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Iraqi Militants Chased from Oil Refinery; Obama, Congressional Leaders Meet on Iraq; Texas Man Accused of Supporting Terrorists; No Emotional Family Reunion for Bergdahls; U.S. Hopes Higher After Spain Knocked Out?

Aired June 19, 2014 - 09:00   ET

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

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome, everyone. NEWSROOM starts right now.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Poppy Harlow in today for Carol Costello. Thanks so much for joining me.

We begin this hour in Iraq. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki says his government troops are pushing back the terrorist that are advancing on Baghdad but his leadership may become a casualty of this conflict nonetheless.

Many in Washington this morning and our Arab allies believe Maliki can't unify his own country to repel this invasion and prevent another civil war. More lawmakers now say he has got to go.

I also want to -- take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: It seems to me that Maliki has to be convinced that it is in the greater interests of his country to retire and to -- for this newly elected government to put together a new government.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Now the White House may be hearing some form -- may be nearing, rather, some form of military action, President Obama telling four top lawmakers in Congress he'll seek their input but he does not need their permission.

Our Anderson Cooper is on the ground in Baghdad. We also have Michelle Kosinski at the White House covering all of it.

Let's begin with you, Anderson. You just spent some time there on the ground with young Iraqis signing up for the military. I want to hear about that and also the situation about the largest and critical oil refinery in Iraq to the north of where you are. There's a lot of confusion over who holds control of that right now. Is it ISIS or is it the Iraqi government soldiers?

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, AC 360: Yes, really all eyes are on that refinery. As you said it is Iraq's largest refinery in the north in the town of Baiji, just outside Baiji. ISIS controls that whole area now around the refinery. They have been attacking it for the last day, the last, really, 36 hours or so. Just a few minutes ago, an Iraqi colonel on -- at the refinery holed up with his forces called into Iraqi television, said that they are still at that refinery. They are still fending off ISIS forces.

It's not clear if the forces control part of the refinery or exactly how much the Iraqi government, those Iraqi military forces still control. The workers are gone, the foreign workers have already been evacuated, that occurred before the fighting began.

The refinery has been shut down so that's going to have an impact here at Baghdad, but it will be a big blow to Iraq's government if, in fact, ISIS does take control of that refinery from those last troops who are holding out there.

And as you said, I was just driving around Baghdad and visited with some young Iraqis who have heeded the call, you know, tens of thousands of Iraqis have heeded the call for volunteers to fight ISIS, to sign up. A call made by Shia clerics here in Baghdad and elsewhere throughout Iraq. They have seen a huge turnout for that. I was just at a signup place where there were hundreds of young men, many with no military experience at all, but there volunteering to join the fight if and when -- if and when needed.

HARLOW: You know, also, Anderson, we learned late yesterday that there are some fighter jets off that U.S. aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush flying reconnaissance missions, just intelligence gathering missions over Baghdad, over areas there near where you are, hoping to gather the U.S. intelligence that they're going to need, in case they do follow through with any of those air strikes that Iraq is requesting.

Is the sense on the ground there right now from Iraqis that indeed, they will get that from the United States?

COOPER: Well, there's certainly a lot of hope within the government of Nuri al-Maliki that the U.S. will contribute military help and greater military aid particularly some sort of bombings, whether it's from drones or whether it's from manned aircraft. That is certainly something they have requested, it's something they would like to see. They need as much help as they can get. As you know, the capabilities of the Iraqi forces have come under serious questions out in Mosul and some of these other areas as you get closer to Baghdad.

You know, within Baghdad itself there is a fair amount of confidence, Baghdad being a predominantly Shia city. There's a fair amount of confidence that the Shia forces which surround Baghdad will be able to fend off ISIS. They're more motivated perhaps than troops farther out in Mosul and some of those other towns where they literally threw down their weapons, took off their uniforms and ran even before ISIS forces even showed up.

But certainly word that the U.S. is doing reconnaissance flights, even though it's not an indication necessarily by the Obama administration that they are going to get involved militarily, that they are going to have a bombing campaign. It certainly raises some hope and expectation among the government here.

HARLOW: But briefly, Anderson, do the people, the average citizens on the ground there want us back, want even air strikes?

COOPER: You know, it really depends who you talk to. I mean, you talk to these young men who are volunteering, who are signing sign up, and they say, look, we don't need outsiders helping us, we can do it ourselves. There's a lot of bravado. But you talk to military personnel, you know, off camera often and they say look, we need the aid, we need the help, and certainly we need battlefield intelligence, you know, and any support question we can get would be helpful.

