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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
House OKs Backing Syrian Rebels; Another NFL Player Arrested; Scotland Independence Vote
Aired September 18, 2014 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The hunt for ISIS. The House of Representatives approving part of the president's plan to battle the terrorists but it may not be that easy. New problems facing the U.S. and Syria, and the new terror plot that ISIS militants are ready for bigger and perhaps bolder attacks.
Another NFL player arrested, accused of domestic violence. Four players now suspended for off the field violence. How team leaders are responding this morning.
And happening right now. Polls are open in Scotland. Voters deciding on independence. Will Scotland split from the United Kingdom? A vote that will have impact around the world.
Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman. Thirty-two minutes after the hour. Christine Romans is off today.
A crucial element of President Obama's plan to fight ISIS is moving ahead with a House vote to train and arm the moderate Syrian rebels. Republicans back the president's plan more than 2 to 1. This despite GOP criticism that the plan does not go far enough, that group troops will be needed, they say, to defeat the Islamic militant group.
But the president took pains Wednesday to underscore his message that putting U.S. soldiers in combat in Iraq is off the table.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to be clear. The American forces that have been deployed to Iraq do not have will not have a combat mission. They will support Iraqi forces on the ground. As they fight for their own country against these terrorists. As your commander-in-chief, I will not commit you and the rest of our armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: The U.S. secretary of state with very much the same message. John Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that ground troops only role in Iraq is to support Iraqi forces. He also responded to anti-war protesters calling for further diplomatic efforts by saying, quote, "there is no negotiation with ISIS."
BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: For a whole philosophy or idea or a cult -- whatever you want to call it -- that frankly comes out of the Stone Age. They are coldblooded killers marauding across the Middle East, making a mockery of a peaceful religion. That's precisely why we are building a coalition to try to stop them from denying the women and the girls and people of Iraq the very future that they yearn for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: The administration's sales effort on Capitol Hill continues today with the secretary testifying to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel appears before the House Armed Services Committee.
Meanwhile, the president of Iran is denouncing ISIS in terms of almost as strong John Kerry. Hassan Rouhani telling NBC News, quote, "The killing and beheading of independent people is a matter of shame for them and concern for all mankind." The Iranian president did criticize much of President Obama as plan, questioning the rejection of combat troops. President Rouhani said are Americans afraid of their soldiers being killed?
The president is planning to arm moderate Syrian rebels against ISIS may be hitting a bit of a small snag. Syrian President Bashar al Assad has seemingly stepped up his campaign to destroy those rebels. Anti-Assad fighters are being hit with new intense wave of air strikes, apparently even assassinations.
The Obama administration has insisted it will not coordinate with Assad regime in the fight against ISIS. Now, on the ground in Iraq, ISIS still has total control of that country's second largest city, talking about Mosul. The Islamic militant group is ordering schools there to open, but with a ban on teaching history, geography and literature. Instead, the day will be spent on religious studies.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces say they are not currently strong enough to change that situation. A top Kurdish leader says Peshmerga fighters will need international help and lots of it to dislodged ISIS from Mosul. Not to mention the fact, by the way, that these despite Kurdish forces will be fighting if they go into Mosul for a city that is not predominantly Kurdish, there will be serious ethic complications there.
CNN's Anna Coren is live in Irbil, about 60 miles right now from Mosul.
Good morning, Anna.
ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, hey, John.
Mosul, as we know, is going to be a huge battle and huge problem. As you say, it is a Sunni populated city of some 2 million people. Iraq's second largest that has been under control by ISIS since June.
You know, they didn't necessarily invite ISIS in, but they welcome them in. So, to send in the Peshmerga, the Kurdish forces in northern Iraq into Mosul would be a blood bath, saying if we sent the Shia military, predominately the Iraqi security forces.
This is where the problem lies. They need some Sunni uprising or resistance forces within Mosul to kick out ISIS -- a huge problem facing Iraq.
You know, you hear President Obama say it is up to the Iraqis to secure Iraq. The problem is, we heard from America's top military official, General Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saying half of the Iraqi security forces are incapable of partnering with the United States, to push back ISIS. I mean, that is simply alarming considering all of the money, the resources poured into the training of the Iraqi forces. To now deem half of them are completely ineffective.
They are now in rebuild mode. The new Iraqi prime minister, that has to be his number one priority. It can't just be made up of Shias, like it was under the former prime minster, Nouri al Maliki. It has to be a united force.
