Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Taking on ISIS; American Gets 6 Years Hard Labor in North Korea; Obama Plans Ebola Offensive; Fans & Teammates Support Peterson; Clinton: "I'm Thinking About" 2016 Presidential Run; Fighting Escalates in Ukraine

Aired September 15, 2014 - 05:00   ET

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

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: The war on ISIS. Happening right now: world leaders meeting to figure out how to cripple the organization, days after it executed its last -- latest hostage. This morning, what other countries will and won't do to help in the fight, as we learn new information by just how close British investigators are about identifying the ISIS executioner.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Great to see you. I'm John Berman. It is Monday, September 15th, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Efforts to build a coalition against ISIS seemed to be gaining crucial ground this morning. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Paris today for an international conference aimed at stopping the terrorist group. He just finished a week-long trip to the Middle East where he has said to gain the support of several Arab nations. He says now offering to fly air strikes against ISIS. The secretary's arrival in Paris comes as ISIS beheaded a third Western captive, British aid worker David Haines. That escalates the urgency of the discussions in Paris right now, and also, the stakes for the United States.

CNN correspondent Erin McPike has more now from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, John, this latest act has seemed to have the affect of advancing the efforts of John Kerry's international coalition that he has been trying to build. It's becoming clear what countries are willing to do what thing and the coalition seems to be broadening. He addressed that on CBS yesterday morning. Listen.

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: We have countries in this region, countries outside of this region, in addition to the United States, all of whom are prepared to engage in military assistance and actual strikes if that is what it requires. Well, we're not looking to put troops on the ground. There are some who have offered to do so, but we are not looking for that at this moment, anyway.

MCPIKE: But this line in the sand that the administration has drawn of no combat troops is beginning to draw some skepticism particularly from Republicans like Senator Lindsey Graham who was on FOX yesterday. Listen to him.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: This is a turning point in the war. We're fighting a terrorist army. Not an organization. It's going to take an army to beat an army. This idea we'll never have any boots on the ground to defeat them in Syria is fantasy. So, I will not let this president suggest to the American people we can outsource our security and this is not about our safety. There is no way in hell you can form an army on the ground to go into Syria to destroy ISIL without a substantial American component.

MCPIKE: However, what the administration is doing is tracking closely with public opinion. Our latest polling shows that large majorities of Americans want to see additional airstrikes and they want to see something done about ISIS, but they still don't want to see troops on the ground -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Thanks for that, Erin McPike.

According to the State Department, nearly 40 nations have agreed to join the international coalition in the fight against this group. Australia deploying up to eight FA-18 combat jets to the United Arab Emirates, also offering help with humanitarian relief. France is contributing ammunition and launched reconnaissance flights to help efforts to hit ISIS targets in Iraq. But the British committing to help arm Kurdish forces and support the Iraqi government.

U.S. officials say Turkey has been helpful, cutting off the flow of money to ISIS and stopping foreign fighters from heading to Syria to join the extremist group.

BERMAN: Tough talk from British Prime Minister David Cameron, following the beheading of aid worker David Haines. The prime minister called ISIS a menace that, quote, "we have to confront and poison that needs to be drained from society." The prime minister added that the United Kingdom is ready to take whatever steps are necessary. The question is, does that mean committing to airstrikes against ISIS targets? Because so far, Britain has not committed to that.

Let's get the latest from Atika Shubert live from London.

Good morning, Atika.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

As you know, Britain is under pressure now to respond in some way. I want to show you the headlines here, because, of course, not only the killing of David Haines, but a second British hostage is also being held. Alan Henning. This is a picture of him as he was carrying out volunteer work in Syria. He was also an aid worker at Syrian refugee camps.

So, as a result, the British prime minister is now under intense pressure to respond in some way. Yesterday, he had an emergency cabinet meeting where he said they would support, as you mentioned, Kurdish fighters, but also submit British jets that would help with surveillance in the area, gathering intelligence. But he said no boots on the ground and he left open the question as to whether or not there will be airstrikes in Syria.

That's not been taken off the table yet, but there might be legal complications because lawmakers voted against it last year.

BERMAN: Atika, what's the latest in identifying the possible ISIS executioner? The one we heard on these tapes, the one who appears to have some kind of British accent?

SHUBERT: Yes, actually, I want to show you another headline from that. This is from "The Sun." As you can see there, "Show your face, coward." This is the big headline here.

