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Framework Reached for Iran Nuclear Deal; University Massacre: Kenya In Morning; Indiana Lawmakers Fix Religious Freedom Law; Germanwings Co-Pilot's Final Days. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired April 03, 2015 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00] SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: But even this outline, more detailed than expected, marks a significant step toward the goal of blocking Iran of developing weapons. Secretary of State John Kerry telling CNN the negotiations with Iran were, quote, "tough, very intense at times, sometimes emotional and confrontational, but with a seriousness of purpose."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: We're not basing this on a naivete or trust or some element of good faith. This is based on real steps, real accountability, real measures that that have to be implemented and on accountability if they're not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: For more on the deal, I want to bring in CNN's Phil Black live from London.

So, Phil, good morning to you. What's in this deal, this framework so far?

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, a framework, Suzanne, as you say, but one appears to exceeded expectation with more detail than were people thinking could be achieved.

Crucially, Iran gets to enrich uranium. Its centrifuges will keep spinning, but the numbers are going to be reduced significantly. It has 19,000. Only 5,000 will remain operational over the next 15 years or so.

Its stockpile of previously enriched material, that's going to be cut by 98 percent. And Iran has agreed to what is considered or described as a very strict inspections system.

Now, what Iran gets is the continuing enrichment system, program. It says it always had the right to do so for civil purposes. It denied military purposes. None of its facilities will be closed. That includes the one secret underground facility at Fordow. It will be repurposed for scientific reasons and purposes now.

And, of course, sanctions relief, that's what Iran wants. That has the ability to transform the economy and dramatically lift the quality of life for its people. But that's going to be one of the really tricky issues going forward. Iran wants sanction relief as soon as an agreement is reached.

The other side is pushing for something that is more staged, step by step, sanctions being lifted as it is verified that Iran is keeping up with its end of the deal. None of this that has been agreed to so far is obligatory. Nothing is being signed. No one has to stick this.

But it is thought that will be at least a demonstration of the will from both sides to try and achieve something more concrete by the end of June -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Phil, what is the timetable? They are talking until the end of June?

BLACK: That's right. June 30th is the next deadline. Not considered to be as moveable as the one we've seen over the last week or so. That was something that was implemented in a voluntary way, if you like, to try and inject a degree of urgency into these talks. Having achieved as much as they believe they have now, they think it is worth moving into this next stage.

But there is so much technical detail to get through to agree on to narrow gaps on in particular, that issue with the sanctions as well -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Phil Black, thank you so much. We appreciate it.

The Iranians already celebrating the possibility of a deal leading to the end of sanctions in the streets there and with selfies of themselves in front of President Obama's speech broadcast for the first time live on Iranian state TV.

President Obama is celebrating the deal as well. In his remarks, he called the negotiated agreement "our best option by far". But White House officials also are mindful that the hard work negotiating a final agreement and selling it to Congress and the public is still up ahead.

Our senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Suzanne, President Obama is describing this as historic deal, but now, he has to sell it, and he's already starting to cause skeptical Republicans and even some nervous Democrats to buy into this agreement.

In the Rose Garden, at the White House, the president insisted the Iranians will have no choice but to comply with this deal, saying if Iran cheats, the world will know it.

[04:05:03] He went on to argue that the agreement now in place is the only practical way to block Iran from nuclear weapons. Here's what he had to say.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Iran is not going to simply dismantle its program because we demand it to do so. That's not how the world works. That's not what history shows us.

ACOSTA: This is only the framework agreement that was due March 31st. The technical details of the deal still have to be worked out by June 30th. If Iran starts playing games, the White House says Tehran could face more sanctions with military options also on the table. The president and top White House officials will now start working the phones over the next several days. He's already spoken with Saudi Arabia's king and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his phone call with the president that this deal will threaten his country's survival -- Suzanne.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Thank you, Jim.

And the White House wasting no time working the phones, trying to sell the deal, partly because of a looming fight with Congress. Republican lawmakers undaunted in their plans to introduce legislation giving Congress a vote on any final agreement.

