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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

NATO Tackles Russian Aggression; Americans Fighting for Islamic Extremists; Ebola Epidemic

Aired September 04, 2014 - 04:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now: President Obama meeting with world leaders over the crisis in Ukraine, figuring out how to stop the Russian invasion, and skeptical this morning over Vladimir Putin's new ceasefire proposals. We have live team coverage ahead.

Homegrown terror armed with U.S. passports. New concerns this morning over American who have left this country to fight for ISIS and other extremist groups. This as a family of murdered American journalist Steven Sotloff breaks its silence. We're live with the very latest.

And, Ebola epidemic. An American who survived the deadly virus sharing her story with CNN. Meanwhile, the identity of another U.S. doctor who has been infected is now known to us this morning.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman. Christine Romans is off today.

It is Thursday, September 4th, 4:00 a.m. in the East.

And up first, the opening of what could be the most critical NATO summit ever. Western leaders from 60 countries gathering in Newport, Wales, attempting to tackle two bloody conflicts in Ukraine, and also Afghanistan, as well as the growing threat from ISIS. They want to do this all in two days.

President Obama calling out Russia for a, quote, "brazen assault on Ukraine." The president has been careful not the word to use "invasion", at least yet. This morning, the president meets with the leaders of Britain, Italy, France, and Germany before delivering opening remarks at this summit at 8:00 a.m. Eastern.

I want to go live now to White House correspondent Michelle Kosinski. She is in Wales this morning.

And, Michelle, what are world leaders expected to discuss at this point about the Russian aggression?

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, John.

Well, really solutions are what they have been trying to come up with, we know for months now. And now that everyone is together, we do expect to see some action. That's going to be in the form of more of the action that we have been seeing, more sanctions, I think that's really a certainty at this point.

And also, they are talking this NATO trust fund to further support Ukraine. It's been interesting to hear President Obama and others discuss this over the past two days. It almost feels as though the NATO summit has already started.

But they are talking about Ukraine almost in terms of being another NATO power. Now, that's possible that that actually will happen in the future. But that's going to be a long process.

But in the meantime, they are stating in no uncertain terms, the importance of supporting Ukraine and also trying to deter Russia. The words that President Obama used yesterday are "reassurance" and "deterrence". You can argue, of course, the sanction scheme that they have been using has not been a deterrence to Russia, but they still see that as positive in the long term. Negative, of course, for Russia, for isolating it, for weakening it. So, that's still the course of action at this point. And we know that President Putin was announcing yesterday this cease-fire, supposedly.

It looked like all sides seemed to be in at least some agreement, at the very least, that a conversation had occurred between Russia and Ukraine. But now, the U.S. and others are really looking at this with a lot of skepticism, because it seemed like one of the conditions of a cease-fire on the part of Vladimir Putin would be for Ukraine to cede part of its territory.

So, that doesn't look like it's real at this point. But, of course, stay tuned, there could be more developments than just actions against Russia during this meeting -- John.

BERMAN: It would be interesting to see. It seems what the president is trying to do is at the one hand, reassure the Baltic countries, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, those that neighbor Russia that NATO will be there for them.

At the same time, what the president seems to be trying to do is inspire the other NATO countries to stay strong in the face of this Russian aggression. There are people who speculate what they are trying to do is make those other NATO countries get all wobbly by suggesting there's a possibility for a peace deal.

Are they standing by the U.S., these other NATO countries, right now, with the possibility at least of this cease-fire out there?

KOSINSKI: Now, well, they don't have much of a choice. They are actually looking to the U.S. for help and reassurance. I mean, the words that President Obama used during several addresses yesterday were strong in terms of this reassurance, saying things like "you are not alone", "we will be there for you", "an attack against one is an attack against all", really hammering that point home, that the larger countries like the U.S., they have the backs of the smaller countries, especially neighbors of Russia that are the most worried. And President Obama wants to inspire them all to spend some more money.

BERMAN: Right. KOSINSKI: And the U.S. is really footing the bill for all this collective defense. And almost none of them, of the 28 member nations, only four of them, including the U.S., are paying the targeted 2 percent of GDP.