HARLOW: Appreciate the reporting on the ground from Baghdad this morning for us, Anderson. Thank you.

I want to turn now to the White House, Michelle Kosinski there for us.

Michelle, the big headline this morning. A number of members of Congress, also the White House considering whether or not Maliki should be replaced for a more inclusive leader, but also this trepidation, right, that you don't want the U.S. government to appear to be dictating who runs Iraq. What are you hearing this morning from the White House?

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Right. Absolutely. So it's absolutely safe and fine for top members of Congress, even some top U.S. officials, some people anonymously to be saying that this is what really needs to happen, but the White House will not answer that question directly or even would it be better if al-Maliki were to leave or somebody tell him to leave. And that's for good reason.

I mean, true, the White House doesn't want to be publicly calling for regime change and you listen to what they're saying. They answer virtually every other question with, well, Iraqis need to step up politically as well as militarily, even saying that it's a requirement for U.S. action in Iraq for Iraqis to make that kind of effort.

I know it's easy for us when we're talking about possible responses to Iraq to be looking at the military options. Are airstrikes possible? Do we have the intelligence yet? What would that do? What about U.S. Special Forces? But when you look at the White House's assessment of its approach to this situation, it lists, number one, being urging the Iraqi government to form a consensus, and make that inclusive political framework first and then secondly it's bolstering the capacity of Iraqi security forces -- Poppy.

HARLOW: Absolutely. Michelle Kosinski reporting for us at the White House this morning, thank you.

Also this morning an urgent concern about homegrown terror. Two men from Austin, Texas, are behind bars at this hour accused of supporting terrorists in Somalia and Syria. One of the men reportedly told an undercover agent he was practicing cross-fit in preparation to join radical fighters in Syria and watching recruitment videos on YouTube.

These online videos, as you know, have become a key recruitment tool for terrorists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE MOORE, FORMER FBI SPECIAL AGENT: This is something that's been going on for a while, and since even the early 2000s, people from America, whether citizens, naturalized citizens, illegal aliens, whatever, have gone over to terrorist camps overseas. Sites like YouTube can be used by extremist groups to propagandize, to make their case, and to recruit people even in the United States very easily. Where before they were -- they were out of reach of the terrorist groups.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: All right. Let's talk about this with Lieutenant Colonel Rick Francona. He's a CNN military analyst, also a former military liaison to the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Thank you for being here, sir, I appreciate it. When you look at these two situations, they were isolated, we're told by government officials.

LT. COLONEL RICK FRANCONA, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Right.

HARLOW: Isolated incidents. We're also told at this point that one of them was arrested getting on a plane flying to Europe, planning to get into Syria through Turkey. What do you make of this? How big of a threat domestically?

FRANCONA: This is a big problem because these guys fly under the radar. You don't need anyone to approach them. They can do this by themselves on the Internet. I watched a lot of the videos that they're using. ISIS puts them out, the Jabhat Nusra, the Victory Front puts them out, al Qaeda puts them out. They're easily obtainable, they're very slickly done, very seductive. You could see where a young man who's looking for his way might be taken in by this, especially a new convert to Islam who wants to be part of the fight for his faith.

HARLOW: These men both very young, both very young in their 20s. When you think about the age and being radicalized, what does that tell you?

FRANCONA: Well, that tells you we've got a problem because since they don't come to anybody's attention, they can easily slip out of the country. Now the problem will be down the road. If we have a state or an emirate inside of Syria and Iraq where ISIS is in charge, they can go there, be trained and then very easily come back to this country, because they're American citizens, they have American passports. They walk right through security.

HARLOW: And this is all alleged of course but when you looked into the backgrounds of these two men, what did you find? What stood out to you?

FRANCONA: Well, they always -- there's some weakness, and I don't want to say weakness but there's some vulnerability, there's some reason that they're able to be radicalized, where there's --- they're disenchanted with their lot in life, if you're like the one who was born in Bangladesh, didn't find what he was looking for here in the United States and he turns to his religion for his way out, and he sees his way out as joining the jihad and going overseas to fight.

The other one was a convert to Islam, and he now -- he's is caught up in the fervor of the moment. He sees the videos and he says, I want to be part of that. And, you know, for a young man, it's very seductive. The draw it there.

HARLOW: And to be clear here, it's so important to say converting to Islam is one thing in it of itself. Becoming radicalized, et cetera, is completely, completely different.

FRANCONA: It's a far step. It's almost the perversion of the religion.

