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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Joint Chiefs Chairman Open to Ground Fight Against ISIS; Vikings Ban Adrian Peterson; Will Scotland Declare Independence?

Aired September 17, 2014 - 05:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: EARLY START continues right now.

Fighting ISIS, perhaps with boots on the ground. Could American troops be returning to a combat role in Iraq?

One U.S. general's new warning on what might be required to take down the terrorists. This as skepticism grows over the president's plan to battle ISIS. Can Syrian rebels, the so-called moderate rebels, be trusted?

We're live in Iraq with the very latest on this story this morning.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning. The NFL drowning in controversy. The Vikings now banning Adrian Peterson from all team activities, reversing its earlier reversal. Child abuse allegations too much for the team owners, this as Ray Rice appeals his own domestic violence punishment.

Off-the-field violence now taking center stage and it could end up costing the NFL big.

Good morning, and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. It is Wednesday, September 17th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East.

You know, there are a lot of questions about comments from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey. The general said he would be willing to request U.S. troops be put in combat situations in Iraq to defeat ISIS if the situation called for it. The chairman also raised concerns that about half of Iraq's army is incapable of partnering effectively with U.S. troops in battle against the Islamic militants.

Now, the president has ruled out putting ground troops into Iraq for combat. But General Dempsey appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday said if the conditions change there, it could be a possibility.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. MARTIN DEMPSEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: This will require a sustained effort over an extended period of time. It's a generational problem. And we should expect that our enemies will adapt their tactics as we adjust our approach. My view at this point is that this coalition is the appropriate way

forward. I believe that will prove true. But if it fails to be true and if there are threats to the United States, then I, of course, would go back to the president and make a recommendation that may include the use of U.S. military ground forces.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: A White House spokesman later reiterated the president's determination not to deploy ground troops for combat calling the general's remarks hypothetical.

ROMANS: Across the capital, the House is set to vote today on the president's plan to arm and train the so-called moderate Syrian rebels fighting ISIS. Now, the plan drawing fire from both sides. Republicans calling it inadequate and many Democrats warn the arms could wind up being used against the U.S. Even so, the authorization expected to pass the House, heads to the Senate later this week.

Also this morning, the president is in Tampa for a visit to U.S. Central Command. It's part of his effort to drum up public support for the fight against ISIS.

He arrived Tuesday night, shaking hands with U.S. troops. Later today, he'll be briefed on the battle strategy against these militants. And the administration will press its case on Capitol Hill as Secretary of State John Kerry appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to explain the president's plan.

BERMAN: ISIS and its supporters defiant in the face of the 40-nation international coalition committed to battle ISIS right now. So far, the U.S. is the only coalition member, outside of Iraq and Syria, that's fired a shot.

ISIS sympathizers have been goading the U.S.-led coalition with tweets like this one, "We welcome America into Syria with open arms and an explosive belt."

ISIS celebrating a claim to victory, the downing of a Syrian fighter jet. This has not yet been independently confirmed.

Meanwhile, Iraq's security adviser met Tuesday with Syrian President Bashar al Assad, even though U.S. officials say there is no coordination with the Assad regime right now in the fight against ISIS.

CNN's Anna Coren is live for us this morning in Irbil, in northern Iraq.

Anna, where the airstrikes have been escalating, you have been on the frontlines. We saw those explosions behind you just yesterday. You're really witnessing first hand the next phase in the coordinated battle against ISIS.

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, John, certainly an escalation, as you say in those U.S. air strikes and in the fighting against ISIS.

We've got some good news coming from the Peshmerga and Kurdish forces. They say that they killed an ISIS commander yesterday. His name is Abu Abdullah. He's 39 years old from Mosul.

So, obviously, great news -- boosts the spirits and the morale of the Peshmerga who, of course, are the boots on the ground. Many other ISIS were also killed in yesterday's attack, which focused on these five villages near a strategic bridge which by the end of the day was under Kurdish control.

Now, this bridge was destroyed yesterday by ISIS. Now that it's back under the Peshmerga control, they can rebuild it and it will connect the city of Irbil here, the capital Kurdistan to Mosul. Mosul, of course, is being Iraq's second largest city and an ISIS stronghold. It has been under ISIS control since June.

