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Syria Agrees to Proposal; Syria Ready to Disclose Weapons; Apple Reveals New iPhone Models

Aired September 10, 2013 - 14:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thank you so much for being with me.

A major development. Syria officially takes up Russia's proposal to give up control of its chemical weapons stockpile. This is a move that offers a double edge to the United States' debate as to whether or not the U.S. should strike. You have here, on the one hand, there may not be a need for the U.S. to attack Syria, period. On the other, well, that's the point the president's top staffers stressed today before the House Armed Services Committee. They say if Syria is going to hand over its stockpile to international control, the U.S. needs to keep the threat of a strike very real.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: A lot of people say that nothing focuses the mind like the prospect of a hanging. Well, it's the credible threat of force that has been on the table for these last weeks that has, for the first time, brought this regime to even acknowledge that they have a chemical weapons arsenal.

CHUCK HAGEL, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We must be very clear eyed and ensure it is not a stalling tactic by Syria and its Russian patrons (ph). And for this diplomatic option to have a chance of succeeding, the threat of a U.S. military action, the credible, real threat of U.S. military action, must continue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Still, there is word that President Obama is feeling less pressure to push for a strike as he's meeting with Democrats and Republicans today on Capitol Hill. Here he was. And his address to the nation tonight will have a much different tone than was planned just two days ago. Keep in mind, as Wolf mentioned, CNN's special coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. And joining me now, chief congressional correspondent Dana Bash and CNN International anchor Hala Gorani.

Dana, let me just begin with you in Washington. You know, Syria, today, the headline is that it accepts this proposal, you know, from Russia. But less than 24 hours ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid postponed that vote for possible U.S. military intervention. In fact, I'm being told, let's listen in.

(BEGIN LIVE SENATE COVERAGE) SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MAJORITY LEADER: Any agreement must also ensure chemical weapons in the hands of Syria must -- can be secured. And this can be done in an open process, even in the midst of the ongoing war. This is no classified information, but we know exactly where the chemical weapons are. Any agreement must ensure that Syria is unable to transfer this poison to the hands of terrorists. Hezbollah, for example. Such intent would be met with a rapid response from this government, and it would be a robust response.

I'm glad the administration's considering looking closely at what is taking play in the international community. Russia, Syria, France is involved. For Russia, I hope this will mark a change away from confrontation and towards constructive engagement. Putin's saying, well, there's no proof they have chemical weapons, and I'm not sure. In fact, he said he didn't believe there had been a chemical attack. That might sell on state-run TV in Russia, but no place else. No one, no one discounts the fact or disbelieves that this attack took place, killing men, women, and children.

So if something works out, that would be great. But as Reagan said, trust but verify. So that's what we'll be doing as we move forward.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does this resolution need to be tweaked at all to require more time for diplomacy and more time for the U.N. to act?

REID: We talked about that in the caucus. A number of senators expressed to the president that maybe it does need some work on the caucus - I mean in the resolution before the caucus. And I'm satisfied that's the right thing to do. I've spoken to Senator McCain. Democrats are working on this. But I want to make sure -- and I think Senator McCain understands this and others working with him, that anything that is done will go through Menendez and Corker, who have done such an outstanding job of getting us to the point where we are.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Senator Reid -

BALDWIN: OK, let me pull - let me pull back out and bring Dana Bash back in because, Dana, I think it's important to just provide the context. We showed the picture. And, Hala, we see you there as well standing by. We showed you the picture of the president on The Hill today. We know that, in fact, Senator Reid just came out of lunching with the president. So as I was mentioning a moment ago, you know, he, he being Senator Reid, hit pause on this vote, right? But at the same time you have the administration coming out today saying, we still need to have the pressure put on Congress when it comes to a possible strike. So which is it? Where do things stand on The Hill?

DANA BASH, CNN CHEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what you're hearing from Senator Reid, and forgive me for keeping my voice down because he's right next to me, but what you're hearing from Senator Reid is his description of the meeting that just happened moments ago, just ended moments ago with the president and the entire Democratic Caucus. Excuse me. We have cords that are being tripped over here.

But the headline is that, from my conversations with other Democratic senators coming out and also what Reid is saying, is that the president made very clear that he wants to maintain what one senator called a credible threat. That in order to keep the pressure diplomatically going at the United Nations, specifically that they need to understand that the United States Congress and the president himself, the commander in chief, still very much maintain the option of a military strike if things don't move forward diplomatically.

