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President Obama's Message to the World; New Strike Hits ISIS in Syria; Terror Leader May Have Died in Strike; Kerry Says There Were Active Plots Against U.S.; Al Qaeda Splinter Group Hit By U.S. Strikes; Interview with Syrian Opposition Leader

Aired September 24, 2014 - 13:00   ET

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

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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting from the United Nations here in New York City. I'd like to welcome our viewers in the United States and indeed around the world.

We begin with President Obama's message to the world. He's urging more countries to join the fight against terrorist groups and call -- and, once again, he called this the cancer of violent extremism. His speech this morning, here before the United Nations general assembly, follows another wave of U.S.-led air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq. The president says the United States is working with other countries to stop the horrific acts carried out by ISIS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mothers, sisters, daughters have been subjected to rape as a weapon of war. Innocent children have been gunned down. Bodies have been dumped in mass graves. Religious minorities have been starved to death. In the most horrific crimes imaginable, innocent human beings have been beheaded with videos of the atrocities distributed to shock the consciences of the world. No god condones this terror. No grievance justifies these actions. There can be no reasoning, no negotiation with this brand of evil. The only language understood by killers like this is the language of force. So, the United States of America will work with a broad coalition to dismantle this network of death.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Network of death, very strong words by the president. Let's bring in our Chief National Security Correspondent Jim Sciutto. He had a powerful message that he delivered. What's been the reaction so far? How did he do?

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is a president who clearly wants to lead. We didn't hear any of these phrases that we've been talking a lot recently about, don't do stupid stuff or lead from behind with the campaign in Libya. This is a president who is making a very ambitious call to arms and call to action with the U.S. in the lead. He talked about coalitions that we can do more when we're doing it together, et cetera. But he was taking leadership and connecting the dots on a number of world crises as he did that.

Certainly, a lot of talk about ISIS, the threat from Al Qaeda, no question that a -- that's a focus. There's a war underway. But not just there, Russia and Ukraine, threats from Ebola, urging the world to come together to meet these challenges together. And also, framing it this way, saying that there are multiple forces out there beyond ISIS who are challenging the international order. And the way you have to respond to that is to return to that order, defend it, saying that Russia is challenging that international order in Ukraine, ISIS and Al Qaeda, certainly, but even a reference to China in Asia. It's a very ambitious speech.

BLITZER: It certainly was. And he made a specific appeal to moderate Muslims. I want to play a little clip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It is time for the world, especially in Muslim communities, to explicitly, forcefully and consistently reject the ideology of organizations like Al Qaeda and ISIL.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: So, how is that likely to play in the Muslim world?

SCIUTTO: It's a difficult message to come from an American, from a foreigner to the Muslim world. You and I have spent a lot of time there. You know that they don't like to be preached to. That said, there are voices in the region saying that we, as Muslims, have to speak up against this violence. And that's something that we know that past American presidents have considered doing, George Bush among them. But they know it's a risky thing to do, to, in effect, scold from afar. But anybody who handle -- who deals with Islamic extremism, whether inside the region or out of it, knows that you need voices in the community to stand up and challenge this. And the sad fact is, those voices have not been nearly loud enough.

BLITZER: A very sad fact, indeed. All right, Jim Sciutto, thanks very much. Coming up in a little while, the president will be convening a special session of the United Nations Security Council. We'll have live coverage of that. And he wants a resolution -- pass a resolution that will prevent foreigners from going over to Syria and Iraq and supporting these terrorist organizations.

As promised, the United States launched more air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria today. One strike in Syria was carried out by the U.S. and one of the coalition partners designed to hit ISIS vehicles in a staging area near the border with Iraq. There were also new strikes on targets inside Iraq near Baghdad.

In an interview with our own Christiane Amanpour, the secretary of state, John Kerry, talked about the role of airpower in Syria and Iraq and the imminent threat from an Al Qaeda splinter group.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOHN KERRY, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Airpower has been effective. And now, as their supplies begin to get hit and other things begin to happen, I believe there is the possibility of a slow degrading that ultimately, and I say ultimately because the president's been clear, this will take time. You and others should not be looking for some massive retreat within the next week or two. We believe that with the open effort against ISIL from many different players in the region, there's going to be much greater confidence in this possibility of the opposition. And there will be more recruits, there will be more -- the morale will go up. People are going to be more willing to fight.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The Khorasan plot, can you confirm, precisely, what it was and the imminence of it?

