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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

President Obama Addresses U.N. on ISIS; Airstrikes Continue Against ISIS in Iraq; Syrian Refugee Crisis Deepens in Turkey; Suspect Arrested in Missing Student Case

Aired September 25, 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: New airstrikes targeting the terrorists in Syria and Iraq. The war against ISIS rages on. President Obama is back at the United Nations again this morning after finally convincing the world leaders to help.

We're live with the latest on the ground and the new world power that could soon be joining in the airstrikes.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Syrian refugees running from ISIS fighters. They're seeking safety in Turkey but they're not exactly getting a warm welcome.

We're live at the Turkey-Syria border where the humanitarian crisis is happening.

BERMAN: And a man suspected of abducting a missing nursing student in Virginia arrested in Texas. But the mystery of what happened to Hannah Graham continues.

We have the latest on this case ahead. New twist and turn there to be sure.

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

ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. It's Thursday, September 25th. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East. We welcome all of our viewers here in the U.S. and around the world.

Good morning, everyone. Let's begin here as the war against ISIS intensifying this morning with new airstrikes in Eastern Syria carried out overnight by U.S. and coalition warplanes. At least a dozen mobile oil refineries targeted. A Pentagon spokesman saying the military is, quote, "very confident we hit what we were aiming at."

These new airstrikes began just hours after President Obama addressed the U.N. General Assembly, calling for a united front against the Islamic terror group.

CNN senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta has been at the United Nation, as the president works to strengthen the coalition against ISIS.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, in a tough-talking speech here at the United Nations, President Obama urged the world to join forces and form a coalition to take on ISIS. At one point during the speech, he all but foreshadowed those airstrikes in Eastern Syria that would take place later in the day when he told those ISIS fighters to clear off the battlefield. The president describing ISIS as a cancer that needed to be eradicated.

Here's more of what the president had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There can be no reasoning, no negotiation with this brand of evil. The only language understood by killers like this is the language of force. So the United States of America will work with a broad coalition to dismantle this network of death.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: The president stayed on that war footing in a meeting with the new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The president emphasized that this war on ISIS will not be short-lived and that these airstrikes will be going on for some time in both Iraq and in Syria.

Later in the day, he presided over a session of the U.N. Security Council on the important subject of these foreign fighters that are a threat both here in the United States and in the West, not to mention down in the Middle East.

The president will continue this theme of coalition-building later on in the morning when he gives remarks at the conference on the deadly Ebola outbreak in Africa -- John and Christine.

BERMAN: Our thanks to Jim for that report.

Now with a lot of the world attention focused on the new campaign against ISIS in Syria, U.S. forces are continuing to hit ISIS in Iraq as they have for weeks. American warplanes conducted airstrikes Wednesday on two ISIS positions in northern Iraq. Two vehicles west of Baghdad. But in some ways, President Obama is drawing a line, setting a limit on how much the U.S. will do. He did that during his meeting with the new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Although we cannot do this for you, we can be a strong partner and we are fully committed to your success. We wish you Godspeed and we are grateful for your willingness to take on this leadership mantle at such a critical time in your country's history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Let's talk about the latest from Iraq. Let's go to the ground there.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is there.

Good morning, Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, John. We are right near the village of Hasan Shin where about nine days ago there was a battle between the Peshmerga. Those were the Kurdish forces and the Islamic State.

Now this is one place where the U.S. did in fact played a role taking out some ISIS vehicles during the battle. Now we are just at a spot just about five -- five miles from the ISIS positions which are just up the road. Now what is interesting is right behind me here, this is a checkpoint on the edge of a bridge. At the bottom is written the Islamic State. So they were here just nine days ago.

And then if we just pan over to the left a bit, you can see a critical bridge. This is the main road to the city of Mosul which is occupied by ISIS at the beginning of June. Now when ISIS forces were driven out of this area, before they left, they blew up this bridge which now of course is completely impassable. Kurdish forces have rebuilt or rather built a temporary bridge just up the river from here.

