Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Mystery Deepens Into Clause of Russian Plane Crash; GOP Campaigns Lay Out Debate Demands; New Details on U.S. Ground Troops in Syria. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired November 02, 2015 - 07:00   ET

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

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Overnight nearly 150 of the 224 passengers killed on board arriving in Russia. Mourners of the mostly Russian victims gathering at St. Petersburg Airport where the air jet was supposed to end its journey. Aerials of the crash site show mangled wreckage, strewn across nearly eight square miles.

[07:00:20] But Egypt's prime minister says there are no indications that anything out of the ordinary was about to happen on this aircraft. Egypt's civil aviation minister adding, there are no reports that the airline had faults. Checks done before takeoff did not reveal anything, and no one received any S.O.S. calls.

Still, questions linger as to why Flight 9268 hurled to the ground in the remote part of Egypt, in clear weather, an area plagued by a violent Islamic insurgency.

PETER GOELZ, CNN AVIATION ANALYST: You can certainly see whether there were any sign of a bomb or a missile striking the aircraft. They leave very distinctive markings. And that should be able to be eliminated very quickly.

DAMON: The co-pilot's ex-wife telling Russia state-run news he complained before the flight to their daughter, wishing for a better technical condition of the plane. Most passengers were found with their seat belt on, according to Egypt's military, suggesting the pilot asked them to buckle up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DAMON: And Alisyn, concrete answers lie within those two black boxes recovered from the scene on Saturday, but extracting that data is going to potentially be difficult. It depends on how much damage was actually done to them. We are hearing that it is not that significant. So hopefully, that information will come out sooner rather than later. Because in past cases, it has taken weeks, if not months, to recover data from these boxes.

CAMEROTA: Yes, let's hope it's much sooner than months, Arwa. Thanks so much.

Here with more analysis are CNN aviation correspondent and host of "Quest Means Business," Richard Quest; as well as Jim Hall, former chairman of the NTSB. Gentlemen, thanks so much for being here.

Richard, I know you were monitoring that Metrojet press conference. What jumped out at you about what officials were saying?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, really, the comments that it was not technical; and it was not human error, but it was external forces or external reasons. I just don't see at this point that they can make such a claim.

It's an extraordinary claim to make, but it's not surprising that the airline would be saying that at this particular point.

The reality is, until there's been a forensic examination of the wreckage to see if any explosive residue, or at least a full data readout of the black boxes, we simply don't know. All we know is that, at a particular point, the plane basically fell out the air and lost all of its air speed. The reasons why are simply not known.

CAMEROTA: Jim, you've investigated scores of these airline tragedies. Do you agree with the Metrojet officials that this could not be mechanical?

JIM HALL, FORMER NTSB CHAIRMAN: Oh, it's too early to make that determination. Certainly, this looks very much like some sort of midair event that could have either been a mechanical event, center wing tag explosion such as TWA 800, or it could have been the result of an explosive device placed on the aircraft.

CAMEROTA: But not -- but I mean, which way are you leaning? It sounds as -- they say it was external forces. What does that mean?

HALL: Well, I think that the situation here is that you're going to have to have a criminal investigation looking at the possibility of a criminal act here as you proceed. But with the black boxes intact, the Russian investigators should be able to provide information fairly quickly in regard to leading us in one direction or another.

CAMEROTA: Richard, one striking graphic juxtaposes the debris field from MH-17, which was shot out of the sky over the war-torn Ukrainian/Russian border, and then what happened this weekend. And, you know, the debris fields look strikingly similar in terms of the size of the debris, Richard. And yet we have heard, I mean, not to get too graphic, that some of the bodies were found to still be in their seatbelts. So what do you see, Richard, when you compare these two debris fields?

QUEST: OK. Well, let's not be too distasteful. The reason they're in their seats, I mean, yes, it could be the captain had requested that because of technical difficulties. But the flight was only 21 minutes into its journey. So the seatbelt sign could have still been on anyway.

[06:05:03] And anyway, most passengers do tend to leave their seatbelts loosely fastened, because they're asked to do so.

If you take the debris field, it tells us the plane broke up, but it doesn't tell us why. Now, this could be a straightforward break at the tail, and that could happen because of aerodynamic forces on the air frame that simply are outside the envelope and pull the plane apart.

Certainly, if something dramatic happens, this -- sort of the leap to then go to explosives -- I agree with Jim, fully, in that whenever I hear of a plane incident in the cruise, one of the first things you think about is explosion, whether from fuel or from explosive device. That's the nature, because it is the safest part of flight.

But what causes this breakup is what will need to be investigated. I'm surprised they haven't said where they're going to read the black boxes yet. They've had them now for nearly 24 hours. So I'm surprised we haven't actually heard out which country, where they're going to be read and where we can expect to get the information. It shouldn't take that long.

