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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Protests in Ferguson Turn Peaceful; Iraqi Prime Minister al- Maliki Steps Down; Crisis Not Over at Mount Sinjar?; Russian Convoy at Ukraine Border

Aired August 15, 2014 - 05:30   ET

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

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning. In just hours police will reveal the name of the officer who shot and killed unarmed teenager, Michael Brown. Nights of violent protest have now turned peaceful. Dramatic new video of the night.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, a new beginning for Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki stepping aside, paving the way for a new government. But can politics help fight off terrorists slowly making inroads in that country?

Live team coverage ahead.

ROMANS: All right. Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: And I'm John Berman. It's 31 minutes past the hour. Great to see you this morning.

ROMANS: Up first, calm and order restored in embattled Ferguson, Missouri. Peaceful protests running into the night. The streets have now been demilitarized after days of violence. Later today, Ferguson Police plan to release the name of the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed teen who witnesses say had his hands in the air when those fatal shots were fired.

After four nights of violence turned the city into a battle zone, the governor of Missouri finally stepped in ordering the state police to take over jurisdiction from the Ferguson Police force.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JAY NIXON (D), MISSOURI: These are, you know, deep and existing problems not only in Missouri, but in America. And this has clearly touched a nerve. And that nerve is not merely from this horrific incident that happened just a few short days ago or any of the interim things. It touches a deeper nerve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: There is a lot of pain in Ferguson right now.

Our Ed Lavandera got a firsthand look during last night's demonstrations. ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, it was one of

the more powerful demonstrations we've seen this week here in the St. Louis area, as about 1,000 people gathered in the shadow of the Gateway Arch here in downtown St. Louis in what was billed as a national moment of silence in honor of Michael Brown, the teenager that was gunned down in the town of Ferguson, Missouri, last weekend.

About 1,000 people, an extremely diverse crowd that we saw gather here today and listen to a variety of speakers. Many people here carrying out that chant that we've heard and started to hear more and more throughout this area where people -- one person would say, hands up, and the crowd would respond by saying, "don't shoot." And that is a pose that we have seen in many parts of this area. People have come together and demonstrated in the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown.

And one of the more powerful moments here, too, some of the family member of Michael Brown, including his mother and Michael Brown's sister, made an appearance here and didn't speak at the event, but came and did a live interview with CNN. And they were surrounded by hundreds of people here at our live shot location. Many people coming and offering their support and condolences to the family as they battle through this very tragic situation.

John and Christine, back to you.

BERMAN: Our thanks to Ed Lavandera in Ferguson.

The parents of Michael Brown have been assured by Attorney General Eric Holder that the circumstances surrounding their son's death will be fully investigated. Family members say that that promise and the governor's decision to bring in the State Highway Patrol to Ferguson is bringing them some solace.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC DAVIS, MICHAEL BROWN'S COUSIN: At the present time, we have no trust in the Ferguson Police Department because there was no transparency. They have not reached out to us. Actually, today was the first time that they did reach out to us, but we did not feel like we needed to sit down with someone when they took five days before they would even come out and reach out to the family to say, we express our sympathies. And we still did not want to talk with them at this time because of the delay.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The Michael Brown shooting is stirring passions across the country. More than 1,000 demonstrators tied up traffic last night in New York's Times Square. Police made several arrests there. More than 100 communities across the country held vigils in memory of the fallen teen.

ROMANS: So with tensions so high in Ferguson, gun sales are climbing. According to store owners, guns and ammunition are going at a rapid pace around St. Louis. Gun sellers are noticing a lot of new customers and customers buying on credit. The reason? People there say they are scared and they need to protect their houses and families. So far, violence has not spilled into the communities surrounding Ferguson.

That story on CNN Money this morning.

A quick check of the markets, European stocks are up this morning on hopes the European Central Bank will step in to prop up stalled growth. Asian stocks also higher. Ending the day higher. U.S. stock futures at this moment pointing higher. Stocks made gains yesterday are now at the highest for the month.

BERMAN: Happening in Iraq, that country's embattled prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, agreeing to step down, clearing the way for his successor, Haider al-Abadi, to form a new government and drawing praise from the Obama administration. Secretary of State John Kerry urging Iraqis to unite under Abadi against the threat from ISIS.

Nick Paton Walsh live from Baghdad this morning.

And Nick, you know, maybe against the odds, based on what we've been seeing over the last few months, what appears to be a peaceful transition of power inside Baghdad.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Certainly. Bringing an end to eight years of Nouri al-Maliki really being the (INAUDIBLE) when you think of Iraqi politics. And many say the guy who also hours after the Americans left town plunged the country toward this sectarian division that's now given those ISIS militants in the north so many sympathizers to support their advance.