HARLOW: Short of -- absolutely.

FRANCONA: Yes.

HARLOW: Absolutely. Appreciate the expertise this morning, sir.

FRANCONA: Sure.

HARLOW: Thank you for coming in.

Rick Francona, thank you for that.

Still to come here in the NEWSROOM, former POW Bowe Bergdahl working to be reintegrated into normal life here in the United States, but at this point that does not yet include seeing his parents. Why is that?

Ed Lavandera has that part of the story -- Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Poppy. We're going to take a closer look at that. It's been almost three weeks since Bowe Bergdahl was freed. We'll take a closer look at what's going on with his recovery in San Antonio, Texas. That's story coming up after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Checking top stories for you this hour, one person was injured after a tornado ripped across part of South Dakota last night. The twister left behind a trail of debris and damaged homes, even trapping some residents in their houses. Right now the Red Cross is on the ground helping those who have been displaced and the governor has ordered the National Guard to help with the cleanup.

Meantime, Shelly Sterling heading to court today. She is expected to ask a judge to protect witnesses who may be intimidated by her husband, L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling. That is according to a source with knowledge of the situation. CNN has reached out to Donald Sterling's attorney. So far, though, no response.

And clothing maker American Apparel is kicking out its scandal-plagued CEO Doug Charney. The company's board voted last night to remove Charney because of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct. No details were given as to what that includes.

Meantime, former Army colleagues of Bowe Bergdahl had their say on Capitol Hill at a hearing yesterday. They slammed the former POW and the prisoner exchange that brought him home. His ex-roommate even blamed Bergdahl for his own capture, saying if the soldier had not deserted, he would never have been taken.

But in Texas, Bergdahl is staying quiet for now. As far as we know, he hasn't asked to see or speak with his parents.

Ed Lavandera is following that part of the story.

And, you know, Ed, I found that so interesting but a lot of the psychologists that I talked to over the past few weeks about this said, you know, that is a dramatic step. It really can take a long time for someone in Bowe Bergdahl's situation to be ready for that.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN ANCHOR: You know, it is fascinating, Poppy. We've been talking to the medical psychologists that are a part of this team that are helping out in the reintegration process with Bowe Bergdahl. One hand, they say that family is integral to this reintegration process that they're very much needed, but at the same time the initial meeting can be simply overwhelming.

But, regardless, it's been almost three weeks since Bowe Bergdahl was freed and interesting to note that he still has not met with his family.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: After Taliban captors handed Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl over to a U.S. Special Forces team in Afghanistan, it seemed like an emotional reunion five years in the making would happen quickly between Bergdahl and his parents.

JANI BERGDAHL, BOWE BERGDAHL'S MOTHER: I love you, Bowe.

LAVANDERA: Looking back on the day after Bergdahl's release when his family smoke publicly for the last time, there were clues that Bergdahl's homecoming might be a bumpy ride.

BOB BERGDAHL, BOWE BERGDAHL'S FATHER: The recovery and reintegration of Bowe Bergdahl is a work in progress. I want to really convey that. Because it isn't over for us, and in many ways it's just going for Jani and I and our family.

LAVANDERA: Bergdahl's mother hinted that her son would need time.

JANI BERGDAHL: Give yourself all of the time you need to recover and decompress. There is no hurry. You have your life ahead of you.

LAVANDERA (on camera): Shortly after Sergeant Bergdahl was freed, various military officials suggested that a reunion with his parents would happen relatively quickly. But almost three weeks later, it still hasn't happened.

COL. BRADLEY POPPEN, U.S.ARMY: It's been five years for Sergeant Bergdahl in captivity. A lot has changed in his life and his mind, a lot has changed in his family's lives and we just need to give them all time to recognize how they can come together and be patiently waiting for each either.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): The medical team said he can call his parents at any moment and it's been his choice to delay the reunion. But those around Bergdahl aren't saying exactly why. According to a "Washington Post" report, Bergdahl picked a family friend to receive his remains if he were killed in Afghanistan, not his parents.

After Bergdahl's release, "The Washington Post" reported on a collection of journal entries Bergdahl wrote before his capture and sent to a friend. Bergdahl wrote that he was in an odd place, "Like I'm pulling away from the human world, I want to pull my mind out and drop kick it into a deep gorge." It's a snapshot into the mind of a young soldier struggling to make sense of the world.

Bergdahl will have more to deal with now that his psychologists are beginning to tell him about the media firestorm surrounding his release, and the scathing criticisms coming from his fellow soldiers like Specialist Cody Full who served in Bergdahl's unit.

