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EARLY START

International Criticism of CIA; Al Qaeda Operative Survives; U.S. Ends Control of Afghan Prisons; Spending Plan Hits Snag; Black Congressional Staffers Plan Walkout; Western Weather Danger; Hong Kong Clearing Protest Camp

Aired December 11, 2014 - 04:30   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Demanding action. Leaders around the world angry after the U.S. releases details of torture of terror suspects. The CIA chief getting some -- set to give answers. But will it lead to more questions? We are live with the global reaction to this report.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Another key terrorist may still be alive this morning. A bomb-maker from al Qaeda offshoot that the U.S. believed it had killed in airstrikes turns out to be alive. This after new questions about the effort against ISIS in Syria. We will go live to the Pentagon, ahead.

ROMANS: And, ugly weather on both coasts. The east and west parts of Northern California gearing for heavy rains and blizzard conditions, as the Northeast deals with another day of wet snowy weather, making for dangerous conditions on the ground.

Welcome back to EARLY START. A lot going on this morning. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. Thirty-one minutes past the hour. Great to see you this morning.

And this morning, the president walking a very fine line, this after the Senate's new report on the use of what is being called torture by the CIA after the September 11th attacks. The president who, of course, banned harsh interrogation techniques immediately after taking office says he supports the release of the report. But congressional Democrats are upset that President Obama has not endorsed the conclusion that the report failed to conclude useful intelligence.

Many Democrats are also unhappy that he president is standing behind his CIA Director John Brennan. Democratic Senator Mark Udall from Colorado attacked Brennan as deceptive from the Senate floor and called for him to resign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MARK UDALL (D), COLORADO: Director Brennan and his CIA today are continuing to willfully provide inaccurate information and misrepresent the efficacy of torture. In other words, the CIA is lying.

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BERMAN: Some Republicans are attacking the Senate report, calling its release a danger to Americans and betrayal of promises made to U.S. allies.

Some of the architects of enhanced interrogation are defending it as effective, even necessary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD CHENEY, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: We did exactly what needed to be done in order to catch those who were guilty on 9/11 and prevent further attack. And we were successful on both parts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The controversy over the Senate report continues today as CIA Director Brennan fields questions from reporters at a news conference this afternoon. CNN is going to carry that live. That would be very, very interesting. That starts around 1:30 Eastern Time.

ROMANS: All right. United Nations and human rights groups are bolstering their calls for the prosecution of any CIA or other U.S. officials involved in that torture. A spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general says Ban Ki-moon hopes the report marks that start of the process toward criminal prosecution.

And U.N. human rights official Ben Emmerson says the fact that the policies revealed in this report were authorized at a high level within the U.S. government provides no excuse whatsoever. Indeed, it reinforces the need for criminal accountability.

The White House says the decision on criminal charges is for federal prosecutors to make, not the president.

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JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: This report as important as it is to release it. As far as I know, at least, it doesn't include a whole lot of new information that wasn't previously available to these federal prosecutors.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The Justice Department has said it does plan to prosecute anyone who acted in good faith. The department officials released a statement Wednesday, saying the U.S., quote, "is committed to complying with its international obligations, but those are best handled by domestic, not foreign courts and prosecutors."

Meanwhile, a growing chorus of international leaders denouncing CIA torture.

CNN's Karl Penhaul joins us live from London. Karl, how is the rest of the world weighing in here?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, Christine, the publication of this CIA torture report has handed a propaganda coup to American's ideological foes. We just received a statement from the Russia foreign ministry, for example. They are saying and they are accusing U.S. authorities of gross violation of human rights and they're saying that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

We heard from China as well, saying the United States must respect international conventions and must correct its ways. We heard Iran accusing the CIA of becoming the international symbol of tyranny against humanity. And even North Korea has weighed, saying the United Nations should take action to censure the United States for these kinds of activities. Of course, all of these countries have something in common. They have appalling human rights records.