House Speaker John Boehner reiterating his concern that Tehran's nuclear program poses a threat to Israel, which he visited earlier this week.

[04:35:06] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing firm against the deal, saying that it would not block Iran's path to the bomb, it would pave it. An emergency meeting of Netanyahu's cabinet is set for 5:00 a.m.

I want to bring in CNN's Oren Liebermann live in Jerusalem for the very latest.

What is the next move on Netanyahu's part?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN REPORTER: Well, Suzanne, we know very much who Benjamin Netanyahu will side with in the fight in Congress, he'll very clearly side with the Republicans, with House Speaker John Boehner who was here this week and Senator Mitch McConnell who was here this week.

Netanyahu has been over the past weeks and months the most vocal critic internationally of this deal. That's not going to change. His rhetoric has gotten stronger. He's spoken out in his strongest words to date against this deal. He told President Obama when they talked on the phone that this deal puts Israel, or puts the region at risk of a, quote, "horrific war". Again, the strongest rhetoric we have seen so far.

Netanyahu criticized both what's in the deal and what's not in the deal. He says he wanted to see a deal that dismantled Iran's nuclear infrastructure, not just limit it or change it. He wanted to see it taken apart. That didn't happen. There was the other aspect, he wanted to see the lifting of sanctions

tied to the pulling back of the aggression in the region. That also didn't happen.

So, Netanyahu very much criticizing this deal. Again, we've seen that he will side with Boehner. Boehner was here. The two met -- the two talked about Iran and Senator Mitch McConnell was here. Mitch McConnell promised Benjamin Netanyahu that he would push and Republicans would push for required congressional approval of the deal if there was a deal. We are seeing that happen.

Netanyahu's government has said it will keep pushing against the deal. They know they have three months until the end of June to keep pushing. That is where we see Netanyahu's actions over the next few months.

Suzanne, also worth noting, the minister has not ruled out the military option.

MALVEAUX: All right. Oren, thank you. Very appreciate that very much.

And, of course, a tentative deal in Iran could have huge implications for oil.

I want to bring in our CNN Money correspondent Alison Kosik.

Good to see you.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

You know, and you're right. It could have huge implications. That is the word here, the tentative deal. And what we did see yesterday is that oil prices didn't crash even after all the expectations were to see oil drop $5.

Now, the reality is Iran is very dependent on oil. We did see cripple its ability to sell oil in the global market.

Right now, Iran exports 1.3 million barrels a day. You compare that with 2.5 million in 2012. But the thing is, the world has too much oil. Prices have crashed from more than $100 a barrel last summer to less than $50 because of this supply glut going on. Adding Iran to the mix would likely send prices lower.

But a lot could go wrong between now and June. But even if the deal with sanctions is reached, it could take months for Iranian oil to hit the market. It could be why we didn't see oil tank on the news just yet.

My guess is we're still going to see oil at a lower level and if a deal is actually is reached in June, then you may see some wild action there.

MALVEAUX: And, Alison, people always think -- they think oil and also think gas prices, you know? Actually filling up the tank. Would that have any impact at all, or could we even know at this point?

KOSIK: It's hard to know at this point. But the reality is the lower oil prices go, it could continue to bring gas lower as well.

MALVEAUX: All right. Alison, thank you. Appreciate it.

And Kenya reeling this morning from its worst terror attack in nearly two decades. Masked gunmen from the militant group al Shabaab storming a university in the early morning hours, killing at least 147 people in a 15-hour siege.

I want you to listen to this. This is one student describing how fellow students unknowingly ran toward the slaughter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We heard some gunshots while we were sleeping. So, it was around 5:00. And guys started jumping up and down running for their lives. But, it's unfortunate that where they were going to is where the gunshots were coming from.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Kenya's president ordering 10,000 police recruits to report for emergency training immediately. And he is urging everyone in Kenya to keep calm.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UHURU KENYATTA, PRESIDENT OF KENYA: This is a moment for everyone throughout the country to be vigilant as we confront and defeat our enemies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: I want to bring in CNN's Soni Methu live from Nairobi to give us the very latest.

