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CNN Live Sunday
Mortar Fire Targets U.N. Peacekeeper In Afghanistan; 5 Killed When Ceiling Collapsed In Paris Airport
Aired May 23, 2004 - 16:00 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Amazing video of one twister in Nebraska as tornadoes tear through the midwest.
Plus, gas prices going higher and higher. Could it mean the end of the SUV craze?
And pack your bags and put on your poker face, we're going to Los Vegas for the world series of poker.
Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. All that and more after a look at the headlines.
Lieutenant General Richardo Sanchez is denying he was present during times of prisoner abuse or interrogations in Iraq. "The Washington Post" is reporting a different story. "The Post" reports that a lawyer for one of the soldier ys says a captain at Abu Ghraib Prison told him Sanchez knew what was going on.
More violence in the Middle East today. Two Palestinians were killed and three others were wounded when a car exploded in Nablus (ph). Security officials in the West Bank town say the two dead men are members of Hamas. It's not clear what caused the blast.
Unrest in the Middle East and the prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq on on the minds of Arab leader in Tunisia today. The leaders called for a resumption of Palestinian/Israeli peace talks. They also condemned the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.
Terminal tragedy at a Paris airport today. Concrete, glass and steel girders came crashing down when a section of the roof at Charles de Gaulle Airport collapsed. At least five people were killed and three others wounded when the vaulted ceiling on a newly constructed terminal caved in.
Parts of the Midwest are under tornado and thunderstorm watches in a third day of rough spring weather. Nebraska is under a state of emergency after more than a dozen tornadoes struck yesterday killing at least one person. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras is in the CNN center following the latest conditions -- Jacqui.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Fredricka, yes, conditions are favorable for more severe weather for today. Right now no rotation out there at this time, so no tornado warnings. But we do have several watch boxes, areas that we are concerned about for today, particularly this one that covers parts Missouri, over into Illinois and Southeastern parts of Iowa. This has been labeled a dangerous situation. We're expecting the potential for super cell-type thunderstorms that do spawn tornadoes.
Also, tornado watches in effect, which including the Chicagoland area and also just to the north of Indianapolis. The one that did include Indianapolis and down to the south has now been canceled a little bit early. That's good news.
OK, the PBS, or the particularly dangerous situation, the watch box we're looking at here just starting to see some thunderstorm development here to the west of Columbia. Columbia into Boone County here you are under a severe thunderstorm warning. You can expect to see strong sguss with this thunderstorm up to 60 miles per hour and also some large hail. These are pushing off to the northeast, along I-70. So, travel not going to be good across eastern parts of Missouri for today.
We'll take you into Indiana now. tHere's your canceled watch Box. Mostly your garden variety thunderstorms south. But something to keep in mind when there's a tornado watch it means conditions are favorable for a tornado and and near the watch box area. So, even though you may not be technically in the watch box, look out in Lafayette because the potential, I think, will exist here this afternoon and into the evening hours.
Now, there are no watches across parts of the southeast, but we do have a slight risk of seeing thunderstorms here. We've had a couple warnings across parts of North and South Carolina. These are kind of impulse or pulse thunderstorms which are popping on up with the daytime heating. They may be producing smoe gusty winds and some hail here. So, be aware, even though you do not have watch boxes, you're going to see hit and miss thunderstorms, some which could be on the strong side.
Our moderate risk, though, is going to be parts of Illinois and Indiana and Southern Michigan. The slight risk extend into the northeast, especially as we head into the overnight hours for tonight with a slight risk of severe thunderstorms. And it looks like our pattern's finally going to calm down a little bit, I think, by the middle of the week. So Wednesday should be a better day, but it looks like another couple days with severe weather. We'll keep you up to date -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Thanks a lot, Jacqui.
Well, coming up in 15 minutes we will talk with Nebraska's governor who toured a town heavily damaged by a tornado late yesterday.
Well, turning now to Afghanistan. U.N. peacekeepers in Kabul were targeted today by rocket propelled grenades today, one blast hit near bases housing U.S. and Afghan troops. At least two peacekeepers were injured. Ryan Chilcote is in Kabul with more on the attack -- Ryan.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The U.N's peacekeepers here in Afghanistan, right now, actually can't say whether those service people working for the U.N. were wounded or killed in that attack. All they can say at this point is that they have two casualties as a result of that rocket attack.