And to take on Mosul, you know, this densely populated city. Its' going to be urban warfare. We spoke to senior officials here in Kurdistan. Are you prepared to go to Mosul. The operations are getting closer and closer.
Mosul falls outside of the borders of Kurdistan. But as the officials have said to us, we do not want Mosul as neighbors. So, they are prepared to go after this city, which of course is where the ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, made his address not just to his followers and the caliphate, but also to the world.
You know, they need to go after it. They need this global coalition and they need many more U.S. airstrikes in the weeks and months ahead to cripple ISIS in the lead up -- John.
BERMAN: Beating ISIS in Iraq will require liberating Mosul. But that will not be so easy as these air strikes seem to have been nearly effective. These air strikes will not be in a place like Mosul.
Anna Coren, covering this for us from Irbil in northern Iraq -- thanks so much, Anna.
Here in the United States, New York City police on high alert after an online posting urge ISIS supporters to target Times Square and other tourist sites. Officials say there is no official threat, but police commissioner Bill Bratton says he considers ISIS at least their capabilities on media more than dangerous than al Qaeda because of their effective use of social media to recruit followers.
The commissioner said Tuesday that New York is just a plane ride away from militants who have the proper documentation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM BRATTON, NYPD COMMISSIONER: Thousands of potential fighters over there who will exit that conflict at some point in time, including many Canadians, many -- British citizens, many Australian citizens, and at least an excess of 100 U.S. citizens. So, the potential for them to try to come back and commit terrorist acts here are very real.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: In addition to Times Square, the ISIS-linked Web site called for attacks on the Las Vegas strip, also mass transit.
A Rochester, New York store owner will be in federal court today to answer allegations of funding ISIS in trying to recruit jihadists to fight alongside them. Thirty-year-old Mufid Elfgeeh is also accused of plotting on his own to kill American troops returning from Iraq. He is expected to plead not guilty. He faces more than 60 years in prison if convicted of all of these charges.
This is interesting. Australia confronting its own domestic ISIS threat. This morning, authorities say they have disrupted the plan of execution of what they only call a member of the public. One person has been arrested, 15 others detained. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said the planned attack was directed from the Middle East by a senior ISIS leader.
First American plane-load of desperately needed hospital equipment is heading to Ebola stricken Liberia right now. It is expected to arrive tomorrow. There is not equipment on board to build a 25-bed hospital in Monrovia. That would be staff by about 65 Americans.
This is the first of 13 U.S. air shipments bringing medical supplies to the Liberian capital. This as the United Nations announces plans to establish a new on-the-ground mission in West Africa to coordinate the battle against Ebola.
Meanwhile, Ebola survivor, Dr. Kent Brantly, said he would like to return to West Africa to continue his work with Ebola victims. He told lawmakers Wednesday that they have to move quickly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. KENT BRANTLY, EBOLA SURVIVOR: This is a global problem and the U.S. must take the lead immediately. The longer we wait, the greater the cost of the battle both in dollars and in lives. We must act immediately and decisively to bring healing and instability to the people of West Africa, the African continent, the United States, and the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Right now, three vaccines and 10 medications are in developments. But health officials say --
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BERMAN: -- PayPal here in the United States. Another NFL player arrested, accused of domestic abuse, a problem
plaguing the league. Four players have now been separated from their teams for off the field violence. We have new developments ahead.
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BERMAN: A bad week gets worse for the NFL as another player is arrested in a domestic abuse case. This time it was Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer. The arrest on charges including aggravated assault stems from two July incidents in Dwyer's home in Phoenix. They involved a 27-year-old woman and 18-month-old child.
In a statement, the Cardinals say, "We became aware of these allegations this afternoon when notified by Phoenix police and cooperating fully. Given the nature of the allegations, we have taken the immediate step to deactivate Jonathan from all team activities."
No public comment yet from Dwyer. Detectives say he admitted confrontations took place, but denies any assault.
The Carolina panthers creating distance for the players. Star defensive end Greg Hardy, who was convicted of domestic violence in July, is taking a voluntary leave from the team. Hardy has been placed on the exempt list while he prepares for a November appeal of his conviction. He was found guilty of choking and threatening to kill his then-girlfriend.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman announced Hardy's decision Wednesday.
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DAVE GETTLEMAN, PANTHERS GENERAL MANAGER: You know, the bigger thing is the who issue. We are disappointed and that -- you know, I mean, he is an outstanding player, obviously. And it's disappointing. But he's got to get this. We have to get this right. He has to get this right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Now, Hardy will be paid during his leave, but he will not be allowed to attend team practice or obviously the games.
