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New Day Sunday

Kenya Declares Three Days Of Mourning; Confronting Terror Tactics; Pope's Message Of Peace; Wisconsin And Duke Playing In Championship. Aired 6-6:30a ET

Aired April 05, 2015 - 06:00   ET

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

[06:00:00]

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VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: New details emerging this morning, of the gruesome terror attack in Kenya by al-Shabaab. A victim's family receives a phone call from the gunman and hears their daughter's last words.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN GUEST ANCHOR: And huge crowd gather to hear Pope Francis on this Easter Sunday. You're looking at live pictures. We have his message to all the world Catholics in a live report.

BLACKWELL: Also college basketball upset. Thousands celebrate in the streets of Madison, Wisconsin, as the Badgers beat the Kentucky Wildcats. Everybody's bracket is done now! It's all over after Kentucky goes down.

KOSIK: There you go. Good morning, everyone. I'm Alison Kosik in for Christi Paul.

BLACKWELL: I'm Victor Blackwell. Good to be with you this morning. But we have to start this morning with new developments out of Kenya. Today begins three days of mourning for nearly 150 students, mostly students rather killed by al-Shabaab terrorists.

KOSIK: And on this Easter Sunday, services across the country are being held in memory of the victims of Thursday's massacre at Garissa University College.

BLACKWELL: Some families are reuniting with loved ones who survived that deadly rampage.

KOSIK: But others are saying they got horrifying phone calls from their sons and daughters moments before they were gunned down. Let's get more on this from CNN's Soni Methu in Nairobi. Soni, first, can you tell us more about these phone calls that some of these families received?

SONI METHU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Gruesome stories coming out of Garissa from the survivors. They are saying that a lot happened in there during the hostage situation and just before the police were able to take control. A lot of messages coming from their loved ones, there is a text message, a young girl writing to a boyfriend in the same school saying they reached where I am and I don't think I will survive, so good-bye.

There are others who received phone calls saying that we are safe for now. I'm hidden in a certain place and I'm all right. But after trying to call later, the numbers are gone. Their phone calls were not going through.

But there is one particular family who received such a horrific phone call. This family is in the Kenya's valley and their brother, Ken talked to the sister, Elizabeth and the last time they spoke. Just listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEN MUSINAI, VICTIM'S BROTHER (through translator): He told me to call the president and told me to remove Kenya from Somalia right now. I was given 2 minutes. He called after 2 minutes with the same number confirming if I called.

He handed over the phone to the kid to talk. The kid prayed and they finally told me since you are not to blame and the kid is not to blame the person to blame is your president. He has refused to remove Kenya from Somalia. Just listen.

I then heard the first and second and third gunshots. I asked if he killed the kid. He told me he was done with it. I then disconnected the phone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

METHU: There were several families that say they received similar phone calls. There are other girls who now say they were made to swim in blood by the terrorists. The terrorists were said to be laughing and taunting at these victims before shooting at them and said to be happy doing it. They spoke in Arabic and English and said they were here to kill and to be killed.

KOSIK: Just so heartbreaking to hear. On the other side we are hearing that there were reunions for some families?

METHU: Yes, indeed. Around ten buses left Garissa yesterday. The students initially were all supposed to be brought here in Nairobi to this stadium but this changed afterwards later in the afternoon, the families waiting as early as 6:00 a.m. in the morning hoping to see their loved ones in the stadium.

Most of them were disappointed because other buses went to their respective homes outside of Nairobi, but some of them were really overjoyed and really emotional when they met with their loved ones.

This victim, some were still in the clothes they had on when the attack happened. It was a very cold and wet night, but the families just were overjoyed to see their loved ones and be reunited with their loved ones. Some of them they had been to hospitals and mortuaries that tried to contact their loved ones without any success and it was such a joy to witness some of them be reunited with their families.

KOSIK: All right, some nuggets of relief there. Soni Methu, thank you.

BLACKWELL: All right, let's bring in CNN military analyst, Retired Major General James "Spider" Marks. I want to start, General, with something that the Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, said about al- Shabaab calling it an existential threat to Kenya. Let's listen to some of what he said.

[06:05:12]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UHURU KENYATTA, KENYAN PRESIDENT: We tell those that believe a caliphate is possible in Kenya that we are one invisible sovereign and democratic state. That fact will never change. Our forefathers bled and died for this nation and we will do everything to defend our way of life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: But he says, General, that al-Shabaab is also deeply enrooted and deeply embedded in Kenyan communities. What can be done to root them out?

MAJ. GENERAL JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, clearly what we see, Victor, is a challenge that the Kenyan government has that is not unlike a challenge that has appeared in terms of what we would say is the collapse of governance throughout the Middle East and North Africa with the advance of terrorism in all of its forms.

Al-Shabaab is one of many. It's a metastasis. It's a cancer that has been able to grow. Clearly it's going to take all elements of power within the Kenyan government to make this right. It's more than a military solution. It's more than some form of inclusion.

