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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Investigations Continue Into Rhode Island Club Fire; Bush Warns U.N. Has Reached Defining Moment
Aired February 24, 2003 - 17:00 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.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, HOST (voice-over): Nightclub inferno. Rhode Island mourns as investigators try to find out who's at fault.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm concerned about justice for the families that are in great pain.
BLITZER: Showdown: Iraq. Looking for one last resolution.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have to bring this to an end.
BLITZER: President Bush warns the United Nations has reached a defining moment.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Is it going to be a body that means what it says?
BLITZER: Stop and search. We're on patrol with a U.S. destroyer in the Persian Gulf.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once we get on board, then we start to do paperwork.
BLITZER: And it sounds like science fiction. Could the U.S. use a secret microwave weapon against Iraq?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: It's Monday, February 24, 2003. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
You're looking at live pictures of Saint Gregory the Great church in Warwick, Rhode Island. There it is. A memorial service is now under way for the 97 Rhode Island nightclub victims. Throughout this hour, we'll have live coverage. Let's listen in just for a moment.
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BLITZER: Throughout this hour we'll be bringing you live coverage from this memorial service in Rhode Island. A heart wrenching moment for everyone in Rhode Island; indeed for people across the United States. We'll go back to Rhode Island shortly. But in the meantime, we're tracking several major developments in the showdown with Iraq against tough odds. The United States and Britain move ahead with a new U.N. resolution to clear the way for military action. Germany, France and Russia say they have a better idea, and the chief weapons inspector, Dr. Hans Blix, gives Iraq an ultimatum on missiles.
We'll go live to the White House and the State Department, but we begin with our senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth on the draft resolution now circulating in the Security Council -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, circulating right now behind closed doors, the United States, United Kingdom and Spain introducing this new resolution, the most interesting new line in it at the end. The resolution says that -- decides that Iraq has failed to take the final opportunity afforded to it in that resolution unanimously passed on November 8. This resolution saying that Iraq has failed to comply on disarmament issues, a large range of them. It always the existing Security Council resolutions at the time of the Gulf War, and thus says Iraq is in material breach, re-opening the way towards the possible military attack.
Behind closed doors, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte, has told the Security Council, quote, "we now believe it is abundantly clear that Iraq has refused to disarm and has no intention of doing so." Those were the three sponsors of the resolution walking in. There is China and France. They believe there is no need for a new resolution that would, in effect, authorize war.
The U.S. ambassador in his comments to the Council saying because of the failures outlined Iraq has failed to comply with the tests of truthfulness, cooperation and disarmament. British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock behind closed doors saying they're not asking for instant judgments, it is a serious subject, stakes are significant. They want the Council to take some time to make, quote, "the right choice." Here you're going to see the resolution, copies of it, being passed out.
Also, Hans Blix, chief weapons inspector, saying Iraq must start dismantling those Al Samoud 2 missiles starting by Saturday. They are still leaving the door open for talks on the pace of the destruction and the order of it, but the U.N. weapons inspectors want Iraq to start destroying those missiles starting this weekend -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Richard Roth at the U.N., we'll be checking in with you periodically. Thanks very much, Richard, for that information.
News of the rival proposal came from Berlin, where the German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, met with the French president, Jacques Chirac, who say they see nothing to justify a new Security Council resolution.
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JACQUES CHIRAC, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): Of course we want Iraq to be disarmed, because Iraq represents a danger for the region and maybe for the world. But we consider that that disarmament should be done in a peaceful way, because whatever the assumption, morally, materially, humanly, politically, economically, war is always the worst of solutions. It's always a failure. It's always dramatic, and everything should be done to avoid it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Amid all of this, the CBS News anchor Dan Rather has landed an exclusive interview with the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader denies that the Al Samoud 2 missiles seen by U.N. inspectors as a violation of U.N. restrictions, and he also insists, according to CBS News, that the Iraqi leader is indicating he does not intend to destroy the missiles. CBS News is also reporting that Saddam Hussein is challenging President Bush to a live international television and radio debate. More on that upcoming.
The White House in the midst of all of this may view the upcoming battle of the Security Council as being more about the future of the U.N. than the future of Iraq. Let's go live to our senior White House correspondent John King for more on that -- John.
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the White House concedes it does not have the votes in the Security Council right now, but the administration says it is confident in the end it can get them. The target right now at the White House for a vote is two weeks from today.
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KING (voice-over): The president says the new resolution presents the Security Council with a defining challenge.
BUSH: To determine whether or not it is going to be relevant as the world confronts the threats to the 21st century. Is it going to be a body that means what it says? We certainly hope it does.
KING: But Mr. Bush also told the nation's governors he will disarm Saddam Hussein with or without Security Council backing, even if that means going against the tide of public opinion at home and around the world.
BUSH: The country expects leaders to lead. And that's exactly what we all are going to do. For the good of mankind, for the good of the American people.
KING: The chief weapons inspectors briefed the Security Council on Friday, March 7, and the administration then wants action on its new resolution. Monday, March 10 is a tentative target for the decisive vote. By then, the White House predicts Iraq will defy the inspectors and refuse to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles. But even if Iraq complies, the White House says it is far from enough.
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: If a criminal holds a gun to your head and takes one bullet out of the chamber, you still have to worry about all the rest of the bullets in the chamber, because they can kill you, too. KING: Germany and France are among those who still oppose the White House, but will face a tough choice in two weeks.
JOHN ALTERMAN, CSIS: If it is going to happen anyway, you might as well be on board and try to get some of the benefits from it instead of trying to show that you're going to object and then show yourself to be powerless and irrelevant. That doesn't win you anything.
KING: Twelve hours before the vote on Resolution 1441, the United States had just seven votes, but prevailed in the end 15-0.
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KING: And as the diplomacy intensifies now, the war planning is advancing as well. Turkey's cabinet, after weeks of haggling, approved today a decision that allows tens of thousands of U.S. troops to go ashore and use Turkish military bases if there is a war -- Wolf.
BLITZER: John, getting back to Dan Rather's exclusive interview with Saddam Hussein, any White House reaction yet to the two points, the challenge for a live TV debate and the indication from Saddam Hussein, according to CBS News, that he has no intention of destroying those Al Samoud 2 missiles?
KING: Senior reaction on both fronts, Wolf. I talked to Dan Bartlett, the White House communications director. He says they do not view the debate challenge as a serious proposal here at the White House. Dan Bartlett saying, quote, "there is no debating what is required of him." Him being Saddam Hussein.
On the question of the Al Samoud 2 missiles, White House officials say that if that is Iraq's posture, that it refuses to comply with a direct demand from the chief U.N. weapons inspectors, that that might in the end make it easier for the United States to get those votes in the Security Council if Saddam Hussein is presented with a request from the inspectors and flat out says no -- Wolf.
BLITZER: John King at the White House. Thanks, John, very much.
Who is for this new U.N. Security Council resolution and who is against it? Our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel has been keeping a score card. She's joining me now live -- Andrea.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, at this moment, only four countries, including three of the sponsors, the U.S., the U.K. and Spain, support the resolution and are firmly in the yes column.
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KOPPEL (voice-over): Secretary of State Colin Powell in Beijing this week, to rally China's leaders behind a second U.N. resolution. Left China encouraged, said a senior State Department official, but without a guarantee of support. COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: This is not the time to step away from this responsibility. This is the time to disarm Iraq, one way or the other.
KOPPEL: And U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control John Bolton was in Moscow, also pressing the U.S. case. The strategy over the next two weeks, to convince China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, not to use it. But French President Jacques Chirac, standing shoulder to shoulder with Germany's chancellor said their governments and Russia's too would not rule out vetoing the resolution.
CHIRAC (through translator): We don't see its usefulness, and therefore we will not be in favor of it.
KING: Now, U.S. diplomacy is focused on securing the minimum nine out of 15 votes needed to pass a resolution from the Security Council's 10 rotating members. Last weekend, President Bush courted Spain's prime minister, Aznar, already a yes vote. Bush hopes Aznar will now use his clout to win over Latin American neighbors, Mexico and Chile, both undecided.
Another yes vote, Bulgaria, whose prime minister meets President Bush Tuesday. With Syria and Germany considered definite nos, that leaves six remaining Council members, three of them African countries, to win over. A senior State Department official telling CNN, "they're all in play."
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KOPPEL: It is highly unusual to introduce a resolution without having already secured the yes votes ahead of time. But a senior administration official told us, Wolf, that you got to get moving sometime with the text and really they just want to get the ball rolling -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Andrea Koppel with the latest from the State Department. Thanks, Andrea, for that good information.
Here are some critical dates once again that could determine if and when the United States goes to war. You might want to mark your calendars.