Now, obviously, the economy being what it has been, it's been difficult for some to pony up that much, depending on the situation. But, again, there's been cuts in NATO funding over the last several years.

And now, all of a sudden, oh my gosh, everyone looks and says, we really do need that collective defense. In fact, it needs to be expanded. Everyone is going to have to kick in their fair share, John.

BERMAN: All right. It gets under way in a couple hours not far from where you are in Wales.

Michelle Kosinski for us, our White House correspondent -- thanks so much.

Meanwhile, pro-Russian forces advancing deeper into Eastern Ukraine this morning. This as leaders from both countries, Ukraine and Russia, try to hammer out a cease-fire deal. Ukraine's president announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed on steps to end the hostilities. The Russian president offered a seven- point plan for peace in the region.

But most Western leaders, as Michelle just mentioned, are skeptical about this, at best.

I want to bring in Reza Sayah right now, tracking developments live from Kiev.

Reza, what's the status right now of these discussions?

REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, over the past 24 hours, John, there's certainly been increased talk and optimism about a possible breakthrough or cease-fire. But we have new information to pass along that may not bode well for the possible cease-fire.

Over the past hour or so, Ukrainian officials saying that during the overnight hours, they have seen increased shelling from Russian forces on Russian soil, targeting southeastern Ukraine. We should point out that Moscow continues to deny that they are involved in this conflict. The accusations continue from Kiev, and seemingly, so does the fighting.

In the meantime, prospects for a cease-fire, it looks like they are there. Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone conversation with Petro Poroshenko, the Ukrainian president, seemed to agree on a framework, the conditions with which a cease-fire would be put in place. The conditions include the end of military operations in southeastern Ukraine, the pulling out of troops, establishment of a humanitarian corridor where refugees and victims can get out of the conflict zone and humanitarian goods can come in and also international monitors in place to make sure the conditions would be met.

Yesterday, a positive statement by President Poroshenko saying he's hopeful that maybe this framework, the cease-fire, could be put in place tomorrow when all sides of this conflict would once again meet in Belarus. However, late yesterday, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk seemingly pouring some cold water on this plan, saying this is a Russian ploy to avoid sanctions and buy more time for rebels in southeastern Ukraine.

So, John, all sorts of mixed messages. But there seems to be an opportunity for a breakthrough. All eyes on Belarus tomorrow to see what happens.

BERMAN: There's so many theatrically at least from President Putin, you know, whipping out a notebook saying, "This is my seven-point plan for peace." It's clear at least he wants to make a public display of this, most likely in the face of what's going on right now in Wales with this NATO summit.

SAYAH: John, I think it's important to look at both narratives in this conflict. You have one narrative in Moscow, the other in Kiev, Western capitals, NATO. And they are both conveying public theatrics, if you will.

Remember Moscow's point of view. Their overarching concern is NATO expansion in the Baltic states, Eastern Europe. They are very concerned that NATO is creeping on to their so-called security zone. They don't want that.

And that's why many observers say, at this very sensitive time, NATO expansion in this region is a mistake. Even so, clearly from what we have seen over the past 48 hours, NATO is discussing it very seriously.

BERMAN: That is a terrific point. Reza Sayah for us in Kiev this morning, on this, the development do keep coming in on this front. So, we appreciate you being with us. Thanks, Reza.

(MUSIC)

BERMAN: Right now in the Middle East, there are U.S. citizens taking up arms and fighting for Islamic extremist groups, including ISIS. How many Americans are there?

Well, for the first time, the Pentagon did put a number on it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHUCK HAGEL, DEFENSE SECRETARY: As we have acknowledged publicly, we are aware of over 100 U.S. citizens who have U.S. passports who are fighting in the Middle East.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Not just for ISIS, for all the militant groups involved in Syria, and there are several. I want to bring in Jomana Karadsheh right now live from Baghdad.

