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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Source: 2nd Attacker Involved in Metro Bombing; Clinton Denounces Cruz and Trump; Alex Rodriguez to Retire After 2017 Season. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired March 24, 2016 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:00] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Nice to see you this morning, Victor.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Good to be with you.

ROMANS: Thank you for being here.

I'm Christine Romans. It is Thursday, March 24th, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Breaking news this morning: word of another attacker involved in the Brussels bombings. A security source tells CNN a second person sought in the blast Brussels subway system. The individual was caught on video holding a large bag.

We now know the identity of the suicide bomber who blew up the subway car. Officials say it was Khalid el Bakraoui. He rented the apartment. Khalid's brother Ibrahim el Bakraoui and authorities believe Najim Laachraoui both wearing black here were the two suicide bombers who died at the airport.

Now, Laachraoui, thought to have built the Brussels bombs has been on the run since Paris attacks. The third man who dropped the bomb off at the Brussels airport, left, and on the run. Police conducting raids across Brussels, raising the questions did the men act alone or could there be other members of the terror cell out there?

We have Fred Pleitgen with the latest from Brussels. Good morning, Fred.

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Christine.

Certainly, one of the things that is a big problem for the investigators here is that if you go all the way back to the Paris attacks that happen four months ago, they believe that the cell that was involved there was quite limited in scale. However, they then found, as the investigation went on, that there were many more people involved than they actually thought.

So, of course, now that they are investigating the Brussels attacks, that's something that that they are looking into that. They identified two potential people that are unaccounted for. On the surveillance pictures that we saw from the airport, that was the man who is in light color clothing, and now, they say also, as far as the metro attack is concerned, they may have identified someone else. Someone appeared to be holding a large bag.

It's unclear if that person was killed in the bombing or whether that person is still at large. So, at this point in time, there's more raids in the Brussels area. We did see a few of those raids yesterday, for instance they went to one apartment and raided that place. But also, they are trying to gather more information from the places they already found like the one I'm at right here. This is an apartment block in the Schaerbeek district. It was very quickly identified as the main bombmaking lab for the suspects in the attack.

And if we pan up to the top of the building, you see on the top floor, that's the apartment where most of the bombs that were used in the airport bombing were made. A taxi driver led them here. When police came here, they found some 15 kilograms, that's about 30 pounds of TATP explosive which is a very high grade homemade explosive that's very difficult to handle, unless you have expertise to do so.

But what they also found was a laptop. On that laptop, they found what they believe was the last will, potentially, of one of the attackers, of Ibrahim el Bakraoui. He details police were on his trail, he believed that he only had a limited amount of time and he believed he needed to conduct these attacks as fast as possible, otherwise he would end up in jail.

He, of course, was also associated with Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to be one of the people involved in the Paris attacks and apprehended in Brussels on Friday -- Christine.

ROMANS: You know , by all accounts, Fred, they were in a hurry. Just three days earlier, their friend and accomplice had been arrested. They knew he was in police custody. They didn't know what he was saying or how quickly he would be talking about a new bomb plot. And, frankly, police had been so close to them.

The taxi driver so interesting, saying they couldn't fit all of the bags in the taxi. The event could have been worse.

PLEITGEN: Yes, it could indeed have been worse. You hit on two points that are absolutely clear.

First of all, the police were very close to catching these men, only less than a week before all this happened in Brussels. They raided an apartment where they shot one man who opened fire at them. Two people escaped and that apartment was listed und, one of the el Bakraoui brothers. In that part, they found the DNA of Salah Abdeslam, of course, was at that point in time, the most wanted man in Europe.

And the taxi driver who came here, you are right, he said when he came to pick these men up, they had a lot of luggage. And some of that luggage simply didn't fit in the cab. And it was interesting, you know, I was here when they conducted the raids on this apartment. And almost immediately, the police say they found a nail bomb, a big

piece of explosive with nails and screws. It seems they had to leave some bags behind here because they had too much in the way of explosives and some of that was later found.

[05:05:05] So, certainly, the bombings at the airport could have been worse than they actually were, Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Fred Pleitgen for us in Brussels, thanks for that, Fred.

Let's focus on ISIS bomb maker Najim Laachraoui. The key tie to the Paris attacks linked through DNA found in houses in Belgium used by the Paris terror cell. Investigators have been looking for Laachraoui for months. His name released to the public after also arrested suspect Salah Abdeslam just days before.

For more, let's turn to senior international correspondent Nima Elbagir for us. She's in Brussels.

And, Nima, as we learn more about this, we see just how tightly and closely woven the attacks are to what we're seeing happening in Brussels.

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. It was the naming of Najim Laachraoui that really tied that final knot together for authorities in terms of fundamentally connecting the network that carried out Paris and the network that carried the tragic incidents here in Brussels.

Najim Laachraoui was known to authorities, widely believed to be the ISIS bombmaker who was involved with the attacks in Paris. His DNA was found in the bomb lab in Schaerbeek. It was also found on the suicide belts that the attackers used in France.