It's just an awful, awful story.

SONI METHU, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Indeed it is. At the moment, we are hearing that there are reports that students are gathered at Garissa airstrip waiting to be evacuated to their respective homes. This university is the only institution of higher learning in Garissa. And a lot of students from various parts of the country have been admitted there, and they are waiting right now to be evacuated to their various homes.

[04:40:01] We also know that bodies have been brought to Nairobi and set up a health center there. The psychological support and counseling, as well as for those who are still looking for their loved ones. They are finding permission there and another health center in Garissa.

We are also hearing that the president of Somalia coming out asking Kenyans for a stronger relationship when it comes to dealing with al Shabaab, as well as condemning these activities, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: And, Soni, where do you move from here? I mean, how do people recover from something so horrific?

METHU: There is a lot of Kenyans saying that we remain unbowed. But that is a strong statement coming from -- since 2011, more than 300 Kenyans killed from al Shabaab depending on which statistics or numbers you pick. People can only be so patient. But as Somalia's president said as well, quoting citizens, media, TV here in Kenyans have sacrificed their lives for peace in Somalia. Al Shabaab is not happy about it.

There are people who actually appreciative of the efforts of KDF in Somalia and understand the sacrifices that come with that. But a lot of people are crying for the innocent blood that was lost yesterday and they are the past activities that al Shabaab has been able to attack in Kenya. So, they are requesting for a better intelligence, better vigilance, most swift response and as well as proactive government that can react to a large way before their action actually happens, before it's too late, before 147 lives have to be lost.

Twitter accounts are coming out with very emotional things. One of them say that it's about time that al Shabaab receives the difficulty blood that we are receiving here in Kenya. That Kenyans should defend themselves, asking communities to be able to cooperate, communicate and talk to police.

MALVEAUX: All right. Soni Methu, thank you so much. We appreciate it.

Governors of Indiana and Arkansas signing a so-called religious freedom laws, but not before some major fixes they say will prevent any kind of discrimination. Those changes, up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:45:54] MALVEAUX: This morning, gay rights supporters in Indiana are calling a fix to the state's new religious freedom law a step in the right direction. The original drew fire from across the country from what critics called legalized discrimination against gays and lesbians.

After days of backlash from celebrities, major corporations and even the NCAA, lawmakers hurriedly passed the new law. Governor Mike Pence who spent days defending the original law immediately signed the new bill. He said in a statement, "I believe resolving this controversy and making everyone clear that every person feels welcomed and respected in our state is best for Indiana."

There will be no discrimination under the Arkansas religious freedom bill. That's what the state's governor has said. He has signed legislation into law there and early in the week, Asa Hutchinson ordered changes to more closely mirror federal law.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GOV. ASA HUTCHINSON (R), ARKANSAS: It protects religious freedom. It establishes a framework for the balancing act that the courts must determine this type of cases. And thirdly, I think it does recognize the diversity of our culture and our workforce.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Critics said the earlier bill opened the doors to businesses refusing to serve gay and lesbian customers. Walmart and Hutchinson's son were among those opposed to the bill.

And this, a remarkable survival story. It's incredible. It's a missing sailor, 37-year-old Louis Jordan rescued after 66 days at sea on a disabled boat. He was spotted by a cargo ship on Thursday some 200 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Jordan was hoisted from the ship by the Coast Guard and flown to a hospital. Following his release, he was asked about what he said to his rescuers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOUIS JORDAN, STRANDED AT SEA FOR 66 DAYS: Gratitude and love and thankfulness. I just patted them on the back and said thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Let me work for you. Let me do something for you. They are like, no. You just got rescued. You're probably exhausted. They would not let me do anything. They said take a shower.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Jordan says he survived eating raw fish and drinking rain water.