KERRY: Well, these are remnants of Al Qaeda, core Al Qaeda as we called it. These are people who were definitively plotting against the United States and the west. We have been tracking them for some period of time now. And it is true that we didn't put a lot of public focus on it because we really didn't want people -- particularly we didn't want them to know that we were, in fact, tracking them as effectively as we were. So, this would have happened with or without ISIL. We were focused on them and the moment actually was ripe. There were active plots against our country. We knew where they were and we did what we needed to do.

AMANPOUR: Can you tell us what the plots were precisely?

KERRY: No, I'm not -- I can't. I'm not going to go into that. But suffice it to say that we knew that there were active plots against the country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Those specifics from Secretary Kerry or the Obama administration other than to say the threat from Khorasan was serious and active. Joining us now, CNN National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem. Imminent but not specific, Juliette. How imminent? When they use this word, eminent, what do they mean by that? How imminent are they talking about?

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, they definitely mean there was motive. The people were actively organizing it. They probably had the resources and the money. And what they didn't mean by imminent was we knew exactly where an attack was going to take place and when it was going to happen.

And where I might disagree with Secretary Kerry is one of the factors of our bombing in ISIS is that it was clearly going to both dispose and disrupt our areas of surveillance of Al Qaeda and its -- and its remnants. And so, what's very likely is our capacity to know what was going on with Khorasan or any of the Al Qaeda splinter groups was going to be disrupted because of the bombings and we wanted to get in simultaneously.

So, that's probably what imminent means. It does not mean on day -- you know, on October 12th, we knew this was going to happen.

BLITZER: And as you know, Juliette, there's now the real possibility of what are being described as retaliatory attacks from loan extremists in the United States, inspired, if you will, by the U.S. airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq. And bulletins have gone out to local state, federal authorities, law enforcement authorities warning of this. How is it being handled?

KAYYEM: Well, so, this is how the department generally works -- the Department of Homeland Security generally works in instances like this. It is what I call -- you know, it's sort of a consumer of the intelligence community. It is getting information and then its job is to get that information out to local and state police, law enforcement political apparatus. And one would just anticipate, by logic, that because of the air strikes enough -- you know, there are crazy people. There are people who identify with an organization, like Al Qaeda or even ISIS, who have no affiliation with them who might be lone wolf attackers.

And so, this is sort of a vigil -- a call to vigilance. We are in a heightened alert period. And it's sort of a reminder to the homeland, which I put in quotes, to keep up their guard. And that's -- this is -- we do this -- the department did this all the time in response to, sort of, increased tension internationally.

BLITZER: So, the U.S. and its coalition partners, five moderate Arab countries -- Sunni Arab countries, they launch airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria. Then the U.S. separately launches a tomahawk cruise missile strike against this Khorasan group, this Al Qaeda spin-off, if you will. Would that have happened even if the U.S. had not gone over -- gone after these ISIS targets in Syria? Would the U.S. still have gone after this Khorasan group or was that simply the timing was coincidental?

KAYYEM: It's hard for me to believe that the timing was coincidental only because we entered the sovereign nation of Syria to do these attacks against ISIS. We notified the Syrians as the -- as the administration has said. And that the capability to go after both simultaneously makes a lot of sense. I mean, people know ISIS and Al Qaeda and its remnants are at odds with each other. These terrorist organizations are vying for the same people, the same money, the same relevance. They're in competition.

And so, to take out both sides of the competition makes a lot of sense. And, look, we were -- we went into a sovereign nation. Syria has been remarkably quiet which is good news. And to do it in all one fell swoop makes a -- is probably -- was the smartest and safest approach right now.

BLITZER: Juliette Kayyem. Juliette, thanks very much for that analysis.

This disturbing note just coming in to our CNN studios here. We're at the United Nations. In an apparent retaliation for French air strikes against ISIS targets inside Iraq, a French hiker now appears to have been beheaded in Algeria. A group saying they are aligned with the views of ISIS released the tape purportedly showing the killing. And just a little while ago, the French foreign minister confirmed its authenticity to a French radio reporter. The video is entitled "A Message of Blood for the French Government." Herve Gourdel was kidnapped on Sunday, and now, apparently, has been beheaded.

Still ahead, the president asked the world to join the effort to defeat ISIL but will they respond? We'll ask a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

And thousands more refugees have fled the brutality of war in ISIS and crossed into Turkey. We're going live. We'll have a report on the worsening conditions at the border.

