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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Fighting For His Life; ISIS Gaining Ground; Khorasan Plotting Attack?

Aired October 06, 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: Fighting for his life. The first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States is said to be near-death as a second victim makes his way now to Nebraska. What the administration is now considering to keep you safe.

Gaining grounds. ISIS now closing in on Kobani as the Syrian city's defender start to retreat. Are coalition efforts falling flat? We are live this morning.

And then, imminent danger. Could an attack on the U.S. be coming any day? FBI Director James Comey says the terror group Khorasan may be planning to do something soon. But how real is the threat from this al Qaeda affiliate?

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman. Christine Romans is out today.

It is Monday, October 6th, 4:00 a.m. in the East.

And this morning, government health officials are at work trying to ensure that Ebola does not get into this country again and does not spread where it has already entered. In Dallas, the first patient diagnosed in the United States, Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan has now been downgraded from serious to critical.

Meanwhile, NBC News cameraman Ashoka Mokpo has been evacuated from Liberia on a specially equipped plane. It is due to arrive in Nebraska for treatment this morning. In Delaware, a child from Liberia has been placed in an isolation unit. But that child was past the incubation period for Ebola, and that the CDC believes the likelihood of infection is, quote, "extremely low."

CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is in Dallas tracking the efforts to contain the spread of Ebola there and at the other entry points in the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: John, authorities are following 48 people who may have come into contact with Thomas Eric Duncan.

And the breakdown is like this: they are following seven hospital workers who had contact with Duncan and they are considered in the higher risk category and also three family members also in that higher risk category. The rest of the contacts, 38 of them, are considered lower risk.

So, what's happening with these contacts is that they get visits twice a day from a health care worker and their temperature is taken and the health worker will ask them how they are feeling, we'll run down the list of the symptoms of Ebola to make sure that they're not experiencing any of them.

Now, this helps explain how they are trying to keep Ebola from spreading within the United States. But authorities also want to keep it from arriving in the United States a second time. So, I know when I came back from Liberia, it was just about the same time that Thomas Eric Duncan arrived. And what I found was basically no screening.

Now, they took my temperature in Liberia at the airport there, but they didn't take my temperature in the United States. In fact, they basically had no screening for myself and my two colleagues who arrived even though we said we were journalists arriving Liberia who have been covering Ebola.

So, now, federal officials say that they may start having more stringent measures which may include taking temperatures from people who've been visiting Ebola-affected countries -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Our thanks to Elizabeth for that.

So, with the elections coming up and the war against ISIS, the White House already has a lot on its plate. But now, Ebola is beginning to add to the political complications facing this administration.

Erin McPike is at the White House with more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, as you know, the midterm elections are just one month away and the Ebola crisis is beginning to become a campaign issue. So, the White House is trying to send the message that they have this under control and they're trying to manage the fear.

So, listen here to White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer do that on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday.

DAN PFEIFFER, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISER: I think the first thing we need to do is make sure the American people understand how hard it is to contract Ebola and to understand that there's no country better prepared than the United States to deal with this, the best public health infrastructure and the best doctors in the world.

MCPIKE: But there is a slightly different message coming from the CDC. The director, Dr. Tom Frieden, held a briefing just yesterday. In that briefing, he made the point he wants health care officials and health care workers to have a healthy respect for any kind of lapse in protocols, that that is a big risk. So, he wants health care officials to be very meticulous even though

officials are warning that an Ebola outbreak in the United States is extremely unlikely. But he said that anytime there is still an outbreak, as there is in Africa, there is a potential risk everywhere. So, he did say that increased airport screenings are something they are considering.

Take a listen.

DR. TOM FRIEDEN, DIRECTOR, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: And, of course, we are now looking at the issue of entry screening. And we are looking at all possibilities. There have been suggestions from people in Congress and the public and media. We'll look at those and see what works to protect Americans and to make sure that whatever we do doesn't unintentionally actually increase our risk. If we make it harder to fight the outbreak in West Africa, we actually increase our own risk.