The Minnesota Vikings are admitting they made a mistake when they activated star running back Adrian Peterson for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The team reversed the decision on Wednesday, placing Peterson on an exempt list that bans him from all team activities until his child abuse cases resolved.
Listen to Vikings official explain their about-face.
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ZYGI WILF, VIKINGS OWNER: We want to get this right.
MARK WILF, VIKINGS PRESIDENT: In the end, it really is about getting it right.
RICK SPIELMAN, VIKINGS GENERAL MANAGER: Our focus right now today is to get this right, OK? And to -- you know, we admitted to making a mistake and we want to get this right.
KEVIN WARREN, VIKINGS CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: Our goal was to make sure we did everything we possibly could to make the best possible decision and to make the -- and to get it right.
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
BERMAN: You see a theme there?
Adrian Peterson's mother is publicly defending her embattled son, telling "The Houston Chronicle", quote, "I don't care what anybody says. Most of us disciplined our kids a little more than we meant sometimes. But we were only trying to prepare them for the real world. When you whip those you love, it is not about abuse, but love."
Happening now: Scotland voters heading to the polls voting on independence. Will the United Kingdom not be so united by tomorrow morning? We're live, next.
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BERMAN: Voting underway right now in Scotland on a referendum on independence, to break-away from the United Kingdom. Polls opened just a few hours ago. More than 4 million residents have registered to vote. This is the largest electorate ever in Scotland.
The results obviously don't just affect people in Scotland. Huge implications all over what is still as of today the United Kingdom, not to mention the rest of the world.
CNN's Erin McLaughlin live for us in London with more.
Good morning, Erin.
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.
That's right. They are watching the referendum in London very closely, especially, of course, the British press. Take a look at some of the morning headlines. You have "The London Times" with the banner "D-Day for The Union." Rather ominous.
And you have "The Independent" with the banner, "The 700-year itch", really a reference to just how historic the vote is in the 307 years that Scotland has been part of the union. There had been calls for Scottish independence.
Then, you have "The Daily Mirror" with the headline, "Don't Leave Us This Way."
This kind of impassioned pleas that we've also been hearing from the Britain's politicians. Prime Minister David Cameron has been to Scotland twice over the past few weeks, really pleading with the Scottish people for a no vote. All three of the main political parties here in Britain offering the Scottish people new powers in the event of a no vote.
But as for people here in London, well, I've really gotten mixed reactions from people when I asked them what they feel about a possible independent Scotland. Take a listen to what some people had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Scotland is part of the U.K. heritage and I think it would be a real shame if they decided to leave us. I feel like it would be part of my family saying I don't want to be with you anymore. Cheerio.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, ultimately, they decided to go independent. I think that's fine if they decide not to. That's the fine. That's the whole point of democracy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If they want to go, let them go. They would be better off with us. But if they want to go, let them go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCLAUGHLIN: You know, it was interesting. One poll of people in England and Wales found that 63 percent responded that they were against the idea of an independent Scotland. But 47 percent of people said that they didn't think it would have any impact whatsoever, which I found interesting given the number of ominous warnings that had been put out there by politicians, economists, business leaders, even former military leaders about the implications of a possible yes vote in this referendum -- John.
BERMAN: Yes, as relationships go, this could be the worst break up ever.
Erin McLaughlin in London for us -- thanks so much.
We're going to have an EARLY START on your money, next.
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BERMAN: Let's get an EARLY START on your money this morning. A little reassurance from the Federal Reserve goes a long way when it comes to stocks. European stocks moving higher this morning, and U.S. stock futures pointing higher as well. Now, if this holds, it could be another record day on Wall Street. The Dow ended the day at a record close yesterday after Fed Chair Janet Yellen reiterated the interest rates will stay low for some time.
Apple's new health app is out sick. There was lot of hype surrounding healthkit, a key component of the iOS8 software update rolled out yesterday. But the features release was stalled because of a software bug. It is supposed to work with third party apps and monitor the things like heart rate, sleep, weight and blood pressure. You also be able to share that information with your doctor.
There are usually some snags with new software launches. And Apple says health kit should be available by the end of the money.
Christine Romans is not here today, but you can find her on Twitter. Ask her your financial planning questions starting at noon today. Just use the #askchristine. Tell her I say hello and miss her terribly.
EARLY START continues right now.
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BERMAN: The House officially onboard with the president's plan to battle ISIS.
