Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Israeli-Palestinian Talks in Egypt to Prolong Ceasefire; Hamas's Political Risk If End of Blockade Isn't Negotiated in Peace Talks; Ebola Global Outbreak; First Ebola Patient Brought to Spain; Putin Amasses Troops on Ukrainian Border; Trial of Oscar Pistorius Finishing in South Africa

Aired August 07, 2014 - 04:30   ET

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

(COMMERCILA BREAK)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, finding a permanent peace in Gaza. This morning, negotiators working to find common ground between Hamas and Israel. As time left in the three-day cease-fire runs out. Live team coverage, straight ahead.

Ebola emergency: the Centers for Disease Control issuing its highest alert here in the United States. This, while the deadly virus rages across Africa. Communities quarantine the travel ban as an infected Spanish priest arrives in Madrid, bringing the virus to Europe also for the first time. We are tracking all the latest developments live. Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm Poppy Harlow. It is 30 minutes past the hour.

Day three of the ceasefire in Gaza, and all is quiet between Hamas and Israel. Egyptian mediators now planning to shuttle between Palestinian and Israeli delegations trying to hammer out a longer truce. This one expires just after midnight Eastern Time. So, just not very long. Secretary of State, John Kerry urging Israel and the Palestinians to try to find a permanent two-state solution to this crisis. Let's go straight to Cairo and bring in Reza Sayah. Reza, a two-state solution has been a hope for a long time, and hasn't happened. And the indication this time, it could be different?

REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This one, unfortunately, there's no indication that things are going to be different. What we do know is that these two sides have roughly 20 hours to make things happen. But there are growing signs that these two sides are at an impasse, that they are stuck. Not on the big issues, not on the so called four demands, not on a path to establishing a permanent resolution, they are stuck on the question of extending this cease-fire past 8:00 a.m. local time on Friday. Essentially, what you have is the Israelis pushing for an extension of the cease-fire.

However, some members of the Palestinian delegation, notably Hamas, who has been doing the fighting in Gaza, they are saying they are not on board. That they didn't come here to extend the ceasefire. That they want to sit down across the table from the other side and make something happen, address the core demands. What could cause problems for the Palestinians is at least some delegates seem to be OK with the ceasefire. Obviously, that could cause divisions within the delegations. Here is Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat on the challenges of these talks so far.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAEB EREKAT, PALESTINIAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR: We were working so hard now. We were working so hard the president of the Palestinian, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, myself, and through the good offices of the Secretary of State John Kerry, who is exerting every possible effort and unweavering commitment, getting in touch with all parties involved, including sometimes six, seven times a day to us, doing nothing short of trying to get an open-ended ceasefire.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAYAH: It's been tough to monitor these talks because these have been indirect negotiations being held in secret. Still, you start to see the growing mistrust between the two sides and the fact is that they are not on the same page with a number of major issues. We spoke to a Palestinian delegate who told CNN that he is not convinced that this Israeli delegation is here in Cairo to address the core demands, to reach a permanent resolution. Obviously, Poppy, that's an indication of how complicated these talks are. Again, the clock is running out. The two sides have roughly 20 hours to make something happen.

HARLOW: The core demands being Israel wants Hamas to completely demilitarize. And Hamas is demanding that those economic barriers, blockades are opened and the borders are opened for Gazans. And those are two things that neither side has been willing to do. Do you get a sense, Reza, that after three, almost three days now of no rockets or missiles being fired across the border, that if they can't come to that agreement in the next 20 hours, that they will start fighting again or do you see here from what you are hearing maybe a prolonged, few weeks long humanitarian ceasefire?

SAYAH: Poppy, as we approach 8:00 a.m. local time Friday, the deadline, there are increasing reports, unconfirmed increasing reports on social media that Hamas is threatening to start firing rockets, again, if they don't reach some sort of agreement by Friday morning. Obviously, if these talks start to fall apart, you are going to look at the international community, you are going to look at Egypt. Because pressure is going to start rolling on them. The world has watched this conflict. The staggering death toll. They don't want to go back to the scenes that we have observed over the past four weeks. They don't want the death toll to go up. So, look for pressure to increase on Egypt, on the international community, to at least get the sides to extend the ceasefire beyond 8:00 a.m. Friday.

HARLOW: Nearly 2,000 deaths over the last four weeks in this conflict. Appreciate the reporting, Reza, thank you.