MCPIKE: Now, increased screenings are something that is recently as Friday administration officials said that they weren't considering them just yet. But we're hearing from more and more lawmakers, including New York Senator Chuck Schumer that those are important to consider.

Well, Tom Frieden will be at the White House today to brief the president -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: It will be very interesting to see what comes from that meeting. Our thanks to Erin McPike at the White House for that.

Some other news: Islamist fighters on the advance this morning, attacking a Hezbollah checkpoint on Syria's border with Lebanon. And the Syrian city of Kobani is on the edge, in imminent danger of falling into the hands of the ISIS fighters. That Kurdish city, which is on Syria border with Turkey, has been under siege for weeks. On Sunday, ISIS fighters took a strategic kill overlooking the city. And now, Kurdish fighters defending the city are said to be looking for a way out.

Our Arwa Damon joins us live now from the border between Turkey and Syria and practically see Kobani from there.

Arwa, how close is this city now to falling to ISIS?

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it seems to be getting closer to that as every single day goes by, John. ISIS is now entrenching itself from the southeastern portion of the city. And the city is right behind us.

Now, overnight, there were pretty intense clashes focusing on that southeastern front streets to streets in some cases, but then at one point, it went eerily quiet. And that is because the Kurdish fighters who thought that they would perhaps had an advantage because they know the city, they're from this city and be able to inflict severe casualties.

When it came to the battle with ISIS, actually found themselves at a disadvantage, because one fighter, he said that the ISIS militants were equipped with night vision capabilities mounted on top of their sniper rifles. All of the Kurdish force forced to stay while indoors. A lot of others we were speaking to also feeling as if it was either their last chance to flee or to stay and fight until the very end.

Now this morning, we have been here for an hour and a half or so. We did hear some artillery being exchanged. There was some machine gunfire going on as well.

We have been hearing calls from the Kurdish fighting force inside Kobani for two weeks now for this international coalition to do something. People failed to comprehend how it is that the U.S. and its allies could allow this situation to become this desperate, this dire. It's not just about the strategic importance of Kobani, and the fact that if it were to fall to ISIS, the organization would have a direct logistical route from the border to Turkey, to their stronghold in Raqqa.

But it's also about this unfolding humanitarian crisis that yes, we have been seeing since the beginning of the Syrian war well over three years ago, but one that has most certainly intensified, especially in this area in the last two weeks where the fighting has sent well over 200,000 people fleeing for safety from Syria here into neighboring Turkey, living in an incredibly brutal and difficult conditions.

BERMAN: And the U.S.-led effort, Arwa, seems to have done little to stop that humanitarian crisis, at least not yet.

Our Arwa Damon at the border between Turkey and Syria with Kobani, a city on the brink right behind her -- Arwa, thanks so much.

The parents of the American man being held captive by ISIS making a heart-wrenching plea for the terrorists to release their son. Abdul- Rahman Kassig's parents begging for mercy in a video released on Sunday. CNN is respecting Peter Kassig's parent's wishes to now refer to him by his Muslim name.

The 26-year-old former Army Ranger was in Syria providing humanitarian aid when he was captured last October. His parents say they are torn apart.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAULA KASSIG, MOTHER OF ABDUL-RAHMAN KASSIG: Please know that we are all praying for you and your safe return. Most of all, know we love you and our hearts ache for you to be granted your freedom so we can hug you again.

ED KASSIG, FATHER OF ABDUL-RAHMAN KASSIG: Like our son, we have no more control of the U.S. government than you have over the breaking of dawn. We implore his captors to show mercy and use their power to let our son go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: A warning from the director of the FBI about a possible terror attack to the United States. Director James Comey telling "60 Minutes" that the al Qaeda affiliate Khorasan may be planning to do something soon, quote, "very, very soon".

As for identifying and finding the hooded English-speaking man in the execution videos by ISIS, Comey says U.S. and British intelligence officials are making progress.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES COMEY, FBI DIRECTOR: We are working pretty hard not to just identify that savage, but all of them.

SCOTT PELLEY, CBS NEWS: Do you know who he is?

COMEY: I believe we do.

PELLEY: Do you have a name?