How do you rationalize with a form of terrorism that does what we just witnessed? It's inexplicable. You have to attack it and from all different angles and take a co-partnership with your neighbors. When you look what happened.

Al-Shabaab crosses the border from Somalia. The border between Somalia and Kenya is completely ungoverned. It's a free fire zone. There are no controls. So we shouldn't be surprised when we see this time of barbarism.

It's hard to get your head around it, but it takes that type of a concerted effort. So I think the president is absolutely correct. Kenya has an amazing history, it really does.

It's a democratic jewel that exists that is now under attack. It's being challenged. The people all have to come together and it takes very, very strong leadership across the board.

BLACKWELL: All right, General, we will continue this conversation and talk about Yemen and Iraq throughout the morning. Stay with us, if you will. General James "Spider" Marks, next hour.

MARKS: Thanks.

BLACKWELL: We will continue to have this conversation.

A live look now at the celebration of Easter there at Vatican City, you see here Pope Francis, his message to Rome and to the world here.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POPE FRANCIS (through translator): We pray for peace for all of the nations of the holy land. May the culture of encounter grow between Israelis and Palestinians and the peace process be resumed in order to end years of suffering and division.

We implore peace for Libya that the present absurd bloodshed in all violent acts may cease and that all concerned for the future of the country may work to favor reconciliation and to build a fraternal society respectful of the dignity of the person.

For Yemen too, we express our hope for the growth of a common desire for peace for the good of the entire people. At the same time, in hope, we in trust to the merciful Lord, the framework recently agreed to in Lausanne, that it may be a definitive step for a more secure and fraternal world.

We ask the risen Lord for the gift of peace for nigeria, South Sudan and the various areas of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. May constant prayer rise up from all people of goodwill for those who lost their lives.

I think, in particular, of the young people who were killed last Thursday at Garissa University College in Kenya. For all those who have been kidnapped and for those forced to abandon their homes and their dear ones.

[06:10:03] May the lord's resurrection bring light to beloved Ukraine especially to those who have endured the violence of the conflict of

recent months. May the country rediscover peace and hope, thanks to the commitment of all interested parties.

We ask for peace and freedom for the many men and women subject to old and new forms of enslavement on the part of criminal individuals and groups. Peace and liberty for the victims of drug dealers who are often allied with the powers who ought to defend peace and harmony in the human family.

And we ask peace for this world, subjected to arms dealers who earn a profit on the blood of men and women. To the marginalized, to the imprisoned, the poor, and the migrants who are often rejected, maltreated and discarded. The sick and the suffering, children, especially those who are victims of violence, all who, today, are in mourning and to all men and women of goodwill, may they hear the consoling voice of the Lord Jesus. Peace to you. Fear not, for I am risen and I shall always be with you.

The cardinal deacon announces his holiness Pope Francis grants a plenary indulgence and laid down to the church faithful and to those who received his blessings by radio, television and the new communications media.

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[06:16:46]

BLACKWELL: New video this morning from Madison, Wisconsin, just a sea of excitement. You see the red there in the streets. That's what police say an estimated 10,000 thrilled University of Wisconsin Badger fans celebrated after their team upset Kentucky, ending the Wildcats perfect season. No significant problems were reported during the festivities there.

KOSIK: However, the same could not be said for fans in Lexington, Kentucky. Police described Wildcat fans as rowdy and, at times, hostile. Police say small fires were set in the street and they broke up a few fights as well. There were about 31 arrests, mostly alcohol- related and disorderly contact.

BLACKWELL: Kentucky was so sorry. I saw the funniest mean, though, the old fisherman from that insurance commercial, on the end of the ride instead of a dollar, though, he had the 40-0 record over a Kentucky player, a fisherman, over a player, and said you almost had it.

Unfortunately, Kentucky's perfect season is over. Now we got a matchup for Monday's night's championship game. Duke Blue Devils and Wisconsin Badgers, they will go head-to-head for the championship.

KOSIK: And with that pairing, it means two of college basketball's biggest coaches are about to duke it out. Let's bring in CNN's Andy Scholes who is live for us in Indianapolis. Here we go, Andy. The excitement continues.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS: Yes, Alison and Victor, this game last night between Wisconsin and Kentucky felt more like a championship game than a semifinal. It was just amazing all the way throughout. After the game, once Wisconsin had pulled off the upset, 38 and done and 38-1 were both trending on Twitter, referencing Kentucky's, you know, unexpected loss.

The Badgers thanks to them we won't be seeing an undefeated season in college basketball in nearly 40 years. The game was amazing throughout and a rematch from last year's final four and saw Kentucky beating the Wisconsin.

So you know the Badgers were looking for some revenge. Their best player, Frank Kaminski, the AP player of the year, he was amazing. He led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds. This game it went back and forth in the second half.

