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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

New U.S. Airstrikes Target ISIS; Ebola Crisis; President Obama's New Plan; NFL Violence Fallout; Cameron Lobbies Against Scottish Independence

Aired September 16, 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: The hunt for ISIS. Right now, bombs falling near Baghdad. New U.S. airstrikes targeting the terrorists as the United States tries to get more countries to sign onboard to help fight. We are live in Iraq with new developments this morning.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Ebola crisis. President Obama revealing a new strategy to stop the deadly virus from spreading -- thousands of U.S. troops, hundreds of millions of dollars. All the details ahead.

BERMAN: Off the field violence and the NFL. This morning, new accusations and abuse for one embattled player. Another set to appeal as the NFL proposes a new solution to the problem.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. Nice to see you this morning. It's Tuesday, September 16th. It is 4:00 a.m. in the East.

U.S. putting its airpower on offense against ISIS this morning, launching airstrikes close to Baghdad, for the first time in a fight against the militant group. Previous air strikes have hit terrorists in the town of Irbil. U.S. Central Command calls this the first strike in an expanded effort to help Iraqi forces go on the offensive.

CNN correspondent Jomana Karadsheh joins us live now from Baghdad with the latest on these air strikes closer to Baghdad -- Jomana.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christine, what we know is that air strike took place 22 miles southwest of Baghdad. U.S. military saying that this was in response to the Iraqi security forces coming under attack. They struck an ISIS position that was used to attack the Iraqi security forces in this area.

Now, we're waiting for more details from the Iraqi military, but one Iraqi security official is telling us that the strike took place near the town of Yusufiyah. If you recalled, this was one of the three towns that back in the days of the height of the urgency, the United States referred to this as the triangle of death. This area has been the scene of intense fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIS militants for a couple of months now. And this is what we're seeing. These air strikes are not only an

expansion in the geographical sense, striking now near Baghdad, the closest as you mentioned to the capital. It is also what President Obama was speaking about last week in his speech that this will be an expansion of the scope of the military strikes here, the mission taking place. It's no longer just about protecting U.S. facilities and U.S. personnel or humanitarian like we have seen in the past in northern Iraq. Mostly, this is also about allowing the Iraqi security forces to go on offensive.

The Iraqi security forces lack when it comes to the air power, the air support that they really require to make these advances and strikes like this could allow them to go further, to make more progress, but whether they will be able to hold the ground, these territories, is yet to be seen, Christine.

ROMANS: We are clearly seeing the evidence of the expanded effort by U.S. officials.

Thank you so much, Jomana.

BERMAN: Now, one question up in the air this morning as the coalition against ISIS comes together is which nations are committing to what exactly. On Monday, France joined Britain flying air reconnaissance in support of the U.S. campaign, but neither country is on the record about combat. Well, it's actually France said they would do air strikes. Two countries Iran and Syria were not even invited to Monday's international conference on the fight against ISIS.

CNN's Michelle Kosinski has more from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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

The White House keeps talking about this fight, this war now against ISIS, is all about building international coalition. But will that look like exactly, what country will do what militarily?

For now, the administration is holding its cards close. Even though there has still been some mixed messaging out there on who's made an offer, whom will the U.S. work with and whom will it not?

For now, the White House isn't answering questions on specifics, even what other countries are willing to conduct air strikes. They say there is still coordination that needs to be done to even decide what will be needed from whom and when.

Secretary of State Kerry, though, traveling through the region and Europe has acknowledged that there are real offers out there. Some are from Arab countries. He says some of those offers include not only air strikes, but troops on the ground. Other countries, for example, Iraq, have said that France is willing to conduct air strikes. The White House has made clear whom it will not work with at this

point. It says Syria and Iran. However, we know there have been back channel discussions with Iraq on this subject. And Tehran just said it rejects an offer to work with the U.S. on this.

So, if there hasn't been coordination, where did that supposed offer come from? And just this month, Iraq's president told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that Iranian militias worked with the U.S. inside Iraq, to help end the siege on an ethnic minority in a particular city there. The White House isn't commenting further.

Something else that we know is the U.S. will fight something of a battle against ISIS within the United States. The attorney general announced new initiative to try to target radicalism and extremis recruitment inside American communities -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Michelle Kosinski, thanks for that, Michelle.

