Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Inside the Iran Negotiations; Palin to GOP Establishment: "Doggone Right We're Angry"; Michigan Governor Apologizes for Flint Water Crisis; At Least 19 People Killed In Pakistani University Attack. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired January 20, 2016 - 07:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:32:18] MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Some new details are emerging about the deal that led to the release of those five Americans from an Iranian prison including the fact that it almost never happened.

CNN's Jim Sciutto spoke with the lead negotiator for the U.S. about this high stakes swap. He joins us now from Washington. Jim --

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Michaela, to get these Americans out, the U.S. was negotiating with the hardest of hard-liners in Iran. We're talking about the intelligence, the judiciary. And during this more than year of negotiations, there were blowups, there were arguments, and even to the very last minute, a chance that the whole thing would fall through. Here's what Brett McGurk had to tell me about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRETT MCGURK, SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY FOR THE GLOBAL COALITION TO COUNTER ISIL: I said, no. I said the entire thing is off unless they are on the airplane.

SCIUTTO: You would have killed the deal if Jason's mother and wife were not on that plane?

MCGURK: Well part of the deal, Yeganeh Rezaian was in the deal, so that's part of the deal, period.

SCIUTTO: And do you think the Iranians at that point were trying to change the terms? What were they trying to do?

MCGURK: It's unclear. I mean I think, look, there's a lot of people in the Iranian system and the people who hold the keys to the prison cells that never wanted this to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: And those are the people who held the keys to the sentences and I'll tell you, I've spoken to diplomats involved in this deal and there was great concern that if they did not get those Americans out, that Jason Rezaian in particular, might be facing a sentence of 10 years, 20 years, Chris, even the possibility of a death sentence in Iran. Imagine that prospect had this deal not come through. Really a remarkable event that this all came together.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: You put it the right way, Jim, and thank you for being able to get us deeper into this situation as always. Jim Sciutto.

One of the Americans freed in that Iranian prisoner swap, Amir Hekmati. He's speaking out expressing deep gratitude. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMIR HEKMATI, AMERICAN RELEASED FROM IRAN: I want to thank everybody for all the support. I feel extremely lucky, alive for the first time in a long time, and very humbled at everybody's support.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Alive for the first time in a long time. Just imagine what he has endured, Hekmati, more than four years in an Iranian prison. Didn't know what his future would be, his family awaiting his return to the U.S.

Joining us now is one of his close friends, Arash Ansari. Arash, thank you very much. It is good to speak to you under this set of circumstances. What can you tell us about how your friend is feeling now?

ARASH ANSARI, FRIEND OF AMIR HEKMATI: Absolutely. Good morning, Chris. Thank you. All I can say is that I'm overcome with emotions. This is really a great time. This is the best week in the last 4-1/2 years that I can remember. And to see Amir speak, to see the healthy state that he's in, it just -- it's a proud moment for all of us and we're just excited to embrace him.

[07:35:12] CUOMO: What do you know about what made this finally happen?

ANSARI: You know, so far I know very little about the exact details. And I know that's something that Amir would like to share upon returning to U.S. soil but I was very, very anxious when the news was released because he was still in Iran and until I knew that he was on the German soil and at our military base, I couldn't be comforted in celebrating that Amir had been released.

CUOMO: Now, tight community out there, the Persian community in Detroit, and you obviously know the family well. There had been so much support over the years. But it had to be so hard for the family. Outwardly, they're always saying, we know he's going to come home, but there had to be a feeling that this day may never have come, right?

ANSARI: It was very difficult. His family has been through so much. This is a long period and there is bouts of not being able to get any communication from Amir. And this took a very strong toll on the entire family and all of us who loved Amir.

CUOMO: Now, he looks good. That's true. We do not want to minimize what he's been through. Who knows how he feels on the inside but also, just, again, on the outside, you're a big guy; you're 200 pounds. You say my buddy Amir was basically the same size I was. He's obviously much thinner now. Who knows what that's about. It could just be the stress let alone the diet but obviously, you all have to be thinking about putting your arms around him when he gets home in different ways. What's the plan?

ANSARI: Yes. That's very true, Chris. Everyone was so happy and the congratulations and Amir looks good and in my head, I was like, yes, he looks great, he looks better than I anticipated and that's a fantastic thing. But he's lost a lot of weight and maybe I see that more than anyone else but I'm excited to have him back to give him the biggest hug in the world and do whatever it is that Amir wants to do. I'm sure there's a rest period. He wants to spend a lot of time with his parents and family and after that, if he wants to go to the gym, whatever it is that he wants to do, I'm here to support him. I'm very excited about that.