This coming Saturday is the U.N. deadline for Iraq to start destroying its Al Samoud 2 missiles. On March 7, the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix gives an inspection progress report to the U.N. Security Council. During the week of March 10, the Security Council could vote on a new resolution declaring Iraq in further material breach of the earlier resolution, 1441, that was passed last November. We'll be watching all of those dates.
And here is your chance to weigh in on the story. Our "Web Question f the Day" is this, "If President Bush can't get a second U.N. resolution adopted, should he still go to war with Iraq?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote at Cnn.com/Wolf. While you're there, I'd like to hear from you. Send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.
BLITZER: Finger pointing over the Rhode Island nightclub fire. Are criminal charges coming anytime soon? We'll have the latest on the investigation.
Also, the memorial service, it's happening right now. We'll take you there live.
Plus, the United States taking over Iraqi oil fields? We'll take a closer look at what might happen after a war.
And fighting child pornography. Police battle against a digital explosion of exploitation.
But first, in case you were out enjoying yourself over the days off, here's "Our Weekend Snapshot."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Higher and higher. Gas prices jumped an average 7 cents a gallon over the past two weeks. According to the Lundberg Survey, the average price per gallon nationwide is about $1.70.
From snow to rain. After digging out from as much as four feet of snow last week, the Northeast was hit by rain, wind, sleet and fog and more snow. The weight of snow and rain caused the roof of a Toys "R" Us store to collapse in Lanham, Maryland, injuring nine people.
Rough flying. Strong winds knocked three army sky divers off course during a performance at a Nascar race in Rockingham, North Carolina. They were supposed to sail into the track area, but suffered hard landings. Officials said they were hospitalized in stable or good condition.
Deadly search. A Miami Beach police officer in an SUV ran over two French sisters sunbathing, killing one and leaving the other in critical condition. Officials say the accident happened as the officer was leave looking for robbery suspect on the crowded beach.
Protests versus protest. A Vietnam War veteran holding an American flag disrupted the protest of a basketball player for New York's Manhattanville College. It happened as senior Toni Smith, as she has been all season, turned her back to the flag during the national anthem. She says she's protesting what she called the inequalities in American society and the possible war against Iraq.
Blink of an eye. That's about how long it took Mike Tyson to knock out Clifford Etienne in their heavyweight fight in Memphis. Tyson floored Etienne just 49 seconds into the first round.
Not one, but five. That's how many Grammys newcomer Norah Jones won at the Grammy Awards. She carried off the prize for album and record of the year, best female pop vocal, best new artist and best pop album.
And that's "Our Weekend Snapshot."
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BLITZER: As we mentioned, a memorial service is taking place at this hour in a church in Warwick, Rhode Island, for the victims of last week's devastating nightclub fire. The identification of victims and the investigation into the fire, of course, continue.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is joining us now from West Warwick with the latest -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the identifications now have numbered 55 of the 97 bodies that they found. Of course, we've been watching bits and pieces of the memorial service.
The formal memorial service, one of two that is going to be held this evening. You see in back of me, however, the manifestation of the informal memorials, the spontaneous ones that have set up behind me at the site of that fire on Thursday night as an entire state goes through a period of mourning that is particularly difficult.
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FRANKEN (voice-over): It is so tiny, the nation's smallest state, that residents consider Rhode Island one community, where everyone seems to know everyone else. This remarkable closeness means that the people of Rhode Island take this tragedy very personally, including the man who has visibly taken charge.
GOV. DON CARCIERI (R), RHODE ISLAND: All of the people coming together has just been overwhelming, the kind of support from every part of the community has just been uplifting. It's been an amazing thing.
FRANKEN: The emotions boil together, intense grief, helplessness, anger, a desire for accountability.
Officials refuse to confirm or deny reports that they got a warrant to search the home of a co-owner of the club, but neighbors say they saw police at the house. Investigators are trying to resolve the dispute over blame.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have a responsibility to look at facts, look at evidence.
JEFF DERDERIAN, STATION CO-OWNER: No permission was ever requested by the band or any of its agents to use pyrotechnics at The Station and no permission was ever given.
ED MCPHERSON, BAND'S ATTORNEY: Their position is that we never asked them, we never told them they knew nothing about this. And they just -- they're wrong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And the information, Wolf, continues to accumulate. Some other bands who have played here say that they used pyrotechnics. Other club owners around the country have said that the band, Great White, sometimes tried to use the indoor fireworks without letting them know.
But right now, there is a pause right now to express the sadness that everybody feels and particularly in this tight knit state. Everybody is feeling the suffering personally -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And people are bringing flowers and other mementos to where you are, the site of this horrible fire. Is that right, Bob?
FRANKEN: That is. The families, of course, yesterday, got visit the site for first time yesterday and they brought their own memorials. But there has been a steady stream ever since people were allowed in, including now, where people are just bringing flowers, Teddy bears, all that type of thing. It's one of those spontaneous demonstrations of sympathy that you see every once in a while and they're feeling a very close kinship with each other here in Rhode Island, being the type of state that it is.
BLITZER: It doesn't get much sadder than this. Bob Franken, thanks very much. We'll be getting back to you as we get more information. Thanks very much.
And as the investigation into last week's nightclub fire continues, legal questions, of course are already emerging.
To help answer some of the questions, we, of course, do go to our CNN legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin is joining us live from New York.
Jeffrey, I guess the criminal process is just beginning, but what are they doing in a situation like this if you're the attorney general of Rhode Island and you're looking for criminal responsibility, where do you begin?
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, I think they begin with the finger pointing that we've seen already. The question is who authorized, if anyone, the use of these pyrotechnics? Because clearly that's going to be the key to any sort of criminal liability here.
We have a conflicting story. But interestingly, Patrick Lynch, the attorney general, said this morning that the band was cooperating with the investigation, but the Derderians, the owners of the club, even though they had that tearful press conference, have not yet cooperated.
So -- and those are the people whose houses may have been searched today. So clearly they are focusing on the club owners at least for the moment.
BLITZER: All right, Jeffrey, stand by for a moment because the governor, Don Carcieri of Rhode Island is speaking at this memorial service now. I want to listen in.
CARCIERI: ... our whole nation and indeed much of the world. This terrible disaster has touched so many lives. We will be forever changed.
Our prayers, our love and our deep concern go out to all those families and friends who have lost a loved one. No words can fill the emptiness left by your loss. Those same prayers, love and concern go out to the hospitalized survivors and their families and friends who keep vigil over them. And we pray for all those survivors, many who are haunted by the images of the ordeal they witnessed.
Yet, in the midst of this pain and suffering, we must also acknowledge the heroic efforts, heroic efforts of so many who labored tirelessly to respond to this horror. We have seen our community unite like never before.
The firefighters, the rescue workers, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, clergy, Red Cross and so, so many, many more. A tremendous outpouring of support, sympathy and caring. This has been an entire state reaching out and embracing its own. For this, we are blessed.
You know, there is no explanation for what happened that can ever suffice. But maybe we can take some comfort in the words of Taeah Dae Shadan (ph). He said, "We are one, after all, you and I. Together we suffer, together exist. And forever we'll re-create, re-create each other."
It is that spirit of re-creation of each other that must sustain us in the time and days ahead. My God bless all of you and may God bless all of us.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would like to offer a prayer.
BLITZER: The governor of Rhode Island speaking at an interfaith memorial service that's under way right now in Warwick, Rhode Island, at St. Gregory, the Great Church, speaking movingly, passionately, emotionally about what is unthinkable, something that happened last Thursday night.
Let's get back to Jeffrey Toobin our legal analyst who is in New York. Jeffrey, it almost seems a little bit quick to start talking about the potential criminal behavior, criminal action on the part of law enforcement authorities in Rhode Island. But people there are talking about it very thoroughly. The attorney general, Patrick Lynch, is talking about it repeatedly.
We have some videotape, I want to show you and our viewers, Jeffrey, an earlier performance by a different band at this club, The Station, in which pyrotechnics were also used. Look at this.
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(MUSIC)
(APPLAUSE)
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BLITZER: All right. We know, Jeffrey, it's a small club, a nine foot ceiling. They don't have sprinkler systems. Obviously Great White was not the first band to use these fireworks in their act.
What, if anything, does the fact that there were earlier pyrotechnic displays there say if you're a prosecutor?
TOOBIN: Oh, I think it is highly significant evidence when you have the owners of the club saying we would never allow pyrotechnics to be used in our club. And the video you just showed, Wolf, I mean I found it chilling to watch because it looks almost identical to the pyrotechnics that were used by Great White. So, you know that is something that will be of great interest to prosecutors.
But in fairness to the club owners, it will be also be of interest that apparently in other clubs around the East Coast Great White had used pyrotechnics without permission.