Now, the chilling new audio this morning of a convicted terrorist raised in the U.S., talking about a key ISIS operative. CNN has obtained the tapes showing how ISIS terrorists communicate secretly.

Listen as Tarek Mehanna talks with the fighter apparently in Somalia. You will hear them say culinary school, code for training camps and peanut butter and jelly meaning jihad.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP, ISIS OPERATIVE CALL)

SOMALI MAN: Well, right now, I'm in culinary school and I just making peanut better and jelly. No way will I be on the internet.

TAREK MEHANNA: Right, right. Inshallah.

Do you have like an email or something that you're checking, or just a phone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, actually, I'm not even on the Internet. Trust me, there's now way I'm going to be on the Internet. Not that there isn't some here, but where I am right now, no.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

ROMANS: We are now learning the biggest source of ISIS recruits like the man on this tape maybe neighboring Turkey. Turkish media and government officials say as many as 1,000 Turks have signed up with ISIS.

BERMAN: The latest report on ISIS hostage Alan Henning is not particularly encouraging. Officials saying Monday that British intelligence services do not know where the aid worker is being held. That this would mean a mission by, a possibly by special forces troops to rescue Henning would effectively be impossible.

ROMANS: The administration officials heading to Capitol Hill today. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey will be grilled by the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. policy toward Iraq and Syria, and the threat posed by the terrorist group. The administration is seeking authority to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIE HARF, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN: We heard members of Congress talk quite a bit about how important they think this effort is and they should put their vote where their words are, and hopefully, we can get it done. Holding this off until the mid-term elections I think would set this back even further.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Meanwhile, the Justice Department launching a program to fight ISIS at home under the plan social and mental health workers, as well as religious leaders and local police will be enlisted to combat extremist group recruitment.

BERMAN: Could Switzerland, famous for its neutrality, be a new home for fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden? Swiss prosecutors say Snowden might be granted safe haven if he helps with the investigation into the U.S. spying there. They said Snowden would be safe from extradition to the United States.

But it is unlikely the Swiss would grant him asylum. Officials acknowledge it is purely hypothetical. Snowden was granted three years in Russia just last month.

ROMANS: Today, President Obama lays out America's expanded new effort to contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The plan includes the deployment up to 3,000 U.S. military personnel and addition of 1,700 beds for treating patients in Liberia alone. The U.S. military will be taking a command and control role for the international response to this crisis.

On Thursday, the U.N. Security Council holds an emergency meeting to discuss how to get a better global response to this outbreak. Right now, on the ground in West Africa, international relief groups say their workers are exhausted. Their workers are at the breaking point. More than 240 medical staffers have been sickened by Ebola, half of them have died. The virus has killed more than 2,400 people so far.

BERMAN: This new U.S. effort was a major, major effort -- surprising in some cases, the levels, 3,000 troops headed to West Africa. There are 1,600 in Iraq. We will make me of a troop commitment to fight Ebola right now than we are against the war against ISIS. I think that will be surprising to some people.

Nine minutes after the hour.

New government data shows a sizable drop in the number of uninsured people in 2014, as Obamacare kicked in. Forty-one million Americans lacked health insurance this year, but that is down by 40 million from 2013. The news not good for everyone taking advantage of the Affordable Care

Act. The Obama administration announcing Monday that it will terminate coverage for 115,000 people because they failed to prove they were citizens, or legal immigrants. Another 360,000 lost financial aid because their incomes could not be verified.

The NFL and off the field violence. This morning, new reports of abuse allegations as the NFL rolls out a new plan to stop the violence. The new developments, ahead.

ROMANS: Plus, California on fire. Thousands evacuating their homes as flames spread across that state. The very latest next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: New allegations this morning against Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson who was just indicted for felony child abuse. CNN affiliate KHOU reporting Peterson was involved in a second alleged incident abuse, involving another son who lives out of state with his mother. CNN has not been able to independently confirm this report.

But through his attorney, Peterson is vehemently denying this second report. No charges were ever filed.

In Peterson's first public comments since the indictment posted on his Twitter feed, he says he is not a child abuser, but he is sorry about the hurt he brought to his son.

