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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Deal Reached in Ukraine Peace Talks; Obama Asks Congress to Authorize 3-Year ISIS War; CBS' Bob Simon Dies in Car Crash; "House of Cards" Leaks Early

Aired February 12, 2015 - 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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POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking this morning: an agreement has been reached in Ukraine peace talks. A live report with all the details straight ahead.

Also, President Obama asking Congress to authorize military action against ISIS. His request sparking criticism from both sides of the aisle.

And a tragic loss this morning. Legendary journalist Bob Simon died in a car accident in New York City. We have all the details for you straight ahead as well.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Poppy Harlow. John Berman and Christine have the morning off. It is 29 minutes past 4:00 a.m. here on the East Coast.

We have breaking news on the crisis in Eastern Ukraine. It appears marathon talks between the leaders of France, Germany and Russia and Ukraine have paid off. The group announcing a cease-fire agreement has, indeed, been reached.

Our Nic Robertson joins us live from Minsk.

Nic, this is a huge turn of events. Wasn't it just an hour ago that the president of Ukraine was saying not so fast, we don't have a deal?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly right. I'm passing on the street here right now, the motorcade with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, driving -- leaving Minsk. Few minutes ago, President Putin drove down the center of the city. The police closing the streets.

We heard from the president Putin. We heard from the spokesman of the German foreign ministry. Both saying that there's an agreement. We do not have the details yet.

Just an hour or so ago, President Poroshenko of Ukraine was saying there wasn't enough on the table.

What we have heard from president Putin, president Putin has said there is an agreement for a cease-fire to begin on Sunday, the 15th of February, several days from now. This is a broad agreement to pull back heavy weapons. But beyond that, we do not have details yet.

An absolute marathon session -- a spokesperson for president Putin saying this was the longest round of negotiating talks he had been involved in with more than 16 hours of talks. But as we've just seen in the last minute or so, the German chancellor leaving Minsk here and Russian president leaving as well, Poppy.

HARLOW: Nick, I think the question that this begs is, is this going to be different than the deal that was reached in September that almost fell apart immediately? When you are talking about a situation with more than 5,000 lives have been taken, is there hope it's different this time around?

ROBERTSON: There is certainly hope. More than 1 million people forced from their homes. But the concerns would stand this time in the short-term, you have between now, here in Thursday, in Minsk and Ukraine, you have three days for the cease-fire to be implemented. A lot can happen on the ground in three days.

We heard from separatists they were not satisfied with the deal. This was just a few hours ago that they have objectives on the ground, the strategic cities that they still want to take. Will they hold back from doing that before the cease-fire comes into effect?

So, the next three days will be critical on the ground to test the goodwill before the cease-fire comes into effect. And then the longer term, is there enough in the detail to satisfy all sides to stop them going back to conflict in another few weeks. And it sounds like another convoy with the leaders driving away right now, just on the street just behind me.

HARLOW: And I know, Nic, that we don't know all of the details. This is early going. But isn't one of the key issues who will control that growing autonomous region right on the border between Russia and Ukraine? Is that really key to have a solid agreement on that front?

ROBERTSON: Absolutely. That was, in fact, the French President Hollande making his way from the Palace of Independence here back to Minsk airport.

This has been key for the Ukrainian government, one of the issues, who controls the border between Russia and separatist-controlled entity on the southeast of Ukraine. Why the concern? The free flow of weapons and ammunition of troops between Russia and the separatist region. But also the degree of autonomy.

I mean, one of the things paramount in these talks we understand is the sovereignty, territorial integrity of Ukraine. So, they would have to have some kind of control over the border. But they would also be looking in the longer term to have -- to give a degree of autonomy and independence to the separatists, but not to give them a separate country. So, the language is going to have to be strong enough to satisfy both sides on that front, Poppy.

HARLOW: Nic Robertson with the breaking news live from Minsk -- thank you, Nic. We appreciate it. Also breaking overnight, the International Monetary Fund announcing a bailout for Ukraine's war ravaged economy. The IMF pledging $17.5 billion in aid to stabilize the country's economy. IMF Director Christine Lagarde calling this is an ambitious commitment and one that does not come without risk.