CAMEROTA: Jim -- Jim, does that make a difference whether they're read in Russia, whether they're read in Egypt and how long it will take?

HALL: Well, I know the Russians have the capability to read out these boxes in the same amount of time that we could at the National Transportation Safety Board at the United States. They have very good equipment.

The concern there is being sure that the information on the black boxes is accurately reported. Certainly with the background of the position that the Russian government took in regard to MH-17.

CAMEROTA: Jim, one last question for you. I want to put a map of this region. You can see there are travel warnings. In the red are travel warnings, not to fly to or, I believe, even over some of these air space. Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, Libya, Sudan.

Then there's travel alerts that feature Turkey and Egypt. Now, Turkey and Egypt are popular tourist destinations for Americans. How are we supposed to interpret what we're seeing here with these alerts and warnings?

HALL: Well, I think that travelers need to be very cautious and aware of what carriers they're flying and what routes they're flying. Until, hopefully, some of this -- some of the problems that we've seen going on in the Middle East are dealt with.

CAMEROTA: Richard, if somebody has a ticket to Egypt today, what are you recommending they do?

QUEST: Oh, it's the usual things: ensuring the airline that you're going on you're satisfied with. And are a well-funded, well-run airline.

Remember, many of those alerts that you're talking about, Alisyn, they are flight restrictions below a certain level.

So if you take, for example, the NOTAMs relating to the Sinai Peninsula that were issued by the U.S., the U.K., Germany and others, they all related to flight levels below 25,000 or 26,000 feet. Because that was where it was believed you couldn't -- they didn't have sophisticated enough weaponry.

The problem is, if those activities, those military activities such as eastern Ukraine, they get surface-to-air missiles that can get to the upper altitudes. And that relies on intelligence. And there's no getting away from it, Alisyn. It is a mess. IOTA, ACAO, they've tried to deal with this, but it is a mess. There is no unified system that's is satisfactory for alerting airlines.

CAMEROTA: OK. Troubling note to end on. Richard Quest, Jim Hall, thanks for all of your expertise.

Let's get over to Michaela.

PEREIRA: All right. We turn now to presidential politics. Advisers for multiple Republican candidates are meeting to lay out their demands for changes in future debates. The campaigns are seeking more control over the process in the wake of harsh criticism for last week's CNBC debate. Athena Jones is live in Tampa with all the details for us on their demands -- Athena.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Michaela.

This is significant, seeing these campaigns unite, not just against the TV networks but also against the Republican National Committee, which has been negotiating the debate terms on behalf of the campaigns. This, of course, comes after so many campaigns were mad about the way the CNBC debate was handled last week. As you mention the bottom line is the campaigns want more control over the debate format. They say they want more substantive and more focused debates.

Now, not all of the campaigns were there. Carly Fiorina's campaign was not represented. Also not there, the RNC. That's because they weren't invited.

But Ben Ginsberg, a prominent lawyer and debate negotiator was there to take help facilitate the discussion. Take a listen to how he summed up some of the campaigns' main concerns.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[07:10:06] BEN GINSBERG, REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY: Campaigns have been able -- should be able to get information about the details of the debate far sooner than they have so far this cycle. So if you have that transparency and accountability, you can talk to the sponsors about formats and opening and closing statements and the way they put up graphics on the screen and even who the moderators are and the types of questions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: Now, we're told the meeting lasted just over two hours and that it was collegial, though the campaigns didn't agree on everything.

Here are some of the demands they plan to make for future debates: a two-hour time limit for each debate. A chance for every candidate to make opening and closing statements. A minimum of 30 seconds per candidate.

They also want editorial control of the graphics that are put up on the screen while the candidates are speaking. And they want equal speaking time for each candidate.

The campaigns also agreed that they would hold a group conference call with the debate sponsors before each debate. One more point I want to make, Ben Carson's campaign manager, who organized this meeting, said that these -- this new plan will not affect the FOX -- the FOX Business Channel debate coming up just over a week from now. It will all begin with the next CNN debate in December -- Chris.

CUOMO: That raised eyebrows. You know, is that about some type of preference or is it just about timing? We'll be on that this morning. Athena, thank you very much.

Also this morning, President Obama is doing something he's repeatedly opposed: putting boots on the ground in Syria. How many? What will they do? What will they not do? All crucial questions. CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr live in Washington with more.

What do we understand, my friend?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Chris.

Well, as you say, the president announcing late last week, less than 50 Special Operations forces on the ground in Syria there, expected to be there within the month. What are they not doing? They are not going to be a game changer in this war against ISIS.

Every military official I've spoken to agrees to that point. Their job: advise, assist, coordinate. They will obviously have a key role in gathering intelligence on the ground, because for the first time they will be there.

But already, even as we see this, there are moves being made to expand all of this yet again. What is coming next?

