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AT THIS HOUR WITH BERMAN AND MICHAELA

Manhunt for 3 Cop Killers Called Off; Kerry Speech on Iran Nuclear Deal; Baltimore Police Ready for Unrest During Freddie Gray Hearing. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired September 2, 2015 - 11:00   ET

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


[11:00:00] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: But the secretary of state expected to speak at the top of the hour.

So I'll say good-bye. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me today.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news on fast-moving stores involving police officers. First, a major development in the manhunt for three men suspected of killing an officer near Chicago. Law enforcement had been going door to door.

In Baltimore, bracing for tension. Right now, a hearing under way for the officers accused in Freddie Gray's death. Protests building outside the courthouse. We take you there live.

And breaking now, the deal essentially done. President Obama securing enough votes to thwart a Republican effort to block the nuclear agreement with Iran. Any moment, the secretary of state will speak live.

I'm John Berman. This is CNN's special live coverage.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BERMAN: Breaking news on several fronts. The huge manhunt for three suspected cop killers has just been called off. The search in FOX Lake, Illinois, involved federal agents and police officers going house to house, through heavy woods. But after searching on foot, all-terrain vehicles, choppers, even on horseback, authorities now say the suspects are long gone. The victim, Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz had been pursuing the three suspects on foot when he was shot dead.

Our Rosa Flores in the search area with this late-breaking information.

Rosa, not a manhunt exactly anymore. Explain.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I just got off the phone with the commander in charge of the investigation in the last hour and he tells me that that manhunt has been stopped, but that the investigation continues. So what does that mean? He explained it to me like this. He said, after the shooting and killing of Lieutenant Gliniewicz, they established a two-mile perimeter and they went house to house, they knocked on every door, there's abandoned buildings in this area as well, and he said that they scoured through those buildings, cleared the buildings. There's overgrown marsh areas, and they everyone used night vision overnight to try to scour through the area to make sure that these three suspects were not there. Because, hear this, here was the worry, there is also a subdivision that wraps around this area. They were very worried about the people in those homes. They were on lockdown. But then again, he said, after clearing all of that area, we have called off the search.

But the investigation continues because, hear this, they gathered surveillance video that thousand investigators are scouring through, looking through that. He says some of that video is great, but they don't have anything that they can release at this point in time that gives people a clue as to what these men look like. Again, three suspects, two white males and a black male.

As for the time line, he says by this point, they could be out of town or out of state. It could take hours or everyone weeks for the next development to a rise.

But I want you to take a look behind me because the memorial for this police officer keeps growing. There is a vigil tonight, John. He is loved in this community because he gave so much and now this community is giving back to him.

BERMAN: The community mourning the loss of this officer to be sure. And now coping with the fear of having these three suspects still on the loose. The manhunt called off, but the search, you can bet, with continue.

Rosa Flores, thank you so much.

We also have breaking news on the Iran nuclear deal. President Obama now has the 34 Senate votes he needs to guarantee that this will deal will go through. This now means that the Republicans in the Senate, along with some Democratic support, cannot block this deal. No matter what they can do, it will not be blocked.

Secretary of State John Kerry now speaking in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center. Let's listen to what he says.

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: As a former colleague of his on the Foreign Relations Committee, which he referred to in his introduction, I can bear witness that Dick Lugar is one of the true legislative pathfinders of recent times with a long record of foreign policy accomplishments. And what he and Sam Nunn did is a lasting legacy of making this world safer. He's also someone who has consistently placed our country's interests above any other consideration. And he has a very deep understanding of how best to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands. He is one of our experts when it comes to that judgment. So it is appropriate that the Senator is here with us this morning, and I think every one of us joins in saying thank you, Dick, for your tremendous service.

(APPLAUSE)

[11:05:13] KERRY: It's also fitting to be here in Philadelphia, the home ground of this magnificent center to the Constitution, the Liberty Bell, and one our nation's most revered founders, Benjamin Franklin. And I must say, I never quite anticipated, but this is one of the great vistas in America. And to be able to look done and see Independence Hall there is inspiring I think for all of us here.