President Obama adding the weight of Congress to the war on ISIS. The president making a formal request for lawmakers to authorize the use of force against ISIS terrorists. This draft resolution rules out a long-term commitment of any ground forces. Also, it imposes a three- year limit on the president's authority to combat ISIS.

We get more now from senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, President Obama insisted this new authorization for the war on ISIS will not plunge hundreds of thousands of troops back into combat. The president points out his authorization is aimed at more limited operations, such as rescue attempts and missions. He did note of the three-year time limit that's built-in to the authorization that would require Congress to revisit this issue again under the next president.

And here's what the president had to say about that.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The resolution we submitted today does not call for the deployment of U.S. ground combat forces to Iraq or Syria. It is not the authorization of another ground war like Afghanistan or Iraq. The 2,600 American troops in Iraq today largely serve on bases. And, yes, they face the risk that come with service in any dangerous environment, but they do not have a combat mission.

ACOSTA: President Obama is finding out why there is not a war authorization vote in Congress for 13 months. He's already taking hit from all sides. Republicans who say he doesn't have a plan. Democrats who say the president's proposal is too vague.

I pressed White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest on the measure's fuzzy language and he said that was by design, to give the president the flexibility he needs, Congress may want better answers than that -- Poppy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: We will see if the president can get the approved by Congress. That is still a big question mark.

Also, as the U.S.-led coalition wages war against ISIS from the air, one of the most intense battle grounds in Iraq has been Mosul, the largest city controlled by ISIS. Iraqi Peshmerga forces, those Kurdish forces are now surrounding Mosul in the hopes of retaking it.

Our Phil Black had an up-close view of the fight. He joins me now from northern Iraq. What are you seeing on the ground, Phil?

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, we visited a very important frontline position where Kurdish forces are holding a position that has effectively cut a road that was the main supply route between the Syrian border and the ISIS-held city of Mosul. That major city, it was very important for them.

And while we were there, we saw they have not given up on trying to take it back. There was consistent sniper fire coming into this Kurdish fortification. And we saw these Kurds respond with mortar fire and heavy machine guns and some sniper fire of their own. They say they are attacked at this position every day.

Something we didn't see and grateful for is what the Kurdish fighters there say, is a technique -- and we've heard about this elsewhere -- whereby ISIS fighters use large improvised truck bombs trying to blast through those Kurdish defenses. So, they are holding that ground. There is still very much a great deal of pressure.

Last night, President Obama mentioned in his speech, again, his belief, that local military forces are displaced to take the fight to ISIS on the ground. But so far in reality, it is the Kurdish Peshmerga, these fighting units from the autonomous region of Kurdistan in Iraq, they are the only ones that have stepped up in the way. That is why they are still calling for more support, greater commitment from the international community. If not boots on the ground, and then they say, the West, the U.S. should be supplying them with greater and more effective weapons, Poppy.

HARLOW: And you heard members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, calling for that, saying the Kurdish forces are effective, we need to arm them more if we're not going to send boots on the ground.

Thank you very much, Phil Black. Appreciate the reporting this morning.

Also, there are new details about what American aid worker Kayla Mueller may have endured during her time as an ISIS hostage, including possibly being paired with a male ISIS fighter. We are also learning about the family's efforts to free her.

Our Pamela Brown has more.

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PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Poppy.

We have been speaking with the family spokesperson and learned about the great lengths the Mueller family went to get their daughter back. In fact, at point, they reached out to the White House last summer when ISIS issued a deadline to execute Kayla, and asked if the government would be willing to trade Dr. Siddiqui, known as Lady al Qaeda, in exchange for Mueller. We know ISIS had reportedly made calls for Siddiqui's release,

publicly made those calls. The family apparently saw that in the media, and, of course, wanted to explore every option to get Kayla moment.

The spokesperson also says contrary to many media reports, the family never turned down a military rescue mission because it was too risky. Instead, the family had reached out to the White House and asked for notification if there would be another rescue attempt after the failed attempt last July of Kayla and other American hostages.