So what happens now, to answer your question? That's what Senator Reid was just referring to. What is happening now and has been happening all day, really, are a series of discussions about tweaking the authorization resolution in order to deal with what's going on diplomatically. The gist of what a bipartisan group of senators are talking about is to say that, you know, to give a date certain for things to go forward at the U.N. and, more specifically, for Syria to give up its chemical weapons to the international community. And if not, then the threat of military action would still be there.

BALDWIN: And it sounds like we're getting some actually ground breaking news with regards to those chemical weapons because I was just getting information in my ear from my executive producer that Senator Reid has just said he knows where those chemical weapons are in Syria.

So, Hala, to you. Syria's reportedly ready to disclose the location of chemical weapons and halt production. This is huge.

HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Right. It's potentially huge. It's a question of whether or not what Syria is saying will actually pan out on the ground. The organization that would be responsible for monitoring, for moving, for monitoring and supervising the destruction of any of these chemical weapons is based in the Netherlands. It would take a long time. It would require some cooperation from Syrian officials. And at the United Nations, we're already hearing from the Russian foreign ministry that a French proposal that would threatening force if Syria did not comply with some of these demands, was deemed unacceptable by Russia. So that is the diplomatic front.

As far as Syria is concerned, as you mentioned, Brooke, here's some breaking news. Syria is saying, as quoted by the Russian news agency, Interfax, that it is ready to disclose the location of its chemical weapons, to halt production, and show its facilities to representatives of Russia, the United Nation and other states that were not specified in this Interfax news agency wire article.

But, of course, this is a verbal promise.

BALDWIN: Right.

GORANI: This is not something that is going to be easy. And as you know, Brooke, this is a country at war. This means that any of these things that are hard enough in times of peace will be made all that more complicated in the current situation.

BALDWIN: As you pointed out so perfectly, I mean, the skeptic in me also then wonders that -- how realistic this is. As you point out, in the thick of things, in the midst of this bloody civil war, to have these weapons inspectors go to these places, 50, 60, 70 different locations where these chemical weapons are. And then the next part comes - and I suppose this would be through negotiation -- figure out if you keep them there?

GORANI: Right.

BALDWIN: Do you transfer that? How does that even work?

GORANI: And those are all great questions. And we don't have the answers to those because we are at the very beginning of a process that could take weeks, if not months, if not longer. This is a country that has developed, according to many experts, these weapons for a very long period of time, that has them - has them stocked across the country in locations, secure locations, and it's going to be very difficult.

But, diplomatically, I think it's also important to note that we've been talking now for 24 hours, Brooke, about a diplomatic solution. And just about an hour ago, Russia has already called a French proposal unacceptable. So it seems as though that track as well has stalled.

Now we're going to see the response to this verbal promise from Syria, as quoted by the Russian news agency. But you said it, it's something that's complicated, both diplomatically and logistically on the ground in a country that is still at war where dozens of Syrians are still killed every day.

BALDWIN: Hala Gorani, thank you very much for the breaking news.

We're going to stay on this here because even with the lure of a possible diplomatic solution, it is hardly all roses between the Obama administration and Congress. I want you to just witness this exchange today. This is between Secretary Kerry and a House Republican who asked whether the House should pause on work on war legislation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JEFF MILLER (R), FLORIDA: Should the House delay, or should the House move forward?

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: I believe that the Senate has made -

MILLER: This is the House of Representatives, not the Senate, sir.

KERRY: Well, I understand that. Look, do you want to play politics here or do you want to get a policy in place? The policy that can be put in place is to try to get this particular option of getting control of chemical weapons in place. Now, if you want to undermine that, then play the politics.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So, yes, there may be some politics here. Donna Brazile is here to talk about that. She's a Democratic strategist and CNN political commentator. And so is Kevin Madden, also a CNN political commentator and Republican strategist. So, welcome to both of you.

KEVIN MADDEN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Good to be with you.

BALDWIN: And, my goodness, how this story continues to evolve, does it not?

Kevin, let me just begin with you. If Syria gives up its chemical weapons without a single shot fired, can President Obama claim credit?

MADDEN: Well, look, I think it is - it's way too early to be talking about claiming credit and it's way too early to even talk about whether or not Syria can actually do this. I think your anchor before, Holly (ph), had mentioned just the enormous challenges that there are to finding out about these chemical weapons, where they are, securing them, and then building the facilities that you'd need to either house them or destroy them. I mean we're talking about 1,000 tons of chemical weapons. So the practicality of all that is still very much in question.

BALDWIN: So the practicality, the realistic nature of this. I absolutely agree. But at the same time, Donna, I'm going to ask you the same question, can the president ultimately get credit for this if this happens? The big if.