As we know, John that will eventually become the next phase of this battle. The battle to retake Mosul because that will seriously injure and cripple ISIS. That, of course, is where the ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi made his address, not just his caliphate, but also to the world.

So, if the Peshmerga, with the help of the Iraqi security forces, and of course, the global coalition, they're able to take back Mosul, everyone he knows this will seriously hurt ISIS here in Iraq, John.

BERMAN: And that, of course, Mosul is such a big city that will require a certain level of urban combat. And great level of coordination.

Our Anna Coren in Irbil this morning for us -- thanks so much.

ROMANS: Earlier, we mentioned that the weapons for the so-called moderate rebels could eventually be used against American troops. There are other ways the effort could back fire. Arizona Senator John McCain blasting the administration's plan during Joint Chiefs Chairman Dempsey's testimony Tuesday. McCain says the weapons will be used against the Assad government, not ISIS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: You'd think that these people you're training will only go back to fight against ISIL? Do you really believe that, General?

DEMPSEY: We do not have to deal with it now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The speaker of Syria's parliament had a similar warning about the insurgents fighting his government in a letter to U.S. House leaders. He claims that so-called moderate rebels sold an American hostage to ISIS. He said there's nothing to top is from doing the same with the weapons they get from the U.S. BERMAN: An upstate New York man will be in court charged with

plotting to murder American soldiers and recruiting on behalf of ISIS. Prosecutors in Rochester New York, say 30-year-old Mufid Elfgeeh, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Yemen, attempted to buy guns from undercover agents to carry out his deadly plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM HOCHUL, U.S. ATTORNEY: Mr. Elfgeeh expressed on numerous occasions his interest in killing American servicemen as they're returning from the war zones. He also spoke about also hurting members of the Shia Muslim community here in Rochester.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: In a grand jury indictment, Elfgeeh is also charged with recruiting for ISIS. His attorney is expected to enter a not guilty plea.

ROMANS: The United Nations says a billion dollars is needed right now to battle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The U.N. Security Council votes today on a resolution urging countries to provide field hospitals and other badly needed supplies to these Ebola-stricken countries.

In the House, there appears to be widespread support for the president's $88 million request. The president is expected to ask for another $500 million for his Ebola response plan today.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kent Brantly, an American Ebola survivor will testify at a hearing today. But he's already warning lawmakers there's no time to waste. A sentiment echoed by the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. KENT BRANTLY, EBOLA SURVIVOR: It is a fire. It is a fire straight from the pit of hell. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that the vast mode of the Atlantic Ocean will protect us from the flames of this fire.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's spiraling out of control. It is getting worse. It's spreading faster and exponentially. This is an epidemic that is not just a threat to regional security. It's a potential threat to global security, if these countries break down, if their economies break down, if people panic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The U.S. is stepping up its response to the Ebola crisis. The president planning to send 3,000 troops to West Africa along with materials. They need to build field hospitals. They need more health care workers and medical supplies. All of that is on its way.

There's hopeful news from the National Institutes of Health, by the way. The first human trial of the Ebola vaccine developed by the British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, it's producing no adverse effects in the 10 vaccinated volunteers.

BERMAN: Two Veterans Administration whistle-blowers were set to testify before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs today. The two doctors say the V.A. inspector general downplayed the link between patients' deaths and delays in health care at V.A. medical centers. Reports earlier this year led to the resignation of V.A. Secretary Eric Shinseki. CNN first brought you the story that 40 veterans died while waiting for care at the V.A. medical center in Phoenix.

Competing action on the issue of Benghazi in Congress. A Select House Committee holds hearings this morning over the killing of U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three others. House Democrats seemed to try to get ahead of the committee on Tuesday, with a report containing point-by-point rebuttals to the anticipated Republican attacks.

BERMAN: All right. Breaking news overnight, this will come as a surprise to a lot of football fans this morning. The Vikings banning Adrian Peterson from any and all activities, reversing a reversal it made 24 hours ago. Allegations of child abuse now forcing him from the field after unforcing him from the field. Andy Scholes breaks it all down. The late decision, ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right. Breaking news this morning: Big changes overnight in the NFL.

The Minnesota Vikings have reversed course and have now banned Adrian Peterson from all team activity. It's sort of a re-ban, if you will.

