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Memorial Service Tomorrow for Nick Berg; Food Allergy Sufferers Want Clearer Labeling

Aired May 13, 2004 - 11:40   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.


BETTY NGUYEN, ANCHOR: I'm Betty Nguyen at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Let's check the headline at this hour.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is addressing U.S. troops in Iraq today. Earlier, he toured the Abu Ghraib prison, where the now infamous photos of prisoner abuse were taken.

Rumsfeld told reporter he didn't make the surprise visit to throw water on any fires, but to make sure detainees are treated right and soldiers behave.

Israeli helicopters strike targets in Gaza in the ongoing spiral of violence. Palestinian sources say 10 people were killed in two separate attacks. Violence in Gaza this week has claimed the lives of at least 33 Palestinians and 11 Israeli troops. The fighting has intensified debate over Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from Gaza.

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice addresses graduating seniors at Vanderbilt University. Rice is the keynote speaker for the school's senior class day activities. Vanderbilt holds its commencement ceremonies tomorrow.

Former Iraq hostage Thomas Hamill threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Houston Astros game, using his wounded arm. And the fan, well, they loved it. They gave him a standing ovation.

And several Texas high school students are among those facing charges for this street fight that broke out in suburban Dallas a couple months ago. Garland (ph) police say gangs arranged the fights through an Internet chat room. Thirty-four people ages 14 to 21 face indictments for rioting and aggravated assaults.

Well, a memorial service is planned tomorrow for American Nick Berg, killed in a brutal video display in Iraq.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa is outside the Berg home in West Chester, Pennsylvania, this morning with the latest -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Betty.

Well, a very emotional morning here in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

And Michael Berg, Nick Berg's father, emerging after three days of silence and seclusion to speak to reporters this morning, saying that his son's only addiction was that he wanted to climb to high places, and saying that al Qaeda didn't know what they were doing when they killed him, that they killed a best friend of Iraq, which was a young man, he said, that went to build, not to tear it down.

He said, "My son only saw the good in people. Perhaps he only saw the good in his captors, up until the last moments."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL BERG, NICK BERG'S FATHER: The al Qaeda that killed my son didn't know what they were doing. They killed their best friend. Nick was there to build Iraq, not to tear it down. He was there to help people, not to hurt anyone.

My son quit the Boy Scouts of America because they wanted to take us to Dover Air Force Base, ironically, and teach him to fire a handgun, and he wouldn't do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HINOJOSA: Now, late last night, Michael Berg, who had -- very publicly talking about the differences in political opinions that he had with his son. His son was very much supportive of this war and President Bush. Michael Berg, the father, not at all.

Came out last night and put up a sign that said "War is not the answer." He put this up on his front lawn. At some point today, the sister came and took that sign down.

Now, some other interesting information that's emerging out of Iraq. CNN has located some people who were with Nick Berg after he was released on April 6. And these friends, people who he knew, said that Nick Berg told them that he believed he was being held by coalition forces in Iraq, saying that he had been arrested by police in Mosul, perhaps because they suspected he might be a spy, because he had a Jewish last name, because he had an Israeli stamp in his passport.

And he believed that he was arrested by Iraqi police in Mosul and then handed over to U.S. authorities. This, of course, in contradiction to what U.S. authorities said last night, when they said that he was not at all under U.S. custody at any time in Iraq.

This all coming -- all of this confusion and murkiness, very difficult for the family, as they're planning a memorial service that will be for family and friends of Nick Berg. That will be held tomorrow.

Again, a lot of questions in this story. But certainly a tremendous amount of pain and sorrow for the Berg family -- Betty.

NGUYEN: No doubt. But with this confusion, any indication as to how the family plans on getting some answers?

HINOJOSA: Well, we -- when we spoke to Michael Berg this morning, we asked hip, "Has anyone from the U.S. government gotten in touch with you, perhaps to answer these questions?"

And the father said he's only heard from one U.S. senator. So he has not apparently been called by any officials to try to get any clarification on these many, many issues.

All right. CNN's Maria Hinojosa, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Thank you.

The video of Nick Berg's brutal death is juxtaposed against the images of Iraqi prisoner mistreatment. It's a distinction not lost on some senators, who viewed the latest materials from the Pentagon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON (R), TEXAS: I think that we must also keep our eye on the ball, that we are facing an enemy that would execute someone on videotape. There is nothing like in -- in what we have seen. We have seen a violation of our moral conduct and standards, but we have not seen the viciousness of the animals who would kill someone on videotape.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: After viewing the latest images, some senators recommended not making them public at this time.

Stay tuned, there's more LIVE TODAY coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: In health news, researchers say a less invasive form of colon cancer surgery has proven just as effective as the conventional procedure.

Keyhole, or laparoscopic surgery, involves small incisions and a small video camera. In conventional colon cancer surgery, doctors make an eight-inch cut down the abdomen.

The 10-year study compared survival rates, tumor recurrence and surgical complications. Researchers found identical success rates, and patients who had laparoscopic surgery had less pain and shorter hospital stays.