Now earlier, we spoke with a Kurdish commander who explained to us some of the difficulties they're facing. Now they do appreciate the U.S. strikes. They say they have intensified since Tuesday night strikes on Syria as well. But what they say is that they are really lacking essential equipment like night vision goggles, like helicopters. The commander was telling me they are using -- all they have at their disposal is a lot of light weaponry.

And they say -- he was saying that in fact some of their artillery dates back to 1937. So they say they do appreciate the U.S. airstrikes, but they need a lot more help because some of the ISIS units are better armed than they are -- John.

BERMAN: And better funded, too, which is why the U.S. was hitting ISIS oil refineries in Syria overnight where they get so much of their money.

Ben Wedeman in northern Iraq, so interesting to see that building behind you that essentially says ISIS was here. Now they're not showing the impact of the latest round of U.S. and coalition efforts.

Thank, Ben.

Top diplomats are warning against letting the fight against ISIS inadvertently helped Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. ISIS of course has emerged as one of the rebel groups fighting to overthrow Assad's regime.

In his address to the United Nations President Obama took pains to emphasize that the airstrikes are intended to help the so-called moderate Syrian rebels, not Assad. Syria's representative to the United Nations criticized that part of the president's message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BASHAR JA'AFARI, SYRIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: The approach used by President Obama was a rather constructive one, except in the small part where he contradicted himself by saying that USA -- I mean, his administration would support what he called the Syrian opposition. He shouldn't have said that in this way because we are the legitimate government. Nobody has the authority or the permission or the power to war against legitimate government elected by its own people. This is the case of the Syrian government.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Protest, though, filled with outrage there to get the Syrian ambassador to the U.N.

ROMANS: The refugee crisis meantime at the border between Syria and in Turkey is worsening, as ISIS continues to advance on Kurdish towns. This new ISIS video claimed to show militant fighters taking the town of Kobani. Hundreds of thousands of Kurdish refugees have flooded the border area just in the last few days.

At the U.N. on Wednesday the president of Turkey said the total number of Syrian refugees in his country is 1.5 million. He scolded what he called rich and strong European countries for failing to do their share to help Syrian refugees.

Our Phil Black is on the Turkish-Syrian border. He is in the middle of this crisis.

And now for the third day running, Phil, we are seeing behind you people who are desperate to flee ISIS and Turkey being careful about opening its borders fully.

Tell us what's happening.

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Christine, through the razor wire behind me on the other side of the border there, you can see crowds of Syrians waiting. Some of them are being made to wait because the Turkish government is only opening the border at set times. It is very carefully now letting these people in, screening them, checking them but also giving them what they need -- food, shelter, water, medical attention.

Some of these people are choosing to wait because they had brought their livestock with them and they do not want to leave behind their very valuable animals. For the moment, their needs their belief in the values of those animals outweighs their desire to cross into the safety that Turkey is offering.

But these refugees, they are still coming to the border and that is because of the fighting that is going on south of here in the town of Kobani. That is where ISIS is still trying to take the city as you mentioned. The refugees tell us that local fighters and indeed fighters from Turkey who crossed over to help, they have slowed down their advance to a significant degree, but they say the fighting, the bombardment it is still very intense. And so people are still making their way to the border carrying

whatever they possibly can through this very hot and dry and dusty landscape.

What this all means for Turkey, which you've touched on there, is that its burden of dealing with the very large number of refugees from Syria. It continues to grow. Hundreds of thousands in just a few days on top of that 1.5 million that you mentioned that have crossed over during the duration of the Syrian civil conflict.

When you talk to aid workers here, and indeed Turkish government officials, there really is a feeling that Turkey has been left to carry this burden alone, that other countries are not doing enough to help with this humanitarian crisis -- Christine.

ROMANS: And it certainly is a humanitarian crisis. Really important to remember that as government and government figures are speaking in New York and elsewhere about what to do in Syria and what to do with ISIS, those people there have no choice but to flee the fighting.

Thank you so much for that, Phil Black.