But even some of the U.S. allies, well, they are making comments. Britain, for example, David Cameron said that torture is wrong. Of course, what Cameron did not spell out is he has something to lose, because Britain is accused of being complicit with the United States in running international aspects of that torture program.

The former Polish president as well, and we know that in Poland, one of these black sites, one of these CIA interrogation centers was based in Poland. Well, the Polish president came out and really sent a signal to the United States, don't say too much because that could harm future cooperation.

And as far as any international prosecutions could be brought, well, remember that the United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court. Unlikely any officials will be brought to trial, Christine.

ROMANS: Karl Penhaul, thanks for that, Karl.

BERMAN: We have new information this morning about a high level terrorist that the United States thought had been killed in an air strike. This concerns a bomb maker for an al Qaeda offshoot operating in Syria. And this morning, he appears to be very much alive.

CNN's Barbara Starr at the Pentagon with the latest -- Barbara.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, two U.S. officials are telling me they believe a key leader in the Khorasan group, that al Qaeda group in Syria, is still alive even after months of U.S. airstrikes.

A French bomb-maker named David Drugeon, a master bomb-maker, they thought they had killed him potentially in an earlier airstrike, now officials say every reason to believe he is still alive. The concern about Drugeon, he has the skills and knowledge on how to make bombs that can potentially bypass airport security measures. So, the fact that he is still alive causes a good deal of concern to U.S. officials. They also believe the leader of the group, a man named Muhsin al-Fadhli also still alive after months of U.S. airstrikes against the Khorasan Group. This is a group of hard core al Qaeda operatives that move from Pakistan to Syria over the last several years. It is a group that causes the U.S. a great deal of concern because of their abilities and desire to potentially attack the United States -- John, Christine.

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ROMANS: All right. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon, thank you for that.

Now, Senate Foreign Relations Committee meets later today. Leaders from both parties are trying to reach an agreement on authorizing the use of military force against ISIS. The White House wants all options on the table with no limits on how or where the U.S. can attack ISIS.

Senator Rand Paul is demanding the U.S. actually declare war on ISIS. He's calling the current conflict illegal. All the measures being considered rule out U.S. troops on the ground.

BERMAN: The United States no longer operating prisons or holding detainees in Afghanistan. The final three inmates have been transferred as NATO combat mission winds down to the December 31st withdrawal date. Of course, U.S. troops now are expected to stay longer than that date. The Afghan military will now be in charge of all prisoners and detention facilities effective January 1st.

ROMANS: A $1.1 trillion spending plan that would keep the federal government operating beyond midnight tonight, it has hit a snag.

The Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi is demanding two provisions be removed from the measure. One eases financial regulations on derivatives. The other raises limits on certain political donations. A short term extension of tonight's deadline could be the only way to avoid a government shutdown.

Looks like they're going to do it, right? They're going to get it down.

BERMAN: No one is talking shutdown right now. Normally, a shutdown could happen, however, the vote on this $1.1 trillion plan is very, very close, because members of both parties are not at all happy with it.

Black congressional staffers planning to walk off the job this afternoon. They will be gathering on the steps of the capitol, speaking out against the grand jury decisions in the Eric Garner and Michael Brown cases. The outrage now spilling onto college basketball courts for the first time. The entire Georgetown Hoyas team was wearing the "I can't breathe" t-shirts before the game against Kansas last night.

Officer Daniel Pantaleo, the New York police officer who avoided indictment in Eric Garner's death, he met with internal affairs this week. He insists he never used a chokehold on the father of six, Eric Garner. He claims he used a takedown technique that he was taught at the police academy.

This as the New York City Police Department announces plans to arm more of its officers with stun guns for subduing suspects who resist arrest. The commissioner says the department needs funding to buy the stun guns and develop proper protocols to use them.

ROMANS: There are other things the forces can do. They can start to really push de-escalation of conflict instead of taking somebody in. You know, there are different ways they can think about the walk-up to make an arrest.