So these are the kind of detailed factual inquiries that investigators are going to have to do. And it is no surprise that they're doing it fast. In any kind of investigation, the sooner the better is usually the rule.
BLITZER: And when I spoke with Patrick Lynch, the attorney general of Rhode Island yesterday, he seemed to suggest that the band members, they're fully cooperating but that's not necessarily the case as far as the owners of the club, The Station. What does that say to you?
TOOBIN: Well, I was quite struck by that distinction, too. Just because someone's cooperating or not cooperating doesn't make them guilty or innocent.
But in the way lawyers talk, the club owners have lawyered up, in effect. They gave a very tearful press conference. But when it came to answering the real questions of investigators, they've said nothing. That will certainly whet the appetite of the investigators. But apparently their lawyers think their risk in making statements that could come back to haunt them is greater than the public support they could get by answering these questions. So it's very important.
BLITZER: They made a statement. They didn't answer any reporters' questions. Really wasn't a press conference. It was just basically a statement they made. We'll be watching this very closely and discussing it, you and me, and a lot of others in the coming days and weeks to come, I'm sure.
Jeffrey, stand by. We'll be getting back to you later this hour on another heart-wrenching case, a case of that young girl who had that double heart-lung transplant that ended in her death this weekend. Thanks, Jeffrey. We'll be back you to later.
Also, a heavy duty weapon that knocks out major targets without causing casualties. Find out how the U.S. military may use microwave power if, and it's still a big if, if a war breaks out with Iraq.
Plus, we'll have more on that 17-year-old girl who died after a botched transplant. Who was responsible?
And a former Klansman faces justice in connection with a failed plot to kill Martin Luther King Jr.
All that, but first, today's "News Quiz."
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BLITZER (voice-over): Gas masks were first issued to soldiers during what war? Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War? The answer coming up?
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BLITZER (voice-over): Earlier we asked -- gas masks were first issued to soldiers during what war? The answer, World War I. Allied troops were given cotton pads soaked in water or urine to protect against chlorine gas.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: If there is another war against Iraq, American battlefield forces possibly could be armed with a high tech weapon never before used in combat. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, looks at the weapon's advantages and disadvantages.
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BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. may be ready to unveil new high tech microwave weapons, powerful blasts of energy from Tomahawk cruise missiles, 2,000 pound bombs or armored vehicles. It's the same type of technology as your kitchen microwave, but hundreds of times more powerful with a capability to fry the electronics in Iraqi radars, missile batteries, bunkers and maybe even power plants and telephone exchanges across Baghdad.
The Pentagon won't acknowledge that these weapons exist, but there are hints. Three years ago the former director of the Air Force's high-powered microwave program wrote, "high power microwave technology is ready for transition to active weapons in the U.S. military." Much of the highly classified work is going on at this facility at Kirtland Air Force base in New Mexico, built especially to withstand microwave blasts.
Microwave weapons would wipe out electronics by generating a destructive power surge, much like what happens in a thunderstorm. The Air Force already has a microwave generator 10 times more powerful than the Hoover Dam. The key advantage, microwave weapons don't kill people. In Iraq, that means a military target could be safely destroyed even if it was surrounded by human shields.
But there are problems. The Pentagon has to shield its own fighter jets from microwave blasts or risk knocking them out of commission over enemy territory. And microwaves could also lead to the unintended consequence of damaging electronics in vital civilian areas.
(on camera): The U.S. is not publicly admitting that it has microwave weapons. But there are now clear signs that the technology is ready for use on the battlefield, opening the door to a new era in warfare.
Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
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BLITZER: And we're getting a story that's just coming in to us here at CNN. We're going to show you some live pictures from just outside McAdenville, North Carolina. There you have it courtesy of our affiliate, WCNC. Rescue crews are trying to reach two teenagers right now. The teens are stranded on a rock in the Southfork River.
One of the teens apparently had a cell phone, called out for help. Authorities say the river is moving swiftly because of heavy rain over the weekend. We're going to continue to monitor this rescue operation, get back to you, hopefully, with good news soon. This is happening in North Carolina right now, this rescue operation under way.
President Bush came out strongly against nation building before he got elected. But that's exactly what he may be in the works to have to do after a war against Iraq. We'll take a closer look at what lies ahead when we return.
Also, the transplant that went so terribly wrong. Should the doctors be held accountable? Plus...
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can run and you can hide. But we'll track you down. We'll just use somebody else's computer to do it.
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BLITZER: ... the fight against child porn. Police use high tech gear and old-fashioned detective work to track down predators. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no longer something happening at a distance, but now it was a catastrophe that was touching each one of our lives here in Rhode Island and far, far beyond. Not only were we overwhelmed by the magnitude of the suffering and death, but then, as it continued to unfold, it became even more personal, as so many learned that friends and acquaintances were directly involved. And yet, as we know in the midst of such extreme tragedy, we have also seen very moving examples of goodness and hope. We saw so many people reaching out to others to rescue them. We saw, and we continue to see public servants: policemen, firefighters, medical personnels, a good governor and first lady...
BLITZER: Poignant words coming from a memorial service, an interfaith memorial service taking play in Warwick, Rhode Island at St. Gregory, The Great Church, a memorial service in memory of the 97 victims of the nightclub fire last Thursday night in West Warwick, Rhode Island. We'll continue to go back and have live coverage from that memorial service.
But first, let's look at some other stories we're covering right now, including taking over the oil fields. Fire officials -- taking over the oil fields and rebuilding Baghdad. A look what the may follow a U.S. war against Iraq.
(NEWSBREAK)
BLITZER: The first shots in a war with Iraq haven't even been fired, but the Bush administration already is mapping out plans to rebuild the country if, if, Saddam Hussein is overthrown. Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, is joining us now with details on that -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: And already, Wolf, those plans are drawing some prior -- private relief organizations, who note that the U.S. spent $2 billion to move U.S. troops in position for war, complain that the U.S. has only spent a fraction of that, less than $25 million, to prepare for peace.
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KEN BACON, PRESIDENT, REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL: Weeks have gone by with no coordination whatsoever, which has made it very difficult for the humanitarian relief organizations to get organized and to figure out exactly what they should be doing to maximum humanitarian advantage.
MCINTYRE (voice-over): In a best-case scenario, the U.S. would win a quick victory and the U.S. military would be then be able to provide food and other assistance to the Iraqi people. But with as much as 60 percent of the Iraqi population relying on food programs, dropping rations from the sky as was done in Afghanistan is unlikely to be enough.
In the 1991 Gulf War, about 3,500 Iraqi civilians were killed, according to an estimate from one human rights group. But many more have died since from malnutrition and lack of medicine. That could be a big problem this time if, for instance, Iraq's water supply is contaminated.
BACON: That's why having a well organized humanitarian response ready at the earliest possible minute to go in is important because you can stop the post conflict deaths or suffering that frequently dwarf what happens during the conflict itself.
MCINTYRE: In a worst-case scenario, the U.S. could find itself having to deal with as many as 600,000 displaced Iraqis who might flee for safety in neighboring Iran or Turkey.
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MCINTYRE: Now, the Pentagon insists it is doing a lot of advance planning for what might come after a war with Iraq, including plans for a civil administrator, a U.S. official, plus an international effort to rebuild Iraq and rebuild its institutions. How long would this all take? Well, some Pentagon officials think it would take about two years and nobody, Wolf, is putting a price tag on what the rebuilding will cost.
BLITZER: And Jamie, amid all of this, the Kuwaiti authorities today arrested three Kuwaiti nationals supposedly in connection with a terrorist plot. What's going on in that part?
MCINTYRE: Well, let me just say that they were arrested yesterday after being under surveillance. They're believed to be Muslim extremists, three Kuwaitis. An announcement by the Interior Ministry, they said -- it was said that they were captured with weapons and explosives and they're being held by the Kuwaiti government.
BLITZER: Supposedly -- apparently, according to the Kuwaiti news agency, looking to go after U.S. troops, 100,000 U.S. troops already in Kuwait, more on the way. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thanks very much.
Let's move on to that tragic story in North Carolina. Medical examiners were conducting an autopsy today on the body of 17-year-old Jesica Santillan. Jesica died over weekend after her second heart- lung transplant. She received incompatible organs during the first transplant. A lawyer says the family will discuss possible legal action after the medical investigation is completed. Once again, our legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin, is joining us to take a look at this legal case that's already unfolding.
Jeffrey, I guess they have a tremendous legal case on their hands if they want to file suit against someone, Duke University, the doctors. If you're a lawyer representing the family of this young girl, you probably have a good case.