Again, that was three rockets that hit the Jalalabad road. Taht's the road that heads east out of Afghanistan's capital Kabul towards the city of Jalalabad in the direction of Pakistan. It is also where the U.N. has its headquarters and a lot of -- there are a lot of U.S. military and other countries' military bases.
Now, this comes against the backdrop of rising violence just since Thursday, eight U.S. servicemen wounded here in Afghanistan. And all this, of course, Fredricka, coming at a very anxious time in this country, coming up on presidential elections here in September. Those elections were already pushed back because of concerns about security and the inability to get voters in this country for their very first election registered in that have been insecure environment -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Ryan Chilcote in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thanks very much.
We're getting more details about the overnight raid in Kufa, Iraq. The stronghold of radical cleric Muqtada al-sadr, a hospital official there says 29 people were killed and dozens more wounded.
The U.S. military confirms 16 deaths from the incursion which ended early this morning. CNN's Jane Arraf, embedded with the troops, said they confiscated several large caches of weapons but she says the raid did not appear aimed at capturing Sadr.
In Karbala, the U.S. military says it captured ten members of Sadr's militia overnight, but denies reports that a cease fire deal has been reached with the insurgents. Residents there have returned to the streets and are now rebuilding their damaged homes.
Also in Iraq today, three American soldiers were wounded when an improvised explosive went off near Fallujah.
Well, less than a year ago he looked like America's hand-picked successor to Saddam Hussein, but now Ahmed Chalabi has gone into selfdefense mode, spending much of his time defending his integrity. Today interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer was case in point. CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us from Washington with details now -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fredricka. Ahmed Chalabi once enjoyed a prominent place among some of Washington's elite. It was just four months ago that he sat behind First Lady Laura Bush at the president's State of the Union Address, now he finds himself defending his reputation amidst accusations that he shared U.S. secrets with Iran.
Chalabi was a one-time favorite of the Pentagon in the run-up to the Iraq War. He heads up the dissident Iraqi Natural Congress, a group which advocated war to oust Saddam Hussein, helped gather intelligence for the U.S. and until this month, was on the U.S.'s pay- roll, receiving more than $30 million in all.
Now, Chalabi is also a member of the Iraqi Governing Council, but now Chalabi says he is the victim of a CIA smear campaign and denies allegations that he spied for Iran.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AHMED CHALABI, ACCUSED OF SELLING U.S. INTELLIGENCE: That's a false charge. We never provided any classified information from the U.S. to Iran, and neither I nor anyone in the INC. And that is a charge being put out by George Tenet.
I say, let him bring all his charges, all his documents. We also will bring all our charges and all our documents to the U.S. Congress and let Congress have hearings and resolve this issue. We believe that the Congress is the place to resolve this issue and I think our record will be cleared.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: But some lawmakers question what a congressional hearing will accomplish. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat member of the Intelligence Committee, appearing on CNN'S "LATE EDITION" had this reaction when asked about Chalabi.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN, (D) CALIFORNIA: I think he's a manipulator. I don't believe he's a man that you can trust. I think we made a horrendous mistake in providing him with tens of millions of dollars. And enabling him to build a core of infiltraters, allegedly to give us intelligence, which in many cases was deeply flawed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: And neither the White House nor the Pentagon will comment on Ahmed Chalabi's credibility. And when asked last week, a White House spokesman said it was not the president's place to weigh in on who the future leaders of Iraq should be -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And Elaine, what about his political aspirations? How did he respond on the question of whether he hopes to be a part of the interim government or perhaps even a permanent government later?
QUIJANO: Well at this point, obviously, things are still very much up in the air. What he has said is that certainly the Iraqi people will play a major part. Obviously, the United States wants to see a democracy there with elections. And so at this point, still really just looking for a Democratic process to take place. At this point, though, Washington support obviously not there for him -- Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano in Washington, thanks very much.
Well, Iraq will be a prominent theme during President Bush's speech to the nation tomorrow. You can see and hear it on a special edition of "PAULA ZAHN NOW" tomorrow night at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.
A tragedy in Paris as the ceiling of a brand new airport terminal crashes down on travelers.
And rises gas prices, will they make people think twice before buying a new vehicle?