CUOMO: I'm sure that will be a very good day when the heaviest thing weighing on his mind is the workout you're going to put him through, a reminder for people --

ANSARI: Absolutely. CUOMO: -- the first 18 months, he was in solitary. We all know what

that means in terms of your confinement but only a couple of meters by meters, his cell was very tight. He was only allowed 15 minutes of outside activity. Just think about what that does to you physically and emotionally. What do you hear about from the community in terms of what they're going to do when he comes home? Is there a celebration being planned?

ANSARI: You know, Chris, everyone obviously wants to celebrate this momentous occasion and I think everyone is just paying a lot of respect to the fact that Amir is now free. He can speak for himself. He can say what it is that he wants to do. And that's the greatest freedom of all. So we're going to take it one step at a time and just kind of see how Amir feels when he comes back and everyone is absolutely ready to celebrate. I think there's going to be more than one celebration and party in order.

CUOMO: What did you hear in his voice? What could you tell without him even saying it? ANSARI: You know, absolute inner strength. The world got to see the Amir that I've known this whole time and I'm very happy about that. I'm very proud of him. Everyone saw his strength. After 4-1/2 years, to come and speak so well to showcase the positivity that he did, there's no way to describe that emotion and I think everyone knows what I'm talking about upon seeing him speak.

CUOMO: Well, there's a lot of pain, there's a lot of outrage that he was ever held in the first place, but you deal with what's in front of you in life and right now, you've got good things coming your way. And you know what, hopefully it will reverberate all around Detroit. Obviously, we know the city's is in some hard ways right now with what they're dealing with with the schools and everything else so hopefully this is good news that will lift all spirits. Arash, send our best to the family, send our best to your friend.

[07:40:02] ANSARI: I will. Thank you very much, Chris.

CUOMO: All right. Don't over-train him in the beginning. Go easy on him, Arash. He's had a tough time. ANSARI: I'm afraid he's going to take it hard on me.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Chris, well, back to politics. Donald Trump looking to pull away from Ted Cruz in Iowa by bringing out a big gun. What will Sarah Palin's endorsement do?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH PALIN, FORMER GOVERNER OF ALASKA: Doggone right, we're angry, justifiably so! Yes! You know they stomp on our neck and then they tell us, just chill. OK? Yes, just relax. Well, look, we are mad and we've been had. They need to get used to it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Sarah Palin's endorsement of Donald Trump comes less than two weeks before the Iowa caucuses where polls show Trump and Ted Cruz running neck and neck. What happens now?

Joining us is CNN political commentator and Donald Trump supporter, Jeffrey Lord and CNN political commentator and former communications director for Senator Ted Cruz, Amanda Carpenter. Great to see both of you. Amanda, you say you were flabbergasted yesterday when Sarah Palin came out for Donald Trump. Why didn't she endorse your former boss, Ted Cruz?

AMANDA CARPENTER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well that's for Sarah Palin to explain because I do think the endorsement does beg a lot more explanation.

[07:44:50] Listen, I was very thrilled when Sarah Palin burst on the political scene in 2008 with the rise of the tea party. I think back to the single most animating issue behind the tea party and that was the 2008 bank bailouts. That was an issue that divided republicans and conservatives. That was the first issue that I think really made people recognize the term, the establishment, because it was republicans and democrats coming together to prop up wall street. Donald Trump was for the bailouts. Donald Trump was for the stimulus. Donald Trump disrespects property rights. They're his support for eminent domain. He threatens the press, which I think is a pretty big violation of the first amendment when they write stories he doesn't like. These are big, big issues and I just really question whether the tea party base support that Sarah Palin has enjoyed for so long can go along with her with this endorsement given Donald Trump's positions on these very important issues.

CAMEROTA: OK. Jeffrey Lord, how do the tea party and conservatives square that with Donald Trump and Sarah Palin's endorsement?

JEFFREY LORD, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think there's a lot of frustration in the tea party that things have not been able to get done in opposition. I love Ted Cruz. I think he's terrific. The fact of the matter is, though, that as a senator, he's not been able to get things done in terms of, whether it was defunding Obamacare or what have you. And I think -- I'm not really sure this is connected to Senator Cruz per se, but I do think there's a considerable frustration out there that there is no one willing to stand up and take the heat who's got the sort of heavyweight mask behind them to get things done to get the establishment in line, et cetera. And I think that is a perception here with Donald Trump. One, that he's not afraid, but two, that he's actually got the political heft to get stuff done.