TOOBIN: And they are chomping at the bit, you can tell, to file this case. And this case is an interesting illustration of the difference between the laws on the book and the laws in the real world. You know, on the books, this is actually a somewhat difficult case because Jesica was desperately ill. There is a clear chance she would have died anyway. There would be a difficult question about what her actual damages would have been, how much money was lost by the hospital's misconduct.
But in the real world, this is an extremely good case because she's a very sympathetic person, the community rallied around her. The hospital's mistake was egregious and very public. So you can bet that Duke University is going to try to settle this case and make it go away before it gets in the hands of a jury.
BLITZER: It's such a heart-wrenching case. Any jury looking at it, obviously, would provide a lot of money to the family. The fact though that this family was here, apparently, illegally, had snuck into the United States from Mexico -- they're not U.S. citizens, does that have any impact as far as the law is concerned when filing a lawsuit like this?
TOOBIN: It means -- it could affect damages. But in terms of the hospital's liability or lack of liability, there really is no relevance. You -- just because your patient happens to be an illegal immigrant doesn't mean you can commit malpractice on them. Again, it might matter in determining what the monetary damages will be. But in this case, the plaintiff, though she was an illegal immigrant or her estate, is so sympathetic that the hospital would certainly not want to take its chances with a North Carolina jury. At least that's how I see it.
BLITZER: Jeffrey Toobin, as usual, you help us understand these things a lot better. Thanks very much for that useful information.
I want to go back to those pictures that we're getting from McAdenville, North Carolina, that rescue operation that's underway right now. You're looking at these live pictures thanks to our affiliate, WCNC. Two young boys, apparently, stranded in the middle of this river. Authorities here on the scene looking like they're about to rescue these two young men and bring them to safety. We'll continue to watch these pictures.
We're also watching the memorial service in Rhode Island that is continuing, a memorial service in memory of the 97 victims of the Rhode Island nightclub fire. That is a heart-wrenching moment as well. We'll continue to watch that as well.
But when we come back, an explosion of child pornography on the Internet. Find out what police are doing to hunt down these cyber criminals. But first, a look at some other news making "Headlines Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): China quake. Hundreds are dead after an earthquake in western China. The magnitude 6.8 quake struck around breakfast time. More than 1,000 buildings collapsed in one village alone.
Philippines protest. Peace activists burned an American flag outside the U.S. embassy in Manila. Two hundred demonstrators turned out to protest possible war in the Persian Gulf and reports that U.S. troops might join combat operations against Philippine rebels.
New leader, same policy. South Korea's new president says he'll continue his predecessor's policy of trying to engage the north. Roh Moo-hyun begins his term tomorrow. Still defiant. A prominent Serbian politician traveled to the Netherlands to be tried by the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal but he's still talking tough. Goyaslav Shasha (ph) led paramilitary troops accused of atrocities in Croatia and Bosnia, but says he'll prove himself innocent and destroy the tribunal's credibility in the process.
Spice suspects. Five men accused of conspiring to kidnap former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, have been ordered held without bail. Their trial is expected to take place in London this year.
Chill of victory. Ten thousand spectators turned out for a Swiss tradition, The White Turf Championship. Thoroughbred horses from around the world race across a frozen lake pulling jockeys on skis.
And that's our look "Around the World."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(AUDIO/VIDEO GAP)
JEREMY GREENSTOCK, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: ... the framework for the complete disarmament of Iraq. And therefore, there needs to be a clear decision by the council that Iraq's response is inadequate under the terms of 1441. And 1441 is then clear about the serious consequences that would apply to Iraq if Iraq is not cooperating. And 1441 was unanimous in setting out those terms.
The bottom line is that after 12 years of defiance, deceit, and provocation, this still isn't the wholehearted change in Iraq's attitude that we have been looking for in 1441. President Saddam is determined to hang on to his WMD programs and that will not be allowed to stand.
Yes, we are asking hard decisions of the Council. Yes, members of the Council would much rather not be put in that position at this time. I can understand that. But, yes, also Iraq has a final chance to disarm willingly, voluntarily and peacefully if it takes the opportunity in 1441. And we want that peaceful answer -- the United Kingdom wants that peaceful answer. But, no, there is not much time left for us to wait for Iraq to take that step. Thank you.
QUESTION: If the prime minister gets a strong vote Wednesday in parliament, will the need for Britain, for this resolution, weaken? Do you need this resolution less than you right now if there's a strong...
GREENSTOCK: Not before that debate, no. Not before that debate, no. We don't need a decision on this resolution before that particular junction.
QUESTION: (OFF MIKE) on Wednesday -- on Thursday, will you need this resolution as much as you do today?
GREENSTOCK: As the prime minister has made perfectly clear this resolution is a strong political objective of the United Kingdom. It is not necessary in the terms you described.
QUESTION: ... and Germany and Russia today proposed a memorandum, which was more along the lines of Resolution 1284 with a longer period of strengthened inspections. Did you see this afternoon in the Security Council any room for a coming together of the two strongly diverging positions we've seen offer the past month?
GREENSTOCK: We've seen -- we saw this afternoon a lot of desire for that. But we didn't have a substantial discussion. That's what we will have later in the week. The problem about the memorandum and its wish for a much longer period of inspections under Resolution 1284 is that it sets aside the extra pressure, which has been produced by 1441.
Fourteen Forty-one had to deliver the inspectors on the ground that 1284 depends on. And inspections, however reinforced, without full cooperation, are like a ship without fuel. It's been tossed around on the waves and it's not getting to port. Cooperation is essential for the plan in the memorandum to work.
In the back.
QUESTION: You said just before that there is not much more time left. Exactly how much time are you willing to wait? You said in your speaking notes that there is an opportunity to take the right choice. How much time is there for that choice to be made? When will you ask this to be voted on? And is there any chance at all that the memorandum that Mark (ph) just spoke of could in any way be woven into your draft? It seems like you've shut the door on any real negotiation on the text of your draft.
GREENSTOCK: We haven't shut the door on this. I've made it very clear that it's not closed to amendment. But what has got to electrify the atmosphere for change is a complete change of attitude by Iraq. And if that does not happen, then we're not going to go anywhere with any alternatives.
We haven't set a date because we're not setting an ultimatum in those terms. So my government has deliberately avoided that. But the kind of time that has been talked about in the media seems to me to be realistic.
QUESTION: One question -- a follow-up to this, the question of 1284 and 1441, there is a large number of six nations in the middle. Do you find it hard to convince them of the primacy of 1441 over 1284?
GREENSTOCK: I don't think that's the question, actually. I think there are members of the Security Council who would rather not be asked these questions on this timing, but there are realities out there, which mean we must have a final debate to make it clear that the Council has got to take some responsible decisions now. And I think the fact that we've put this text down will start to focus people's minds in a different way and change the character of the debate. That was the point of it.
QUESTION: Fourteen forty-one was co-sponsored by yourselves, the Americans. This time it's co-sponsored -- the draft resolution this time is co-sponsored by you, the Americans, and the Spanish. Can you tell us the importance of that, number one?
And number two, will you actually be seeking a middle ground with the Russians, the Germans and the French or basically you want to prevail with the military option?
GREENSTOCK: That second part of your question is slightly over complicated. We want maximum council consensus, all members if possible, for the pressure on Iraq to mount with consensus that they have not so far cooperated, because the sort of (UNINTELLIGIBLE), if you like, is hanging over them if they don't. So we're not looking for some votes here, some votes there. We want everybody to realize that the longer period of the same old pattern of inspectors not getting very far has got to stop and we've got move on.
(CROSSTALK)
GREENSTOCK: Spain co-sponsoring, they just -- they asked to join us and we welcomed it. So there's no more than that.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Saddam Hussein just gave an interview within the last few hours to Dan Rather. Excerpts will be released within the next 35 minutes. In the interview, based on their translation, he is saying that they will not destroy the Al Samoud 2 missiles. If that is their official position, then what happens?
GREENSTOCK: I am not going to answer a hypothetical question. He's got until the first of March under the inspectors demand to begin that. And he says that today, I hope he'll change it by next Saturday. Let's see whether that happens.
QUESTION: How confident are you given the contentious atmosphere in the Council to get at least majority vote, on board?
GREENSTOCK: I want to see this debate change in character about the real options and about whether the Security Council can stay in control of this dossier or not. I'm wishing for that. Then, we can talk about whether people are coming to a decision on the basis of a real proposition and not have a rhetorical debate in circles about whatever's floating around. This is now getting pointed and real in terms of Council responsibility. Thank you very much.
BLITZER: Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the British ambassador to the United Nations, appealing, appealing for international support to keep the pressure on, to keep the pressure on, Saddam Hussein. Without that kind of international pressure, he says, the Iraqis will simply continue their game, as he calls it "cheat and retreat." We're going to continue to monitor those developments.