Plus, is poker really worthy of a world series? Lots of people in Las Vegas seem to think so. That straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: North of Paris today, at least 5 people were killed and at least 3 others injured when part of a newly built terminal collapsed at Charles de Gaulle airport. CNN's Jim Bitterman has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM BITTERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was our showcase, the airport president said. But just before 7:00 on Sunday morning it became a death trap.
Witnesses said there was a loud crack as the ceiling fell in on a 50-meter section of terminal 2-E, the newest at the Charles de Gaulle airport. More people would have been killed if there had not been a warning. Minutes before the collapse, there was a shower of concrete dust and cracks responded in the ultramodern vaulted roof. Police were beginning to rope off the area.
Despite the fact that this was the end of a long holiday weekend, there were only two flights operating from the terminal operating at that hour of the morning. Critics pointed out there were problems with the facility which costs some $800 million even before it was inaugurated 11 months ago.
(on camera): Last summer there were delays in opening the terminal in a rush to 15 anybody the work. But the airport's director general denies that pressure to get the building open had anything to do with its collapse.
(voice-over): He told reporters the delays last year was caused by finishing problems, not structural ones.
HUBERT DU MESNIL, AIRPORT DIRECTOR GENERAL: The structure has been built several years before the problem of last year because it was -- it was built at the beginning of the project. And not at the end.
BITTERMAN: Still, a thorough technical investigation will now get under way to determine what went wrong. The building which can accomodate 17 aircraft at a time has been closed indefinitely with flights diverted to other terminals at the airport.
Another inquiry will look into possible criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter. Officials who have supervised nearly continuous construction at the airport for more than a decade say the collapse is a blow to the prestige of Charles de Gaulle, long promoted as one of the most modern and efficient in the world. Jim Bitterman, CNN, at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: In some other news around the world, a deadly attack in Kashmir is testing India's new prime minister. A bus carrying soldiers and their families blew up, killing at least 29 people and injuring 7. The military group, Hisbul Mujahadeen (ph) has claimed responsibility. The attack happened within hours of India's new government beginning its work.
Germany has a new president, the former head of the International Monetary Fund was elected to the mainly symbolic post, Horst Kohler. He's promising flesh optimism and innovation during his five-year term. He takes over July 1.
And Spain's new government keeps its promise to bring troops home from Iraq. Some of the last Spanish troops to leave are back home today. They arrived early this morning and were greeted by family and friends.
Well, turning now to health and science. A new debate is raging about how to protect people from genetic discrimination, especially since new technology can predict what illnesses and diseases you may be more likely to get. CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky Fisher and her daughter share more than a family resemblance. Genetic testing reveals they share a heightened risk of cancer. Ovarian cancer claimed Becky's grandmother at age 41. Becky and her mother were both diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s.
BECKY FISHER, BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR: It is a legacy for us. A painful legacy. It has a lot of risk in it. It has a lot of fear in it.
KOCH: One of the greatest fears for both women, losing health insurance or a job because of their genetic makeup.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right now I'm covered under their group insurance plan. So I don't have that risk right now. It's definitely a fear for the future.
KOCH: More than 30 states have laws barring genetic discrimination. And the senate last year unanimously voted for a federal ban against it. But the measure is stalled in the House. Health insurers oppose a clause in the House bill that could block questions about a patient's family medical history.
KAREN IGNAGNI, PRES. AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS: The definition was so broad that it would have prohibited any kind of questioning in the area of family history, which otherwise would have been relevant for disease management.
KOCH (on camera): The Chamber of Commerce insist there are already enough protections against genetic discrimination. Its business owner members fear the bill would encourage frivolous lawsuits
LAWRENCE EORBER, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: They are concerned about having genetic testing be converted into another cause of action to cause yet another series of lawsuits when there's no evidence whatsoever that there's employment derivation because of people's genetic makeup.
KOCH (voice over): But advocates point out fear of discrimination is real and could hinder progress in genetic research.
DEBRA NESS, NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES: We fear that the enormous promise that this research holds out will never be realized because people will be afraid to get tested.
KOCH: The Fishers point out having the genetic proclivity toward an illness doesn't necessarily mean you will be ill. Still, they want federal protections so their genes can never be used against them.
FISHER: We have a problem with being absolutely vulnerable and hung out to dry because of something that we couldn't help.
KOCH: Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: They are successful, independent and educated and they care about the issue. So why don't more young women vote?