When Wisconsin needed a bucket most, Sam Dekker once again coming through and he had a three to put the Badgers up with under 2:00 to go. Wisconsin wins 71-64.

Kentucky future NBA stars stunned their run is over. Wildcat fans were just stunned as well and in disbelief and some crying in the stands. After the game, CNN's Rachel Nichols caught up with Kentucky's head coach, John Calipari, to talk about the first loss of the season.

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RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: It's been basically a year since you guys lost the game. What were the kids like postgame in the locker room?

JOHN CALIPARI, KENTUCKY HEAD COACH: They knew they let something slip away. Here is the thing, up four. Our team has always finished those off and we just didn't execute down the stretch and I put that on me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NICHOLS: Now in the other matchup, we saw Duke taking on Michigan State. Blue Devils freshmen, Phenom Okafor and Justin Winslow, they helped Duke get an 11 point half time lead and they were just never let the Spartans get back in this game. Not a nail-biter on like the other one and the Blue Devils won it handily. Coach K will try for fifth his fifth national title on Monday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICHOLS: What does it feel like to have this team to reach the ultimate game?

[06:20:07] MIKE KRZYZEWSKI, DUKE HEAD COACH: It's amazing really because we have eight kids and four of them are freshmen and they keep getting better.

QUINN COOK, DUKE GUARD: Just to say you're playing in the national championship is a dream come true and we want to win one more game.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: So the stage is now set. It's going to be Duke versus Wisconsin playing for the national title. That is Monday night. Tip- off set, a late one, guys, 9:18 Eastern on CBS. This is unlikely final four for a couple of reasons.

One, everyone thought Kentucky was going to be -- not final four but the championship game. Everyone thought Kentucky was going to be in it. This is only the seventh time ever that two one seeds are going to meet in the final game so that makes it unlikely. For all of the people out there that had Kentucky winning in their bracket pools, they are now out! Like everyone. And those people that bucked the trend and went with Duke or Wisconsin, they look like they are going to have something to root for now on Monday night.

KOSIK: Yes, the outcome blowing up everybody's bracket especially yours.

BLACKWELL: Mine, included although I was out of the running a long, long time ago.

KOSIK: All right, Andy Scholes, thank you.

We are looking at live pictures of Vatican City at the moment. Pope Francis speaking out against terror attacks that has gripped some Christians taking on conflicts in Syria, Yemen and the attack just days ago in Kenya, we will tell you more what he had to say next.

BLACKWELL: We also have CNN crews reporting from the Yemeni border following the latest Saudi-led airstrikes on a country descending into chaos.

KOSIK: Chaos claimed its first U.S. citizen, a father who wanted to bring his pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter back to America. Details after this.

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[06:25:22]

KOSIK: I like to take you to Vatican City this morning. You're taking a live look as thousands have gathered outside St. Peters Basilica. It looks like the rain has stopped for now. Everyone is watching the pope as he celebrates the Easter mass.

This is Pope Francis' third Easter celebration. Just a short time ago, the pope began delivering the blessing to Rome and the world and speaking out against the persecution of Christians in regions rocked by terror.

Ben Wedeman is live in Rome. The pope had a lot to say about world events, didn't he?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, indeed, he did. Now, I was here when he first celebrated two years ago. His first Easter as pope, they were very different themes. You really get a feeling for how the world is changing so quickly when you listen to the list, he pray for there to be peace.

Iraq, Holy Land and Libya, Congo, Kenya, all places Christians are under attack and where Christians have been driven from their homes. Just two weeks ago, I was in a Christian village in Iraq where many of the people were saying with we no longer see hope or a future for us in this part of the world.

And this is really what is on the mind of Pope Francis as he conducts this Easter mass as Christians in so many parts of the world are under attack. However, he did end his address on a lighter note. He asked the people present to pray for him and wish them a happy Easter lunch -- Alison.

KOSIK: Ben, what did you find as the reaction to his message?

WEDEMAN: Certainly people have come here despite the weather, many of them from far away to hear exactly this sort of message. This is a man, of course, who really has changed the image of the Vatican of the position of the pope and just the two years that he's held that position.

So people listen to him very closely and I think they share many of his concerns when he goes through this long list of countries where Christians find themselves in such difficult situations.

KOSIK: And hopefully, next year that list will be shorter. Ben Wedeman, thanks. You can catch "Finding Jesus" tonight on CNN. Tonight's episode explores the role of Mary Madelin in Jesus' life that's at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

BLACKWELL: The crisis in Yemen claims the life of a U.S. citizen, a woman who wanted to bring his 2-year-old daughter and pregnant wife back to the states. Could the State Department have done anything more to save his life?

Plus a sea change could be ahead in Ferguson, Missouri. The town is electing new members to its city council for the first time since the death of Michael Brown and the aftermath of that death.

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