COMEY: I have it on my head.

PELLEY: But you're not willing to share it.

COMEY: I am not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The FBI director went on to say that FBI knows the identities of about a dozen Americans who have joined ISIS and insists his agency is prepared to track them very carefully should they attempt to return to the United States.

The Enterovirus has claimed the life of a 4-year-old New Jersey boy. Eli Waller's death is the first confirmed fatality directly caused by the mysterious respiratory diseases. Swelling in that boy's brain and lymph nodes was determined to be a result of the virus. At least four other people who tested positive for Enterovirus 68 have died. CDC officials are investigating whether the virus play a role in their deaths.

The next phase in the search for Malaysia Airline Flight 370 is underway. Australian transport officials say the search vessel Go Phoenix and two others will have detailed sweeps of the Southern Indian Ocean in an effort to find the wreckage. MH370 disappeared back in March with 239 people onboard. An extensive search thus far has failed to turn up a single piece of definitive evidence as to the plane's whereabouts.

We will get an early look now at our weather with Samantha Mohr.

SAMANTHA MOHR, AMS METEOROLOGIST: That's right, John.

Over the course of the weekend, we had some of the coldest temperatures of the season. And now, it looks like we're going to moderate a little bit in the next few days. But we still have a chance for showers here across parts of eastern Ohio, the Ohio Valley, into Tennessee Valley. Some thunderstorms could form here. Some could be severe as we head into the afternoon hours in central Tennessee. We're certainly be watching for that.

Notice, we are still on the cool side of the Great Lakes and Northeast, and very warm across the Southwest, with temperatures expect to be unseasonably warm once again today.

So, on our Tuesday, frontal boundary still pushing east. We'll see some showers along that. And then to the south, a lot of sunshine, beautiful fall weather for much of the Deep South as across the Midwest. We'll see similar conditions.

And notice here in the Southwest, we have Hurricane Simon off the Baja peninsula. That could bring in some moisture. So, we could see enhanced monsoon thunderstorms for our Tuesday. If not Tuesday, likely by Wednesday.

So, temperatures getting back up a little closer to normal in the northeast on our Tuesday. Beautiful across the south, with temperatures getting back into the 80s. We will see heat relief across the West as well. Thank goodness.

John, back to you.

BERMAN: It was downright cold here this morning. Our thanks to Samantha for that.

Activists and authorities remain in a standoff in Hong Kong this morning. What will the government do now that protesters have ignored the deadline to disperse? We take you live to the streets of Hong Kong.

And new apologies. What Vice President Biden said now that may impact the coalition against ISIS. The vice president back-tracking on what he called the United States' biggest problem.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Hong Kong authorities and protesters remain at a standoff this morning. Pro-democracy activists ignored the government deadline to disperse, but they also decided to allow city workers to enter offices that had been blocked last week.

CNN's Kyung Lah is live now from the streets in Hong Kong -- a little bit emptier this morning I have to say, Kyung.

KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very observant. And that is certainly the case. And we are definitely noticing that.

It is emptier, at one point you could walk down the street. There are still some sizable crowds here and there, but the impact of this deadline day has seemed to have been that some of the protesters have decided to leave. And there have been other concessions. I want you to look up over there. That is a foot bridge. That foot

bridge was once blocked by protesters, not allowing government workers to enter the building, this tall building you see over here to your right. That is a governmental building where the head of the government of Hong Kong resides and works.

They were effectively shutdown. Well, they are back at work. They were allowed back in by protesters. So, what that has done, is allow some of the government to begin to function again.

But does that mean this is over? Absolutely not. You can see that if you look further down this way, this entire stretch of street does remain closed. This street is a major thoroughfare in Hong Kong.

And the fact, John, that this has been shutdown, is showing that the people here on this street do intend to stay and they do want to eventually meet the government of Hong Kong so that they can talk about whether or not they get more of a say of who their leaders are -- John.

BERMAN: Interesting to see whether they get what they want, that this is perhaps the beginning of the end of this protest.

Kyung Lah in the streets of Hong Kong -- thanks so much.