Well, the Pentagon already saying that they are looking at putting an additional group of Special Operations forces out in Syria and Iraq to conduct raids against high-value targets.

What else is on the list? Apache gun ship helicopters. That will allow U.S. troops much closer to the ground to fire on targets and, yes, maybe even forward air controllers. U.S. troops out in the field, helping the local forces on the ground pick out targets.

What the Pentagon is saying is that one of the key goals they have is to make the opposition forces able to get to the city of Raqqah in Syria, ISIS's self-declared capital. But a lot of skepticism. This could be a very long road ahead -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: All right, Barbara. Thanks so much for all of that reporting.

Well, a stunning comeback for Turkish President Erdogan's AKP Party. It regained full control of parliament, less than six months after losing the majority it had held for more than 13 years. Millions of voters turned out to support his platform, that one-party rule is the only way to fight this two-front war with ISIS and militant Kurds.

PEREIRA: Police are urging parents to check their children's Halloween stash this morning after several reports were filed of sharp objects found inside candy over the weekend. Five children in Kennett Square, Philadelphia, apparently received wrapped candies containing needle-like objects, while an Ohio girl bit into a candy bar containing a disposable razor blade. Fortunately, none of the children were injured. Police believe this seems to be on the up and up, that these weren't hoaxes. They are investigating, obviously, to find out exactly what went wrong and how far and how widespread this went.

CAMEROTA: My gosh. I thought that when candy was wrapped, we'd gotten past that, being worried about it. Kids, when it was homemade, you had to check it. But wrapped, you'd think -- of course, they can slip a needle in there, apparently.

PEREIRA: Upsetting.

CAMEROTA: Wow.

CUOMO: Luckily, none were in any of the 100 pieces of candy that I ate.

CAMEROTA: Good. I'm glad you checked it out for your kids. That's selfless.

CUOMO: Yes. Wanted to make sure.

CAMEROTA: Wow. You are a good dad.

CUOMO: So far, so good.

All right. So if you cannot take the heat, get off the debate stage. That from Donald Trump. No stranger to critiquing debates himself, he's singing a different tune. We have team Trump in the NEW DAY house with a take on the field, the debate changes and this perceived fear of FOX News.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:18:25] CUOMO: Major negotiations this weekend between the Republican campaigns over changing the debate rules. Got to remember, the campaigns used to negotiate these directly. The RNC was involved.

This time, however, Donald Trump, he was out on the campaign trail, and he had a very different take. I'll play that for you in just a second. I want to introduce my guest, executive vice president of the Trump Organization and special counsel to Donald Trump, Michael Cohen.

Counsel, it's good to have you. Quite a following you have on Twitter. Keep your people away from me.

MICHAEL COHEN, EVP, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: I sure will. Actually, my people like you.

CUOMO: So let's play what Donald Trump was saying about how he feels you should be addressing these debates this weekend if you want to be in the game.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't want the Republicans to look weak, like we're not afraid -- we're afraid to take questions. You know, in many ways, I like it, because you can answer any question. You know, it's like we've got to handle Putin. We've got to handle China. We've got to handle all these people. We've got to take care of ISIS, but we're afraid to have a tough question. Who hits me? Besides that, I got all the tough questions. Nobody else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: So what's he saying? Because early on, Counsel, he was like, boy, these moderators at FOX, this is terrible from happened with Megyn Kelly. Terrible. Now he seems to be saying the opposite, which is deal with it or don't deal with it. This is the game.

COHEN: I don't think he's changing what the underlying thought is. I think what he's doing is he's saying we just have to move on. The moderators should really want to do a better job for the American people.

I don't think anybody, after watching that debate came out with any additional information about each of the candidates that they were hoping for. And I think what Mr. Trump is saying, if they want to waste the American people's time, do it. But he's used to these tough questions, he's used to being attacked and he handles it very well.

[07:20:08] CUOMO: That's what allows one candidate to distinguish themselves from another, though, right? Look, criticism of CNBC, that's fair. That's up to whatever anybody wants to do. Don't confuse them with Jake Tapper or Anderson Cooper. But that's how you and I figure out to voters who's better, you or me. You know? You say what you don't like about me. I say what I think makes no sense about you, and they get to test it.

COHEN: Well, that would be bad.

CUOMO: Well, I would take a beating, there's no question. That's why I do...

COHEN: My Twitter followers...

CUOMO: I can't take that any more.

So you know, that's what these debates should be. You don't want to lose that. That's what Donald Trump is saying.

COHEN: So what we really have is the political storm right now with discontent amongst the silent majority. And what they're looking for is really liberty from bad government.

And that's what Donald Trump is talking about. And that's why he resonates with his motto, right? Make America great again. He's the guy who can make America great again.

