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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Rioting Breaks Out in Macedonian Capital, With U.S. Embassy a Target

Aired July 24, 2001 - 20:00   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, a U.S. Embassy comes under attack, as tensions escalate in the Balkans, on the same day President Bush paid a visit. His campaign vowed to bring U.S. troops home from the Balkans, but meeting with U.S. peacekeepers in Kosovo, Mr. Bush now concedes that won't happen anytime soon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There's still a lot of work to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The president also has vowed to save the ailing Social Security system. But critics say his cure is worse than the disease. We'll get an update from CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett.

Chandra Levy's parents call on the public to help them find their missing daughter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just need one piece of information that really shows us. So far we haven't had it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Should police again call on Gary Condit? I'll ask a longtime friend of the Levy family.

And what was that flash in the sky that everyone's talking about? We'll tell you what we know.

Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting tonight from Washington.

President Bush has now been in office for more than six months, and he's discovering what all of his predecessors discovered: honoring campaign commitments is easier said than done. This became clear today during the president's brief visit to U.S. peacekeeping troops in Kosovo. As a candidate, he pledged to bring them home and let the Europeans do the heavy lifting in the Balkans. But that was then, and this is now. And tonight, violence strikes the capital of Macedonia, including the U.S. Embassy, and that's our top story.

Angry Macedonians have gone on a smashing, burning rampage through the streets of their capital, Skopje, targeting diplomatic missions, including the U.S. Embassy. The protesters, ejected from their village by ethnic-Albanian rebels, echoed a claim made earlier by a government spokesman, charging that NATO-led peacekeepers have collaborated with the insurgents.

The situation has quieted somewhat and a senior state official tells CNN U.S. diplomats are in no danger, but bands of protesters continue to roam the city, and a U.S. quick reaction force at the airport in Skopje has been put on alert.

The Macedonia violence comes just hours after President Bush wrapped up his European trip with a visit to Camp Bondsteel, the sprawling base for U.S. peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. Mr. Bush told the troops their presence has offered a "hope for peace" in neighboring Macedonia. But he also told them they still have "a lot of work to do" in the Balkans, alongside allied forces.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: We came in together and we will leave together. Our goal is to hasten the day when peace is self-sustaining, when local democratically-elected authorities can assume full responsibility. And when NATO forces can go home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Joining me now with some perspective on the president's Kosovo visit, and the spiraling violence in Macedonia, CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett.

Major, how do they explain the abandonment of the campaign pledge to try to withdraw U.S. troops from the Balkans?

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first, Wolf, the White House says, during the campaign it wasn't a hard and fast commitment, that as soon as the president took the oath of office, out would come all the U.S. peacekeepers sent to the Balkans.

What they say here at the White House is, the president said during the campaign that he wanted to hasten their removal, but he also wanted to work with the Europeans. Well, that emphasis is much more now on working with the Europeans, having them decide along with the United States when the time is right to leave the Balkans, when the peacekeeping mission is in fact over.

There was a suggestion during the campaign that would be a unilateral decision. No more. It will be done completely in concert with the Europeans. And the crucial phrase the Europeans want to hear from this president again and again, as what he said today, "we came in together, we will go out together." Wolf. BLITZER: OK, Major, stand by. Here in Washington, a White House panel on Social Security reform met today, and met with protests. Demonstrators charge the bipartisan commission has played up Social Security's problems in a move to stir up support for privatizing it. While the president wants to let workers invest in payroll taxes on Wall Street, Commission co-chairman Richard Parsons says the panel has not yet proposed any solutions. But Democratic critics say the panel does have a fix in mind.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MAJORITY LEADER: The Social Security Commission is looking more and more like a very subjective body determined to cut benefits.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD PARSONS, CO-CHAIRMAN, SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM COMMISSION: What we have tried to do at this interim stage -- and we were at length to say earlier in the morning -- was to first of all, alert the American public to the fact that there is a problem with our Social Security system. It is not sustainable in its current form.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: We should note that Richard Parsons also is chief operating officer of AOL Time Warner, our parent company.

Major, getting back to you.

How are they reacting at the White House to the accusation from many Democrats that the entire commission is a stacked deck of people who agree with the president on privatization?