BERMAN: In some cases, yes.

ROMANS: That is an important part of new training I think that will become more prevalent after these episodes.

Forty minutes past the hour. Time for an early start on your money.

Oil prices keep falling, and that is a problem for stocks. U.S. futures, they are up right now. But yesterday was the worst day since October. The Dow down 268 ugly points, about 1.5 percent. The S&P also lower, down 1.6 percent.

And the big reason was oil, big oil. Energy stocks rebounding a bit right now, but yesterday was ugly. ExxonMobil and Chevron were the two biggest losers on the Dow, down more than 2 percent. Smaller oil players fell 5 percent or more. They are likely in your 401(k) and you likely felt that.

Oil prices keep moving lower. It's now at $61 a barrel right now.

You know, OPC yesterday predicted we will see the weakest demanded for oil, John, in 12 years. Oil prices have yet to find a floor.

BERMAN: Supply goes up, demand goes down. I wasn't good, but that means prices will be very, very low.

Big weather concerns in California. Serious rain and winds in the forecast. The flooding is very, very possible. This is being billed as one of the biggest storms to hit the region in years. We will get the forecast next.

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ROMANS: Extreme weather brewing coast to coast. The big ugly nor'easter dumping 20 inches of snow on the East Coast, while the West braces for its biggest storm in about a decade. We'll take you to Palo Alto, California. Crews working around the clock, placing sand bags near rivers to subdue flooding. That area could see up to five inches of rain into late tonight. Meantime, folks further inland are bracing for the weather.

BERMAN: The storm system soaking the ground. In Washington state, a foot of rain flooding the roads near Puget Sound. Look at these houses at the state's south coast. Wow.

With wind gusts up to 75 miles an hour, forecasts for the north coast of Washington, power outages are likely.

ROMANS: So, in Upstate New York, heavy snowfall prompting this big tree to topple on to a home in Richmondville. The family inside said they had no idea what happened. One man said that nerves were rattled, but luckily, he and his wife made it out safely.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It scared me, my heart started pumping. I told my wife, get dress, get dress, in case more happen. You know, you got to dress and pack medical supplies.

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BERMAN: Look at Vermont. This is where I'm going this weekend.

ROMANS: Are you? Really?

BERMAN: I am, and I'm going to ski. You can see lots of snow.

ROMANS: Put chains on your tires.

BERMAN: Hopefully, they will trim all the trees by the time I get there. You can see the limbs into power lines there. A lot of power outages. This winter storm put more than a foot of snow in some areas. Hopefully in these ski resorts.

ROMANS: Yes, you're like a little kid.

New Hampshire hit with 4 inches of snow, but people there made the best of it. Skiers in New Hampshire with a little bit of snowboarding.

BERMAN: And snowboarders and skiers sharing the slopes. We can all get along.

A different story in Kansas, look at the icy roads, 13-car pile up in Topeka. That was ugly. That was the height of the morning rush hour. At least four people are hurt. Luckily, they are expected to be OK.

ROMANS: They don't make ski for cars, sadly.

BERMAN: A lot of weather today. You really do need to know about. Let's get a look at the forecast with meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.

Good morning.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, good morning, guys.

You know, conditions are going to improve at least in the next couple of days. I think it's not going to make much worse than what we saw yesterday and Tuesday. First, Tuesday of heavy rainfall. Yesterday, we have heavy snowfall. Today, it will be a mix of rain and snow, but the accumulations across upstate New York and Boston, generally half an inch, could see about two to three inches in Upstate New York. Portions of Northern New Hampshire. But the culprit, that nor'easter, finally beginning to push offshore by Saturday.

It's only the second half of your weekend looks like it will improve with some partly cloudy skies in the forecast there.

Back on the West Coast, different story. Significant rainmaker, not only you see the map look this colorful across California. Tremendous rainfall coming in as the moisture rich environment here with the storm system.