Reading labels can help you make more nutritious food choice. But for some who suffer from food allergies, label reading can be a life or death necessity.

CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has details in our daily dose of health news.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When 11-year- old Sam Gilman reaches for a snack, he knows what to do.

SAM GILMAN, FOOD ALLERGY SUFFERER: Basically, you have to read it from bottom to top and backwards, because that way you concentrate word for word.

GUPTA: And not miss even a trace amount of anything, because that could be deadly. You see, Sam has food allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame and poppy seeds and shellfish.

GILMAN: I go into anaphylactic shock and worse case scenario, I could die.

GUPTA: Like others with life-threatening allergies, Sam has lots of an antibody called IGE. If he is even remotely exposure to an allergen, chemicals are released in the body that cause a frightening reaction.

ANNE MUDOZ-FURLONG, ALLERGY AND ANAPHYLAXIS NETWORK: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or the tongue, the throat. It can hit the gastrointestinal system with vomiting, cramping, diarrhea. You can have hives on your arms or all over your body. In severe reactions, it can cause a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and death.

GUPTA: Sam is not alone. According to the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, five years ago, five million Americans suffered from food allergy. Today, the number exceeds 11 million. It's unclear why.

MUDOZ-FURLONG: One of the theories is that perhaps we've changed the way we live. Our homes are cleaner. Our immune system doesn't have anything to do. And for some people, it's developing allergies.

GUPTA: For those with food allergies, avoidance is currently the only option.

MILMAN: This is OK.

GUPTA: But avoiding allergens is not always easy. Sometimes it also involves learning a new language. For example, lacto globulin and casin (ph) equal milk. Spelt and setin (ph), that equals wheat.

REP. NITA LOWEY (D), NEW YORK: A language they use, instead of talking English, they talk this fancy science talk.

GUPTA: So confusing in fact that in March, legislation passed the Senate to force food manufacturers to more clearly label their products. The bill goes to the house next.

ANDY GILMAN, SAM'S FATHER: Can you just tell me what's in the artichoke salad?

GUPTA: Like many people, Sam and his family first learned about his allergies when he almost died as an infant. Today, they take no chances.

A. GILMAN: We've been lucky and we haven't had another incident like the first one where we've had to -- but that doesn't mean you can relax your guard at anytime.

GUPTA: Good advice. Because although researchers are working on immunization, no cure exists as of yet.

Doctor Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Now to get your daily dose of health news online, all you have to do is check out our web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library, and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

(STOCK REPORT)

NGUYEN: Weather is next. So don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: That's going to do it for CNN LIVE TODAY. Do stay with us. Wolf Blitzer is back after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired May 13, 2004 - 11:40   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, ANCHOR: I'm Betty Nguyen at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Let's check the headline at this hour.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is addressing U.S. troops in Iraq today. Earlier, he toured the Abu Ghraib prison, where the now infamous photos of prisoner abuse were taken.

Rumsfeld told reporter he didn't make the surprise visit to throw water on any fires, but to make sure detainees are treated right and soldiers behave.

Israeli helicopters strike targets in Gaza in the ongoing spiral of violence. Palestinian sources say 10 people were killed in two separate attacks. Violence in Gaza this week has claimed the lives of at least 33 Palestinians and 11 Israeli troops. The fighting has intensified debate over Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from Gaza.

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice addresses graduating seniors at Vanderbilt University. Rice is the keynote speaker for the school's senior class day activities. Vanderbilt holds its commencement ceremonies tomorrow.

Former Iraq hostage Thomas Hamill threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Houston Astros game, using his wounded arm. And the fan, well, they loved it. They gave him a standing ovation.

And several Texas high school students are among those facing charges for this street fight that broke out in suburban Dallas a couple months ago. Garland (ph) police say gangs arranged the fights through an Internet chat room. Thirty-four people ages 14 to 21 face indictments for rioting and aggravated assaults.

Well, a memorial service is planned tomorrow for American Nick Berg, killed in a brutal video display in Iraq.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa is outside the Berg home in West Chester, Pennsylvania, this morning with the latest -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Betty.

Well, a very emotional morning here in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

And Michael Berg, Nick Berg's father, emerging after three days of silence and seclusion to speak to reporters this morning, saying that his son's only addiction was that he wanted to climb to high places, and saying that al Qaeda didn't know what they were doing when they killed him, that they killed a best friend of Iraq, which was a young man, he said, that went to build, not to tear it down.

He said, "My son only saw the good in people. Perhaps he only saw the good in his captors, up until the last moments."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL BERG, NICK BERG'S FATHER: The al Qaeda that killed my son didn't know what they were doing. They killed their best friend. Nick was there to build Iraq, not to tear it down. He was there to help people, not to hurt anyone.

My son quit the Boy Scouts of America because they wanted to take us to Dover Air Force Base, ironically, and teach him to fire a handgun, and he wouldn't do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HINOJOSA: Now, late last night, Michael Berg, who had -- very publicly talking about the differences in political opinions that he had with his son. His son was very much supportive of this war and President Bush. Michael Berg, the father, not at all.