Plus, treasures from the 19th Century are causing quite a stir in Russia today. We'll explain.
(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 23, 2004 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Amazing video of one twister in Nebraska as tornadoes tear through the midwest.
Plus, gas prices going higher and higher. Could it mean the end of the SUV craze?
And pack your bags and put on your poker face, we're going to Los Vegas for the world series of poker.
Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. All that and more after a look at the headlines.
Lieutenant General Richardo Sanchez is denying he was present during times of prisoner abuse or interrogations in Iraq. "The Washington Post" is reporting a different story. "The Post" reports that a lawyer for one of the soldier ys says a captain at Abu Ghraib Prison told him Sanchez knew what was going on.
More violence in the Middle East today. Two Palestinians were killed and three others were wounded when a car exploded in Nablus (ph). Security officials in the West Bank town say the two dead men are members of Hamas. It's not clear what caused the blast.
Unrest in the Middle East and the prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq on on the minds of Arab leader in Tunisia today. The leaders called for a resumption of Palestinian/Israeli peace talks. They also condemned the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.
Terminal tragedy at a Paris airport today. Concrete, glass and steel girders came crashing down when a section of the roof at Charles de Gaulle Airport collapsed. At least five people were killed and three others wounded when the vaulted ceiling on a newly constructed terminal caved in.
Parts of the Midwest are under tornado and thunderstorm watches in a third day of rough spring weather. Nebraska is under a state of emergency after more than a dozen tornadoes struck yesterday killing at least one person. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras is in the CNN center following the latest conditions -- Jacqui.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Fredricka, yes, conditions are favorable for more severe weather for today. Right now no rotation out there at this time, so no tornado warnings. But we do have several watch boxes, areas that we are concerned about for today, particularly this one that covers parts Missouri, over into Illinois and Southeastern parts of Iowa. This has been labeled a dangerous situation. We're expecting the potential for super cell-type thunderstorms that do spawn tornadoes.
Also, tornado watches in effect, which including the Chicagoland area and also just to the north of Indianapolis. The one that did include Indianapolis and down to the south has now been canceled a little bit early. That's good news.
OK, the PBS, or the particularly dangerous situation, the watch box we're looking at here just starting to see some thunderstorm development here to the west of Columbia. Columbia into Boone County here you are under a severe thunderstorm warning. You can expect to see strong sguss with this thunderstorm up to 60 miles per hour and also some large hail. These are pushing off to the northeast, along I-70. So, travel not going to be good across eastern parts of Missouri for today.
We'll take you into Indiana now. tHere's your canceled watch Box. Mostly your garden variety thunderstorms south. But something to keep in mind when there's a tornado watch it means conditions are favorable for a tornado and and near the watch box area. So, even though you may not be technically in the watch box, look out in Lafayette because the potential, I think, will exist here this afternoon and into the evening hours.
Now, there are no watches across parts of the southeast, but we do have a slight risk of seeing thunderstorms here. We've had a couple warnings across parts of North and South Carolina. These are kind of impulse or pulse thunderstorms which are popping on up with the daytime heating. They may be producing smoe gusty winds and some hail here. So, be aware, even though you do not have watch boxes, you're going to see hit and miss thunderstorms, some which could be on the strong side.
Our moderate risk, though, is going to be parts of Illinois and Indiana and Southern Michigan. The slight risk extend into the northeast, especially as we head into the overnight hours for tonight with a slight risk of severe thunderstorms. And it looks like our pattern's finally going to calm down a little bit, I think, by the middle of the week. So Wednesday should be a better day, but it looks like another couple days with severe weather. We'll keep you up to date -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Thanks a lot, Jacqui.
Well, coming up in 15 minutes we will talk with Nebraska's governor who toured a town heavily damaged by a tornado late yesterday.
Well, turning now to Afghanistan. U.N. peacekeepers in Kabul were targeted today by rocket propelled grenades today, one blast hit near bases housing U.S. and Afghan troops. At least two peacekeepers were injured. Ryan Chilcote is in Kabul with more on the attack -- Ryan.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The U.N's peacekeepers here in Afghanistan, right now, actually can't say whether those service people working for the U.N. were wounded or killed in that attack. All they can say at this point is that they have two casualties as a result of that rocket attack.