Much more coming up. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" right after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: Here are the results of our "Web Question." Forty-one percent of you say yes, 59 percent of you say no, President Bush can't get a second U.N. resolution. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" begins right now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Warns U.N. Has Reached Defining Moment>
Aired February 24, 2003 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, HOST (voice-over): Nightclub inferno. Rhode Island mourns as investigators try to find out who's at fault.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm concerned about justice for the families that are in great pain.
BLITZER: Showdown: Iraq. Looking for one last resolution.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have to bring this to an end.
BLITZER: President Bush warns the United Nations has reached a defining moment.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Is it going to be a body that means what it says?
BLITZER: Stop and search. We're on patrol with a U.S. destroyer in the Persian Gulf.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once we get on board, then we start to do paperwork.
BLITZER: And it sounds like science fiction. Could the U.S. use a secret microwave weapon against Iraq?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: It's Monday, February 24, 2003. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
You're looking at live pictures of Saint Gregory the Great church in Warwick, Rhode Island. There it is. A memorial service is now under way for the 97 Rhode Island nightclub victims. Throughout this hour, we'll have live coverage. Let's listen in just for a moment.
(SINGING)
BLITZER: Throughout this hour we'll be bringing you live coverage from this memorial service in Rhode Island. A heart wrenching moment for everyone in Rhode Island; indeed for people across the United States. We'll go back to Rhode Island shortly. But in the meantime, we're tracking several major developments in the showdown with Iraq against tough odds. The United States and Britain move ahead with a new U.N. resolution to clear the way for military action. Germany, France and Russia say they have a better idea, and the chief weapons inspector, Dr. Hans Blix, gives Iraq an ultimatum on missiles.
We'll go live to the White House and the State Department, but we begin with our senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth on the draft resolution now circulating in the Security Council -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, circulating right now behind closed doors, the United States, United Kingdom and Spain introducing this new resolution, the most interesting new line in it at the end. The resolution says that -- decides that Iraq has failed to take the final opportunity afforded to it in that resolution unanimously passed on November 8. This resolution saying that Iraq has failed to comply on disarmament issues, a large range of them. It always the existing Security Council resolutions at the time of the Gulf War, and thus says Iraq is in material breach, re-opening the way towards the possible military attack.
Behind closed doors, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte, has told the Security Council, quote, "we now believe it is abundantly clear that Iraq has refused to disarm and has no intention of doing so." Those were the three sponsors of the resolution walking in. There is China and France. They believe there is no need for a new resolution that would, in effect, authorize war.
The U.S. ambassador in his comments to the Council saying because of the failures outlined Iraq has failed to comply with the tests of truthfulness, cooperation and disarmament. British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock behind closed doors saying they're not asking for instant judgments, it is a serious subject, stakes are significant. They want the Council to take some time to make, quote, "the right choice." Here you're going to see the resolution, copies of it, being passed out.
Also, Hans Blix, chief weapons inspector, saying Iraq must start dismantling those Al Samoud 2 missiles starting by Saturday. They are still leaving the door open for talks on the pace of the destruction and the order of it, but the U.N. weapons inspectors want Iraq to start destroying those missiles starting this weekend -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Richard Roth at the U.N., we'll be checking in with you periodically. Thanks very much, Richard, for that information.
News of the rival proposal came from Berlin, where the German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, met with the French president, Jacques Chirac, who say they see nothing to justify a new Security Council resolution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACQUES CHIRAC, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): Of course we want Iraq to be disarmed, because Iraq represents a danger for the region and maybe for the world. But we consider that that disarmament should be done in a peaceful way, because whatever the assumption, morally, materially, humanly, politically, economically, war is always the worst of solutions. It's always a failure. It's always dramatic, and everything should be done to avoid it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Amid all of this, the CBS News anchor Dan Rather has landed an exclusive interview with the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader denies that the Al Samoud 2 missiles seen by U.N. inspectors as a violation of U.N. restrictions, and he also insists, according to CBS News, that the Iraqi leader is indicating he does not intend to destroy the missiles. CBS News is also reporting that Saddam Hussein is challenging President Bush to a live international television and radio debate. More on that upcoming.
The White House in the midst of all of this may view the upcoming battle of the Security Council as being more about the future of the U.N. than the future of Iraq. Let's go live to our senior White House correspondent John King for more on that -- John.
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the White House concedes it does not have the votes in the Security Council right now, but the administration says it is confident in the end it can get them. The target right now at the White House for a vote is two weeks from today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KING (voice-over): The president says the new resolution presents the Security Council with a defining challenge.
BUSH: To determine whether or not it is going to be relevant as the world confronts the threats to the 21st century. Is it going to be a body that means what it says? We certainly hope it does.
KING: But Mr. Bush also told the nation's governors he will disarm Saddam Hussein with or without Security Council backing, even if that means going against the tide of public opinion at home and around the world.
BUSH: The country expects leaders to lead. And that's exactly what we all are going to do. For the good of mankind, for the good of the American people.
KING: The chief weapons inspectors briefed the Security Council on Friday, March 7, and the administration then wants action on its new resolution. Monday, March 10 is a tentative target for the decisive vote. By then, the White House predicts Iraq will defy the inspectors and refuse to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles. But even if Iraq complies, the White House says it is far from enough.
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: If a criminal holds a gun to your head and takes one bullet out of the chamber, you still have to worry about all the rest of the bullets in the chamber, because they can kill you, too. KING: Germany and France are among those who still oppose the White House, but will face a tough choice in two weeks.
JOHN ALTERMAN, CSIS: If it is going to happen anyway, you might as well be on board and try to get some of the benefits from it instead of trying to show that you're going to object and then show yourself to be powerless and irrelevant. That doesn't win you anything.
KING: Twelve hours before the vote on Resolution 1441, the United States had just seven votes, but prevailed in the end 15-0.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: And as the diplomacy intensifies now, the war planning is advancing as well. Turkey's cabinet, after weeks of haggling, approved today a decision that allows tens of thousands of U.S. troops to go ashore and use Turkish military bases if there is a war -- Wolf.
BLITZER: John, getting back to Dan Rather's exclusive interview with Saddam Hussein, any White House reaction yet to the two points, the challenge for a live TV debate and the indication from Saddam Hussein, according to CBS News, that he has no intention of destroying those Al Samoud 2 missiles?
KING: Senior reaction on both fronts, Wolf. I talked to Dan Bartlett, the White House communications director. He says they do not view the debate challenge as a serious proposal here at the White House. Dan Bartlett saying, quote, "there is no debating what is required of him." Him being Saddam Hussein.
On the question of the Al Samoud 2 missiles, White House officials say that if that is Iraq's posture, that it refuses to comply with a direct demand from the chief U.N. weapons inspectors, that that might in the end make it easier for the United States to get those votes in the Security Council if Saddam Hussein is presented with a request from the inspectors and flat out says no -- Wolf.
BLITZER: John King at the White House. Thanks, John, very much.
Who is for this new U.N. Security Council resolution and who is against it? Our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel has been keeping a score card. She's joining me now live -- Andrea.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, at this moment, only four countries, including three of the sponsors, the U.S., the U.K. and Spain, support the resolution and are firmly in the yes column.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL (voice-over): Secretary of State Colin Powell in Beijing this week, to rally China's leaders behind a second U.N. resolution. Left China encouraged, said a senior State Department official, but without a guarantee of support. COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: This is not the time to step away from this responsibility. This is the time to disarm Iraq, one way or the other.
KOPPEL: And U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control John Bolton was in Moscow, also pressing the U.S. case. The strategy over the next two weeks, to convince China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, not to use it. But French President Jacques Chirac, standing shoulder to shoulder with Germany's chancellor said their governments and Russia's too would not rule out vetoing the resolution.
CHIRAC (through translator): We don't see its usefulness, and therefore we will not be in favor of it.
KING: Now, U.S. diplomacy is focused on securing the minimum nine out of 15 votes needed to pass a resolution from the Security Council's 10 rotating members. Last weekend, President Bush courted Spain's prime minister, Aznar, already a yes vote. Bush hopes Aznar will now use his clout to win over Latin American neighbors, Mexico and Chile, both undecided.
Another yes vote, Bulgaria, whose prime minister meets President Bush Tuesday. With Syria and Germany considered definite nos, that leaves six remaining Council members, three of them African countries, to win over. A senior State Department official telling CNN, "they're all in play."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: It is highly unusual to introduce a resolution without having already secured the yes votes ahead of time. But a senior administration official told us, Wolf, that you got to get moving sometime with the text and really they just want to get the ball rolling -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Andrea Koppel with the latest from the State Department. Thanks, Andrea, for that good information.
Here are some critical dates once again that could determine if and when the United States goes to war. You might want to mark your calendars.