Came out last night and put up a sign that said "War is not the answer." He put this up on his front lawn. At some point today, the sister came and took that sign down.

Now, some other interesting information that's emerging out of Iraq. CNN has located some people who were with Nick Berg after he was released on April 6. And these friends, people who he knew, said that Nick Berg told them that he believed he was being held by coalition forces in Iraq, saying that he had been arrested by police in Mosul, perhaps because they suspected he might be a spy, because he had a Jewish last name, because he had an Israeli stamp in his passport.

And he believed that he was arrested by Iraqi police in Mosul and then handed over to U.S. authorities. This, of course, in contradiction to what U.S. authorities said last night, when they said that he was not at all under U.S. custody at any time in Iraq.

This all coming -- all of this confusion and murkiness, very difficult for the family, as they're planning a memorial service that will be for family and friends of Nick Berg. That will be held tomorrow.

Again, a lot of questions in this story. But certainly a tremendous amount of pain and sorrow for the Berg family -- Betty.

NGUYEN: No doubt. But with this confusion, any indication as to how the family plans on getting some answers?

HINOJOSA: Well, we -- when we spoke to Michael Berg this morning, we asked hip, "Has anyone from the U.S. government gotten in touch with you, perhaps to answer these questions?"

And the father said he's only heard from one U.S. senator. So he has not apparently been called by any officials to try to get any clarification on these many, many issues.

All right. CNN's Maria Hinojosa, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Thank you.

The video of Nick Berg's brutal death is juxtaposed against the images of Iraqi prisoner mistreatment. It's a distinction not lost on some senators, who viewed the latest materials from the Pentagon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON (R), TEXAS: I think that we must also keep our eye on the ball, that we are facing an enemy that would execute someone on videotape. There is nothing like in -- in what we have seen. We have seen a violation of our moral conduct and standards, but we have not seen the viciousness of the animals who would kill someone on videotape.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: After viewing the latest images, some senators recommended not making them public at this time.

Stay tuned, there's more LIVE TODAY coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: In health news, researchers say a less invasive form of colon cancer surgery has proven just as effective as the conventional procedure.

Keyhole, or laparoscopic surgery, involves small incisions and a small video camera. In conventional colon cancer surgery, doctors make an eight-inch cut down the abdomen.

The 10-year study compared survival rates, tumor recurrence and surgical complications. Researchers found identical success rates, and patients who had laparoscopic surgery had less pain and shorter hospital stays.

Reading labels can help you make more nutritious food choice. But for some who suffer from food allergies, label reading can be a life or death necessity.

CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has details in our daily dose of health news.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When 11-year- old Sam Gilman reaches for a snack, he knows what to do.

SAM GILMAN, FOOD ALLERGY SUFFERER: Basically, you have to read it from bottom to top and backwards, because that way you concentrate word for word.

GUPTA: And not miss even a trace amount of anything, because that could be deadly. You see, Sam has food allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame and poppy seeds and shellfish.

GILMAN: I go into anaphylactic shock and worse case scenario, I could die.

GUPTA: Like others with life-threatening allergies, Sam has lots of an antibody called IGE. If he is even remotely exposure to an allergen, chemicals are released in the body that cause a frightening reaction.

ANNE MUDOZ-FURLONG, ALLERGY AND ANAPHYLAXIS NETWORK: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or the tongue, the throat. It can hit the gastrointestinal system with vomiting, cramping, diarrhea. You can have hives on your arms or all over your body. In severe reactions, it can cause a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and death.

GUPTA: Sam is not alone. According to the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, five years ago, five million Americans suffered from food allergy. Today, the number exceeds 11 million. It's unclear why.

MUDOZ-FURLONG: One of the theories is that perhaps we've changed the way we live. Our homes are cleaner. Our immune system doesn't have anything to do. And for some people, it's developing allergies.

GUPTA: For those with food allergies, avoidance is currently the only option.

MILMAN: This is OK.

GUPTA: But avoiding allergens is not always easy. Sometimes it also involves learning a new language. For example, lacto globulin and casin (ph) equal milk. Spelt and setin (ph), that equals wheat.

REP. NITA LOWEY (D), NEW YORK: A language they use, instead of talking English, they talk this fancy science talk.

GUPTA: So confusing in fact that in March, legislation passed the Senate to force food manufacturers to more clearly label their products. The bill goes to the house next.

ANDY GILMAN, SAM'S FATHER: Can you just tell me what's in the artichoke salad?

GUPTA: Like many people, Sam and his family first learned about his allergies when he almost died as an infant. Today, they take no chances.

A. GILMAN: We've been lucky and we haven't had another incident like the first one where we've had to -- but that doesn't mean you can relax your guard at anytime.

GUPTA: Good advice. Because although researchers are working on immunization, no cure exists as of yet.

Doctor Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Now to get your daily dose of health news online, all you have to do is check out our web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library, and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

(STOCK REPORT)

NGUYEN: Weather is next. So don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: That's going to do it for CNN LIVE TODAY. Do stay with us. Wolf Blitzer is back after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com