Everybody wants to know who this man is, that militant with the British accent. We know they have been scouring video and audio of that. But they have not identified him. It's possible they know who he is, but they don't want to say that publicly because they either want to capture and kill him and they don't want to spook him at this point.

BERMAN: All right. Atika Shubert for us in London -- thanks so much.

ROMANS: David Haines is being remembered by his family members as a selfless and decent man, who had a joy and passion for humanitarian work. He was in Syria for only three days when he was kidnapped last year. His brother Michael, brokenhearted, trying not to be bitter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL HAINES, DAVID HAINES' BROTHER: My first reaction could be one of hatred. But my brother's life wasn't about hate. It was about love for all men. We prayed in our own way. Unfortunately, it was not in our hands. It was not in the hands of the government. It was in the hands of terrorists.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Michael Haines adding that his brother was most alive when he was helping others.

Meanwhile, ISIS revealed the identity of the next hostage it is threatening with death. He is this man, the British aid worker Alan Henning, who was abducted while trying to help Syrian refugees.

Just underscores horrific and pointless.

BERMAN: Aid workers being targeted here. We have been talking about ISIS. What about al Qaeda?

Claims by the U.S. that al Qaeda is in decline are nothing but lies according to al Qaeda. The terror group's influence in the Middle East is threatened by ISIS. And while a spokesman for the militant group admits to some slip ups and errors, he insists that al Qaeda is expanding. The State Department disagrees, saying the organization has been degraded with its leadership diminished by U.S. attacks and struggling to compete for recruits with ISIS.

ROMANS: In North Korea, Matthew Miller, one of three Americans being held there, has been sentenced to six years hard labor. During Miller's show trial Sunday, three North Korea judges found him guilty of hostile acts under the guise of a tourist. It's believed Pyongyang is using Miller, along with Jeffrey Fowle and Kenneth Bae as bargaining chips in its dispute with the U.S. over its nuclear program.

BERMAN: President Obama planning to ramp up the U.S. role in the fight against the Ebola outbreak. Among the moves he is expected to announce tomorrow, sending more affordable hospitals, doctors and supplies to West Africa, setting up training for health workers in Liberia, and other nations there as well. The president will also urge Congress to approve $88 million to fund his proposals.

Meanwhile, a fourth doctor in Sierra Leone has died from Ebola. Attempts to get her evacuated to Germany for treatment failed.

And ten senior government officials in Liberia have been fired by the president for ignoring orders to return to the country. They were apparently on overseas trips when the country needed them.

ROMANS: The public health crisis there.

Eight minutes past the hour. Time for an EARLY START on your money.

European stocks down. Asian shares ended mixed. U.S. stock futures pointing lower this morning. Stocks closed down on Friday, ending five straight weeks of gains.

Big news expected this morning from General Motors. Attorney Kenneth Feinberg will announce how many deaths and injuries he has tied to GM's faulty ignition switch. GM has officially said the flow was responsible for 13 deaths. That number is expected to grow.

Feinberg's office has received more than 100 death claims. The families of those who died are eligible for $1 million in compensation, plus $300,000 per spouse and child. Plus, the estimate of the victim's future earnings potential. Feinberg has that whole formula. He will decide who can get.

GM has said there is no limit how much they will pay out to the compensation program.

All right. Off-the-field violence in the NFL. Three players now sidelined investigated for abuse. What are coaches, players and fans saying about it this morning? Andy Scholes is breaking it down for us.

BERMAN: Plus, will she or won't she? Hillary Clinton stirring speculation in Iowa. What she said this time about running for president. ROMANS: And breaking news overnight. A major hurricane barreling

into Baja, California. Indra Petersons tracking this big storm for us, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Adrian Peterson inactive for yesterday's game against the Patriots after being indicted and arrested on child negligence charges.

ROMASN: Yes. Andy Scholes has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report".

Hey, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, guys.

The Vikings decided to be pro-active in this situation, considering everything that's been going on with Ray Rice and domestic abuse. Peterson was indicted on child abuse charges in Montgomery County, Texas, on Friday, for allegedly hitting his 4-year-old son with a small tree branch.

Now, despite the pending case, tons of Vikings fans still showed up to their game yesterday with Peterson jerseys on and there is a mixed reaction to his arrest.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's disappointing. You know, nobody saw something like that coming. It is what it is. You have to move on. Not speculate anything until we know more details.