This coming Saturday is the U.N. deadline for Iraq to start destroying its Al Samoud 2 missiles. On March 7, the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix gives an inspection progress report to the U.N. Security Council. During the week of March 10, the Security Council could vote on a new resolution declaring Iraq in further material breach of the earlier resolution, 1441, that was passed last November. We'll be watching all of those dates.
And here is your chance to weigh in on the story. Our "Web Question f the Day" is this, "If President Bush can't get a second U.N. resolution adopted, should he still go to war with Iraq?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote at Cnn.com/Wolf. While you're there, I'd like to hear from you. Send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.
BLITZER: Finger pointing over the Rhode Island nightclub fire. Are criminal charges coming anytime soon? We'll have the latest on the investigation.
Also, the memorial service, it's happening right now. We'll take you there live.
Plus, the United States taking over Iraqi oil fields? We'll take a closer look at what might happen after a war.
And fighting child pornography. Police battle against a digital explosion of exploitation.
But first, in case you were out enjoying yourself over the days off, here's "Our Weekend Snapshot."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Higher and higher. Gas prices jumped an average 7 cents a gallon over the past two weeks. According to the Lundberg Survey, the average price per gallon nationwide is about $1.70.
From snow to rain. After digging out from as much as four feet of snow last week, the Northeast was hit by rain, wind, sleet and fog and more snow. The weight of snow and rain caused the roof of a Toys "R" Us store to collapse in Lanham, Maryland, injuring nine people.
Rough flying. Strong winds knocked three army sky divers off course during a performance at a Nascar race in Rockingham, North Carolina. They were supposed to sail into the track area, but suffered hard landings. Officials said they were hospitalized in stable or good condition.
Deadly search. A Miami Beach police officer in an SUV ran over two French sisters sunbathing, killing one and leaving the other in critical condition. Officials say the accident happened as the officer was leave looking for robbery suspect on the crowded beach.
Protests versus protest. A Vietnam War veteran holding an American flag disrupted the protest of a basketball player for New York's Manhattanville College. It happened as senior Toni Smith, as she has been all season, turned her back to the flag during the national anthem. She says she's protesting what she called the inequalities in American society and the possible war against Iraq.
Blink of an eye. That's about how long it took Mike Tyson to knock out Clifford Etienne in their heavyweight fight in Memphis. Tyson floored Etienne just 49 seconds into the first round.
Not one, but five. That's how many Grammys newcomer Norah Jones won at the Grammy Awards. She carried off the prize for album and record of the year, best female pop vocal, best new artist and best pop album.
And that's "Our Weekend Snapshot."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: As we mentioned, a memorial service is taking place at this hour in a church in Warwick, Rhode Island, for the victims of last week's devastating nightclub fire. The identification of victims and the investigation into the fire, of course, continue.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is joining us now from West Warwick with the latest -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the identifications now have numbered 55 of the 97 bodies that they found. Of course, we've been watching bits and pieces of the memorial service.
The formal memorial service, one of two that is going to be held this evening. You see in back of me, however, the manifestation of the informal memorials, the spontaneous ones that have set up behind me at the site of that fire on Thursday night as an entire state goes through a period of mourning that is particularly difficult.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice-over): It is so tiny, the nation's smallest state, that residents consider Rhode Island one community, where everyone seems to know everyone else. This remarkable closeness means that the people of Rhode Island take this tragedy very personally, including the man who has visibly taken charge.
GOV. DON CARCIERI (R), RHODE ISLAND: All of the people coming together has just been overwhelming, the kind of support from every part of the community has just been uplifting. It's been an amazing thing.
FRANKEN: The emotions boil together, intense grief, helplessness, anger, a desire for accountability.
Officials refuse to confirm or deny reports that they got a warrant to search the home of a co-owner of the club, but neighbors say they saw police at the house. Investigators are trying to resolve the dispute over blame.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have a responsibility to look at facts, look at evidence.
JEFF DERDERIAN, STATION CO-OWNER: No permission was ever requested by the band or any of its agents to use pyrotechnics at The Station and no permission was ever given.
ED MCPHERSON, BAND'S ATTORNEY: Their position is that we never asked them, we never told them they knew nothing about this. And they just -- they're wrong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And the information, Wolf, continues to accumulate. Some other bands who have played here say that they used pyrotechnics. Other club owners around the country have said that the band, Great White, sometimes tried to use the indoor fireworks without letting them know.
But right now, there is a pause right now to express the sadness that everybody feels and particularly in this tight knit state. Everybody is feeling the suffering personally -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And people are bringing flowers and other mementos to where you are, the site of this horrible fire. Is that right, Bob?
FRANKEN: That is. The families, of course, yesterday, got visit the site for first time yesterday and they brought their own memorials. But there has been a steady stream ever since people were allowed in, including now, where people are just bringing flowers, Teddy bears, all that type of thing. It's one of those spontaneous demonstrations of sympathy that you see every once in a while and they're feeling a very close kinship with each other here in Rhode Island, being the type of state that it is.
BLITZER: It doesn't get much sadder than this. Bob Franken, thanks very much. We'll be getting back to you as we get more information. Thanks very much.
And as the investigation into last week's nightclub fire continues, legal questions, of course are already emerging.
To help answer some of the questions, we, of course, do go to our CNN legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin is joining us live from New York.
Jeffrey, I guess the criminal process is just beginning, but what are they doing in a situation like this if you're the attorney general of Rhode Island and you're looking for criminal responsibility, where do you begin?
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, I think they begin with the finger pointing that we've seen already. The question is who authorized, if anyone, the use of these pyrotechnics? Because clearly that's going to be the key to any sort of criminal liability here.
We have a conflicting story. But interestingly, Patrick Lynch, the attorney general, said this morning that the band was cooperating with the investigation, but the Derderians, the owners of the club, even though they had that tearful press conference, have not yet cooperated.
So -- and those are the people whose houses may have been searched today. So clearly they are focusing on the club owners at least for the moment.
BLITZER: All right, Jeffrey, stand by for a moment because the governor, Don Carcieri of Rhode Island is speaking at this memorial service now. I want to listen in.
CARCIERI: ... our whole nation and indeed much of the world. This terrible disaster has touched so many lives. We will be forever changed.
Our prayers, our love and our deep concern go out to all those families and friends who have lost a loved one. No words can fill the emptiness left by your loss. Those same prayers, love and concern go out to the hospitalized survivors and their families and friends who keep vigil over them. And we pray for all those survivors, many who are haunted by the images of the ordeal they witnessed.
Yet, in the midst of this pain and suffering, we must also acknowledge the heroic efforts, heroic efforts of so many who labored tirelessly to respond to this horror. We have seen our community unite like never before.
The firefighters, the rescue workers, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, clergy, Red Cross and so, so many, many more. A tremendous outpouring of support, sympathy and caring. This has been an entire state reaching out and embracing its own. For this, we are blessed.
You know, there is no explanation for what happened that can ever suffice. But maybe we can take some comfort in the words of Taeah Dae Shadan (ph). He said, "We are one, after all, you and I. Together we suffer, together exist. And forever we'll re-create, re-create each other."
It is that spirit of re-creation of each other that must sustain us in the time and days ahead. My God bless all of you and may God bless all of us.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would like to offer a prayer.
BLITZER: The governor of Rhode Island speaking at an interfaith memorial service that's under way right now in Warwick, Rhode Island, at St. Gregory, the Great Church, speaking movingly, passionately, emotionally about what is unthinkable, something that happened last Thursday night.
Let's get back to Jeffrey Toobin our legal analyst who is in New York. Jeffrey, it almost seems a little bit quick to start talking about the potential criminal behavior, criminal action on the part of law enforcement authorities in Rhode Island. But people there are talking about it very thoroughly. The attorney general, Patrick Lynch, is talking about it repeatedly.
We have some videotape, I want to show you and our viewers, Jeffrey, an earlier performance by a different band at this club, The Station, in which pyrotechnics were also used. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: All right. We know, Jeffrey, it's a small club, a nine foot ceiling. They don't have sprinkler systems. Obviously Great White was not the first band to use these fireworks in their act.
What, if anything, does the fact that there were earlier pyrotechnic displays there say if you're a prosecutor?
TOOBIN: Oh, I think it is highly significant evidence when you have the owners of the club saying we would never allow pyrotechnics to be used in our club. And the video you just showed, Wolf, I mean I found it chilling to watch because it looks almost identical to the pyrotechnics that were used by Great White. So, you know that is something that will be of great interest to prosecutors.
But in fairness to the club owners, it will be also be of interest that apparently in other clubs around the East Coast Great White had used pyrotechnics without permission.
So these are the kind of detailed factual inquiries that investigators are going to have to do. And it is no surprise that they're doing it fast. In any kind of investigation, the sooner the better is usually the rule.
