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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Deliberate Crash in the Alps: The Final Moments; Iran Nuclear Negotiations: Critical Point; Yemen in Crisis: War Intensifies. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired March 30, 2015 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:13] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The final moments of Germanwings flight 9525 revealed. How co-pilot Andreas Lubitz lured the captain out of the cockpit. New information about the killer's mental health and the gruesome recovery. It's all happening right now in the Alps. We have live team coverage breaking it down, ahead.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Nuclear negotiations with Iran reaching a critical point. Two more days to reach a deal, Iran and the U.S. hitting a roadblock this morning. Is there any chance for a breakthrough? We are live.

BERMAN: War intensifying in Yemen, once a key ally on the war, now in chaos. A new league of nations forming to get that country under control. We are live with the latest developments.

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

ROMANS: I don't know about the happy part.

I'm Christine Romans. It is Monday, March 30th, 4:00 a.m. in the East.

Nice to see you back here this morning, John.

We are hearing chilling new details this morning about the last minutes of Germanwings Flight 9525. They come from a purported summary transcript of the cockpit voice recording published by Sunday by the German newspaper "Bild". CNN has translated the report. Now, we cannot independently verify it. But again, this is the summary published by "Bild". Most terrifying is the description of Captain Patrick Sonderheimer's frantic efforts to get back into that cockpit, banging on the door and screaming, quote, "For God's sake, open the door".

Standing by in Cologne, Germany, with more, senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen.

Fred, it's just chilling, these final moments of this plane, and what this captain tried to do to get back into that cockpit. What can you tell us? FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it

certainly is chilling. All of it is really chilling, Christine. And there's two aspects that are especially troubling. One is that Andreas Lubitz, the copilot, apparently from the very beginning attempted to lure his captain out of the cockpit.

The flight starts quite normally. It takes off 20 minutes late. The Captain Patrick Sonderheimer apologizes to the passengers for the delay, says they'll try to make it once they reach cruising altitude. And from the very beginning, even before the flight takes off, the captain tells his co-pilot that he forgot to go to the bathroom in Barcelona before taking off. And immediately, the copilot says, "Don't worry, you can go anytime."

Then, the flight takes and right when they reach cruising altitude, Lubitz once again says you can go now. After that, the seat of the pilot is heard going backwards, and the captain leaves the cockpit and this is really where the most chilling part of everything begins. The plane almost immediately begins to descent. This is picked up by air traffic radar. Air traffic control tries to get in touch with the plane. There is no answer.

Shortly after that, the captain is heard banging on the door, saying, "For God's sake, open the door." There's warnings inside the cockpit saying, "Terrain, pull up." Remember at this point in time, we're in a very mountainous area. At this point in time, they are still at about 7,000 meters in altitude. Shortly after that, about 90 seconds later, there's another large metallic banging on the door, someone trying to get in. And for the first time, screaming are heard inside the cabin area of the plane.

Shortly after that, the plane is heard or investigators believe to hear the plane's right wing scrapes the top of a mountain. There is screaming one more time, and that is when the recording ends. So, absolutely chilling, absolutely devastating to read that transcript, to look at the transcript.

And French aviation investigator, the BEA, has voiced its dismay that something like this could be leaked. And they also didn't question that this transcript was authentic. You, of course, were saying very correctly that we cannot independently verify whether or not it is authentic, but it is certainly something that is causing a stir here in Europe at the moment, Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Frederik Pleitgen for us in Cologne -- thanks, Fred.

BERMAN: New this morning, several publications are reporting new details on the medical condition of Andreas Lubitz, that he was suffering from depression, anxiety and vision problems, which might have put his career and his lifelong ambition to fly at risk. CNN is working to confirm these details, including it might shine new light on the events surrounding this disaster.

CNN's Diana Magnay is live in Dusseldorf with the latest.

Good morning, Diana.

DIANA MAGNAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, John. Well, you're right.

This is "Le Parisien" and "Bild am Sonntag", French and German newspapers, respectively characterizing this medical condition which the prosecutor has made clear that Lubitz's had as a generalized anxiety disorder and a severe psychosomatic illness.

We know -- well, these newspapers citing sources close to the investigation, that they remain anonymous, that prescription drugs were found in his apartment. Those drugs used to treat psychosomatic illnesses.

[04:05:05] There's also been talk, as you say, about vision problems.

We certainly know from my reporting in Montabaur, his hometown, that flying was a passion for him. Everything he wanted to do. So, of course, there is speculation now about whether this illness was going to interrupt that dream from being fulfilled.