JEROME FELTON, VIKINGS FULLBACK: I will not blow him over right now. So, I know he is hurting and down. Just as a teammate and friend, send a little message.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Peterson has not spoken to the media since his arrest. But he did tweet out this picture of the Bible verse.

Now, according to ESPN and Pro-Football Talk, Ray Rice is expected to appeal his indefinite suspension later today. But the NFL players association tells CNN no final decision has been made. Rice has until 11:59 tomorrow night to file the appeal.

Now, on a completely reactive move, the Carolina Panthers deactivated defense end Greg Hardy yesterday. He is currently appealing his conviction on domestic abuse charges. Hardy found guilty back in July of assaulting and threatening his girlfriend. He played in week one. But as the NFL continues to come under fire for domestic abuse problems, the Panthers decided to sit him for the team's home opener.

Head coach Ron Rivera was drilled about the decision after the game.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RON RIVERA, CAROLINA PANTHERS HEAD COACH: At the end of the day, I had to make a decision that was in the best interest of the Panthers, OK? I understand that guys. This is a very difficult situation that the league is dealing with right now. Teams are dealing with this. We are doing the best we can, OK?

We're not infallible. We make mistakes. But the decision I made today was based on the information I tried to get and people I talk with and then going forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Ray McDonald is still playing for the San Francisco 49ers. He was arrested a couple of weeks ago on suspension of felony domestic violence. He has not yet been charged.

California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsome is calling for the team to bench McDonald, but the 49ers say they will let due process play out. Not a good night for the 49ers as they were beating the bears, but gave up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, ending up losing the game on Sunday.

ROMANS: Did you see the bears? The Bears were unbelievable. (INAUDIBLE)

BERMAN: I was going to say, how did Iowa State?

ROMANS: Iowa State won, too. Iowa State and the Bears won. I had a good weekend.

BERMAN: Andy, great to see you this morning.

Quarter past the hour.

For lovers of politics, Hillary Clinton made some news this weekend -- dropping another hint, making another statement while in Iowa about a possible run for the White House in 2016. Mrs. Clinton was one of the featured speakers at a farewell steak fry fund-raiser for retiring Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Well, it is true. I am thinking about it. But for today, that is not why I'm here. I'm here for the steak.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: This was the first time that Mrs. Clinton has been back to Iowa since the 2008 Iowa caucuses which she -- you might remember -- lost.

ROMANS: Hey, guess who else was in Iowa? Bernie Sanders. Could the White House be in his future? The independent senator from Vermont also in Iowa, testing the political waters. Sanders laid out his progressive agenda during a town hall event in Waterloo, Iowa. He is holding events across the state trying to gauge his chances in 2016.

BERMAN: Wildfires burning out of control in California, charring thousands of acres and forcing hundreds to flee. Officials report at least 21 homes were destroyed in one northern California fire. Six firefighters -- well, look at that, unbelievable. Meanwhile, six firefighters suffered minor injuries battling a southern California blaze. Work was made harder by the triple digit temperatures expected to last through Tuesday.

ROMANS: OK. Hurricane Odile making landfall in the Baja, California, Sunday night. The category three hurricane struck the resort town of Cabo San Lucas with 125-mile-an-hour winds.

The National Hurricane Center classified this one as a dangerous hurricane. Forecast up to 18 inches of rain in some areas. Mexican authorities ordering evacuations in coastal areas. They are preparing shelters for 30,000 residents and tourists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We got woken up by a call from the hotel who said they were evacuating the place and our flight had been canceled and a bus leaving in a half hour. It was a 20 to 22-hour bus ride.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Wow. That sounds horrible. Odile is expected to lose strength over Baja, California.

BERMAN: Indra Petersons has a look at all of this, plus what's in store coming up.

Good morning, Indra.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, good morning.

Unbelievable, they made history. I mean, Odile, the strongest hurricane ever to make landfall in Baja, still right now packing winds sustained at 115 miles per hour. That is still a category 3 at this hour. You can look at the definition out there.

It means for the next several hours, they're still talking about some very strong winds in about next hour or so, still forecast to see about 100-mile-an-hour winds right there on that peninsula. Still expected to be a category two as they go through the afternoon, you talk about the concern with the sound here, and the ocean on the other side.

Flooding and rain potential is extremely high in the area. In fact, the forecast is calling for 18 inches of rain. You can imagine the concern on the lower floors for the flooding.