We have been speaking to intelligence sources, too, and we have learned through this that the 26-year-old apparently at some point was given to a male ISIS fighter possibly as a bride after she was kidnapped in Syria in 2013. Now, this was intelligence coming out of Syria, but we should say this has been challenging to know the full picture. It's challenging because there isn't a lot of intelligence coming out of Syria.

But officials I have been speaking with say that they were exploring this possibility and also the fact that Kayla Mueller may have converted to Islam during her time in captivity. That is, of course, something we had seen in the past by hostages in the Middle East. At this point, it still remains a mystery of how and when Kayla Mueller passed away -- Poppy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Pamela, thank you for the report.

The world of broadcast journalism has shockingly lost a legend. Bob Simon, longtime CBS News and "60 Minutes" correspondent, died Wednesday in a car accident in New York City. He was 73 years old.

His colleague Scott Pelley paid tribute to the man who embodied the best of journalism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT PELLEY, ANCHOR, CBS EVENING NEWS: The veteran correspondent has been with "60 Minutes" since 1996 and he is renowned for his international coverage. Vietnam is where he began covering warfare and he gave his firsthand reporting from virtually every major battlefield around the world since.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Bob Simon had been with CBS News since 1967. His body of work earned him more than two dozen Emmys, four Peabodys, and the highest honor from the Overseas Press Club.

NBC News dropping Brian Williams name from "NBC Nightly News" last night. Fill-in anchor Lester Holt addressing the controversy in the first broadcast since Williams' suspension.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LESTER HOLT, NBC NEWS ANCHOR: It is an enormously difficult story to report. Brian is a member of our family, but so are you, our viewers. We will work every night to be worthy of your trust.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: The name drop is just the latest blow for Williams. The network and its lawyers are pouring through his past reports looking for anymore inaccuracies.

All right. Next up for the Keystone pipeline bill is President Obama's desk and a veto showdown. The bill authorizing construction of the controversial pipeline cleared the final congressional hurdle passing the house Wednesday with the vote of 270-152. The president, though, has vowed to veto the measure. And right now, it appears the Republican leaders do not have enough votes to override that veto.

All right. Let's get an early start on your money. CNN Money correspondent Cristina Alesci joins me now.

How are the markets looking?

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: All right. A good day for stocks so far. Asian stocks ended the day higher and now, European stocks and U.S. stock futures have taken a turn for the better, with a lot to consider today. Stocks are climbing on the news of a cease- fire in Ukraine. The situation in Greece is still very uncertain. E.U. officials made little progress yesterday to avert a Greek default or exit from the Eurozone.

And the oil roller coaster continues. Crude oil prices are up 3 percent this morning. Just above $50 a barrel. Prices can't seem to stabilize. After a seven-month plunge, oversupply is pushing prices lower even as producers slashed investment and shutdown rigs. You know this better than anyone, Poppy, domestic energy is really suffering.

And now, this has become a geopolitical game with the Dallas Federal Reserve president saying yesterday that Saudi Arabia engineered an oil crisis just to hurt U.S. production.

HARLOW: Yes. And there are other people saying we teamed up to hurt Russia in all of it.

ALESCI: A lot of conspiracy.

HARLOW: I mean, when you look at the average consumer listening to the oil prices, where do you fall?

ALESCI: Well, look, I mean, in terms of gasoline, you know, which is based off crude is trading, we're going to see that go up as we head into the spring, because as more people start driving more, the demand will increase and the market always looks forward. So, we are actually seeing gasoline prices throughout the country come up. So, that's one thing from a consumer standpoint.

From the geopolitical standpoint, jobs as you know --

HARLOW: A lot of them cut in the industry.

ALESCI: Exactly, in the energy industry, which has been a huge source of growth here.

HARLOW: And that is proposing up the economy and the jobs numbers.

ALESCI: Yes.

HARLOW: Cristina, thank you. Good to have you on. Talk to you more next hour.

Also this, were you one of the lucky ones? Did you to win the Powerball?

Three winners will split the $564 million Powerball jackpot. The tickets were sold in Texas, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico. The winning numbers, in case, hey, maybe you have one, 25, 11, 54, 13, 39 and Powerball 19. No word yet on who the winners are.

Family and friends mourning the murder of three Muslim students in North Carolina. Their father speaking out to CNN about how why he thinks this was a hate crime.