And, of course, higher elevations with snowfall, upwards of two to 3 feet into Thursday afternoon. In fact, from the I-5 corridor, Seattle to Los Angeles, 1 to 2 inches in the Pacific Northwest, six to 10 inches of rainfall in northern California. San Francisco in all of 2013, they saw 3 1/2 inches of rainfall. They could see that amount over he next couple of days, Los Angeles saw similar amounts, around three inches. In 2013, some areas in Los Angeles could see upwards of 4 inches of rainfall.

So, this particular storm is certainly going to be beneficial. And, of course, we know the agriculture industry needs it, that people across this region need it, but the flooding will be something that will happen with this much rainfall.

BERMAN: All right. Pedram, thanks so much.

BERMAN: Now to the details of the rape scandal at UVA. "The Washington Post" tracking down and interviewing three friends of the alleged rape victim identified as Jackie in an exclusive rolling stone article published last month. Their account calls key moments of the article into question. The story alleges they were callus and indifferent, and suggested Jackie not report the assault. But they say they remember being shocked and they immediately urged Jackie to talk to police.

One student says "Rolling Stone's" claim that he declined to be interviewed is untrue. He says the magazine never reached out to him.

BERMAN: Yes, there's really a lot more even in this new "Washington Post" article. I recommend you read it, because some of the new details are just astounding.

Bill Cosby is now facing a third lawsuit, or a new lawsuit. Accuser Tamara Green is suing the comedian for defamation. She claims her reputation has been damaged by Cosby's publicist and lawyer for calling her a liar. She alleges that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in the 1970s while helping him find investors for a club, while she was helping him find investors for a club. Green is one of nearly two dozen women who have publicly accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them.

ROMANS: All right. Police taking action against protesters who refused to abandon a protest site in Hong Kong. Demonstrators are staging a sit-in. Now, some of them arrested. We are live with the very latest developments right after the break.

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ROMANS: A tense standoff right now between police and protesters in Hong Kong as officials there try to clear out the main protest site near the city's financial hub. Police ordered protesters to leave the area or faced arrests. Thousands of police officers deployed to clear out this crowd.

CNN's Saima Mohsin is there live in Hong Kong with the latest there for us.

And police and authorities in Hong Kong now have been waiting out protesters. There have been negotiations, but it seems as though now they are moving to evict them.

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They are moving in hard and fast, Christine. What a phenomenal site this is. They have been pushing all of what's remaining of occupy central to the side and then take a look at the diggers. They are coming down, excavators, and they are scooping everything up. It's quite a phenomenal scene.

I'm in the middle of what is an incredibly busy highway here in Hong Kong. Just behind us, the Hong Kong skyline here. After almost 12 weeks this Sunday, by the way, this protest has been shutdown. It has been surrounded today by police.

Now the earlier in the day, they cleared out the main injunction area. Then they sent out a warning. They told the protesters to leave voluntarily or face arrest. They surrounded the area, hundreds of police officers. Then they closed in and this is where we are this evening.

Down the road there, there are a number of protesters staging a sit- in. Dozens of arrests have just been carried. They've been carried away -- Christine.

ROMANS: I think it's so remarkable. These pictures we're seeing behind you. We have been told early on, 12 weeks ago, that frankly the government, the communist government and protesters would sit down and they would talk with the demands, the democracy demands of the protesters.

Did the protesters get anything at all?

MOHSIN: Well, nothing, frankly. They have had no response from neither the Hong Kong government nor the government of China, and they have been telling me they are deeply disappointed but not naive. They said they know that this is not the end. They are saying this is just the beginning.

And they say this is just one battle in the war against the government of China imposing its will in Hong Kong. They are saying they want universal suffrage. They are chanting that. They are saying they want democracy here, and the right to choose.

ROMANS: Yes.

MOHSIN: Let's remember what this is all about. The right to choose who they want to stand in an election -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Saima Mohsin, thank you so much for that.

Score one for community leadership. One against democracy there.

BERMAN: We'll be right back.

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