to have that conversation and I encourage the candidates to get out there and begin that conversation.

BOLDUAN: I think we can both agree that you can be a very important part of that conversation. Governor, great to see you. Thank you so much.

HUNTSMAN: Thank you. A pleasure to be with you.

BOLDUAN: Of course. We'll have you back. Coming up for us, hundreds of climbers are stuck on top of Southeast Asia's tallest peak right now stranded there by a powerful earthquake. We'll tell you about what's being done right now to try to rescue them.

[11:40:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Stranded at 13,000 feet. Amazing video this morning of a 6.0 magnitude quake that trapped 137 climbers on Southeast Asia's tallest peak. More than 2,000 mountain guides are coming to their aid.

BERMAN: Yes. Officials says, pathways were damaged by the falling rocks. There is poor weather in that area right now so there could be problems. Five Americans are among those stranded and 10 people with injuries have been taken off the mountain already. Joining us to talk about this, CNN's Karen Maginnis. Karen.

KAREN MAGINNIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kate and John, there are 137 people and five Americans represented in that group that are trying to make their way down. But it is very, very treacherous primarily because over the past 24 hours after this earthquake, it was nightfall. The temperatures were dropping. So the Malaysian Mountaineer and Rescue team was trying to drop from helicopters, food and some heavier clothing so they would stay warm.

Now, up at this elevation, this mountain is about 13,000 feet high, the temperatures are only in the 60s. But you make your way all of the way down to the bottom of the mountain and temperatures run into the 90s. This is monsoon season. This earthquake took place just about 33 miles away but nonetheless it caused falling rocks. That destroyed their path. It was nightfall and it's made it very treacherous to go down this mountain and as a result, 137 people stranded here and the weather has been severe thunderstorms, lots of rain and that is adding to the potential for those helicopters to be stranded or to stay on the ground and not be able to go up and rescue these people. Back to you guys.

BOLDUAN: Karen, thank you so much. Karen Maginnis looking at that. 137 people still trapped on that mountain.

A CNN crew went to the South Africa, the South African park where a lion mauled a woman who later died because of those injuries. You want to see what happens. This scary situation when a lion starts to jump at the car while our crew is in the park. That's ahead.

[11:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: New this morning, a CNN crew was able to get up close to the lions at a South African Park where an American woman Katherine Chappell where she was mauled to death by a lion.

BERMAN: One of the lions actually jumped up on the car. With CNN Robyn Kriel, sitting inside we should watch this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Make sure your doors are locked and windows close at all times. OK. Enjoy.

ROBYN KRIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you. We're at the Johannesburg Lion Park. Apart from cuddling baby lions, tourists may also enjoy a self-drive through a series of enclosures with full grown lions. It seems simple and safe enough but just days ago this park was the scene of a gory accident. A female lioness attacked an American tourist through her open window killing her and injuring her driver.

That part of the park is the only one closed off. Inside enclosure one it's clearly afternoon nap time for this family. We are mere feet away from this pride of lion. We are so close that you can see the bugs landing on their noses. It's very tempting to open the window because they look so docile and sleepy and in the sun. If you did do that, it would take one of those lions to smell us or hear us and if it decided to charge, there would be nothing that we could do in those split seconds.

But as dusk approaches, so does dinnertime. The lions who earlier ignored us are suddenly inquisitive, playing, climbing and slowly surround our car. I don't know where it is. Where is it? It's right here.

It's hard to keep an eye on each lion. They move quickly and we check to make sure the doors are still locked. But suddenly...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here we go, here we go.

KRIEL: Whoa.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my gosh.

KRIEL: It's a lot scarier when they are close because you get a sense of how massive they are. The male lion that rushed our car likely met no harm but if one window was down, perhaps even partially, it could have been deadly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It can cover a very short space, very short distance in a short amount of time. That's what happened in this incident. You know, the lion slowly approached the vehicle and then suddenly dashed toward the vehicles. There was no time to up a window.

KRIEL: A small mistake that could not be corrected in the seconds it took a predator born to kill to do just that. Robyn Kriel, CNN Johannesburg, South Africa.

BERMAN: I got to say, margin of safety there is very, very thin.

[11:50:00] BOLDUAN: Oh, my God. Just amazing. And it happened while the windows up, and the doors closed an you can see how quickly it can change.

BERMAN: I want to change subjects here. Did I ever mention I won "Celebrity Jeopardy".

BOLDUAN: I'm rolling my eyes.

BERMAN: Well, now there are those say it's not enough. A new CNN quiz show is days away. The '70s edition and one of my chief competitors the British brainier Richard Quest joins us for a weigh- in.

BOLDUAN: The fun ahead. But first, something important. One of our top ten CNN heroes here is his story.