What we're hearing from investigators and what has been really frightening for them is the evolution of Laachraoui skill set, because in the Stade de France attack, you remember, only one person was killed, as tragic as that was. Part of it was because the explosive was very, very unstable. These attacks in Brussels, though, you saw a new level of experience almost coming into play, that third bomb that failed to detonate.

That was the largest of the three in the airport that had 15 kilos of explosives in it. It is horrifying if the man in white, whose image we are seeing, if his bought detonated, of this the work of Najim Laachraoui. So, for authorities, his signature has significantly shifted, but it was his DNA tied him to the attacks.

A lot of those we have been speaking to in the intelligence community have queried, well, why would they sacrifice such an experienced bomb maker whose skill set was clearly involving? And that is where you get the sense the network was really feeling that noose tightening around them.

As we heard Fred say in the will ascribed currently to Ibrahim el Bakraoui, they felt it was this or end up in jail. Perhaps that was part the thinking.

The real sadness that all of this, in a sense was overshadowed after the capture of Salah Abdeslam. The Belgian foreign minister speaking just last weekend said our biggest fear is that the network involved and built up around Salah Abdeslam in his week and months on the run, that will accelerate any attack they were planning for fears Salah Abdeslam would speak. That is what tragically unfolded here, Victor.

BLACKWELL: All right. Nima Elbagir for us here in Brussels, thank you so much.

ROMANS: Our concern is rising in Europe. Law enforcement are not able to keep up with the tide of ISIS fighters returning from Syria and returning from Iraq to their home countries. Now ready to wage jihad in Europe.

Turkey revealing it deported Ibrahim el Bakraoui to the Netherlands and warned Belgian authorities he might be a militant. Now, Turkey says the Belgians responded that el Bakraoui had a criminal record, but no links to terrorism discovered.

CNN also found that Interpol had a standing red notice on Ibrahim's brother Khalid el Bakraoui, saying Belgium wanted him in connection with terrorism.

So, were there intelligence failures? Could the Brussels attacks been prevented?

Joining us is CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton, former deputy director of the joint chiefs of staff.

You know, in the context of all this, I go back to New Year's Eve, when Brussels canceled the New Year's Eve celebration, cancelled its fireworks display because there was a significant risk of a terror attack.

Against that back drop, you have intelligence failures, it appears in the weeks and months of the past year that led directly to where we are today. They were on high alert, but so many of these dots were not connected, Cedric.

CEDRIC LEIGHTON, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: That's right, Christine. Good morning.

The basic situation you have is with the terror attacks is that they can attack anytime. What the Belgian authorities did with the New Year's celebration was try to be proactive about those particular events.

[05:10:02] That, you know, clearly, probably in retrospect a wise decision because it is highly like that this group planned an attack during that period. The fact they canceled those events indicate they had some intelligence something would happen. And secondly, they proceed out of an abundance of caution to do that.

Unfortunately, though, these intelligence efforts have to continue. They have to not only take care of those big events we know about, but they also have to look for opportunities the terrorists will take in areas like an airport, or a train station, a metro station and those are the kinds of things that really prevent complete, basically off of the public from these kinds of events, because it is just so difficult to do.

BLACKWELL: Cedric, obviously, a suspect or suspects still on the run, a promise from ISIS that they will attack in Europe again, concern that the group will follow through with that vow.

How much can Belgium do in the short-term? I mean, they have to ramp up and quickly. What can they accomplish in the very near future to close this deficit of intelligence and analysis?

LEIGHTON: Victor, it will be a hard thing for them to do. One thing they can do is augment the physical presence of their police and military forces throughout areas that they think will be targets. We're talking main areas of Brussels, such as the royal palace, NATO headquarters, E.U. headquarters, the obvious targets. They clearly have to protect those.

The other thing is they have to get into neighborhoods like Molenbeek where there is clearly a jihadist element. A jihadist element tied into the criminal element. That element is something that they have to explore further.

There is no separation between with those elements on the criminal side in the Muslim dominated neighborhoods and terrorist side. That's the proposition they have to have before they go in there.

ROMANS: We are learning more between the Paris cell and Brussels cell, the interactions between -- the connections between all of these young men. This bombmaker, Najim Laachraoui, 24 years old. He is sort of the middle of all this along with Salah Abdeslam.

What do you make of the fact the suspected bombmaker blew himself up in this? Does that show the desperation of the cell? Or could it be that he passed on his skills to someone else we don't know?

LEIGHTON: It's possible he passed on his skills to someone else. But the standard operating procedure so far is bombmakers tend to be protected. You see that with the al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. They go to great lengths to protect bombmakers, because that is a -- literally a perishable skill set. They want to make sure they have those experts at their beckon call. I believe they felt the pressure because the police were closing in.

We see that in the last will and testament that was found on the laptop for example. We see it in the attitudes and movements. I think the Belgian minister who anticipated something would happen was certainly right in that. The problem is you don't know what the attack would be. That was the significant shortfall here.

ROMAS: The speculation the attack planned for Easter. They moved it up. Their friend was in custody and they were worried he would spill beans. Cedric Leighton, thank you so much for that.