BLITZER: And when I spoke with Patrick Lynch, the attorney general of Rhode Island yesterday, he seemed to suggest that the band members, they're fully cooperating but that's not necessarily the case as far as the owners of the club, The Station. What does that say to you?
TOOBIN: Well, I was quite struck by that distinction, too. Just because someone's cooperating or not cooperating doesn't make them guilty or innocent.
But in the way lawyers talk, the club owners have lawyered up, in effect. They gave a very tearful press conference. But when it came to answering the real questions of investigators, they've said nothing. That will certainly whet the appetite of the investigators. But apparently their lawyers think their risk in making statements that could come back to haunt them is greater than the public support they could get by answering these questions. So it's very important.
BLITZER: They made a statement. They didn't answer any reporters' questions. Really wasn't a press conference. It was just basically a statement they made. We'll be watching this very closely and discussing it, you and me, and a lot of others in the coming days and weeks to come, I'm sure.
Jeffrey, stand by. We'll be getting back to you later this hour on another heart-wrenching case, a case of that young girl who had that double heart-lung transplant that ended in her death this weekend. Thanks, Jeffrey. We'll be back you to later.
Also, a heavy duty weapon that knocks out major targets without causing casualties. Find out how the U.S. military may use microwave power if, and it's still a big if, if a war breaks out with Iraq.
Plus, we'll have more on that 17-year-old girl who died after a botched transplant. Who was responsible?
And a former Klansman faces justice in connection with a failed plot to kill Martin Luther King Jr.
All that, but first, today's "News Quiz."
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BLITZER (voice-over): Gas masks were first issued to soldiers during what war? Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War? The answer coming up?
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BLITZER (voice-over): Earlier we asked -- gas masks were first issued to soldiers during what war? The answer, World War I. Allied troops were given cotton pads soaked in water or urine to protect against chlorine gas.
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BLITZER: If there is another war against Iraq, American battlefield forces possibly could be armed with a high tech weapon never before used in combat. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, looks at the weapon's advantages and disadvantages.
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BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. may be ready to unveil new high tech microwave weapons, powerful blasts of energy from Tomahawk cruise missiles, 2,000 pound bombs or armored vehicles. It's the same type of technology as your kitchen microwave, but hundreds of times more powerful with a capability to fry the electronics in Iraqi radars, missile batteries, bunkers and maybe even power plants and telephone exchanges across Baghdad.
The Pentagon won't acknowledge that these weapons exist, but there are hints. Three years ago the former director of the Air Force's high-powered microwave program wrote, "high power microwave technology is ready for transition to active weapons in the U.S. military." Much of the highly classified work is going on at this facility at Kirtland Air Force base in New Mexico, built especially to withstand microwave blasts.
Microwave weapons would wipe out electronics by generating a destructive power surge, much like what happens in a thunderstorm. The Air Force already has a microwave generator 10 times more powerful than the Hoover Dam. The key advantage, microwave weapons don't kill people. In Iraq, that means a military target could be safely destroyed even if it was surrounded by human shields.
But there are problems. The Pentagon has to shield its own fighter jets from microwave blasts or risk knocking them out of commission over enemy territory. And microwaves could also lead to the unintended consequence of damaging electronics in vital civilian areas.
(on camera): The U.S. is not publicly admitting that it has microwave weapons. But there are now clear signs that the technology is ready for use on the battlefield, opening the door to a new era in warfare.
Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
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BLITZER: And we're getting a story that's just coming in to us here at CNN. We're going to show you some live pictures from just outside McAdenville, North Carolina. There you have it courtesy of our affiliate, WCNC. Rescue crews are trying to reach two teenagers right now. The teens are stranded on a rock in the Southfork River.
One of the teens apparently had a cell phone, called out for help. Authorities say the river is moving swiftly because of heavy rain over the weekend. We're going to continue to monitor this rescue operation, get back to you, hopefully, with good news soon. This is happening in North Carolina right now, this rescue operation under way.
President Bush came out strongly against nation building before he got elected. But that's exactly what he may be in the works to have to do after a war against Iraq. We'll take a closer look at what lies ahead when we return.
Also, the transplant that went so terribly wrong. Should the doctors be held accountable? Plus...
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can run and you can hide. But we'll track you down. We'll just use somebody else's computer to do it.
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BLITZER: ... the fight against child porn. Police use high tech gear and old-fashioned detective work to track down predators. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no longer something happening at a distance, but now it was a catastrophe that was touching each one of our lives here in Rhode Island and far, far beyond. Not only were we overwhelmed by the magnitude of the suffering and death, but then, as it continued to unfold, it became even more personal, as so many learned that friends and acquaintances were directly involved. And yet, as we know in the midst of such extreme tragedy, we have also seen very moving examples of goodness and hope. We saw so many people reaching out to others to rescue them. We saw, and we continue to see public servants: policemen, firefighters, medical personnels, a good governor and first lady...
BLITZER: Poignant words coming from a memorial service, an interfaith memorial service taking play in Warwick, Rhode Island at St. Gregory, The Great Church, a memorial service in memory of the 97 victims of the nightclub fire last Thursday night in West Warwick, Rhode Island. We'll continue to go back and have live coverage from that memorial service.
But first, let's look at some other stories we're covering right now, including taking over the oil fields. Fire officials -- taking over the oil fields and rebuilding Baghdad. A look what the may follow a U.S. war against Iraq.
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BLITZER: The first shots in a war with Iraq haven't even been fired, but the Bush administration already is mapping out plans to rebuild the country if, if, Saddam Hussein is overthrown. Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, is joining us now with details on that -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: And already, Wolf, those plans are drawing some prior -- private relief organizations, who note that the U.S. spent $2 billion to move U.S. troops in position for war, complain that the U.S. has only spent a fraction of that, less than $25 million, to prepare for peace.
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KEN BACON, PRESIDENT, REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL: Weeks have gone by with no coordination whatsoever, which has made it very difficult for the humanitarian relief organizations to get organized and to figure out exactly what they should be doing to maximum humanitarian advantage.
MCINTYRE (voice-over): In a best-case scenario, the U.S. would win a quick victory and the U.S. military would be then be able to provide food and other assistance to the Iraqi people. But with as much as 60 percent of the Iraqi population relying on food programs, dropping rations from the sky as was done in Afghanistan is unlikely to be enough.
In the 1991 Gulf War, about 3,500 Iraqi civilians were killed, according to an estimate from one human rights group. But many more have died since from malnutrition and lack of medicine. That could be a big problem this time if, for instance, Iraq's water supply is contaminated.
BACON: That's why having a well organized humanitarian response ready at the earliest possible minute to go in is important because you can stop the post conflict deaths or suffering that frequently dwarf what happens during the conflict itself.
MCINTYRE: In a worst-case scenario, the U.S. could find itself having to deal with as many as 600,000 displaced Iraqis who might flee for safety in neighboring Iran or Turkey.
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MCINTYRE: Now, the Pentagon insists it is doing a lot of advance planning for what might come after a war with Iraq, including plans for a civil administrator, a U.S. official, plus an international effort to rebuild Iraq and rebuild its institutions. How long would this all take? Well, some Pentagon officials think it would take about two years and nobody, Wolf, is putting a price tag on what the rebuilding will cost.
BLITZER: And Jamie, amid all of this, the Kuwaiti authorities today arrested three Kuwaiti nationals supposedly in connection with a terrorist plot. What's going on in that part?
MCINTYRE: Well, let me just say that they were arrested yesterday after being under surveillance. They're believed to be Muslim extremists, three Kuwaitis. An announcement by the Interior Ministry, they said -- it was said that they were captured with weapons and explosives and they're being held by the Kuwaiti government.
BLITZER: Supposedly -- apparently, according to the Kuwaiti news agency, looking to go after U.S. troops, 100,000 U.S. troops already in Kuwait, more on the way. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thanks very much.
Let's move on to that tragic story in North Carolina. Medical examiners were conducting an autopsy today on the body of 17-year-old Jesica Santillan. Jesica died over weekend after her second heart- lung transplant. She received incompatible organs during the first transplant. A lawyer says the family will discuss possible legal action after the medical investigation is completed. Once again, our legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin, is joining us to take a look at this legal case that's already unfolding.
Jeffrey, I guess they have a tremendous legal case on their hands if they want to file suit against someone, Duke University, the doctors. If you're a lawyer representing the family of this young girl, you probably have a good case.
TOOBIN: And they are chomping at the bit, you can tell, to file this case. And this case is an interesting illustration of the difference between the laws on the book and the laws in the real world. You know, on the books, this is actually a somewhat difficult case because Jesica was desperately ill. There is a clear chance she would have died anyway. There would be a difficult question about what her actual damages would have been, how much money was lost by the hospital's misconduct.