Again, that was three rockets that hit the Jalalabad road. Taht's the road that heads east out of Afghanistan's capital Kabul towards the city of Jalalabad in the direction of Pakistan. It is also where the U.N. has its headquarters and a lot of -- there are a lot of U.S. military and other countries' military bases.
Now, this comes against the backdrop of rising violence just since Thursday, eight U.S. servicemen wounded here in Afghanistan. And all this, of course, Fredricka, coming at a very anxious time in this country, coming up on presidential elections here in September. Those elections were already pushed back because of concerns about security and the inability to get voters in this country for their very first election registered in that have been insecure environment -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Ryan Chilcote in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thanks very much.
We're getting more details about the overnight raid in Kufa, Iraq. The stronghold of radical cleric Muqtada al-sadr, a hospital official there says 29 people were killed and dozens more wounded.
The U.S. military confirms 16 deaths from the incursion which ended early this morning. CNN's Jane Arraf, embedded with the troops, said they confiscated several large caches of weapons but she says the raid did not appear aimed at capturing Sadr.
In Karbala, the U.S. military says it captured ten members of Sadr's militia overnight, but denies reports that a cease fire deal has been reached with the insurgents. Residents there have returned to the streets and are now rebuilding their damaged homes.
Also in Iraq today, three American soldiers were wounded when an improvised explosive went off near Fallujah.
Well, less than a year ago he looked like America's hand-picked successor to Saddam Hussein, but now Ahmed Chalabi has gone into selfdefense mode, spending much of his time defending his integrity. Today interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer was case in point. CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us from Washington with details now -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fredricka. Ahmed Chalabi once enjoyed a prominent place among some of Washington's elite. It was just four months ago that he sat behind First Lady Laura Bush at the president's State of the Union Address, now he finds himself defending his reputation amidst accusations that he shared U.S. secrets with Iran.
Chalabi was a one-time favorite of the Pentagon in the run-up to the Iraq War. He heads up the dissident Iraqi Natural Congress, a group which advocated war to oust Saddam Hussein, helped gather intelligence for the U.S. and until this month, was on the U.S.'s pay- roll, receiving more than $30 million in all.
Now, Chalabi is also a member of the Iraqi Governing Council, but now Chalabi says he is the victim of a CIA smear campaign and denies allegations that he spied for Iran.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AHMED CHALABI, ACCUSED OF SELLING U.S. INTELLIGENCE: That's a false charge. We never provided any classified information from the U.S. to Iran, and neither I nor anyone in the INC. And that is a charge being put out by George Tenet.
I say, let him bring all his charges, all his documents. We also will bring all our charges and all our documents to the U.S. Congress and let Congress have hearings and resolve this issue. We believe that the Congress is the place to resolve this issue and I think our record will be cleared.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: But some lawmakers question what a congressional hearing will accomplish. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat member of the Intelligence Committee, appearing on CNN'S "LATE EDITION" had this reaction when asked about Chalabi.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN, (D) CALIFORNIA: I think he's a manipulator. I don't believe he's a man that you can trust. I think we made a horrendous mistake in providing him with tens of millions of dollars. And enabling him to build a core of infiltraters, allegedly to give us intelligence, which in many cases was deeply flawed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: And neither the White House nor the Pentagon will comment on Ahmed Chalabi's credibility. And when asked last week, a White House spokesman said it was not the president's place to weigh in on who the future leaders of Iraq should be -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And Elaine, what about his political aspirations? How did he respond on the question of whether he hopes to be a part of the interim government or perhaps even a permanent government later?
QUIJANO: Well at this point, obviously, things are still very much up in the air. What he has said is that certainly the Iraqi people will play a major part. Obviously, the United States wants to see a democracy there with elections. And so at this point, still really just looking for a Democratic process to take place. At this point, though, Washington support obviously not there for him -- Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano in Washington, thanks very much.
Well, Iraq will be a prominent theme during President Bush's speech to the nation tomorrow. You can see and hear it on a special edition of "PAULA ZAHN NOW" tomorrow night at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.
A tragedy in Paris as the ceiling of a brand new airport terminal crashes down on travelers.
And rises gas prices, will they make people think twice before buying a new vehicle?
Plus, is poker really worthy of a world series? Lots of people in Las Vegas seem to think so. That straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: North of Paris today, at least 5 people were killed and at least 3 others injured when part of a newly built terminal collapsed at Charles de Gaulle airport. CNN's Jim Bitterman has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM BITTERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was our showcase, the airport president said. But just before 7:00 on Sunday morning it became a death trap.