ROMANS: Yes, Andy Scholes has more of this morning's "Bleacher Report".

I think people waking up saying, wait a minute, he was banned and then he was reinstated, now he's banned again. This happened overnight. It is a big deal.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It certainly is, Christine.

You know, this decision comes just hours after Minnesota's governor called for Adrian Peterson to be suspended indefinitely. And one of the league's biggest sponsor, Anheuser-Busch, criticizing the way the NFL has handled the situation.

On Monday, Peterson was reinstated by the Vikings, then was expected to play Sunday against the saints but as more allegations arose and more sponsors spoke out the team changed its mind. Owners Zygi and Mark Wilf released a statement early this morning. It read, "We want to be clear. We have a strong stance regarding the protection of welfare of children and we want to be sure we get this right. At the same time, we want to express our support for Adrian and acknowledge his seven-plus years of outstanding commitment to this organization and this community." Now, again, Peterson is now on the inactive list for the Vikings.

Radisson Hotel suspended their sponsorship Monday. Nike stores in Minneapolis have also pulled Peterson's jerseys off the shelf.

As expected, the NFL Players Association has appealed the Ray Rice indefinite suspension. In a statement, the NFLPA says they're trying to protect the due process rights of all NFL players and Rice was not treated fairly by commissioner Roger Goodell. It asked for an independent arbitrator to hear the case since Goodell and members of his office will be key witnesses. A hearing date will be set in the next 10 days.

All right. Rihanna won't be doing anything for CBS anytime soon. The network pulled her intro to last week's Thursday night telecast because of her history of being a domestic violence victim. Apparently, they were planning on running it this week until Rihanna tweeted this, "CBS, you pull might song last week now you want to slide it in this Thursday? No, bleep you. Y'all are sad for penalizing me for this." She followed up that tweet with another one reading just, "The audacity."

Now, CBS responded to those tweets saying they would go in a different direction with the intro for the rest of the season.

It's safe to say, guys, I don't think Rihanna will be performing at the Super Bowl anytime soon.

ROMANS: No, I don't think so, too. It's interesting, though, they pulled her song just as a role of survivor of domestic abuse. But also because they were taking a different approach to the beginning of that game, right? The James Brown, Scott Pelley, it wasn't entertainment, really. So you can see -- she's obviously very mad.

BERMAN: Yes, one thing I have learned in this, saying blank you to people you want to use your product may not be a good technique.

Thank you, Andy. Great to have you with us this morning.

ROMANS: Let's stay on the subject.

Anheuser-Busch just became the first major NFL sponsor to criticize the league's recent actions over domestic violence and child abuse. The company said in a statement, "We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code.

Anheuser-Busch is one of the NFL's three biggest sponsors. It spends $50 million a year in sponsorships. And that doesn't include the millions the company spends on commercials during broadcasts. That big ad spending makes it possible for the league to charge broadcasters $5 billion this year to show its games. The league responded to the criticism saying there will be more action soon.

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

European shares moving higher. U.S. stock futures are barely budging this morning. You got Janet Yellen and the Fed, the second day with their meeting what they say about interest rates and say the economy will be critical. So, I think you've got U.S. investors hitting the pause button for now.

BERMAN: Meanwhile, residents in the California lumber town of Weed near the Oregon border are returning to find much of it burning to the ground. The fast-moving wildfire destroyed some 150 homes and buildings, include two churches. The fire is one of a dozen burning all overly California fueled by strong winds and extreme drought conditions.

To get a sense of what's going on out there, Indra Petersons has a look at the forecast.

Good morning, Indra.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.

The concern, of course, those dry conditions and dry fuel out there. But also look at these temperatures. This is yesterday around the California area. We're talking about temperatures at a record of 103 degrees down, yes, they tied that record.

We need to go towards, long beach, the coastal section, you're still talking 90, Santa Barbara. Almost 100 degrees up towards Idaho. We're talking about 90-degree temperatures. That's that huge contrast across the country, with very warm temperatures in the West Coast, and the milder temperatures on the East Coast.

Big story today is still going to be in regards to Odile. Look at all of this moisture making its way into the Southwest. We're talking about heavy amounts of rain, three to five, seeing as much as six inches of rain. It doesn't seem like a lot. That much in a short period of time definitely brings back concern for flooding since flooding a week or so ago.