DONNA BRAZILE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, I think everyone is breathing a sigh of relief right now because, of course, a week ago we were talking about striking Syria. So it's too - it's too early for a victory lap and I don't think we want a victory lap. I think what the American people want to know is, they want to hear a clear, concise reason why we must act if the United States, at some point -- if the discussions or whatever fails, why we must act.

I still believe there's an important task for the president tonight. And, God forbid, I hope his speech writer is still writing right now because the American people -

BALDWIN: We're going to ask about that.

BRAZILE: Are very uneasy about this whole - this mission, whatever it is at this point. And so I think the president has a very important task tonight to really lay it out, especially because it's continuing to unfold as we - as we - Kevin and I appear here on the air.

MADDEN: Yes.

BALDWIN: As you - as you mention, of course - of course they are writing and rewriting and rewriting, apparently. What specifically, though, Donna, do you think that they are rewriting right now? What part of the speech?

BRAZILE: Well, let's start with the fact that, you know, the American people are opposed to this, this enterprise, because, quite honestly, another war in the Middle East, limited strikes, Assad still in power, atrocities continue, this is the worst humanitarian crisis. What are they writing right now? The president still needs to make a credible case to the American people of why we must act. Why the United States, as the leading super power in the world, must continue to be sheriff when the American people are saying, it's time to withdraw and not be so involved in these regions of the world where people simply don't want us involved.

BALDWIN: And they don't fully understand it. Kevin, let me show you this poll. We have this new poll in which it says 53 percent of the public say they are at least somewhat aware of the Obama administration's policy towards Syria. So that suggests to me, you know, that the public is paying some attention here. How much - I know you don't want to talk as much politics, but I just have to ask, because it is part of this whole discussion, Kevin, will Syria play a role in the 2012 midterms? 2014, excuse me.

MADDEN: Well, it's -- again, it's still too early to know. I mean I think national security policy always plays a role in elections. But, look, the big problem right now is for the president and his political capital and how that helps his fellow Democrats. There has been a tremendous degradation of the president's confidence level with the American public. They don't feel that he has a clear -- he's providing a clear direction on national security. That is going to complicate things for folks up on Capitol Hill in his party when you look at the politics of it.

But more importantly, it's complicating his ability to get anything done right now. Regardless of the current developments that we've seen today with the Russian proposal and the French proposal, there is a wide consensus that the president and his team have bungled this from the very beginning. He has to use tonight's address to somehow change that direction and provide a little bit more -- give the American people a little bit more confidence that he's got a clear vision and he's got an integrated strategy here that's going to help America's national security interests. He hasn't done that at this point.

BRAZILE: But, you know what, I -

BALDWIN: But with the clear vision - and I saw the eye roll, Donna Brazile, so I'll let you explain that. But also, at the same time, I'm wondering how much skepticism should be - when it comes to this Russian/Syrian plan, should be part of this speech tonight.

BRAZILE: Oh, I - you know, I would just hold Mr. Putin and the rest of them with a long-handled spoon. I just don't trust them. Verify, verify.

But, look, this is a life and death situation. Over 100,000 people have been - die by conventional means, 1,400 possibly chemical means, 2 million Syrians displaced. It's a humanitarian crisis. This is life and death. And I know we throw politics into everything. I don't think the president gives a hoot about his poll numbers. He cares about these chemical weapons being put in the hands of the wrong people and being, you know, delivered to the wrong location. So he has every right to make this a serious crisis and he had every right to tell Congress they should debate it. I know they're uncomfortable debating and having a conversation. God forbid if they have to vote. But this is a very serious issue and I'm glad the president has given the Congress and the American people some time to weigh in on it.

BALDWIN: Donna Brazile and Kevin Madden, thanks, you two, very much for both your perspectives.

MADDEN: Great (ph) -

BALDWIN: You both mentioned, of course, the big speech tonight. Special CNN coverage of the president's primetime address begins tonight here on CNN at 7:00 Eastern. You have "Erin Burnett OutFront," "Anderson Cooper 360," and then Wolf Blitzer will anchor this speech, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.

Coming up, a defector from the Syrian regime today coming out and insisting this Russian proposal will absolutely not stop Bashar al Assad from killing. You will hear from him.

Plus, just a short time ago, Apple news, unveiling a new iPhone. We're going to tell you about the surprises and, as you can see, the colors.