I would say a quick word about Ben Franklin. In addition to his many inventions and his special status as America's first diplomat, Franklin is actually credited with being the first person known to have made a list of pros and cons, literally dividing the page in two and writing all of the reasons to support a proposal on one side and all the reasons to oppose it on the other. And this morning, I would like to invite you, all of you, those here and those listening through the media, to participate in just such an exercise, because two months ago in Vienna, the United States and five other nations, including permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, reached agreement with Iran on ensuring the peaceful nature of that country's nuclear program. As early as next week, Congress will begin voting on whether to support that plan. And the outcome will matter as much as any foreign policy decision in recent history. Like Senator Lugar, President Obama and I are convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that the framework that we have put forward will get the job done. And in that assessment, we have excellent company. Last month, 29 of our nation's top nuclear physicists and Nobel Prize winners, scientists, from one end of the country to the other, congratulated the president for what they called, quote, "a technically sound, stringent and innovative deal that will provide the necessary assurance that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons." The scientists praised the agreement for its creative approach to verification and for the rigorous safe guards that will prevent Iran there obtaining the fissile material for a bomb.

Today, I will layout the facts that caused those experts to reach the favorable conclusions that they have. I will show why the agreed plan will make the United States, Israel, the Gulf States and the world safer. I will explain how it gives us the access that we need to ensure that Iran's nuclear program remains wholly peaceful while preserving every option to respond if Iran fails it meet its commitments. I will make clear that the key elements of the agreement will last not for 10 or 15 years, as some are trying to assert, or for 20 or 25, but they will last for the lifetime of Iran's nuclear program. And I will dispel some of the false information that has been circulating about the proposal in which Congress is soon going to vote.

Now, for this discussion, there is an inescapable starting point, a place where every argument made against the agreement must confront a stark reality, the reality of how advanced Iran's nuclear program had become and where it was headed when Presidents Obama and Rouhani launched the diplomatic process that concluded this past July. Two years ago, in September of 2013, we were facing an Iran that had already mastered the nuclear fuel cycle. Already stockpiled enough enriched uranium that, if further enriched, could arm 10 to 12 bombs, an Iran that was already enriching uranium to the level of 20 percent, which is just below weapons grade, an Iran that had already installed 10,000-plus centrifuges, an Iran that was moving rapidly to commission a heavy water reactor able to produce enough weapons-grade plutonium for an additional bomb or are two a year. That, my friends, is where we already were when we began our negotiations.

[11:10:30] At a well-remembered moment during the U.N. General Assembly the previous fall, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had held up a cartoon of a bomb to show just how dangerous Iran's nuclear program had become. And in 2013, he returned to that podium to warn that Iran was positioning itself, quote, "to rush forward to build nuclear bombs before the international community can detect it and much less prevent it." The prime minister argued rightly that the so- called breakout time, the interval required for Iran to produce enough fissile material for one bomb, had dwindled to as little as two months. Even though it would take significantly longer to build the bomb itself using that fissile material, the prime minister's message was clear, Iran had successfully transformed itself into a nuclear threshold state.

In the Obama administration, we were well aware of that troubling fact. And more important, we were already responding to it. The record is irrefutable that over the course of two American administrations, it was the United States that led the world in assembly against Tehran, one of the toughest international sanctions regimes ever developed. But we also have to face an obvious fact. Sanctions alone were not getting the job done. Not even close. They were failing to slow, let alone, halt Iran's relentless march towards a nuclear weapons capability.

So President Obama acted. He reaffirmed his vow that Iran would absolutely not be permitted to have a nuclear weapon. He marshaled support for this principal from every corner of the international community. He made clear his determination to go beyond what sanctions could accomplish and find a way to not only stop but to throw into reverse Iran's rapid expansion of its nuclear program. As we developed our strategy, we cast a very wide net to enlist the broadest expertise available. We sat down with the IAEA and our own intelligence community to ensure that the verification standards that we sought on paper would be effective in reality. We consulted with Congress and our international allies and friends. We examined carefully every step that we might take to close off each of Iran's potential pathways to a bomb. And of course, we were well aware that every proposal, every provision, every detail would have to withstand the most painstaking scrutiny. And so we made clear from the outset that we would not settle for anything less than an agreement that was comprehensive, verifiable, effective, and of lasting duration.