CAMEROTA: OK, but Jeffrey, so that means, sorry to interrupt, but that means that they're willing to overlook his previous support for stimulus and bailouts.

LORD: I think to some degree. With the sense that they can bring him around, if he's not already brought around, to some of this. I mean the fact that Sarah Palin is there for him, this is significant, in terms of not just in the short run politically but if he wins, I think having people like Sarah Palin around him is significant.

CAMEROTA: Hey, so Amanda, yesterday, that wasn't the only thing that happened yesterday. Also the governor of Iowa, Branstad, came out and basically said, vote for anyone but Ted Cruz because of his position on ethanol. So how bad of a day, I mean one to ten, ten being the worst, was this for Ted Cruz?

CARPENTER: Well listen, this is a sign to me that the big guns are coming out for Ted Cruz. It means the target is on his back. People are coming after him. Donald Trump rolled out a Sarah Palin endorsement in Iowa right now. Governor Branstad said, anybody but Ted Cruz right now because they see the momentum that he's getting. I mean, just a few weeks ago, the ethanol lobbyists were running around telling journalists that Cruz had allegedly caved on ethanol. Now they flipped around and said he must be stopped at all costs. So they're in panic mode. And Donald Trump, I mean this is another negative for him. Cruz has said he'll stand up to the crony capitalism and end the ethanol mandate. Donald Trump won't do that. And so that is really, frankly, why I'm confused when Sarah Palin stands up on that stage and says, we will stop special interests. Donald Trump hasn't done that. He's lambasted Ted Cruz for standing up to the ethanol lobby. So I've got to say, this makes no logical sense to me, save for the fact that maybe Sarah Palin has made the calculation that polls and personality matter now more than conservative principles.

CAMEROTA: Jeffrey, Amanda cleverly avoided my ratings system that I gave her for how bad of a day it was for Ted Cruz. But do you agree with her that this shows that Donald Trump is getting nervous that he's rolling out the big guns, about Ted Cruz encroaching on him?

LORD: Well, I don't know that it's a question of being nervous. If you're one of the front-runners, if you're the front-runner or one of the front-runners, you have to keep your eye on the ball game here, which is winning. So you're going to do what you're going to do to win. I mean, Ted Cruz is going to do that. Donald Trump is going to do that. Frankly, any of these candidates are going to do that. That just makes -- that's just sort of the normal thing to expect here. So, I mean, this has been a big plus for him and Ted Cruz, as much as I like him, had a bit of a bad hair day yesterday.

CAMEROTA: We'll leave it there. Jeffrey Lord, Amanda Carpenter, thanks so much for your perspective. Great to talk to you guys.

What is your take on all of this? You can tweet us at NEW DAY or post your comments on facebook.com/newday. We look forward to reading those. Michaela --

[07:50:07] PEREIRA: All right. Michigan's governor is apologizing for Flint's water crisis and vowing to fix it. But we need to take a look at how dangerous lead poisoning is. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is in Flint. We'll ask him about the long-term effects, just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: Michigan's governor now apologizing for the water contamination crisis in Flint, vowing to fix the problem. His apology comes, though, as people in Flint are looking to federal agencies to clean up the dangerous levels of lead in the water. How bad is this health crisis and what is going to be done to help the children of Flint?

Let's talk to our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He is there in Flint seeing firsthand all what's going on. Sanjay, I'm really glad you are there because we need to get perspective. We know about all the political games that are going on and the conversations and the pressure on local leaders and federal leaders, but I want to talk to people about the danger of lead. Give us the understanding of the implications this has on one's health.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, and let me just preface by saying, Michaela, I've traveled to many places around the world and I've done these sorts of stories about contaminated food, contaminated water -- this is as bad as many places that I've seen anywhere around the world. Just behind me over here, you can probably see over my left shoulder is the Flint River. That's sort of the source of many of these problems. They started taking water from the Flint River instead of Lake Huron, which is about 70 miles away from here, and that was the beginning of these problems back in the spring of 2014.

What you will hear from doctors and public health officials is, there's no such thing as a safe level of lead in the body. Think about that as you look at some of the numbers. Cause for concern, they say, across a society, across a community, five parts per billion. This is lead in the water. What they found was at the 90th percentile, they had 27 parts her billion here in Flint. So more than five times as much. The highest level this last number here, 13,000 parts per billion. Some of these numbers are from last summer. [07:55:00] The numbers may have gone up even a little bit after that for a period of time. It is unbelievable. I mean, these are as high levels of lead as we've seen anywhere and the concern is, obviously, the impact it could have on health now and on the health of these individuals for years to come.