Last night, high drama still when finally after days of all of his allies deserting him from Iran to local politicians here, to even Shiite religious leaders from an ethnic majority here in Iraq, saying it was time for him to go, he finally took the stage surrounded by other Shia political leaders from the group that runs politics here in Baghdad and said, look, you know, I don't want any innocent blood spilt.

I am stepping down. Self-pitying, self-justifying in many ways in a 12-minute speech. But at the end of the day, finally saying yes, I'm stepping down. It's time for Haider al-Abadi to take up the job as prime minister designate.

He's got about 26 days now to get a cabinet together. A huge task but Maliki commended by National Security adviser Susan Rice and really the focus now, can Abadi heal the division between Sunni and Shia, sometimes even Kurds that rock Iraq right now? Until that national unity government in some way is more cohesive, is more obvious. Washington is very reluctant to give further aid to the Iraqi military.

And without that further aid, it's going to be very hard for ISIS advance to be checked. That's the big fear. U.S. officials now warning that there are bigger threats potentially than al Qaeda. It's the Iraqi army that has to do much of the heavy lifting against them. Now potentially the political deadlock and division here may have a chance of being lifted. All eyes on al-Abadi. The tough weeks of hard work he has ahead of him -- John.

BERMAN: At a minimum could be a turning point in the U.S. relationship with Iraq as you point out, Nick.

Nick Paton Walsh, for us in Baghdad, thank you so much.

ROMANS: All right. New this morning, ISIS militants becoming even more formidable in the Middle East. A U.S. intelligence official telling CNN ISIS is now a credible alternative to al Qaeda with fighters from around the world traveling to Syria to join. This, as Yazidi leaders dispute U.S. claims that the ISIS siege at Mount Sinjar is over. They claim tens of thousands of people are still stranded on the mountain in dire conditions.

I want to bring in Ivan Watson. He's live from Zakho, Iraq this morning, And you can -- we can see the tents behind you, Ivan. Tell us about, I guess, the conditions here for people who are fleeing the ISIS fighters and what the future may hold for them.

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we have is an exodus. Hundreds of thousands of people, almost all of them seem to come from religious and ethnic minorities who fled their homes about a week and a half ago to about a week ago. And there are camps cropping up here in Iraqi Kurdistan in quite quick time. I mean, this didn't exist here, I'd say, three days ago. They are being professionally put together.

But the conditions here are still rough. I mean, the temperatures are soaring now, which from 12:30 in the day here and the temperatures will probably go above 100 degrees today. There are people here who lived for days on Sinjar Mountain. I just heard from a photographer we're working with, (INAUDIBLE), about a baby he found that was six days old, born on the mountain, that he is very worried about the baby's health. He came up in tears just now.

This is not a nice situation to live in. People have been uprooted from their homes, from their sources of income and are going to be relying on aid and charity to get by here. Another big question is, let's say that ISIS could be overwhelmed and defeated, can any of the people ever go back to their homes? Everybody I talk to says no way, never again. We need to go to another country.

The reason being is they claim and Kurdish officials claim that Sunni Arab tribesmen joined in with the ISIS militants that had been so successful on the battlefield across the border in Syria, and now here. Joined in and participated in pushing these people out of their homes, in kidnapping hundreds of Yazidi civilians including many, many women, according to many accounts, and in looting their belongings.

So a social fabric has been broken. These people don't trust that they can ever live next to their Sunni-Arab neighbors again. And that is something that would be very, very difficult to mend -- Christine.

ROMANS: Very difficult indeed. And just the beginning for all those people behind you.

Thanks so much for that, Ivan.

BERMAN: About 20 minutes until the hour right now. Stunning new information revealed about Robin Williams. A debilitating disease he was fighting at the time of his death.

ROMANS: Plus after a week, a week filled with deadly historic flooding, what does the weekend hold? Indra Petersons is tracking it all after the break for us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New insight into the struggle that Robin Williams was facing in his final hours. A statement released Thursday by the late actor's wife reveals that Williams had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. A representative for the family says the illness was in its early stages. Parkinson's is known to cause depression and may have compounded Williams' condition. His wife says he was not ready to share the diagnosis publicly.

ROMANS: Just a window into the struggles, his struggles, many struggles in his final days.

I want to look at the forecast now. Switching gears here. Indra Petersons is here. We had so much flooding, what does the weekend hold for us?

(WEATHER REPORT)

ROMANS: All right. Thanks so much, Indra. Have a nice weekend.

PETERSONS: Thank you. You too.

BERMAN: Want to take a look at what's coming up on "NEW DAY." Kate Bolduan joins us now.