BERMAN: That's important.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Scottish highlands are his home, but for decades Magnus McFarland Burrow has been changing lives around the globe. Every weekday, his program marries meals, provides free nutritious food to school children in 12 of the world's poorest countries.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you enjoy it here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It brings many children in to school. Their health improves. Then we see amazing results with academic performance.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The work earned him global recognition as a top ten CNN hero.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Being honored as a CNN hero in terms of raising awareness is just incredible. At that time we were feeding 400,000 something children, since then we've more than doubled.

ANNOUNCER: CNN heroes, every day people changing the world is brought to you by Geico. 15 minutes could save you 15 percent or more on car insurance. Visit geico.com for a free rate quote.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: We are on the verge of an epic television event.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: New CNN quiz show, five CNN anchors who did not win "Celebrity Jeopardy" and one who did face off Monday in a special '70s themed contest.

BOLDUAN: Seriously.

BERMAN: Take a look.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So it's Richard Quest, me, you, Brooke Baldwin, Alison Camerota and who else?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bill Weier.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Should we start the smack talk now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Billy Weier.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, Mr. Traveler, Bill Weier knows a lot of stuff.

BERMAN: Here's the thing about Alison, she won the last quiz show, she was on the winning team.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

BERMAN: I was. You weren't Saturday in the park.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not going to stick with you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Berman, since he won "Celebrity Jeopardy" is insufferable.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you mean, since he won?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's true. BERMAN: We're going to win.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Berman.

BERMAN: Massachusetts.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is correct. The other team Baldwin and Quest.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm hoping Richard Quest will be wearing a white polyester suit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Staying alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's a foreigner.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Remember punk rock started in the '70s in the U.K. She's a kid.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was part of the '70s.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bring it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bring it on.

BOLDUAN: Oh, yes. I mean, really, you guys. I don't even know, look at those beautiful pictures. John Berman is mourning the death of his pet rock from 1979 and while his '70s nemesis Richard Quest still has the bell

bottoms he wore to the Queen's silver jubilee in 1977 they're here we're going to duke it out and do this right. We've named you changed your names to encyclopedia Joe as Richard said recently and you came up with a nickname for you, The British Einstein. Gentlemen, are you ready?

BERMAN: We're ready. Do it.

BOLDUAN: OK. Here's the bell. I'm obviously the big winner. Move the bell. I'm going to get crazy. Don't get handy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on. Fine here we go.

BOLDUAN: OK. The important thing is to focus on me, right. Thanks.

BERMAN: Like every day.

BOLDUAN: Thank you. The development of the Supersonic '70s jet the concord, this is mean, was a joint project between France and what other country?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Britain.

BOLDUAN: Correct. One for Richard Quest. I'm not going to mark these. Moving on. Thank you. On December 29th, 1972, what famed weekly magazine seized publication? BERMAN: "Life" magazine.

BOLDUAN: Correct.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "Life magazine."

BOLDUAN: Moving on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm John Berman.

BERMAN: You see what I have to deal with.

BOLDUAN: You should be careful. Next. U.S. entrepreneur Robert P. McCullough purchased what historic bridge for $2.4 million.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: London bridge.

BOLDUAN: Correct.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not to be confused with tower bridge which is what he thought he was buying.

BOLDUAN: Or the other options, that was offered here as one of the choice Atchafalaya basin bridge. Is that a made up bridge?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep reading.

BOLDUAN: OK. 1971 a man hijacked northwest airlines flight 305 after receiving $200,000 in cash and several parachutes and jumped and was never caught. What name did he go by? Billie Jean Jr., Charles Hill, D.B. Cooper.

BERMAN: D.B. Cooper.

BOLDUAN: Correct.

BERMAN: We're tied.

BOLDUAN: 1972 what car surpassed Ford's - yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The favorite beetle.

BOLDUAN: That is correct. Last question.

BERMAN: Thanks for the context.

BOLDUAN: You can tie this now or lose it. Here we go. Jimmy Hendricks passed away in September - yes.

BERMAN: Janis Joplin.

BOLDUAN: Do you want to know the question? For all of you, the question is, he passed away in September 18th, 1970, 16 days ahead of what other rock star? Janis Joplin. Why only six questions?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because. I can think of several very good reasons why we only did six.

BERMAN: Now, that we've got the end of these questions.

BOLDUAN: It's tied.

BERMAN: The quiz show Monday night. It is extraordinary fun I have to say.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is. One's colleagues and everyone is competitive but it's for a good cause. Lots of money being given to charity. And it's interesting to see one's colleagues. You see a side you don't normally see.

BERMAN: It humiliated side.

BOLDUAN: The tie-breaking question. The only reason I was not able to be part of the quiz show is?

BERMAN: You are not born in the '70s. You were not yet alive. This is true.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was the oldest. I was the oldest by some measure.

BOLDUAN: And look the youngest.

BERMAN: Thanks for being with us. See you Monday night.

BOLDUAN: Can't wait. Stop with the bell. Thanks for joining us at this hour.

BERMAN: "Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield starts right now.