Newly discovered internet searches revealing the details on what Germanwings copilot had been thinking days before he flew his plane into a mountain. We're live with those developments up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:52:12] MALVEAUX: New details in the Germanwings crash investigation. Sources telling CNN it is becoming increasingly clear to investigators that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz was afraid of losing his pilot's license because of the health issues in the days before he deliberately crashed Flight 9525 into the French Alps. New evidence also revealing that he searched the internet in the final days for cockpit door security and suicide.

I want to get the very latest from our CNN's Will Ripley live in Dusseldorf, Germany.

What can we learn from the internet and what he was searching in the days before this crash?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, prosecutors behind me here, Suzanne, yesterday announced that they seized a tablet from Andreas Lubitz's home, just part of a lot of the evidence they pulled out of there. And when they went through the Internet search history, in the weeks leading up to the crash, including the day before, he searched for methods to commit suicide and he also searched about cockpit doors and ways to secure them.

Investigators have suspected this whole time this may have been a premeditated act. However, they didn't find any indications until now that it was the case.

And so, to know that he was indeed looking for ways to kill himself and looking for ways to potentially lock himself in a cockpit, that is why government officials here in Germany is telling us that they believe essentially this is premeditated murder. Very chilling, of course, for the families of everyone who is onboard, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely to hear that. There is also word, I understand, the flight data recorder has been found.

RIPLEY: And you have the new photos that show it was burned, it was buried about eight inches into the surface when the plane crashed in the French Alps. Of course, it hit the mountain at more than 400 miles an hour. They are working right now to extract the tactical data from the aircraft from that device. It's still unclear exactly how much they will be able to extract because of the fact that the box is damaged.

But it will be able to answer a lot of key questions, including whether Lubitz was manually flying the aircraft as suspected when he guided it into the French Alps, or whether it was on auto pilot the whole time. And, of course, it will help build the case he did this intentionally, an intentional act that resulted in the deaths of 149 innocent people -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: So sad.

Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

Today, we're going to get the highly anticipated March jobs report. What to expect and when your wages are going to finally start rising. That's up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:58:04] MALVEAUX: Let's bring in CNN Money correspondent Alison Kosik for an early start on your money.

So, Alison, tell us the big story.

KOSIK: The big story. Good morning to you, Suzanne.

It's all about jobs. The market is closed today for the Good Friday holiday, but it's still going to be action packed because the all- important jobs report coming out at 8:30. This is the March report.

CNN money is expecting employers added 244,000 jobs last month. It's a bit fewer than what we saw in February. Unemployment rate is expected to stay the same at 5.5 percent. Now, there's a lot to digest in this report. I'm going to be keeping

a close eye on wage growth. It was only 2 percent in February, and that's actually well below the federal target of 3.5 percent.

Also, there are concerns about other areas of the economy, but, Suzanne, it's important to see the jobs picture keeping its momentum going.

MALVEAUX: And there's already a good sign for the labor market heading in today's report, yes?

KOSIK: Yes, this is the indication that I like to call take this job and shove it. More workers are quitting. That is good news if it doesn't sound like it. Almost 2.8 million people quit their jobs in January, actually. That's up 17 percent from a year ago.

What that means is that, you know, we are feeling more confident in the job market to leave our job, and go ahead and look for another opportunity.

MALVEAUX: OK. More confidence, I like that. And there's also a report overnight about where the money is and where the high earners actually live.

KOSIK: Exactly. So, it's not a surprise here. Most of the high earners live right here in New York City and Manhattan. The New York county residents collected a $97,000 paycheck on average last year.

Yes, we deal with the higher cost of living here. But when you factor in investments, Wyoming takes the top spot. That's actually home to Jackson Hole and a lot of wealthy ski birds. The average income there with investments, $300,000.

And to top it off, they get to keep most of it. Wyoming doesn't have any tax income. So, income tax, so that kind of nice.

MALVEAUX: All right. Good for them.

All right. Alison, good to see you.

For our viewers around the world, "CNN NEWSROOM" is next.

For our viewers here in the United States, EARLY START continues now.