We began with an interim agreement reached in Geneva, a joint plan of action. It accomplished diplomatically what sanctions alone could never have done or did. It halted the advance of Iran's nuclear activities. And it is critical to note -- you don't hear much about it, but it's critical to note that for more than 19 months now, Iran has complied with every requirement of that plan. But this was just the first step. From that moment, we pushed ahead seeking a broad and enduring agreement, sticking to our core positions, maintaining unity among a diverse group of partners. And we arrived at the good and effective deal that we have sought.

[11:15:00] And I ask you today and in the days ahead, as we have asked members of Congress over the course of these last months, consider the facts of what we achieved, and judge for yourself the difference between where we were two years ago and where we are now and where we can be in the future.

Without this agreement, Iran's so-called breakout time was about two months. With this agreement, it will increase by a factor of six to at least a year and it will remain at that level for a decade or more. Without this agreement, Iran could double the number of its operating centrifuges almost overnight. With this agreement, Iran's centrifuges will be reduced by two-thirds for 10 years. Without this agreement, Iran could continue expanding its stockpile of enriched uranium which is now more than 12,000 kilograms. With this agreement, that stockpile will shrink and shrink some more, a reduction of some 98 percent to no more than 300 kill lo kilograms for 15 years. Without this agreement, Iran's heavy water reactor in Iraq would soon be able to produce enough weapons grade plutonium each year to fuel one or two nuclear weapons. With this agreement, the core of that reactor will be removed and filled with concrete. And Iran will never be permitted to produce any weapons grade plutonium. Without this agreement, the IAEA would not have assured access to undeclared locations in Iran where suspicious activities might be taking place. The agency could seek access, but if Iran objected, there would be no sure method for resolving a dispute in a finite period which is exactly what has led us to where we are today, that standoff. With this agreement, the IAEA can go wherever the evidence leads, no facility declared or undeclared will be off-limits and there is a time certain for assuring access. There is no other country to which such a requirement applies. This arrangement is both unprecedented and unique.

In addition, the IAEA will have more inspectors working in Iran using modern technologies such as real-time enrichment monitoring, high-tech electronic seals and cameras that are always watching 24/7, 365. Further, Iran has agreed never to pursue key technologies that would be necessary to develop a nuclear explosive device.

So the agreement deals not only with the production of fissile material, but also with the critical issue of weaponization. Because of all of these limitations and guarantees, we can sum up by saying that without this agreement, the Iranians would have several potential pathways to a bomb. With it, they won't have any. Iran's plutonium pathway will be blocked because it won't have a reactor producing plutonium for a weapon. And it won't build new heavy water reactors or engage in reprocessing for at least 15 years. And after that, we have the ability to watch and know precisely what they're doing. The Iranian pathway will be blocked because of the deep reductions in Iran's uranium enrichment capacity, and because for 15 years the country will not enrich to a level higher than 3.67 percent. Let me be clear, no one can build a bomb from a stockpile of 300 kilograms of uranium enriched only to 3.67 percent. It is just not possible.

Finally, Iran's covert's pathway to a bomb will also be blocked --

BERMAN: You're watching Secretary of State John Kerry speaking at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, speaking in support of the Iran nuclear deal, insisting that it will block all available paths for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. But just as important as what the secretary is saying is when he is

saying it. As of about an hour ago, there is now a virtual guarantee that the deal will become a reality. Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland has said she will vote for the deal, which means that the Senate cannot block its passage, which means, as I just said, the Iran nuclear deal will be implemented. This is a significant milestone for President Obama's foreign policy. Highly controversial, but it is going to happen.

[11:50:35] Let's me bring in CNN's Sunlen Serfaty for reaction from the White House. Also joining us, A.B. Stoddard, associate editor for "The Hill."

There is a lot of action headed our way from Capitol Hill.

Sunlen, first to you, at the White House.

Any reaction yet to this key moment, this deal is going to happen?

SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, biggest reaction we've seen so far from the White House is from Secretary of State John Kerry. And while this is a major victory for the Obama administration, I didn't think he took a complete victory lap there with his speech. Certainly signaling that the administration understands that they do have to keep the pressure up on lawmakers. This was a big hurdle for sure for the administration to get over getting the support of Senator Mikulski, the 34th Senator that they needed to sustain a potential Republican veto override. That was the first key part. But Kerry really in his speech making clear that they will continue to make the case point by point why they believe the deal is a good one. Really laying out in stark terms what would happen with the deal, what would happen without the deal. And that is the argument that the administration has been making from the beginning.