PEREIRA: Well, I want to play some sound from somebody that knows, sadly, firsthand. This is a Flint resident, her name is Melissa Mays. She's from the Coalition For Clean Water. Listen to her account.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MELISSA MAYS, COALITION FOR CLEAN WATER: Fortunately, my health has been the worst so far. Seizures, tremors, diverticulosis, auto-immune disorders -- my sons, however, they're anemic, they're having bone pain, bone breakage. They have such a compromised immune system. They want to play basketball and I'm afraid to let them because of how weak their bones are. I'm watching them slip in school to where they have excelled. They're struggling in areas that they never had problems with and it's infuriating because there's nothing I can do to help them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA: This is what's so astounding. Melissa, they're telling Brook Baldwin about some of the symptoms there. How would somebody know, Sanjay, that they are -- that they have been poisoned?

GUPTA: Well, it can be challenging in the beginning because so many of the symptoms of lead poisoning can resemble other things. You could start to have, for a child, it could have difficulty in school and they start having developmental delays. They could feel tired, have lethargy, sluggishness, things like that. You may not think lead poisoning. At least, certainly not in United States, you wouldn't think that as a first cause. And that's kids, newborns, you can have some of those developmental delays.

In adults, one thing to remember is that this is a heavy metal that gets into various organs in the body. It can cause abdominal pain. It can also cross the blood brain barrier. Not a lot of things can do that, cross the blood brain barrier, causes its effects on the brain, obviously. And children, children under the age of six are going to be most susceptible to this because their brains are still developing. So, the sad part, I think, really, Michaela, beyond the obvious, is it's a very difficult thing to reverse. They say it's irreversible because the heavy metal gets in there and binds so tightly to these cells, you can't get it out of there. It's very difficult to get it out of there. Prevention is absolutely the key.

PEREIRA: So you say it's very difficult, Sanjay. Does that mean -- we keep hearing this word, irreversible. You say it's very difficult. There is a possibility you can get it out?

GUPTA: In people with very high levels of lead in their blood, sometimes they will do something known as chelation therapy. It's an aggressive therapy and it's almost more to try and save someone's life than to try and remove more minimal amounts of lead. But you'd actually give a substance into the blood that sort of binds the lead and tries to extract it from the blood. Again, it's aggressive. It can make you very sick in the process of doing, and it's not going to remove all of the lead by any means. The other thing is that people who have been exposed to lead now, making sure they are on a good diet, that may sound like an obvious answer but the reason a good diet's important here, a diet that's high in iron, for example, iron can help displace some of the lead as well from the cells. It's irreversible in the sense that it sticks so tightly but this is what they're dealing with right now to try and do anything to try and combat these symptoms.

PEREIRA: Yes, you said prevention and and avoidance is key. So what, quickly, can you tell people what they can do now?

GUPTA: Here in this society and the United States and many developed societies around the world, we've just really reduced the amount of lead. You don't have leaded gasoline, you don't have leaded paint, things like that. For people who are living here, they are drinking a lot of bottled water. They'll boil the water on the stove, pour it into a tub, and then wash the kids in that tub. That's what's happening here. But the other thing that they can if they are using any of the water is to use cold water, not hot water. The hot water's more likely to have lead in it. Let it flow more slowly as opposed to more quickly. That'll reduce the amount of lead. But, again, Michaela, it's almost silly to be talking like this. You should be able to trust the water that's coming out of your tap and right now they can't do that here in Flint.

PEREIRA: It is an urgent crisis that needs to be dealt with. Sanjay, thanks for giving us the scientific aspects of it. We appreciate that. Following, a lot of news. Let's get to it.

[08:00:03] CHRIS CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY. We are following breaking news. At least 19 people killed, dozens more injured. Armed militants attacking a university in Northwestern Pakistan. Gunmen scaling walls, finding their way onto campus, setting off explosions and gunfire. There are conflicting reports over whether this is the work of the Pakistani Taliban.

CAMEROTA: If so, this would be the same group behind that horrific massacre 13 months ago at a nearby army-run grade school that killed 132 children. So let's get right to CNN's senior international correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh. He's live in Beirut with all of the breaking details. What's the latest, Nick?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The latest is a colleague of mine in Pakistan working for CNN has spoken to a man claiming responsibility for this attack. Now he is known as Umar Mansoor. The man also behind the attack you mentioned in December 2014 against a school, army public school in Peshawar that killed over 130 people. Now, he says he is behind this attack. He cites the Pakistani military operations against Taliban in the tribal areas in Northwest Pakistan where this university is, only 25 miles away.