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Growing Fears Over the Safety of Nuclear Power Plant; EU Says Kosovo, Serbia Agreed to Continue Talks; Flash Drought Conditions Expand, Intensify in Northeastern U.S.; Many Calm in Taiwan Despite Threats from China. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired August 19, 2022 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: Now the leaders of Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations held an emergency meeting on Thursday in hopes of preventing a potential nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia power plant. The sprawling facility hasn't been inspected since Russia seized it in March and recent shelling in the area has only heightened fears over the safety of the plant.

The three leaders agreed on a basic framework to allow international inspectors to visit the site but Moscow would have to approve. After the meeting they were blunt invoicing their concerns.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Russia has to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all forces from the territory of the Zaporizhzhia power station and stop all provocations and all shelling. It is unacceptable that Russia puts all of us at the brink of nuclear catastrophe.

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, TURKISH PRESIDENT (through translator): We expressed our concern about the ongoing conflict around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We do not want to experience a new Chernobyl.

ANTONIO GUTERRES, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: Military equipment and personnel should be withdrawn from the plant. Further deployment of forces or equipment to the site must be avoided. The area needs to denuclearize. And we must tell it as it is. Any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia is suicide.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: Showing Russian military trucks inside the plant parks near a nuclear reactor. It's not known when the video was taken. Ukraine accuses Russia of using the site to shield its military equipment from Ukrainian attacks and to fire on nearby towns.

CNN's Sam Kiley is joining us now live from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. And Sam, we saw yesterday claims of false flag operations that have raised fears that Russia may be preparing for a provocation at the plant. So, what more are you hearing?

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think one of the things we have to do in this is separate propaganda from reality. Isn't that after all that's what you and I struggle with on a regular basis covering this story, Christina. But the reality is that we know that the Russians have been using the nuclear power station as a fire base.

Yesterday I visited a village directly opposite the nuclear power station on the Ukrainian controlled side of the Dnipro River and there were rocket strikes and a house was destroyed from rocket strikes from -- directly from that location. Now the

Ukrainians have been accused by Russia of having struck back at certain locations in and around that nuclear facility. And that of course raises the specter of some kind of accident. The Ukrainians are swearing blind that they haven't and are not conducting any kind of attacks against this nuclear reactor, six nuclear reactors on that location, precisely because of the dangers that it poses not just to Ukraine but the wider community in Europe and indeed to Russia.

The wind at the moment is in the direction of Russia. So, if there were a disaster there, it would be catastrophic for Russia and Russian occupied areas of Ukraine.

But amid all of this, the Ukrainians are also conducting some nuclear cleanup drills yesterday and the day before particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region. They are concerned that something might go wrong there. But the false flag allegations are often thrown at Russia because Russia has form in its own past for conducting fake attentions even on some of its own locations to blame for example the Chechen rebels back in the in the '90s.

The Russians meanwhile are accusing the Ukrainians of recklessly endangering the nuclear power station and the environment. Of course, all of this boils down to the absolute reality can which is Russian has invaded this country, it has seized the biggest nuclear power station in the whole of Europe. And it has also declared that it wants to shift its production of electricity to Crimea which of course the Russians seized and illegally annexed already. That technically poses a great deal of problems.

So not only is there a military threat to the nuclear power station, but there's also potentially a technical threat. And for many nuclear scientists the latter poses the greater risk -- Christina.

MACFARLANE: Yes, an extremely volatile situation. Sam as you say, important to take a step back and consider these claims and allegations as they come. Sam Kiley, thanks very much for now Zaporizhzhia.

Well Russian's foreign ministry says it expects international inspectors to visit the power plant in the near future. While Kyiv and Moscow are accusing each other of endangering the facility -- as you heard there from Sam. And we're hearing from pro-Russian civilian authorities in

Zaporizhzhia about steps they say they are taking to increase security.