But in the real world, this is an extremely good case because she's a very sympathetic person, the community rallied around her. The hospital's mistake was egregious and very public. So you can bet that Duke University is going to try to settle this case and make it go away before it gets in the hands of a jury.
BLITZER: It's such a heart-wrenching case. Any jury looking at it, obviously, would provide a lot of money to the family. The fact though that this family was here, apparently, illegally, had snuck into the United States from Mexico -- they're not U.S. citizens, does that have any impact as far as the law is concerned when filing a lawsuit like this?
TOOBIN: It means -- it could affect damages. But in terms of the hospital's liability or lack of liability, there really is no relevance. You -- just because your patient happens to be an illegal immigrant doesn't mean you can commit malpractice on them. Again, it might matter in determining what the monetary damages will be. But in this case, the plaintiff, though she was an illegal immigrant or her estate, is so sympathetic that the hospital would certainly not want to take its chances with a North Carolina jury. At least that's how I see it.
BLITZER: Jeffrey Toobin, as usual, you help us understand these things a lot better. Thanks very much for that useful information.
I want to go back to those pictures that we're getting from McAdenville, North Carolina, that rescue operation that's underway right now. You're looking at these live pictures thanks to our affiliate, WCNC. Two young boys, apparently, stranded in the middle of this river. Authorities here on the scene looking like they're about to rescue these two young men and bring them to safety. We'll continue to watch these pictures.
We're also watching the memorial service in Rhode Island that is continuing, a memorial service in memory of the 97 victims of the Rhode Island nightclub fire. That is a heart-wrenching moment as well. We'll continue to watch that as well.
But when we come back, an explosion of child pornography on the Internet. Find out what police are doing to hunt down these cyber criminals. But first, a look at some other news making "Headlines Around the World."
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BLITZER (voice-over): China quake. Hundreds are dead after an earthquake in western China. The magnitude 6.8 quake struck around breakfast time. More than 1,000 buildings collapsed in one village alone.
Philippines protest. Peace activists burned an American flag outside the U.S. embassy in Manila. Two hundred demonstrators turned out to protest possible war in the Persian Gulf and reports that U.S. troops might join combat operations against Philippine rebels.
New leader, same policy. South Korea's new president says he'll continue his predecessor's policy of trying to engage the north. Roh Moo-hyun begins his term tomorrow. Still defiant. A prominent Serbian politician traveled to the Netherlands to be tried by the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal but he's still talking tough. Goyaslav Shasha (ph) led paramilitary troops accused of atrocities in Croatia and Bosnia, but says he'll prove himself innocent and destroy the tribunal's credibility in the process.
Spice suspects. Five men accused of conspiring to kidnap former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, have been ordered held without bail. Their trial is expected to take place in London this year.
Chill of victory. Ten thousand spectators turned out for a Swiss tradition, The White Turf Championship. Thoroughbred horses from around the world race across a frozen lake pulling jockeys on skis.
And that's our look "Around the World."
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JEREMY GREENSTOCK, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: ... the framework for the complete disarmament of Iraq. And therefore, there needs to be a clear decision by the council that Iraq's response is inadequate under the terms of 1441. And 1441 is then clear about the serious consequences that would apply to Iraq if Iraq is not cooperating. And 1441 was unanimous in setting out those terms.
The bottom line is that after 12 years of defiance, deceit, and provocation, this still isn't the wholehearted change in Iraq's attitude that we have been looking for in 1441. President Saddam is determined to hang on to his WMD programs and that will not be allowed to stand.
Yes, we are asking hard decisions of the Council. Yes, members of the Council would much rather not be put in that position at this time. I can understand that. But, yes, also Iraq has a final chance to disarm willingly, voluntarily and peacefully if it takes the opportunity in 1441. And we want that peaceful answer -- the United Kingdom wants that peaceful answer. But, no, there is not much time left for us to wait for Iraq to take that step. Thank you.
QUESTION: If the prime minister gets a strong vote Wednesday in parliament, will the need for Britain, for this resolution, weaken? Do you need this resolution less than you right now if there's a strong...
GREENSTOCK: Not before that debate, no. Not before that debate, no. We don't need a decision on this resolution before that particular junction.
QUESTION: (OFF MIKE) on Wednesday -- on Thursday, will you need this resolution as much as you do today?
GREENSTOCK: As the prime minister has made perfectly clear this resolution is a strong political objective of the United Kingdom. It is not necessary in the terms you described.
QUESTION: ... and Germany and Russia today proposed a memorandum, which was more along the lines of Resolution 1284 with a longer period of strengthened inspections. Did you see this afternoon in the Security Council any room for a coming together of the two strongly diverging positions we've seen offer the past month?
GREENSTOCK: We've seen -- we saw this afternoon a lot of desire for that. But we didn't have a substantial discussion. That's what we will have later in the week. The problem about the memorandum and its wish for a much longer period of inspections under Resolution 1284 is that it sets aside the extra pressure, which has been produced by 1441.
Fourteen Forty-one had to deliver the inspectors on the ground that 1284 depends on. And inspections, however reinforced, without full cooperation, are like a ship without fuel. It's been tossed around on the waves and it's not getting to port. Cooperation is essential for the plan in the memorandum to work.
In the back.
QUESTION: You said just before that there is not much more time left. Exactly how much time are you willing to wait? You said in your speaking notes that there is an opportunity to take the right choice. How much time is there for that choice to be made? When will you ask this to be voted on? And is there any chance at all that the memorandum that Mark (ph) just spoke of could in any way be woven into your draft? It seems like you've shut the door on any real negotiation on the text of your draft.
GREENSTOCK: We haven't shut the door on this. I've made it very clear that it's not closed to amendment. But what has got to electrify the atmosphere for change is a complete change of attitude by Iraq. And if that does not happen, then we're not going to go anywhere with any alternatives.
We haven't set a date because we're not setting an ultimatum in those terms. So my government has deliberately avoided that. But the kind of time that has been talked about in the media seems to me to be realistic.
QUESTION: One question -- a follow-up to this, the question of 1284 and 1441, there is a large number of six nations in the middle. Do you find it hard to convince them of the primacy of 1441 over 1284?
GREENSTOCK: I don't think that's the question, actually. I think there are members of the Security Council who would rather not be asked these questions on this timing, but there are realities out there, which mean we must have a final debate to make it clear that the Council has got to take some responsible decisions now. And I think the fact that we've put this text down will start to focus people's minds in a different way and change the character of the debate. That was the point of it.
QUESTION: Fourteen forty-one was co-sponsored by yourselves, the Americans. This time it's co-sponsored -- the draft resolution this time is co-sponsored by you, the Americans, and the Spanish. Can you tell us the importance of that, number one?
And number two, will you actually be seeking a middle ground with the Russians, the Germans and the French or basically you want to prevail with the military option?
GREENSTOCK: That second part of your question is slightly over complicated. We want maximum council consensus, all members if possible, for the pressure on Iraq to mount with consensus that they have not so far cooperated, because the sort of (UNINTELLIGIBLE), if you like, is hanging over them if they don't. So we're not looking for some votes here, some votes there. We want everybody to realize that the longer period of the same old pattern of inspectors not getting very far has got to stop and we've got move on.
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GREENSTOCK: Spain co-sponsoring, they just -- they asked to join us and we welcomed it. So there's no more than that.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Saddam Hussein just gave an interview within the last few hours to Dan Rather. Excerpts will be released within the next 35 minutes. In the interview, based on their translation, he is saying that they will not destroy the Al Samoud 2 missiles. If that is their official position, then what happens?
GREENSTOCK: I am not going to answer a hypothetical question. He's got until the first of March under the inspectors demand to begin that. And he says that today, I hope he'll change it by next Saturday. Let's see whether that happens.
QUESTION: How confident are you given the contentious atmosphere in the Council to get at least majority vote, on board?
GREENSTOCK: I want to see this debate change in character about the real options and about whether the Security Council can stay in control of this dossier or not. I'm wishing for that. Then, we can talk about whether people are coming to a decision on the basis of a real proposition and not have a rhetorical debate in circles about whatever's floating around. This is now getting pointed and real in terms of Council responsibility. Thank you very much.
BLITZER: Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the British ambassador to the United Nations, appealing, appealing for international support to keep the pressure on, to keep the pressure on, Saddam Hussein. Without that kind of international pressure, he says, the Iraqis will simply continue their game, as he calls it "cheat and retreat." We're going to continue to monitor those developments.
Much more coming up. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" right after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: Here are the results of our "Web Question." Forty-one percent of you say yes, 59 percent of you say no, President Bush can't get a second U.N. resolution. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" begins right now.
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