BLACKWELL: The attacks in Brussels and war on terror creating new controversy on the presidential campaign trail.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:17:58] BLACKWELL: Seventeen minutes after the hour.

Terror attacks in Belgium are dominating the conversation on the campaign trail. Donald Trump wants Muslims and Muslim communities to be more cooperative with the law enforcement. claims they are turning a blind eye to radical behavior.

Trump and his rival Ted Cruz are also calling for more aggressive policing in Muslim neighborhoods.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need to be using proactive policing. We need to be using proactive law enforcement and intelligence and national security resources.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They're protecting each other, but they're really doing very bad damage. And they have to open up to society. They have to report the bad ones.

When they say trouble they have to report it. They're not reporting it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Hillary Clinton say the anti-terror plans offered by Trump and Cruz proved both candidates are in her words, loose cannons.

The former secretary of state and President Obama too denouncing the idea of profiling Muslim communities. Both Democrats claiming that plan just doesn't make any sense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When Republican candidates like Ted Cruz call for treating American Muslims like criminals and for racially profiling predominately Muslim neighborhoods, it's wrong, it's counterproductive, it's dangerous.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I just left a country that engages in that kind of neighborhood surveillance. Which by the way, the father of Senator Cruz escaped for America, the land of the free.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: While everyone is focusing on Brussels and terrorism, the Republican establishment is quietly coalescing behind Ted Cruz. The Texas senator widely seen within the party as the only hope to derail Donald Trump. Jeb Bush endorsing Cruz on Wednesday with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker expected to follow suit.

John Kasich is dismissing calls to step aside and turn this into a two-man race. The Ohio governor insisting the race is effectively over if he's not in it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JOHN KASICH (R-OH), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me tell you, I drop out, Donald Trump is absolutely going to be the nominee because -- I mean, I'm not out here to stop Donald Trump, but I can tell you the reality of it because I don't believe that Senator Cruz can come to the east and win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:20:08] BLACKWELL: Meanwhile, things are getting nastier and more personal between Trump and Cruz. Trump threatening to spill the beans of Heidi after the picture of Trump's wife Melania posing nude.

Overnight, Trump following it with this retweet, and unflattering picture of Heidi Cruz with the flattering picture of Melania Trump, and message, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

ROMANS: That is where we are.

BLACKWELL: And we have many months to go.

ROMANS: Yes, we do.

Twenty minutes past the hour.

A-Rod setting a date for his retirement from baseball. But will he really walk away when the 201 7 season comes to an end. Andy Scholes with this morning's bleacher report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:25:12] BLACKWELL: All right. The Golden State Warriors, one step closer to history. They won again last night, beating the Clippers.

ROMANS: Andy Scholes has more of this morning's bleacher report.

Hey, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, guys.

Yes, the Warriors are nine wins away from topping the '95-'96 Bulls all-time best record of 72-10. Now, I'll tell you what, Steph Curry, he had it going all night against the Clippers. The second quarter and getting guarded and he gets the step back three. And later, Curry is going to come up with the steal against JJ Reddick and then he'll start a break and make a beautiful one handed pass to Draymond Green.

Curry had 33 in the game. Warriors win, 114-98, extending their record home win streak to 51 straight. All right. The Spurs are trying to keep pace with Warriors taking on

the Heat. It was military appreciation night. They were wearing cool camo uniforms. Kawhi Leonard had a big night, matching his career high with 32 points by the third quarter. But unfortunately, he had to leave the game with a bruise quad. He's expected to be OK. The Spurs go on to win the game, 112-88, extending their home winning streak to 45 straight.

The baseball world is mourning the death of Joe Garagiola. Garagiola spent nine years as a player, but was known for the 57-year broadcasting career, they included three decades as the voice of NBC baseball. He also co-hosted the "Today" show, filled in for Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show", and was a staunch crusader against smokeless tobacco. Garagiola was 90 years old.

All right. Alex Rodriguez is hanging up the cleats at the end of next season. He told ESPN that after his contract is up in 2017, it's time to go home and be a dad. The 40-year-old had two years left on his mega ten-year $275 million deal. A-Rod is just 28 home runs shy of Babe Ruth for third on the all-time home run list.

And the NCAA tournament is back in action tonight with the sweet 16. Four games on tap. The big one I'm watching, Texas A&M versus Oklahoma. And that was going to set to 7:30 on PBS.

If you haven't seen Buddy Hill for the Sooners play yet in this tournament, I'll tune in to watch. This guy is going to be a star in the NBA one day.

ROMANS: All right. I'll take your advice. Thanks, Andy.

SCHOLES: All right.

BLACKWELL: Thanks, Andy.

ROMANS: Breaking news this morning, two bombers -- two bombers now believed to be behind the Brussels subway attacks. New information on the terror cell and their ties to Paris.

Plus, the jailed Paris terror suspect no longer cooperating with police. He wants to be sent right back to France quickly as possible. His lawyer says he is no longer cooperating.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)