GARRETT: Well, first reaction, Wolf, is that President Clinton in his 1999 State of the Union address, made some of the very same points the commission is making about the structural problems with Social Security. That's point one.

Point two: they say look who is the co-chairman of the commission? Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a respected Democratic Senator from New York, somebody that gained a reputation throughout the Senate -- throughout the Congress -- as someone who thought seriously and deeply about Social Security and who would never be a part of a wrecking crew for that program.

The White House also says this is mostly being ginned up by Democratic activists who are hungry for an issue with President Bush because they see him holding an advantage on education, they see tax rebate checks going out, they think they may make progress on a patients bill of rights. They say Democrats are just trying to find an issue to get back at this president -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Major Garrett at the White House, thank you very much. The Bush administration faces another hot issue. Just days before Secretary of State Colin Powell is to visit Beijing: Gao Zhan, a U.S.-based scholar, has been convicted of spying in China and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The sociologist at American University, here in Washington, is a Chinese citizen. Members of Congress have voiced outrage. The State Department says it is urging her early release.

Turning now to the Chandra Levy case: as police today again searched wooded areas in Washington, late today a Democratic member of the House condemned Congressman Gary Condit. Let's go live to CNN national correspondent Bob Franken.

Bob, tell us precisely what happened.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Charles Stenholm was not only a fellow Democrat, he is one of the founders of the Blue Dog Coalition, that coalition of conservative Democrats. A co-founder is also Gary Condit. So when Charles Stenholm came out with a very strong statement this evening about the actions of Congressman Condit it carries a huge amount of weight.

In part, here is what he said: ...Through his actions and behaviors, Congressman Condit brought controversy and discredit to his family, his district, and to the Congress."

So, here you have a close ally of Congressman Condit suggesting he has broken House rules. Ultimately there could be disciplinary action if this is ever goes through the procedures in Congress, which could result in dismissal, of course, a lot of lesser penalties, or no penalty at all.

But this is significant because this is a close ally of Congressman Condit. He told CNN he has not discussed this matter with Congressman Condit, nor did he tell him, Wolf, he was putting out this statement.

BLITZER: Bob, how close are the police and Congressman Condit to the fourth interview that the police apparently want?

FRANKEN: Close, but no meeting yet, Wolf. There are some differences about the ground rules that will pervade the meeting. There's a statement on both sides that they would like to have this session, but thus far they have not been able to pull it off. It would be the fourth one when Congressman Condit -- if he does it -- interviewed by the police. We expect the FBI would join that interview.

BLITZER: OK, Bob Franken, thanks for joining us.

The Levy family has worked hard to keep their daughter's name and face in front of the public. CNN's Rusty Dornin has that story from Levy's hometown of Modesto, California.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Up close and personal with Chandra Levy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHANDRA LEVY: I meet with the staff of my grad student committee.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you have a social life?

LEVY: Oh yeah, I mean I would have been going out tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: New video and new photos released this week with a strategy in mind.

KIM PETERSEN, SUND/CARRINGTON MEMORIAL FOUNDATION: It's always good to release new shots and new videos of a missing person. In this new video, Chandra's speaking through the entire thing, you can hear her voice. Maybe hearing her voice will trigger someone's memory. I remember that voice. I remember when it was. So you want to continually release new information.

DORNIN: All part of the Levy's strategy to keep their daughter in the headlines. Shortly following her disappearance, her parents went to Washington to appeal to lawmakers and the press. Always there were questions of their daughter's involvement with Congressman Gary Condit.

Six weeks after she was last seen, the Levy's hired a high powered Washington attorney to push for answers.

BILLY MARTIN, ATTORNEY FOR LEVY'S PARENTS: What has brought publicity and heightened the intensity of this investigation is the fact that Chandra lived here, temporarily as an intern in a federal agency, that a Congressman has acknowledged being a friend.

DORNIN: That was before Condit, police sources say, admitted he'd had an affair with Levy.

(on camera): It was a revelation that assured more headlines, casting an even bigger spotlight, but even big spotlights can wane.

PETERSEN: Obviously, there haven't been any new, recent developments, and as the days and weeks go by, it gets harder, because there isn't anything new, and we just hope and pray that by continuing to keep it out there, somebody will notice something, or somebody will finally have the courage to come forward.