And this idea that there are Americans there fighting inside Syria, that is the idea that gives it notion there is a direct threat on the U.S. homeland, Americans could go there and bring their terrorism back here.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, there's a lot of concern obviously in the U.S., there's concern in the international community. You have Americans, about a dozen as we have heard from the Pentagon that they have been able to track, that there might be more fighting with ISIS. And also, there's concern in Europe and other countries about their foreign fighters joining this fight.

It's not only a threat to home countries and the international community. Here in the region, also, American allies are concerned about the countries like Jordan, where people with extremists, with these passports, are able to travel to countries like Jordan. So, a lot of concern.

But also here, John, in Iraq, officials are really worried that their country has once again turned into more of a magnet that it already is for foreign fighters. How many are there? They don't know. There are estimates. I have spoken to experts. No one can put a finger on it.

But Iraqi officials say more needs to be done by their home countries to stop them from traveling and also there needs to be regional cooperation here to try and stem the flow of foreign fighters across borders, places like Turkey and Iran that have been used by fighters to cross into Syria and Iraq.

And one ISIS expert here in Iraq that I spoke to says, yes, there is a big number of foreign fighters. But they are only part of the problem.

The bigger number of ISIS fighters, they draw their ranks from local communities. Here in Iraq, it's from within the Sunni community. And that is why the solution lies also within Iraq to try and fight these groups. It's not going to only be a military solution, as we have heard.

Within these local communities, it's fear sometimes that drives Sunnis to join ISIS or support it somehow, turn a blind eye to it in these communities. But also that feeling of marginalization, disenfranchise over the past few years by the Shia-led government. Many have really pretty much been driven into the arms of ISIS.

So, as we have heard President Obama, U.S. officials say over and over again, the key lies here in Baghdad. What government is going to emerge? This is happening anytime in the coming few days. A new government must be inclusive, as we've heard them say, and it must really make Sunnis feel that they are part of this process, that they are -- they have a stake in what happens to Iraq and this country, and it's not just the military strikes and military operations that will weaken or defeat ISIS. It's going to have to come from within -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Jomana Karadsheh in Baghdad -- thank you so much.

Staying in that region right now, a mere man trying to find good, that is how Stephen Sotloff is being remembered as his family breaks its silence.

We are learning more now about the murdered journalist's backgrounds. Sotloff was Jewish. He was also an Israeli citizen. He had dual citizenship. He kept that information secret for years when he travelled to the Middle East right up until his death in the hands of ISIS extremist.

Let's get more now from Alina Machado.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA MACHADO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, Steven Sotloff's father stood a few feet away holding a picture of his son as a childhood friend of Steven read a prepared statement. And in that statement, even though it was brief, we got a good sense of who Steven Sotloff was, what were some of the things he enjoyed, and the values that drove him.

Take a listen to what was said.

BARAK BARFI, FAMILY FRIEND: Steve was no hero. Like all of us, he was a mere man who tried to find good concealed in the world of darkness. And if it did not exist, he tried to create it. He tried to help those less privileged than him and precious contacts to newcomers in the region. He indulged in South Park and was just as serious as filing a 3:00 a.m. story. He had a fondness for junk food he could not overcome. And despite his busy schedule, he always found time to Skype his father to talk about his latest golf game.

MACHADO: Steven Sotloff's family is planning a private memorial for tomorrow. And again, even though they have broken their silence, they want to maintain their privacy as they continue to grieve -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: I love South Park and filing 3:00 a.m. stories. It sounds like a terrific individual. Our thanks to Alina Machado.

Fourteen minutes after the hour right now.

Alison Kosik here keeping me company with an EARLY START on your money.

Great to see you.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

You know, today could wind being a pretty big day for the markets, depending on what the European Central Bank decides to do or not to do. So, we are seeing caution around the world, ahead of that much anticipated announcement from the European Central Bank that's coming later this morning.

We are seeing European shares mixed right now. Asian shares are mixed as well. And some experts expect the announcement of new stimulus measures possibly similar to the bond-buying program the Federal Reserve is winding down.

U.S. stock futures are barely moving right now. Stocks ended yesterday mixed. Now, of course, all eyes on Europe.