And if you look to see some of the things that he's done, look here in New York, from the Wollman Rink to the ferry point. Look at what he's done for the Javits Center, really the skyline all over the world. This is what he's trying to say, is that we can make America great again. He is the guy that can create this sort of benefit for the country.

CUOMO: Private sector is different than public sector, though. I want to talk about the veterans' plan that he put out. I'm putting it in quotes, because it's a pushback on whether it's a plan or whether it's some suggestions. But first, this FOX News timing, is it just about timing, not having these changes apply to this next debate? Or is this about a little bit of favoritism?

COHEN: No, I think it's about timing, simply if you look at the past FOX debate as it ended up, you know, with Mr. Trump. He wasn't too thrilled with some of the, again, questions that were asked of him. They're always accusatory. They're mean-spirited. What he's really looking for is for the moderator to give him the opportunity to tell the American people what he can do for them.

CUOMO: So why not enforce the changes right away? You've got nine days.

COHEN: He's not the only -- he's not the only one that's on that debate stage. My opinion, there are too many people on the debate stage. There should be five.

Let the other eight or nine or ten go on to the second debate. There should be five. There should -- they're all fighting for time. And because Mr. Trump is the frontrunner and he's leading in the polls. They are more inclined to ask questions to him. So others are upset about that. They want their time and then...

CUOMO: That's the nature of the beast. But you don't see anything with this FOX decision that's anything more than just timing? You don't think it's favoritism? You think if it was CBS that had the next one, that changes would have been made now?

COHEN: I don't think so.

CUOMO: You don't buy it?

COHEN: Not from Mr. Trump's side anyway.

CUOMO: So the reform proposal you put out on veterans has a list of suggestions on things that can happen. Few have pushed back on what the changes are. The pushback is, this isn't a plan. This is a list of suggestions. It's not a real plan. There are no specifics. Fair criticism?

COHEN: No.

CUOMO: Why?

COHEN: Because it is a plan, and it's Mr. Trump's plan.

CUOMO: The how, though? Access to private providers. How? Access to mental health care. How is it going to be better...?

COHEN: You have to get better -- when you have 22 veterans every single day committing suicide, more veterans are dying from suicide than died in Vietnam. This is a disgrace.

And these are the things that infuriate Mr. Trump. You know, Mr. Trump was responsible for saving the Veterans Day Parade. I'll give you an example.

Here's something many people don't know. He's expended millions of dollars in litigation against government. For what? The right to fly the American flag on his properties. They wanted him to remove it, because they said it was too large. His response back: no one's going to tell me, Donald Trump, how big or how small American flag I'm going to fly on my property.

CUOMO: Good for him.

COHEN: He is for the American people.

CUOMO: Good for him.

COHEN: He's for the veterans. And if you give him the opportunity to get into the White House, he will fix the veteran problem. He will fix the corruption.

CUOMO: Well, you know he's got to do more on how. It's not me who's saying it. It's concerned veterans for America. They said the plan was, quote, heavy on rhetoric, light on specifics. Is he going to offer more specifics on how he's going to do this and other things?

COHEN: The answer is yes. But you have to get in in order to really understand exactly what the problems are.

CUOMO: All right. We look forward to having him on the show. You, as well. We want to talk about the issues, get down, drill down. You know that Team Trump says they want that, as well.

COHEN: They do.

CUOMO: Counsel, thank you very much. Appreciate it -- Mick.

PEREIRA: All right. The war against ISIS grows with Special Operations forces being deployed in Syria. The White House says it's an expansion, not a change in strategy. We're going to take a closer look at the risk and the potential reward.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [07:28:50] CUOMO: The United States is announcing it's going to put Special Forces on the ground in Syria. They say no more than 50 right now. That's the early warning. And they're going to advise, not fight. That's the early promise. This is going on at the same time that world powers are sitting down at the table in Vienna to see if there's a political solution to Syria's civil war.

The main sticking point, determining the future role of President Bashar al-Assad. An important note: he is not at these negotiations. You have negotiations about a country without any leadership present from it.

Let's bring in vice president for new initiatives and distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. Aaron Donald Miller, A.D.M. to his friends here at NEW DAY.

Good to have you, sir.

AARON DAVID MILLER, WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER: Always a pleasure.

CUOMO: Reading your pearls of wisdom, I see that you refuse to join the hordes of those saying these talks cannot be productive. You say you may have a situation here that the constellation is in order for some progress to be made. Why the optimism, sir?

MILLER: Well, good news is, you've got all the relevant parties, minus ISIS. And of course, Assad, although there's a Syrian delegation representing them under Moscow's tutelage. But that's the bad news, too.

You've got at least five, I count them, hot and cold wars going on in Syria under the cover of the Syrian civil war. You've got the Saudis and the Iranians. They can't stand each other. You've got Erdogan.