Also, I want to say about Odile, keep in mind, there's another system brewing out there. Another system making its way bee lining for Cabo. That's the concern. People still trying to get out of the area with another system now brewing into the Pacific.

Otherwise, into the Southeast today, still looking at more scattered showers in that region. Maybe generally on the left side, and then if you're in the Northeast, we're going to see reinforced cooler air building in. So, that's kind of the story there. Temperatures staying nice and mild, of course, in the Northeast. Meanwhile, that heat and those fire concerns still out there towards the northwest.

ROMANS: Unbelievable. All right. Thanks.

BERMAN: All right. In less than 24 hours, Scotland will vote on independence. But the United Kingdom not going down without a fight. The leaders are now offering to keep Scotland under the wing. We are live, next.

ROMANS: Some airlines may finally be punctual, believe it or not. The Department of Transportation has just released a report just shows flights are arriving on time more often. In average of about 75 percent of the 14 major domestic carriers arrived on town in the month of July. That's a 5 percent jump just since June.

For a flight to be considered on time, it needs to arrive at the gate within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival. This according to Flight Status, a company who tracks on time performance. The report says Hawaiian Airlines with a 93 percent arrival rate, followed by Delta and Alaska Airlines at the bottom. Jet Blue has just a 65 percent on time arrival rate, followed by Southwest and American.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Tensions building this morning in Scotland and much of the United Kingdom as voters get ready phone an historic vote on whether to break off from the U.K.

Now, tomorrow's votes could see Scots declare independence, although they want to keep the queen. Go figure.

Potentially splitting up Great Britain after 300 years. Now, some U.K. officials in Britain are pledging to give Scots new powers in effort to sway them to vote against independent. Less than 24 hours from now, history on the British Isles could be changed forever.

Our Max Foster is there with the latest from Edinburgh where the polls, basically like a dead heat.

MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It really is. Three polls out today, very close, all within the margin of error.

So, they're all saying the same thing, that they are neck and neck, the two campaigns where there are some differences on the number of undecided votes, which is something between 6 percent and 17 percent. Still substantial. So, still is this big undecided community, which is going to decide the outcome of this -- this vote.

I mean, it's extraordinary, really. And both sides are really saying the same thing there. You referred to it there, that this is history in the making.

So, the yes campaign is saying don't pass this once in a lifetime opportunity to bring power back to Edinburgh, back from London, where it doesn't belong.

But the same is being said on the other side, it has to be said. They're saying, actually, there's no going back from this. If you made a decision to go independent, then you will lose that whole support structure that comes from being within the U.K. -- the embassies, the military, the pound.

The pound is still a debate because London is saying Scotland can't have the pound. Scotland is saying we have a right to it -- John.

BERMAN: If they vote to split, this doesn't happen on Friday, Scotland all of a sudden is free, independent country on Friday, it will take more than a year to untangle this incredibly close relationship they've had for more than 300 years, Max.

FOSTER: There are all these unintended consequences. There's so many questions.

I think if there is a yes vote, then we need to look at the markets Friday actually there's a real sense in the markets that London isn't prepared for a yes vote. And what does happen to all of the business and all of the complicated economic entanglements between the two countries.

And then, you know, all the American investments in the U.K. How does an American investor know what his U.K. investments are worth? He doesn't know how much is owned in Scotland, how much in England. There could be a big impact there.

I have to say, there's been two years of campaigning here. Just being in Scotland, you feel this great sense of tension. And the yes campaign, there's some fringe element of getting particularly aggressive.

So, the message here, really, there's a lot at stake. But we've got one more day of campaigning, so let's keep calm. In Scottish terms, this their version of keep calm and carry on, a big message on the main tabloid here, "Keep the heat and carry on", John.

I'm sure that goes over very big where you are, max.

Thanks very much. Great to have you with us, Max Foster in Edinburgh. I appreciate your presence here.

ROMANS: We're watching history here, folks. We're watching history.

BERMAN: It really is.

Twenty-seven minutes after the hour right now.

Could U.S. troops end up fighting on the ground in Iraq? The warning, the new warning from the top U.S. general as the skepticism grows over president's plan to battle the terrorists. We're live, next.

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