But Kerry really indicating in an earlier interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour that they expect that they will continue to persuade law makers and that they would like to see the number of support tick up. Congress will be back in town next week and that's where we'll see the first moves of whether they will move to a complete vote or not, depending on how much support the administration picks up -- John?

BERMAN: Sunlen, you make a great point. That was no victory lap from the secretary of state, John Kerry. He barely mentioned the political reality, the votes faced by members of Congress next week. And as you also point out, this is no blowout victory for the White House. What they have secured is 34 votes in the Senate, which means that Congress cannot override a presidential veto. So a victory by the thinnest of margins.

A.B. Stoddard, the White House, I imagine, now has another number in its sight, that would be 41, 41 Senators. If they can get from 34 votes to 41 votes in the Senate, it means that there could be a filibuster. It means that the Senate could never actually vote "no" on this. The president might never have to veto congressional action. A.B. STODDARD, ASSOCIATE EDITOR, THE HILL: That's exactly right and

that's why you saw Secretary Kerry not taking a victory lap. The team doesn't want to rub noses in this. They know even to get to 34 has been a difficult battle. The Jewish community is torn. The Democratic Party is torn. This is a very, very difficult vote. Even for those like Senator Coons of Delaware, who came out in support yesterday, who said this isn't the deal that I wanted. It's going to be a deal he supports. But there are a lot of problems with the deal and so to get from 34 to 41, you don't want to start jumping up and down. They really want to get to the point where the veto vote, they don't want to make it more difficult for those who are still squirming, maybe about to announce their support but don't want to yet seeking more time and hearing both sides. People have wanted to take as long as they could to give deference to both sides. And I think the White House is true to not call it a victory quite yet.

BERMAN: A.B., give me a sense of how important it is for this White House not to have to use a veto to essentially slam through what will be its signature foreign policy achievement.

STODDARD: This is a very significant accomplishment for President Obama/ The team at the White House actually going into August was far more worried about the level of opposition they would face and big lobbying effort against it back at home among constituents that they ultimately ended up not facing. But this is -- basically, the president said if they won't do this deal, we're looking at the potential of an escalation to war pretty quickly.

A big scene in the Congress, A huge controversial vote of disapproval would really show the world how divided we are. Obviously, people know this around the world anyway. But the president wants to present as united a front as possible, so having no fight over this is the best scenario.

BERMAN: No matter how divided, it does looks like the deal will now be implemented.

Let me read and you tweet from Senator Marco Rubio, from Florida, a Republican running for president. He says, "When I'm president, we won't just reverse President Obama's dangerous Iran deal, we will increase sanctions on Iran."

That's his promise as a candidate. But at this point, nothing he can do to block the deal.

Sunlen Serfaty, A.B. Stoddard, thank you so much for being with us.

STODDARD: Thanks.

[11:25:10] BERMAN: We have more breaking news. This time out of Baltimore. A pretrial hearing under way right now for the officers accused in Freddie Gray's death. Police there bracing for unrest. We are expecting a ruling, actually two rulings, crucial rulings, from the judge at any moment.

This is CNN special live coverage. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: In Baltimore, any minute now, we're expecting two rulings in a critical pretrial hearing in the Freddie Gray case. This, as police are on alert for potential unrest today. This morning will have been protests on the streets. Some chanting "Justice now." Earlier, there was been one arrest. Activists are planning demonstrations throughout the day. Freddie Gray died in April after suffering a spinal injury while being transported inside a police van. Six officers now facing charges ranging from murder to manslaughter. All have pleaded not guilty at this point.

But again, a crucial pretrial hearing. The judge could all but throw out the case, or certainly say the prosecutor can no longer try it.

For the latest, I'm joined by CNN's Jean Casarez live outside the courthouse in Baltimore -- Jean?

[11:29:49] JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A crucial decisions being made in that courtroom. And the anticipation is building, John, because I'm hearing some helicopters overhead. People know it's an important day today.

And here's what we do know. There was a break a short time ago, and we heard that the judge was expected to announce decisions on two critical motions.