Take a look across the country. Very easy to see Odile kind of the bigger story. We have Edward way out in the Atlantic. Now, it's curving away from the mainland, so that's the good news. The rest of the country is actually quite calm. We are going to have some rain out there, right around the Gulf today. You'll see some scattered showers, and in the Midwest, the second system is going to be out there, bringing some showers in the Northeast by tomorrow.

Keep in mind, another system behind it is only going to reinforce this cool air. I know it feels like fall for so many. That's going to continue as we head through the week, unless, of course, you are on the West Coast, where the heat continues to build.

You're talking about temperatures well above normal on the West Coast. We're talking about highs 10 or 11 degrees, almost 20 degrees above normal out towards Oregon. Meanwhile, 20 degrees or so below normal on the eastern half of the country. So, huge contrast across the country this morning.

BERMAN: Chilly. Chilly this morning.

PETERSONS: It was a little cold for me as well, I agree.

ROMANS: Thanks, Indra.

BERMAN: All right. I want to present to you now, the new Miss America. She is Miss New York, 23-year-old Kira Kazantsev. It's the third straight year that Miss New York has won the Miss America crown. Kazantsev speaks three languages, three more than I do, and is also a passionate advocate of survivors of domestic violence having been a victim of abuse herself.

ROMANS: Good for her. Congratulations, Miss America.

BERMAN: In Russia right now, questions about that country is trying to recreate the Soviet Union. Stinging accusations now from the prime minister as the fighting escalates between the country's military and pro-Russian rebels. We are live with the latest developments next. T

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: The ten-day old cease-fire in Ukraine all but shattered. Heavy fighting with government forces and pro-Russian rebels in the city of Donetsk, the airport there destroyed with Ukrainian troops surrounded. So far, at least, six people have been killed.

Ukrainian officials announcing weapons shipments from NATO nations are now arriving as the Russia deals with the growing refugee crisis. More than 800,000 already crossing the border this year to escape the fighting.

Reza Sayah joining us live now from Western Ukraine, where the U.S. is now conducting military exercises.

Good morning, Reza.

REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine. More than 130 American soldiers are now on Ukrainian soil and so are NATO forces. One thing, armies and military alliances are good is flexing their muscles, showing off their power.

In many ways, this is NATO and Washington's way of flexing muscles at Moscow, telling Russia, look at our alliance and how far our military might reaches. And, obviously, Moscow doesn't welcome this event because they consider Ukraine as part of their so-called security zone.

Whatever the case, in the next coming days here in Yavoriv, Ukraine, the town that's 10 miles of Eastern of Ukraine, these military exercises are going to take place. NATO says these events are designed to promote stability and security in the region and to help Ukraine work effectively with NATO forces.

However, this comes at a very sensitive time, about 600 miles east of where we are in eastern Ukraine, you have a very delicate cease-fire in a conflict where on one side, you have pro-Russian rebels, on the other side and then European-backed forces. That's why critics, including Moscow, say the perhaps this isn't the best time to hold this event, this isn't the best time to have NATO and U.S. forces on Ukrainian soil. Nevertheless, the exercises will be going on in the coming days here in Yavoriv and the next door in Moscow, Christine, Moscow will be watching very closely and very likely unhappy with what's happening.

ROMANS: Indeed. All right. Reza Sayah -- thank you so much, Reza.

BERMAN: All right. Twenty-five minutes after the hour right now.

This is one of the most interesting stories in the world. British Prime Minister David Cameron hitting the campaign trail in Scotland again. He is trying to convince voters in Scotland not to secede from the United Kingdom. This is the prime minister's second visit in a week. In three days, Scotland heads to the polls to vote on independence.

Now, the British prime minister is warning if they separate from Britain, there will be no turning back. The latest polls all show the vote is simply too close to call. You can vote if you are as young as 16 in this referendum, which is very, very interesting.

ROMANS: And it's a really passionate conversation happening in Scotland. And if they chose -- they vote yes -- if they choose to secede, all kinds of uncertainty. What will be the currency be? What will the flag look like?

BERMAN: Because the blue in the Union Jack is the flag of Scotland.

(CROSSTALK)

ROMANS: It is so interesting.

And so, the banks have said, there is so much uncertainty with the currency, for interest rates, for everything. What would be the central bank? Indeed, they would have to relocate to the U.K. from Scotland, which will be hard.

All right. Twenty-six minutes past the hour.

A global offensive against ISIS. Happening right now: world leaders trying to figure out how to destroy ISIS after it executes another hostage. We are live with developments after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)