[04:35:00]

One official said the protection system of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been strengthened due to a possible attempt by the Ukrainian army to strike at the facility. CNN's Fred Pleitgen is standing by for us in Moscow and joins us now. Fred, what more are you hearing about these potential steps and also about the possibility of these international inspectors gaining access to the plant?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Christina. Yes, as far as the steps are concerned, essentially the Russians every day accuse the Ukrainian of shelling the area of that nuclear power plant or the area around that nuclear power plant.

And specifically on this day of course the Russian military has said that they believe that there will be a false flag operation on the part of the Ukrainians and there have been even some officials who said that they believe that the Ukrainians were trying to create a radiation leak at that nuclear power plant to then blame that on the Russians. So that's sort of the backdrop of what Moscow has been saying and also, what the military civilian officials there in the Zaporizhzhia region have been saying as well. Who then said that they were going to increase the security around that nuclear power plant site.

Now as far as the visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency is concerned, the Russian foreign ministry has indeed said that they expect that visit will happen in the not too distant future. They say that it was agreed upon in June and so far, at least as far as they are concerned it is still something that can happen and certainly something that they would be willing to facilitate as well. Of course, we do know so far, we're still probably pretty far away from that and still seems as though it could be very difficult to actually pull that off.

At the same time, it's quite interesting because one of the reasons why the Russians keep talking about the possible provocations is they said they believe that something could happen while the U.N. Secretary-General is in Ukraine. And of course, we heard from the U.N. Secretary-General in our segment just now calling for the area around the Zaporizhzhia power plant and the power plant itself to become a demilitarized zone to ensure the nuclear safety.

The Russians have shot that notion down saying they're not going to withdraw their troops from the Zaporizhzhia power plant because they don't trust the Ukrainians.

So, it seems as though what the U.S. is calling for, what the Europeans are call willing for, what the U.N. Secretary-General is calling for, to have that area demilitarized, is simply not going to happen. At the same time the Russians as we've been reporting accusing the Ukrainians of continuously shelling that area and also saying that obviously this is a very dangerous situation. It's quite interesting because one official said right now there's actually only one reactor working in that power plant which I believe has six reactors. And so, already in a very decreased mode of operation anyway -- Christina.

MACFARLANE: Yes, and if those international inspectors gain access, it would of course be a huge step potentially for the safety and security of that plant. Our Fred Pleitgen from Moscow, thanks very much, Fred.

The European Union says Serbia and Kosovo have agreed to keep talking after negotiations failed to get any traction on Thursday. The two countries leaders met with the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell in Brussels. They tried to dial down the growing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo which are threatening to escalate into a bigger conflict. Borrell says despite lack of progress on Thursday, negotiators will keep on trying.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEP BORRELL, EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Today's meeting was not a normal meeting. I don't give up. Today is not that we win but we don't give up. We need to continue discussing. We need to look for a solution. Discussions will continue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Kosovo is a former Serbian province that declared independence 14 years ago. But ethnic Serbs there don't recognize that and there are refusing to use Kosovo's license plates and other documents which are set to become mandatory on September 1.

Now from heavy rainfall to extreme heat, the U.S. will see it all this weekend -- Derek.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, that's right. Many parts of our country thirsty for rain while some other parts of our country are receiving too much too quick leading to a flash flood. We also have a chance of severe weather and tropical mischief brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. I'll highlight all these stories coming up after the break.

[04:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MACFARLANE: Welcome back. Normally dry Southwestern U.S. states have seen double their normal rainfall in recent weeks, leading to some drought relief. But it's a different story in New England where experts say a flash drought has developed. Some rivers and streams are reportedly at record low levels and with little to no rain forecast this week, it could get worse. Experts say the drought has now expanded to other parts of the U.S. Northeast including in Massachusetts where the entire state is in some level of drought for the first time in more than seven years. Let's talk more about it with CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam. And it's a pretty topsy-turvy picture at the moment -- Derek. VAN DAM: Yes, Christina, check this out. I'm going to take you back two weeks ago, this is New England, here is Massachusetts -- you were just talking about that a moment ago. And I want you to show -- I want you to see just how the drought conditions expand and intensify as I go forward.