New York City's former mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is back on top at his company. The former mayor is once taking over Bloomberg LP. That's the company he founded 30 years ago. Bloomberg's return comes at a crucial time for the company as it looks to introduce more products outside its data terminals for finance professionals, and it's maybe looking to expand its news coverage.

You know, it's interesting. You know, he was the mayor of New York City for 12 years. He's one of the richest guys out there and he just can't stop.

BERMAN: I think he got bored. He got bored. You know, he was going to run his charities, but I don't think that was enough for him. He still owns 88 percent of Bloomberg LP. And it's good to be king if he wants to go back, then go back.

KOSIK: Yes, I think it's going to keep him real busy.

BERMAN: I would think so.

All right. Alison Kosik, great to see you. Thanks so much.

A U.S. Ebola survivor breaking her silence. Nancy Writebol shares the moment she learns she was infected with the deadly virus, next.

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BERMAN: The third American to contract the deadly Ebola virus has been identified as Dr. Rick Sacra of Holden, Massachusetts. He is being treated right now at a hospital in Liberia.

Dr. Sacra is a family physician and an assistant professor at UMass Medical School. He volunteered to go to West Africa to try to help contain the Ebola outbreak.

We are also hearing for the first time from Nancy Writebol. She's the American missionary who survived her battle with Ebola.

I want you to listen to her describe how she learned she was sick from her husband.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY WRITEBOL, EBOLA SURVIVOR: He came into the room and he said, "Nancy, I need to tell you some things." I said, "OK". And he said, Kent has Ebola. And I just, I was just sick.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Dr. Brantly?

WRITEBOL: Yes, when David told me.

And then after I kind of regroup from that, he said, "And, Nancy, you do, too."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Oh my goodness, can you imagine getting that news?

Meanwhile, the first British citizen to contract Ebola has been discharged from a London hospital after making a full recovery. Twenty-nine-year-old William Pooley was treated with the experimental drug ZMapp.

And experimental vaccine fast tracking the trials by the National Institute of Health has been injected into two human subjects in Bethesda, Maryland. Researchers there are trying to determine if that vaccine is safe.

The outbreak is escalating in West Africa. A second cluster of Ebola patients emerged in Nigeria, where hundreds of people could be at risk after becoming in contact with a doctor who dies from the virus.

Happening right now: the pope meeting with former Israeli President Shimon Peres to discuss the war in Gaza. We are live in Rome right after the break.

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BERMAN: Former Israeli President Shimon Peres meeting this morning with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Peres is expected to update the pontiff on the Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire. Also, the wave of terrorism now gripping the Middle East.

Our Vatican correspondent Delia Gallagher live from Rome this morning.

Good morning, Delia.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, John.

It is the second time in just over three months that Shimon Peres has come to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis. Peres' aides telling us, as you mentioned, that the purpose of this visit is for Peres to update the pope on the situation in Gaza and to discuss the Middle East peace process in general.

Now, you remember, John, back in June, the former Israeli president was here at the Vatican gardens, at the request of the Pope Francis, together with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for a day of prayer for peace. Unfortunately, shortly after that very important day, conflict, once again, broke out in the region, prompting many to criticize that the initiative had been a failure.

Pope Francis, on his return from South Korea in August responded to that question when he was on the papal plane, saying he did not consider the peace initiative a failure. That prayer for him is an important element, together with negotiation and dialogue for any lasting peace.

So, we should mention, also, John, that Pope Francis this morning will also be meeting with a Jordanian prince. Hassan bin Talal is the uncle of the current king, King Abdullah of Jordan. He's a well-known for interfaith initiatives between Muslims and Christians and Muslims and other religions, as well, of course, as being a representative of Jordan, a country which is considered a stabilizing influence in the region. So, two important meetings for Pope Francis and a morning of important Middle East discussions for the pope at the Vatican -- John.

BERMAN: The pope wants to have influence in that region. A man of peace would be helpful.

Delia Gallagher, thanks so much. Appreciate it.

Happening now: President Obama is meeting with world leaders over the crisis in Ukraine and the increasing threat of terror as new ISIS concerns emerge. We have live coverage right after the break.

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