BERMAN: France's Foreign Ministry is confirming that a video showing the murder of a French mountaineer is authentic. French officials say that Herve Gourdel was kidnapped over the weekend in Algeria by armed ISIS allies, followers or acolytes. The video titled, "A message of blood for the French government" shows the beheading of Gourdel.

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke out on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly condemning this just heinous act.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: We stand by the French people in outrage at this barbarity. And we also share their resolve to rid the earth of this menace. We will not stand by as ISIL and others who use fear and violence and oppression to achieve their goals, continue to find safe haven anywhere, including in Syria.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: It should be noted that the British aid worker Alan Henning is still believed to be in the hands of ISIS himself. His family is still holding out hope that that Islamic terror organization might release him.

ROMANS: U.S. airstrikes in Syria aimed at an al Qaeda-linked group killed at least one of its leaders. Officials have not confirmed reports that the head of the Khorasan Group was the senior operative killed in that attack. The latest round of airstrikes carried out simultaneously with a border coalition offensive against ISIS terrorist. The Khorasan Group is accused of plotting attacks against the U.S. and Europe.

BERMAN: Now to the latest in the fight to contain the Ebola outbreak. President Obama is set to address the United Nations General Assembly

today about this emergency. And there are growing concerns that the outbreak could have political implications in West Africa. A top Liberian official quoted as saying the slow response could cause the region to slip back into conflict.

Also, there is a severe shortage of treatment centers in Liberia's capital, which means that more people are dying of Ebola at their homes infecting family members and neighbors. Only 18 percent of Ebola patients in Liberia are being cared for in hospitals. Aid workers, health workers, and educators are now facing the added danger of being attacked while trying to disinfect areas, warn people and bury the dead.

ROMANS: Wow.

BERMAN: In the latest incident, a Red Cross team was attacked while collecting bodies in New Guinea.

A pair of drug companies is now planning to advance another Ebola vaccine to human trials next year. And the FDA this week is warning three companies against marketing their products as possible treatments for remedies for Ebola.

ROMANS: All right. 12 minutes past the hour. Time for an EARLY START on your money this Thursday.

European stocks are higher. Asian shares ended the day mostly higher on hopes for more economic stimulus measures in Europe and China.

Look at the U.S. stock futures barely moving right now. It was a rally yesterday. The Dow up about 150 points, Berman.

And this is a really interesting story this morning. Bailed out General Motors executives got a big pay day. President Obama asked that cash salaries be capped at $500,000 as the condition of the bailout. Remember the big GM bailout a few years ago?

According to a new report, the Treasury Department approved higher pay for 16 employees at GM and its former financing arm Ally Financial last year. The top 25 employees each received compensation of at least $1 million including stock at the same time the companies were struggling to repay the government. The Treasury Department says this report, this watchdog report contains inaccuracies. Congress never established a pay cap. But here we are, years after the bailout still arguing about big paychecks for executives of companies who were bailed out by taxpayers.

BERMAN: Very interesting. Very interesting.

All right, 13 minutes after the hour. A suspect is behind bars this morning accused in the disappearance of nursing student Hannah Graham. She disappeared in Virginia. Wait until you hear where this guy was found. We will have the latest in the case next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BERMAN: The suspect wanted for abduction in the case of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham is now under arrest. Thirty-two-year-old Jesse Matthew was apprehended by police in Galveston, Texas. Virginia authorities say the extradition process is already under way.

Now Matthew was the last person seen with Hannah Graham before she disappeared 12 days ago. There were prayers for Hannah Wednesday night during a vigil in her hometown of Alexandria.

Let's get more now on the suspect's capture from CNN's Jean Casarez.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jesse Matthew is in custody this morning in the state of Texas. He was actually found on the beach in the Galveston area, Bolivar Peninsula. It's an area where family goes for vacation and fishing. And that is where a Galveston deputy sheriff actually located him.

Now we don't know any circumstances at all as to how he was picked up, but the jail did confirm with me that they stayed at the scene with him for quite a few hours. And then at 8:00 local time last night is when they brought him into the jail, didn't book him right away because they were questioning him. Of course, this is all in the disappearance of the University of Virginia sophomore Hannah Graham.