So, I'll advance to the next map and this is actually the latest drought monitor. You can see how Boston to Providence, Rhode Island, is included within that extreme profile of drought. That is of course showing this flash drought that's occurring.

So, what's the difference between a flash drought and what is happening over the Southwestern U.S. that's considered a mega drought? Well, a flash drought -- what they're experiencing across portions of the New England coastline is that rapid onset of drought conditions. That's an intensification within a matter of weeks. You saw that when I showed you the comparison between two weeks ago and just now. And then it's also set in that motion by the low rain and high temperature profile -- which they've had.

Now the mega drought out West, it's a whole completely different story. We're talking about decades of drought problems across that area which by the way are starting to get eaten away at slowly but surely. We like to see that this. But you know, a lot of rain could lead to some serious problems because the ground here is so hard, it is so compacted from the multidecade drought that this amount of precipitation in a short period of time could lead to serious troubles.

We have the potential today at least for flash flooding across Arizona and New Mexico, that's where the Weather Prediction Center has a level three of four on its flash flood prediction scale. We also have National Weather Service issuing flood watches across much of the state of Arizona and New Mexico, including Phoenix to Albuquerque as well.

Look at this difference. The latest drought monitor for both of these states has improved somewhat with the latest rainfall we've had. But with additional rainfall in the forecast, this could lead to flash flooding and we'll see that rain shift eastward into the state of Texas which desperately needs rain too. But too much too quickly could lead to flooding for them.

[04:45:00]

Hey, heads up, keep an eye to the sky if you're located in Iowa today, the chance of severe weather exists. Slight risk expected from Waterloo to Morgan, damaging winds and large hail.

And as I mentioned before the break the potential for some tropical activity across the Gulf of Mexico, here it's, National Hurricane Center has a 40 percent probability. Christina, good news is it should stay away from the United States.

MACFARLANE: Gosh let's hope so. Derek, thanks very much there for that entire roundup. Appreciate it.

Now thunderstorms sweeping across Western Europe have left at least a dozen people dead. Five were killed around the French island of Corsica, ten suffered injuries on boats mostly from falling. Authorities received nearly 125 calls for help at sea.

Elsewhere in Europe at least five were killed in Austria and two others in Italy. About 100 people were evacuated from their homes this Italy's Tuscany region.

And at least 17 people have been killed in flash flooding in northwestern China according to state media. At least 17 others are missing. Thousands are involved in ongoing search and rescue missions. A sudden heavy rainfall led to mudslides and diverted rivers in three areas. More than 6,000 people have been impacted by the flooding.

Well, Taiwan and China are both showcasing their military capabilities this week as cross strait tensions continue to rise in the wake of several U.S. lawmakers visiting the self-governing island.

CNN's Blake Essig is joining me live from Taipei. And Blake since those high profile U.S. visits, Taiwan announcing daily military drills from China over the Taiwan Strait. So, what is the mood there for people about this constant provocation?

BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's hard to ignore, Christina, it always seems to be in some capacity on people's minds. But people here in Taiwan have been living under this constant threat from China for roughly the past seven decades. But as of late tensions between China and Taiwan have seemingly gotten worse following some of these high level visits earlier this month.

While the international community has viewed Beijing's recent fiery rhetoric, the military exercises as a dress rehearsal for war, I went out onto the streets in Taipei to find out exactly how the people living here feel about the recent developments.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Twice this month, U.S. congressional delegations, one of them led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei. Their goal to reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan and help ease cross strait tensions. Although the U.S. delegations came and went, Beijing responded by condemning the visits and flexing its military muscle, while the people of Taiwan were left to deal with the consequences.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): We kind of expected cross strait tension to be escalated because of the visit. I don't think the visits are helping Taiwan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): I think it was selfish of Pelosi to visit Taiwan.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): Since there is the Taiwan Relations Act, maybe they are visiting to reassure us that they stand with us. I don't think they provoke China. After all, threats from China never stop.