And as I just said, over 1900 people dead, more than $4 billion in infrastructure damage. And U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon declaring his organization is ready to help rebuild Gaza, but with this big caveat, this will be "the last time," he says. The Israelis is continuing to hammer Hamas for the hundreds of civilian casualties, because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is insisting Israel's assault on Gaza was proportional and justified. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: The tragedy of Gaza is that it is ruled by Hamas, a tyrannical and fanatical terror group that relishes civilian casualties. They want civilian casualties. They use them as PR factor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Meanwhile, Hamas is calling for a rally in Gaza City. Today, John Vause joins us live from Gaza. John, let's talk more about Hamas' demands. Because there have been increasing reports and experts saying look, Hamas is more entrenched now because the casualties have gone so high. They don't want this to be for not, and they are going to go all the way here. They are very, very insistent on their key demand.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, look, there does seem to be a calculation, which has played into all of this by Hamas. They were struggling here in Gaza before this fighting broke out, they were politically unpopular, the economy was really struggling, unemployment was through the roof. This war started, and as is the case in any war, the local population has, at least for the time being rallied around Hamas as they have taken this fight to Israel. Sometimes when those rockets are launched from here before the ceasefire went into effect, you could actually hear people cheering. They support what they call the resistance against Israel. That's the situation right now. Once this starts, once there is no more fighting, what Hamas desperately needs is something to show for this.

So, if the situation stays exactly as it is, exactly as it was before July 8, when the military offensive by Israel began, then Hamas is in serious political trouble, which is why they have stuck to these demands time and time and time again, which is why, one of the reasons why they rejected this Egyptian ceasefire proposal about three weeks ago. Because it did not address that fundamental core issue, which Hamas wants addressed, and that is lifting the economic blockade and reopening the borders. Another sticking point a couple of weeks ago was the presence of Israeli troops as they continue to look through those tunnels. That military operation is now done. The Israelis have withdrawn to the other side of the border. That's no longer an issue. But as far as Hamas is concerned, and this is being on the table every time there's been any talk of some kind of ceasefire, they need, from their point of view, progress. Maybe not resolution in the next 20 hours or so on these issues, but they want to see a real progress towards an ending of the economic blockade. Because once this is all done, if Gaza returns to the situation that it was pre- July 8, only now having been hammered by 28-day long military offensive, then politically, they could very well be doomed here in Gaza. Poppy?

HARLOW: Yeah. The calculations in all of this on both sides, but people stuck in the middle and victims. We appreciate your report, John, from Gaza. Thanks.

For the latest now on this global Ebola outbreak. The CDC issuing its highest alert level one reserved for only the most serious public health emergencies. It is an all hands on deck response to the deadly virus in West Africa. President Obama trying to keep everyone calm.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Despite the fact that we have to take this very seriously, it is important to remind ourselves, this is not an airborne disease. This is one that can be controlled and contained very effectively, if we use the right protocols.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Meantime, the FDA has okayed the use of unapproved test for Ebola, but a vaccine to combat it, well, it is at least a year away. As for those two Americans infected with the Ebola virus, they are thank goodness, showing signs of recovery at the Atlanta hospital where they are right now. They did receive an experimental serum.

In West Africa, the Ebola virus is spreading with really alarming speed. Over 1700 suspected or confirmed cases now in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. With well over half - 932 of these people have died. In Sierra Leone and Liberia, state of emergency has been declared, troops called in to quarantine the Ebola victims. And the impact of this outbreak is now being felt globally. A man in Saudi Arabia died after visiting Sierra Leone on a business trip. Testing is under way right now to see if it was, indeed, Ebola that killed him.

And Spain airlifting an Ebola-stricken 75-year-old priest out of Liberia bringing him home for treatment. He just arrived in Madrid a few hours ago. Let's go straight to Erin McLaughlin. She's tracking the latest developments for us from London. So, Erin, if I am correct, this is the first time that a patient infected with Ebola has been in Europe, right?

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Poppy. It's the first time a patient infected with Ebola has been treated in Spain and it's the first patient to be treated in Europe since the current outbreak in Western Africa began. 75-year-old Miguel - Father Miguel Pajares has arrived at around 2:00 a.m. Eastern from Liberia. He landed in Madrid on board an Airbus A-310, which had been specially equipped for his repatriation. Earlier in the week, he gave an interview to CNN Espanol, in which he described some of his symptoms. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FATHER MIGUEL PAJARES (through translator): I got a fever and drowsiness. I sleep. I'm always half asleep. I have no appetite at all. Today, I spent the day without eating anything. I have no appetite and energy. I have tried to eat. I have also a lot of joint pain, especially pain around the hips. And my knees are also effected.

(END VIDEO CLIP) MCLAUGHLIN: We understand since that interview on Monday from his sister that his condition has deteriorated, which is, perhaps, why Spanish authorities really scrambled to secure his repatriation now. In terms of his treatment, we understand that they have cleared out the entire sixth floor of a major hospital in Madrid, La Paz Hospital. They have sealed off the rooms. So, plenty of preparations under way in Spain now for his arrival and his treatment beginning now. In terms of that treatment, it's not entirely clear the protocols they are going to be following. Also not clear if Spain has asked the United States for access to that serum which seems to have helped the two American patients that are currently being treated in Georgia. Poppy?