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BLITZER: President Obama today called on the world to join him and the United States in the effort to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: There's definitely a second day and there will be a third and more. This is going to go on. The president's been very clear that we're going to do what's necessary to get this job done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: That was obviously the secretary of state, John Kerry. He spoke to our own Christiane Amanpour. We'll have a little bit more of that interview later this hour.

Also we'll hear directly from the president of the United States. He's getting ready to deliver a toast at a U.N. luncheon this hour with the U.N. secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon.

In the meantime, let's speak with a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the former governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, who's joining us.

Governor, thanks very much for joining us.

I notice that the president, in the speech today before the General Assembly, once again said the U.S. has no intention of deploying ground troops to occupy foreign lands. What did you make of that because, as you know, he's being criticized by some for saying, why do you keep telling the enemy, in this particular case ISIS, what you won't do? Why can't you leave that open, if you will, to have that hovering over their heads?

GOV. BILL RICHARDSON, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: Well, look, this president was elected and reelected on the grounds that we're moving out of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. So his first audience and responsibility is the American people.

The second reason is that eventually, if there are going to be ground troops -- and there will -- this is going to be Arab countries that are going to have to do this. This is their backyard. This is their interest. These are their territories.

America is doing a lot. A majority of the air strikes, a majority of the intel, rallying the international community together. And I think what's most significant, Wolf, is that the countries that are rallying, helping us with the air strikes, not as much as us, are those four Arab countries that have had differences with each other. The Saudis, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, the Qatars, the infighting that's taken place within them has now dissipated and there's a united Arab front. And the next message is, after they, the Arabs, provide some of the help with the military air strikes, et cetera, we ask our European friends. We're going to need the French. We're going to need the Brits. So I think the president was successful. It was the strongest speech that I've ever seen him do in foreign policy where he said, America's back, we're leading, we're going to be responsible and this is what we're going to do. I thought the president was very good today.

BLITZER: A lot of people agree with you, although he didn't mention specifically what's called now the Khorasan group, this al Qaeda spin- off in Syria. They have sanctuary there. The Pentagon had said it was in the final stages of plotting attacks, imminent attacks, against western and U.S. targets. What -- how significant, if at all, do you think it was he didn't mention the Khorasan group specifically?

RICHARDSON: Well, this was a big success, the fact that we were able to demolish possibly the leadership of Khorasan, that we were not telegraphing that we were going to do it. This is a very dangerous group also, tied to al Qaeda, possibly planning an attack on the United States. Apparently they have been hurt very badly and I think the utmost secrecy was required.

So he wasn't going out and bragging, he was stating a fact that we had two targets. We had the ISIS target and we had the Khorasan target, which shows the superiority and strength of American military and airpower and the initial success of this campaign. But I think the key is going to be to get some of the Sunni dissident groups to join us. They're kind of sitting on the sidelines. We need stronger participation by many Arab and Sunni groups in the region still.

BLITZER: There are some who are already suggesting that maybe the president went too far in lecturing Muslims, what they need to do to get their act together, rejecting the ideology of al Qaeda and ISIS, calling it a cancer. Did he go too far in sort of lecturing Muslims, Arabs and other Muslims?

RICHARDSON: I don't think so. I think he was very strong and he stated the facts. Look, this Arab Spring - I mean the Arab world is going through dramatic change. And there are factions splitting up, some very negatively. I think he had to be very blunt and he was blunt. And he had to shame some entities. But at the same time, I think the results have been bringing those key Arab groups that have money, resources and military strength, like the Saudis, the Qataris that have been fighting with each other in Syria for influence, bringing them together behind us in this air strike campaign has been very successful. But I think another message, Wolf, is, the U.N. is a good institution.

Look at the timing. The fact that we had 120 or so leaders there. And I think also on other issues that -- like climate change. I think Ban Ki-moon deserves a lot of credit for that session he held yesterday where a lot of countries made some very strong commitments towards climate change. And it shows the U.N. is a useful instrument for the international community, especially in a time for crisis like this.

BLITZER: We'll see how useful it is. And, you're right, in this time of crisis, it is a time of crisis. Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., thanks very much for joining us.

Still ahead, the head of the Syrian opposition has a special message for the world. He's standing by to join us live right here at the United Nations.

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BLITZER: Later today the Syrian opposition coalition president, Hadi al-Bahra, who addressed the United Nation's General Assembly only last week. Congress gave President Obama authority to provide funding and military training to Syrian opposition forces led by al-Bahra. He's joining us here at the United Nations today.