We know that Lufthansa has -- you have to go through a medical check once a year, that he completed last summer. So presumably was due for again. That medical check doesn't include any kind of psychological profiling. And it's very clear from what seems to be trickling out, leaking out from this investigation that those medical conditions that he had may have been severe psychological illnesses -- John.

BERMAN: Serious questions about what is not included in these medical tests around the world.

Diana Magnay for us in Dusseldorf, thanks so much, Diana.

Germanwings parent, Lufthansa, and its insurers have been begun the grim task of figuring out compensation for victims' families. Despite unusual circumstances, Lufthansa will most likely still face liability in that crash. One aviation lawyer told CNN Money, the total bill could top $1 billion, including roughly $350 million to compensate families, that could take over a year to settle claims of families. Final payouts will vary widely, depending on the victim's nationality, age, employment status. Some families could receive less than $100,000, others, millions.

In the meantime, Lufthansa is providing initial support, plus $50,000 per victim. That's to help them with the near term cost, while this whole process goes on.

BERMAN: Talks to curb Iran's nuclear program is intensifying this morning. That as a deadline for a framework deal gets ever closer, just two days left now. Western diplomats say the differences are down to two key sticking points that have Iranian negotiations balking, number one, limiting Iran's nuclear research and development toward the end of the 15-year deal. And then, the pace of lifting sanctions, even though a deal is yet to be struck, Israel is already calling it a disaster. The white House is stepping up its lobbying for the deal in Congress right now.

CNN global affairs correspondent Elise Labott is at the talks in Switzerland with the latest.

Good morning, Elise.

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

Those were the initial two sticking points, but last night, one of the lead negotiators, the Iranian deputy foreign minister, was telling Iranian journalists that Iran would never ship out its stockpile of enriched uranium. Now, this is something that the international community thought Iran would do to reduce that so-called breakout time, that Iran would have enough fissile material to go for a nuclear bomb. They would also reduce the number of centrifuges that the machinery that enriches uranium.

So, this could throw a wrench into the discussions. Officials here are saying they have a solution for this. Perhaps they could do what they did last time which is to kind of dilute that uranium. But now, this really just throws a wrench into the whole negotiations, really reaching the end-game, John. As you said, the deadline is tomorrow on Tuesday. And it's just another thing for the President Obama to have to defend to Congress in the event of a deal, John.

BERMAN: This is one of those things, shipping the fuel out, that had been talked about from the very beginning. This was something that more or less, it seems, have been settled and now, this last minute apparent switch from the Iranians, Elise?

LABOTT: Well, the U.S. delegation says that they always had an understanding, that they thought they would, that Iran never really committed to it in full. At the end of the day, they're going to have to get rid of that uranium stockpile. What they do with it and if they put it beyond us, if they dilute it, if they blend it down, I don't know if that really matters.

But they have to make sure Iran can't use it in the event they want to go for nuclear weapon. That's really what they have to do. But it's just another thing for Congress and for the Israelis to say Iran is sure key as this deal progresses and we hear more about it, that is Iran is keeping a lot of its nuclear program, John.

BERMAN: You say at the end of the day -- at the end of the day for the negotiations. It's probably within the next 48 hours. So, they have to speed things up a little bit.

Elise Labott for us in Switzerland, thanks so much.

ROMANS: Saudi Arabia and coalition of Arab nations are preparing to launch a ground offensive into Yemen. The Egyptians have already pledged troops to the Saudi-led mission to root out Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Yemen's foreign minister says he is expecting Arab coalition forces to begin the operation within days.

CNN's Ian Lee is tracking these developments live us for us from Cairo this morning -- Ian.

It looks like we have lost Ian's shot. As you can see, he's in Cairo this morning, tracking all these developments.

Let's turn now to Iraq, while we get Ian's shot back up. In Iraq, U.S. airstrikes pounding ISIS target in Tikrit, in the battle to retake the city hits a snag because Iranian-backed Shiite forces who are helping the Iraqis are now boycotting the fight to protest America's involvement.

[04:10:00] Hundreds of ISIS soldiers remain holed up in Tikrit, storming the city is not an option because the perimeter is rigged with bombs and bobby traps set by ISIS.

BERMAN: Big oops by a worker in Australia's immigration department. According to "The Guardian", a worker mistakenly sent out personal information of world leaders who attended the last G-20 summit. Information including passport numbers and visa details were sent to the Asian Cup football tournament. President Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German chancellor Angela Merkel were among the leaders affected. Apparently, managers in Australia felt the leak was not serious enough to alert leaders.