ESSIG: Despite the constant threat of a forceful reunification from China, take a look around. Life here continues. The shopping district is packed, restaurants are full. And while some people are concerned, the mood here is surprisingly calm.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): We can't rule out the possibility of them to attack Taiwan.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): Being worried isn't helpful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): I don't think China dares to really attack Taiwan. They're just posturing to enhance cohesion domestically.

ESSIG: Although there's a quiet confidence that Taiwan's military would be able to hold off a Chinese invasion --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): Taiwan's military has regular exercises, and I have faith in them.

ESSIG: If war does break out, there are many people here who say that they'll do whatever they can to help fight for their island, whether that's by taking up arms or learning to provide first aid, which is why Civil Defense courses like this are being held and why this class is full.

ENOCH WU, FOUNDER OF FORWARD ALLIANCE: There's no delusion about the fact that we face, however, will remain calm because this is the reality that we've lived under for so many years. But it's -- when I see folks turning out for events like this one, I know that while we're not running around panicked that PLA might attack tomorrow, we all know that we can do more and we must do more to help preserve the peace.

BRUCE CHEN, TAIWANESE CITIZEN (through translation): I believe the better our preparation is, the less chance to war will be because our rival will not win easily. And it is important to show them that we are prepared.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ESSIG (on camera): Now peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is all really anyone wants here. It's a concept sadly though that people here still tell me that seems more unlikely with each passing day given the current circumstances. It's a sentiment seemingly echoed by Beijing officials during their six days of live fire drills following Speaker Pelosi's visit with the underlying message here that time is on China's side with a fast modernizing military and that reunification with China, Christina, is not a matter of if but when.

[04:50:04]

MACFARLANE: Yes, this is an important issue. Blake, good to have you there monitoring this for us. It's a story we will of course continue to watch closely, thank you.

All right, coming up, the NFL decides the fate of embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson. Just how long he's out when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MACFARLANE: Welcome back. The National Football League NFL and Players Association have agreed to suspend Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for 11 games without pay. The embattled quarterback also faces a $5 million fine after being accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women. Watson is also to undergo professional evaluation by behavioral experts. Under the agreement Watson will be eligible to play this week 13 against his former team the Texans.

Now Elon Musk joked about buying Manchester United but now British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is signaling his interest in purchasing the club -- if it's for sale. He's the majority shareholder of the chemical group INEOS which owns several other sporting entities. Ratcliffe also made a late bid for Chelsea in May.

[04:55:00]

The interest In the Red Devils came after a Bloomberg report citing unnamed sources that the club's owners the Glazer family are open to selling a minority stake. No comment from the Glazer's, however. Man U's worth currently at $4.6 billion and FY, they are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Veteran ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale says he is cancer free. He tweeted, that according to his doctors he had gone from being in remission to being cancer free. Vitale had been battling two types of cancer, lymphoma, which was diagnosed with last year, and melanoma, which he's undergone multiple surgeries for. After his diagnosis, he took a break from doing games to rest his vocal cords.

And before we go, there's no doubt that Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas album and the hit single "All I Want For Christmas" are classic stable of the holiday season.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIAH CAREY, SINGER: All I want to Christmas is you ...

MACFARLANE: But Carey's attempt to trademark the title "Queen of Christmas" is getting some pushback from two other singers. Carrie filed the trademark application in March of last year. But it was only made public recently. Elizabeth Chan who performs only Christmas music has filed a formal objection and Darlene Love wrote on Facebook that she has been the Queen of Christmas since before Mariah Carey even became famous.

Well, as a jingle jangle bell right on the hands there.

That does it for this edition of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Christina MacFarlane in London. Stay with us, "EARLY START" with Christine Romans is next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)