Meantime, the Vikings have reinstated Peterson and will be active for the Vikings game on Sunday. The team's general manager addressed the issue on Monday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SPIELMAN, MINNESOTA VIKINGS GM: This is a difficult path to navigate regarding the judgment of how a parent disciplines his child. Based on the extensive information we have right now and what we know about Adrian not only as a person, but what he has done for the community, we believe he deserves to play while the legal process plays out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: And in that legal process, they will determine if that was discipline or abuse of a 4-year-old.

It appears the allegations against Peterson are hitting the Vikings in the pocketbook. The Radisson Hotel chain has suspended its sponsorship of the Vikings.

BERMAN: So, between now and 11:59 tonight, former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is expected to appeal his indefinite suspension from the NFL. The players association is standing behind Rice on this particular appeal and plans to make a case for letting him return to the playing field.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST: Should Ray Rice be allowed to play again?

ERIC WINSTON, NFLPA: I think so. I think we are all entitled to a second chance. Obviously, he made a horrific mistake. And he's going to pay for it. He's already been disciplined once, actually been disciplined multiple times by the commissioner.

BURNETT: Roger Goodell, should he keep his job?

WINSTON: Obviously, there's an issue with player conduct, like you've been referring to and maybe it's time to take it out of the commissioner's hands and put into a neutral arbitration process where there can be a fair process for everybody involved.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is appointing four women to help the league develop new policies and resources for domestic violence and sexual assault.

ROMANS: Protesters are calling for Goodell's resignation hijacked a Cover Girl ad. This campaign originally targeted NFL fans -- oh, terrible timing. Activists changed the picture, giving the Ravens fan a black eye, instead of just the makeup. The image has gone viral. Cover Girl updated social media accounts overnight, saying the brand has encouraged the NFL to take action against domestic violence.

Fifteen minutes past the hour.

And EARLY START on your money now.

European shares lower. U.S. stock futures also pointing down, a lot for investors to consider this week. A policy statement from the Fed. A vote on Scottish independence. Alibaba's record-breaking IPO.

You have bond markets, stock markets and foreign exchange markets around the world I would say in tenterhooks right now, trying to figure out if U.S. is going to raise rates and if Scotland breaks ties with the U.K., and that Alibaba IPO, a lot going on.

BERMAN: Big, big week.

All right. We are learning more now about the prison escape by convicted school shooter T.J. Lane. Ohio state police say the 19- year-old had a pitchfork when he was captured last week after nearly six hours on the lam. They say he did not threaten officers with the pitchfork. It is not known where the pitchfork came from. Lane and two other inmates who broke out with him have been transferred to a maximum facility in Youngstown. Lane killed three classmates at Chardon High School in 2012.

ROMANS: Hard to look at those pictures of him.

Now, to a confessed killers' chilling video admission made public for the first time, as the victims parents here look on in court. In the video, Pedro Hernandez is charged with killing a 6-year-old Etan Patz, described how he lured the boy to a bodega where he worked, he strangled him and kept the crime secret for close to 33 years. The confession was shown during a hearing Monday. Hernandez's lawyer wants this confession thrown out, suggesting it was coerced, and that Hernandez has a low IQ and history of mental illness.

BERMAN: Urban Outfitters is apologizing for offering a vintage Kent State sweatshirt, with bright red stains and holes that seem to suggest blood. It seems to suggest blood? The retailer quickly pulled the product from its Web site. It was reminiscent in the 1970 Kent State massacre in which four students protesting the war in Vietnam were killed.

In a statement, the university said, "We take great offense to a company using our pain for their publicity and profit. Those shirts mean one thing and one thing only. They clearly knew what they were doing there.

ROMANS: The company says it was unintended. They were just meant to look distressed.

BERMAN: No, no. I mean, you can't do that with the Kent State sweater. It is obvious. For all we know, maybe they meant to do it and get the publicity. It just seems too obvious to me.

ROMANS: Poor taste either way.

BERMAN: Eleven major wildfires burning in California. The King Fire two hours east of Sacramento has doubled in size in nearly 9,000 acres. It's now only 5 percent contained. More than 160 homeowners forced to evacuate really in very short notice.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STACEY MORE, EVACUATED SUNDAY: When it came to getting 15 minutes, we need to get out. We took our stuff and dogs and ourselves, and on we went.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Mexico's Baja California Peninsula battered by hurricane Odile. Take a look at those destruction. Entire neighborhoods are now disaster zones. It was a category 3 storm wiped out hundreds of homes and businesses, hundreds of thousands of people without power right now. More than 30,000 tourists forced to stay overnight in temporary shelters in Los Cabos International airport is still close.