Did I get that right, you'll be speaking at the U.N. later today?

HADI AL-BAHRA, SYRIAN OPPOSITION COALITION PRESIDENT: Yes. Yes, I am.

BLITZER: All right. So I just wanted to make sure.

Are you satisfied with the support you're getting from the international community?

AL-BAHRA: We are very optimistic about it. We are very glad that the international community has awakened finally to the danger and threat of terrorism and extremism in the area. It's no more a Syrian problem, it's no more a regional problem, it's an international problem right now.

BLITZER: Because we see the United States and five Arab countries going after ISIS targets in Syria. You want them to go after Bashar al Assad targets in Syria as well, right?

AL-BAHRA: It is - we need to deal with the root cause of the problem.

BLITZER: The root cause.

AL-BAHRA: The root cause - the root cause is - mainly is the Assad regime itself. It is the main incubator of terrorist organization in Syria, in the region and even in the world.

BLITZER: So we see the U.S. going after ISIS targets in Syria, al Nusra targets in Syria, Khorasan targets, this Khorasan group, this al Qaeda -- but I see no inclination that the United States or any of these other countries are going to go after Bashar al Assad. AL-BAHRA: For us, we have been fighting two fronts since the first

quarter of this year, fighting ISIL and fighting the regime itself. We know the international community at one point in time they will understand that Assad regime must go in order to put an end to all terrorist organizations in the middle east and in the world.

BLITZER: How many of your troops, your moderates, free Syrian army troops, will go to Saudi Arabia for training?

AL-BAHRA: The program, as it's set, it's only set for 5,000 troops. But we have our own plan and proposal to the U.S. to train the trainers instead of training the soldiers. And this way we can produce more troops in short term because of (INAUDIBLE).

BLITZER: I ask the question because this could take a long time to get your military fighting Bashar al Assad, fighting ISIS, ground combat troops ready. This could take at least a year, maybe two years, right?

AL-BAHRA: No, it's a gradual production (ph) program where you have the troops coming gradually and graduating each month. You will have soldiering graduating from this program. Training will be given to already, you know, people who are fighting and have expertise in the field itself. It's more specialized training on specific weapons and on discipline and matters such like that.

BLITZER: What kind of weapons from the United States have you already received?

AL-BAHRA: Until now, we didn't receive any advanced weapon systems except few of anti-tank type missiles. We need to have more advanced weapon for anti-tanks and we need to provide air protection for our troops on the ground and also from the civilian communities.

BLITZER: Because, as you know, the U.S. Congress, the House and the Senate, passed legislation last week authorizing the U.S. to provide weapons and training to the free Syrian opposition rebel forces. But so far nothing has come, right?

AL-BAHRA: So far. It's the same type of weapons as before. There are more of quantities but not types and the new advanced weapons systems.

BLITZER: We're being seen live around the world right now. Presumably in Damascus itself. If Bashar al Assad is watching us right now, what is your message to the Syrian leader?

AL-BAHRA: I want to let all our Syrian fellow citizens in Syria now that it's time for Bashar al Assad to leave. If Bashar al Assad cares about the unity of Syria, the unity of the Syrian people, he has to leave now. We are ready to walk hand in hand with everyone in Syria, including existing government employees who didn't have any blood on their hands and are not implicated in any crimes against their fellow citizens to rebuild Syria again and to transfer and have the transition of power to a democratic and free Syria.

BLITZER: Would it be OK with you if he left, Bashar al Assad? There's no indication he's getting ready to leave. He thinks he's going to stay. But if he were to leave, could he go to another country, have safe passage and seek asylum someplace else or do you want to try him for war crimes?

AL-BAHRA: Assad has to be held and be responsible for all crimes he ordered and his troops committed. But we are ready to negotiate a settlement based on justice and peace for the future of Syria.

BLITZER: Sounds like you're open to a little flexibility on that front.

AL-BAHRA: It's a matter that he has -- somebody has to be accountable for the crimes committed. We cannot let it go.

BLITZER: Hadi al-Bahra, thanks very much for joining us, the Syrian opposition coalition president.

AL-BAHRA: Thank you. Thank you.

BLITZER: (INAUDIBLE).

Still to come, innocent Syrians flee the destruction of war and the brutality of ISIS. They are seeking refuge in nearby Turkey. The numbers have been overwhelming and the border crisis is only getting worse. We're going live to the Syrian border with Turkey. We'll have more when we come back.

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