DORNIN: Getting the word out has been a full time job for the Levy family. Getting their daughter's picture on a race car, appealing to the audiences of the TV show "America's Most Wanted." But it's on the front steps of their Modesto home, where the agony has become painfully public.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is difficult sometimes, and you have to force yourself to do things that you don't feel like doing. ROBERT LEVY, CHANDRA'S FATHER: You know, traveling, and we'll do anything for her. Just keep the hope and the prayers out there, and will do anything to find out and get her back.

DORNIN: Rusty Dornin, CNN, Modesto, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: So, how are Chandra Levy's parents handling her disappearance? What do they want from Gary Condit now? I will ask a longtime family friend Donald Vance.

And just what was that flaming streak across the sky that we told you about last night?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Asked about the possibility of another police interview with Gary Condit, Chandra Levy's parents have urged the congressman to, quote, "just tell the truth." Today, they added that all they needed is just one good piece of information shedding light on their daughter's fate.

Joining me now from the Levys' hometown of Modesto, California, is their longtime friend, Donald Vance. Don, thank you so much for joining us.

And I want to you go back to that first day in May when they called you -- in addition to being a good friend, you of course have been the family's longtime personal attorney -- what were they going through in those early hours when they first called you?

DONALD VANCE, FRIEND OF LEVY FAMILY: Well, Bob called me, and he tried to explain what he needed. He needed to find some records, and he broke down absolutely. And of course, I had never heard Bob do that, and I was terrified. The whole office stopped. We listened to Bob, we talked him through it, and then we tried to get some records for him.

BLITZER: And then, at that point -- at what point did they actually get in touch with Congressman Gary Condit, and I guess ask him questions about his relationship with their daughter?

VANCE: Well, I think they've gone ahead and put this out already in the media that the Sunday before -- that Sunday night, Bob called Mr. Condit at his home, told him Chandra was missing. The next day, Sue called him, asked him two questions. No. 1, did he know where Chandra was? No. 2, was he having an affair with her? And he answered no to both.

Then they called me. I said: "Wait, you have already called Mr. Condit's office, well, let's call him again." So, with Bob on the line, I called the congressman's office. And after a few minutes of, well, it's two hours later in Washington, but maybe we can -- we more or less insisted, and Mike Lynch got on the line and he said: "Yes, we will do everything we can," and so forth. And that might have started the ball rolling. I don't know exactly what started the congressman to try to do something about the matter.

BLITZER: Well, did they believe him when he denied having had an affair with Chandra?

VANCE: You know, I'm not privy to their inner thoughts. I don't represent them at all as far as a spokesperson or in any legal manner with respect to finding Chandra. So, I don't know what their thought was at the time, I'm sorry.

BLITZER: But obviously, looking back on that initial at least conversation with Congressman Condit, they didn't think he was -- they now don't think that he was telling them the truth, and I take it, based on everything we've seen and heard since then, they are very angry and remain very angry at Congressman Condit. Tell us why.

VANCE: Well, they are frightened. I wouldn't say so much anger as fright of something having happened to their daughter, because the truth hasn't been told. The whole truth hasn't come out. There hasn't been a cooperation. It's a very frightening thing.

And as they have said today, all they want is for the congressman to open his heart in some sort of compassion and tell the truth, so that it will help find Chandra.

BLITZER: But apparently at that third meeting that Congressman Condit had with the police, he did acknowledge -- at least according to police sources -- that he was romantically involved with Chandra. What else -- what else would they like him to say?

VANCE: Well, you know, I don't know what he told the police. I'm sure that the Levys would want him to tell the police and the FBI every single detail of everything that went on, at least for the last two weeks of his friendship with Chandra Levy. Everything. That's what I would do if I were trying to find my best friend.

BLITZER: Do you have...

VANCE: Go ahead.

BLITZER: I guess this is the key question: do you have any real suspicion or is there any hard evidence -- is there even a shred of evidence that Congressman Condit was directly involved in the disappearance of Chandra?

VANCE: That's -- I don't know. You would have to talk to the police about that. There's evidence obviously that he didn't cooperate at the very beginning, and if he had perhaps we would have found Chandra by now.

BLITZER: As you know, the Levy family released some more video of Chandra. I take it their hope is that all of these pictures, what she is saying, may spark some knowledge, some information out there among the public at large that could help them during these very, very painful, difficult days.