Witnesses said there was a loud crack as the ceiling fell in on a 50-meter section of terminal 2-E, the newest at the Charles de Gaulle airport. More people would have been killed if there had not been a warning. Minutes before the collapse, there was a shower of concrete dust and cracks responded in the ultramodern vaulted roof. Police were beginning to rope off the area.
Despite the fact that this was the end of a long holiday weekend, there were only two flights operating from the terminal operating at that hour of the morning. Critics pointed out there were problems with the facility which costs some $800 million even before it was inaugurated 11 months ago.
(on camera): Last summer there were delays in opening the terminal in a rush to 15 anybody the work. But the airport's director general denies that pressure to get the building open had anything to do with its collapse.
(voice-over): He told reporters the delays last year was caused by finishing problems, not structural ones.
HUBERT DU MESNIL, AIRPORT DIRECTOR GENERAL: The structure has been built several years before the problem of last year because it was -- it was built at the beginning of the project. And not at the end.
BITTERMAN: Still, a thorough technical investigation will now get under way to determine what went wrong. The building which can accomodate 17 aircraft at a time has been closed indefinitely with flights diverted to other terminals at the airport.
Another inquiry will look into possible criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter. Officials who have supervised nearly continuous construction at the airport for more than a decade say the collapse is a blow to the prestige of Charles de Gaulle, long promoted as one of the most modern and efficient in the world. Jim Bitterman, CNN, at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: In some other news around the world, a deadly attack in Kashmir is testing India's new prime minister. A bus carrying soldiers and their families blew up, killing at least 29 people and injuring 7. The military group, Hisbul Mujahadeen (ph) has claimed responsibility. The attack happened within hours of India's new government beginning its work.
Germany has a new president, the former head of the International Monetary Fund was elected to the mainly symbolic post, Horst Kohler. He's promising flesh optimism and innovation during his five-year term. He takes over July 1.
And Spain's new government keeps its promise to bring troops home from Iraq. Some of the last Spanish troops to leave are back home today. They arrived early this morning and were greeted by family and friends.
Well, turning now to health and science. A new debate is raging about how to protect people from genetic discrimination, especially since new technology can predict what illnesses and diseases you may be more likely to get. CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky Fisher and her daughter share more than a family resemblance. Genetic testing reveals they share a heightened risk of cancer. Ovarian cancer claimed Becky's grandmother at age 41. Becky and her mother were both diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s.
BECKY FISHER, BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR: It is a legacy for us. A painful legacy. It has a lot of risk in it. It has a lot of fear in it.
KOCH: One of the greatest fears for both women, losing health insurance or a job because of their genetic makeup.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right now I'm covered under their group insurance plan. So I don't have that risk right now. It's definitely a fear for the future.
KOCH: More than 30 states have laws barring genetic discrimination. And the senate last year unanimously voted for a federal ban against it. But the measure is stalled in the House. Health insurers oppose a clause in the House bill that could block questions about a patient's family medical history.
KAREN IGNAGNI, PRES. AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS: The definition was so broad that it would have prohibited any kind of questioning in the area of family history, which otherwise would have been relevant for disease management.
KOCH (on camera): The Chamber of Commerce insist there are already enough protections against genetic discrimination. Its business owner members fear the bill would encourage frivolous lawsuits
LAWRENCE EORBER, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: They are concerned about having genetic testing be converted into another cause of action to cause yet another series of lawsuits when there's no evidence whatsoever that there's employment derivation because of people's genetic makeup.
KOCH (voice over): But advocates point out fear of discrimination is real and could hinder progress in genetic research.
DEBRA NESS, NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES: We fear that the enormous promise that this research holds out will never be realized because people will be afraid to get tested.
KOCH: The Fishers point out having the genetic proclivity toward an illness doesn't necessarily mean you will be ill. Still, they want federal protections so their genes can never be used against them.
FISHER: We have a problem with being absolutely vulnerable and hung out to dry because of something that we couldn't help.
KOCH: Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: They are successful, independent and educated and they care about the issue. So why don't more young women vote?
Plus, treasures from the 19th Century are causing quite a stir in Russia today. We'll explain.
(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