ROMANS: Well, now, they know.

BERMAN: I mean, you can't really have identity theft with President Obama. What do you to do? Like show up with the credit, and say, hi, I'm Barack Obama? They're not going to believe it.

On that note, Indiana's governor firing back at critics on the state's new freedom of religion law. Is it legalized discrimination? Companies now threatening to take their business elsewhere. Could more repercussions follow? That's next.

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BERMAN: The governor of Indiana claims his state's controversial new religious freedom law is misunderstood. Critics of this Indiana measure claim it will allow businesses to turn away gay customers on religious grounds. It is taking quite a backlash.

Let's get more now from CNN's Shasta Darlington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, Indiana Governor Mike Pence is on the defensive over the new religious freedom bill that's sparking protests and boycotts. Opponents say it will allow businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers on religious grounds.

GOV. MIKE PENCE (R), INDIANA: For our legislature.

DARLINGTON: On ABC's "This Week", Pence blames the media.

PENCE: I think, I understand that there's been a tremendous amount of misinformation and misunderstanding around this bill. I'm just determined -- and I appreciate the time on your program. I'm determined to clarify this. DARLINGTON: The law has come under fire from business.

[04:15:00] CEOs from Apple to Yelp lashing out and Angie's List, which is based in Indianapolis cancelling a planned expansion there. The NCAA, which is holding its college basketball Final Four in Indianapolis next weekend, saying it's concerned about the impact on players and employees.

Openly gay NBA player Jason Collins and former star Charles Barkley also denounce the bill.

But Pence made it clear he's not going to change the law, or consider a bill making gays and lesbian a protective class, like in many other states.

PENCE: I will not push for that. That's not on my agenda. This is not about discrimination. This is about protecting the religious liberty of every Hoosier, of every faith.

DARLINGTON: In the end, he refused to answer at least six yes-or-no questions about whether the measure legalizes discrimination against gays and lesbians.

There are now about 20 states with some form of religious freedom law on the books. But with all of this controversy in Indiana, some of the other states pursuing similar legislation could think twice.

Back to you, John, Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Thanks for that, Shasta.

You know, Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, penning an op-ed in "The Washington Post" where he said, this is dangerous discrimination, very dangerous. He said it is seeking to legitimize injustice under the veil of religious liberty.

Tim Cook, of course, is someone who -- he came out publicly last year, probably the most high profile coming out in corporate history, quite frankly. And he's someone who's very respected. Just last week, "Fortune" magazine called him the world's best leader.

BERMAN: Look, you have people like Tim Cook, you have corporate leaders, Angie's List, other companies. You have educational leaders, the president of university.

ROMANS: NCAA.

BERMAN: NCAA. A lot of people coming out against this right now. The governor you just heard there under a lot of pressure.

ROMANS: Absolutely.

All right. Sixteen minutes past the hour. The prosecution in the trial of Boston marathon bombing Dzhokhar

Tsarnaev expected to rest today after medical examiners testify. The defense will mount its case. The big unanswered question is if Tsarnaev will take the stand in his own defense. On Thursday, some jury members in tears as a medical examiner testified about Krystle Campbell's fatal injuries. They also saw six bomb replicas built by the FBI.

BERMAN: Aaron Hernandez will be back in court this morning. The fiancee of the former New England Patriots tight end is expected to resume her testify. Shayanna Jenkins on Friday told the grand jury that Hernandez told her he did not kill Odin Lloyd. He also said Hernandez told her to get rid of a box. Jenkins was captured on surveillance video removing a black garbage bag. Police suspect she got rid of the murder weapon since it has never been found.

ROMANS: Passengers on an Air Canada jet from Toronto to Halifax say they are lucky to be alive this morning after a crash-landing and bad weather that tore off the nose gear and -- wow -- most of the engine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were coming in to land and we heard a really big bump, and very hard. I hit my head. We heard another big bang. And then, we just started to say, get out, get out, get out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Investigators say the plane came down 1,100 feet short of the runway, severing a power line, smashing an airport antenna array. Twenty-five people, including two pilots, treated for minor injuries. The cause of the crash under investigation. They are lucky, all of them.

BERMAN: Two bodies found beneath the rubble of last week's building explosion here in New York City. Investigators believe they were two men missing after Thursday's blast in Manhattan's East Village. Three buildings were destroyed. More than two dozen people were injured. Authorities are now investigating if the blast is caused by illegally tapped gas line.