And police say a newlywed pushed her husband off a cliff. Folks, they were married one week. It is a tragic story that has all of you talking. Stay right here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right, back to our breaking news. As you heard at the top of the hour, we have learned through this Russian news agency that Syria's now saying, OK, we will tell you where our stockpile of chemical weapons are. Keep in mind, they have the largest stockpile of anyone in the Middle East. But, again, we have to approach this with a heavy dose of skepticism considering the source is, a, Russia, b, Syria. They're good friends and they have not played very nice with the United States.

Let's go to our senior international correspondent Arwa Damon, who's covering this story out of Beirut.

And, Arwa, when you hear this news here, that Russia says this about Syria, and at the same time this notion of, you know, going in, in the midst of a civil war and controlling these weapons, how realistic is that?

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's going to be a formidable task. And this is basically Syria saying, look, I'm going to play nice, at least publicly. I will show you the facilities. I will let you try to contain the stockpiles. And I will halt production.

It's been quite a remarkable turn of events over the last 24 hours. One, if we look at Syria's position yesterday, it was a country that was facing possibly an imminent strike by U.S. forces. And now, all of a sudden, the Syrians, and their key allies, the Russians and the Iranians jumping on board too, now effectively have the upper hand. And this is why the Syrian opposition is so devastated by all of these events. They believe that this Russian proposal is going to just simply buy the Assad regime even more time. It is a logistical nightmare. You have the issue of getting inspectors in, of actually reaching the sites, the potential sites in the midst of a very ferocious civil war and then securing and eventually destroying these various chemical weapons stockpiles. Now, we also heard today from a defector, the chief medical officer from the city of Aleppo, finally making it to Turkey. He had been compiling research on an attack, a suspected chemical attack, that took place in the province of Aleppo back in March. And listen to how he described what people went through then.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELTAWWAB SHAHROUR, FORMER CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF ALEPPO (through translator): All had problems in breathing, foaming, eyes were in shock. A number had blurred vision. Members of the medical team, me, myself, we suffered from -- we were affected.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAMON: And, Brooke, that's just one description from one medical doctor. One doesn't really need to remind our viewers about those horrific images that we saw emerging from the August 21st attack on the outskirts of Damascus. The opposition will also say in the midst of all of this, look, you're talking about chemical weapons right now. Well, we've had over 100,000 people killed using conventional weapons. The debate also needs to be about finding an end to this ever increasingly brutal civil war, Brooke. BALDWIN: Right, that is not to say that by controlling these chemical weapons that the bloodshed will stop. Arwa Damon for us in neighboring Lebanon. Arwa, thank you.

We will stay on the Syria story momentarily, but we're going to take a look at some big news from Apple this afternoon as they have announced its latest version of the iPhone. What does this mean for you? What should you expect? We have all the latest, the buzz on the features and the cool stuff, including a fingerprint sensor. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: When Apple plans an announcement, of course, all eyes turn to Cupertino, California, hoping for some of the excitement here that once meant the unveiling of ground-breaking products like the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad. So today's buzz surrounds a release of not just one phone, two new iPhone models and this whole new operating system. The iPhone 5C is a cheaper version, comes in all kinds of colors, like you see here, and will begin at a mere $99. Meanwhile, the iPhone 5S, twice as fast as the previous generation. CNN's Maggie Lake joins me from New York.

And I guess the colors are fun, but tell me, really, what are they really offering here?

MAGGIE LAKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, Brooke, the colors are fun to (ph) see, the price tag appeal to some. But when you're looking at, is this a total game changer, we have to look at the 5S. And there, there are some new things that are cool. I don't know if they will qualify as radical, but the two things are speed and security. And they do matter considering how much we use these phones for. It's going to be a heck of a lot faster, that 5S. It's got that fingerprint security touch I.D. that we had anticipated. And as we know, crime surrounding stealing these iPhones has been a really big deal.

They also have something called a motion chip now, an M-7 motion chip, which is going to enable a whole new batch of these health apps, fitness apps. And we know how popular that is for those people who wear those bands. And the camera is going to be a lot better, again. And that matters. People use phones for -- cameras on their phones all the time. It's replacing regular.

So all those features together definitely for people who are increasingly unplugging and only using their smartphone, it's going to be great. For those who are going to look to upgrade, this may convince them to go with Apple again. But this isn't something totally new, except when you think about the fact that there is now this C version, this cheaper version out there.

BALDWIN: OK. I'm sure that will appeal to some and I have been a victim and I love the idea of a fingerprint sensor. Maggie Lake, thank you very much, for the news from Apple.

Want to get you back to our breaking news about Syria. The regime reportedly will disclose the locations of its chemical weapons. But practically speaking, how the heck does that work? How do inspectors find and secure all these weapons in the midst of this civil war? Christiane Amanpour weighs in live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)