HARLOW: Yeah, there's so much focus on that right now. The serum that is not approved, but appears to be working on the two patients here in the United States. Let's see if that is more widely used. Thanks so much, Erin. I appreciate it.

All right, happening now, thousands of Russian troops gathering at Ukraine's border. Is Vladimir Putin planning to invade? We are talking about 20,000 troops. We'll take you live with the very latest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Right now, 20,000 Russian troops are positioned at the border with Ukraine armed with mobile missile systems, also heavy artillery. The Obama administration growing increasingly concerned about a possible full-scale invasion. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel warning this week it is now a real and growing possibility. President Obama, though, holding firm claiming the Ukrainians do not need U.S. military aid. Because he says the sanctions are slowly crippling the U.S. economy. Let's go straight to Nick Paton Walsh in Donetsk, Ukraine. And I know, Nick, it's already been a tense morning there.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly, Poppy. Apparently, according to local officials, shells have been landing around the Security Service building here in Donetsk. That is a key rebel headquarters. Now, if that was a case, it was just that the Ukrainian military are trying to target the rebel infrastructure here, very much in the center of the city here. Now, this morning, at dawn, to the south, there was quite a substantial amount of consistent artillery coming in. But I think it's fair to say separatist militants are very concerned. They are thinning out in number, that's true. During the night, too, we heard intermittent explosions. We have heard explosions in distance, too, in the last half hour as well. Normally between 10:00 and 2:00, there's sort of a ceasefire announced by the Ukraine military to allow people to move around. Clearly, today, they are making an exception so that they can target that security service building. Other areas targeted overnight. The clock really ticking, I think, if Russia wants to intervene militarily, if they want to try it and bolster or bail out even the separatist movement.

Many say they started armed and funded and even get personnel - they have to move reasonably quickly, because things are moving fast here. The Ukrainian military in evidence all around the city taking territory quickly. And a real sense, I think the clock is ticking, regardless of the Kremlin's rhetoric. Yes, they passed sanctions against European country that has passed sanctions against them, but many Russian commentators say all that is actually done. If stopped, some Russians getting European food stuffs they quite like, that will still to be worked out in the details. But a messy day here in Donetsk, and it's just getting started, Poppy.

HARLOW: You know, and it's interesting, Nick. Our Colonel - one of our experts pointed out yesterday that a lot of these vehicles, Russian vehicles on the border have humanitarian symbols and they'll say they are there for humanitarian reasons. Well, that's the same thing we saw, frankly, before the annexation of Crimea. So, we'll see what happens. Nick, appreciate your report. Thanks so much.

The beginning of the end in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. The former Olympic runner accused of murdering his girlfriend. But has he convinced the judge it was all just a tragic mistake? We are live in South Africa with the latest after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: After nearly six weeks of testimony and a few long and unexpected delays, the Oscar Pistorius murder trial is nearing its end. Closing arguments underway this morning in South Africa. Prosecutor has one last opportunity to try to convince the high court that the former Olympian committed pre-meditated murder when he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have the deceased three o'clock in the morning taking a cell phone with her to the toilet. We have the deceased, 3:00 in the morning, standing out front, fully clothed and shot four times. There's no intruder, no noises. And that is our argument.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Kelly Phelps outside the courthouse live from Pretoria. How are they doing, Kelly? You've been covering this the entire time. How are they doing so far in these closing arguments?

KELLY PHELPS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I think arguably, this is the state's most confident moment in the trial so far. They have really come out strong right from the beginning of closing arguments and actually allege that the court should outright reject Pistorius' version of events, that there are too many contradictions within his various versions. And if you reject his defense, what is left is the circumstantial facts, which they say makes up a gruesome mosaic of events. So, a very powerful beginning for them.

HARLOW: And what's also interesting, just in the past few hours, hearing what is under way right now there in the courtroom, we have learned something key about the defense and what they will present from what the state has said.

PHELPS: Yes. Hearing now has been referring to the defense's heads of arguments which we'll hear probably tomorrow. But one thing that was revealed is that they have, in fact, tailored their defense. Previously, they were only arguing a defense of mistaken belief in self-defense. And they have not added another alternative defense of incapacity. And this will be quite difficult for the defense. They will need to explain why they have taken this last minute change of direction.

HARLOW: And can you quickly explain to us, what are they arguing - He was incapacitated in which way?

PHELPS: So, they are saying that because of his over-exaggerated startal response, which we heard about from one of the last expert witnesses, Professor Derman, that essentially, he reacted in shock and sprite, and that his actions weren't therefore controlled by his mind which led him to be incapacitated under the law.

HARLOW: Interesting. We will be watching it very closely. And this is well under way right now. Hearing from the state and shortly, I'd expect, from the defense. And then it is all up to the judge, because in South Africa, of course, they do not have a jury. We will be watching. Thank you, Kelly, I appreciate it. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)