BERMAN: So, happening right now, Scotland, England, could be heading for a painful messy split. A vote for independence coming in just days. We are live with what could come next. How could this be? It's right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Sweeping concessions offered by Ukraine to pro-Russian rebels this morning. President Petro Poroshenko offering the separatists broad amnesty and self governance in the territory they already occupied. The plan also includes protection for Russian language and culture, and separatist controlled police and legal system. The concessions in effect formalize the gains rebels made during a resurgence over the last two months -- gains NATO say were backed by Russian arms and Russian troops. That's, of course, a claim Russia denies.

BERMAN: All right. I think this is one of the most interesting stories going on in the world right now.

British Prime Minister David Cameron making an 11-hour push for a no vote on Scottish independence. Cameron made an emotional plea, telling voters that the United Kingdom is not just, quote, "any old country." He said millions would be heart broken if the country is broken up.

Meanwhile, word is emerging that British banks have been moving millions of bank notes to Scottish banks, trying to make sure there are enough bills if there is a run on ATMs in the event of a yes vote.

ROMANS: That's bad.

BERMAN: We are joined now by CNN's Max Foster live from Edinburgh.

Max, I think a lot of people in the United States are looking at this going, really?

MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I know. I think a lot of politicians in Westminster are thinking the same. If you look at the polls, it is neck and neck with the yes and no campaigns. But what they are trying to do is target this large group of undecided voters, a wavering voters actually, they are flitting between yes and no depending on the day because it's such a big decision. And what you got is David Cameron and the other party leaders in London, all coming up to Scotland thinking we have to worry about this.

And the latest effort is the pledge they sign on one of the tabloids here, basically promising an alternative to independence. That alternative is, we're going to get a lot more powers to Edinburgh, over taxation and spending, for example. So, you get all of the benefits of more control of your country, but also with the benefits of staying within the union.

This is worrying David Cameron, I have to say. He made a speech last night, really impassioned. It looked personal. You got the sense he really doesn't want to wake up on Friday being the last prime minister of the United Kingdom that includes Scotland.

This is how he is trying to convince Scottish voters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: It means we longer share the same currency. It would mean the armed forces we built up together over centuries being split up forever. It would mean our pension funds being sliced up at some costs. It would mean the borders we have become international and may no longer be so easily crossed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Really is a moment in British history. It used to be one of the most powerful powers in the world. And I think this is reality that it actually could break up. Only 8 percent of the British population live in Scotland, but it's a third of the land mass. So, a huge impact.

And as Christine has been pointing out, it could have huge economic repercussions. One leading economists saying the pound could crash in value by 10 percent in the coming weeks if this happens because there are so many complications in the financial system linked to this.

BERMAN: Hey, Max, what's the big gripe? I mean, why do Scottish separatists, as it were, want out?

FOSTER: I think it's the debate of the heart. A real sense of Scottish in Scotland. I think it is fair to say more of a left leaning society. And they do very much rely on their public services, particularly the national health service.

And actually David Cameron and the other leaders brought that up. It is not central to the debate, but big cut backs with all the austerity around Europe in public services in Scotland. Out of that, there's been some antagonism about the London government, David Cameron and the conservatives in particular. And the yes campaign have really traded on that, saying, we're going to protect those public services, we're going to protect your jobs, but we have to do it by bringing control back to Edinburgh and not leaving it in London any longer.

BERMAN: Max Foster for us in Edinburgh, we're going to lean on you in the next couple of days, because I think this is a major moment not just in Britain, but also in the history of the world, really. This is a long lasting relationship for what used to be the British empire.

Max Foster standing in what could be a new nation soon -- thanks, Max.

ROMANS: This could be a huge economic failure. A huge economic failure, what currency are you going to use? How are you going to -- who's going to back your bonds? How will you run your new national health service and military if world investors think that, you know, you cutaway from --

BERMAN: What are you going to tell separatists in Spain? What are you going to tell separatists in Ukraine? What are you going to tell the separatists all over the world?

ROMANS: Exactly.

All right. Twenty-seven minutes past the hour.

Happening now: new airstrikes, U.S. airstrikes dropping bombs near Baghdad for the very first time, targeting those ISIS terrorists. We're going to take you to Iraq live after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)