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HARLOW: Welcome back to EARLY START. Was it a hate crime?

The FBI joining investigation into the fatal shooting of the three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Police say an ongoing dispute with a neighbor, the accused gunman, over parking may have lead to the shooting.

The father and two victims telling CNN he is convinced the motive was hate.

Here's Jason Carroll.

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JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Poppy, the Chapel Hill Police Department says that they will exhaust every lead in this case. The preliminary investigation has led them to believe that Craig Hicks, 46 years old, who lived right here in this apartment complex had an ongoing dispute with the three people who he eventually shot and killed. Those three victims, Deah Barakat, 23, his wife Yusor Mohammad, and her sister, Razan, all shot Tuesday night, police say murdered by Hicks, shot execution-style in the head, once again over an ongoing dispute, police say possibly over a parking space.

But many people here in this community, Poppy, do not believe, including the victim's father what says this was a hate crime.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My daughter, yes, sir. Honest to God, told us on more than two occasions that this man came knocking on their door and fighting about everything, with a gun on his belt more than twice. She told us, daddy, I think he hates us for who we are and how we look.

CARROLL: Hicks' wife is cooperating with police. She says that she does not believe this was a crime motivated by hate. She says that this was not motivated by religion or faith. Again, she is cooperating with police. Hicks turned himself late Tuesday night. He is now facing three counts of first-degree murder -- Poppy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: An absolute tragedy. Jason Carroll, thank you very much for that.

Also this story: we are tracking emotional testimony in the "American Sniper" murder trial. Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's wife taking the stand as the defense reveals text messages between the victims that could save their case. That's next.

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HARLOW: Tearful testimony from the widow of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle as the "American Sniper" murder trial gets under way in Texas. Eddie Ray Routh is accused of murdering Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield.

More now from our Martin Savidge.

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MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, there is one point that the defense and the prosecution actually agree on, and it's this, that Eddie Routh actually did kill Chris Kyle and his best friend Chad Littlefield. Where they differ is why.

The prosecution maintains it was straight up murder. And that they say they will prove by showing how the murders were carried. Both men had been shot multiple times using two different weapons. And also, they say that Routh carefully reloaded and fled, stealing Kyle's pickup truck with the intention of going to Oklahoma when he was apprehended.

The defense says he did kill both men, but the reasoning was because he suffers from a psychosis, a psychosis he has a result of his military service overseas. And that psychosis is so severe, he doesn't know what was right and wrong, at least at that particular time, and that, in fact, he killed the two men because he feared that those men were actually going to kill him.

And there was the bombshell from the defense. Chris Kyle's word, a text on the deadly day, when he is driving with his best friend and Routh in the backseat, Kyle texts his best friend next to him and says, "This guy is straight up nuts", referring to Routh. And that would seem to be a very strong statement in support of the defense's claim that Routh was insane -- Poppy.

(END VIDEOTAPE) HARLOW: Martin Savidge, thank you for that.

Coming up next, the big surprise for "House of Cards" fans. How did the new season end up with on Netflix two weeks early? We'll get an early start on your money, next.

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HARLOW: Let's get an early start on your money. Cristina Alesci joins me now.

So, things are looking good.

ALESCI: Yes, the market seems to be liking this news of a possible peace deal out of Ukraine. European stocks taking a turn for the better. U.S. stocks following the lead.

But even with the good news of cease-fire in Ukraine, the standoff between Greece and its creditors is still very much a concern. And oil prices are still very volatile, up 3 percent right now.

Poppy, did you get an early glimpse of "House of Cards?"

HARLOW: I did not.

ALESCI: Well, episodes of season three popped up on Netflix late yesterday. Two weeks ahead of schedule. Netflix says the early release was just a technical glitch and the episodes were taken down immediately.

And the "House of Cards" Twitter account had some fun with it. Tweeting, "This is Washington. There is always a leak."

I love it. Some people think this is a huge PR stunt.

HARLOW: Yes, I think it certainly helps them on the PR.

ALESCI: Absolutely.

HARLOW: It is coming out in a few weeks. Cristina, thank you. We appreciate it.

EARLY START continues right now.