VANCE: Yes. It's true. That's why it's so important for anybody that knows anything -- and of course, the individual that knows the most about her whereabouts and what she was doing has to come forward, and that's the congressman. He has to give everything that he knows. Otherwise, the rest is not very helpful, quite frankly, in my estimation.

BLITZER: And what you are suggesting, obviously, that he still has not yet come clean. You heard Bob Franken report earlier on this program that Congressman Charlie Stenholm of Texas, a fellow Democrat, a Blue Dog Democrat, a conservative Democrat, is now lashing out, is now condemning Congressman Condit's behavior. Do you believe Congressman Condit should resign from the House of Representatives?

VANCE: Yes. Definitely. In fact, I'm picketing his office almost every day, asking him to resign. I've given him a letter to resign -- and urging all of my fellow constituents here in Modesto and the 18th congressional district. We will be getting petitions out, we're getting support. There are various functions that we are going to.

We want to keep the pressure on him however more importantly, to fully cooperate with the authorities in telling everything that he knows. That's the most important thing.

BLITZER: And I know you spoke with the Levys this morning. You are have dinner with them tomorrow night. Are they losing hope right now?

VANCE: They hold the hope they will find Chandra. They hold the hope that the congressman will open his heart and there will be an outpouring of compassion, that he will do the right thing, that he will recognize his responsibilities, that he will help in any way that he can. That is their fervent hope which they cling to, I'm sure.

BLITZER: Don Vance, I know this is a difficult time for the Levy family, a difficult time for you. Thank you so much for spending some time with us tonight. We really appreciate it.

VANCE: You are welcome.

BLITZER: And is Ford again treading on danger? More trouble involving Ford and tires.

And what has caused a quandary in the cornfield? Find out what they are stalking out there when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Tough economic times got even tougher today. Struggling telecommunications giant, Lucent Technology, announced it will cut another 15 to 20,000 jobs. That helped send the stock market tumbling to 14-week lows. All this as Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan testified on Capitol Hill that it'll be a while before the slowing economy picks up speed. He said the Fed might even cut interest rates again. At the closing bell, the Dow had dropped 183 points. The Nasdaq lost 29 points.

In other news, concern over possible danger on the road. That's driving this new concern. Tires Ford Motor Company used to replace recalled Firestone tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 2.7 million tires, many of them replacements. More than 300 complaints cite tread separation, the same problem that prompted last summer's massive recall of Firestone tires.

The West Nile Virus has now grabbed the attention of Florida health officials. The state is reporting its first possible human case of the disease. A man who may be afflicted is now undergoing medical tests. Mosquitoes spread the disease by feeding on the blood of infected birds.

This note: "CNN TONIGHT" takes a look at the West Nile Virus and the worry spreading in several states. That special report tonight at 10:00 Eastern.

Tonight on "The Leading Edge," a follow-up to a story we first reported last night. Scientists have an explanation for a flaming ball that streaked across the sky in plain sight of thousands of people. One witness says it was the size of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. But scientists say it was probably a meteor, no larger than a small suitcase. They speculate it ignited when it came in contact with The earth's atmosphere. So far, nobody has been able to find any evidence of the meteor on the ground. scientists described it as "exciting, but harmless."

Up next, I'll open our mailbag. Many of you witnessed that fireball firsthand and you bombarded us with e-mail. I'll share your stories next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Time now to open our mailbag. Lot's of reaction to that mysterious flash of light across the sky last night.

Vicki of Potter County, Pennsylvania: "At first we thought it was the start of a thunderstorm but the thunder lasted way too long."

Nicole in Middleburg, Pennsylvania: "We saw what appeared to be a large yellow ball very bright, making an arch to the Earth. After about two or three seconds it burnt out leaving a cloud of smoke trailing behind."

And Doug in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, commented on the live report last night from out own Frank Sesno, who happened to be in Pennsylvania: "Your reporter in Lewisberg said he heard the sonic boom but felt no vibrations. I live in Williamsport 25 miles to the north, and my house shook."

Remember, I want to hear from you. Please e-mail me at wolf@CNN.com. And you can read my daily online column and sign up for my e-mail previewing our nightly programs by going to my Web site, CNN.com/Wolf. That's all the time we have tonight. Thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "THE POINT WITH GRETA VAN SUSTEREN" begins right now.

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