Good morning, Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR, NEW DAY: Good morning, guys. Happy Friday. Well, coming up in the show, we're going to have the latest from Ferguson, Missouri, which saw a much calmer night, thank goodness, of protest after a week of unrest that we've all been watching play out. Today, protesters may also see one of their key demands met. This is something that the family of Michael Brown has also wanted.

Police are expected to release the name of the officer who shot and killed the unarmed teenager, Michael Brown. We're going to talk with an eyewitness who saw the Brown shooting unfold. We'll also hear from folks on the ground about the new security situation and what it means for that community.

We're also going to have the very latest coming from Iraq. The beleaguered Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki avoiding a political showdown, agreeing to finally step aside so the man picked to take over can do just that. We're going to look at what this means for Iraq's future, not only politically in Baghdad but also what it means for the fight against ISIS going forward.

ROMANS: All right.

BERMAN: Thanks so much, Kate.

ROMANS: Can't wait for that.

BOLDUAN: Thanks, guys.

ROMANS: All right. A breaking news this morning, Ukrainian border guards now examining hundreds of Russian trucks, lining their border. This, as we're learning now, armored Russian vehicles have entered Ukraine. We're live at this breaking developments, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Fifty-one minutes past the hour. It may be just hours before we find out what is really inside that mysterious Russian convoy. Russia insisting those 260 trucks contain humanitarian aid for the people of eastern Ukraine. And right now, Ukrainian guards are being allowed to inspect those vehicles.

Now we're also learning armored Russian personnel carriers are now crossing illegally into Ukraine at the same time.

Will Ripley, live from Kiev this morning.

What's going on?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, the Ukrainian government is now confirming that this Russian military convoy was carrying men wearing military uniforms as they cross the border overnight into eastern Ukraine, into the battle zone where the situation is becoming increasingly desperate for the pro-Russian rebels.

Luhansk is almost cut off. It's just a very small area. The rebels now control Donetsk, the circle around that city is getting smaller. We're hearing from Ukrainian intelligence sources that the rebels are now trying to recruit new members to fight from local prisons, offering to let them out of prison in order to fight. So now you can see this convoy coming from Russia, which backs up claims by the Ukrainian government that for months now that these weapons and troops have been funneling in to keep this conflict raging on that so far has killed more than 2,000 people, including 20 children.

That convoy from Russian which is still part on the Russian side being inspected by Ukrainian border guards right now. And if it is proven to be humanitarian aid, the Ukrainian government just now saying they will allow that aid to cross the border and get to the people who are in very desperate straits right now -- Christine.

ROMANS: A lot of skepticism from people in Ukraine about the motives, the true motives of Vladimir Putin and those Russian trucks.

Thank you so much, Will Ripley. OK. Coca-Cola making a monster move. Forking over $2 billion to get

into the energy drink business. We're going to get you an EARLY START on your money next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Good morning. It's Friday. Let's get an EARLY START on your money to end the week.

European stocks are up on hopes the European Central Bank will step in to prop up stalled growth in the region. Asian stocks ended higher. U.S. stock futures pointing higher right now. Stocks made gains yesterday in the U.S., they're now at highest for the month.

Big corporate story this morning. Coca-Cola trying to energize its brand. The company buying a 17 percent stake in energy drink maker Monster for about $2 billion. This is basically a brand swap. Coke will hand off its energy drinks like NOS and Full Throttle and then Monster will add its non-energy drinks like teas and lemonade to Coke's portfolio.

Coca-Cola trying to reposition itself as America's drink less soda. Its drink production fell about 2 percent last year. Monster's climbed 7 percent. Shares of Monster are up a monster 20 percent in premarket trading.

Ballantine is making a comeback. Pabst Brewing is bringing back this old school India pale ale in six packs and larger bottles in the northeast. It was one of the best-selling beers in the 1940s and '50s. It was a big sponsor of the New York Yankees.

Pabst has been sitting on the Ballantine brand for almost 40 years now. Craft beers and IPAs of course are back in style. The company is hoping for another hipster hit to go with its flagship PBR.

Fifty-eight minutes past the hour. "NEW DAY" starts right now.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, peaceful protests. A dramatic change in Ferguson, Missouri. Police losing the riot gear and the armored vehicles. The new officer in charge instead marching with protesters as demonstrations pop up across the country.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The shooter. Police this morning will name the officer who shot Michael Brown as we learn new details about the shooting itself and new video from the moments after.

Don Lemon is live in Ferguson.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Stepping down. Iraq's embattled prime minister agrees to leave. The U.S. and much of Iraq wanted him out. But can the new leader bring the country back from the brink?

We are live in Baghdad.

BOLDUAN: Your NEW DAY starts right now.