SPC. CODY FULL (RET), SERVED WITH SGT. BERGDAHL: From what I gathered from it, it was always leave no honorable man behind, not leave no man behind.

STEPHANIE O'NEIL, BERGHDAHL FAMILY FRIEND: We were prepared to have "Bowe is back" and have one great big party and it's not going to happen.

LAVANDERA: The reality is, any hope of a storybook homecoming evaporated long before Bowe Bergdahl even set foot in the United States.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: And, Poppy, like we've mentioned it's been more than two weeks since the Bergdahl parents made any public statements about what's going on with their son and how he is progressing. Military officials there at the medical center were Bowe Bergdahl is being treated say that the Bergdahl family have kind of trusted in this process in this program fully, and they are following the wishes of the people around Bowe Bergdahl.

So if it takes some time for Bowe to communicate with them, that's the steps that they will take. They're saying that the parents are trusting in this process and in the program that is set up for him.

HARLOW: Yes, absolutely. Ed Lavandera for us live in Dallas this morning -- Ed, thank you.

Still to come here in THE NEWSROOM, the reigning World Cup champs are out! Can Spain's shocking loss give hope to an upset minded U.S. team? We sure hope so.

CNN's Amanda Davies is covering is all in Brazil. That's next.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Poppy. Yes, the USA have gone from the Group G underdogs to the ones to watch here in Brazil, the coach Klinsmann says they're going to go even better. I'll be here with a live report from Sao Paulo in just a couple of minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Soccer fans here are not just celebrating the U.S. win in its opening World Cup match but record-breaking ratings as well. The Monday evening battle against Ghana was the most watched soccer game in U.S. history and that record could be broken again when the U.S. team plays in a more favorable time slot this Sunday, a total of 15.9 million viewers tuned in to watch U.S./Ghana on ESPN and Univision Spanish language broadcast. Pretty good numbers.

But take a look at what they compare to, 111.5 million TV viewers for the super bowl or more than 25 million who watched the college football title game but we're getting there, America is getting on board with soccer -- football as they call it.

There is going to be a new champion at this year's World Cup. Chile socked the reigning champs Spain yesterday, handing the team their second loss in ground play and keeping them from advancing to the next round. It is the first time in World Cup history the previous winner has been knocked out after just two matches. Could there be more upsets in the games ahead? The U.S. team and their fans certainly hope so.

Amanda Davis is live for us in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I have to say, rough assignment you have there, my friend.

DAVIES: You know, it is rough today, Poppy. It's the first day I've had to put my coat and scarf on. It's actually really quite cold here in Sao Paulo. But I'm not expecting too much sympathy given I've spent 10 days on the beach in Rio. So, yes, it's not so bad, I have to say.

But, Poppy, let me tell you -- you know when a squad is feeling confident, and that is when they cancel their training sessions, and that is exactly what the U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, did yesterday. He gave his players a day off for their base here in Sao Paulo to spend a bit of time relaxing and seeing a few of the sites.

Klinsmann did, though, address the media. He announced that Clint Dempsey will be fit to play in the game Sunday against Portugal, despite his broken nose, and of course a lot of people fearing the worst, too, about the super striker Jozy Altidore and his hamstring injury. But Klinsmann says he hasn't given up hope. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JURGEN KLINSMANN, TEAM USA COACH: With Jozy, we have to see how he reacts the next couple of days with his hamstring and we are full of hope that he comes back still in this tournament and that's what we're going to work on every day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIES: Poppy, there's been some suggestions that the USA will just be aiming for a draw against Portugal on Sunday. Klinsmann said no. He is setting up his side to go and claim their second win of the tournament.

Of course, a lot of focus on Portugal's star man, Cristiano Ronaldo. He limped out of training again but the Portuguese team said he would be fit to play. They would say that, one of the big battles for Team USA is actually the journey, 1,800 miles from Sao Paulo to where the game is taking place, the venue in the Amazon jungle, the hot, humid venue. And the place that people have said, of all the venues in this World Cup, the toughest to go to.

HARLOW: Wow. Yes, exactly what they probably don't need for this match but you can expect a lot of eyes on it this Sunday.

Amanda Davies live for us in Brazil, thank you.

Still to come here in THE NEWSROOM, as Iraq's turmoil grows deeper, calls for the country's prime minister to leave grow louder. But with sectarian tensions already at the boiling point, will that be enough to put an end to this crisis? We're posing that question to our expert panel, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)