A new apology from Vice President Joe Biden. He has now apologized to Turkey and United Emirates for comments he made last week during an appearance at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. The vice president suggested that the United States' Arab allies are partly to blame for strengthening ISIS and other militant groups.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our allies in the region were our largest problem in Syria. The Saudis, the Emirates, et cetera. What were they doing? They were so determined to take down Assad and essentially have a proxy Sunni/Shia war. What do they do? They poured hundreds of millions of dollars and tens -- thousands of tons of weapons into any one who would fight against Assad, except that the people who were being -- who were being supplied were al Nusra and al Qaeda and extremist elements of jihadists coming from other parts of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: He's apologized. Of course, that does not mean there wasn't truth to what he was saying. Nevertheless, the White House says that the vice president spoke to the crown prince of Abu Dhabi by phone to say he did not intend to imply that the UAE supported terrorists.

Catholic bishops and cardinals from around the world are now gathering at the Vatican to discuss the church's position on several controversial family issues, including abortion, contraception, homosexuality and divorce. The landmark meeting will last two weeks. At a mass on Sunday to open the meeting, Pope Francis said he hopes the senior Catholic leaders would participate freely in the discussions.

The manhunt for suspected cop killer in Pennsylvania is now in its fourth week. Erin Frein is accused of ambushing two state troopers, killing one and wounding another. A possible sighting of Frein was reported on Sunday. Police have found food, ammunition and supplies believed to be that man's. And the rugged heavily search area in northeast Pennsylvania. But as of yet, he has managed to avoid capture.

"Please help end this nightmare", those words from the parents of missing college student Hannah Graham. The 18-year-old University of Virginia sophomore vanished last month. Yesterday, her parents made another emotional plea for her safe return. Authorities even upped the reward to find her to $100,000.

With tears in her eyes, and her husband by her side, Sue Graham begged anyone with information to come forward.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUE GRAHAM, MOTEHR OF HANNAH GRAHAM: Despite all of your efforts, Hannah is still missing. Somebody listening to me today either knows where Hannah is or knows someone who has that information, we appeal to you to come forward and tell us where Hannah can be found.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: That poor family.

Coming up, General Motors facing a new recall. Why more than 60,000 cars being called back. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: A new recall in a dubious milestone for General Motors. More than 60,000 vehicles involved in this latest recall. Pontiac G8 and Chevy Caprice models may have an ignition problem. Cadillacs are being called back because of a fuel pump issue. Now, the latest recall this brings this year's total to 30 million for General Motors.

Hewlett-Packard may be heading for a split. According to "The Wall Street Journal", the iconic maker of personal computers and printers could break off into two separate companies by spinning off its technology services business. The break up would create one company that sells HP computers and printers, and a second that focuses on technology services, including data storage, servers and software.

There's been a huge beef recall in Texas. Sam Kane beef processors recalled more than 90,000 pounds of products after finding four people reported finding a piece of metal in their beef. The packages were produced between September 9 and September 18. All of the products were shipped to retail outlets in Texas.

There's a new case of Ebola on U.S. soil this morning, or at least a case of man with Ebola being brought to the United States. A freelance cameraman makes his way to Nebraska after being diagnosed with the deadly virus. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Fighting for his life. The first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States is said to be near death and what the government is now doing to make sure you are safe.

Gaining control. ISIS continues its push into Syria, taking control over a strategic hill right outside the city of Kobani. What this means for local fighters and the U.S.-led coalition efforts. We are live in that region.

Imminent danger. FBI Director James Comey says the terror group Khorasan may be plotting an attack on the United States. He says it could be coming every day -- any day. We'll have details ahead.

Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. Great to see you this morning. I'm John Berman. Twenty-nine minutes past the hour. Christine Romans is off today.

Health officials concerned this morning. They're trying to ensure Ebola does not get into the United States again and does not spread where it is already. In Dallas, the condition of the first patient diagnosed in the United States, the Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan, has now been downgraded from serious to critical.

NBC News cameraman Ashoka Mokpo has been evacuated from Liberia on a specially-equipped is due to arrive in Nebraska for treatment this morning.