Now the next step this morning is that law enforcement from right here in Charlottesville, Virginia, are going to be flying to Texas and the next step is the extradition process. Now someone who is in custody can fight extradition or they can waive extradition and voluntarily come back to the state of Virginia. But we cannot forget the heart and soul of this case, and that's Hannah Graham, the University of Virginia sophomore that just went missing 12 days ago.

Where is she? Law enforcement is still asking everyone in this community to look for her because she cannot be forgotten in this case -- Christine, John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Indeed she cannot be forgotten.

All right. No change of venue for the trial of Boston marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. A federal judge denying a defense request to move the proceeding out of Massachusetts saying that an impartial jury can be found in that area. It's big enough the judge says to find a jury. The trial itself is being delayed by two months. Not as long as the defense wanted. It will now begin on January 5th. Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty for 30 federal charges now. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

ROMANS: Accused cop killer Eric Frein has alluded Pennsylvania Police now for nearly two weeks. And it appears he is toying with them. Authorities say he was spotted several times, but always just too far away to be captured and then disappears into the woods. Authorities have also found evidence of his presence including cigarettes and soiled diapers. He is suspected in the ambush of two state troopers killing one and critically wounding another.

BERMAN: A grand jury deciding not to indict NASCAR driver Tony Stewart in the death of fellow race Kevin Ward Jr. The 20-year-old Ward was struck and killed by Stewart's car after he had climbed out of his car to confront Stewart during a dirt trace race in upstate New York last month. Prosecutors also revealed that Ward had marijuana in his system enough they say to impair his judgment.

In a statement, Stewart says, "This has been the toughest and most emotional experience of my life and it will stay with me forever. I'm very grateful for all the support I have received and continue to receive."

ROMANS: All right, 19 minutes past the hour. President Obama gaining world support for the war on ISIS. But what do former president Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton think of striking terrorists in Syria? And what they told CNN --

BERMAN: Yes. Forget the world. What are the Clintons saying?

(LAUGHTER)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: All right. Welcome back. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton say they agree with President Obama's decision to use airstrikes against the terrorist group ISIS and to arm Syrian rebels working to defeat them. He spoke with "OUTFRONT's" Erin Burnett. She spoke with our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT: I think what ISIS was trying to do was to sucker us into putting a lot of soldiers on the ground so they could shift the blame from themselves to us for all the violence in the area. And what we learned repeatedly is that when the Sunni tribal leaders, who are not militant and not twisting Islam for their political objectives are willing to fight, they can reclaim their country.

HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: This is a recognized international threat and clearly the president has said no American soldiers are going to be involved, but we do have unique capabilities that we are using to give time to the Iraqi government, to other governments to put together the kind of force that is going to be necessary to take on, to degrade and to defeat these groups.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: In her memoir, Hillary Clinton says she urged the president to arm Syrian rebels while she was secretary of state. Made clear that she disagreed with his initial decision not to arm them. BERMAN: New airstrikes targeting in ISIS and Iraq in Syria as a new

world power announces it could be ready to help in the fight. Live team coverage next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: The war on ISIS intensifying this morning. New airstrikes targeting the terrorists in Iraq and Syria. President Obama convincing the United Nations ISIS must be extinguished. This as a new world power announces it may soon play a new role in this fight.

Live team coverage ahead.

BERMAN: In just hours, President Obama will go to the United Nations again, trying to get global support to fight the Ebola epidemic. Leaders are warning that this crisis could cripple some countries.

We have the latest ahead.

ROMANS: The last man seen with missing nursing student Hannah Graham behind bars this morning. But the mystery of what happened to the 18- year-old remains.

BERMAN: Yes. Wait until you hear where they got that guy.

ROMANS: Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. 29 minutes past the hour right now. We do want to welcome all of our viewers here in the United States and around the world.

The war against ISIS is intensifying this morning with new air strikes in eastern Syria carried out overnight by U.S. and coalition warplanes. At least a dozen mobile oil refineries were targeted.