ROMANS: Twenty-six-year-old busboy, a 23-year-old customer in a sushi restaurant there.

Senator Marco Rubio set to announce his bid for the White House in two weeks. An adviser says the Florida Republican has tentative plans to announce his candidacy April 13, at the historic Freedom Tower in Miami. Rubio will join Texas Senator Ted Cruz on the list of Republicans seeking the 2016 nomination. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is expected to announce his candidacy about a week.

BERMAN: And then, there is former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. She is likely getting in as well. Fiorina told "Fox News Sunday" that her chances of running are higher than 90 percent. The businesswoman is relying on her performance at the executive level and her knowledge of the economy. She says that will separate her from the rest of the Republican pack. She plans to announce her decision in late April or early May.

ROMANS: She has been critical of the president's policies in the wake of the recession and financial crisis. And has said that somebody with a business background will be better to lead the economy and lead the country at this point.

BERMAN: From business and politics, to sports. Only four teams left standing after the riveting weekend of the NCAA college basketball.

The top-seeded Duke Blue Devils advance to their 16th final four with a 66-52 win over Gonzaga. Michigan State on Saturday, Spartan edging past Louisville in over time 77-70 to win the east region and advance.

[04:20:00] It's the first trip back to the final four for Michigan State since 2010. All four teams go there a lot. I guess Wisconsin is a frequent visitor, but they're very, very good.

Kentucky against Wisconsin. Michigan State against Duke. My family pool, I had all final four teams correct.

ROMANS: You did?

BERMAN: Yes, but I'm beating my 8-year-old nephews. But I did well in that pool. The CNN pool --

ROMANS: You feel good about beating them, don't you?

BERMAN: Yes. Punks.

ROMANS: Twenty minutes past the hour.

Happening right now: crews combing the French Alps for remains of Germanwings victims as the daunting, gruesome task is ahead of them. We are live with the very latest next.

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ROMANS: Happening now: recovery crews working at the crash scene in the French Alps. They face another day of painstaking, backbreaking effort, cataloging and collecting scattered remains and wreckage. Thousands, thousands of small pieces, transporting them to a nearby staging area by helicopter.

For more the very latest on the daunting and dangerous work here, I want to bring in CNN's Erin McLaughlin.

Good morning, Erin. And I know this is hard for the rescuers and investigators. I mean, this plane crashed into the mountain side with such force, there are a lot of small pieces.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Christine. Well, authorities say they are making good progress. This is still an agonizing wait for the families as well.

[04:25:00] According to French media reports, the prosecutor now saying the human remains of 70 to 80 victims have been identified using DNA analysis.

And, you know, I say human remains because authorities say the impact of the crash was so great, they have not found any single whole body. Human remains strewn across hundreds of meters of very treacherous landscape, very difficult task for the rescue workers. Many locals expressed doubt that they'll ever be able to recover all of the human remains at the crash site where some of the victims forever remain a part of the landscape. So, it's seen as important to many of the families to be able to access the crash site itself.

And so, what they're doing right now is they are trying to build a road just over half a mile in length. They say the process will take about eight days so that the families will eventually be able to access the site. Right now, it can only be accessed by air right now.

The local mayor says the families are peppering him with questions, asking him, you know, what's the area like during the summer, what's the area like during the winter? He says he has assured them this is a corner of paradise. He says every inch, every foot of that road counts to these families.

And while they are waiting for the road to be built, they are coming to the memorial site just behind me. Right now, it is covered by the police vans to give the family that come to visit the site a maximum privacy. There's a plaque over there. They are coming to lay flowers and notes, families from all around the world.

And this process is seen as important to local residents as well. One resident says this land is their land now also. That they will forever be welcome to come and reflect on the tragedy that has happened. Local residents say they are struggling could cope with the tremendous loss -- Christine.

ROMANS: I'm sure in their beautiful backyard to have something so ugly happen.

Erin, thank you so much for that.

I know, John, that some of the families have said that they -- families from all over the world have said the French have done a beautiful job of welcoming them and keeping it private, what's happening there on that mountain side right now. You cannot imagine their grief, but many of them have said they want to talk more about their family members and less about the man who did this to them. They want to thank the French.

BERMAN: So important what they are doing.

New information about the final moments of Germanwings Flight 9525, how that copilot managed the lock the pilot out of the cockpit, and disturbing new details about his mental health issues. We have live team coverage, next.

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